Green & Gold
“We should join in with the chapel band and rejoice that we get the opportunity to worship.”
Editor-in-Chief Caroline Croley encourages students to worship during chapel this semester.
“We should join in with the chapel band and rejoice that we get the opportunity to worship.”
Editor-in-Chief Caroline Croley encourages students to worship during chapel this semester.
For this year’s mission trip teams, the mission trip retreats, a weekend of team bonding ahead of the actual mission trip, will take place the last weekend of January (Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29) at various locations.
The purpose of the mission trip retreats is to give the mission trip teams an opportunity to bond with each other and get to know each other better as they prepare for their trip. It also gives the teams an opportunity to get a better understanding of their project and what they will be doing on their trip.
Pg. 2
The Red Cross is coming to Yancey Gym on January 27 to draw blood for those in need.
Pg. 5
Students may volunteer this semester with Books for Africa.
Pg. 12
Wesleyan’s winter sports teams are midway through their seasons.
Pg. 14-15
As a way of bonding with each other and creating unity amongst the teams, each person on a trip will share their faith journey with the others on their trip. In doing this, those on mission trips will be able to better understand the people that they will be spending a week’s worth of time with and be able to connect with them through shared experiences and struggles that they have faced. The conversations that come as a result of sharing each other’s faith journey is, perhaps, even more special than the sharing of one’s faith journey itself.
Another special aspect of the retreat is what takes place on the Sunday morning of the retreat. Following breakfast on Sunday morning, each
team will return to Wesleyan where they will have a morning of worship and prayer in Austin Chapel with their mission trip team. For Director of Christian Life Greg Lisson, he is anxious for this and very excited because he believes that it serves as a reminder that “there’s our team, but there’s also all of the other teams.”
(cont’d on pg. 4)
Martin Luther King Junior (MLK) Day is a nationally celebrated holiday honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, which falls this year on Monday, January 16, and gives Wesleyan students an extended weekend. Although nice to have a day off of school, there is so much more value to be found in this day by reflecting, remembering, and seeking to learn more about the mission of MLK.
When interviewed about the meaning and significance of MLK Day, High School Diversity Coordinator Dr. Isiah Hill said, “I remember being 13 years old when MLK Day became a national holiday. I admired Dr. King because he lived his life to give me the chance to live a better life, and a day of recognition and acknowl-
Who: All high school students
What: the Winter Dance
When: Feb. 11 at 8 pm - 11 pm
Where: Hoover Gym
edging the great things he did for our nation was long overdue.” Hill emphasized that King’s mission was about bringing a community together and loving our fellow man.
This love was an important part of who King was; he often spent time with common people, or those easily overlook. Hill pointed out that “people usually only align themselves with others they believe are on their level, but King spent time with all types and kinds of people, learning, and growing from those experiences.” Dr. King’s way of life can encourage students today to reach out to the people who might not have everything in common with them but encourage them to listen to their experiences and grow into mature, well-rounded people.
(cont’d on pg. 6)
The cast, crew, and directors of Hello Dolly invite the high school students and faculty to the “Hello, Dolly!” production on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 in Powell Theater, which will be followed by a celebration with the cast in Dubose Dining Hall. The “Hello, Dolly!” high school show and red carpet will be a fun night filled with desserts and fellowship to support the cast and crew of “Hello, Dolly!”
(cont’d on pg. 6)
Dear Wesleyan community,
One of my favorite chapels at Wesleyan last year was the Senior Chapel for the class of 2022. I had never seen a real senior chapel before, and it blew me away. I remember being shocked when all the seniors screamed Psalm 24 with such passion and when they all danced and sang the chapel songs played by the band. I had never seen that kind of worship at all during my three years of Wesleyan. It was a refreshing change from all the other chapels where we say Psalm 24 in a monotone voice, remain silent while the chapel band sings, and pretend not to daze off when the chapel speaker takes the stage.
annual thing; the passion should be there all throughout the year and come to an apex during the senior chapel at the end of April. At Wesleyan, we are so blessed by being able to be in a safe place to worship. We should join in with the chapel band and rejoice that we get the opportunity to worship.
we have side conversations during chapel, everyone else is going to have side conversations. But if we worship God in our own way, everyone else will follow our lead. Let us rejoice in the knowledge that we get to worship at our school for one more semester before we head off to college.
For the students who don’t want to worship or feel uncomfortable being vulnerable, that’s okay! Worship is personal and unique to everyone. However, I do ask that you respect others and the space around you during chapel time.
When we returned to school in August, Wesleyan chapels went back to normal. People went back to having their personal conversations while the chapel band sang and while the speaker talked. I quickly realized that all the passion I saw during senior chapel was a once-a-year occurrence.
I would like to challenge that thinking. The passions for worship and chapel shouldn’t be an
I know that chapel is sometimes an awkward experience. We’re high schoolers; it’s weird to be vulnerable when worshipping around peers you’re not comfortable with. But I challenge you to change that mindset. Rather than caring about what your peers are going to think about you, think about how you truly want to celebrate your love for God. Because at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
This thinking applies to Psalm 24 as well. Even though the number of times we say the Psalm has desensitized us to the words, the next time we say Psalm 24 in chapel or Monday morning meeting, really listen to what the words are saying. Psalm 24 is an exaltation to God, and we should treat it as such.
To my fellow seniors, if we want this change in chapel to occur, we must take charge and show the underclassmen how to do it. We are the leaders of the school, and if
The next time we say Psalm 24 in chapel or Monday morning meeting, really listen to what the words are saying.
