Wesleyan School Spring 2018 Magazine by Wesleyan School

WESLEYAN t h e m a g a z i n e o f w e s l e ya n s c h o o l

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volume xiv, issue ii

SPRING 2018

T A B L E Graduation

O F

College Statistics

Bus Driver

50 Acts of Kindness

16 Cooking Class

Snow Day

Tennis Program

Wolf Pack

Name Shark

Sozo Choir

22 Theater Costumes

26 Athletics

Missions

36 Faculty

38 SAIS-SACS Report

Artist Market

48 Alumni

C O N T E N T S 2017-18 Board of Trustees Rob Binion, Chairman Mark Adent Charlotte Beltrami Land Bridgers Chris Brown Mark Chapman Dan Cowart Jamie Hamilton Dan Kane Erika Laughlin Tom Menefee Mike Nicklaus Stephanie Powell Drew Prehmus '04 Todd Ratliff Yumi Shim Bill Stark Danny Strickland Anna Tanner DeVane Tidwell Chris Cleveland, Ex-Officio EMERITUS TRUSTEES

Sherri Austin Betty Crawford Neal Freeman Helen Kenwright Alice Ramsey Bronson Smith Jim Stephenson Raymond Walker Bob Worthington

HEADMASTER EMERITUS

Zach Young

Magazine Staff BROOKE DANT Creative Director

CHELSEY MODDE

Director of Communications

JENNIFER COPELAND Assistant Head of School for External Affairs

CHRIS CLEVELAND Head of School

Photographers

Proofreaders

HANNAH GRAHAM BRIAN L. MORGAN

BECKY CARDWELL SYLVIA PRYOR MITZI RITCHIE MELISSA THORSON

OUR MISSION: Wesleyanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to be a Christian school of academic excellence by providing each student a diverse college preparatory education guided by Christian principles and beliefs; by challenging and nurturing the mind, body, and spirit; and by developing responsible stewardship in our changing world. Special appreciation goes out to the alumni, faculty, parents, and staff of Wesleyan School whose contributions make this magazine successful. Comments, inquiries, or contributions should be directed to Brooke Dant, Creative Director, bdant@wesleyanschool.org. Wesleyan Magazine is published by the Communications Department of Wesleyan School and printed by Bennett Graphics.

LETTER from the HEAD OF SCHOOL

C H RIS

C L E V E L A ND

Dear Wesleyan Family, Thank you for taking the time to read the latest edition of the Wesleyan magazine in which you will be able to learn more about the wonderful events of this semester and the amazing ways in which our students share their gifts and abilities with the broader Wesleyan community. In August of each school year, Wesleyan’s Director of Christian Life, Greg Lisson, reveals the Christian Life theme for the year, setting the tone for our community in the opening all-school chapel program. This year’s theme was ONE: Unity & Uniqueness. Greg expressed the following at the beginning of the school year when introducing this theme. “Overall, I hope this theme will drive us towards a number of important concepts. First, that Christians are all united under Christ. I hope this will speak against some of the division and discord we see in our world, especially among those who should be united through faith. Second, I hope it will point us toward the unique truths of Christianity. In our pluralistic society there are many who preach the idea of multiple truths, multiple paths, and multiple salvations this theme will allow us to communicate the unique truths of Christianity. And throughout, I also hope the theme will give us the opportunity to remind students of their unique gifts, opportunities, and paths in life. There is only ONE of each of them, and that is important to remember as well. Throughout the course of the school year, each chapel service is built on a monthly theme that is a part of the overall Christian Life theme for the year. September One God; October - One Body; November - One Gospel;

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

December - One Son; January - One Faith; February - One Humanity; March - One Command; April - One Death & Sacrifice; and May - One Spirit. One of the highlights of the spring semester is our year-ending allschool chapel service in which Greg provides us with one final reminder of our year-long theme, and this May was no exception. Greg did a terrific job of concluding our theme of ONE as he referenced Jesus’ prayer for all believers from John 17: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. This powerful prayer of Jesus was much more than a capstone for our Christian Life theme. Rather, it served as a powerful reminder of what we hope to be as a school community – one that represents Jesus to a lost world. In a time in which our culture feels incredibly divided and splintered, what more powerful representation of our faith could we make than to live in community as one? This does not mean we all have to share the same perspective on cultural, political, and social issues; however, in a fractured world, it is my greatest desire that Wesleyan could be a shining example of the unity and hope that can only come from Jesus Christ. I trust you and your family will have a wonderful summer, and I hope you enjoy this issue of the Wesleyan magazine. For His Glory,

Head of School

GRADUATION

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Class of

2018

The 20 Year Service Award Presented to:

JEFF FOSTER (TOP) AND MATT COLE (BOTTOM)

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

LASTING LEGACIES Each spring at graduation, we take time to honor graduates who have alumni siblings and parents or grandparents who serve as faculty, staff, trustees, or advisory trustees.

Mark (Trustee), Matt, & John Adent '14

Alex & Griffin Bone '13

Sarah Kate & Cole Brown '15

Braeden & Callen Davidson '17

Caroline '15 & Daniel Baisier

Suyapa (Staff Parent) & Stephanie Bono

Frank (Former Trustee), Lauren, & Jay Bell '15

Mason '16, Molly, & Sarah Borucki '16 (not pictured)

Willem & Ame Conley (Faculty Parent)

Molly & Ellie Bradach '16

Natalie '14, Ben, Sheldon '12, & Ken Connor (Faculty Parent)

Leah '16, Callie, & Anna Davis '13

Harrison & Sterling Feininger '13

Caroline '16, Charlotte (Trustee), Henry, & Sam Beltrami '15

Anna '16, Jeb, & Chris Brown (Trustee)

Watson & Darcy Copeland (Former Faculty)

Neilly '14 & Jon Hunt Ficken

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Abbie '12, Susan (Former Trustee), Olivia, & Maddie Frye '15

Riley '15 & Cassie Henning

Dan (Trustee), Belle, & Micayla Kane '16

Beth (Faculty Parent) & Erin McConnell

Robin (Faculty Parent) & Suzanne Godard

Garrett & Dana Huggins (Faculty Parent)

Adrienne '15 & Christopher Lee

Daisy '13, Jack, & Mary Pate Mills '10

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Bryce '12 & Natalie Hamlin

Ryan '16 & Kat Hughes

Madison & Heidi Lloyd (Faculty Parent)

Gracie & Abigail Mitchell '17

Alexandra '15 & Mary Claire Harpole

Nancy (Faculty Parent) & Ansley Jones

Cedric '16 & Meagan Lynch

Adam '17 & Sarah Moon

LASTING LEGACIES

Zach & Hannah Peterson '16

Peyton '16 & Sadie Prince

Kyle '16, Megan (Faculty Parent), Kelsey, Eric '12, & Courtney Rappe '14 (not pictured)

Kelly & Katie Roth '16

Nick '12 & Daniel Salyers

Lindsey '14, Stewart, & Bennett Stamper '16

Billy, Katie '14, & Steve Stepp (Former Faculty, not pictured)

Rebecca, Nathan '15, & Sarah Settlage '13 (not pictured)

Edmund '15 & Larry Wang

Matt '14 & Lydia Rogers

Evan & Michael Smart '15

Wylie '16 & Sutton West

Not Pictured: Mary, Sam, & Ed Dudley (Faculty Parent) Josiah & Nathan Emmelhainz (Faculty Parent) Payton & Zackary Kaloper '15 Ashley, Jim Pierce (Former Board of Trustees) & Howard Bowen (Grandfather, Advisory Trustee) Ellis & Ren Schmitt '16 Sumeet & Jasleen Singh '15 Emily & Jeffrey Willis '16

Garrett & Gillian Yeager '16

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

B A C C A L A U R E AT E A D D R E S S

Jo-Ann McCauley “Because only God is perfect, that means you are not. Take that pressure off of yourselves. You will inevitably make mistakes which should be embraced as opportunities so you learn from them. Mistakes are simply “mis-takes,” an opportunity to fail and, in other words and more importantly, an opportunity to learn and grow...Character is determined and demonstrated, not by the mistakes you make, but by how you conduct yourself following those mistakes. Don’t expect perfection. Stay on the path towards being the best version of yourself. Make choices for your life based on your strongest values, not the habits or whims of others. And along the way, dance every day, smile a lot, and sing loudly (even if you can’t carry a tune). Say yes to opportunities. Have fun.”

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

Mark Adent "I’m asking you to find that individual or group that will challenge you to be the best version of you possible. Proverbs 27:17 tells us that, “As iron sharpens iron; so one person sharpens the other." Look for those people that can sharpen you. They can help you to keep your study habits, reinforce your faith journey, and preserve your integrity IF you do not settle for those that would encourage you to compromise. Remember, if you are an average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, the ones YOU choose will most certainly influence the trajectory of your life, the things you do, and how others will see you. Choose wisely because over the long term you will justify almost any behavior if your best friends do it."

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

S A L U TAT O R I A N A D D R E S S

Daniel Baisier "For these people, we are grateful. That sort of community, one where members care so deeply about each other, is something truly special. Exceptionalism, the desire to be truly unique, is something inherently human, and my classmates and I can tell you today, as students for whom the experiences are still fresh, that Wesleyan succeeds at being truly unique because of the people who it attracts. Those people, the caring and sacrificial teachers, thoughtful administrators, and deeply invested students are what made those “lasts” of senior year so bittersweet. Those people are who we’re all going to miss most as we leave here today, diplomas in hand."

VA L E D I C T O R I A N A D D R E S S

Kelsey Rappe "It is these small acts of courage that stand out to me most about the class of 2018. Courage is an artist willing to showcase her vulnerabilities on a canvas, in the hopes that she can encourage just one person. Courage is a classmate jumping into the middle of the dance circle at homecoming, with no assurance of applause or laughter. Courage is an athlete overcoming his season-ending injury with perseverance and optimism. Courage is a kindergarten boy risking flipping his card to cheer up a girl with a little Dr. Seuss during nap time. Courage is a friend opening her heart to love on everyone when all she’s ever experienced is broken relationships. Courage is you, class of 2018. From Adent to Yeager, from evergreen to new senior, it is you, all of you, who have shown me how to live a life of courage. And I am ever so grateful for this lesson I learned from you. "

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

CLASS OF 2018 COLLEGE STATISTICS

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

SCHOLARSHIPS Morehead-Cain Scholarship

vs.

at UNC Chapel Hill George W. Jenkins

67% Wesleyan Acceptance Rate 45% Overall UGA Acceptance Rate

Scholarship at Emory University

GEORGIA TECH

Bernard Ramsey Scholar at the University of Georgia

FINALISTS Jefferson Scholarship at University of Virginia Johnson Scholarship at Washington & Lee

$7.5 Million Total scholarship money offered to the class of 2018 (Does not include HOPE or Zell Miller)

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

vs.

