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on the cover Daniel Lim ‘24 smiles at Commencement on May 25, 2024.
DEAR WESLEYAN FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
I am humbled and deeply grateful that you have taken the time to read the spring 2024 edition of the Wesleyan School magazine. Your continued interest in and support of our school encourages and inspires us to strive to fulfill our mission to be a Christian school of academic excellence. I hope this magazine will remind you of God’s past, present, and future faithfulness to Wesleyan as we seek to glorify Him by pursuing excellence in all we do.
As I consider His faithfulness, I am reminded of an event that took place in early November of this school year. As you can see in the picture adjacent to this letter, we gathered all students and faculty and took a picture on Robinson Field to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Wesleyan School. This tradition began in 1998 on the 35th anniversary and has continued every five years. I love this wonderful tradition for a variety of reasons.
• It serves as a terrific visual representation of our model: we are a kindergarten – 12th grade school located on one campus:
• It provides us with the opportunity to gather all students and teachers as an entire school community in one place, which only happens a handful of times each year.
• It prompts us to pause, reflect, and thank God for His countless blessings on our school for such an extended period of time.
Most of all, as we gather on Robinson Field, it reminds me of the thousands of children who have walked the halls, played on the fields, performed on the stages, and worshiped in the chapel of our school. It reminds me of the hundreds of teachers who have loved, mentored, coached, directed, and poured themselves into the lives of the children in their care. It reminds me that while we want to provide a truly excellent education, to support and nurture the artistic and athletic gifts of our children, and to serve within and outside of our community, the greatest joy of our work is to point children to Jesus. In short, it reminds me why Wesleyan School exists.
The world will constantly seek to measure us by the list of colleges to which our students are accepted. We will be categorized and quantified by our standardized test scores or our AP test results. The world will deem our athletic programs successful or not on the basis of our winning percentages and championships won. Our actors, artists, singers, and musicians will go to festivals and competitions to be judged and scored on their performances.
All of those things have value. But the Wesleyan experience can never be summed up by a number, or a ranking, or a percentile. The true measure of the Wesleyan experience will ultimately be told in the lives of our graduates 10, 20, and 30 years after they leave our care. When you are 30, nobody cares what your high school grade point average was. Nobody talks about the ACT or SAT when they are 35. When you are 40, nobody wants to hear about how many yards you had or points you averaged when you were a teenager.
What will matter is how we answer questions like, “What kind of men and women has Wesleyan produced?” “What kind of husbands and wives and fathers and mothers have our graduates become?” “Are Wesleyan alumni known for their character, integrity, work ethic, citizenship, and faith?”
Gathering on a football field every five years to take a picture is in some ways simply a tradition. But to me, there is something special about having our whole school together, with children ranging in ages from six to 18. As I stood with 1,200+ beautiful creations made in the image of God, I wondered to myself, “Who will these children become, and how might God use us to shape them into the men and women He has created them to be in order to accomplish His purposes?”
These moments, among many others, remind me that this is a great place to work. It is a privilege to be used as instruments in God’s hands. Praise God for the work He has done in the lives of 60 years’ worth of Wesleyan students and teachers.
May God continue to bless you and Wesleyan School.
For His Glory,
Chris Cleveland, Head of School
congratulations CLASS OF 2024
EMILY ZAVITZ
BACCALAUREATE SPEAKER, HIGH SCHOOL GRADE CHAIR AND ENGLISH TEACHER
“All of these classic Wesleyan events, milestones, and benchmarks have been created in an effort to give you the world and ensure that you felt loved by your teachers, your community, and most importantly, God. And if you leave here knowing nothing other than God’s love and our love, we have done our job.”
JOSH KAVEL ‘24
VALEDICTORIAN
“I tell you our options are courage, hypocrisy, or cowardice because it is true. Because those are the choices we make when we choose to not stand up for what we believe in. Even though we all have our bad moments, I tell you this because I know none of you are cowardly or hypocritical people, and you all have the courage and strength to fight for what you believe in.”
KALLAGHAN
FREEMAN ‘24
SALUTATORIAN
“The most important mission Wesleyan has taught us and now leaves with us is to love people. It might be difficult; it might be infuriating; but that has been the most important lesson we can take with us. Learning to see people, to listen to people, to know people; learning to feel for people, to care for people; learning to love people.”
TIM HILLEGASS
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER, MEMBER, WESLEYAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES
“God never planned for you to do life on your own. In fact, that is the opposite of what He wants or desires. The truth is God seeks to have an intimate relationship with you where you can surrender all of your hopes, dreams, fears and anxieties to Him.”
TOM AND PAMELA MENEFEE, RECIPIENTS OF THE ZACH AND STUDIE YOUNG STEWARDSHIP AWARD
LASTING legacies
MAC ANDERSON, DAVID ANDERSON ’19, and LUCY ANDERSON ‘22
JACOB BINNEY, CAMERON BINNEY ’19, and ASHLEY BINNEY ‘21
OLIVIA CARDILE and ALEX CARDILE ‘21
JAMES COOPER, father JOSEPH COOPER (faculty), and mother SARA COOPER (faculty)
REAGAN BEATY, GRANT BEATY ’18, and CONNOR BEATY ‘20
DAVID CAMARGO, MIGEL CAMARGO, and MATEO RENGIFO ‘18
ANDREW COOK, father ANDY COOK (former faculty) , CARMEN COOK ’20, BOBBY COOK ’22 (not pictured), and THOMAS COOK ‘23 (not pictured)
LAUREL EDGE and WALKER EDGE ‘22
NORAH KATE ANDREWS and KEVIN ANDREWS ‘23
SAVANNAH COLEGROVE and mother RUTHIE COLEGROVE (faculty)
HENLEY DAVIS, CULLEN DAVIS ’17, and CARTER DAVIS ‘20
CASH BAHR and GRACIE TAYLOR ‘21
BO BRITT and grandmother JUDIE BOWEN (former trustee)
BRODER CONLEY, mother AME CONLEY (faculty) , WILLEM CONLEY ’18, AIDAN CONLEY ‘22, and ETHAN CONLEY ’20 (not pictured)
AUDREY DOSS and AMELIA DOSS ‘22
LUKE FLEMING and ANDREW FLEMING ‘22
COURTNEY GIBBS and CAROLINE GIBBS ‘21
JJ GRACEY, mother MELANIE GRACEY (former faculty) , and HARRISON GRACEY ‘21
OWEN HODGES, father RYAN HODGES (faculty) , and WYATT HODGES ‘21
LANDON GEORGE, MADISON GEORGE ’21, and COLIN GEORGE ‘22 (not pictured)
MATTHEW GODFREY, JACK GODFREY ’20, and EMILY GODFREY ‘22
MERRY-ALICE GORDY and SCHLEY GORDY ‘23
CHARLIE HILLEGASS, father TIM HILLEGASS (trustee) , TIM HILLEGASS ’23, and WILL HILLEGASS ‘23
LAINEY JERDING and LEXI JERDING ‘19
KALLAGHAN FREEMAN and KENSINGTON FREEMAN ‘23
MARGARET GILL and JOSH GILL ‘10
DREW HARBOUR and EMRIE HARBOUR ‘20
ALEX HOLCOMB and SARAH HOLCOMB ‘21
JAMEY FULLER and WILL FULLER ‘22
ABIGAIL GLOVER and ALEXANDER GLOVER ‘23
ELI HEWITSON and CONNOR HEWITSON ‘23
BEAU JACKSON, LUKE JACKSON ’21, and BEN JACKSON ‘23
SHEPARD JONES, ALVA JONES ’18, and PRESTON JONES ‘20
REAGAN MAXWELL and MACKENZIE MAXWELL ‘22
DANIEL LIM and SARAH LIM ‘22
GEORGIA LUTZ and mother DEBBIE PENSO (faculty)
GINNY KATE MCDANIEL, father CHAD MCDANIEL ( administration ), mother STEPHANIE MCDANIEL (former faculty) , BETSY MCDANIEL ’19, and STAFFORD MCDANIEL ‘22
ANDY SCOTT and ABBY SCOTT ‘21
KATE STOLLE and LIVI STOLLE ‘22
TARAN YOUNG and father ARI YOUNG (faculty)
MACIE MILAM and father BILLY MILAM (trustee)
MAMIE PRIDGEN, father FRANKLIN PRIDGEN (faculty) , ANDREW PRIDGEN ’19, and ALDEN PRIDGEN ‘21
ROWAN REINHARD, FREDDIE REINHARD ’23, and MARY-JOHN REINHARD ‘23
SHAWN SIMMONS and MAGGIE SIMMONS ‘21
JULIA WEATHERLY, mother KELLY WEATHERLY (staff), and ABBY WEATHERLY ‘20
not pictured:
FRANNIE ALEMBIK and GIGI ALEMBIK ’22
MATT BLANTON, BEAU BLANTON ’20, and ZACH BLANTON ‘22
CAMERON HEWITT and KAMI HEWITT ‘23
JOSH KAVEL, JAMESON KAVEL ’17, and JD KAVEL ‘19
MEYERS LOUTHAN, MILLER LOUTHAN ’19, and PALMER LOUTHAN ‘22
DAVIS PENNINGTON and RYAN PENNINGTON ‘22
HUDSON REYNOLDS and ROMAN REYNOLDS ‘23
ALEC THOMAS and JACK THOMAS ‘21
JAMIE TREMBLE and TOMMY TREMBLE ‘18
LUKE PRESSMAN and mother MEGAN PRESSMAN (faculty)
LIBBY WENZ, mother ALISON WENZ (faculty), and CHARLIE WENZ ‘21
BRADY O’SHIELDS, BRENDAN O’SHIELDS ’23, and KATE O’SHIELDS ‘23
CHEKKA SALMIERI and LUCA SALMIERI ‘22
MAGGIE SOUKUP and MICHAEL SOUKUP ‘22
high school band, chorus, and theater performances
CLASS OF 2024
members of the class of 2024 helped win 23 team and 9 individual state titles
future collegiate student-athletes 19 19
international, national, and state awards and honors in visual arts
63% of the class of 2024 served on at least one Wesleyan mission trip
National Merit Finalists
BY THE NUMBERS
$6.5 million
awarded in merit and athletic scholarships (excluding HOPE and Zell)
seniors will matriculate to 48 different colleges
seniors were accepted at 118 colleges and universities
matriculations by school type 4% 18%
COLLEGE MATRICULATIONS
AND ACCEPTANCES
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
BELMONT UNIVERSITY
BERRY COLLEGE
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN COLLEGE
BOSTON COLLEGE
BROWN UNIVERSITY
CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY (POMONA)
CENTRE COLLEGE
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY (FORT COLLINS)
CORNELL COLLEGE
CUNY HUNTER COLLEGE
DREXEL UNIVERSITY
DUKE UNIVERSITY
ELON UNIVERSITY
EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY
EMORY UNIVERSITY
FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY
GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
INDIANA UNIVERSITY – BLOOMINGTON
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
KNOX COLLEGE
LEE UNIVERSITY
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
*Students will matriculate to schools in bold.