The Christian Life theme this year is Revive. Let’s lean into that word and revive a respectful and passionate chapel service. Until next time,
Caroline Croley Editor-in-Chief5. The most snowfall in 24 hours in the United States was in Silver Lake, which is in this state.
8. This town in North Dakota has the record for the most snow angels formed at one time.
9. The largest one of these was created in Bethel, Main. It was 113 feet and 7 inches.
11. The average snowflake falls at a rate of this many miles per hour.
13. The Weta insect, from this country, freezes solid during the winter, but when it gets hotter, it melts and resumes its life.
15. This is the fear of snow or being trapped in snow.
Green & Gold Staff
Editor-in-Chief............................................................Caroline Croley ‘23
Co-Editor-in-Chief........................................................Audrey Pursell ‘2 Staff writers.................................Riley Cavanaugh ‘23, Henley Davis ‘24
..........................................................Caitlin Bridgers ‘23, Elsa Moore ‘23
.......................................................Jack Hobgood ‘23, Charlie Rickell ‘23
.....................................................Walker Huckaby ‘23, Mason Strang ‘23
..................................................Lauren Tucker ‘25, Elizabeth Hodges ‘24
Advisers……....................….………………………..Meredith Jamieson …….....……………………………................……….…Andrea Shupert
Editorials represent the opinion of the individual writer. The Green & Gold welcomes letters to the editor, and reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity, and content. Email greenandgold@wesleyanschool.org or place letters in Mrs. Shupert’s box.
Publication address:
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1. This continent was where the lowest temperature was ever recorded. The temperature was -123 degrees Celsius.
2. In this nation, winters are a natural defense against invaders.
3. During this month, the earth is closest to the sun.
4. This hemisphere has milder winter.
6. All snowflakes have this many sides.
7. This season’s temperatures kill twice more Americans than summer’s heat.
10. This many snowflakes and snow crystals fall each year.
12. The first Winter Olympics was in this European nation.
14. The largest snowflake ever recorded was 15 inches wide and this many inches thick.
15. In 1993, a blizzard and cyclone - called “The Storm of the Century”travelled from this country to Canada.
chionophobia
8. Bismarck, 9. snowman, 11. three, 13. NewZealand, 15.
14. eight, 15 Cuba; Down - 5.
6.
4.
Answers: Across - 1. Antartica, 2. Russia, 3.
The Green & Gold would like to apologize to senior Lauren Van Wie for incorrectly labeling her as Caroline Stewart in the last issue. Her correct picture is in this issue on page 9.
I remember being shocked when all the seniors screamed Psalm 24 with such passion.
We should join in with the chapel band and rejoice that we get the opportunity to worship.
At the beginning of a new semester, students are able to enjoy a long weekend only two weeks into January, spanning from the thirteenth to the sixteenth, which allows students to take off and enjoy a weekend at the lake, the beach, or even better, the mountains. The mountains are a great way for students to enjoy a fun weekend with friends or family by keeping warm by a nice fire, hitting the slopes, or living out their winter village dreams.
Some students might argue that a trip to the beach or the lake is a better option, but why visit a place that is strictly fun in the summer and spring, when it is much colder? By visiting the mountains, students are able to enjoy the cold weather that they’ve already gotten used to over the span of November to January. A ski trip can also provide physical activity for students who have taken their winter breaks to rest and debrief before the upcoming semester.
However, students may be wary of skiing or they worry about being a beginner, being inexperienced, and not being good enough. This shouldn’t be a concern though as many ski resorts around the country offer ski lessons for anyone at any level even those who are considered more advanced skiers.
Skiing, while very active, can also be very relaxing as nothing beats the feeling of finishing a long day on the slopes, coming back to a warm house with a nice fire, and taking off cold ski boots. For many Wesleyan students, they have not had the opportunity to enjoy a surplus of snow or even not much snow at all. However, at ski resorts in places like Utah, Colorado, and others, the amount of snow is unlike any Georgian has seen before which can be a fun addition to taking a trip to the mountains as winter is in full swing unlike in the south. For southerners, temperatures are relatively warm even for the winter sometimes reaching even sixty degrees, but in places like Utah, Colorado, and Montana, temperatures are much lower and provide the perfect skiing conditions.
Skiing is also a great family activity and can even bring families closer as there is room on the ski slopes for everyone. Not only is this applicable for families, but also for friends as friends of all levels of skiing can enjoy the slopes and go have fun in the winter villages afterwards. Even students with families who aren’t involved on the slopes can always just travel to the mountains for the weekend, enjoy activities like ice skating, and spend time with loved ones.
As opposed to the beach, where the swimming in the ocean is a questionable activity during that time of year, ski trips can offer all-day activities for families who want to be active and moving around or even those who don’t. Instead of taking beach trips in the winter, with volatile weather and less activities, they should be taken in the summer when the weather is sure to be warm, the ocean swimmable, and the activities endless.
Even if a reason for wanting to go on a lake trip is the fear of missing out on tubing, ski resorts typically offer mountain tubing, which is a fun activity in the presence of snow, which is something Wesleyan students fail to see. Overall, a trip to the mountains is something every Wesleyan student should consider doing as there are endless activities like snowmobiling, tubing, snowboarding, and skiing.