54% Wesleyan Acceptance Rate 22% Overall GT Acceptance Rate

AUBURN UNIVERSITY 93% Wesleyan Acceptance Rate

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY 87% Wesleyan Acceptance Rate

COLLEGE DECISIONS 23 University of Georgia 19 Auburn University 8 Georgia Institute of Technology 5 Clemson University AND OTHERS ATTENDING: Boston College, University of Colorado Boulder, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Emory University, Florida State University, Furman University, Georgetown University, Howard University, New School (Parsons), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame, University of Richmond, Samford University, Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Wake Forest University, and Washington University in St. Louis.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

BUS DRIVER SPOTLIGHT The Wesleyan bus fleet is growing. This spring, the leadership team announced a new morning and afternoon Buckhead route for the 201819 school year as a convenience to Wesleyan families who live inside the perimeter. The new shuttle joins the existing Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Stone Mountain, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Roswell, Alpharetta, Suwanee, and Duluth morning locations, and the afternoon lines to Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Suwanee and Duluth. Along with new families, the shuttles are also bringing beloved new employees to the Wesleyan community. Employees like JOE ALBRIGHT. Joe, a former Army Aviator, is a favorite amongst Wesleyan students. He has spent the past two years getting them safely to and from school.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

GET TO KNOW JOE

HOW DID YOU END UP AT WESLEYAN? My wife saw the posting online. WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE COMING TO WESLEYAN? Since leaving the military in 1973, I worked in the sales industry for 30 years and then served as a driver for Gwinnett County Transportation for more than five years. I have also worked, and currently work, for BJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part-time. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I enjoy cooking barbeque as a hobby. I have also been a sixth through eighth grade Sunday school teacher at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church (currently teaching sixth), a Deacon, and drive the shuttle bus for the church. I also volunteer by pressure washing the building and sidewalks around the church. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A BUS DRIVER? Of course it's the students. I deal with some very sweet children who are focused in the right direction in their lives. WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES ON THE BUS? Early in this school year, when leaving the school on a Friday afternoon, a minor incident occurred on the bus, and a student was disciplined. On Monday morning, I was given an envelope by the student, which I read after I finished my route. The student explained the circumstances of the incident, apologized, and promised it would not happen again. My wife loves this story: I have dog biscuits with me on the bus which I give to students for their dogs. One day as I was handing them out, a little boy asked for a biscuit. His brother laughed and said: "We don't have a dog!" Dealing with children is always very interesting, informative, and very entertaining. As Art Linkletter once said, "Children say the darndest things." DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR FUTURE BUS DRIVERS? Each day I say a prayer for the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon, and the love of Jesus. It seems to work.

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HONORING DR. KING'S LEGACY OF LOVE AND PEACE This year marked the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, and while there were many events to recognize this somber moment in history, the Wesleyan community is honoring Dr. King’s legacy with intentional acts of kindness. On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was shot in Memphis. Fifty years later, Wesleyan students, teachers, and coaches marked the day with a special chapel bell ringing, 39 seconds of silence (Dr. King’s age when he was assassinated) before the home games on that day, and a special prayer service on the quad. A group of Wesleyan students and teacher chaperones from the lower, middle, and high schools also participated in the March for Humanity in coordination with the anniversary. Students were able to spend time at Ebenezer Baptist Church before walking Dr. King's funeral procession route to Morehouse College. Of all the events, however, the most meaningful is happening right now. As a community, Wesleyan is participating in "Love for Humanity: 50 Acts of Service or Kindness Campaign." Beginning Monday, April 16 through Tuesday, August 28, (the anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream" speech), students and teachers will be challenged to complete 50 acts of kindness rooted in compassion for others. “Participating in the 50 Acts of Kindness is a way for our students and community to remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as support his mission of giving back through service,” said Jennifer Pinkett Smith, Director of Diversity. “Wesleyan is made up of people who give their talents and time in many different ways. I am excited that we are intentionally linking our community's habit of service to the philosophy of a leader like Dr. King. This connection will help us all remember to serve our community through love and sacrifice every chance we get.” The objective of the campaign, put forth by The King Center, is to “raise awareness in ourselves and each other, to remember that our intentional acts - large and small - are significant and meaningful. The best way to connect with our fellow community members is to rise-up, seek understanding, and move forward together. We must be inspired to act and inspire others to do the same, creating a wave of kindness and service world-wide.” “From this experience, I look forward to seeing the growth of our students through their heart for service and how much they are able to impact their community or an individual just by showing kindness or extending service from the heart,” Pinkett Smith shared.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

LET IT

SNOW

This school year brought our community more days off from school than any in recent memory. Between hurricanes, snow storms, and predicted icy weather, students got their wish for weather days this school year! Here are some of the ways our community spent their time enjoying rare, significant snow fall in metro Atlanta.

5 2 3

4 6

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

in the

This school year, lower school students were treated to a new spin on cooking classes as Sage Dining joined in on the fun. Sage provides food services to Wesleyan’s campus, and beginning last fall, participated in some of the cooking classes for kindergarten through fourth grade. “This has enhanced our Kids Kitchen concept, and Sage has exceeded our expectations with this program,” said Jason Erb, Lower School Principal. “Classes have learned how to make pasta and sushi from scratch!” During these hands-on classes, students have learned not only the recipes for these dishes, but also the origins and history of the foods they prepared. Of course, the taste testing at the end of each lesson was a hit with everyone! Special thanks to the team at Sage and to Deanna Green for partnering with our teachers and parents to make the Kids Kitchen an amazing learning experience for the lower school.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

AUXILIARY PROGRAMS

Wesleyan serves up a

NEW TENNIS PROGRAM Children from across metro Atlanta spent this spring on the Strickland-Curley Tennis Courts as Wesleyan introduced a new community tennis program. Taught by Wesleyan's varsity tennis coach, Jonathan Sykes, and Wesleyan parent and Universal Tennis Academy co-founder, David Stolle, the program was open to children regardless of where they attend school. Boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade learned the fundamentals of tennis in a fun, safe, and encouraging setting. "Leagues and camps allow the community to experience Wesleyan on a smaller scale," said Kelly Weatherly, Director of Auxiliary Programs and Outreach. "It is a great first step in building a relationship, and we get to highlight who we are, how we do things, and what we stand for." Tennis is the latest addition to Wesleyan's growing community league program, which also includes flag football in the fall and basketball in the winter.

"WESLEYAN IS IN A POSITION TO BE A 12-MONTH EXPERIENCE. BY OFFERING SATURDAY LEAGUES, WE MEET PARENTS' NEEDS BY PROVIDING MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES YEAR-ROUND."

"Wesleyan is in a position to be a 12-month experience," Weatherly said. "By offering Saturday leagues, we meet parents' needs by providing meaningful activities yearround." Over the course of the school year, more than 250 children participated in one or more of the three programs, which will be offered again during the 2018-19 school year.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

MIDDLE SCHOOL

A STRONGER

MIDDLE SCHOOL W O L F PA C K

A new initiative in the middle school is working to strengthen the bonds between students and teachers. This year, the division’s leadership team introduced a new advisory pilot program: Pack Groups. Each group is made up of up to ten students from all four middle school grade levels. The students are matched with a teacher with whom they meet with throughout the year. This structure mirrors the mentor program in the high school and discipleship groups in the lower school. “Our goal has been for every student to connect with at least one teacher,” said Rich Billing, Dean of Middle School Students. “Also, there is value in the students meeting together outside of the classroom and sharing their own ideas and opinions.” The addition of Pack Groups in the middle school means that students in each division at Wesleyan are now assigned to a small group, where they can connect with peers and teachers outside the typical classroom setting. This K-12 approach to intentional relationship building is one more way Wesleyan's faculty pours into students each year.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

KNOWN BY NAME 24

“Knowing people’s names is a small thing that is a really big deal,” said Jason Scheer, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Assistant Director of Admissions. “It is very difficult to let someone know that you care about them if you can’t recall their name.” This mindset is part of what makes Wesleyan the community that it is. Ask any employee on campus, and it is nonnegotiable. Since the school’s founding, there has always been a fundamental belief that no student should ever be anonymous. “When I was the Sixth Grade Chair, Headmaster Emeritus Zach Young held me personally accountable for knowing kids’ names by quizzing me in the lunchroom,” Scheer explained. “These impromptu examinations were stressful, but they drove home a point – I CANNOT DO MY JOB IF I DON’T KNOW THE NAME OF EVERY STUDENT IN MY CARE.”

A NEW TOOL, NAME SHARK, IS HELPING FACULTY AND STAFF

Teachers across campus are quick to share stories of summers spent studying the yearbook to make sure they know their students by name by the time classes begin. Some even went as far as creating photocopies of the yearbook so they could memorize names on the go. BUT NOW THERE’S AN 'APP' FOR THAT! This year, Scheer introduced Name Shark to Wesleyan employees. It’s an 'app' designed to help people remember names and faces. At the beginning of each year, a photo is taken of every student and faculty member. This year, those images were uploaded into Name Shark and sorted by grade level. All faculty and staff were provided access to the grade level(s) they teach and work with outside the classroom. Not only does the 'app' allow each user to securely look up a student by name or picture, it also has flash cards and a variety of quizzes so teachers can test themselves and challenge each other.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

MAINTAIN THE LONG-STANDING WESLEYAN TRADITION OF KNOWING EVERY STUDENT BY NAME.

IT HAS BEEN A HIT ACROSS CAMPUS. “I use Name Shark all the time,” said Nancy Jones, Lower School Counselor and Counseling Department Chair. “At the beginning of the year, it was critical in helping me learn the names and faces of our 'new-toWesleyan' students in the lower school. I studied them several times a day, and then played the games to see if I learned them all. It is important to us that new students feel 'known' very quickly, so being able to use their names even when just passing them in the hall is a game changer.” As the school year progressed, so did the creative uses for the tool. “I still use it often, mainly in two distinct ways. First, when I am having a meeting about a child, I look them up in the app beforehand. This reminds me that this is a real person right under our roof,” Jones said.

“Knowing every student by name doesn’t happen by chance; rather, it happens with practice and intentionality, and the Name Shark app is an amazing tool to make that happen!” Joseph Antonio, Middle School Principal

"Second, I use it to pray for students every day. I pick a grade level each week and go one by one through the students to pray for them. I feel like I am praying 'over' them when I can see their faces." Name Shark has allowed faculty to connect names and faces across divisions while supporting the core mission of the school, and will be back again this fall as new students are welcomed into the Wesleyan community. “At Wesleyan we are all about creating relationships and connecting with our students,” said Joseph Antonio, Middle School Principal. “The first step in that process is to learn our students’ names. While I have always studied the yearbook each summer to pray for and learn students’ names before they walk the hallways in August, the Name Shark app provides a more accessible way to make that happen. It has helped me learn the names of my students more quickly this year, and it makes a huge difference to a child if you can look them in the eye and call their name when you see them. KNOWING EVERY STUDENT BY NAME DOESN’T HAPPEN BY CHANCE; RATHER, IT HAPPENS WITH PRACTICE AND INTENTIONALITY, and the Name Shark app is an amazing tool to make that happen!”

