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Green & Gold
Volume XXV, Issue I NEWS
A Publication of Wesleyan School
Student Government members finalize homecoming plans. Pg.1
GET EDITORIAL OUT TO VOTE!
Editor-in-Chief Anna Grace Bowling encourages students to relish their days at Wesleyan. Pg. 2
FEATURES
The G&G explores the use of masks and their popularity. Pg. 8
November 3, 2020 SPORTS
Fall sports come to a close. Pg. 6
Student Government Finalizes Homecoming Carson Schiller
said, “The likelihood of getting alumni back As COVID-19 and its precautions continue to onto our campus is very low because we don’t physically divide Wesleyan as a school whether want to bring any exposure back onto camthat be through the hybrid model or all on campus for an event.” Regarding parents, there pus, Student Government is working hard during may be fewer numbers to limit the amount of flex time and lunch periods to find ways to have people on campus while also being able to ina homecoming so student can be together to celclude middle school and lower school as well. ebrate this annual tradition. Student Activities Student Government has been working Coordinator Brian Krehmeyer said, “We are hard to develop ideas that will bring the working hard to plan a homecoming model for school together, and they have finalized their the fall based on what school life looks like right plan. Krehmeyer said, “Homecoming will be now, but it is impossible to predict what school the week of Nov. 2-Nov. 6 where on Friday, life will look like in late October/early NovemNov. 6 there will be a home football game ber.” Assuming that the school continues the vs. Providence Christian Academy.” Due to invitation of all student back on campus will be a mental health day on Friday, Nov. 6, there the determining factor in how homecoming will will still be no school that day. In order to play out. A change in the number of students on hang onto the most important things about campus will result in a change for the homecomhomecoming week, Student Government has ing plan because an increase in capacity can lead decided to host the pageant and pep-rally. to more cases and more students in quarantine. Krehmeyer said, “[The pep-rally] is the cheerKrehmeyer emphasized the fact that as a com- President of Student Government Sam Schmitt and Student Acmunity Wesleyan will have a homecoming event, tivities Coordinator Brian Krehmeyer discuss the plan for home- leading squad’s and marching band’s opportuSchiller nity to showcase in front of the student body, but there will be no dance. After all, homecoming is coming. ni, parents, and community as well as the student on and [it’s a way to] honor our fall sports as well.” not just about the dance. It involves alumni returnKrehmeyer and Student Government President Sam ing, parents, students, pep-rallies, a pageant, football campus, but this year our focus has to be more on the games, the Hoedown, and spirit week. Krehmeyer said, students here on campus.” Since many college campus- Schmitt along with the rest of Student Government “Usually Homecoming is a celebration for the alum- es are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, Krehmeyer are optimistically keeping their (con’t on page 3)
Wesleyan School Adjusts to a New Normal Rosie Taylor
As Wesleyan School administration got ready for a new school year under the unique circumstances of COVID-19, many variables had to go into the process of creating a new schedule such as summer planning, new technology, and changes in how Sage Dining lunch works. In March of last year’s spring semester, it became apparent to the school that this year’s school year might look a lot different than ever before. Over the course of the summer, starting as early as May, principals, deans, chief operating officer, grade chairs and department chairs started to discuss different plans for each issue. The school came up with three different learning plans. Assistant Dean of Student Life Josh Smith said, “By about mid-summer, we knew the models for different options of learning. We just did not know which model we would employ until it got closer to the start of school.” The number of COVID-19 cases changed weekly, so the administration had to wait until up to two weeks before the start of the school year to make the decision. When making the decision, the school knew that they wanted to make the safest choice but also the choice that provided the best learning environment possible under the circumstances. Smith said, “We always knew that we wanted to have as much face-to-face time as we could even if we had to go virtual. We wanted to find a good balance. It was clear to us that the hybrid model would be the most difficult, but it was most
important to us to get students on campus as much as we could.” The staff including Smith, Wesleyan High School Principal Joseph Koch and Dean of Student Life Mary Stephenson had meetings weekly to assess the situation. The summer planning for this school year took long months instead of just a couple weeks. Although the summer planning was extensive, administration believes that it was worth it. Smith said, “I think our hard work and long planning have paid off because we are still in school so far. Taking all of the COVID-19 safety precautions has ensured us that we can stay in school and hopefully add more students as the weeks go on. The success so far has given the school hope, and we are one step closer to all being back in school together on campus.” During the summer planning, another topic that had to be discussed was technology. With the hybrid model, the school knew that new technology was going to have to be purchased in order for school to function to its highest potential during virtual and in-person learning. For in-person learning, the technology crew researched and bought thermal cameras, Plexi glass shields, mobile i-pads with battery packs, updated wi-fi, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom to help better ensure the safety of students and faculty. Thermal cameras check the temperature of each person who walks through an entry door. If the temperature
is over 100.4, then the person is flagged and sent to the nurse. Chief Operating Officer Brian Morgan said, “The thermal cameras ensure that faculty, staff and students are safe by not only checking the temperature of each person who walks through a door, but also it checks for any weapons or guns that may be on someone. One of the main reasons the school decided on the (con’t on page 3)
Junior students Lily Morris and John Perrins sit socially distance in class.
