Wesleyan Spring Magazing 2012

W ESLEYA N

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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v o l u m e v i i i , i s s u e ii

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

SPRING | SUMMER 2012

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ADMINISTRATION Zach Young HEADMASTER Kathy Benson ASSISTANT HEADMASTER FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

WESLEYAN The Magazine of Wesleyan School • Volume VIII, Issue II

Chris Cleveland ASSISTANT HEADMASTER FOR ADVANCEMENT Matt Cole EXECUTIVE HEADMASTER FOR MAJOR GIFTS & PLANNED GIVING Joy Wood LOWER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Ramona Blankenship MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Sean Casey HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Andy Cook DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Billy Coxhead DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE Marc Khedouri DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Mari Beth King DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS Greg Lisson DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN LIFE Chad McDaniel DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS John Peed DIRECTOR OF FINE ARTS

WESLEYAN Magazine is published by the Communications Department of Wesleyan School and printed by Bennett Graphics.

Chris Cleveland ASSISTANT HEADMASTER FOR ADVANCEMENT

Mamie McIntosh GRAPHIC DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHERS Brian Morgan Kelly Morris Jim Worthington PROOFREADERS Carole Crighton Kendra Morris COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Morgan Special appreciation goes out to the parents, faculty and staff of Wesleyan School whose contributions make this magazine. successful. Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy within this magazine. However, please notify Chad McDaniel, Director of Communications, of any errors or omissions and accept our sincere apologies.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Chad McDaniel DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

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4 FEATURES:

Four alumni share how Wesleyan inspired them to live out their mission.

10 COMMENCEMENT 2012

Commencement weekend highlights including pictures and speeches from Baccalaureate and Commencement.

35 MISSION TRIPS

29 ARTIST MARKET 2012

Learn about each of the nine mission

trips through student reflections and photographs..

76 WELCOME TO WESLEYAN!

Read bios and view photos of all new faculty and staff joining the Wesleyan community in the fall. See faculty filling new positions in 2012.

Read details of Wesleyan’s Arts Alliance’s fourteenth annual Artist Market. Artists from all over the south exhibited their works to support Wesleyan Fine Arts.

82 WESLEYAN ALUMNI

Catch up on alumni news and notes, weddings, and children.

88 FINE ARTS CIRCLE OF

HONOR INDUCTEES 2012

Read about their years at Wesleyan and quotes from former coaches, and hear where they are now.

CONTENTS

Our Mission

Wesleyan’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.

WESLEYAN WESLEYAN MAGAZINE MAGAZINE • Spring | •Summer F all 2012 2011

2 LETTERS|OPENING 4 FEATURES 21 STUDENT NEWS 35 CHRISTIAN LIFE 47 LIBRARY NEWS 49 FINE ARTS 57 ATHLETICS 71 FACULTY NEWS 76 FACULTY ANNOUNCEMENTS 82 ALUMNI

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welcome

Dear Parents and Friends of Wesleyan,

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Zach Young Headmaster

The theme of this magazine is “Discovering Your Mission.”

In this publication you will learn about a few Wesleyan alumni and their connection to this theme.

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This may seem an unusual topic for the magazine of a K-12 school, since many consider the discovery of a life’s mission to be a topic to engage a bit later in life. Certainly, vocation and mission are not the same thing.

Your vocation is what you do to earn a living. Your mission is how you serve God and others in your life.

Albert Schweitzer, the great German missionary to Africa, theologian, musician, philosopher and winner of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize once said, “The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” Although we know that happiness and joy are not synonyms, one cannot hear such a quote without thinking of the J.O.Y. (Jesus, Others, Yourself ) motto of Wesleyan.

Schweitzer’s quote is the basic idea behind “discovering mission” and comes directly from the teachings of Jesus. “The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).

“For who is least among you all--he is the greatest” (Luke 9:48b). From a Christian standpoint, finding one’s mission is really an exercise in discovering how to become the best servant possible given your unique set of talents. From Wesleyan’s Christian worldview, discovering one’s mission of service should flow directly from our love for God. The reason we serve is not so that we can build our resumes for heaven (or obtain admission to selective colleges!) but out of love and gratitude for Jesus and his spectacular gracefilled love for us.

The Christian gospel is clear that we cannot earn our way into heaven. Any real spirit of service must spring from some other fount. Tim Keller, in his book King’s Cross, takes

an idea from C.S. Lewis when he describes that fount as a kind of dance. It has existed since the beginning of time between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He quotes theologian Cornelius Plantinga about the need for God’s servants to glorify one another: “The persons within God (the Trinity) exalt each other, commune with each other, and defer to one another…Each divine person harbors the others at the center of his being. In constant movement of overture and acceptance, each person envelops and encircles the others…God’s interior life therefore overflows with regard for others.”

Keller suggests that we are invited into that dance of the Trinity through our chosen missions of servant life. He says, “If from all eternity, without end and without beginning, ultimate reality is a community of persons knowing and loving one another, then ultimate reality is about love relationships.” The development of such relationships becomes the mission of our lives. We are invited by God to join the eternal dance. Schweitzer elsewhere acknowledges, “Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.”

As you read about our young alumni (remember our first class graduated in 1998), I hope you will see glimpses of this worldview. Our alumni have been encouraged at every level of their primary and secondary education by teachers who have found the bread of life that only the gospel of Jesus offers. May the seeds that were planted here reflect love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control as they discover their missions of service to God and others.