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

SOZO CHOIR

ONE HUMANITY Wesleyan hosted the Ugandan Sozo Choir this February – perfect timing for the month’s theme of “One Humanity” With thumping drums, an array of percussion instruments, and brightly-colored clothes, 22 members of the Sozo Choir made a grand entrance into Austin Chapel this February. The Sozo Children’s Choir is from Uganda. Sozo Children is an organization founded by missionaries in 2010 to empower vulnerable Ugandan children to become leaders for Jesus Christ. There are 121 children being served today through Sozo, and the tours across the United States, along with donations, help fund the growing ministry. The group left a joyful impression on the Wesleyan community during their three-day stay as they performed during chapel services for each division, visited classrooms across campus, and stayed with Wesleyan families during their time in Peachtree Corners. The Sozo connection to Wesleyan came, in part, from Meagan Brooker, Assistant Director of Fine Arts, who previously met Jon Brennan, Pastor of the Sozo Children, at a church in Kentucky. Brooker said the Sozo visit fit perfectly into this year’s Christian Life theme, of “One.” Even more perfect, the group visited during February, a month marked with the Christian Life theme, “One Humanity.” “To see the obvious joy and love that is on the faces of these children and in their worship is inspiring,” Brooker said. “They have a contagious sense of freedom. It is easy for us to get bound up in our bubble of security, so to experience humanity outside of ourselves and the freedom that Christ offers is a blessing. New perspective is always healthy.” WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

The group ranged from 9 to 19 years old. The youngest, Hannington, drew plenty of attention with a toothy grin in the front of the group during the performance. He was also hoisted on the shoulders of older children and was a favorite among Wesleyan students. Hannington is an orphan, one of several in the choir, and one of seven children in his family. Four of his siblings are in the choir. The tour is designed to foster confidence and leadership qualities among the children, and those were evident throughout the performance. Students shared their names, and some shared parts of their life stories. One of the adult chaperones with the group is Aggie Namuyomba. The Sozo children call her Auntie Aggie, and she shared that school is a privilege in Uganda. Many parents cannot afford to pay school fees, so the children stay home. “WHEN YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO GO TO SCHOOL IN UGANDA, IT IS A BIG, BIG PRIVILEGE,” SHE SAID. “UGANDANS TAKE SCHOOL SO SERIOUSLY, BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT’S ONE OF THOSE WAYS THAT WILL HELP THEM TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY IN THEIR COMMUNITY.” Aunt Aggie shared that Sozo children wake up at 4:30 a.m. to attend school, which begins at 6 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. “It’s so hard, but they do it anyway, because they love school,” she said. “When they are in class, they don’t complain.”

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

It’s been a great journey for Aunt Aggie and the other leaders and missionaries to see how God has used people to bring a transformation to the lives of the children. Hannington was one example that came to mind. “Young and growing, full of joy, he’s really smart in school,” she said. “So everyone loves that boy, because he loves school, he loves people. He’s full of joy, he’s full of energy every day.” Pastor Brennan reminded the Wesleyan community that even though they live very different lives from the Sozo children, we all worship the same God. He invited students and adults at Wesleyan to visit Uganda for a mission trip, or to sponsor a child. “God’s really moving, and kids that are suffering have found the joy of Christ,” he said. “So if kids that were suffering–and I mean suffering–if they can find the joy, then why couldn’t an American child be on fire for Christ all the time?” This tour will help the ministry fund by building a home, worship space, school, and medical clinic on a property it recently obtained. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MINISTRY, VISIT WWW.SOZOCHILDREN.ORG.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

THE HIDDEN TREASURE OF WESLEYAN'S

T H E AT E R PROGRAM

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

FINE ARTS

ucked away in the very top of Powell Theater, is a hidden gem of Wesleyan’s theater program. A non-descript stairway leads to an amazing sight that has been carefully curated and lovingly maintained by an army of theater parents, faculty, and students over the years. Paintings, bicycles, stools, signs, mirrors, furniture, and other prop treasures surround the entrance to the most magical room on campus – the costume closet. Wesleyan’s costume closet contains racks upon racks of just about every type of theater costume you can imagine. Whether a show calls for Roman guard, a ballerina, a clown, a superhero, or an office manager, chances are it can be found among the racks and hangers in the closet. This incredible collection began to form organically many years ago in the theater program’s infancy. And then, Wesleyan moms got involved. One summer many years ago, long-time fine arts support and 2018 Fine Arts Circle of Honor inductee Gina Solomon along with other parents, spent months working with the theater faculty carefully organizing the costume resources into the beginnings of the closet as it exists today. “Years ago, I asked my middle school theater students if any of their moms knew how to sew. I had no idea what a transformative question that was for Wesleyan,” recalls Steve Broyles, Wesleyan Theater Director. “Cody Solomon, ’13, raised his hand and volunteered his mom. I’m so thankful he raised his hand that day because that set into motion a costuming program that is such an asset to our entire theater program.” Over time, the volunteer army in the costume closet and dressing room grew, armed with sewing machines, glue guns, and makeup brushes. This team of theater volunteers consider themselves to be an extended family and, as show openings approach, they may see each other more frequently than their actual families. “We’ve set the security alarm off more than I care to admit when we are working late hours in the week or so leading into a show,” laughed Judy Beaman, parent volunteer. “This truly is a labor of love. To get to work alongside other parents, our talented students, and the faculty is such a gift.”

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

And, Judy knows a thing or two about long hours for shows. For this winter’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, she created the magical costume centerpiece of Belle’s ballgown. “I repurposed a dress that had been in my family and then added what we needed to transform it into Belle.” When asked how they ended up in the costume shop for productions, Joan Rogers shared, “My kids were involved and at a parent meeting they asked for volunteers to help with costumes and makeup. I think I must have raised my hand because years later, here I am!” Judy and Joan have helped to spearhead the costume efforts for a growing series of high school shows and when they talk about the scramble to move from a vision in their (and Mr. Broyles’) minds to opening night, they become emotional. “THIS IS SUCH AN AMAZING THING TO SEE COME TO LIFE. FROM DIGGING IN THE COSTUME CLOSET TO SEE WHAT WE CAN REPURPOSE TO SHOPPING GOODWILL, THIS IS LIKE A REALLY LONG, CRAZY SCAVENGER HUNT TO FIND JUST THE RIGHT ACCESSORY OR ARTICLE OF CLOTHING TO FINISH OFF A CHARACTER,” SHARED JUDY. The work doesn’t stop at costumes, either. Wesleyan mom Kim Sabonis-Chaffee is currently leading the charge on the makeup brigade. Kim finishes the vision for each character with a makeup staging area that rivals some cosmetic departments. Even Wesleyan grandmothers have joined the team for recent shows. Brenda Settle (grandmother to Maddie, 9th, and Matthew Plunk, 11th) and Diane Warren (grandmother to Lizzy, 10th, and Matthew, 11th, Stainback) have become infamous for their work backstage on productions. “Those ladies can sew!! They are all in and are willing to do absolutely anything we need in order for costumes to come together,” says Judy. Over the years, students have also helped to design and create costumes for shows. During the 2017-18 school year, tenth grader Lizzie Stainback (The Odyssey, You Can’t Take It With You) and senior Lauren Pavelec (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) have supported the high school costume team by creating original designs for shows. Wesleyan is fortunate that this level of costume and makeup work is not limited to high school productions. The middle school theater program also has a team of volunteers and students working behind the scenes on each show. This year, the middle school effort was led by Wesleyan theater moms Mic Bishop and Dana Sullenberger.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

“Middle school theater is when many of our costume team have started working in the program,” said Sullenberger. She began when her children joined the Wolf Junior Players. “WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS GROUP IS THAT IT IS OPEN TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HELP. WHETHER YOU ARE A SKILLED SEAMSTRESS, HAVE SEWING EXPERIENCE, OR ARE JUST CREATIVE, YOU CAN PLAY A PART IN SUPPORTING THE TEAM BACKSTAGE.” For the Bishop family, the fall middle school performance was a family affair. Eighthgrader and cast member Norah Bishop, designed the superhero costumes for the show and her mom, Mic, brought Norah’s vision to life. As with the high school, students have the opportunity to play a role in costuming and the theater team hopes that introducing students to this important part of the shows will bring more students into the costume department. “It is a lot of fun to help bring the show to life,” says Mic. “The fun thing about this volunteer job is that you can be as plugged in as you want. And, this is one of the last roles I thought I’d be doing, but I love it!” From time to time, costumes do not cooperate on stage and this backstage team has plenty of stories to tell. “We’ve got many tales of costume near-misses and funny things on stage,” laughed Judy Beaman. “From an upside down lobster claw in Disney’s The Little Mermaid to split pants to broken shoes, we’ve done our best to handle what the show throws at us. In the end, I’m not sure anyone in the audience was even aware of the hiccups and it certainly keeps us on our toes backstage!” This team effort is a gift to the entire Wesleyan community each theater season. Huddled over their sewing machines or digging through the costume closet, these volunteers are performing magic that is evident when students walk onto stage transformed into character. We are thankful for the love, commitment, creative genius, and many hours toiling over each and every detail to make that magic happen performance after performance.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

A Multi-Sport

MINDSET In a time when the specialization of sports is at the forefront of the national debate surrounding adolescent athletics, Wesleyan’s game plan is clear. Rather than push students to focus yearround on a single sport, the Athletic Department takes a multisport participation mindset – emphasizing both the physical benefits for students and the greater Wesleyan community. Anyone familiar with the current youth athletics scene can tell you there is an increasing pressure for young athletes to specialize in a single sport and play it year-round. But the Wesleyan Athletic Department takes an alternative approach. From the start of the athletic program at Wesleyan, the school has held the belief that it is not beneficial for students – or the school community – when student-athletes are pressured to specialize in a single sport. “I have a great concern, and I think the Wesleyan administration for many years has held this concern as well, that high school sports have become ‘professionalized,’ and adults are losing focus of the purpose of high school athletics,” says Marc Khedouri, Wesleyan Athletic Director. “Parents and administrators seem to be forgetting that the number one reason boys and girls choose to play sports is to have fun.” Khedouri speaks annually to parents about hyper-specialization in sports during an on-campus Parent U seminar. During the talk, he reminds parents that there are many benefits of multisport participation, including the following: more time spent around coaches and teammates who support the spiritual and academic mission of the school, a more extensive experience in Wesleyan Athletics that leads to a more well-rounded student, the fact that most college coaches believe that multi-sport participation increases competitiveness and athleticism, and the decrease of injury rates. Assistant Athletic Director of Media and Education, Lacy Gilbert, also points out that specialization has the potential to cause students to miss out on their full high school experience at Wesleyan. “Kids who only do one thing miss out on a lot of school opportunities and what Wesleyan is all about - which is community,” she points out. “Athletes only get one high school career, so by singling out one sport, they miss out on Wesleyan's coaches and students and really immersing themselves in all that Wesleyan sports have to offer.” Gilbert and Assistant Athletic Director and Head Girls Basketball Coach, Jan Azar, echoed those sentiments, sharing that being a multi-sport athlete also lowers the risk of burnout by playing only one sport and that college coaches often like

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

ATHLETICS “A multi-sport athlete needs to be proficient in a variety of movements. This helps develop a certain type of body awareness that has a positive effect for the overall health of the athlete,” – Chris Encinas, LAT, ATC, Wesleyan Athletic Trainer

multi-sport athletes because they bring different perspective and more athleticism to their sport. “It’s important for parents to know that putting all of your time into one thing doesn’t necessarily translate into a college scholarship,” shared Gilbert. A new study in the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that specializing in a sport at a young age does not seem to be related to future success in that sport at an elite level, and can even be harmful, leading to more injuries. And Wesleyan athletic trainers agree. “There’s a concern that the trend of specializing too early in sports can possibly cause an uptick in overuse injuries,” said Chris Encinas, one of the two full-time, nationally-certified and state-licensed athletic trainers at Wesleyan. “One of the advantages of being a multi-sport athlete is the different movements involved in each sport. A young little leaguer whose parents think he’s the next Tom Glavine will be subjected to that same pitching movement year-round, rather than allowing a change (and rest for his arm) if he played soccer, for instance.” Head Boys Soccer Coach, Billy Coxhead, has the unique ability to look at the subject from the perspective of a coach, as well as the parent of a multi-sport athlete. Coxhead’s son, Liam, currently plays three sports at Wesleyan. “Today’s culture does not make it easy to be a multi-sport athlete, but there are benefits to the school’s teams and to the athlete,” Coxhead shared. “I believe there are two reasons why a Wesleyan high school student should participate in multiple sports rather than try to specialize in just one. First, Wesleyan does not have enough students to populate all of its teams if all, or most of, its students just play one sport. As the high school boys soccer coach, I need students that do not have soccer as their main sport to play soccer in order to have enough players to field a JV and varsity team. I think other large team sports have the same issue. Second, many times specialization leads to overuse injuries, burnout, and isolation for the player. Playing multiple sports can help an athlete be better equipped to play each sport through cross training, conditioning, and understanding different game strategies from several perspectives.” As the national dialogue continues to debate the safest way to encourage competitive play, Wesleyan’s goals are clear: To encourage student-athletes while keeping each student’s spiritual, physical, and emotional health the top priority. “The goal of the athletic program is to further the Christian mission of the school and to help students pursue excellence individually and as team members,” said Khedouri. WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