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
MCGILL UNIVERSITY
MERCER UNIVERSITY
MIAMI UNIVERSITY (OXFORD)
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY
OXFORD COLLEGE OF EMORY UNIVERSITY
PALM BEACH ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN AT THE NEW SCHOOL
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY – BERKS
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY –UNIVERSITY PARK
QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE
REINHARDT UNIVERSITY
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN
SAMFORD UNIVERSITY
SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
SOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SPELMAN COLLEGE
STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
TRI-COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE
TRUETT MCCONNELL UNIVERSITY
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, DENVER
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT AUGUSTA
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA – UPSTATE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON – SEATTLE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – MADISON
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
AND STATE UNIVERSITY
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
WILLIAM AND MARY
WOFFORD COLLEGE
The Breaking of Bread and Building of Bonds
If you enter DuBose Dining Hall during lunch, the noise can be deafening. Plaid-skorted girls eagerly recount stories. Blazer-clad boys vent frustrations. Some groups are laughing while others are somber. But the point is that they are together, and they are talking. They are lingering around the table. Human beings crave fellowship. And meals have a way of breaking down barriers, opening hearts and ears, and building bridges.
Justin Earley, Christian author and speaker, explains, “Meals with others are a way of turning on that light of presence in a dark culture of loneliness.” To combat this “dark culture of loneliness,” Wesleyan makes every effort to create a culture of fellowship. Breaking bread together is not a special occasion for our community. It is the norm.
“Breaking bread is a timeless topic,” explains GREG LISSON, director of Christian life. “People have been hosting one another at tables and dining together for thousands of years. But it’s never been a timelier topic. It’s an antidote to the current cultural maladies of loneliness, disembodied existence, and utter exhaustion from the digital world.”
We read in Acts 2:42, “… they [the followers of Jesus] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” These early Christians, newly baptized and saved, were devoted to things one would expect: the studying of Scripture, prayer, and fellowship. However, the unexpected discipline included in that list is “the breaking of bread.”
If Luke, the author of Acts, found it necessary to include that detail, then we, too, want to be purposeful about dining together. Whether you are a parent catching up with others at Fill The Gill or a student sharing a meal with a teacher in his or her classroom, Wesleyan seeks out, sets up, and savors opportunities to break bread together, just as Jesus and his disciples did.
MEALS DISARM
When people gather around a table for a meal, they relax. They lay down some of their burdens and insecurities. The simple act of eating together disarms them and puts them at ease. When these walls fall, relationships can form and fuse.
CHAD MCDANIEL, director of development and varsity cross country coach, shares, “After our first morning run in the Chattahoochee National Forest at cross country camp, the kids relax in the river, play cornhole and spikeball, and eat chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and fruit. Everyone is tired from the run, and some of the new kids and freshmen are still making friends. But the food and fellowship change the mojo of everything and set the tone for the entire season ahead.”
“…they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
ACTS 2:42
Meals disarm
Over a sweet and savory breakfast, nervous jitters are put on pause, and trepidations are stilled. Indeed, pancakes, bacon, and fruit change the mojo.
Similarly, on Saturday mornings before cross country meets, the coaching staff gathers at Waffle House to shake out their own excited energies. Sometimes as early as 4:30 a.m., these coaches carve out time for meals because they recognize the calming and communal value of enjoying a meal together.
“What makes Early Waffle special is that it’s time together with just the coaching staff, and the food is part of what brings us together,” explains McDaniel. “Otherwise, we would just show up at school, get on the bus, and head straight into competition mode.” Coffee and waffles help motivate people to show up before dawn, and once they have shown up, some of the busyness and chaos quiets. The chance for fellowship becomes present.
Mission trip meals also show how dining together can ease the path to building new friendships. In early fall, students learn who is on their mission trip team. Often, teams are comprised of students in different grade levels who may not be familiar with one another. As the teams gather throughout the year to prepare for trips, meals are integral to their meetings.
JEN SHEPPARD, director of Christian life: missions and retreats, explains, “The pre-meeting meal is a moment to unwind after coming straight from tackling homework or from practice. We can all just slow down and be present with one another. Not only do meals create a relaxing atmosphere, but they also foster natural conversations.”
Pizza and tacos are avenues for minimizing apprehension, and at a shared table, students test the waters with conversation. Everyone can take a breath, and team members can enjoy a setting conducive to learning each other’s personalities.
“As I grow older, I realize that mealtime is where you can teach and learn things about life without it feeling like you are ‘teaching’ or ‘being taught.’”
CHAD MCDANIEL, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
It is a beautiful mystery how the Lord uses food to relax our minds and hearts. “As I grow older,” reflects McDaniel, “I realize that mealtime is where you can teach and learn things about life without it feeling like you are ‘teaching’ or ‘being taught.’”
Squirrely freshmen runners learn each other’s names over pancakes. Coaches study meet plans over waffles. Mission trip teams map out logistics over pasta. All these connections are made easier because meals disarm. They slow our racing minds, open our ears, and soften our hearts to new or deepening friendships.
MEALS CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
In his book Practicing the Way, pastor and author John Mark Comer points out that in the Gospel of Luke, there are more than 50 references to food, and Comer articulates how meals are one way that Jesus creates opportunities for growing disciples. “We can’t force a person to become a disciple of Jesus,” Comer explains, “nor would we want to. But we can offer them a space where such a change can occur, even if slowly over time.”
Jesus reached the hearts of those around Him by inviting them to the table, and many Wesleyan faculty follow Jesus’ model for creating opportunities for fellowship. CHRISTIAN BROOK, high school English teacher, extends an open, standing invitation to high school students for lunch in his classroom each day.
By intentionally using meals to create opportunity for fellowship, faculty affirm that when mission drives one’s mentality, there is always a seat for Jesus at the head of the table.
“There is an opportunity to have real conversations about what is going on in their day-to-day lives,” Brook shares. “Whether they are excited about how well they did at a wrestling tournament over the weekend or how they are dreading a test next period, I love being there to listen.”
Similarly, if you ever pass the office of DR. JENNIFER PINKETT SMITH, director of diversity, during lunch, there is often standing room only. Pinkett Smith laughs, “Mealtimes in my office are definitely a thing! The best part is the student-to-student interaction. Students from every grade level come – wisdom is shared, feelings are soothed, and real, courageous conversations happen. No one judges. It is a place to be understood and hopefully leave lifted. So, for any student, but especially our students of color, they can feel a part of a larger group.”
Likewise in the middle school, when a sixth-grade boy celebrates a birthday (or half birthday!), JOHN CREED, sixth grade boys chair, invites him to his office for lunch, and the birthday boy may bring a friend or two as well. Creed enjoys time with each of the boys in an uninterrupted space.
By intentionally using meals to create opportunity for fellowship, faculty affirm that when mission drives one’s mentality, there is always a seat for Jesus at the head of the table. When your mindset is to bring others into the fold of Jesus’ care, you identify avenues for authentic relationship. You view your office or classroom as a gift to further God’s kingdom, and as demonstrated in the lives of our teachers and coaches, meals aid in that endeavor. The time is now for people to feel connected, encouraged, and full (pun intended).
Meals create opportunities
Meals build families
MEALS BUILD FAMILIES
As students and faculty break bread together repeatedly, meals move relationships from nervous acquaintances to families through the consistent and rhythmic practice. As Comer writes, meals are “the act of welcoming the outsider in and, in doing so, turning guests into neighbors and neighbors into family in God.”
FRANKLIN PRIDGEN, high school social sciences teacher and varsity football coach, breaks bread with his team twice a week during the fall: a post-practice meal and a pregame meal. In addition, Waffle House traditionally caters team meals over Thanksgiving break and after the Senior Night game. As the rising seniors and coaches prepare for the upcoming season over the summer, Pridgen hosts and cooks twice for them. He shares, “Good food leads to good friends. It bonds us together. It disarms hostility and fosters understanding and bridge-building.”
Through the repeated and sustained practice of dining together, Pridgen has created a culture in which the players can look forward to those meals, week after week. These meals reinforce their brotherhood, bound by months of training, shared team aspirations, and most importantly, a deep love for one another. Their gritty effort during games and practices is balanced by food and fellowship.
As the football players and coaches spend time over meals, not only do they create memories, but they also gain a sense of belonging. “We share a meal like families do. Same concept,” Pridgen explains.
Meals have the ability to establish all types of groups into families. Self-named “The Spillers,” a group of students ate lunch in Lisson’s office daily for three straight years, forging a unique bond.
“Good food leads to good friends. It bonds us together. It disarms hostility and fosters understanding and bridge-building.”
FRANKLIN PRIDGEN, HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL SCIENCES TEACHER
The gift of table fellowship is not lost on Wesleyan: its demand for physical presence, its power to heal, its potential for connections, its effectiveness in refining rough edges.