Taylor
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green & gold
Welcome Back to School Dear Wesleyan Community, Welcome back to school! As we have started getting back into the swing of things, life is finally feeling more normal even though masks and social distanc-
This year has and will continue to be a year full of change. ing have become the “new” normal. This year has and will continue to be a year full of change. Something that I have come to learn throughout my years in high school is that the days go slow, but the years fly by. It seems like yesterday I was getting ready for my first day at Wesleyan as a new student, going to Young Life for the first time, cheering at my first football game, and dancing the night away at my first homecoming. Freshman, specifically new students: I know how scary being new is, and it makes it even more awkward to only have half of your class here. However, I encourage you to jump in and get involved. This is the year to figure out what you enjoy. Try a new sport or club and do your best in school because this is the year it really counts. Sophomores: take advantage of a year to breathe. You aren’t freshman anymore; you know the ropes and how to navigate high school. You aren’t juniors yet; however, continue to do your best in everything you attempt. Don’t waste your freedom. Most of you are probably driving now or will be driving soon.
Enjoy driving by yourself and being able to hop in the car and go where you please. I encourage you to get to know and form relationships with your teachers. It will help you throughout high school to have a relationship with your teachers, so they will be able to write you college recommendation letters and be there for you throughout school. Get involved in more activities and community service to begin furthering your resume. Juniors: survive. I’ll admit, junior year is hard and fast-paced. However, this year is the one that matters the most. Start exploring colleges as early as possible and find the place that you fit best. Take as many tests as you can before it’s too late. And if you don’t love your life, then change it. You are too young to waste your life stressing about your grades. Find your passions and enjoy it all. And finally, to my fellow seniors: cherish every single moment you have left at home. Lead well and set
Freshman: I know how scary being new is. the tone. I know that experiencing senior year during a pandemic has taken away our last first day of school, homecoming, sitting in the student section at football games, and sitting in the front of Austin Chapel all together- things that we have been anxiously waiting to experience. As much as I wish it would all go away, I can’t change anything, so I have learned to
EDITORIAL stay optimistic, cherish the moments where I get to be with other people in and outside of school, and enjoy quality time with family and brothers and sisters who have come home from college. As much as I miss hugging my friends at school, laughing around the table
To my fellow seniors: cherish every single moment. at in the cafeteria, and cheering in front of the packed stands on Friday nights, this is reality. Class of 2021, no matter what is happening now, we still applied to college, we still get to celebrate being accepted into and will attend, we still get to go to football games, and we still get to graduate. There is more to life outside of COVID-19… I know there will be. The school year looks very different this year and it is especially difficult for the class of 2021, but every day I wake up and think, “at least I get to go to school.” No matter what the rest of the school year looks like for Wesleyan students, I pray that you all make the best out of every day and cherish every tiny moment spent with friends and family. To the Wesleyan Community, thank you for supporting the Green & Gold and welcome back to school! Sincerely, Editor-in-Chief
Green & Gold Staff Editor-in-Chief….…………..............Anna Grace Bowling ‘21 Photo and Senior Spotlights Editor.........Maddie Parsonnet ‘21 Christian Life Editor.....….………………….Avery Pursell ‘21 School Life Editor…….……………………..Rosie Taylor ‘21 Sports Editor….....………………………..Carson Schiller ‘21 Staff Writer……………………………....Kendrick Archer ‘22 Advisers………….………………………..Meredith Jamieson …….....…………………………………….…Andrea Shupert All pictures are taken by Maddie Parsonnet unless otherwise noted on the page. 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: The Green & Gold Wesleyan School 5405 Spalding Drive Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Wyatt.