TEAMS TRAVELLED TO:

MISSION TRIPS

Atlanta, Bulgaria, Chattanooga, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic Makarios, Dominican Republic SCORE, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

Over spring break, 214 Wesleyan students and 39 faculty and staff members headed out all over the world to serve communities and share the love of Christ. These team members gave up their breaks to serve and experience a life-changing week. Wesleyan junior, SOFIA VALLEJO, served in Guatemala this year, and she shared that mission trips are transformative because of how they change her perspective. “The people of Guatemala are so humble and so happy with everything they have in life,” said Sofia. “And, we have so much more, yet are sometimes not nearly as happy as they are.” The Guatemala team was a medical missions trip supporting a local ministry in pharmaceutical care and counseling. Sofia, who is originally from Colombia, was in the unique position in that she is fluent in Spanish. “The trip gave me the chance to speak entirely in Spanish again, which was wonderful,” she shared. Sofia’s background leaving a South American home country to come to another country is one that ended up being encouraging to a young woman she met while in Guatemala.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

CHRISTIAN LIFE

“On one of our walks through the villages, I met a young girl who was preparing to leave her family

to move to Canada for a job that will help provide

resources for her family. She was nervous and anxious

214 39

about the upcoming move, and I was able to share

WESLEYAN STUDENTS FACULTY & STAFF

SHARED THE LOVE OF CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD

with her – in her own language – what it was like for

me to leave my family in Columbia and start a new life in Atlanta. I was able to pray with her and for her, and I think my experience helped her see that she will be

ok in a new country. I’m thankful God could use me to help her in that way.”

Sofia Vallejo, 11th

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

FACULTY

JO-ANN MCCAULEY As those familiar with Wesleyan will tell you, Jo-Ann McCauley is a gem on campus. A dedicated teacher, Jo-Ann has spent decades pouring into students’ education and character - and organizations at both the state and national level took notice this year.

NAME: Jo-Ann McCauley

Jo-Ann was named a Claes Nobel Top 10 Educator of the Year by the National Society of High School Scholars, an award that recognizes ten exemplary educators from across the country who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to preparing students for success. She also caught the attention of the Foreign Language Association of Georgia, and was named the K-12 Teacher of the Year.

YEARS SPENT TEACHING: 42 YEARS AT WESLEYAN: 22 CURRENT ROLES: Chair of the Department of Modern & Classical Languages, Assistant Director of Studies, and Mentor Coordinator WHAT CLASSES HAVE YOU TAUGHT OVER THE YEARS? Over my career, I have taught all levels of French, math (pre-algebra through pre-calculus), physical science, and English (as both first and second language). IT’S WELL KNOWN THROUGHOUT CAMPUS THAT YOU POUR YOUR HEART INTO YOUR STUDENTS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU THAT THE CLAES NOBEL TOP 10 EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD IS A STUDENT-NOMINATED RECOGNITION? For the Claes Nobel Award, I was nominated by various students at various times, unbeknownst to me, which indicates that as teachers, while we often do not immediately see the fruits of our labor, the students do listen and take to heart the lessons, time, and attention we give to them. I am honored by their thoughtfulness in recommending me for this recognition. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU WERE NAMED ONE OF THE TOP TEN EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR? I was quite surprised and honored by the selection. There were thousands of teachers across the country who were each first selected as Teacher of Distinction, and then that group was narrowed down for consideration of the Educator of the Year. I was also the only educator from an independent school to be selected, and I am delighted to represent Wesleyan in that way.

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AFTER WINNING THAT NATIONAL AWARD, WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO ALSO BE NAMED THE K-12 TEACHER OF THE YEAR BY THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA? The FLAG award is important because the nomination process begins with my own colleagues here at Wesleyan. To have their support and encouragement has meant an incredible amount to me over the years. When competing with tremendous educators from both private and public schools around the state, many of whom I know and admire, it is rather humbling to consider that I should be one of those considered, much less selected as Teacher of the Year. YOU’VE SPENT DECADES AS A TEACHER. WHAT DOES BEING AN EDUCATOR MEAN TO YOU? To me, being an educator is like breathing. It is natural and necessary. I have the blessing of waking every morning, knowing that I will spend my day at Wesleyan with like-minded individuals – teachers who love the Lord and want to develop cherished relationships with young people, and students who are eager to learn and grow in various ways. I have the opportunity to work with teachers and students who help me to be better at every turn. What a gift to be able to start and complete each day doing something so meaningful! YOUR PEERS TALK ABOUT YOUR PASSION FOR TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS SO IMPORTANT? Studying other languages opens our eyes and our hearts to others who may seem different from us initially. Language and culture are intrinsically connected and intertwined. We cannot fully understand others until, and unless, we take the time to hear them clearly in order to understand what makes them think the way they do. But once we have the chance to speak with people who speak another language, in their own tongue, we get to see who they are at the core. An important correlation is that in so doing, we also come to understand our own culture more deeply by seeing it through others’ eyes. We begin to see what was once perceived as differences as gems to be treasured, making us richer. More benefits? They are numerous, but include greater job opportunities, making friends and connections beyond our own community or country, and brain benefits including improvements to memory and attention span along with a lessening of age-related cognitive decline. (I’m still testing that one out!) WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR THE STUDENTS WHO SIT IN YOUR CLASSROOM EACH YEAR? My hope for students who spend time with me is that they learn not just to listen, but to hear others (there is a difference), to question in order to come to a profound understanding of their own beliefs, and to never be afraid to fail. YOU’VE BEEN AT WESLEYAN FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS, DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE EXPERIENCE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? There are so many phenomenal memories, it is difficult to pick one. However, there is one that sticks out is from the early days. Mr. Young was standing beside me at the fence (before we had the beautiful designated field we now have) watching the girls’ softball game, and he acquiesced to my persistent encouragement, allowing me to teach him a cheer, which we then did together, hopefully raising the team’s spirits (if not totally distracting them!). I believe the girls won that day. “A lean, a lean, a lean, a lean….” WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE WESLEYAN STUDENTS? My advice is to recognize and appreciate the gift we all have in being a part of this place while you are still here. “Raise up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he shall not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6. Take your time and savor each opportunity to learn, fail, and grow!

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

TOP

WORK

PLACES

Wesleyan received exciting news this March. The Atlanta JournalConstitution named Wesleyan School the 2018 top Meaningful Workplace in Atlanta! Faculty and staff overwhelmingly shared with AJC researchers that they believe the work they do every day is meaningful. Wesleyan received a higher rating in this category than any other metro Atlanta employer. In addition to this first-place recognition, Wesleyan also earned a spot as one of the top ten overall mid-sized workplaces in Atlanta for the fourth consecutive year.

2018

YEARS OF SERVICE

10 L to R: Melanie O'Kelley, Jack Van Der Sluys, Libby Sedgwick, Leah Baughn, Demetrius Frazier, Rebecca Kennedy, Jen Sheppard, Dana Huggins, and Lynn McArthur.

L to R: (Top) Dawson Zimmerman, Laura Jensen, Alice Dzikowski, Chris Paroli, Jennifer Plunk, and Joseph Koch. (Bottom) Joshua Smith, Megan Trotter, and Becky Kimsey. Not pictured: Shelley Noble.

L to R: Jeff Foster and Matt Cole, along with retired faculty member and spirit shop employee, Ann Marie Hanlon.

25 Linda Ellis

Annette Tumy

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

FACULTY

BABIES

KENNEDY ELISE PANETTA DAUGHTER OF WHITNEY PANETTA NOVEMBER 21, 2017 | 6lbs 14oz

WEDDINGS

WESLEY GRACE RICHTER GRANDDAUGHTER OF BECKY KIMSEY DAUGHTER OF BEN AND MARY GRACE RICHTER JANUARY 15, 2018 | 6lbs 8oz

MADISON BOYD '08 married JARED THOMAS JANUARY 13, 2018

SALLY ELIZABETH ANTONIO

CHRISTOPHER PATRICK BRADBURY

DAUGHTER OF CAROLINE AND JOSEPH ANTONIO GRANDSON OF JO-ANN MCCAULEY MARCH 21, 2018 | 8lbs 6oz SON OF KATHLEEN “KATY” MCCAULEY BRADBURY '00 AND CHARLES “C.J.” BRADBURY MARCH 12, 2018 | 8lbs 6oz

AVERY WEATHERFORD married CLINT GARN DECEMBER 17, 2017

JACK EDWARD BROYLES GRANDSON OF STEVE BROYLES SON OF TAYLOR AND TORY BROYLES JANUARY 5, 2018 | 6lbs 15oz

SIMON VINOD TARAMANI SON OF MONICA TARNAWSKI AND SHIVA THAVAMANI APRIL 12, 2018 | 9lbs 14oz

JOSEPHINE MERRICK GROVES GRANDDAUGHTER OF JO-ANN MCCAULEY DAUGHTER OF JULIE MCCAULEY GROVES '02 AND BRYAN GROVES MARCH 8, 2018 | 7lbs 7oz

CLAYTON WHITMIRE STROMIE GRANDSON OF DENNIS AND LORI STROMIE SON OF STEVEN AND TRACI STROMIE JANUARY 22, 2018 | 7lbs 11oz

HOLDEN LEE BRUNELLE GRANDSON OF MARI BETH KING SON OF KARA '07 & PARKER BRUNELLE '07, APRIL 19, 2018 | 7lbs 9oz

JUSTIN "MICHAEL" KRUEGER JR. SON OF TRICIA AND JUSTIN KRUEGER APRIL 30, 2018 | 7lbs 8oz

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

RETIREMENTS

MATT COLE

LYNN MCARTHUR

1998-2018

2008-2018

DESCRIBE YOUR ROLES AT WESLEYAN: Head of Development, College Advisor, AP teacher, Middle School Teacher, member of the Endowment Committee WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Not having to fight traffic for an hour a day. And not having to be here at 8 or at finance meetings at 7:45 AM. I have made a commitment to help two non-profits that help the needy and the underserved—Good Samaritan Health Clinic and the United Methodist Children’s Home. I'll also work with two non-profits that I have a special interest in: Canterbury Court Retirement Center and George Marshall Library and Foundation. FAVORITE WESLEYAN MEMORY? I have two serious and one funny--Daisy Mills having an "Aha!" moment about AP European History; Nicholas Menefee saying he could not come to office hours because it conflicted with his ‘nap time’; and Webb Worthington confessing as a 7th grader that he had made fun of a fellow student on the playground and needed to apologize. The best moments are from the students.