“What brought me back each week,” recalls BEN SMOKE ’19 , “was the genial and genuine nature of the group. I felt like I could be myself without any pressure to perform. It was ‘come as you are.’” A guaranteed safe and supportive space at lunch turned these classmates into lifelong friends. They were –and still are – a little family of sorts with an active group chat and holiday reunions over meals, of course!
“There were many days of laughter and joy,” Smoke remembers, “but also of tears. We were self-named due to one person’s tendency to spill her lunch, but honestly, it’s a great metaphor for how we also shared in the mess of life with one another.”
They were able to share in the mess because they were physically present. Lunch happened every day, and they were purposeful in gathering together because it was fun. They lingered over good food, and good food led to good friends. A little family formed. No wonder the disciples devoted themselves to the breaking of bread. It is a powerful practice!
MEALS ARE TIMELESS
From the Lord’s Supper to the feeding of the five thousand, “food and sitting around a table are key to faith,” says Lisson. The gift of table fellowship is not lost on Wesleyan: its demand for physical presence, its power to heal, its potential for connections, its effectiveness in refining rough edges. The simplicity of shared bread-breaking can be the antidote for isolation or overscheduling. So, let’s continue to linger around the table as a community and allow the Holy Spirit to work in those beautiful, mysterious, and sacred moments.
Meals
2023-2024
Foundations: Building the Kingdom
Wesleyan’s annual Christian life theme serves as a focal point for chapels and overflows into Bible studies, pack and mentor groups, casual conversations, and even personal practices.
The 2023-2024 Christian life theme, Foundations: Building the Kingdom, focused on some of the core principles and disciplines of following Jesus.
“Building-related imagery is used numerous times in Scripture as a metaphor for the Christian life,” explains GREG LISSON , director of Christian life. “These images remind us that only a life built on Jesus can stand in life’s storms – He is the solid Rock, the Cornerstone, the firm Foundation on which we build. And the best way to build a life on Jesus is through the spiritual disciplines.”
As our community explored and learned more about the importance of prayer, Scripture, generosity, worship, simplicity, community, evangelism, stewardship, and celebration, students and teachers were challenged to participate with practical and tangible applications.
“Our hope in incorporating practicums was to make the theme come alive,” reflects DAVIS BROWN ’10, assistant director of Christian life: worship and discipleship.
“As a community, we hear and talk about these different disciplines so often, but we saw an incredible opportunity to not only speak further into them, but to put them into practice –to walk through and experience that which Christ has called us to do as we build from His foundation,” explains Brown.
From invitations to before-school worship and schoolwide fellowship to acronyms for how to P.R.A.Y. (praise, repent, ask, and yield) and H.E.A.R. (highlight, examine, apply, and respond) Scripture, the actionable practicums offered opportunities to fortify faith by strengthening our foundation.
May we continue to be encouraged and challenged by the parable of the wise and foolish builders as shared by Jesus in Matthew 7:24-25:
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
AUGUST
Foundations
1 CORINTHIANS 3:9-11
SEPTEMBER
Simplicity Prayer
ROMANS 8:26-27
practicum: P.R.A.Y. and weekly prayer opportunities before school
NOVEMBER
Generosity
PROVERBS 11:24-25
practicum: Tanner’s Totes collection
PSALM 100
JANUARY
1 TIMOTHY 6:6-7
practicum: Surrender fast from social media, streaming, gaming, or cluttering
APRIL
FEBRUARY
Community
HEBREWS 10:24-25
practicum: “You are Loved” Day and Community Day
Stewardship
1 SAMUEL 12:24
practicum: Reflection cards
DECEMBER MAY
OCTOBER
Scripture
COLOSSIANS 3:16
practicum: H.E.A.R. and daily reading plan for studying John
practicum: Weekly worship opportunities before school
PSALM 96:2-5 FOUNDATIONS:
Worship Celebration
PSALM 118:24
MARCH
Evangelism
practicum: Mission trips
practicum: Award ceremonies, graduations, final chapels, and more
MAMMOTH TASK THE of executive skills in the arts
“
As
HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT? ONE BITE AT A TIME.
Whether the “elephant” is a marching band performance of 50-some students marching to 62 unique locations while playing four songs or a set of hundreds of personalized props organized backstage to execute character changes in 30 seconds, our elephants must be broken down into bite-sized chunks. The sum of these chunks can add up to a dazzling, cohesive, and inspiring artform, and executive skills are the utensils needed to eat the elephant.
KARYN VICKERY, director of academic support explains, “Executive skills are skills needed for life and learning.”
“And whether students are pursuing band, chorus, theater, or visual arts, we are developing those executive skills constantly in fine arts,” adds MEG FOSTER , director of fine arts.
As part of an ongoing strategic initiative to cultivate executive skills, Wesleyan recognizes 11 skills necessary to thrive in the classroom, in extracurriculars, in college, and beyond: emotional control, flexibility, focus, getting started, goal driven, metacognition, organization, planning, response inhibition, time management, and working memory.
“Adults rely on these skills daily, and as educators and parents, we need to acknowledge that children grow in executive skills on a continuum through practice and experience over time,” says Vickery.
“As we model and teach strategies for strengthening executive skills, we must remember these skills help us to thrive in complex and dynamic circumstances,” explains Vickery. “And because they are skills needed for life beyond the classroom, a great way to grow in executive skills is participation in unique and challenging experiences outside of the classroom.”
we model and teach strategies for strengthening executive skills, we must remember these skills help us to thrive in complex and dynamic circumstances.”
KARYN
VICKERY , director of academic support
executive skills
FLEXIBILITY
FOCUS
GETTING STARTED
GOAL DRIVEN
METACOGNITION
ORGANIZATION
EMOTIONAL CONTROL PLANNING
RESPONSE INHIBITION
TIME MANAGEMENT
WORKING MEMORY
ESTABLISHING RHYTHMS
In “real life,” adults operate within dynamic teams, complex schedules, and shifting demands.
“Just like in ‘real life,’ as the interdependence and intricacy of a group increases, so does the need for excellent executive skills to navigate the complexity,” explains Foster, who also directs the middle school choruses.
In any musical ensemble like chorus or marching band, each performer leans on executive skills and strategies to develop technique, but he or she must also “read the room” well and adjust to the abilities of those around them.
As Meg Foster describes the interdependence of a choral performance, JEFF FOSTER, director of high school bands, nods along. With a warm smile and infectious enthusiasm, Jeff Foster quickly details how proud he is when marching band students similarly rely on and grow in executive skills:
• To GET STARTED with learning music months in advance of the first performance.
• To embed the music into their WORKING MEMORY so students can layer on choreography while still excelling in instrumental technique.
• To FOCUS on an individual assignment while others literally move in different directions.
• To be FLEXIBLE , EMOTIONALLY CONTROLLED, and GOAL-ORIENT ED to quickly troubleshoot a challenge in a live performance.
When he pauses for a breath, Foster smiles. “Wow, I guess we really do use these skills every day, all the time because I have not even mentioned the TIME MANAGEMENT necessary to juggle academic requirements and extracurricular commitments or the ORGANIZATION and PLANNING required to write a show or practice schedule.”
NO SUCH THING AS “THEATER MAGIC”
Like musical ensembles and their leaders, theater casts and their directors also lean on excellent organization and planning to bring a show to life.
“Sometimes audiences talk about ‘theater magic,’” explains JENN JORDAN, lower school and middle school theater director. “But there really is no such thing as ‘theater magic,’” she laughs. “It is just a thousand tiny systems working in coordination.”
Jordan compares the systems working in sync to a stained-glass window. An observer or spectator admires and appreciates the beautiful, cohesive art, but upon closer inspection, there is so much precision and attention to detail.
However, some students become interested in theater without full understanding of the multilayered need for executive skills.
“We often have students who have a lot of creative energy but are still developing executive skills,” explains Jordan.
To guide students in developing these skills, Jordan identifies each child’s giftedness and helps them to leverage their strengths to enhance their creativity. She describes an intuitive performer with excellent EMOTIONAL CONTROL ; however, the student struggles with line memorization.
“I invited the student to office hours to practice lines,” recalls Jordan. “After a nudge to GET STARTED , we talked about the FLEXIBILITY to try new strategies for memorization when one method is not working.”
“After speed drills and new practice methods, the lines became part of the student’s WORKING MEMORY, which set the foundation for him to be more creative, more playful, and more explorative as he brought his character to life,” describes Jordan.
When students can “bring characters to life” in a way that is authentic and relatable, the performers are drawing on METACOGNITION
There really is no such thing as ‘theater magic.’ It is just a thousand tiny systems working in coordination.”
JENN JORDAN , lower school and middle school theater director
“Character development is all about analyzing and conveying how the character thinks, how the character is motivated, what the character is focused on, and how the character responds,” explains CAROLINE MITCHELL ’15, high school theater director.
“Teaching students to consider how their character thinks is a subtle way to encourage them to think about their own thought processes, which is really what METACOGNITION is,” says Mitchell.
STRUCTURING THE ABSTRACT
Sometimes the need for reflective METACOGNITION is most apparent when revising after a mistake or seeking to address a challenge. “How could I think about this differently?” or “What would happen if I thought about this another way?” are METACOGNITIVE questions that also draw on being GOAL-ORIENTED and FLEXIBLE
“FLEXIBILITY in visual arts is innate,” describes MICHAEL TABLADA, high school visual arts teacher focused on 3D design. “Everyone makes mistakes, and an artist figures out how to make that mistake work for them in light of their goal.”
An artist’s FLEXIBILITY and GOAL-ORIENTATION work in tandem with EMOTIONAL CONTROL . “An advanced artist might possess the technical skill to think they may be able to get it right the first time,” explains Tablada.
“But obstacles are inevitable, so they must demonstrate EMOTIONAL CONTROL when faced with unexpected challenges or mistakes. An artist manipulates that hurdle to enhance his or her artwork, but that is only possible with EMOTIONAL CONTROL and FLEXIBILITY .”
The challenges in “real life” may look different than the hurdles faced in an art class, but the skills needed to respond to those obstacles are the same, which is exactly why Wesleyan emphasizes skills for life.