Audrey PursellWith the temperature dropping, escaping the cold is probably on top of the to-do list. A great way to rejuvenate and get a tan is going to the beach for MLK weekend. The beach is a relaxing vacation that takes the mind off the stress at home. Relaxing on the sand, enjoying the refreshing water, parasailing, boating, and dining out; it doesn’t cost a lot to enjoy a beach vacation. The beach itself is enough. It is easy to get to the beach as there are multiple beaches within driving distance. There are even beaches in Georgia, such as St. Simon’s beach, Jekyll Island’s beaches, Tybee Island’s beaches, and more.
Skiing may seem like a fun way to enjoy the break, but it is expensive and not everyone can participate. There are few ski resorts within driving distance, and they aren’t good for skiing. It is expensive to get to a ski resort that has decent slopes. The flight alone can cost over $1,000. Ski rentals are $60, lift passes can cost up to $500, and a place to stay costs even more. The total cost of this trip would be almost triple what a trip to the beach costs.
The cold of January causes colds and illnesses that only the sun can fix. The ocean water and the UV rays are perfect ways to get me back up to 100%, and a way to get a nice tan to conquer the New Year. It is a great opportunity for family bonding as everyone gets to relax together. Bike rides or walks along the beach are a great way to get closer to family and enjoy the sun. Good quality seafood is at the beach and is a fun way to switch up the pallet. With at least 3 months to go before warm weather, the beach is perfect for getting a glimpse of summer before having to go back to school or work.
There are various health benefits of the beach such as the soothing sound of the waves, which studies have shown heightened rejuvenation as the brain’s wave patterns find a calming state. Playing in the water forces the body to send more blood to the heart as people float, which This increases blood flow and maximizes alertness. The heat from the sun’s rays positively affects the endocrine system. This important part of the body is responsible for regulating metabolism, growth, sleep, and other functions. Salt water has the ability to soothe aching joints. So, just being by the sea means health will be improving.
Being in the cold at a ski resort could cause colds and more illnesses or injuries as skiing can be very dangerous. Not everyone can ski, and it can be very difficult to learn how. There is ski school, but that is an additional price on top of an already expensive vacation. At a ski resort, there is only one thing people can do, ski. That makes the vacation very limited and boring. Therefore, the beach is the way to go for MLK vacation.
(cont’d from pg. 1)
As for some of the specefics of the retreat, teams will depart for their retreat locations from Wesleyan around 1 pm on Saturday, January 28. They will return to Wesleyan on the morning of Sunday, January 29 around 11 am which is when the worship service will take place. Everyone will be dismissed to go home following the worship service around noon.
At their retreat location, teams will partipcate in several team-bonding activities so that their team can grow closer together ahead of their mission trip. They will share meals together, holding menaingful conversations with each other while doing so, as well as talk with one another during their free time throughout the day. Additonally, teams will listen to devotions from each other and the telling of each other’s faith journeys, both of which will further relationships amongst the team.
The Dominican Republic Kids Alive mission trip team, which is led by Middle School Bible and English teacher Brittany Coxhead as well as Director of Christian Life Greg Lisson, will be staying at junior Reagan Beaty’s lake house at Lake Lanier for their team’s retreat. Lisson hopes that through this week-
end and the conversations that will take place throughout this weekend will cause the team to grow closer as a team and understand each other’s story better.
The Italy mission trip team, led by Bible Department Chair Glenn Archer and Assistant Director of Admissions Meredith Jamieson, will be staying at Archer’s mountain cabin in Fairmount, Georgia. With the retreat, Archer is most looking forward to the sharing of each other’s faith journeys because of how special it is. He hopes that everyone will be honest and feel free enough to share where they are in their journey and then be willing to take that next step in their journey.
The New Mexico mission trip team, which is led by High School English teacher Brooks Hanrahan and Middle School English teacher Ashley Kuehne, will be staying at junior Will Brammer’s property “outside of town.” Hanrahan is hoping that with this retreat, his team, especially those who are not close to one another, will grow closer together and develop a sense of camraderie amongst themselves ahead of their mission trip. Hanrahan remmebers that with the last retreat he went on, the team grew a sense of togetherness and new relationships were formed as a result of the retreat. His hope is that that is what his team gets out of this upcoming retreat.
The Spain mission trip team, led by Advancement Associate Will Kimberlin and 10th Grade Girls Chair
Emily Zavitz, will be staying at senior Nick Schaller’s house in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. As random as it sounds, Zavitz’s favorite part of the mission trip retreat is making breakfast for her team on Sunday morning. “You have this really intense evening where everyone shares their faith story and then you go to bed. Waking up that next morning, making breakfast, and sharing that meal together with your team brings it all together.
Other teams will be staying at a variety of different places for their retreat, including senior Kendall Bowen’s house (Dominican Republic Jarabacoa), sophomore Lauren Tucker’s lake house on Lake Burton (Dominican Republic Score), senior Hannah Bennison’s river house on the Soque River (Ec-
uador), and even Wesleyan (Appalachia, Kentucky).
While most students who will be going on mission trips this year are going on one for the first time, some students were blessed with the opportunity of going on one last year. Among the favorite parts of the mission trip experience of those who have been on one, the mission trip retreat sits towards the top.
Senior Sophia Shaffer, who went on a mission trip to Nashville, Tennessee last year, loved her mission trip retreat and spending a weekend with her team. Her favorite memory from the retreat was, simply, sharing meals with her team and bonding with them over barbeque. As for senior Hannah Fears, who went on a mission trip to New Mexico last year, her favorite memory from the retreat was making it to the finals of a rock, paper, scissors challenge and ultimately losing to Head of School Chris Cleveland. Fears is going on a mission trip this year to Rome, Italy and is looking forward to potentially making a finals run in a rock, paper, scissors challenge yet again.