"As a student you knew Mr. Cole cared for you and wanted what was best for you. During the entirety of my time at Wesleyan, I knew Mr. Cole was in my corner, was 'for me,' and was my advocate. He went out of his way to ensure that I succeeded. " Page Long Gilliam '06

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

DESCRIBE YOUR ROLES AT WESLEYAN: As Lower School reading resource teacher, I’ve worked with small groups of students to provide literacy instruction, primarily using the Orton-Gillingham Approach to teach reading and spelling. I’ve also provided classroom support to teachers in the form of phonics resources and informal testing. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? My husband and I are looking forward to returning home to North Carolina to live in Charlotte near our two children and 5 granddaughters. FAVORITE WESLEYAN MEMORY? One of my favorite memories comes from my first year at Wesleyan. I was teaching in my classroom and heard the sweet sound of children singing Christmas carols in the music room at the other end of the hall. Coming from a school where Christmas was only quietly observed, along with other religious holidays, I was profoundly blessed to realize that I was privileged to be doing what I love to do in an environment that openly worships the Lord.

"Lynn McArthur’s desk holds a stack of books on teaching children how to read, and right next to that stack is her Bible. Lynn loves Jesus, loves teaching reading, and is a gift to every student and faculty member lucky enough to work with her." Nancy Jones, Lower School Counselor

JO-ANN MCCAULEY

WILLIE OMOTOSO

1996-2018

2000-2018

DESCRIBE YOUR ROLES AT WESLEYAN: While at Wesleyan, I have been blessed to serve as a math teacher, French teacher, 8th Grade Chair, Chair of the Department of Modern & Classical Languages, Assistant Director of Studies, Master Teacher, and Faculty Mentor Coordinator. Beyond the school day, I started the Mathcounts team, coached the Mock Trial team, Bible study leader, track & field statistician, and serve on multiple committees. In these roles, I have had the chance to help shape the programs and traditions we currently have in place, and influence at least a few young people along the way. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Historically, not one to sit idle, I am eager to spend more time with my 6 grandchildren and explore more of the world through travel and reading. I also hope to keep my hand in teaching students and faculty in some capacity. Perhaps I will take the time to write a children’s book that has been brewing in my mind for some time. FAVORITE WESLEYAN MEMORY? Having been a part of this community for 22 years, the memories are numerous. Perhaps going back to the beginning, though, is best. I recall vividly Lucy Wrenn (Zach Young’s assistant) calling determinedly while I was still in post-planning at my previous school. I had applied to Wesleyan for a position as a high school French teacher; however, French was only taught in the lower school at the time. They were seeking a math teacher, which I also love teaching. Clearly God had a plan which involved me letting go of my own plan. I met with Gwen Cleghorn in the organ pipe room at the Sandy Springs campus, with a table stacked to the ceiling with what I presumed to be applications for this new venue for God’s work. I thoroughly enjoyed my interview with her; she called Mr. Young and had him meet with me immediately. He hired me as a math teacher for the new campus. God’s plan was obviously better than mine! The rest, as they say, is history!

DESCRIBE YOUR ROLES AT WESLEYAN: I've been the Operations Assistant my entire time at Wesleyan. I set up for events, work carpool, and do anything else I can to help around campus. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? I want to start a charity organization for the community that I live in. The people have many needs, and I want to gather used clothes and shoes to take care of my neighbors. That is something I am very passionate about. FAVORITE WESLEYAN MEMORY? My favorite memory is one of the first times we beat Greater Atlanta Christian School in football. They were our biggest rival at the time, and we were playing them on their turf. Everyone was there to support, and the game was close, but we won by three points. Beating our rivals on their own field was one of the most exciting moments, and everyone was going crazy!

"Jo-Ann has been a key figure in the academic and personal development of countless students, dozens of teachers, and the school as an institution. She merges a love for her subject matter with a love for people in a way that edifies everyone; her fingerprints can be found all over this place."

"Our families and guests testify that they feel at home as soon as they come on our campus, and I think there is a reason for that. While Wesleyan is a special place, I believe the sense of welcome is because Willie is often the first person that greets them as they drive onto Zach Young Parkway. He is the first person to show Jesus' love to our community. I have been told (many times) that everyone is replaceable. That you can find someone to do your job after you leave, but Willie disproves this theory. I do not think it is possible to find someone with a greater love for our entire community and the returned love that we have for him."

Kendra Morris, High School Teacher

Rebecca Kennedy '06, Director of Special Events

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

KAREN PARKER

ANNE SHIRLEY

1999-2018

2002-2018

DESCRIBE YOUR ROLES AT WESLEYAN: My role at Wesleyan has been the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Trustees. I, hopefully, have helped the Chairman and the Board members stay on top of their meetings here as well as scheduling Board and Committee meetings, transcribing minutes, and generally keeping them aware of when and where and what is happening at Wesleyan.

DESCRIBE YOUR ROLES AT WESLEYAN: I have taught AP chemistry, honors chemistry, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, biology, honors biology, marine science, and AP biology. I also coached middle school tennis, helped with prom, and am the cross country statistician.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? I am most looking forward to spending more time with my husband of 42 years and our grandchildren. I hope to attend a morning Bible study at my church and become more active in the community and our church. I’m also looking forward to not driving as much!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? We have moved to Dahlonega, and my husband and I look forward to getting to know our neighbors and people at church. We also are getting ready for our oldest son’s wedding in June. In addition, we plan to travel to Florida to see my brother and family and then in the fall to see my brother and his family in Artesia, New Mexico while taking in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

FAVORITE WESLEYAN MEMORY? My memories are having the opportunity to serve the most wonderful group of men and women who govern Wesleyan and give of themselves tirelessly in every way to the betterment of the school. It has been a blessing to me to serve in a small way to those servants of Christ who give of their time, talent, and treasures! They do all this while holding down major job responsibilities, and I commend each and every one. They are humble men and women who play a major role at Wesleyan. Whether meeting in an “MEU” (the Wesleyan word for trailer) or in Young Conference room, they live out Wesleyan’s mission in all that they do. Thank you for the opportunity to work at Wesleyan. It has been a JOY.

"Karen Parker has been the stabilizing force of the board of trustees for twenty years. Her love for Wesleyan’s mission, the children and her devotion to the board of trustees have been invaluable to the stability and effectiveness of the board during the formative years of Wesleyans growth on the Peachtree Corners campus. Her organization skills coupled with her own personal flexibility matched the boards needs providentially. God put her here in His perfect timing and we will all be the beneficiary of her efforts for years to come." Rob Binion, Chairman of the Board

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

FAVORITE WESLEYAN MEMORY? Our youngest son, Jeremy, attended Wesleyan starting in 5th grade. Watching him and his fellow baseball players win the 2010 State Championship was great. We were also extremely proud of him as he walked across the stage to receive his diploma from Mr. Young.

"Anne is one of the most dedicated, hardworking people I’ve ever known; whatever she does, she does with excellenceevery time. Anne is often referred to as the glue within our science department because she holds us together by making sure we are always prepared for lab days, helping us finish last minute tasks that we overlooked, and always encouraging us along the way. She will be greatly missed next year!" Megan Trotter, High School Science Teacher

RETIREMENTS

ANNETTE SMITH

DOROTHY SULSBERGER

2001-2018

2005-2018

DESCRIBE YOUR ROLES AT WESLEYAN: I have been the Math Department Chair for 16 of my 17 years here and have had the chance to mold the curriculum and mentor young teachers in the process. I have been the sponsor of the Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) and the National Honor Society which recognizes outstanding students for their work. I have also been the “Calendar Queen” for a number of years and have learned the in's and out's of Wesleyan. My greatest role, however, is one to challenge my students to grow into the person God would have them become and to encourage them along the way, both in and out of the classroom. I have attended almost all theater productions, concerts, and at least one of every athletic competition in season during my 17 years here. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Right now, I am waiting for God to show me where exactly I will be and what I will be doing. We are moving to Tennessee. I am willing to teach a few more years but again that is up to God. My husband will be working and developing the land we own, and I will pick up some hobbies that have been put on the back burner for a while. We have another grandson on the way, and we are looking forward to visiting family and friends that live all over the United States. FAVORITE WESLEYAN MEMORY? I love the students and still get a kick out of their saying “thank you” even when I am handing out tests and quizzes for them to take. This is such a special community that it will be hard to replace it. I will miss the way that we as a school, both students and fellow teachers, love and care for each other. It has been a blessing to work here.

"Annette is the ultimate servant leader who speaks to both the hearts and minds of her students and colleagues. She consistently sets high expectations for all under her care, and at the same time, she goes above and beyond to provide the support and encouragement needed to meet those expectations." Joseph Antonio, Middle School Principal

DESCRIBE YOUR ROLES AT WESLEYAN: My first year at Wesleyan, I worked in the Lower School teaching 4th grade and serving as the grade chair. The following year I transferred to the Middle School where I’ve primarily taught 5th and 6th grade, English and Bible. Leading Bible studies, coordinating volunteers at track and field events, and helping with cross-country meets are other ways I’ve supported the school community. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? I’m looking forward to moving to a little cabin in the country in Cedar Bluff, Alabama. A country girl at heart, I will enjoy hiking in the woods and boating on the lake. I’m also looking forward to spending more time with my family while helping homeschool my grandchildren. FAVORITE WESLEYAN MEMORY? I’ll never forget my surprise when I learned that the 4th graders presented an Easter play each year. All the 4th grade teachers and the principal were new to Wesleyan. We thought we were off to a great start after creating new sets and incorporating dance in the school production, only to learn that we had neglected to get a donkey! We got a donkey, but that was the last year a live donkey was on the cast.

"Dorothy Sulsberger has been a valuable member of the middle school, teaching both 5th and 6th grade students. Her wisdom, calm demeanor and genuine love for her students has made a significant impact on all of the Wesleyan community." Laura Siron, 6th Grade Girls Grade Chair