“I often remind my students that these skills are not just a ‘here thing,’” shares DRU PHILLIPS, high school visual arts teacher focused on photography and digital design. “Just like their photography skills may translate into careers, side hustles, or hobbies, their executive skills will be 100% necessary as they continue on from Wesleyan.”
“We must continue to help our students identify and develop their executive skills because they are highly transferable to life beyond Wesleyan,” explains Vickery.
“Part of Wesleyan’s mission is to be college preparatory and focused on developing responsibility in a changing world,” she continues. “No matter how the world changes, executive skills will be necessary, and fine arts is fertile ground for cultivating those skills.”
When students develop strong executive skills, they are undaunted when faced with eating an elephant. They hold the utensils to get started, plan, and organize. They remain focused using time management and working memory. They leverage emotional control, response control, and metacognition to be flexible and goal-oriented.
And before you know it, they have tackled the elephant from trunk to tail.
BROOKE (WALTON) DANT ‘12 FOUNDER OF DANT DESIGN CO.
As a designer specializing in branding and web design, BROOKE (WALTON) DANT ’12 spends her days dreaming of creative solutions to help businesses define and showcase their visual identity. But in order to be her best self, Dant establishes structures and rhythms that allow her to explore creatively while also operating and growing a thriving design studio, Dant Design Co. She recently explained how executive skills are critical to her ability to be creative.
WHY ARE EXECUTIVE SKILLS NEEDED IN CREATIVE SPACES?
In my experience, creativity and structure thrive together. I cannot be creative in the midst of chaos. When my inbox is full, timelines are murky, or processes are vague, my brain mimics that confusion. Intentionally scheduling time to be creative allows me the freedom to explore without thinking about anything else. Practical skills like time management and organization are the boundaries that bring ideas to life!
WHAT EXECUTIVE SKILLS DO YOU FIND YOURSELF LEANING ON MOST FREQUENTLY?
I truly rely on every single one, but if I have to choose three, I would say I most frequently lean on organization, planning, and emotional regulation. Organization is crucial when juggling multiple clients at the same time with different art files, timelines, and project scopes. Planning is key when working through long project timelines. Each stage of our projects is planned out months in advance, and we build in milestone reminders both for our team and for the client along the way to keep us on track.
Emotional regulation is an honorable mention because working in a creative field requires thick skin! It’s part of my job to be able to receive feedback with a level head and not take anything personally. Our clients are business owners who pour their heart and soul into their work, and it is my job to be an emotionally regulated support and guide for them as they make tough decisions and big investments.
WHAT ADVICE ABOUT EXECUTIVE SKILLS WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO JOIN A CREATIVE WORKSPACE?
I always say you don’t have to be better than everyone else in your creative field (although we always strive to do our best), but you do have to be kind, smart, and easy to work with. Executive skills will be the reason your clients refer you to their friends or come back to work with you again. An amazing design completed late is no longer amazing. Set yourself up for success by valuing your executive skills as highly as you do your creative talent.
1 3 5 2 4
WHAT ARE YOU READING?
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK by Alice Schertle
“My almost-two-year-old daughter, Harper, loves this book. What I love most is when Harper repeats all the ‘Beep, Beep’ parts after me or mimics the animal noises. What I love second most – it’s one of the few books that can get Harper to sit still, listen, and even snuggle a little bit. I also love that it’s a story about being friendly and helpful as you go about your day and how that friendliness and helpfulness has a way of coming back around.”
GREG LISSON, director of Christian life
PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES FOR YOUR ADULT CHILDREN by Jodie Berndt
“Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children delves into many hard issues that adult children deal with, and the book provides a great framework to pray specifically about these issues using passages directly from the Bible. This book helps make Bible passages more personal, intimate, and applicable.”
BILLY COXHEAD, chief financial officer
WE BEGIN AT THE END by Chris Whitaker
“Although the book’s target audience is parents of adult children, many of its chapters contain principles that could easily be applied to other life situations, such as dealing with aging parents. There are great lessons and wisdom to help equip you with a wide range of biblically based suggestions and specific prayers for various situations.”
BRIAN MORGAN, chief operating officer
“It is a book about life and death, found family, right and wrong, and the gray area in between. Duchess is a 13-year-old spitfire who will do anything to protect her younger brother, and Walk is the chief of police who is constantly trying to assuage his guilty conscience for giving testimony that sent his best friend to prison decades earlier. The story is beautifully gripping, raw, and full of hope.”
REBEKAH SMITH, digital media coordinator
I WAS TOLD IT WOULD GET EASIER by Abbi Waxman
“This book felt like a glimpse into my future. The author writes about the mother-teenage daughter relationship in a way that is relatable, difficult, and heart-warming. It reminded me what it felt like to be a teenage girl and prepared me for some of the challenges I may face as a mom when my daughter grows up all while keeping me laughing and entertained.”
LAURA (CARVER) BRESLIN ‘11, technology specialist
THE CODDLING OF THE AMERICAN MIND by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
“I think we all notice that something has been going wrong in our culture for several years now. I wanted to look at what the research says is happening and what it says about social trends that have contributed to these changes. The authors do a good job of presenting research as well as engaging ‘common sense’ concepts to help us understand the framework for why things have gotten this way. This book is especially helpful to parents and teachers working with young people.”
HEIDI LLOYD, high school counselor
Pleasure over Productivity
“And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.”
ECCLESIASTES 8:15
“What are your hobbies?”
It’s a question we have all been asked... whether filling out a job application or chatting with a new acquaintance over coffee.
Humans naturally desire to connect over shared interests because hobbies reveal what people enjoy and how the Lord created them to engage with the world around them.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 tells us that the Lord commends enjoyment of life, a truth that is confirmed in endocrinological studies.
“Research has shown that engaging in hobbies can lower cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body, and that people who regularly engage in hobbies may have lower levels of anxiety and depression,” explains DR. NANCY JONES, director of counseling and lower school dean of counseling and student services.
Research also confirms that educators with better social and emotional health stay in the industry longer, are happier in their jobs, and model that health and happiness for their students. At Wesleyan, we are thankful to have staff members who not only pursue excellence in their careers but also prioritize their hobbies and honor the Lord through their pursuit of a balanced life.
TENDING THE GARDEN
FERRELL CLINE, high school Bible teacher, has always loved working with her hands.
“As a pig-tailed kid in south Georgia, I wanted a garden desperately,” Cline explains.
After identifying a well-suited plot for a garden, Cline and her parents tilled the ground themselves and planted a variety of vegetables from okra to zucchini.
Gardening quickly became her favorite way to decompress after school. “After school, I would shake out my brown leather boots, get out in the garden with my mom, and just sit and talk through the day.”
For Cline, all aspects of gardening offer value – even weeding. The seemingly small task takes a great deal of time and is necessary to protect the crops from invasive plants. “Most people despise weeding, but that piece of maintenance I find incredibly relaxing and satisfying,” smiles Cline.
In the processes of weeding, pruning, watering, watching for pests, and sometimes having to wait months for a crop to grow, Cline has learned how to tend not just to her garden, but also to her own mind through patience, stillness, and quietness.
“After a long day, getting to spend time alone doing what I love to do is the best way to decompress,” reflects Cline.
Cline’s love for gardening has flourished over the years, and she even found a new gardening teammate in her husband. Together, they have harvested pineapple, watermelon, cucumber, and garlic, and they plan to grow a pumpkin patch this fall. But their harvest doesn’t end with produce; they also cultivate community as they share their crops with their friends and neighbors.
Three years ago, MICHAEL CORNELIUS ‘08, middle school math teacher, attended his first yoga class. He has been in the studio almost every day since then. After graduating from a four-month intensive program in November 2022, Cornelius led his first class as a yoga instructor.
“I love the way yoga makes me feel,” he reflects. “It’s energizing and focused on evening out your breath so you can relax. That translates to being more mindful.”
Cornelius describes mindfulness as being fully present and accepting where you are. “When I am on my mat, I acknowledge that I am within those four corners, and it is a safe place to express myself,” says Cornelius.
In addition to building mindfulness, Cornelius enjoys focusing on breathing techniques like box breathing and using visualization to imagine how he would like to feel and act throughout the day.
“When I show up to school after taking a yoga class, I feel like I can take over the world because I am more patient,” smiles Cornelius.
Breathe in as you count to four in your head. Hold your breath for four counts, and exhale for four counts. Hold your breath for four counts, and repeat.
Included with this mindset shift, yoga also improves physical mobility and flexibility through stretching and controlled movement. Cornelius’s favorite yoga posture is “humble warrior.” In this pose, both feet are firmly planted, and the hips face forward. Arms are clasped behind the back with the torso bowing forward. When practicing a specific pose, both the mind and body are engaged, which can translate into cognitive flexibility or mental agility.
There are spiritual benefits, too, as creativity and movement allow us to reflect aspects of our Creator. “Because we are made in God’s image, we are creative and desire to produce and move in the way that God does, so a lot of hobbies tend to be embodied practices. These hobbies help us lean into what it means to be made in the image of God,” explains GREG LISSON, director of Christian life.
DELIGHTING IN DISCIPLINE
KATHRYN LANYON, high school science teacher, is a self-proclaimed “horse girl.” Since overcoming her fear of horses at seven, she has been riding for 19 years and credits horseback riding for much of her personal growth and development.
Lanyon’s 19-year-old horse is named Tucker, but his show name is The Golden Ticket. “My favorite thing about him is that without a doubt he can always put a smile on my face,” grins Lanyon.
Through riding, Lanyon has discovered the value of hard work, importance of flexibility, and what it means to cultivate a patient spirit.
Perhaps the most important character trait that riding developed in Lanyon is discipline. “The amount of responsibility and selflessness I have had to learn has shaped me,” reflects Lanyon.
Learning to manage her time diligently and show up consistently, she rode with a trainer throughout middle and high school and took weekly lessons. Lanyon currently visits the barn where Tucker stays six days a week. In addition to riding, she grooms him, spends time with him, and tends to his basic medical needs.