The hope with the mission trip retreats is that teams grow as close together as possible as they prepare to serve communites and other people around the world in just a little over a month. Developing such togetherness ahead of the trip is neccessary so that teams can best serve thos who they are going to be working with.
Hanrahan remembers that with the last retreat he went on, the team grew a sense of togetherness and new relationships were formed.
The American Red Cross will be coming to Yancey Gym on January 27 from 8 am to 2 pm to collect blood from eligible students and teachers who sign up.
Ginger Holland said, “The blood drive is an opportunity to give back to those in need in the community. Wesleyan has always stepped up to help in the community.”
Students and teachers who wish to donate blood can sign up to give blood through the sign-up link in the daily announcements. However, there are certain requirements; any student who wants to give blood must be at least 16 years old and if the student is 16, a parent or guardian must sign a waiver allowing them to donate blood. Other factors that may disqualify a student or teacher would be if they are sick, have taken aspirin less than two days before giving blood, on antibiotics, pregnant, had a tattoo less than three months ago, have traveled outside the U.S. over the past three years, and more.
If a student or teacher is disqualified from giving blood, they can still help the blood drive. Anyone can sign up via the blood drive Sign-Up Genius to bring food items for those giving blood, because giving blood can make someone pass out or get dizzy. A food item will help alleviate that dizziness that a donor feels. Or students or teachers can sign up to bring lunch for the Red Cross workers, who are drawing blood. Parents can also volunteer to help register students and teachers as they come in to give blood.
istration desk. “We want to help live out the JOY motto,” Holland said. “We want to serve and help others.”
Holland and Morris have been working hard since last year with facilities and communication to make sure that Wesleyan has enough space to host the Red Cross. They also build the Sign-Up Geniuses for parent volunteers and work with the Wesleyan Parents Club to make sure that an email will go out with all that information. “Communication and collaboration with campus and the Red Cross is key,” Holland said.
The American Red Cross blood drive is an excellent opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to help those in the community that desperate need blood. Any donation will be put to good use.
In the past couple of years, due to the pandemic, there has been a high need for blood in Peachtree Corners and surrounding areas. There are many people suffering from diseases or accidents that cause them to need blood transfusions. Wesleyan puts on this drive to help support the community and because it aligns with O in the JOY motto: others. Co-chair of the blood drive committee
When asked why she gave blood last year, junior Millie Dempsey said, “I decided to donate blood last year because I think that is such a cool idea that I could be a small part in helping someone save a life.”
This year, the blood drive committee is co-chaired by Holland, mother of first grader Eleanor Holland, and Patricia Morris, mother of seventh grader Jack Morris and fifth grader Julia Morris. Holland and Morris met during the blood drive last year when they worked at the reg-
College Advising’s “Paying for College Seminar,” which the entire of the Wesleyan community is invited to attend, will take place on Wednesday, January 25 from 7 pm until 9 pm in Austin Chapel at Wesleyan.
For this event, something that College Advising has been putting together for many years, the College Advising staff brings in a speaker who is an expert in the field of paying for college to educate families who are thinking about college, particularly paying for it. In the past, the speaker has generally been a person who works in the financial aid office of an institution as they are the ones who have insight into the day-to-day practices of how students and their families pay for college.
Director of College Advising Ken Connor’s hope with this event is to “bring in someone who can help explain how to pay for college in a way that is relatable and then allow students to prepare for that” and they are confident that this year’s speaker will do just that. This year’s speaker is John Sisk, who works in Emory University’s office of financial aid.
The purpose of this event is to provide students and parents with information regarding paying for college to make them aware of the various ways in which they can receive funding and the different types of funding that they may be eligible for when consid-
ering how to pay for college (need-based financial aid, merit-based scholarships, etc.). Assistant Direc-
tend this event so that they can be better educated on this topic and be well-equipped, prepared for the future.
tor of College Advising Erica Engsberg believes that the more everyone knows about financing, the better equipped everyone will be to make this big decision of how to pay for college. Understanding all the different variables of paying for college makes this process far easier and less stressful for all parties involved.
Engsberg encourages the entire of the Wesleyan high school community, especially those who are currently thinking about college, and anyone else that is interested in learning more about paying for college to at-
“This event is to bring in someone who can help explain how to pay for college in a way that is relatable.”
- Ken Connor
(cont’d from pg 1)
The night will start with the performance of “Hello, Dolly!” The story follows Dolly Gallegher-Levi played by sophomore Norah Mukana as she works towards her life’s work of “arranging things” and making romantic matches. The show includes songs such as “Hello, Dolly!” and “Put on your Sunday clothes.” Characters such as Horace Vandergelder played by senior RJ Devlin, Cornelius Hackl played by sophomore Gavin Burns, Irene Molloy played by senior Ireland Riley, Barnaby Tucker played by senior Miles Cleveland, and Minnie Fay played by junior Ginny Kate McDaniel join Dolly on their journey of discovering bravery, embracing positivity, and refusing to let life’s parade pass them by.
Following the show, there will be a Red Carpet After Party in Dubose Dining Hall. High school students and faculty are invited to join and celebrate the cast and crew by enjoying fancy desserts, beverages, socializing, and signing the cast and crew’s headshots posted around Dubose Dining Hall. The show is set in New York in the late 1890s, and the decor will reflect that.