In Christ,

Zach Young Headmaster

welcome | board of trustees

Resolving Conf licts

Paradoxically, a book about resolving conflict in marriage tells us all we need to know about conflict in schools. In his book The Meaning of Marriage, Timothy Keller observes, “There’s nothing in the Bible about how schools should be run, even though they are critical to a flourishing society.” He concludes, “And so we are free to invent them and operate them in line with the general principles for human life that the Bible gives us.”

If Wesleyan is to pursue its mission in earnest then conflict should follow as well. Our conflicts result from our faith and the works of our faith and are therefore complicated by our pursuit of academic excellence and challenging the mind, body and spirit. Beyond spiritual conflict, we have curricular versus extracurricular time conflicts. We have arts versus athletics scheduling and budget conflicts. We have scheduling conflicts with mission trips and extracurricular schedules. We have curricular conflicts with prerequisites for honors and AP courses. The administration and faculty spend countless hours working with parents and students resolving conflicts.

As members of a school community, we seek God’s will for our unique and personal conflicts as well. When should a child be given a role in the play? When should a child be given extra credit or leeway in the grading of a paper? When should a child be awarded a position on the team? The faculty has many issues to consider in making these decisions. How can we help them resolve the multitude of daily conflicts they encounter?

Romans 12:2 gives us sound direction, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your

All schools deal with conflict. Wesleyan’s pursuit of a Christian mission results in students seeing the world from a Christian worldview. This worldview can lead to different outcome for our students in college selection and career perspective. We have alumni that are doctors, lawyers, accountants, consultants, and missionaries to list a few. No matter what direction they follow, the way will be paved by a Christian worldview. In contrast, most of our peer schools do not have the same outcome expectation or long-term vision; therefore, our conflicts should and will be different than those of our peers.

Wesleyan cannot avoid conflict so we must embrace it and use it to further our mission. Loving one another and understanding the other person’s position is the clear instruction God gives us.

In the book of Proverbs, Solomon gives us the ultimate instruction in our conflict resolution: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and humankind.”

In conclusion, Jeff Henderson, Senior Pastor of Gwinnett Northpoint Community Church recently shared a story of his mother’s explanation for the longevity of an incredible sixty-six year marriage to her husband. His mother said love and faithfulness, of course, played a huge role in their “successful” marriage; however, she also stated that spouses in good marriages also remember there is no “utopia” in this world. The same follows for Wesleyan.

We are trying to lead our students to the heaven that our God promises and there will be conflicts along the way!

May God Bless You. Rob Binion

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Conflicts may result in outcomes that are less than desirable in a culture seeking immediate gratification. As a school seeking to glorify God, we have succumbed to His will many times in making decisions for the direction of the school. The relocation of the school from Sandy Springs to Peachtree Corners was a monumental conflict in Wesleyan’s history. The relocation was inconvenient for many families in the short term perspective.

However, history has shown us that the move was the right thing for Wesleyan School and its families.

mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Rob Binion Chairman, Board of Trustees

Throughout history, Christianity and the pursuit of loving God have many built in conflicts. Grace versus truth; should a church adhere to God’s law or pursue grace at all cost? Breaking the law versus forgiveness; Eternal perspective versus temporal; Atonement by faith or by following the law; Good vs. evil; Jews and Gentiles. In fact, Jesus spent much of his teaching time with the “sinners” not the righteous. The Pharisees and elders believed this was the ultimate conflict. Additionally, the Bible itself is a compilation of books about relationships and journeys of faith and conflict. All conflict can ultimately be resolved through love, but if it were easy God would not have had to send His son for our redemption!

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LIVING YOUR MISSION written by Rebecca Carpenter, Class of ‘02 Alumni & Special Events Coordinator

recently had the opportunity to sit down with my church’s senior minister. It was a unique opportunity to meet with him one on one. Taking advantage of the moment, I asked him a question that has been on my mind a lot: “Do you think people ever miss their calling?” He thought for a moment, and then shook his head no. He explained that he always felt God ultimately wants us to desire Him- and to live our lives glorifying Him. If our heart is there, seeking Him, then He will honor that, and we will exalt Him through that. I still was not convinced; I still felt uneasy that I might miss my opportunity. My minister then leaned over, patted my shoulder, and told me, “Find where you see God, find where He makes you come alive, and get to that place every day.”

hearts and allows us to get closer to Him. He touches our hearts through places and with people, and Wesleyan is an environment that provides that connection. It provides teachers who invest, academic courses that inspire, and extra-circular activities to enrich and cultivate. And though the school’s charge is to impact the students, what Wesleyan’s mission ends up doing is challenging students, families, and graduates. It is through Wesleyan that our alumni get to find their passions.