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FEATURES
Homecoming
green & gold
(Cont. from page 1)
Carson Schiller options open about homecoming. Schmitt said, “When dealing with a group of teenagers, coming up with a plan that will appease the masses is rather difficult; but, I hope that with everything that has been stripped away due to COVID-19 any change in students’ typical monotonous school day routine will be something they accept with open arms.” Schmitt views a new kind of homecoming as a positive no matter what their plan is. Schmitt added, “I want to bring as many of the homecoming traditions that are possible under school restrictions.” Homecoming Week will start Monday, Nov. 2 with an assigned theme for the day, Green and Gold Day, and there will be regular DEAR time. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the theme for the day is Movie Characters. Students will get dressed up in their movie character of choice and attend the King and Queen Pageant and vote during flex period. Wednesday, Nov. 4 is Quarantine Day which consists of dressing up in pajamas. Thursday, Nov. 5 is the iconic Jersey Day. Student Government has developed a plan with a change of location to better allow students to gather for the Pep Rally that day. The Pep Rally will take place in Henderson Stadium to allow social distancing. That night there will be a
“Screen on the Green” when they will project a movie onto the big screen in front of Wesley Hall at 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m, which will allow for students to remain socially distanced while enjoying a movie with their fellow classmates and teachers. Due to no school on Friday, Nov. 6, nothing will take place on campus that day. The football game later than night versus Providence Christian Academy at 7:30 p.m. will be available in-person to seniors and families with children performing but will be available through livestream in front of Wesley Hall at kickoff. During halftime, the announcement of king and queen will take place. Student Government is working out all the kinks to make sure students, parents, alumni, and faculty enjoy the new homecoming plans. This might not be the normal homecoming as remembered, but this is the best way to make the most of the current situation. Student Government has worked extremely hard to make the most of this season of unknowns and to provide students with the opportunity to be together. There is more to homecoming than just the dance. Gathering and celebrating together is what homecoming is truly about.
Student Government member Senior Annelise Onorato (front row left), sophomore Joe Laurite (front row right), junior Hunter Suits (second row left), and freshman Kate Stolle (second row right) are focused in their meeting as senior Sam Schmitt leads the meeting. Schiller
Wesleyan School Adjusts to a New Normal (Cont. from page 1) thermal cameras instead of buying dozens of hand-held thermometers is because once COVID-19 is in the past, the cameras will still have use.” There are 13 of these thermal cameras distributed between each building with two being in Warren Hall, four in Wesley Hall, two in Cleghorn and one in Yancey, the fine arts building and Gilfillan Hall. Shields of Plexi glass were bought to put on certain desks including in the College Advising office, the front offices, certain lower school rooms, the help desk, middle school science rooms and the high school science rooms to ensure the safety of both faculty and students. Around the school in the classrooms, there are 110 mobile iPad’s that give the virtual students a look into the classroom by showing the students or the board in the actual classroom. Each iPad comes with a battery pack to ensure that it holds a charge for a full school day. To use all of this new technology, the Wi-Fi on campus was updated to a software called Wi-Fi Six that makes the connection more powerful. At home, students log into their classes using Microsoft Teams or Zoom. The I-pads help ensure a more interactive learning enviornment when still being remote.
AP Environmental Science teacher Lidia Zamora teaching in-person and virtual students during first period AP Environmental Science class. Taylor
The school has also incorporated technology into choosing cleaning products for the classrooms. Every night, each room is fogged with a disinfectant and frequently touched items also get cleaned. The school continues to look into different products to make sure that Wesleyan is doing the best job keeping everyone as safe as possible. The technology changes did not just happen overnight. Picking out the new technology that was going to be used took months of planning. The school strategically thought out each decision made regarding technology. Morgan said, “It was a very busy summer. Our administration team met multiple times a week for sometimes 3 or 4 hours. We would talk through technology options, how sporting events would work, if it were worth our investment and making sure the decisions we made were going to best benefit the school. The main goal was to keep the mindset of setting everything up so that we could eventually go back fully in person.” Technology was a crucial part of the process because it allowed the hybrid model to work and be successful. Along with technology, the school also had to think about how lunch was going to work. With Sage Dining being the food company that Wesleyan uses, the school and Sage Dining met to make sure that the best plan was formulated to still serve a balanced meal but also to keep people safe. Similarly to making the decision about the school model, the lunch plan was not decided on until two weeks before school started, and the lunch plan is also assessed every two weeks along with the schedule. Director of Admissions Mari Beth King said, “Jason Myers is the head chef of the Sage Dining program, and he was very helpful when it came to being flexible and figuring out a lunch plan. He is very accommodating and wants everyone to be happy with what he is creating.” The school decided that lunch would have look different. Social distancing with masks, faculty monitoring, grab-and-go food and minimal contact would be necessary for lunch. King said, “The staff in the kitchen always wear masks and gloves when preparing the food and are on very strict protocol.” If students do not want the hot meal lunch, there are also pre-made sandwiches and pre-made salads with chips on the side. Juniors, sophomores and seniors eat in Yancey with the option of eating outside, and freshmen eat in the Dubose dining hall. Each location has two separate meal stations on opposite sides to also spread students out even more ensuring less crowding.