“I think it is wonderful that Wesleyan throws a party for the high school students and faculty in honor of the musical and its cast members,” said freshman girls grade Grade Chair Ashley Stainback. Stainback will organize the party by being sure to feature the hard work of the cast and crew with food and decorations. The party will be set up by parent volunteers. The event is meant to congratulate the cast and crew and commemorate their hard work.
The night of the high school show and Red Carpet will be a family night, which is to encourage students to watch the show and enjoy the Red Carpet without the stress of schoolwork due the next day.
The cast and crew are excited to show off their hard work to their friends and teachers. Junior Kailey Zavitz said, “I am excited because I get to see all of my friends there.” Zavitz plays Mrs. Rose in the show as well as apart of the ensemble. This is her 4th show she has been cast in. She is excited to be able to show off her hard work. Senior Philip Burns said, “This show so far just
seems like really fun. I love the cast. I like the music. It is going to be a really enjoyable experience to watch the show.” This is Burn’s last high school show, and he wants to celebrate it with his friends.
Throughout all the productions, students will be able to send in pictures to @wesleyangreenmachine on Instagram to get points for their grade. There will be posters for the show, headshots of the cast and crew, and other spots to get a picture showing students were there.
The show and After Party will be a lively experience for all who attend. “Hello, Dolly!” will be filled with comedy and life lessons, and the celebration of the cast and crew at the Red Carpet will be filled with joy and appreciation for all their hard work.
(cont’d from pg 1)
Director of Diversity Dr. Jennifer Pinkett-Smith responded to the question of what MLK Day means to her. She said, “It is a day to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices Dr. King made along with all those who were willing to believe in his vision. It is a day to be aware and not take for granted the work King and so many others put in for African Americans to have the opportunities they do today.”
Pinkett-Smith finds value in the rich history of Atlanta that the Wesleyan community is surrounded by. The King Center, Center for Civil and Human Rights, and Auburn Avenue are all places where the giants of the Civil Rights Movement stood, and places Wesleyan students can drive down to and reflect on the work that is still to this day being done.
Because of the day off of school, students have the ability to stop and reflect on the progress that has come since King, and the progress that still needs to be done. One way to honor King’s legacy, while also continuing on in his mission, is the MLK Day Sunday Supper on January 15. This event encourages families to sit around a dinner table, eat together, and talk about the reality of each other’s various backgrounds, races, cultures, and ethnicities. There is power in listening to the experiences of others in order to become better individuals and hopefully a better world as a whole.
Another way to immerse oneself in King’s way of life is through living how he did. King was inspired by the way Jesus lived, so he spent his time showing others acts of kindness and putting himself in their shoes. Hill added, “This is an egocentric society, so it is hard to think of others first. We have to intentionally pause, take a breath, marinate in what is learned, and ask how to be more understanding toward others.”
Pinkett-Smith encourages students to take a moment to learn about Dr. King’s six nonviolent principles. These pillars defined his life. They are inspired by Jesus Christ as well as Gandhi. The first principles is that
principle says, “Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice,” and that God will eventually win, so justice will eventually come in time. These are not easy principles to live by, but they follow in suit with
“Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people,” which emphasizes that although not physically violent, people must be spiritually, mentally, and emotionally aggressive. The second states, “Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding,” ushering in the “beloved community.” The third principle says, “Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice or evil, not people,” which gives the viewpoint that those who inflict injustice are victims not evil themselves. The fourth says, “Nonviolence holds that unlearned, voluntary suffering for a just cause can educate and and transform people and societies,” meaning people must be willing to accept suffering without retaliation. The fifth states, “Nonviolence choses love instead of hate.” Finally, the sixth
the way Jesus’ life turned the world upside down. King has made these six principles the pillars of his life, so in his legacy, people must continue to live by these principles of nonviolence, seeking freedom and justice for all.
MLK Day gives people the ability to pause and reflect on coming together as what King calls “the beloved community,” which is a “community where everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate.” This “beloved community” is what the nation is striving for, and what each individual should strive to be apart of. On this year’s MLK Day, reflect on the victories of the past while also looking forward to the future victories to come and the part each person must play in bringing that about.
The Wesleyan Family Open House was on Saturday, Jan. 7 from 1 to 3:30 for prospective families to explore the campus, meet teachers and coaches, and decide if Wesleyan is the right fit for their family. The Open House is the largest whole family event Wesleyan does as part of the admissions process and gives the prospective families the best example of what Wesleyan is truly like by opening the campus for the potenital families to explore.
Director of Admissions Mari Beth King said, “The main reason [we do the Open House] is it is the only event that we do on a Saturday, and it is the only event where families can talk to any administrator, teacher, director, or coach, and explore the campus with their whole family.” For these reasons, the Open House has been successful in years past, so Wesleyan continues putting it on.
In preparation for the event, ambassadors met on Thursday, Jan. 5 during lunch to learn how they would be helping with the event. They learned how the format of the Open House will work, as the ambassadors would help teachers in classrooms and give directions to possible families instead of the guided tours the ambassadors led in the past.
To start out the day, the prospective families attended an assembly where Head of School Chris Cleveland, senior Lily Nydam, and King all spoke. Nydam spoke about how Wesleyan “allows their children to bloom and flourish into an unapologetic version of themselves, rooted in self-confidence, and assured by the promises God has set out for them.” After the speakers, the potential families were sent to do their self-guided tours around campus.
Wesleyan has recently changed to a new format for
the tours for the Open House. In previous years, ambassadors gave guided tours to possible families around the Wesleyan campus. During Covid, they had to switch to a new model where ambassadors were in classrooms helping teachers and were placed around campus giving directions to prospective families. This model worked well, so the Wesleyan admissions team kept it in place for this year.