Like last magazine, where we explored different ways that the Wesleyan family is living out their passions, we now want to venture how Wesleyan has inspired its graduates to live out their calling.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

While processing his words, I realized, as Christians we have many callings, and there are many ways that God pricks our

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ABOVE: Alumni panel (from left to right: Mark Rockett, ‘06, Anne Ashendorf, ‘04, Christie Groome, ‘03, Kelly Engleka, ‘01, LeLe LeSeur, ‘06, Stuart Lawler, ‘05, Daniel Gholston, ‘99, and Taylor Matheny, ‘05) give advice to current juniors and seniors.

features ALUMNI REFLECTION:

BROOKS PRETTYMAN, 2012 E

vergreen

attended Wesleyan starting in the fall of 1999: thirteen years. At this point, it feels like I have spent more time on campus than I have sleeping. I have experienced kindergarten nap-time, learning Psalm 24, the Easter play, confusing middle school years, freshman retreat, Wolfstock, prom, and every other benchmark experience imaginable. Although I have been a part of all these remarkable events, nothing has meant more to me during my time here than the overarching Wesleyan community of students, parents, and faculty, all lovingly looking out for each other.

Cruz Nueva is a small village of 173 families outside of Guatemala City. Our purpose as a team was to build latrines.

Before the trip, the leaders told me how little these villagers had, but I did not fully understand what they meant until I arrived. Most families have contaminated water, shacks

On the plane ride home, I realized how akin our Wesleyan community is to the community in Cruz Nueva. Granted, we have significantly more material items, but both places function similarly. I found this to be particularly true in how the student community reacts to and supports the Missions Program. Although only a little less than two hundred students actually go on the trips, the entire student body and alumni rally behind the cause and provide support that is vital to the trips. Specifically this past year, there were three fund-raising efforts by sections of the student community at three totally different ages and stages in life: the lower school, the senior class, and the alumni. All of these efforts involved part of the community giving to serve the whole. As an Evergreen, I have an unique perspective on each of them.

- cont’d. on page 6

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

In my experience, the aspect of Wesleyan that the school community has most wholly supported is the missions program. When March rolls around, everyone develops an astounding zeal to serve and come together under the fabled JOY banner. Obviously, this passion is most evident in the two hundred students and faculty who physically go out and become God’s hands and feet throughout the world. Personally, I have been on three mission trips, two to Romania and this year to Guatemala. My time in Romania was eye-opening, and I learned many lessons about the Lord’s boundless power and love. But my experience in Guatemala revealed more to me about the core theme of this article: community.

made out of cornstalks and tin roofs, primitive medicines, no bathroom, and very little money. But I never saw any sadness or complaining; they did not expect pity and instead overwhelmed the entire team with generosity. Despite their lack of basic living needs, the villagers were the most welcoming and joyful people I have ever encountered. Originally, I was shocked because their actions were so beyond the ordinary.

Then I noticed the camaraderie between the people and the extreme degree by which they supported each other despite age differences or social status. They were a single community, not a collection of 173 individual households. Yes, different people had different roles, but they all served and sacrificed for one another.

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everyone to see the impact that can be made if it has support from people who know what that purpose is. It is something that we, as students, can get behind and see results.” I could not have said it any better.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

When I was in lower school, I never had the opportunity to donate money to missions but I remember how much I looked up to the older kids who were going on the trips. I wrote them letters, asked them questions, and prayed for them the best I knew how. At the time, I did not know if my interest mattered at all to the high schoolers, but I remember how much I loved being involved. Now, since I have been on the receiving end of all those letters and prayers, I understand how life-giving the lower school students are and how strongly Christ’s love can radiate through people no matter how young. On top of that, the lower school has had a chance to break into their piggybanks and give financially of themselves, which is something I wish I could have done at that age. It is truly inspiring to watch them get up from their seats during the Commissioning Service and see their smiles as they drop their dollars into the baskets.

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This year an anonymous alumnus staged the inaugural “Lunches for Missions,” which presented the senior class with an opportunity to financially support their classmates. Over a series of three Wednesdays, the seniors went to McKeever in the library for pizza which was graciously paid for by this alumnus. Each lunch, the seniors chose to honor a different Wesleyan teacher who would share fun stories about the class of 2012 and talk about the importance of missions or service in his or her own life.

We were encouraged to donate ten dollars to missions each Wednesday, and it ended up being a massive success. Ninetyseven percent of seniors gave and two thousand dollars were raised – enough money to pay for someone’s entire trip. When I asked Senior Class President and close friend Garrett Busch about why he thought the seniors were so willing to give, he responded, “I think the Wesleyan Missions Program is so widespread and consistent in its purpose that it is easy for

A few weeks, I walked across the platform on Adler Plaza and received my diploma, officially becoming part of the Wesleyan Alumni. And when next year arrives and I am asked to give to the Wesleyan Missions Program, I will gladly give. Lauren Brown, class of 2009, expressed my sentiments perfectly when she told me, “Because of how influential Wesleyan’s Missions Program has been in my testimony, I was eager to give back in hopes to provide an opportunity to the Wesleyan community that someone else provided for me.” I think every Wesleyan alumnus who served on a trip knows how the Missions Program changed his or her life, and I doubt one of them thinks any student should miss out because of financial reasons.

Over the past thirteen years, it has been a pleasure to watch the Wesleyan community, and the Missions Program, grow into the thriving support-system it is today. It is my sincere hope that the community of students and alumni will continue to give to Missions so that more people can be commissioned to go out from Wesleyan, serve others, and advance God’s wondrous Kingdom in this world.

features ALUMNI REFLECTION:

MAGGIE WORTHINGTON, ‘06

At Wesleyan, the teachers believed in me when I had little faith in myself, they encouraged me when I was down, and they prayed for me when I was weak.

lthough I graduated from Wesleyan in 2006 and I have been living in Birmingham, Alabama ever since, Wesleyan is and will always be a part of me. This is because God used Wesleyan to mold me into the person I am today, to instill in me valuable life lessons, and to remind me to never give up. I came to Wesleyan in the third grade, the first year Wesleyan moved to the new campus.