Eventually after all of the planning, the school year started. Wesleyan students have been attending school for three months now. Students did not know what to expect when coming to school, but after being in school for a little while, students had time to get used to the new hybrid model and currently to the new 100 percent model option. Senior student Caroline Gibbs said, “The hybrid model went a lot better than I thought it was going to. Teachers make sure that the virtual leaners and in-class learners are included in the activities and lessons during class, and I still feel like I can talk to my teachers if I have questions.” Although the hybrid model was not ideal, students are just happy to see that the school is working on getting everyone back on campus together. Senior Jackson Turner said, “I think Wesleyan has done the best possible job that they could. They have taken the preventative measures to keep everyone safe, and they have the same end goal that everyone wants which is to be fully in-school.” Wesleyan’s administration designed each model of learning to try and get back to 100 percent of the students on campus daily. Having all the students back on campus has always been the main goal and hope. After using the hybrid model through August and September, the school felt as if it was successful enough to try to have 100 percent of students on campus daily. The students who would like to remain online still have the option to do so. During the week of Sept. 21, the administration got together and decided that starting on Oct. 5, Wesleyan was going to try coming fully back. Although everyone has the option to come back to school fully, the school is still going to take it slow and also still incorporate social distancing as much as possible. Koch said, “It really still is not going to be normal school how it used to be, but at least we will have more students on campus. We still have to account for large gatherings, and everyone will still have to be socially distanced with masks.” Starting Nov. 2, the school is going to change the schedule to 55-minute classes and school starting at 8:15am. “We have found that consistency is the key to get from model to model in terms of the percentage of people being allowed back at a time.” The transition of going from hybrid to full capacity is something that Wesleyan administration and the Wesleyan community have wanted, which was the biggest drive for changing to this updated model.
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Senior Spotlights
FEATURES
Maddie Parsonnet
Gian Luca Di Lenardo What colleges are you applying to or going to? Amherst, Brown, Colby, Cornell, Emory, Georgetown, Middlebury, UChicago, UGA, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, and Williams Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Florence. I’d probably grab a seat at a café, drink some overpriced coffee, people watch, and take in all the sights. Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Rolling Ray What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? A whole, and I mean like whole, Pop-Tart fell out of my mouth while I was trying to have a conversation with Mrs. Roche. We were in the process of sharing our mutual love for Pop-Tarts, and PLOP there it went on the floor. What is the theme song of your life? “All Things Go” by Nicki Minaj Molly Brown What colleges are you applying to or going to? Georgia Tech, UGA, Tulane, and George Washington Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Chiang Mai, Thailand Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Young Leonarda DiCaprio What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? Freshman year, at the first football game, I tried to step off the bleachers onto the steps, but there was flour everywhere. I fell off onto the stairs in front of all the seniors. There was a collective “oooo.” What is one thing you will miss about high school? Seeing my best friends and Coach Myrick everyday. What did you want to be as a child? A vet Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Nicholas Hess If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? “Criminal Minds” Jackson Turner What colleges are you applying to or going to? Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia, University of North Georgia, and South Carolina Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Fiji or Bali Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Kevin Hart or Margot Robbie What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? My first year here I did not know that there was an unspoken rule for there being a junior and a sophomore side for parking, so my first day I parked in the very first spot of the lake lots and it made the juniors really mad and they had no idea who it was. What is one thing you will miss about high school? I will miss getting to be with all my friends and Friday Night Lights. What did you want to be as a child? I always dreamed of being a doctor or a professional athlete. Dang meniscus. Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Carson Schiller If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? “One Tree Hill” Paige Wyatt What colleges are you applying to or going to? Auburn, Samford and Georgia College Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Probably somewhere in the mountains despite hating the cold. I love skiing, and it’s a shame I can’t ski in Georgia. Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Brendon Urie. He can sing to me as I struggle to survive. What is one thing you will miss about high school? Mr. Cooper What did you want to be as a child? An architect before I figured out it involved a lot of math. Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Adam Rogers my freshman year If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? I don’t watch a whole lot of shows, but if I had to pick one it would probably be “Survivor.” What is the theme song of your life? The “Seinfeld” opening theme song Nicholas Hess What colleges are you applying to or going to? Georgia Tech, UGA, Clemson, and Augusta Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Italy Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? David Dobrik What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? I wrote a nice “I miss you” email to my mom in 5th grade but sent it to my science teacher, and I didn’t know until after she told me. What is one thing you will miss about high school? The familiarity I’ve been used to the past 13 years. What did you want to be as a child? Film director Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Lilly Tapp If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? “The Twilight Zone” What is the theme song of your life? “I Got A Feeling” by The Black-Eyed Peas Caroline Gibbs What colleges are you applying to or going to? University of Georgia, University of Florida, Clemson, and Auburn Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Rosemary Beach Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? David Dobrik because I’m obsessed with him. What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? In 8th grade, I had just come back to school from having knee surgery, and I was on crutches. It was raining that day, so everything was super slippery. We were coming in from all-school chapel, and my crutches slipped out from under me. I fell in front of all the 5th grade teachers and some of the 5th grade students. Everyone freaked out! Coach Rider basically had to carry me downstairs to the lunchroom, so I wouldn’t slip again. For the rest of the day, every time I passed a teacher or student, they would ask me about it, and I was SO embarrassed. What is one thing you will miss about high school? Definitely my teachers-they are the best. Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Jack Jones If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? “Friends” I think it’s so funny