All Wesleyan teachers were required to attend the Open House. The faculty were either in their classrooms welcoming prospective families, at the sports table in Yancey Gymnasium representing the sports team they coach, helping with musical rehearsal, or running sports practices.
The teachers had many activities happening in their classrooms such as art displays and students working on projects like the yearbook. There was also set construction in Powell theater, tablet demonstrations by the technology team, music teachers showcasing instruments, science experiments, and the broadcast of a WWTV episode. The parents traveled to each of the locations with directions by the ambassadors stationed around campus to experience what Wesleyan offers.
Junior Vivian Hosier represented band director Jeff Foster. Hosier was in the high school band room promoting the marching band. Hosier is co-captain of the color guard and an ambassador. She was there to repre-
sent both marching band and color guard. Hosier welcomed the potential families, answered their questions, and showed the prospective families what a great place Wesleyan is. Hosier said, “I hope the community here draws prospective families to Wesleyan.”
The Open House is meant to show families what Wesleyan is truly like and to show the families who have applied why they should have Wesleyan as their top choice when the admissions results come out.
The Open House had a great turn out this year. There were over 650 people total. The Open House is the largest admissions event Wesleyan does, so it important the admissions team and ambassadors do their best to make the event a success.
The Open House was a good time for prospective families to explore how they would fit into the Wesleyan community by exploring the campus and interacting with the faculty. It’s the hope the prospective families felt welcomed as they envisioned themselves as a part of the Wesleyan community.
“The main reason [we do the Open House] is it is the only event that we do on a Saturday, and it is the only event where families can talk to any administrator, teacher, director, or coach, and explore the campus with their whole family.”
- Mari Beth King
“I hope the community here draws prospective families to Wesleyan.”- Junior Vivian Hosier Ambassador, junior Vivian Hosier, informed perspective families about the color gaurd and marching band. Hodges
Nick Follett
What colleges are you applying to or going to? I have multiple in mind, but the main ones are UGA and Samford.
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? I would travel New Zealand.
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Roger Federer
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? Falling of a fence and breaking my arm in 1st grade.
What is one thing you will miss about high school? The tennis team
If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? “Avatar: The Last Airbender”
What is the theme song of your life? “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”
Rebekah Harshaw
What colleges are you applying to or going to? Sheridan, SCAD, Ringling, and Rochester Institute of Technology
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? France. I went when I was a baby, so I don’t remember it.
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Bear Grylls. We might actually survive then.
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? Forgetting my entire “About me” presentation freshman year when I was a new student in front of my history class.
What is one thing you will miss about high school? Football games with the band.
Lawson Jones
What colleges are you applying to or going to? I am committed to play lacrosse at Queens University of Charlotte.
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Hawaii because I have never been and have always wanted to go.
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? At the freshman retreat 3 years ago, I decided to try and do the rope swing into the water. Unfortunately, I did not have the grip strength, and then I slipped and fell right off of the rope and was laughed at by half the freshman class. I was also a new student which made it even worse.
What is one thing you will miss about high school? One thing I will miss about high school is the friendships and relationships made.
Kyla Richardson
What colleges are you applying to or going to? University of Miami, Howard University, and Tulane University
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? I would travel to France. I would love to try all the different authentic foods there and see the Eiffel Tower.
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? I would want to be stranded on an island with Michael B. Jordan. Not only is he very attractive, but he would help me get food and build shelter because of his abs and muscles.
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? My most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan was last year in English class when my stomach growled loudly while the class was silent. It lasted for about a minute, and everyone in the room heard it and laughed.
Ella Gilley
What colleges are you applying to or going to? I am applying to Ole Miss, Alabama, and Auburn University.
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Disney World
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Dua Lipa
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? I’m not sure.
What is one thing you will miss about high school? Seeing my friends everyday
What did you want to be as a child? Ballerina
Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Will Hillegass
If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? It would definetly be “Gossip Girl.”
Forrest Lietz
What colleges are you applying to or going to? Birmingham Southern
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Somalia
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Steve Carrell
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? On the first day of school, I drove the wrong way in the parking lot. Everyone stared.
What is one thing you will miss about high school? High school baseball
What did you want to be as a child? A baseball player
Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Elsa Moore
If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? “The Office”
Paul Weidle
What colleges are you applying to or going to? I am applying to University of Maryland, University of South Carolina, Auburn, and University of Colorado.
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Kevin Hart
What is one thing you will miss about high school? I think I will miss hanging out with my friends the most.
What did you want to be as a child? I wanted to work for the CDC.
Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Ireland Riley
If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? It would be the show “Supernatural.”
Christina McCoy
What colleges are you applying to or going to? Mississippi State, Auburn, Kentucky, Georgia, and Ole Miss.
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Greece
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Matthew McConaughey
What did you want to be as a child? Fashion designer
Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Schley Gordy
If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? Definitetly “Yellowstone”
What is the theme song of your life? “Crazy Train”
Mary-John Reinhard
What colleges are you applying to or going to? Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Baylor, LSU, and Arizona State
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? I would go to Greece.
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Bruno Mars
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? My freshman year I didn’t dress as one of the themes required and I dressed up as an Eboy, then proceeded to get booed at when I went on stage for the costume competition.
What is one thing you will miss about high school? I will miss the people who I am surrounded by.
Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Trent DeBow
If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? “Vampire Diaries”
Evan Nicholas
What colleges are you applying to or going to? Tennessee, College of Charleston, UGA, and UNG
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? The Bahamas
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Margot Robbie
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? I jumped on Thomas Chipman’s back during a skit in front of the class and ripped my pants.
What is one thing you will miss about high school? Hanging out with the guys
What did you want to be as a child? Stay at home dad
Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Anslee Davidson
If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? Probably “The Office”
Lauren Van Wie
What colleges are you applying to or going to? I will be playing volleyball at the University of Pennsylvania.
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? I would love to travel back to Lake Como with my family.
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? I’m not huge on embarrassing myself. However, I did kiss my boyfriend on stage in front of the whole freshman class, so I would say that classifies. What is one thing you will miss about high school? I’m going to miss chapel and the ability to freely worship God throughout the school day, as well as my close friends and mentors.
What did you want to be as a child? Actress
Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Joe Laurite
Kate Adent
What colleges are you applying to or going to? Clemson, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Samford
Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Greece and the Amalfi Coast
Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Probably Austin Riley or Blooper (the Braves mascot)
What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? It was like the second week of school this year and I was walking to my car in the senior lots. I was walking with a group that I normally don’t hang out with, which made this super awkward. I ate it walking down the hill to the cross walk in front of EVERYONE. My water bottle rolled down the hill, my knees were bleeding, and everyone just stared at me. None of my friends were there to laugh at me; if they were it would’ve just been funny. But everyone didn’t know what to do and just looked at me. It was so bad
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The student government winter dance will be on Feb. 11 from 8pm to 11pm inside Hoover Gymnasium, and all high school students are invited to attend. The winter dance is a hallmark event in the life of the high school, and many students look forward to attending it each year. Director of Alumni Giving and peer leadership teacher Shelley Noble says, “The winter dance brings joy and light to a cold and dreary season of the school year.”
The theme of this year’s dance, Denim & Diamonds, was announced at the Monday morning meeting on Jan. 9 by student government. The members of student government participated in a fashion show and danced to the song “Cotton Eye Joe” to reveal the new theme and provide ideas for dress. The Monday Morning meeting was planned by a team led by senior Freddie Reinhard.
Junior Kate Stolle says, “I love announcing the new theme at Monday morning meeting because we always do a fun dance or skit that goes along with the theme to get the student body excited.”
The theme combines the western and rodeo aspects of “denim” with the glitz and glam of “diamonds.” Members of student government began planning the winter dance and decided on the final theme in mid-November.
Junior Reese Cadogan says, “The theme of Denim & Diamonds for winter dance had been talked about by members of student government since the beginning of the school year, and everyone ended up really liking it since the decorations and outfits could match the theme.”
In the past, the winter dance has rotated from being
dance mainly because it is indoors as opposed to being outside on the endcap of the football field. Krehmeyer says, “We’ve settled on the location of Hoover Gym for the winter dance because we like how close the parking lot is in case the dance is cold, windy, or rainy.” Student government plans to shrink the dance floor inside of Hoover this year to make the dance floor feel morcrowded and to connect the students more with the DJ.
will be a new DJ at the winter dance.
The winter dance is important because it gives students another chance to dress up, have fun, and dance with friends. Sophomore Max Perry says, “I’m excited for this year’s winter dance because I’m looking forward to having a new theme, and I love to dance with my friends.” Student government’s hope is that this year’s winter dance will be a way for the freshmen and sophomores to connect and build community within their grades. Krehmeyer says, “It’s especially important for the underclassmen to have a second dance in the school year because the juniors and seniors will have their prom in the spring.”
a semi-formal dance like homecoming to years where it is a more themed-party. Student Activities Coordinator and social sciences teacher Brian Krehmeyer says, “The winter dance has a unique place in Wesleyan student life because from year to year it can either it can either take on a semi-formal feel or a costume party.”
This year, students are encouraged to dress in semi-formal “diamond” attire or more themed “denim” attire. Cadogan says, “The dance will still be semi-formal, but we are encouraging students to incorporate the theme into their outfits whether that is denim or diamonds.” Students could wear sparkly dresses, cowboy boots, flannels, or other items to incorporate the theme into their outfit.
Cadogan’s main role for the winter dance is to search for themed decorations for the dance. Cadogan says, “We are going to be incorporating both denim and diamond accents into the dance, and it will be a mix of western and ‘Great Gatsby’ type decorations.” Each year, student government comes to school the morning before the dance to set up the decorations and dance floor inside Hoover Gym.
The winter dance is different from the homecoming
Noble says, “The winter dance has more of an intimate feel than the homecoming dance because it is inside and smaller.” Lastly, the biggest difference between the homecoming and the winter dances this year is that there
Before COVID, the winter dance was mainly only an underclassmen event. But in the past couple of years, the senior classes have rallied around the dance with the underclassmen and have made it an event that energizes the entire high school. Noble says, “I think COVID was a reset for the winter dance on how to do things differently and bring a community feel back to the dance.”
Many students are excited for the new Denim & Diamonds winter dance theme, and student government continues to work to plan and make this year’s winter dance the best yet. Noble says, “The winter dance is an opportunity for all high school students to be in one place celebrating each other and having fun.” The winter dance is one of the most fun events in Wesleyan student life each year.
The new year presents a great opportunity for students to support the community. It is a great time to establish a routine for the coming year. Adding volunteering to this routine is an important step to living the way Christ calls Christians to live.