During those years, I experienced the school in modular units and witnessed a beautiful campus transform from the ground up. As I reflect on the ten years I attended Wesleyan, countless stories and experiences come to mind.

I graduated from Samford University in 2010, Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in Family Studies and Child Development and a Spanish minor. I am currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alabama Birmingham and intend to graduate in December. I plan to specialize in pediatric occupational therapy where I hope to combine my love for children with my passion for health care.

I remember teachers at Wesleyan telling me that God is going to do great things in and through me. Despite having a challenging time at Wesleyan academically, these words began to ring true as I left the “Wesleyan Bubble” and began my own journey. I am forever grateful for Wesleyan School–for the relationships I built, the spiritual guidance I received, the lessons I learned, and the memories I made. For me, Wesleyan was a wonderful gift from God which I appreciate more and more over time.

At Wesleyan many things are possible, but with God all things are possible.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

• The time in fifth grade during a tornado when Mrs. Lacy protected each student and calmed our fears by praying over us and singing to us.

• The time when I missed two weeks of school to recover from a surgery and Mrs. Shupert brought me my school work and tutored me.

• The times my teachers came to my sporting events and cheered me on.

• The time I went on a mission trip to Romania and teachers mentored and fed me spiritually.

• The time when I was frustrated with my math skills (or lack thereof) and Mr. Dehem had faith in me.

• The time I injured my ankle and Coach Stepp came to my rescue.

• The time I sat crying in Mrs. Connolley’s office because I did not think I could get into my first choice college.

By God’s grace, I was accepted at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. I will never forget my first semester feeling like I was more than prepared and excelling for the first time in the academic realm. Teachers at Wesleyan heard the news of my success and let me know they were proud of me.

For the first time, I felt confident in my ability to achieve in the classroom; Wesleyan was instrumental in this success. Wesleyan provided the spiritual and academic foundation I needed for a successful college experience. I learned to never give up and to always pursue my dreams while trusting the Lord to shepherd my way in accordance with His will.

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features ALUMNI REFLECTION:

WHITNEY BOYD EDWARDS, ‘04

to be a positive influence in their lives is reward enough. The reward also lies in my ability to help them discover the areas of their passion and help lead them toward a future that will not only be fruitful monetarily, but spiritually.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

wise man once told me, “The most fulfilling career you will have is not necessarily the one that pays the most, but the one that encompasses the area of your passion.” This wise man was Mr. Matthew Crew, my Spanish teacher for two of my four years at Wesleyan. I have always been infatuated with language and enamored with Latin culture. I knew very early on that, in some capacity, I would be working with a Spanish-speaking population or assisting others to learn the language.

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The other thing that I was sure of was that I loved to teach.

During my junior year at Wesleyan, I started a tutoring session led by students, for students, called the, Spanish Study Session.

Anyone struggling in their Spanish course was welcome to attend. I made myself available every Thursday evening for those who needed assistance or enrichment. Sometimes, a couple other Honors classmates, who also happened to be my closest friends, would join me. On days when no students arrived for help, we would find humoring ways to entertain each other using the Spanish language. We would usually spend the hours of 5:30-7:30 p.m. on those Thursdays as our Latin alter egos–Taco, Flaco, and Queso. These were my compadres in and outside the classroom.

The third thing I knew for sure is that whatever profession I chose would have to be directly in alignment with my calling.

We all are called to serve and please God within our professions and our lives, but our paths of service differ based on our talents, passions, and areas of interest. Teaching is not the most monetarily rewarding of professions, but the rewards that it offers far exceeds what can be counted in one’s pocket. To simply have everyday access to tomorrow’s leaders and be able

God placed it on my heart early on to be an agent of change in people’s lives, so I consider it a personal charge to catalyze a process of broadening and deepening people’s perspectives when it comes to culture and the differences between them.

Differences are to be embraced and appreciated. When asked, “So what do you do?” I chuckle at the blank stare, and subsequent, “So you teach Spanish?” An African-American woman teaching high school Spanish seems to be out of the scope of normality for many, but for me, I’ve always made it a personal objective to break molds and establish new standards of expectation. Yes, I teach Spanish, and my passion for what I do reflects in and outside of the classroom. It is certain that God blessed me that I may be a blessing to others, and His light shines through me daily.

When you work in an area that you love, it can hardly be considered work. I did not understand the depth of this piece of wisdom until I began living it. After graduating from Wesleyan, I attended Agnes Scott College where I had planned to double major in English and Spanish with a minor in African-American Studies. However, after my first year, I transferred to Georgia State University and completed my Bachelor of Arts in AfricanAmerican Studies (concentration in Social Behavioral Science) with a minor in Spanish. I went on to complete my Master of Arts in Pan-African Studies at the University of Louisville, where I also obtained a Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies.