“Horses are very in-tune animals, so I learned how to control emotional and mental clutter. When I am at the barn, all my problems are set aside. I arrive, and all the noise of my day is silenced, giving me a break from the quick pace and demands of life,” explains Lanyon.
Lanyon’s commitment and loyalty to Tucker demonstrate how practicing a life focused on balance and enrichment rather than measurable achievements leads to a peaceful posture and a heart at rest.
CREATED TO ENJOY
The Westminster Shorter Catechism states that “man’s chief end is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.”
John Piper explains that glorifying God and enjoying God are not two distinct acts, but one. We glorify God by enjoying Him and His creation.
“Glorification comes when we find joy in God,” explains Lisson. “Hobbies are not inherently productive. We are doing something for the enjoyment of it, and that makes it more natural to do for God’s glory because there are not many other competing purposes. The simplicity of hobbies makes it an instinctive avenue to glorify God… you’re just grateful and joyful in the midst of doing them, and that is the whole and only purpose.”
In a world that is obsessed with productivity, consumption, awards, and status, hobbies bring us back to a place of simplicity and enjoyment, reminding us of the great call to delight in God by delighting in the life He has graciously given. It is from this place of humility and rest that we begin to pursue God-honoring wellness through our hobbies.
CHAMPIONS STATE
INDIVIDUAL TITLES
WEEZIE MOORE Cross Country
WEEZIE MOORE 3200m
EVA MURPHY, KYRA BRUBAKER, JULIE ANNE BUSH, ANSLEY VOSS 4x800 Relay
As of May 2024, the Wolves have won a GHSA state title in every sport in which Wesleyan competes.
BOYS LACROSSE v
BOYS GOLF
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
SOFTBALL
GIRLS LACROSSE
GIRLS TENNIS BOYS & GIRLS SWIM & DIVE
CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS • YOUNG HALL • CONSTRUCTION IN
YOUNG HALL • CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS • YOUNG HALL
PROGRESS
HALL
CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
YOUNG HALL
YOUNG HALL
CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
MEET THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM • MEET
As spring visitors to campus can attest, the construction of Studie and Zach Young Hall has involved many moving parts. The space between Yancey Gymnasium and Warren Hall has been buzzing with activity since school resumed after spring break, and construction will continue well into the 2024-25 school year. While it takes many people – and truckloads of dirt, supplies, and resources – to complete a project like this one, there are three people in particular who are laser-focused behind the scenes to ensure the success of this most recent addition to campus.
It is our pleasure to introduce you to Mike Mascheri, Eric Henderson, and Jeff Pettit.
MIKE MASCHERI, PRINCIPAL AND ARCHITECT , CHAPMAN COYLE CHAPMAN
The creative eye behind the design of Young Hall is MIKE MASCHERI, principal and architect at Chapman Coyle Chapman. Familiar with campus, Mascheri has been working on Wesleyan design projects since construction began on the Peachtree Corners campus in 1996. Mascheri has been at the table for every major discussion involving the Young Hall project for more than five years, and the continuity he brings has been an invaluable asset.
When asked how he found the field of architecture, Mascheri says, “I have always been creative and a problem solver. I wanted to pursue a career which would allow me to utilize and share my creativity with others. The field of architecture provided a means for me to envision and create design solutions which would go beyond lines on paper and become an actual reality.
“It is extremely rewarding to develop spatial environments from a vision into a physical reality which impact the daily life of its users,” Mascheri goes on to say. “I have focused on the private education sector for the majority of my career because it allows me to create design solutions unique to each school’s mission, philosophy, and vision for their campus. I enjoy creating spaces which have a positive and lasting impression on students and faculty and enhance their educational experience. I could not imagine a more rewarding field and specialization to be in.”
• MEET THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM • MEET THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM
ERIC HENDERSON SUPERINTENDENT, HODGES & HICKS
Hodges & Hicks is the general contractor on the Young Hall project and also led the way on the Hoyt Family Athletic Complex in 2020. Leading the Hodges & Hicks team is ERIC HENDERSON , who has been with Hodges & Hicks since 2006.
Working on a project in the midst of an active school community is a full-circle type of experience for Henderson. High school, it turns out, is when he discovered his love of science and building.
“My high school physics class really got me started on the path I chose,” says Henderson. “With the hands-on experience in the labs, being able to apply the process and see the reaction was great. Along those same lines, I was required to take a concrete class as part of my major at Auburn. We had a project in the class where we had to demo, prep, place, and finish a portion of sidewalk at a local junior college. I was able to get hands-on, real-life experience that was very valuable for my first job out of college.”
When asked about his favorite aspects of this project, Henderson shares, “A couple of the design features of Young Hall that I am really looking forward to are the large skylight, wide concrete stairs from the main floor to the second floor, and the radiused, metal ceiling that will be over the stairs. These items specifically will bring a challenge that is not seen on everyday projects.”
JEFF PETTIT CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER, WESLEYAN SCHOOL
A member of the Wesleyan community since 2018, JEFF PETTIT’S job is to interface with key parts of construction projects both on and off campus and to keep things on schedule. A certified construction manager, Pettit is skilled at tracking many moving parts and communicating between various stakeholders in a construction project.
Pettit’s love for architectural design and the building process also started in high school. “I grew up in Peachtree Corners and graduated from Norcross High School. I made decent grades but had never been the best student in any of my classes. That is until I signed up for architectural drafting. After I completed my first drafting project, my teacher told me he never gave anyone a 10 (out of 10) because that would be a perfect score, and no one is perfect; however, he said he had given me a 10 because he couldn’t find anything I could have done better. He was a good teacher, and his lessons and his encouragement inspired me to keep doing my best. I found that I loved architectural drafting and made it my goal to earn as many perfect scores as I could!
“My high school had a curriculum called ‘Industrial Arts,’ which was a combination of modern-day STEM and old-school wood shop. That was my other favorite class,” recalls Pettit. “Everything I did in that class felt natural, and I learned all I could about ‘how’ and ‘why’ things are built the way they are. My dad had always worked in the construction industry, and I grew up hearing people say, ‘Stan Pettit can build anything.’ When you realize you have a great teacher and role model in your own home, if you are smart, you combine that with what you are learning at school. I did, and that’s made me a natural for the long career I have had in design and building.
“I love that the design of Young Hall will blend two of Wesleyan’s core values. The building’s design will encourage students towards academic excellence with its modern STEM labs and learning environments. At the same time, my hope is that various design elements serve as reminders of the school’s mission to point people towards a relationship with God.”
DEDICATION OF SHARON AND MATT COLE HALL
On February 21, 2024, Wesleyan dedicated the fine arts building as SHARON AND MATT COLE HALL. From 1998 to 2018, Matt Cole served as director of development, executive headmaster for major gifts, history teacher, and college advisor, and Sharon Cole faithfully championed Wesleyan and volunteered frequently. The Coles inspire a tradition of dedication, loyalty, and generosity, and we are honored to celebrate their legacy.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF MARCHMAN GYMNASIUM
On November 23, 1998, MARCHMAN GYMNASIUM became Wesleyan School’s first permanent structure in Peachtree Corners. Given by Carol M. Kellett in honor of her parents, Katherine and Vernon Marchman, Marchman Gymnasium was a critical multipurpose space housing chapel, community events, theater performances, athletic competitions, physical education classes, and more. For more than 25 years, Marchman Gymnasium has served generations of families, and we are grateful for Kellett’s transformational generosity!
in memoriam
DUANE HOOVER
JANUARY 24, 1936 – JANUARY 5, 2024
On January 5, 2024, the Wesleyan community lost a dedicated advocate and supporter, DUANE HOOVER.
Hoover and his wife, Drada, were Wesleyan grandparents in the early days of the school’s move to Peachtree Corners. Headmaster Emeritus ZACH YOUNG remembers the Hoovers fondly.
“I first met Duane after a fundraising meeting in Marchman Gymnasium fairly early in the life of the school in Peachtree Corners,” Young recalls. “Duane came up to me after the meeting and introduced himself. Soon after, he came to my office in the trailers to tell me he believed in the Christian direction the school was taking and wanted to make a gift towards whatever the greatest need was at the time. We were struggling with the current campaign at the time, and this gift from Duane and Drada helped us finish off the stands [at Henderson Stadium] and build the Hoover Center.”
The initial gift from the Hoovers made programs like varsity football and wrestling possible, a significant development for a school very early in establishing a high school. On-campus athletic facilities combined with the flourishing academic environment at Wesleyan gave the school a degree of credibility early on that is hard- won by most schools.
Hoover’s support often extended to making the ask of others. “When we had the option of buying the land where the Hoyt Athletic Complex sits from Technology Park, Duane was so enthusiastic that he personally solicited several of his fellow grandparents to make that happen,” remembers MATT COLE , former executive head of school and current member of the Board of Trustees.
Hoover served as a long-time member of Wesleyan’s Advisory Trustees and continued to offer his encouragement in recent years. “I had the pleasure of visiting with Duane in his office in the fall of 2022,” recalls CHRIS CLEVELAND, head of school. “He recounted how he heard God’s voice in an early visit to Wesleyan’s campus, telling him to give generously to the school. He and Drada gave out of obedience. Duane and Drada were early pioneers and played a substantial role in the development of our campus.”
Our community misses Duane Hoover, but his legacy and our deep gratitude will continue to live on.
in memoriam
DON CHAPMAN
MAY 17, 1939 – MARCH 14, 2024
On March 14, 2024, DON CHAPMAN, faithful supporter of Wesleyan School, passed away. Chapman and his wife Beverly were parents to long-time Wesleyan faculty member Amy Reeves, and grandparents to Kirstie Reeves ’08, Amanda (Reeves) Bell ’14, and Wood Reeves ’19.
“Don was an incredibly kind, thoughtful, and encouraging man,” remembers CHRIS CLEVELAND , head of school. “He will be dearly missed.”
In addition to being a Wesleyan grandparent, Chapman was a generous donor to Wesleyan and served as an Advisory Trustee.