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IN MEMORIUM

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LUCY WRENN By Headmaster Emeritus, Zach Young When I first arrived at Wesleyan in 1996, Lucy Wrenn pretty much was Wesleyan. Along with Bobbie Lencke and Barbara Adler, the Headmaster, those three were who the world saw as Wesleyan Day School in Sandy Springs. Lucy had been there the longest and was the first person parents met when investigating the school. She had worked with all the previous heads of school who had served Wesleyan since its 1963 founding and was the de facto school historian as well as the admissions director and school secretary. Lucy loved to laugh and did it often. So did Bobbie Lencke, and their frequent merriment were one of the things that helped give the school its reputation for being a happy, nurturing environment for children. The school offices were on the third floor of the Sandy Springs UMC in the building that contained the sanctuary. It had a funeral home on the right and Arlington Cemetery on the left, plus the Hitson Center across the street under the water tower. The church would not allow the school to put up a sign advertising its presence on the sanctuary side of the road, so it's a wonder people found it when looking for a school for their children. There were no real playing fields, and the one large open space sloped down to the carpool line attracting like a magnet every ball that rolled on the ground. When Lucy took prospective parents around the school, she was able to charm them despite the many amenities that the school lacked. After climbing the stairs for three floors, if visitors walked halfway down the hall, they would find Lucy in her office, usually with a stack of papers she was rifling through trying to find something or getting ready to do some filing. She would greet all comers with a welcome that always had a laugh or two sprinkled in. She could have had the title of Manager of First Impressions. Lucy was a happy person, and her good spirits were infectious. She was a wealth of information about the families in the school and those who were applying. Her office was unique because it had a hole in the floor under her desk covered with a piece of plywood that was used to pass papers down to the 2nd floor without using the stairs. The "faculty lounge” was next to Lucy’s office, but it was really just a storage closet with shelves all around, a coffee maker, and the dingiest first-generation microwave oven imaginable. The room had a small breakfast table that would seat three (two comfortably) to share lunch or a cup of coffee. There Lucy would hold court on the latest funny story about a child or a family. One of the frequent stories involved the head minister’s reserved parking space. Prospective parents seemed to park in it almost daily, and the pastor would use his Cadillac to block them in to teach them a lesson about the pecking order at SSUMC. Of course, the offending parent would have to climb the stairs and find Lucy who would then have to go to the pastor’s office to get the car key to move the car to get the offending parent out of parking space jail. Lucy did this with good humor and a laugh even though it was a fairly frequent occurrence. When the school moved to the new Norcross campus, Lucy may have been the most excited employee. Even though we were in trailers, Lucy continuously pointed out how much better everything was than it had been in Sandy Springs. Her office just outside of mine had no windows, but it wasn’t on the third floor, and she loved having all her colleagues nearby. I remember countless meetings at the table in my office just on the other side of the door to hers when voices were raised and unpleasantries exchanged. Lucy could not help but hear everything. Whenever it was appropriate, she would later give me encouragement for my side of the discussion, something I always appreciated. When we started building permanent facilities, Lucy reveled in how the school was becoming so much better with a real permanent feel compared to her many years in SSUMC. She was a great encourager. After a few years on the new campus, Lucy had a health scare when her husband Carl became sick and was hospitalized. He made a miraculous recovery, but this signaled to Lucy that it was time to join Carl in retirement. To honor her, the trustees agreed to name the new infirmary in Wesley Hall after her. This was a very appropriate choice since Lucy had served as a de facto school nurse over the years and had all the medical supplies imaginable in her desk drawers. She was thrilled that her name would be associated with the school in this way, but her greatest satisfaction came the year after she retired when her granddaughter Caroline enrolled in Kindergarten. Caroline became a Wesleyan Evergreen, graduating in the class of 2015, and Lucy was there beaming with pride to take it all in. Lucy Wrenn loved and appreciated Wesleyan in ways that were unique to her many years on two campuses. All of us knew something was seriously wrong when she did not attend the 2017 faculty/staff Christmas breakfast which she had helped create and loved dearly. When she died this winter after a short illness, Wesleyan lost one of its real matriarchs and a happy laugh that can’t be duplicated.

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Artist Market 2018

Cultivating Community This April thousands of people arrived on campus for the 20th Annual Artist Market – an achievement worth celebrating, especially since this year marked the most successful Market to date with more than $300,000 in art sales. During the three-day stint, Yancey Gymnasium was transformed into a two-story art gallery, hosting more than 90 professional painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelry and wood-makers, while guests enjoyed live music, visual art performances, and tasty snacks from a variety of vendors. But, as anyone associated with this event will tell you, at its core, the Artist Market serves as an opportunity to build community - both for those who call Wesleyan home and art fans across metro Atlanta. “I think the reason the Artist Market is such a great Wesleyan community event, is that we try to include something for everyone,” shared Wendy Staley, one of the Artist Market chairs. “It is the only event that we have that involves students K-12, faculty, and alumni all under one roof—and in one weekend. This year we were fortunate enough to overlap with two lacrosse tournaments, which brought in a lot of people that had not been to our campus before. It gave us a chance to shine in the hospitality department. I can’t tell you how many people stopped me to talk about how kind our students were and how welcoming all the volunteers were. It’s what sets us apart from all the other art shows. We work hard to make sure everyone is accommodated that weekend, and I think it shows!” 48

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The event also serves as a showcase for current students, both for those selling their art and those participating in live performances. “What an awesome asset to the Market,” Staley said. “It makes me so happy to see their entrepreneurial spirit, and how talented they are. We had a few customers walking through that I overheard talking with each other (not Wesleyan families), and they could not believe they were in the student section of the Market. The students were all so professional, talented, and polite. They really represent Wesleyan well! The Artist Market is an opportunity to foster the relationships across each division. Lower school students are frequent guests of the Market – eager to see their older peers in action. For example, Paige Glass’ kindergarten class made a visit to the show to see their handin-hand mentor buddy, Matthew Stainback, as he was working on the pottery wheel. “There was a very sweet moment while we were watching Matthew,” Glass shared. “One of my students, Devyn Frederick, leaned over to me and said while watching Matthew that he made her want to be an artist - maybe even an art teacher! Our kindergarten students look up to these juniors and seniors that devote their time to come into our classroom and help them. They make them smile, laugh, and build their confidence. Seeing Matthew as an artist opened their eyes to see that not only does art help them to think creatively, but art encourages them to build their confidence. For my class, it was the perfect ending to our hand-inhand buddies this year.” 50

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Served by a Celebrity Chef Guests will consistently tell you – the Artist Market is an experience. Crowds come for the art and performances, but the dependable appearance of favorite food trucks each year and the chance to spend time on campus with friends and family prompt many to “make a day of it.” This year, there was an extra pull as organizers booked celebrity chef, author, and former Top Chef contestant, Kevin Gillespie to prepare lunch. Gillespie was admiring the art in Staley’s house when he shared that he painted. “I said sort of casually, ‘We would love to have you at the Artist Market if you would ever want to display your pieces,’” Staley said. “That was over a year ago, and we talked about it again last summer briefly. He emailed me in January and said he would love to participate if I was serious about him doing so—and could he cook as well? Naturally I said, of course—we will do whatever we can to fit you in. So that is how the Terminus City BBQ came about. He was thrilled to have the opportunity to display his art, and he wanted to donate back to our school. He even brought his parents on Saturday which I thought was so sweet." Kevin and his team posted up on the Quad during the final day of the Market and served up some Terminus City BBQ to an eager crowd of shoppers and donated 100% of his art proceeds to the school’s Fine Arts Department.

2018 Fine Arts Circle of Honor Inductee

GIN A S OLOM O N Parent Volunteer

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SAIS-SACS DUAL R E - A C C R E D I TAT I O N REPORT SUMMARY Visit date October 18-20, 2017 Peer Review Team Mr. J.P. Watson (Chair), Mr. Cary Brague, Mr. Stuart Hirstein, Dr. Jeff Morrison, and Ms. Jennifer Rundles A team from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) visited Wesleyan from October 18-20, 2017. During this three-day site visit, the five-member Peer Review Team interviewed Wesleyan board members, parents, students, teachers, administrators, alumni, and committee heads in order to make their final accreditation recommendation. School accreditation is a type of quality assurance process through which the services and operations of schools are evaluated by an external body to determine if established standards are being met. As part of this process, the school is expected to engage in and develop a self-improvement plan. Wesleyan is subject to re-accreditation by SAIS-SACS every five years. Months of preparation by Wesleyan administrators, faculty, and staff have resulted in a unanimous re-accreditation recommendation by this SAIS-SACS Peer Review Team. They presented their findings during a staff assembly at the end of their visit. Following are excerpts from Wesleyan’s peer review team report outlining areas of commendation and recommendations concerning our school improvement plan goals. In addition, the peer review team made general school commendations and recommendations.

ADDITIONAL COMMENDATIONS The team commends the school for the following: • • • • •

A beautifully designed and constructed campus that provides tremendous opportunities for both indoor and outdoor learning spaces; Its financial stewardship and management of school resources; Its commitment to using survey and testing data to inform strategic and instructional decisions; A true sense of community based on shared Christian values; A faculty that is beloved by parents, the Board of Trustees, students, and alumni;

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• • • •

The faculty commitment to knowing their students and developing young people’s talents; Its commitment to the Faculty Fellows program and mentoring of new faculty; The Head of School’s leadership and commitment to the two identified goals, as demonstrated by his willingness to be transparent in communications with all stakeholders; Smooth transitions in leadership over the past three years.

GOAL 1 The Wesleyan community seeks to foster a diverse and unified environment that reflects the Kingdom of God.

GOAL 1 COMMENDATIONS

GOAL 1 RECOMMENDATIONS

The visiting team commends the school for the following:

The visiting team recommends that the school consider the following:

•

Its intentional approach to creating diversity awareness and forward motion relative to diversity within the school; The creation of a full-time director of diversity position to engage continuous support for school-wide enculturation, as evidenced by the work already accomplished; specifically, the hiring of diverse candidates to the teaching faculty and the substantial increase of student diversity in the Lower School; Its previous SAIS re-accreditation cycle work to support diversity awareness through the lens of its mission statement and motto; specifically, JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself); The Board of Trustees for their leadership and commitment to enhancing board diversity and their support for enhancing school-wide diversity; The obvious synergistic work of the Director(s) of Diversity and the Director of Christian Life.

•

• • •

• •

Continuing the intentional efforts to attract and retain teaching faculty representing diverse backgrounds; Focusing efforts to attract and retain individuals of diverse backgrounds to serve in administrative leadership roles; Continuing the intentional efforts to recruit Board of Trustees members representing diverse backgrounds; Continuing to strengthen and expand the intentional steps taken across all divisions and with parents to understand and support the different perspectives and experiences within an increasingly more diverse school community; Exploring ways to more clearly articulate and promote understanding of what it means to be a “diverse and unified environment”; Exploring the expansion of Financial Assistance to the Lower School to increase socioeconomic diversity.

GOAL 2 Wesleyan School shall nurture the gifts and support the learning differences of all students while maintaining Wesleyan’s admission and academic standards.

GOAL 2 COMMENDATIONS

GOAL 2 RECOMMENDATIONS

The visiting team commends the school for the following:

The visiting team recommends that the school consider the following:

•

• • • •

Wesleyan School’s commitment to supporting the variety of student needs in the lower school with the increased number of Orton-Gillingham certified teachers and the use of specialists in literacy and math; The use of the school’s work on critical thinking throughout all grades to inform and influence the current work centered on student learning support; The commitment to professional development around genderbased instructional practices across all divisions; The commitment to supporting and developing gender separate classes for math and language arts in grades 5 through 7; The Board of Trustees for their leadership and support in the creation of access and opportunities for all learners in the community.

• • • •

Using the multi-pronged lower school practices, approaches, and tools to support learning as a model for developing practices, approaches, and tools for use in middle and upper school; Exploring the additional human resources necessary to accommodate the growing needs of a more diverse student body across all three divisions; Continuing to invest in professional development to support the needs of all learners across all divisions; Exploring an intentional approach to mapping the curriculum across divisions to create a shared language of learning; Exploring ways to be more proactive in communicating student learning needs and available support with parents.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

REPORT CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The team recommends the school consider the following:

•

Examining scheduling models to provide for sharing of human and physical resources across divisions that may address perceptions of inequity in teaching load.

• •

The school is in compliance with all standards of the SAIS accreditation process as verified by documentation, observations, and interviews. The self-study conducted by the school meets the standard of quality and thoroughness required by the SAIS accreditation process. The school is unanimously recommended for accreditation.

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CHAMPION TRIBES NICK SALYERS '12

he story of Champion Tribes actually began over a decade ago when I was in middle school. My father recognized that I was entering a critical

time in life and wanted to take an active step in building our relationship and shaping the young man I was becoming. The whole idea was actually inspired by attending our neighborhood friend’s Bar Mitzvah. My father was blown away by the beauty of the ceremony and one particular moment in which the father read a letter to his son about what he saw in him and wanted for his life, and then the son responded with a letter he had written about what he saw in his parents' lives that he wanted to emulate. The power of that moment really impacted my dad and made him ask the question, “Why don’t all young men receive this kind of powerful affirmation? Why doesn’t Christianity do something similar?” Luckily for me my dad didn’t forget about that idea, and he told my mom on the car ride home that he wanted to do something similar with me when I turned 13. True to his word, when I turned 11 he started reading all the books he could about the idea of a rite of passage. He found one book in particular, The Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent, that really captured what he feared, “If a young man fails to receive the blessing of his father, he will spend the rest of his life looking for it in all the wrong places.”