Books for Africa, located in Atlanta, supports those in need in Africa by helping end the book famine there. The organization can send computers, books, tablets, and other library materials to children and students in need in Africa. Based on the donations they receive the organization is the largest shipper of donated text to all countries in the African continent. In one year alone the organization provided 3.2 million books and 355 computers to those in need.
our volunteers feel welcome because they are such an important part of what we do.”
Volunteers can sign up through the website under the volunteer tab. Volunteer shifts are organized into twohour shifts. Groups or individuals can sign up for these shifts. However, due to insurance, volunteers must be twelve or older. At the beginning of each shift volunteers will be given a brief orientation which includes how the organization was founded and how to sort books.
Donations are also essential for the organization to run. Donations are often from schools, libraries, individuals, and companies. All book donations are accepted; however, books pertaining to topics like American history, dieting, and magazines not relevant to an African
batteries are not typically accepted with the exception of working calculators because access to batteries in Africa is not always guaranteed.
Donations can be dropped off during business hours and no sign up is necessary. If it is a large amount, the organization recommends emailing Hale using jen@ booksforafrica.org. Book drives are also an important
It was founded in 1988 by a book publisher named Thomas Warth. After he had traveled to Uganda, he saw how little resources schools and public libraries had. The sight of seven kids hovering around a single textbook start Books for Africa. The organization started out a small with him mailing books to a village in Uganda out of his garage. The organization grew due to his connections in the publishing industry and has continued to grow ever since.
The mission of the organization is to spread literacy as a bridge out of poverty. Atlanta community liaison, Jen Hale says, “Education is the great equalizer. If you can get a better education, you can improve your circumstances. In rural areas these books can change the quality of education.”
The organization provides students and children with materials in schools and in public libraries in various languages like English, French, and Spanish to help create an ideal learning environment and expand their world view. These materials help compensate for the lack of access to textbooks and other learning materials in Africa for many kids. Jen Hale says, “Education is so transformative. Not only formal education but leisure reading. It helps broaden one’s perspective of the world at large.”
Volunteers are necessary for the organization to function. It relies heavily on nearly seven hundred volunteers a week for a labor force. Volunteers can come in six days a week from 9:00-3:00 on weekdays and 9:00- 2:00 on Saturdays, and they are the ones responsible for the sorting and packing of nearly three million books a year. These categories include elementary, middle school, high school, and university level reading. With a staff of only around ten people, it is essential for volunteers to help process the high volume of books the organization receives. Jen Hale says, “We go out of our way to make
child will be recycled and made into the boxes the organization will use to ship donations. Textbooks of all levels are accepted as well as fiction for all reading levels. If the book has some annotations of highlights the book can still be sent.
School supplies can also be donated. The organization accepts anything that can be of use to students like rulers, protectors, flash cards, pencils, paper, etc. There
way the organization collects books. Interested individuals or groups are responsible for organizing a drive, but the organization will provide flyers and other advertisements at the request of the donors. Requesting these flyers can also be done by emailing Jen Hale.
Donated books are shipped to Africa at the request of libraries or schools in Africa. They typically find out about the organization online or through the Peace Corps. People in need of books go online to the website and fill out an order form to request a certain type of book. Books are requested by age group and fiction or nonfiction.
Books for Africa is just one way to volunteer this
is also a list on the website with a list of supplies that the organization is requesting. Many schools in Africa are underequipped to provide quality education, so most supplies are appreciated. However, supplies that requires
year. It provides a great opportunity to give both time and items. However, there are a number of meaningful ways to get involved with the community. Keep a look out in the coming issues for more oppurtunities.
Henley Davis
During Christmas break from Dec. 15-Jan. 3, students and faculty celebrated the holidays through their own Christmas traditions while away from school. Many of the community’s traditions include decorating trees, opening presents with family, traveling, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in different ways. Many families celebrated Christmas with their own traditions that hold special meaning to them. Here are some of the best Christmas traditions from students and faculty:
(l to r) Freshman Jack Callahan and junior Jules Callahan dress up in matching pajamas. Callahan
Junior Jules Callahan
“My entire family dresses up in matching pajamas on Christmas morning, and we wait on the stairs and take a picture before we open presents.”
This delicious coffee cake looks like the one that Chris Yoder enjoys with his family on Christmas morning.
Chris Yoder
Freshman Mallory Suits
Internet
“Growing up my mother always made a delicious homemade coffee cake on Christmas Eve. The recipe is a family recipe my grandmother brought from England as an immigrant to the United States in the 1920’s. My mother passed away in 2016, but we have carried on the tradition of making the cake on Christmas Eve for us to enjoy on Christmas morning.
Suits
“On Christmas morning, my siblings and I are not allowed to go downstairs to open presents until my mom finishes making breakfast. She makes breakfast casserole and monkey bread.”
Sophomore Olivia Noel spent this Christmas at the beach. Noel
Sophomore Olivia Noel
“One of the traditions that my family participates in is decorating our house for Christmas when we get back from my grandma’s house on Thanksgiving.”
Senior
Senior Amanda Mola
“My family and I like to eat a special Christmas breakfast while we open presents.”
Wischerth
Katie Wischerth enjoys a cup of coffee on Christmas morning.
Katie Wischerth
“One of our Christmas traditions, which was adopted from my husband’s family, is to place Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning. Our nativity set has a manger, but baby Jesus is missing until Christmas Day. It gives us a moment amid the chaos and fun of Christmas morning (we do perpetuate the lie of Santa—and love it) to remember the true purpose and meaning of Christmas.”
The varsity girls basketbal team has fun at practice. They have had an incredible season: 3-1 in region games and 12-2 overall.