“Don supported every campaign we had and became a charter Advisory Trustee when that group was formed. Don was on the initial advisory board. He was very supportive of Wesleyan buying the land by the lake fields from Technology Park,” recalls MATT COLE , former executive head of school and current member of the Board of Trustees. “Don was also supportive of our efforts to grow a financial aid endowment.”
Known for his consistent and unwavering support of Wesleyan, Chapman is remembered fondly by ZACH YOUNG, headmaster emeritus.
“When we approached Don for the big campaign that built Wesley Hall, he studied the plans with particular interest,” recalls Young.
“That was because, early in their marriage, Beverly had taught school. He knew that the central heartbeat of any school is the library and was excited to fund its construction and name it for his bride.” Don and Beverly had been married for 63 years at the time of his passing.
Wesleyan School has been deeply impacted by the generosity and unwavering support of Don Chapman. He is missed, but his legacy continues to impact every student and employee on campus every day.
YEARS of SERVICE
We are exceedingly grateful for the dedication and commitment of our faculty who completed milestone years of service.
5 YEARS
NANCY DAVIS, LASHANDIA HILL, ERIN KIRKLAND, BROOKS HANRAHAN, ANDY MATTICK, PATRICK HUGHES, EMMA GRACE BURNS, KATHLEEN SHADE, CATHY CAILOR, KIMBERLY STROHMEIER, KAREN STREETT, KARYN VICKERY, CAROLYN (WHITNEY) BLACKMAN ’06, CONNOR BRESLIN ’11, ANGIE DAUGHERTY, AND DAYNA THOMSON
Not pictured: NANCY ACEVEDO, JOHN BARRESSE, MARICELA GARCIA, JESSICA KRAUTH, CHUCK MILLS, ANA MORALES, AND SERENA WRIGHT
10 YEARS
DAVID CARR, JENNIFER COPELAND, KELLY WEATHERLY, JASON ERB, PHILIP HART, JENNIFER RUSSELL, TRACEY MCINTOSH, AND MONICA MACIA
Not pictured: LORI STROMIE AND DUSTIN WOLF
20 YEARS
15 YEARS
KATIE WISCHERTH AND MICHAEL TABLADA
Not pictured: SHANNON LOFTIS
25 YEARS
BARBARA LEWIS, ERIC DAMM, AND DONNA
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 FACULTY STEWARDSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS!
JESSICA KRAUTH LOWER SCHOOL TEACHING ASSISTANT
BRITTANY (STEVENS) COXHEAD ‘13 MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH AND BIBLE TEACHER
FRANKLIN PRIDGEN HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL SCIENCES TEACHER
SHONDA DUKE AND MARI BETH KING
DIXON
Congratulations, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS!
Each year, the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) honors educators with 25 years of service in independent education. Wesleyan is proud of our six most recent recipients of the GISA Distinguished Service Award who have served a collective 150 years in independent schools. We are thankful for their continued commitment to challenging and nurturing the minds, bodies, and spirits of the children in their care.
Rebekah Martin-Fong, lower school Spanish teacher
Barbara Lewis, middle school social sciences teacher
Chad McDaniel, director of development
Donna Dixon, executive assistant to associate head of school, faculty fellows coordinator for recruitment
Andy Mattick, high school STEM teacher, math teacher
Andy Free, high school math teacher
DR. NANCY JONES, DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING AND LOWER SCHOOL DEAN OF COUNSELING AND STUDENT SERVICES, EARNED A DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP WITH A CONCENTRATION IN SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND ACADEMIC LEARNING FROM SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY IN DECEMBER 2023.
PATRICK HUGHES, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, EARNED A MASTER OF ARTS IN LEADERSHIP FROM GORDON COLLEGE IN MAY 2024.
LINCOLN JAMES AND OLIVIA PHYLLIS
GRANDCHILDREN OF FACULTY PATTI HALLEN
BORN ON NOVEMBER 17, 2023, AT 5 LBS, 11 OZ. (LINCOLN) AND 4 LBS, 13 OZ. (OLIVIA)
ANNA COLLEEN RAPPE
GRANDDAUGHTER OF FACULTY MEGAN RAPPE
BORN ON DECEMBER 29, 2023, AT 7 LBS, 6 OZ.
WILL KIMBERLIN married KNIGHT HAUSMAN KIMBERLIN IN BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA. 03 / 02 / 2024
WALTER CRENSHAW HOLMES
SON OF STAFF ABBY HOLMES AND FACULTY ROBERT HOLMES
BORN ON JULY 4, 2023, AT 9 LBS, 1 OZ.
MCCAIN WEBB THOMAS
SON OF FACULTY
MADISON (BOYD) THOMAS ‘09
BORN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2024, AT 7 LBS, 8 OZ.
HARVEY JAMES MAY GRANDSON OF FACULTY SHANNON LOFTIS
BORN ON MARCH 22, 2024, AT 7 LBS, 8 OZ.
MARYANN “GRACE” ZAMORA
DAUGHTER OF FACULTY LIDIA ZAMORA
BORN ON JANUARY 2, 2024, AT 8 LBS, 11 OZ.
2014–2024
LORI STROMIE
ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Behind every great leader is a great assistant. For more than 10 years, LORI STROMIE did not simply fill the role of administrative assistant. Instead, she thrived as both the high school administrative assistant and athletics administrative assistant. JOSEPH KOCH, high school principal, shares, “Lori interacted so well with anyone who came to the desk, making the jobs of her colleagues easier and improving the interactions of those who visited her office. She set a high bar for what it means to fulfill the role. She served at Wesleyan with excellence, grace, and gratitude.”
In both roles, Stromie coordinates schedules and agendas, gives keen attention to details, and anticipates needs before they arise. LACY GILBERT, director of athletics, says, “She’s an initiator. She gets things done without ever being asked. No task is too big or too small for her.”
Her combination of hard and soft skills make her the ultimate colleague. “Her strengths are numerous and hard to pin down,” Koch explains, “but she’s incredibly organized, meticulous with details, and an excellent communicator.”
Her warm communication extends from veteran Wolves to our youngest Wolves. When Koch’s sons were in lower school, they arrived very early to school with their dad. As they roamed the high school front office before the bell rang, Stromie engaged them. “She was always there to check on the boys, and they loved talking to her. She didn’t have to do that, but it always made my mornings easier – it really meant a lot,” Koch remembers.
When reflecting on “why Wesleyan?” Stromie’s heart is always for the kids. “I love working with students,” Stromie explains, “because they keep you young. They offer such a different perspective on the world around them. If you work in a school, you have to keep up with their world and how it impacts them. Wesleyan has stayed true to its mission of developing the entire student – not just academically, but also spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I love how our school loves on kids.”
Personable, servant-hearted, and thoughtful, Stromie will be sorely missed. But she looks forward to slow mornings, time with family and friends, and no more snakes!
2008–2024
MELANIE O’KELLEY
HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARIAN, ARCHIVIST
“I have loved being in the library,” MELANIE O’KELLEY , high school librarian and archivist, shares as she reflects upon her time at Wesleyan. “Discussing books and making recommendations to students and faculty were the best parts of my job. Reading changes lives!”
Sixteen years ago, O’Kelley left corporate America and stepped into the role of library assistant in the lower school. “When I first started in the library,” O’Kelley explains, “Brandt ’14 was going into seventh grade, and as a typical middle schooler, he was mortified that I would be on campus. Clark ’12 was entering ninth grade, and as a typical high schooler, he was thrilled because I would be available for anything that he had forgotten to get signed.”
A few years later, after earning a master’s degree in library media from Georgia State, O’Kelley took over as the high school librarian.
“Melanie’s greatest strength is her depth of knowledge of libraries and archives,” shares BRIAN MORGAN, chief operating officer. “She is well-read, stays up on library trends, and can recall something in archives at the drop of a hat.”
Sharp, perceptive, and clever, O’Kelley is also right on target with her observations. Her subtle sense of humor breaks up daily monotony and lifts others’ spirits. “We will miss her smirky face and grin when we hit on a topic about which she has a strong opinion,” adds Morgan. “She generally has a comment or two she would share if you could get her to let down her guard.”
An esteemed colleague, a devoted friend, and an integral part of the fabric of Wesleyan School, O’Kelley’s expertise will be missed. “Wesleyan students kept me on my toes every day,” O’Kelley laughs. “They could be hilarious, clueless, smart, disrespectful, and sweet, all in the same day. However, they are some of the nicest and most appreciative students anywhere. I have been moved over the years watching them mature in their faith and not shy away from discussing it one-on-one or in front of the entire high school student body. My faith has grown because of our students.”
Upon retirement, O’Kelley looks forward to residing at Lake Lanier with her husband, Bo, traveling with him “off the beaten path,” and spending time with her children and grandson.
When schools are described as “launching pads,” images of soaring rockets and powerful jets zooming into the sky remind us of students prepared to soar to new heights. EMMA (BIVINGS) GALARZA ’15 took that idea literally.
Galarza, a senior technology development engineer at Delta, and her team are responsible for innovating new technologies for easier, faster, and safer analysis of aircraft fatigue or failure. In some cases, Galarza’s team is evaluating products that are already on the market and determining if those tools are a good fit for Delta. On other projects, Galarza is leading the team to develop enhanced products themselves.
“On our more innovative projects, we start by simply identifying a problem or a need,” explains Galarza. “We are in constant communication with aircraft inspectors and mechanics in the hangar asking them, ‘What tools or processes are cumbersome?’ and ‘What tools would make inspections and repairs safer and more efficient?’
“We develop tools with a specific problem in mind. We like to say that we are not hammers looking for nails, but rather we are looking for nails that might need a hammer,” smiles Galarza.
Most recently, Galarza has been working on new technologies to strengthen the process through which an aircraft is inspected.
“When an aircraft is flagged for potential damage such as a lightning strike, maintenance spends about 16 man-hours meticulously inspecting every inch of the plane, which can be as large as a four-story building, to find dime-sized damage,” describes Galarza.
To make the inspection process more safe, thorough, and efficient, Galarza is implementing autonomous drones that are coded to circle the plane and capture high-definition images of all upper surfaces of the aircraft in 90 minutes or less. Inspectors and mechanics can then evaluate the images from the ground without ever having to utilize lift devices such as a cherry picker or harness system.