FEATURES
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Senior Spotlights
green & gold
Jimmy Cox What colleges are you applying to or going to? LaGrange, Auburn, Mississippi State Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? I would travel to Alaska to see the Northern Lights. Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Kevin Hart What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? In 7th grade during a football game I was running up the bleachers and missed a step. I slammed not only my shin, but my entire body into the bleachers and would end up having to get stitches in my shin. What is one thing you will miss about high school? The community What did you want to be as a child? I wanted to be a professional baseball player. Who was your first Wesleyan crush? My first Wesleyan crush was Nicole Azar in 6th grade. Constance Harris What colleges are you applying to or going to? Howard University, NYU, Northwestern, and some others Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Cape Town, South Africa, or Hawaii Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? There’s so many but probably Kehlani or Harry Styles. What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? When I was in sixth grade, I played basketball. At one of the games I I was kneeling on the side of the court waiting to get subbed in and there was a puddle of water on the floor right in front of me, which I didn’t notice. As I was getting up to go in, I slipped and slapped the court so loud it echoed. Everyone was watching me and started laughing. Then I dribbled the ball up the court the wrong way. What is one thing you will miss about high school? I’m going to miss Christmas chorus concerts. What did you want to be as a child? Beyoncé Braden DeBow What colleges are you applying to or going to? I am applying to UGA, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Auburn, UNC, and Duke. Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? I would go to Hawaii because I have always wanted to go since I was a little kid. Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? David Dobrik because he is hilarious and hopefully has some good survival skills. What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? My most embarrassing moment was losing my wallet twice on the college tour sophomore year. What is one thing you will miss about high school? I will miss my friends and being able to play so many sports for my school. What did you want to be as a child? I wanted to become a chef. Who was your first Wesleyan crush? When I came sophomore year, I had a crush on Claire Schaller for about a week until I realized she had a boyfriend. Alyssa Phillip What colleges are you applying to or going to? Georgia State University Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? Switzerland Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Megan Thee Stallion What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? Fortunately enough I do not have an embarrassing moment at Wesleyan. What is one thing you will miss about high school? How much our teachers truly care about us as students and us as people. What did you want to be as a child? A teacher Who was your first Wesleyan crush? Myself If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? “Moesha” What is the theme song of your life? “Bottom Boy Survivor” by Rod Wave Fletcher Morris What colleges are you applying to or going to? I’m applying to Virginia, UGA, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Clemson, and Furman. Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? I would travel to London more specifically to Stamford Bridge, which is the Chelsea FC home stadium. Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? I would love to meet Ryan Reynolds because he’s one of the funniest people. What’s your most embarrassing moment at Wesleyan? I don’t get embarrassed easily, so the only time I can remember was stumbling downstairs freshmen year in front of some seniors. What is one thing you will miss about high school? I will really miss the cross-country team. The team dynamic is so unique and special. Elizabeth Middleton What colleges are you applying to or going to? I’m applying to a lot, but some top schools are Clemson, UGA, Baylor, and Auburn. Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere right now? I would love to go to Saint Simons with my friends and family so we can do all out traditions together. Who is somebody famous you’d want to be stranded on an island with? Probably Dwayne Johnson because we would be able to hunt, and then he could build something for us to escape of the island on. But if I wasn’t trying to escape it would be fun to be stuck with Max Fried because he’s my favorite Braves player. I could learn all about him, and we could have inside jokes. What is one thing you will miss about high school? I will miss knowing so much about my surroundings. When I get into the “real world,” I will have to adjust and figure out life again living without my parents and the Wesleyan bubble. If you could watch one TV series for the rest of your life, what series would it be? “Seal Team 6” Senior Spotlights by Brain L. Morgan
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NEWS
Wesleyan Welcomes New Teachers and Faculty Fellows Kendrick Archer Wesleyan School has welcomed new faculty into the high school to begin teaching this fall in the 2020-21 school year. Davis Brown