I am now teaching, tutoring, counseling, and mentoring with the “hunger for life that gnaws in us all” (Richard Wright, Black Boy). My life story is still being written, and I give thanks every day that the Author of my story knows and provides my every need. The passion with which I serve is the passion with which I live.

features ALUMNI REFLECTION:

CALDER JUSTICE, ‘02

s an alumnus attending the Wesleyan Mission Trip Commissioning Service, I was extremely impressed with the student body’s desire to serve and seek out God by traveling to third world countries and deprived areas in our own country. These mission trips provide a dose of reality and a designated time of spiritual growth and should be a cornerstone of every student’s Wesleyan education.

The number of global and local lives touched by Wesleyan students and faculty will make an immeasurable impact around the world. The Commissioning Service made me very proud to be a Wesleyan Alumnus and also a bit regretful that I did not sign up for one of the inaugural mission trips during my final years of high school.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Missions took on a fuller meaning to me in 2010 when I went on my first mission trip. At twenty-six, it was the most humbling experience I had ever had. I was given the opportunity to become close with a group of people over a week’s time, which would normally have taken years of fellowship to achieve that level of friendship. That summer I co-led another mission trip, but this time there were forty-seven high school kids on the trip, adding a new level of adventure. On this trip, I needed to be a leader as well as a follower, which can be difficult at times!

I recently returned from a mission trip to Cuba that exposed some of the challenges that Christians and non-Christians alike are facing in Socialist societies.

After observing current Wesleyan students seeking lifetransforming journeys in serving others as I have in my own life, I can confidently say (and many Wesleyan alumni agree) that Wesleyan’s emphasis on missions is one of the best things about the school. I am pleased to be a part of it through giving to the alumni fund.

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baccalaureate

2012

BACCALAUREATE

ADDRESS given by Matt Crew, Director of Studies

• What are your plans?

• Where are you planning on going to college?

• What are you planning on majoring in?

• What do you plan to do with that degree?

• Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

• Are you planning for your future?

These are some scary questions!

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

ood evening! First of all, let me say that I am truly honored to be here. Congratulations to the Class of 2012! I hope Wesleyan has been as big a blessing to you as it has been to me. This must be such an exciting time for you. I remember sitting in my baccalaureate service some 100 years ago. I’m trying to remember all the plans I had back then. It’s funny how life rarely turns out the way you planned it. If you think back to a year ago, I’ll bet many of you had plans that were different from what you’re planning now. For some of you, your plans worked out exactly as you had envisioned; but for others, you realized that you’d have to trust God to take you in the right direction.

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Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Another translation says, “Seek His will…”

This verse also goes well with Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m at a critical juncture in my life, it’s really comforting for me to read verses like those. God has plans for us! Isn’t that exciting? When you’re a senior about to graduate, it’s only normal that you think a lot about your future and what your plans are. In fact, I’ll bet most of you have been asked these questions or questions like these:

Unfortunately, too often we are more focused on our plans rather than God’s plans for us–and there is a big difference between the plans. God’s plans for us are always better than our plans. Don’t get me wrong–I’m certainly not saying that we shouldn’t make plans of our own. I’m just saying that the God of the universe knows better than we do how our lives should be.

You see, my life is nothing like I thought it would be. It’s a bit of a minor miracle that I’m here tonight, and I don’t just mean “here” at baccalaureate. To understand what I mean, I need to give you some background information. I grew up in a small town in Georgia. It’s about seventy-five miles from here. To be honest, I’m not really comfortable talking about my past. There are people who have known me for years and years—yet they have never heard this story.

It would be no exaggeration to say that I came from a very poor family. In fact, we were probably some of the poorest people in town. Even other poor people would look at us with pity and say how unfortunate we were. We were only slightly better off than homeless people. We lived in an apartment house for most of my childhood. An apartment house is exactly what it sounds like. It’s an old house that the owner has divided into apartments for rent.

We lived in an apartment with one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and one bathroom. There were seven of us, so we had beds in the living room and a bed in the kitchen. Our heat came from the kitchen stove and a wood-burning fireplace, and space heaters.

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2012

did get a brand new red man’s bike for Christmas that year and a Captain America T-shirt! I was so happy with my man’s bike.

Unfortunately, it really was a man’s bike. I was only nine, and it was too big for me. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I couldn’t even get on it without first standing on the front porch and pushing off with a running start.

Problem solved! However, I found that I could not stop the bike once I got going. If I stopped, I had to get off the bike and walk it back home, so I would avoid stopping. One day, I was riding my bike around the neighborhood wearing my Captain America T-shirt and went right through an intersection without stopping.

Unfortunately, a car was speeding through the same intersection at the same time. I was hit by the car. I was thrown into the windshield and the bike was crushed under the car and destroyed.

The house was old and had no insulation, so the pipes froze every winter, leaving us without running water for weeks at a time.

People would look at us with pity and say how unlucky we were.

When I was nine years old, I wanted so badly to have a bicycle for Christmas. My older sisters had a bike that they shared, and they would let me ride it too. However, it was a girl’s bike! Now, when I say GIRL’S bike, I mean it. It had the little basket on front of the handlebars and it was pink! Now in my neighborhood, a boy riding a pink girl’s bike was just asking for it. Fortunately, I

It wasn’t until much later that I began to see the chain of events in my life that have brought me to this place in time. I don’t have time to get into all of that tonight, but I know it’s not luck; it’s not a coincidence; it’s not chance or happenstance. God has plans for me, and He has plans for you as well! Considering all the things that have happened to me, it would be very easy for me to think the opposite. I was a poor minority living in rural Georgia.