A senior role on this technology development team was part of the draw for Galarza to return to Delta in January 2023, after getting to know the team while still a college student. Along with the new role came more responsibility for leadership and management.
“While I enjoy the technical aspects of being an engineer, I am most energized when I am serving as a bridge between technical skills and people,” explains Galarza. “In some ways, I am basically using translation skills.” To leverage her expertise in both technical skills and people skills, Galarza draws from a variety of educational and professional experiences.
While a full-time mechanical engineering student at Georgia Tech, Galarza completed a year-long co-op at Delta in addition to her rigorous course load, and she credits both the curricular depth and hands-on experience for helping her develop technical knowledge and capability.
“Many engineering projects take months or even years to develop, so even though the co-op year was one of the most intense years of college for me, I really benefited from working on projects through multiple phases,” remembers Galarza.
While the co-op refined the time management skills developed at Wesleyan, this extended internship-style program also piqued her curiosity in aerospace. However, Galarza’s penchant for problem solving and innovation took flight long before college. In fact, her appetite for learning sparked before she arrived at Wesleyan as a sixth grade student in 2009. “I’ve always had a curiosity about how and why things work,” she describes.
Wesleyan cultivated and encouraged that curiosity, and Galarza credits the challenging academic environment and supportive relationships with teachers for shaping her the most at Wesleyan.
“The small class sizes at Wesleyan taught me to speak up, take initiative, voice my opinion, and push intellectual boundaries,” recalls Galarza. “I spent so many hours working one-on-one with teachers, and they really nurtured my love of learning.
“The broad educational experience at Wesleyan established a solid foundation for me, especially in writing skills, which can sometimes be overlooked by engineers,” explains Galarza. “And that academic breadth really complements the depth of technical training I received at Georgia Tech and through the co-op.”
The breadth and depth of Galarza’s background not only supported her educational development, but also the growth of her leadership and relational skills, which she describes as critical differentiators in the field of aerospace technology innovation.
“I am leading and collaborating with people of all kinds of experience and backgrounds, so I lean on those interpersonal skills often, and those skills cannot necessarily be taught in a classroom,” Galarza explains.
Outside of the Wesleyan classroom, Galarza served as a peer leader and led prom committee. She participated in and led Bible studies. As a sophomore, she earned a state championship title with the volleyball team that she captained as a senior, and even though she primarily focused on volleyball, she also enjoyed contributing to the comradery and competitive spirit of the track and field and tennis teams.
“Wesleyan makes it easy to be involved all across the board,” recalls Galarza.
While leading, collaborating, and innovating, Galarza is stewarding each of these experiences and strengths to creatively improve aircraft maintenance procedures. No stranger to being a ‘high flyer,’ Galarza and her team are now working to expand the reach of their aircraft inspection drones.
09.22–23.2023
HOMECOMING & REUNIONS
After a pregame social at Kettlerock Brewery and an on-campus tailgate, spirited alumni and their families pulled out their green and gold to cheer on the Wesleyan Wolves! The classes of 2018, 2013, 2008, 2003, and 1998 celebrated milestone reunions, including Wesleyan’s firstever 25-year reunion!
“It was lovely to be able to reconnect with old friends, as well as the school we all cherished. Having reunion classes together also allowed us to meet new friends among our fellow alumni. It was a night of great memories and lots of laughter!”
BROOKE (ZALESKY) SHAFER ‘03
OCTOBER 2023
COLLEGE ROAD SHOWS
Faculty and staff connected with our youngest alumni at colleges around the southeast. To our Jackets, (orange and purple) Tigers, Dawgs, Owls, and (orange and blue) Tigers, thanks for enjoying lunch with us!
”I came to see the teachers and faculty that had a great impact on who I am today. I appreciate how intentional and rare it is to have people who care that much about us alumni that they’d be willing to get on the mini bus to buy us lunch!”
TATE GILLEY ‘22
12.20.2023
ALUMNI CHRISTMAS PARTY
Alumni of all ages, parents of alumni, and faculty and staff enjoyed Christmas festivities during the “Wesleyan Christmas Greatest Hits Album Release Party” at The Factory in Chamblee.
MISSED THE MUSIC VIDEOS FOR EACH SINGLE? CHECK ‘EM OUT HERE!
”The Wesleyan Alumni Christmas Party was such a great time. Being able to reconnect with old friends, teachers, and faculty was a heartwarming experience. Everyone was dressed so nicely, and the festive atmosphere added to a lovely evening. I can’t wait for the next event! It’s truly remarkable and a blessing to belong to a community that remains dedicated to keeping us united long after our school days have passed. Relationships at Wesleyan really are forever.”
MORGAN
DANIELLE SUMMERS ‘15
01.05.2024
ATHLETIC CIRCLE OF HONOR
Congratulations to our 2024 Athletic Circle of Honor inductees: Zach Hernandez ‘11, Jahmai Jones ‘15, Jordan Mack ‘16, and Sutton West ‘18.
“Everyone who has ever coached me at this place didn’t just care about what I could do on the court, the field, or the track; they truly cared about who I was as a person and exemplified the love of Jesus to me every day. This place made me feel like so much more than an athlete, and I have so much gratitude for that.”
SUTTON WEST ’18
01.21.2024
AUSTIN ALUMNI MEET-UP
Shelley Martin, director of alumni, and Chad McDaniel, director of development, hosted a get-together for alumni at Hold-Out Brewing in Austin, Texas. While visiting Austin for a conference, the two couldn’t pass up an opportunity to visit with some of their favorite alumni Wolves!
“Wesleyan and the community left a huge impact on my life, so I was excited to hear about an event happening in Austin, Texas. Austin isn’t a common place for alumni to migrate to, so I was eager to meet other alumni that moved here. I had such a great time chatting about everyone’s fond memories of Wesleyan and the different seasons of life everyone is in. Big thanks to Shelley and Chad for putting this together, and I would be remiss if I did not highly encourage everyone to visit (or move to) the best city in America – Austin, Texas.”
MAX HIGHTOWER ‘08
02.06.2024
VALENTINE’S DAY CARE PACKAGES
What better way to spread love on Valentine’s Day than by sending a care package filled with goodies? Parents of alumni had the opportunity to partner with the Wesleyan Alumni Office by pre-purchasing, packing, and shipping a care package to their child. Can you tell how much we love our alumni Wolves?
“Alumni Valentine Care Packages are such a sweet way to let our alumni know we are thinking about them while they are away from home. The treats, decorations, snacks, and our all-time favorite – the prayers and Bible verses that the teachers include in the package. My children love that no matter how far away they are in miles from Wesleyan, they are always in Wesleyan’s thoughts and prayers.”
AMIE KENNEDY, mother of Jack ‘30, Callie ‘21, and Grace ‘19
03.23.2024
ALUMNI EASTER EGG HUNT
We had an “egg-cellent” time at the Alumni Easter Egg Hunt, as alumni with younger children reconnected, visited the Easter Bunny, and worked on Easter crafts.
“I have been looking forward to bringing my kids to the alumni Easter Egg Hunt since way before my kids were even born! It was such a fun event being able to see alumni from all years and watching our kids play together on the quad. It was also fun to see so many familiar faces from administration there to greet us. This event is a 10/10, and we won’t be missing it in future years!”
ALEX (BUFTON) O’DONNELL ‘06
04.04.2024
FINE ARTS CIRCLE OF HONOR
Congratulations to our 2024 Fine Arts Circle of Honor inductees: Austin Short ‘11 and Maguire Wilder ’17.
“I love my career in the arts, and it started here at Wesleyan. The love I hold for this place goes beyond words... It was at Wesleyan that I first learned to be a creative person. You must take care of your mind, body, and spirit first in order for you to realize your immense power to create. This is what Wesleyan taught me.”
AUSTIN SHORT ‘11
FRIDAY | 10.04.24 SATURDAY | 10.05.24 • 7 p.m. Alumni Tailgate at Wesleyan • 7:30 p.m. Kickoff v. Mount Vernon Milestone reunions for classes of 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019 REGISTER FOR ALUMNI EVENTS
07 / 15 / 2023
KYLE RAPPE ‘16 married RACHEL RENBARGER RAPPE
IN LAGRANGE, GEORGIA. THE RAPPES RESIDE IN JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA.
08 / 26 / 2023
DAVID MONTE ‘13 married LEAH HOUGHTON MONTE IN AUBURN, ALABAMA. THE MONTES RESIDE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
08 / 05 / 2023
NICHOLAS MENEFEE ‘14 married LILY FRIDAY MENEFEE
AT THE FRIDAY FAMILY HOME IN SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA. THE MENEFEES RESIDE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
09 / 16 / 2023
WYLIE WEST ‘16 married MORGAN MUZI WEST
ON JEKYLL ISLAND IN GEORGIA. THE WESTS RESIDE IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA.
10 / 21 / 2023
COLIN STONE ‘11 married MACKENZIE RYALS STONE IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. THE STONES RESIDE IN ROSWELL, GEORGIA.
11 / 04 / 2023
MALLORY GRIZZLE NOLAN ‘16 married NICK NOLAN AT FLINT HILL IN NORCROSS, GEORGIA. THE NOLANS RESIDE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
12 / 16 / 2023
MARGARET KENT ARMSTRONG ‘13 married MATTHEW ARMSTRONG
IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ARMSTRONGS RESIDE IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.
11 / 11 / 2023
NOAH YOUNG ‘17 married ELISE KELLNER YOUNG
IN SAN MARCOS, TEXAS. THE YOUNGS RESIDE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
02 / 24 / 2024
DREW ASPINWALL ‘16 married ASHLYN LANIER ASPINWALL ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ASPINWALLS RESIDE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
BARRETT ALEXANDER
ADAMSON SON OF KELLY (HARRISON) ADAMSON ‘10
BORN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2023, AT 8 LBS, 13 OZ.