World Religions & Global Justice and Biblical Ethics teacher Davis Brown is a new teacher at Wesleyan this year. Brown said, “I was looking to get back into teaching and coaching, and through some crazy happenings, and ultimately the Lord’s direction, an opportunity opened up and I decided to make the move to Wesleyan.” Brown also coaches varsity lacrosse and helps out with the 7th grade Bible study. When asked about his favorite part of teaching at Wesleyan, he said, “I love the mission and culture here.” Brown also said “Teachers are brought into the ‘why’ of what we do here at Wesleyan, and that makes all the difference.” Brown said, “My wife and I both graduated from Wesleyan together in 2010 and are excited to be back on campus.” Brown is excited to be “a part of raising up and pouring into the next generations.” Three things Brown cannot live without is “his family, Chick-Fil-A, and the Pilot G-2 0.38 pen. Nathan Gravlee
Honors physics and anatomy/physiology teacher Nathan Gravlee is new to Wesleyan this year teaching science. Gravlee said, “I went to Georgia Gwinnett College for my bachelor’s degree in clinical exercise science, and I later went to Georgia State University to pursue my doctorate in Physical Therapy. Unfortunately, a horrible back injury caused me to medically withdraw, but I fell in love with teaching in the meantime.” Before working at Wesleyan, Gravlee was a science and math tutor at FAST Mentoring. Gravlee said, “I enjoyed tutoring Wesleyan students. I just loved the Wesleyan community, and now I get to be a part of it.” Gravlee is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Along with his job teaching in the high school, Gravlee coaches boys’ soccer in the middle school. Nicole Galvin
Nicole Galvin is a new member of the math department in the high school this year. Galvin works hard in the middle school coaching the middle school girls’ soccer team. Galvin graduated from Auburn University and now teaches math at Wesleyan. Gavlin wanted to work at Wesleyan because of its “dedication of being a
Christian school” as well as she “wanted to work at Wesleyan because of the community.” She said, “Everyone I met was very inviting, supportive, and proud to be a part of Wesleyan.” When asked what were three things she cannot live without she said, “family, friends, & Willy’s Mexican Grill.” Megan Harper
College Advising Administrative Assistant Megan Harper is joining the high school this year. Harper helps mostly juniors and seniors but talks to the other classes as well. Harper said, “I help the college advisors process all of the student applications and schedule rep. visits for students to meet with the college reps.” Harper wants to “help kids figure out what is best for them, and finding the best way to finance college is really important to her because it was an impactful thing that happened in life.” In the past, Harper has worked in both public and private schools as the school counselor. Harper was “a high school counselor in Franklin, Tennessee and then a kindergarten through 8th counselor at Christ the King, in Buckhead.” She worked as an office manager for several years after graduating from Auburn University and attending grad school at Middle Tennessee State. In-between her job as a counselor and her new position at Wesleyan, Harper has been staying at home with her kids. Three things Harper cannot live without are “Jesus, french fries, and my family.’” Jason Godbee
New teacher Jason Godbee is teaching World History. Godbee graduated from the University of North Florida where he studied communications and history. Godbee is also the new Assistant Athletic Director for Media, and coaches football as an assistant coach. Godbee serves as an assistant varsity football coach under the leadership of Franklin Pridgen coaching inside linebackers. When asked why he wanted to work at Wesleyan, Godbee said, “The desire to be part of a place that pursues excellence in every detail. I had always heard great things about the Wesleyan Family and enjoyed competing against Wesleyan as an opposing coach. I have come to find out in my short time on campus that everything I thought about Wesleyan is true. This is a special place that does things the right way. We are a Christian school of academic excellence.” Three things Godbee cannot live without are God, friends, and sports. And coming in a close 4th, have been the home cooked meals of Mrs. Lori Stromie. Fellows observe their mentor teacher and other faculty throughout the year and experience Wesleyans teaching, extracurricular and Christian environment. Parker Durrance 9th grade world history teacher Parker Durrance teaches as a Faculty Fellow alongside Ari Young. This is Durrance’s first year teaching after graduating from Florida State University. Before his first teaching job, Durrance served as a Young Life leader. Durrance said, “During my interview, I was really struck by the kindness and vulnerability of the Wesleyan staff. I knew
that this would be a place where I was taken care of. More than that though, I knew it was a place where I would have an opportunity to teach amazing students.” Durrance is also “super passionate about history” because “there are so many important life lessons learned from studying history.” Durrance said, “I believe that the past has often been a burden to us, and the first step in relieving ourselves of that burden is knowledge of the past. If we are familiar with yesterday’s troubles, we will
be capable of dealing with todays.” Currently, Durrance is an assistant coach for middle school football but will also help out with middle school basketball and junior varsity lacrosse in the winter and spring. In his free time, he loves to play Super Smash Bros, write music, hike, and watch The Office. Kathryn Lanyon
Kathryn Lanyon serves as a Faculty Fellow alongside high school biology teacher Beth McConnell. Before coming to Wesleyan to be a teacher, Lanyon said, “I have been a peer tutor and I was a teacher’s assistant during college.” Lanyon graduated from Berry College. Lanyon said, “It is a great way for me to figure out if I like teaching without the pressure of trying to figure this out while also being a first-year teacher. I also like the fact that I will be able to be mentored to and will be able to mentor others.” Lanyon also said, “I have a true passion for science, but I want to be able to help [students] realize that science is not so bad. We need a ton of new and great scientists in this world and I hope I will be able to spark their interests.” Lanyon helps out with middle school cross country, Omicron, and middle school soccer. Valerie Medlin
Faculty Fellow Valerie Medlin joins Spanish teacher Alex Bufton. Medlin graduated from Elon University last spring after studying Spanish and English. Medlin said, “While this is my first full time teaching job out of college, I student taught all four years as a part of my major.” When asked why she became a teacher Medlin said, “In my opinion, to teach, you have to learn to laugh a lot. I love language, I love people, and I love to laugh. Teaching isn’t for everyone, but at least for now, it’s for me.” Along with teaching, Medlin assists with junior varsity volleyball, middle school basketball, and junior varsity lacrosse. All photos credit to Brian L. Morgan.