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My dad did not want that to be true of me, but he also faced a dilemma. All of the books did a great job detailing the problem, but very few did a good job of proposing a solution. So he decided to set out and create one himself. He gathered together four fathers who had sons my age, and we dedicated the next year of our lives to learning what it looks like to be a man from God’s perspective and from our fathers' perspective. That experience has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life. My relationship with my dad grew deeper and stronger, I learned so much wisdom from my dad and the other fathers in our Tribe, and ultimately I got to receive my father’s blessing. It is hard to put into words the power of a blessing at that age. Middle school is an awkward and difficult time in life. In middle school you are kind of like a ship in rough waters being tossed about by a storm. Things are changing rapidly: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You are trying to figure out who you are, and you are beginning to ask bigger and more important questions of the world around you. So to have your father step into your life, answer some of those questions, and give you his affirmation and love is like being anchored in the storm. This became the most clear to me when I left my parents for the first time and went off to college. There, it became painfully obvious to me which men around me had received

THE ORIGINAL CHAMPION TRIBES FATHERS AND SONS DAVID AND NICK SALYERS '12, ERIC AND EVAN ANDERSON '11, JAY AND BEN LOECKEN, AND MARK AND ZACH JONES

a blessing from their father and which had not. The men that had not received a blessing were insecure in their manhood and felt the need to prove it to everyone around them all the time. Often this manifested itself in harmful ways like binge drinking (I can drink more than you, so I am more of a man than you), or in bragging about the number of girls they brought home on the weekends (I bring home more girls than you, so I am more of a man than you). Seeing some of my friends struggle with these things really broke my heart and led me to want to do something about it. It drove me to ask why sons are not receiving a blessing from their fathers and what I could do to help change that. And that is how Champion Tribes, as it exists today, really began to take shape. We looked at the reasons fathers were not doing a rite of passage with their sons and built an experience that would help address them. What we learned is that there is an epidemic in this country of men not receiving a blessing. Studies show that of the 70% of college students that reported receiving a blessing from their parents, only 8% were men.

That staggering statistic clearly shows that collectively, as a country, we are not doing a good job of raising our young men. They are unprepared and craving affirmation and acceptance from their parents. Further research has also revealed that children require a blessing from their parents in order to transition to adulthood. This is why I believe Champion Tribes is so important, and regardless if a father ends up doing Champion Tribes or not, he needs to be intentional about how he is choosing to speak into his son or daughter's life at that crucial middle school age.

MISSION Our mission is to inspire, catalyze, and equip dads to take action in their childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives. We do this by building resources for fathers. Our primary resource is the Champion Tribes experienceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a year long journey for a group of fathers and their middle school aged sons. Each of the 12 gatherings in the Champion Tribes journey focuses on a specific value such as confidence or perseverance or humility. But the

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experience culminates in a blessing ceremony where the father is able to bless his son in a powerful and meaningful way. We have also recently developed a resource called the EveryDay Milestone Kit or EDM. The EDM help fathers with children (son or daughter) any age engage in the everyday milestones of car time, mealtime, and bedtime, affirm their children on a weekly basis, and learn their strengths and weaknesses as a dad through our Dad assessment.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART ABOUT CHAMPION TRIBES? Far and away the best part is seeing and hearing from fathers going through the Champion Tribes experience. It is incredible to see the interactions that happen and the wisdom shared at Tribe gatherings. There just isn’t the right context out there for fathers to impart values and wisdom to their sons or a context for sons to have deep and meaningful dialogue with their father. Hearing from fathers and sons about what they are learning and the kind of relationship they are building is the most rewarding part of the job. While it is definitely not easy to start something new, seeing the impact that Champion Tribes is having on father-son relationships is incredibly rewarding. WHAT ROLE DID WESLEYAN PLAY IN THIS IDEA COMING TO FRUITION? I think that in many ways Champion Tribes is a reflection of what I learned and experienced at Wesleyan. At Champion Tribes we believe that transformation happens when you create the right context for it. That is something that is at the core of the Wesleyan community. At Wesleyan you get to see teachers and administrators who are pursuing the Lord and living out Christian values. That had a real impact on the young man that I was at the time and my vision of who I wanted to become. I was also surrounded by an incredible group of friends. One of my favorite lessons that is taught in Champion Tribes is from the session on accountability. The lesson is that you will move toward and become like those you surround yourself with or put another way your friends will determine the quality and direction of

your life. That is something that I learned and saw play out for me at Wesleyan. I was surrounded with friends who challenged me to grow in my faith, as a student, as an athlete, and as a person. It’s why I am still so close to many of my friends from Wesleyan today. Because I want to continue to move toward and become like people who are living the J.O.Y. banner. FAVORITE CHAMPION TRIBES STORY? One of my favorite stories that has come out of Champion Tribes so far is from a father who took a young man who was not his son through Champion Tribes. A friend of ours named Caz heard about Champion Tribes and even though he didn’t have a son it didn’t stop him from getting involved. He had an employee at his company who was a single mom raising a son who was 13 years old. The young man’s father is not in the picture and not involved in his son’s life. But Caz decided to ask the boys mom if he could take him through Champion Tribes as a “father figure.” She was thrilled about the idea and Caz started meeting every month with the young man. We received a text from the boys mother a few months later. She came into work crying and asked Caz, “What have you done to my son? He is doing the dishes and helping out around the house without me asking him. When I finally did ask him why he was doing all of that, he said, ‘I am learning about humility in Champion Tribes and how Champions honor others with their actions. So I'm just trying to practice humility by honoring you with my actions.’” A story like that gets me fired up about Champion Tribes and how it can have an impact even when a young man doesn’t have a father or when his father is not active in his life.

OTHER ENDEAVORS While not related to Champion Tribes in any way, last year I was able to publish a book with a friend called, Collegiate: 7 Big Ideas to Make College Awesome. The heart of the book is to help students (high school seniors, college freshmen, and sophomores in particular) navigate college. It is something that I am really proud of because I have seen the ideas in the book make an impact on the students who have read it.

People can learn more about Champion Tribes at www.championtribes.com and more about Collegiate at www.makecollegeawesome.com

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"I AM LEARNING ABOUT HUMILITY IN CHAMPION TRIBES AND HOW CHAMPIONS HONOR OTHERS WITH THEIR ACTIONS. SO I'M JUST TRYING TO PRACTICE HUMILITY BY HONORING YOU WITH MY ACTIONS."

- a tribe son's answer to his mother's surprise due to his suddenly helpful behavior

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ALUMNI Babies

AMELIA JAMES EDWARDS DAUGHTER OF EMILY JACKSON EDWARDS '06 AND CLAYTON EDWARDS SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 | 7lbs 12oz

ELOISE MAE CARMOUCHE DAUGHTER OF MALLORY LAMONS CARMOUCHE '06 AND CHRIS CARMOUCHE JANUARY 18, 2018 | 6lbs 8oz

HOLDEN LEE BRUNELLE SON OF KARA KING BRUNELLE AND PARKER BRUNELLE, BOTH FROM THE CLASS OF 2007 APRIL 19, 2018 | 7lbs 9oz

BENNETT ROLES HILL SON OF JESSICA PLAGMAN HILL '03 AND JEFF HILL FEBRUARY 22, 2018 | 9lbs 2oz

HENLEY JAMES LAWDER DAUGHTER OF STUART LAWDER '05 AND KATHLEEN LAWDER SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2017 | 10lbs 8oz

SARAH GRACE WEYANDT DAUGHTER OF SARAH PREHMUS WEYANDT '06 AND TODD WEYANDT MARCH 8, 2018 | 7lbs 7oz

JOSEPHINE MERRICK GROVES DAUGHTER OF JULIE MCCAULEY GROVES '02 AND BRYAN GROVES MARCH 8, 2018 | 7lbs 7oz

ELLA KATHERINE DAWSON "ELLA KATE" DAUGHTER OF KRISTINA MOHME DAWSON AND ANDREW DAWSON, BOTH FROM THE CLASS OF 2004 SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 | 5lbs 15oz

CLARA LANE CORBITT DAUGHTER OF MARY CLAIRE MERLINO CORBITT '05 AND WILL CORBITT APRIL 6, 2018 | 7lbs 13oz

CHRISTOPHER PATRICK BRADBURY SON OF KATHLEEN “KATY” MCCAULEY BRADBURY '00 AND CHARLES “C.J.” BRADBURY MARCH 12, 2018 | 8lbs 6oz

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ALUMNI Class Notes

MARGARET KENT '13 After graduating from the College of Charleston with a major in marketing and a minor in communication in May of 2017, Margaret joined Gal Meets Glam, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog based in Charleston, as a junior editor. On April 20th of this year, GMG launched its new dress line, Gal Meets Glam Collection, available online and in 40 Nordstrom stores across the nation, including the Nordstrom at Perimeter Mall. A presentation of timeless, feminine dresses will be released each month. Be sure to look for the “Margaret” Dress in the April collection!

BETH BACHMAN MOORE '00 is running for Georgia’s House of Representatives District 95. To learn more about her candidacy, visit her website at https://mooreforgeorgia.com/ "Wesleyan prepared me for public office by instilling in me at a young age the importance of engaging my community, serving a higher purpose, and caring for the well-being of everyone, especially those who are less fortunate."

KENNINGTON GROFF '10

AUDREY SHORT '15 is a 2018 recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship given in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. It is awarded annually to about 300 college sophomores and juniors nationwide. Audrey is a junior at Miami of Ohio.

has started her own law firm, The Law Office of Kennington Groff. She works with people in the entertainment industry, small and online businesses, and people seeking protection for their intellectual property.

MICHAEL VEAL '15 started an Athens area cleaning company called Cleanit. They provide personalized cleaning services to homes and dorms and apartments in Athens, GA. To learn more visit https://www.cleanitathens.com/

CLASS OF 2016

CLASS OF 2017

Drew Aspinwall, Jake McCleskey, Maggie Borbone, Caroline Hodges, Andy Archer, Anna Mosley, Hannah Peterson, Josh Garrard, Camille High, and Elizabeth Ostwalt

Cullen Davis, Whitney Archer, Anna Roy, Paige Prettyman, Colin Hall, Bryce Cook, Abigail Mitchell, Sarah Adams, and Grant Frerking

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ALUMNI Weddings

MADISON BOYD '08 married JARED THOMAS on January 13, 2018 at The Stave Room at American Spirit Works. Maid of Honor was Holly Boyd ’11, and Alex Bufton ’06 was a bridesmaid. Other guests included faculty, Caroline Pridgen, Shannon Loftis, Ame Conley, Anne Jackson, Liz Smith, Fiona Hocking Owen ’04, and alumni Sydney McIntyre ’11. All 20 of Madison's Wesleyan students came to the ceremony. The girls passed out programs, and the boys ran the coat check.