ALICE OLIVIA DILUZIO
DAUGHTER OF ABBY (NELSON) DILUZIO ‘08
BORN ON JANUARY 19, 2024, AT 5 LBS, 12 OZ.
JONAH WESLEY JACKSON
SON OF
CATHERINE (SCHAMP) JACKSON ‘08 AND BENJAMIN JACKSON ‘08
BORN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2023, AT 9 LBS, 1 OZ.
MACKENZIE JANE BROWN
DAUGHTER OF SARAH (MOYE) BROWN ‘05
BORN ON JANUARY 9, 2024, AT 9 LBS, 8 OZ.
CLAYTON “CLAY”
HENRY GALLOWAY
SON OF AUSTIN GALLOWAY ‘11
BORN ON FEBRUARY 10, 2024, AT 7 LBS, 12 OZ.
MILES LEE JACKSON
SON OF NATALIE (MOORE) JACKSON ‘10
BORN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2023, AT 8 LBS, 4 OZ.
MACKEN FARLEY DEFREEST
SON OF MELISSA (CHILDS) DEFREEST ‘10
BORN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2023, AT 8 LBS.
ROBERT “HAMPTON” HEARIN
SON OF AMELIA (CHEELEY) HEARIN ‘07
BORN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2023, AT 6 LBS, 13 OZ.
WESLEY JENSEN MACK
SON OF CHARLES MACK ‘13
BORN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2023, AT 8 LBS, 7 OZ.
MASON MARIE HENDERSON
DAUGHTER OF KAYLEY (GROSS) HENDERSON ‘08
BORN ON FEBRUARY 26, 2024, AT 7 LBS, 9 OZ.
JAMES MAY
SON OF JEAN E. (LOFTIS) MAY ‘08
BORN ON MARCH 22, 2024, AT 7 LBS, 8 OZ.
HARVEY
WILLIAM CRAWFORD MILLER, JR.
SON OF GRIFFIN (CHILDS) MILLER ‘06
BORN ON MARCH 10, 2024, AT 6 LBS, 11 OZ.
JONAH ZACHARY PETERSON SON OF CHRISTY (ZACHARY) PETERSON ‘13
BORN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2023, AT 5 LBS.
ROSALIE VERA MUTSAERS
DAUGHTER OF MADELYN (BLEVINS) MUTSAERS ‘14
BORN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2024, AT 7 LBS, 3 OZ.
SANDERS JAY READY SON OF HAYLEY (HUGHES) READY ‘10 BORN ON MARCH 6, 2024, AT 7 LBS, 4 OZ.
MCCAIN WEBB THOMAS
SON OF MADISON (BOYD) THOMAS ‘09
BORN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2024, AT 7 LBS, 8 OZ.
ELLIE REESE OLSON
DAUGHTER OF KAILEE (TRUM) OLSON ‘11
BORN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2024, AT 6 LBS, 8 OZ.
DALTON JENNINGS STONE SON OF KELSEY (ROBINSON) STONE ‘09 BORN ON JULY 10, 2023, AT 5 LBS, 1 OZ.
WYATT JAMES WHITLOCK WALKER BRODY WHITLOCK
SONS OF ANNA (KEAPPLER) WHITLOCK ‘10
BORN ON DECEMBER 11, 2023, AT 5 LBS, 4 OZ. (WYATT) AND 5 LBS, 5 OZ. (WALKER)
VANN BENJAMIN ORE
SON OF AMANDA (VANN) ORE ‘10
BORN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2024, AT 6 LBS, 1 OZ.
CADEN RUSH SUTHERLAND SON OF MCKENZIE (STANFORD) SUTHERLAND ‘11 BORN ON JANUARY 25, 2024, AT 7 LBS, 8 OZ.
THOMAS WOODROW WILLIAMSON SON OF JESSICA (FITHIAN) WILLIAMSON ‘10
BORN ON MARCH 1, 2024, AT 9 LBS, 8 OZ.
ANNE MARIE ARMSTRONG ‘09 WAS NAMED TO THE 2024 CLASS OF THE GWINNETT COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME. THE CLASS OF 2024 WAS INDUCTED ON MAY 2, 2024 AT THE GAS SOUTH CONVENTION CENTER. THIS HONOR COMES IN ADDITION TO BEING INDUCTED INTO THE WESLEYAN ATHLETIC CIRCLE OF HONOR IN 2018 AFTER A PROLIFIC HIGH SCHOOL CAREER IN BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, AND TRACK & FIELD FOLLOWED BY A COLLEGIATE AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER.
NATALIE (MOORE) JACKSON ‘10 WAS CHOSEN TO BE PART OF THE POYNTER INSTITUTE’S MAY 2023 COHORT OF THEIR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR WOMEN IN MEDIA. SHE, ALONG WITH 30 OTHER WOMEN FROM CANADA, HUNGARY, THE U.K., AND 14 STATES IN THE U.S., REPRESENTING A VARIETY OF NEWS OUTLETS, AUDIENCES, AND AREAS OF EXPERTISE, TRAVELED TO ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, FOR A WEEK OF TRAINING. THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO DIVERSIFY THE RANKS OF PEOPLE WHO LEAD THE MEDIA INDUSTRY, HELPING INDIVIDUAL MANAGERS GAIN CONFIDENCE, CLOUT, AND CONNECTIONS.
DAVID ANDREWS ‘11 WAS SELECTED AS A CO-RECIPIENT OF THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS’ 2024 ED BLOCK COURAGE AWARD—AN HONOR AWARDED ANNUALLY TO A PLAYER OR PLAYERS WHO BEST EXEMPLIFY THE PRINCIPLES OF COURAGE AND SPORTSMANSHIP WHILE ALSO SERVING AS A SYMBOL OF PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION. ANDREWS SIGNED WITH THE PATRIOTS IN 2015 AND HAS SINCE STARTED IN 117 GAMES AND WON TWO SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
RICHARD YODER ‘13 RECENTLY WON A FULBRIGHT OPEN STUDY/ RESEARCH GRANT FOR FRANCE. THIS GRANT WILL ALLOW HIM TO CONDUCT ROUGHLY NINE MONTHS OF ARCHIVAL RESEARCH IN PARIS FOR HIS DOCTORAL DISSERTATION IN HISTORY, “UNORTHODOX FLESH: GENDER, RELIGIOUS CONVULSIONS, AND CHARISMATIC KNOWLEDGE IN EARLY MODERN FRANCE.” HE ALSO HAS A BOOK COMING OUT IN JUNE 2024. JANSENISM: AN INTERNATIONAL ANTHOLOGY IS THE FIRST SOURCE BOOK OF TEXTS IN ENGLISH RELATED TO THE HERETICAL CATHOLIC MOVEMENT KNOWN AS JANSENISM, ACTIVE ACROSS NUMEROUS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES. IN ADDITION TO SERVING AS COEDITOR WITH DR. SHAUN BLANCHARD, YODER PROVIDED SEVERAL FRENCH TRANSLATIONS FOR THE COLLECTION.
SAM GOTTLICH ‘17, A LEVEL 2 MECHANICAL ENGINEER AT LOCKHEED MARTIN IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS, RECEIVED THE ZACH FELDMAN AWARD IN NOVEMBER. THIS EPONYMOUS AWARD WAS NAMED AFTER ZACH FELDMAN WHO, PRIOR TO TRAGICALLY PASSING AWAY IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN 2021, WAS KNOWN FOR HIS HARD WORK AND ABILITY TO MASTER SKILLS QUICKLY. GOTTLICH WAS NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUES AND JOINS THE RANKS OF OTHER HONORED RECIPIENTS KNOWN FOR BEING AN OUTSTANDING MENTEE WHO GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND EXPECTATIONS.
NIKKI VILLA ‘17 TRAVELED TO HONDURAS FOR A MONTH-LONG MEDICAL SCHOOL ROTATION DURING WHICH SHE SERVED UNDERPRIVILEGED POPULATIONS WHILE LEARNING ABOUT THIRD-WORLD MEDICAL PRACTICES. SHE CREDITS A WESLEYAN MISSION TRIP TO GUATEMALA FOR SPARKING HER LOVE OF MEDICAL MISSIONS. THE SEEDS PLANTED DURING HER WESLEYAN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCES ARE CONTINUING TO SHAPE HER EDUCATION AND FUTURE CAREER. SHE IS GRATEFUL FOR ALL GOD HAS REVEALED TO HER THROUGH MEDICAL MISSIONS AND PASSIONATELY ENCOURAGES THOSE INTERESTED IN MEDICINE TO SEEK INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL MISSION EXPERIENCES.
EMILY KELLY ‘20 CONTINUES TO THRIVE IN THE SHORT FILMS AND DOCUMENTARY INDUSTRY. SHE HAS CREATED THREE FILMS THAT WERE SELECTED AS FINALISTS TO BE SCREENED AT FILM FESTIVALS IN GEORGIA, CALIFORNIA, AND GERMANY, AND KELLY’S NEXT PROJECT IS A LARGE-SCALE, INDEPENDENT SHORT FILM CALLED FLOW FLOW IS A DANCE THRILLER INSPIRED BY KELLY’S EXPERIENCE GROWING UP AS A DANCER. TO LEARN MORE, CHECK OUT THE @FLOW_SHORT_FILM INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT.
The alumni weddings, babies, and class notes sections reflect updates shared with the alumni office prior to March 24, 2024. Scan the QR code to submit updates for the next magazine.
WESLEYAN SCHOOL
Office of Communications
5405 Spalding Drive
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 (770) 448-7640
Parents of Alumni:
If this issue is addressed to your child who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, or if you would like to add a Class Note to the next magazine, please notify the Alumni Office (Shelley Martin 678-223-2280 or smartin@wesleyanschool.org) or submit via www.wesleyanschool.org/alumniupdates.
THE DATE
School Chapel Wolf Trackers Kick Off Dinner
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4-5
24-26
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PSALM 133:1, NIV AUG. 22 AUG. 23 SEPT. 6 SEPT. 26-28
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the Gill Middle School Fall Play Prospective Student Applications Available