I had little hope for a bright future. I had almost died at the age of nine. I lived in a racially charged community still reeling from the pain of the Civil Rights Movement. Segregation was still widespread. Black and Whites didn’t intermingle in my town. My life expectancy was low. Nothing was expected of me. I had few opportunities for success in life. Most people in my neighborhood were considered lucky if they just finished high school and stayed

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When you face obstacles like that, you begin to wonder and ask God, “Where are these plans you had for me? Surely, this isn’t it? There has to be more. What am I missing? Why do I have to suffer so much? It seems so hard to trust in You now.” When things are going well, it seems so much easier to praise God and to give thanks and trust in Him. But what happens to our faith when things aren’t so great? What happens when you not only face trials, but tragedy in your life? Well, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Wow! That seems like a tall order. Why should I pray? What reason did I have to give thanks? This was God’s will for me? How could we rejoice?

Somehow we did.

The only thing I remember is waking up in the arms of the people who had hit me with their car. They were strangers. Dazed and confused, I couldn’t answer their questions. I was not sure what had happened. They were so happy I was alive. Apparently, it seemed for a while that I was dead. Finally, my mother and sisters arrived. I was immediately afraid that I would be punished for having destroyed the bike; but instead, they were happy I was alive and rushed me to the hospital. I had a concussion and a subdural hematoma. Of course, the doctor didn’t say that. She just said I had a big goose egg on my head and that I was “lucky” to be alive.

You see, I had fallen on top of the car instead of under it (like the bike). If I had fallen under the car, I would have been crushed to death. End of story. My grandmother told me “God had delivered me.” I wasn’t really sure what that meant. Wasn’t it just dumb luck that I survived? Many people told me I was lucky. A few others said I had been blessed by God. I didn’t know what to think. All I knew is I had almost died, but somehow I was alive! Hallelujah!

-cont’d. on page 12

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out of jail. Whether I knew it or not, God had plans for me. He had delivered me, and I had the bump on my head to prove it!

You know something funny… after the swelling went down, all my hair fell out where I had that huge bump on my head. I was the only fourth grader with a bald spot. And I was back to riding the pink bike again! The only thing missing was a kick me sign on my back! Thanks, God!

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To make things worse, a couple of years later, that old house caught on fire in the middle of the night. We were all soundly asleep. It just so happened that someone was driving by and saw the smoke and flames. He banged on the door and we all got out safely. Once again, I had escaped another brush with death. But now, we were homeless.

The house was later condemned and declared unfit to live in. We all had to move in with family members. I moved in with my grandparents. My grandmother, who passed away ten years ago, taught me about Jesus through her example of Christian living.

She was always thanking God for everything, and she told me I was special and spoke blessings over me. She insisted we all go to church each Sunday. Later, I accepted Jesus into my heart and was baptized. God had saved me at least twice from death and destruction. Now He had saved my soul as well. Oh, praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead! Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe. Later on, my family moved into a four bedroom apartment. It seemed like a mansion to us! Isaiah tells us to “wait on the Lord.”

I later came to believe that life isn’t just a series of meaningless random events. When things don’t work out the way we planned, we mustn’t discount the fact that God has plans for us. As seniors,

you sometime face disappointments. Maybe you didn’t get into your first choice for college? Then consider that your second or third choice is really the best place for you right now. I know I felt blessed just to be able to attend college. I didn’t get into my first choice either, but the second choice worked out great for me! When you know that God is the God of the universe and that He created all that is, all that was, and all that ever will be, your perspective changes. When you know that He loves us so much that He sent his Son to die for us, your perspective changes. You know it’s not about luck, chance, or happenstance.

One of my favorite shows on Netflix is this show “The Universe.”

It’s about stars, galaxies, and planets. I’ve noticed that the show has a recurring theme. They are always talking about how lucky we are as human beings. We are lucky the earth formed when and where it did. They say we are just the right distance from the sun to support life, as we know it. If we were closer to the sun, the oceans would literally boil and evaporate, making human life impossible. They say if we were further away from the Sun, the opposite would happen. The oceans would freeze, making this one giant ice planet (not unlike something you’ve seen in Star Wars or Star Trek). Aren’t we lucky? But I know better! I know God has plans for us…and they are so much better than what we plan for ourselves. Therefore, I say Holy is the Lord, God Almighty! The Earth is filled with His Glory!

Psalm 127: “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” To me, that means that we can make all the plans we want, but there is nothing we can plan for ourselves that will be better than what God has in store for us.

As you graduate and go off to college and you think about what you want to do with your life, let me challenge you to ask God what He wants you to do with the life He’s given you. It’ll change your life—literally! Let us pray.

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CLASS OF 2012

APPRECIATION ADDRESS given by Kristin Davis, Class of 2012 Salutatorian

ood morning! Chairman Binion, Board of Trustees, Headmaster Young, Faculty, Staff, Graduates, Family and Friends,

No other word describes Wesleyan better than family, and our teachers exemplify this word daily. At Wesleyan, teachers don’t just teach in the classrooms, they teach on the courts and fields, Friday during chapel, on the mission field, the theater stage, and daily by example. Thank you teachers for being committed to every part of our lives, and thank you for going to great lengths to make sure we are doing our best. It’s not unusual to see you

The part of the Wesleyan family we often take for granted the most is our parents. We wouldn’t be here, literally, without our parents. So, first of all, thank you for giving us life! Though they often work behind the scenes, Wesleyan parents have made so much possible. From the Teddy Bear Tea and Easter play to delicious “senior snacks” and graduation parties, you have worked tirelessly to give us the best possible experience.