AMELIA CHEELEY '07 married TYLER HEARIN on June 3, 2017 at Peachtree Road United Methodist church with a reception at the Atlanta History Center. Wesleyan alumni in the wedding party included Katie Brown Agness '07, Rachel Zimmerman Davis '07, Aubrie Davis Gossett '07, Adriana Oliver '07, and Harrison Cheeley '11. Also in attendance Bobby Boylston '07, Sean Campbell '07, Andrew Donovan '07, Greg Gossett '07, Hunter Groome '07, Matt Hutts '07, Russell Lovelady '07, Andy Merlino '07, Casey Klepchick Forbes '08, Spencer Brown '09, Cliff Bell '11, Connor Breslin '11, Jake Sixour '11, Conor Welton '11, and Jamie Stark '12.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

WILL WORTHINGTON '09 married CARLY PINEROLA on May 27, 2017 at Reid Chapel on Samford University's campus in Birmingham, Alabama, with a reception afterwards at the Iron City Birmingham. Wesleyan alumni in the wedding party included Drew Carroll ’09, Lee Ellis ’09, Jonathan Fang ’09, Maggie Worthington Lawrence ’06, Eva Scheer (5th), Shirley Scheer (1st), Webb Worthington ’05, Bobby Worthington ’09. Brett Briggs ’04 and Robert Scheer (7th) were ushers. Dr. Jason Scheer was the officiant, and his wife, Laura Scheer, did the Scripture reading. Several Wesleyan faculty, staff, and alumni were part of the pre-wedding party: Drew Fithian '09, Bobby Worthington '09, Cate High Fithian '11, Maggie Worthington Lawrence '06, Emily Worthington Karempelis '08, Drew Carroll '09, Jonathan Fang '09, Webb Worthington '05, Lee Ellis '09, and Matt Karempelis '08. Also in attendance were Linda McElwaney, Joseph Antonio, and Caroline Antonio.

KATIE FULTON '07 married RUSSELL PIRKLE on September 9, 2017 at All Saints' Episcopal Church with a reception following at American Spirit Works, Atlanta, Georgia. Kate Edwards '07 was the maid of honor. Sarah Delk '07, Ali Bagdy Jordan '07, and Michelle Pope '07 were bridesmaids; the bride's brother, Bobby Fulton '10 was a groomsman. Other alumni in attendance included Alexandra Brown McCoy '07, Caitlin Troyer Busch '07, Brittany Wulf '07, Meaghan Brantley Young '07, Carter Brantley '10, and former Director of Communications, Malia Bagdy. Katie and Russell live in Atlanta.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

ALUMNI Weddings

DREW WIDNER '11 married BLAIR BOLTON on January 13th, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jack Widner '14 was the best man while Alex Thykeson '11 and Andrew Frerking '11 served as groomsmen. Other Wesleyan alumni in attendance included Maddie Thykeson '15, Katie Frerking '15, and former faculty Mike Shaheen, as well as mother of the groom and lower school teaching assistant, Jane Widner.

SHANNON FELTS '12 married TREVOR WOODWARD on November 10th, 2017 at The Stave Room in Atlanta, Georgia. Alumni in the wedding were Jessica Felts ’10, Brooke Walton Dant ’12, Audrey Anderson Gabrielson ’12, Abby Daws ’12, Mackenzie Hediger ’12, Julie Rodriguez ’12, and Nick Schroer ’12. Other alumni in attendance were Mitchell Gentry ’12, Katie Williams ’12, Drew Sutton ’12, Brooks Prettyman ’12, Clark O’Kelley ’12, Doug Mohme ’12, Eva Siegel ’10, Laura Carver Breslin ’11, Connor Breslin ’11, Ben Johnson ’13, Courtney Rappe Larson ’14, and Melissa Thorson (former faculty).

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

MICHELLE CHENG '07 married ANDREW KO on July 14, 2017. The nupitals were held at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, Georgia and reception took place at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter Grand Ballroom. In attendance were the bride's brother Jonathan Cheng '11 as well as faculty member Mrs. Pamela LaFuente Sanchez and other Wesleyan families including Mr. and Mrs. John and Sue Tebbe, Maryanne Tebbe Watts '07, Graham Watts '04, and Peter and Jen Jeng.

2018 Athletic

CIRCLE OF HONOR LOGAN MORRIS ALMOND '10

Softball, Basketball, Track, & Tennis

ANNE MARIE ARMSTRONG '09 Volleyball, Basketball, & Track

LAUREN HALL '12

Cheerleading, Track, Swim & Dive

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

MATT COLE CHRISTMAS What started with an idea, a couple of great reasons, and vision for what could be, turned in to what was arguably the best alumni event yet. A Matt Cole Christmas. It was a celebration of a man (ehhh elf?), a legacy of relationships, and a vision of uniting the greater Wesleyan family to celebrate and reconnect. And it was awesome. More than 350 alumni, parents of alumni, and faculty met at Monday Night Brewery’s Garage on December 15. Alumni from as far back as 2000 drove all the way across Atlanta to reconnect with their favorite “old” faculty. Our newest alumni had the opportunity to meet alumni from previous classes, and parents had a place and a reason to renew friendships and check in on each other’s adult children. Games like Matt Cole Bingo, and Pin the Coffee Stain on Matt Cole, kept everyone laughing. Wesleyan’s own Brad Williams and his band provided festive music, and for a portion of the evening, Matt Cole was dressed as "Buddy the Elf." The Worthington family offered a $30,000 matching gift to encourage alumni to give to the Wesleyan Fund. The Worthington family’s hope is that alumni will choose to take a portion of what God has entrusted them with and invest it back into the life of their alma mater, effectively living out the JOY motto. Our alumni family rose to the occasion, and met the match by the end of the party. If you weren’t able to join us for Matt Cole Christmas, never fear–there will be another alumni, parents of alumni, and faculty Christmas Party in December 2018. The question is will it be themed “Wesleyan Christmas Vacation” or “It’s a Wonderful Wesleyan Life” or “Home Alone – lost on Zach Young Parkway”? Keep your eyes out for more information, but go ahead and save the date of December 14, 2018.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

ALUMNI EASTER EGG HUNT Here comes Peter Cotton Tail…or Mark Baisier (11th) dressed as the Easter Bunny to entertain (and hopefully not frighten) our alumni children. On the Saturday before Palm Sunday, the Alumni Family Easter Egg Hunt was held on Wesleyan’s Morris-Fletcher Quadrangle. All alumni with children were invited to bring their little people and their extended families for a morning full of spring fun. Wesleyan Lower School faculty, Laura Scheer, Laura Jensen and Paige Glass, came and helped our alumni children with Easter themed crafts. Georgia Powell, Kate Powell, Reese Cadogan, Libby Wenz, Macie Milam, Hannah Ferdon, and Hannah Brewster, all in 6th grade, came to hide eggs and play with alumni children. Art teacher Meagan Brooker set up a photo station for cute spring pictures. The Easter Bunny kicked off the egg hunt and kept the party going with photo opportunities and dance moves. It was a morning full of smiles, giggles, and a quad polka dotted with plastic eggs. Make plans to join us next year on April 13, 2019!

COLLEGE ROAD SHOW “On the road again…” but not with Willie Nelson – with Wesleyan faculty! This spring, the Alumni office visited alumni on the campuses of Georgia Tech, Clemson, and Furman. Faculty scheduled substitutes, loaded up some swag, and met alumni of all ages down near Tech, in the IPTAY suite in Clemson, and in downtown Greenville. They may be Yellow Jackets, Tigers, or Purple Paladins – but they will forever be our Wolves! Keep an eye out for the College Road Show headed to new locations Fall 2018.

FURMAN

CLEMSON

GEORGIA TECH WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

JIM ANDERSEN CLASS OF 2003

EDITOR’S NOTE:

The following article illustrates how students views, goals and aspirations change over time. When Jim Andersen ’03 was at Wesleyan, his primary interests were golf and music. Jim will tell you that his “no homework” policy led him to take the lowest level math course he could his Senior year. After majoring in finance and minoring in music at Alabama, his first career job was a member of an alternative rock band. At 25, Jim did a major career change and got a job at a local bank. He soon started the banks financial derivative platform. Then he decided to get an MBA at Georgia Tech. While at Tech, well, we'll let him tell the story from there.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW:

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN THIS INDUSTRY?

In May 2017, with a few of my classmates from Georgia Tech’s MBA program, we formed an investment firm, Greybox Group. The idea to form Greybox Group arose in early 2017, when public knowledge of crypto assets was scarce, yet asset prices were starting to catch the attention of the technology and investment communities. Realizing there was untapped demand, I joined forces with a few of my Tech classmates who were experts in cryptology, systems engineering, startups, and investment management to develop products to address this growing need of retail investors. The goal of Graybox was to launch an investment/hedge fund which will provide a simple way for accredited investors to gain exposure to emerging crypto assets (bitcoin) and blockchain technologies. Our attorneys recently completed the fund’s legal formation, and now our attention is focused on honing our trading strategies and rigorously testing our proprietary storage solution. We plan to start accepting investments around the 3rd quarter of 2018.

My interest in cryptoassets began in 2015, while I was researching open source systems, monetary policy, and technological innovations. Around this time, distrust in centralized institutions was growing, fringe political movements were not only gaining momentum but winning elections, It seemed possible that the world was positioned for a technological revolution and cryptoassets could be at the center. Initially, our group invested in bitcoin to hedge against the outside chance of an economic collapse. A few months after our first bitcoin purchases, we saw how another cryptoasset, Ethereum, was enabling retail investors to participate in early stage investment opportunities that had once been available only to and institutional investors. We felt that a whole new capital source was emerging.

(Note: crypto assets are assets held in digital form rather than hard currency. Blockchain technology is a secure, decentralized and autonomous network to allow for open trading of digital assets).

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

ANY ANECDOTAL STORIES? There can’t be many better tests of emotional fortitude and discipline than investing in cryptoassets. Last year, it was not uncommon to experience a 500% positive monthly return, only to wake up the following morning to a 50% drawdown.

Even a small investor could see huge returns and major drops. One of my classmates started with $5000 he had saved from his job, saw it grow to over $3 million and then drop to $ 1 million all within a matter of months. Our investors will not have to be afraid of this kind of volatility.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EXCITING AND REWARDING PART ABOUT YOUR WORK? The most exciting part of my work is the growth potential of this asset class. By most accounts, this technology is still in its early adoption phase, a similar stage as the internet in the mid to late 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Total cryptoasset valuations comprise less than 0.2% of the total value of global stock markets and broad money supply, so this is still an extremely small subset of the global economy. Governments and global corporations have been investing heavily in this technology and some have recently started issuing their own cryptoassets. The most rewarding part is to allow individuals to share in the risk and rewards that in the past were only open to institutions. Another reward is

the education factor that while the well managed funds and traders may realize sizeable returns, those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fully investigate their market could lose of their assets. My girlfriend Claire, says that if this crypto experiment goes bust, I stand to lose a lot of friends. But, as the saying goes, all the world loves a winner... but losers... well you know the rest. So out of pure loneliness they might still answer my calls.

WHAT ROLE DID WESLEYAN PLAY IN YOUR CAREER PATH? The Wesleyan network is eager to help its alumni be successful. After my bank was acquired in 2015, I was interested in a change of scenery and turned to my brother David '01 for some ideas. He encouraged me to connect with Matt Cole, who took an interest in my career and became a mentor of mine. Matt also took an interest in my wallet and coerced me into a few donations to the Wesleyan alumni fund in his name. Ultimately, Matt encouraged me to head back to school and regularly connects me with other people in his network that share similar interests as me. One of those is second year Georgia Tech undergraduate superstar Tyler Harper '16, who we recently brought on as an intern.

WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

WESLEYAN SCHOOL

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID NORCROSS, GA PERMIT NO. 130

Office of Communications 5405 Spalding Drive Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 (770) 448-7640 Parents of Alumni: If this issue is addressed to your child who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, or if you would like to add a Class Note to the next magazine, please notify the Alumni Office. (Shelley Noble 678-223-2280 or snoble@wesleyanschool.org).

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GALA 2019