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SPORTS
green & gold
Fall Sports Adjust to a New Normal
Avery Pursell Varsity fall sports head coaches at Wesleyan have better adjusted their practices and games due to COVID this year. Change is inevitable for sports teams this season due to the social distancing and masks rules that have been set into place. The coaches of the varsity volleyball, softball, cross-country, cheerleading and football teams have been preparing since the summer in order to make the best out of this season while still sticking to the CDC’s constantly updating guidelines.
Volleyball
The varsity volleyball coach Ted Russell have been preparing to change the way volleyball is practiced and played with masks and distancing. Both the students and the coaches on the team have definitely had to makesome adjustments this season. How has the season been going so far? “It is good.We finished with 34 wins and 14 loses, and we are ranked number 37 in single A. Most importantly, the team has really good chemistry and no drama, which every coach likes.” How has the adjustment been for the coaching staff due to COVID? “We started in July, and we began with the masks. The biggest challenge is that everyone is in close proximity and there is team bonding that goes on during and before the games and COVID has made it where we can’t do those things.” How do you think the adjustment has been for the students on the team? “Social distancing has been very difficult in volleyball because you are in such close proximity. It is one of those games where you bond through the moments in between games. They have been great though. It is not easy to practice wearing a mask every day, and they have been troupers.” What is one thing you would like your seniors on your team to know? “I want them to know that the younger players are always looking to them to lead the way, and the teams that I have had and have finished the year happy has been a direct result of the leadership for the seniors and this group has the ability to lead the team to very high levels.”
Varsity volleyball players sophomores Mary-John Reinhard and Savannah Johnson seniors Riley Bryan and Alden Pridgen, and juniors Amber Mathis, and Jessica Strohmeier with Coach Ted Russell. Carroll
Football
Head varsity football coach Andrew Pridgen and the rest of the football coaching staff have been planning and gearing up for a victorious season since even before summer and are hoping that all their hard work is shown on the field. How has the season been so far? “On the field it has been going great, and I could not be happier with the progress the boys have made. Our summer was greatly interrupted by COVID restrictions, and we did not get nearly enough practice time, but because we came so far in 2019, we got an extra half season. That experience really carried over and filled the gap from 2020.” How has the adjustment been for the coaching staff due to COVID? “Well, it has been really challenging, required a lot more
effort, and attention to detail from us this year in a job that already required a lot.” How do you think the adjustment has been for the students on the team? “They have had to approach the season differently, but they appreciate every practice and every game more because it really is uncertain week to week. We have asked them to embrace a new normal and they have been really cooperative. They understand why we have to do football like this.” What is one thing you would like your seniors on the team to know? “I believe in them and admire them for their leadership and dedication all along and especially in 2020.”
a practice team.” There are usually around 135 kids on the cross-country team, so adjustments were inevitable not only because of practices but also with the new meet protocols. These means less family and friends are allowed to attend and watch the meets and less students are allowed to compete than previous years. McDaniel said that the kids have been good sports about all the adjustments. He said, “I really feel for the kids who have never done this before. I hope people still come back out to try it again when things go back to normal.” McDaniel said, “This season has definitely been a classic 2020 one. We have had a couple injuries here and there and the distance that comes with splitting the teams makes it feel awkward. Overall, both teams, boy and girls, are doing well competitively. The State meet will take place on November 7.
The varsity football team played Douglas High School on senior night. Pursell
Softball
The varsity softball team has been a very successful team a part of the Wesleyan Community, and this year they are hoping to continue to improve despite some of the setbacks they had with COVID this year. Varsity softball head coach Mary Stephenson said, “This season has been great considering everything that has happened due to COVID. Every day we still get to put a jersey on to compete is a good day. When asked what Stephenson would want her seniors on her team to know she said, “We love them. That is always the primary thing. I hope that they are able to see the influence they have had on the program one day.” Everyone, especially seniors have been choosing to see the good in this year even with the constant adjustments like masks in the dugout required for after-school practices and games. Stephenson said, “The team does not complain even though that is easy to do. They have been great with the adjustments. Honestly, the weirdest change is not being able to high five and not huddling together before games.” The team has had 14 wins this season out of 24 games. The area championship occurred October 5 through 8 and the state championship started October 20 which was the end for the team when they lost to Mount Paran on October 29.