Just like our teachers, you have invested so much time in us whether it’s spending hours trying to relearn eighth grade math - cont’d. on page 14

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Standing here, I can’t believe our time in the “Wesleyan bubble” is coming to an end! For thirty-nine Evergreens, including me, this is the end of a 13-year journey together. Regardless of how long you’ve been here, each of us has felt the influence of Wesleyan. Today we are better, more mature individuals. And now, we are ready to move on bravely into a new world. We often think we can do it by ourselves, but we wouldn’t be the amazing people we are today without the support of our teachers, parents, and each other. As we pause and catch our breaths from the rush of getting ready for this moment, it’s is a pleasure to take time to simply say, “Thank you.” And lucky me, I get to do just that!

staying long after the school day ends to make sure a student understands a complicated concept. When I recently had a test and an exam on the same day, my teacher readily changed the test schedule so I could do my best. Like leaders of a family, you have challenged us to work our hardest while always being there to support us if we fall. Often at Wesleyan people focus on success, however, you also have also taught me that I will mess up. I’ve learned that admitting my own mistakes is often a better quality than great talent. When a certain AP chemistry lab went awry and our new principal was observing, a ceiling tile was completely destroyed from an explosion! Our teacher was quick to admit her mistake, laugh at herself, and never resorted to blaming us for the mishap. Even when we make mistakes, you are always there to encourage. I know many of you leave notes of encouragement in student’s lockers when they’re having a tough time or just randomly to say you were thinking about us. Teachers, we often go through our days and forget just how much work you put into us, in and out of the classroom. Thanks for the time you’ve invested in each of us, the humility you’ve demonstrated for us, and the encouragement you’ve given us to work toward our highest potential.

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so that you can explain it to us, or simply being an example of how we should act as mature adults. Parents, thanks for making Wesleyan better than it already is, and thank you for continuing to teach us not just school lessons but life lessons.

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Although our teachers and parents have had a significant effect in our lives, no influence is greater on us than each other. On the first day of the school year, instead of basking in the glory of being high school seniors, many of us came to school early and passed out doughnuts to the underclassmen. Though this was a one small act of kindness, we set a precedent of servant leadership that carried on throughout the year and united not just the individual grades but also the entire high school as one community. For almost every major holiday, you could be seen spending hours preparing and distributing treats in everyone’s lockers. Class of 2012, I’m proud to say that I’m a member of such a great family of seniors. Thank you for demonstrating to the entire high school that the best leaders are those who put others before themselves. I know we’ve left a lasting mark on Wesleyan, and others after us will continue to live out the precedent we started.

It is impossible to repay everyone in our Wesleyan family for what they have done for us. And no words express our gratitude except, “Thank you.” As a class we have grown, changed, and matured into the young adults we are today because of the support of you, teachers, parents and fellow graduates. We’re truly grateful for all of the experiences we’ve had here; our time has come to leave. And now, with hearts full of gratitude, it’s time - burst the bubble! Congratulations Class of 2012!

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CLASS OF 2012

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS given by Nathan Grice, Class of 2012 Valedictorian photography by Gillian Mauldin

ood morning Chairman Binion, Board of Trustees, Headmaster Young, faculty, staff, graduates, family, and friends. Kristin did a great job showing our gratitude just now, but I’d like to take a moment to thank this school and its faculty for everything you’ve done to shape me. It’s pretty telling that both the valedictorian and salutatorian are evergreens, having been here since kindergarten. It just goes to show what an impact the last thirteen years of Wesleyan have had on us.

In a surprisingly poignant dialogue in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the title character finds herself asking directions of the Cheshire Cat. She says she doesn’t care where she goes, so long as she gets somewhere. The Cat replies that it doesn’t matter which way she goes, for she’s sure to get somewhere if she only

I invite you to take a moment and reflect on the particular lens through which you view yourself. This, for some of you, is the sport you do for fun, not for letters – or your definition may revolve around a particular play that reshaped how you view - cont’d. on page 16

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Throughout our lives, we’ve all forged our own trails, down which no one has ever trod, and leaving footsteps no one can ever follow. Seniors, our time at Wesleyan has been unlike anybody else’s; we’ve distinguished ourselves in one hundred and five different ways, and we define ourselves in ways that are distinctly ours. However, even the definitions we use fail to capture the essence of who we really are. And so, as our paths lead us to the untested waters of college, I invite you not to let your definitions cement you into being someone or something that you’re not.

walks long enough. Reading this a few weeks ago, I was struck by how perfectly this applied to what I’m saying now. I was told that my speech was supposed to look forward as we head off into college, and it’s here that we truly begin to distinguish ourselves from the rest of the pack. Remember that we all have our own paths to follow, and every path is unique. We start and end at different places, and very few of us will find ourselves at the end of our path alongside others here with us today. We must remember that what we’ve experienced at Wesleyan was a brief convergence, a mere instant when our paths crossed and we walked alongside each other. In whatever capacity your path joins with others throughout college and beyond, I urge you to remember that your life is your own. You all have unique beginnings, and you have had your own experiences, and so it must ultimately be your own destination. Although our paths will not all finish at the same place, nor at the same time, and although some paths may be more circuitous than others, you mustn’t let your life be tailored by others – or even by how you define yourself here and now.