Junior Ashland Hemkin cheering on varisty cross-country junior Marissa Lambert.
Cheerleading
McDaniel
Cheerleading is a sport that requires a lot of connection with not only the crowd but with other cheerleaders, so the new COVID guidelines has created a different atmosphere to the season for all involved. Varsity cheerleading head coach Fiona Owen has been working with the cheer program for years now, and she said this year has lead to more challenges than ever before. She said, “This year has really been like no other. It is a huge change in not only practices but also with the games.” Masks have to be worn not only during practices but also while cheering in the games. Cheer is a sport where girls not only are forced into close contact with stunts but also have to interact with the crowd, who in the past was students. Owen said, “The girls have been really positive even with all the negatives that have seem to come their way. They have been grateful that they even get to have somewhat of a crowd while they perform their cheers and letting the seniors come to the games now has lifted their spirits as well.” Even with all the new protocols like masks and only getting to cheer for parents for majority of the games, they are still able to do a halftime routine, stunts, and the occasional cheers next to the senior stands, which is not only fun for them but also for the crowd.
The varsity softball team at their game against Hebron. Stephenson
Cross Country
The cross-country team has had to make changes in this season’s practices and competition this year due to COVID. One of the main changes that has happened this year was making two separate teams within one original team. Now cross country has a practice team and a competitive team. The competition team has more practices, a longer season, and more meet so overall has a higher commitment level. This split has obviously added some differences from previous years. Head varsity cross-country coach Chad McDaniel said, “To start out the year we made a split in the teams we would never do historically. You try to build that team atmosphere, but we had to split not only boys and girls, but we also made a split in the team with a competitive and
Varsity cheerleaders seniors Emma Young and Sunny Jones, and juniors Maggie Rheudasil and Ella Rayburn, and sophomore Caitlin Bridgers and freshman Hannah Ferdon, cheer at the senior night football game. Pursell
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BACK PAGE
green & gold
Masks the Wesleyan Community Prefers For the prevention of spreading COVID-19, masks are a necessity for the entire Wesleyan School community. The Green & Gold asked students and faculty to share what kind of masks are personally preferred. A wide range of mask types exist that have been created due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. The Green & Gold staff sent out a Survey Monkey to Wesleyan high school students to discover what masks types are favored the most. A question included in the survey asked which mask type do students wear the most? It gave the option of cloth/athletic masks or surgical masks. After reviewing the data, 53 percent of students prefer cloth masks, 42 percent voted surgical masks, and 5 percent wear gator masks. Wesleyan School Nurse Marty McQuaig said, “I prefer the surgical masks because it is thin enough for me to breathe through it, and the fit feels comfortable to me.” A variety of new brands and places exist to purchase masks from. Students were asked, “Where are your fa-
Data on cloth/athletic masks versus surgical masks reveals most preferred.
vorite place to buy masks are from in the survey?” Below the question it gave the option to choose Target, Amazon, Athleta, homemade, Kitsch, and Old Navy. When purchasing a mask, McQuaig said, “The mask needs to have two layers to be effective. It needs to be
Amazon is the to favorite place to purchase masks are for Wesleyan students. worn above the nose and fit below the mouth.” Having two layers ensures the masks effectiveness. McQuaig also prefers the pleated masks; she feels that it is a more comfortable fit. Senior Holly Mitchell prefers surgical masks, too. She said, “I feel they are the most breathable and do not make me super-hot.” When buying masks, Mitchell has previously bought them from Amazon and makes sure the texture is soft for her face. She mentioned that when a mask does not fit properly, she finds it least effective. Having to adjust a mask throughout the day is a hassle and can cause touching to one’s face, which could
COVID Crossword
spread more germs. The Green & Gold asked Wesleyan students where their favorite place is to purchase masks from. The highest voted place was Amazon with 56 percent responses. Target was the second highest and the least voted place was Old Navy. When asked if students prefer adjustable straps or one size fits all, 56 percent responded with one size fits all. The student and faculty’s responses, were collected. The overall consensus of preferred mask types is one size fits all cloth masks. The majority of students purchase their masks from Amazon or Target.
The Wesleyan community prefers cloth masks.
Congratulations to all the fall sports teams for wonderful seasons and competing under COVID-19 conditions! 2020 Senior Homecoming Court
Caroline Gibbs
Harrison Gracey
Sam Schmitt
Luke Carroll
Jada Richardson
Grace Carroll
Harrison Leath
J.D. Chipman
All photos credit to Brian L. Morgan.
Pursell
Riley Keller
Annelise Onorato