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theater. Hopefully we all define ourselves through our faith, our connection to God. But you also may define yourself in comparison to a more popular brother, a smarter sister, or a friend who always outperforms you on the field. The question that you must ask is: which definitions really matter? Which ones are going to spur you on, chasing after what interests and excites you? Which ones will make you follow your passions to live a genuinely individual life? And which definitions are going to make you doubt your worth and rob you of satisfaction? What I’ve said bears repeating: your path is unique. You’re a unique person, created by God with a unique purpose in mind. Why, then, should you chart a course with the goal of being a replica – an unremarkable copy? Rather, define yourself in such a way that your path is your own. To that end, college is a chance for a re-examination of how you define yourselves. Although many questions may arise as you take a hard look at yourselves, one question towers over the rest; is how you define yourself a result of how other people have come to view you? To put it another way, are you simply conforming to the way that others view you? If this is the case for you, then college can be a fresh start.

It’s an intensely social setting, one with a heavy emphasis on interdependence and relationships – and you have a blank slate.

Very few people at your college will have any idea how you were viewed in high school, and you have the freedom to create a new persona and a new definition, one that’s more in tune with your

true self. And so, my advice is that you hold fast to the definitions that are accurate and beneficial and throw away those that don’t reflect who you are. As we move into college life, I hope that your goal is not to be one of the crowd, or to please others, but to be yourself, whoever that is. Maybe that’s a scary thing; maybe you’ve never thrown caution to the wind – never reveled in your originality, regardless of what others think. However, the most worthwhile experience is found in trailblazing, not in following the status quo.

I’d like to take a moment here to return to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland for one final insight. This is taken from the end of the book, when Alice has awoken and told the story of Wonderland to her sister. The sister reflected on Alice’s charming innocence, and imagined what Alice would be like all grown up.

Alice wouldn’t be special because of her beauty, or her intellect; rather, Alice would be recognized because of how she never let go of her youth and kept with her all the experiences of her childhood. This, then, is the final thought I want to leave to the 2012 seniors; Wesleyan has had a tremendous impact on all of us in helping us find our unique paths. As we go to college, I hope that we all do our part to carry with us the spirit of Wesleyan and the spirit of God, and in so doing, represent ourselves, our school, and our faith in a pleasing light. Congratulations, seniors.

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CLASS OF 2012

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS given by Bill Warren, Trustee and father of Cole (‘12)

hank you, Mr. Young, for the kind introduction and for affording me the distinct privilege and timely opportunity to share from my heart a few lucid and meaningful thoughts.

2012 graduates, I am very honored to be addressing you at this time. For Jeremy, Jamie, Mason, Nick, Garrett and Joseph – I hold a unique position of knowing you since birth as your pediatrician. For the Evergreens, I witnessed your early years in the trailers; or more properly said, the modular education units.

I tasted your stone soup and attended the Tony Award winning musical, The Three Piggy Opera. I have watched you perform in plays, in the band, and have attended more sporting events than I am able to count. As ninth graders many of you, along with your parents, dedicated a Saturday to moving and unpacking The Good Samaritan Health Center on our journey from Ivan Allen Street to Hollowell Parkway. You have become Eagle Scouts, grown through mission and service endeavors, served ably as peer leaders, and achieved academic honors. For a moment, think about your high school experience and all that you have accomplished. You have much to be proud of.

Before your minds go elsewhere, look at your classmates, your teachers, coaches, and parents. As stewards of the resources that God has given them, they have invested their time, energy, and hearts in making you what you are today. Allow this thought of stewardship and the event of your graduation to become indelibly inscribed on the tablets of your minds. Savor this moment and do not allow it to pass quickly as this is a “Wow Moment,” an event which takes your breath away. Wow Moments add richness and purpose to life, are watershed experiences altering the course of life and the future.

Moses had one such moment as we read in Exodus chapter 3, “Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, and he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of the bush…

This graduation is a “Wow Moment” for me as it is a first and a last. It is my first graduation address and the occasion of my last child’s high school graduation. For you, as well, this is an ending and a beginning which is a picture of life.

Graduations are opportunities for speakers to share their most important life lessons -those which are learned through years of experience, trial and error, and from garnering the wisdom of their elders. I have been so incredibly fortunate to have wonderful parents and grandparents, a wise wife, three children, teachers and coaches – all of whom God brought into my life. Each of these touched me in profoundly important ways. And, I am the person I am today because of them. However, today, I want to tell you of some of the important life lessons that I learned through the stories of three rather unique heroes of mine. These are men who taught, influenced, nurtured, and developed me - men who exhibited great moral integrity and character, possessing qualities which truly matter. Two of them I personally knew; one I never had the opportunity to meet. To one, during my formative years, I am tethered by the unbreakable bonds of friendship and love for a common place. To another I am forever imprinted by the timeless strand of his DNA. And to the third, I am linked by the devotion to a shared profession and a common calling during my adult years. I was placed in the stewardship of each of them.

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I know you are ready to get on with this graduation, toss your mortarboard hats into the air and celebrate summer. But before you do that, you know those navy blazers that each of you so lovingly, tenderly, and permanently stored in the trunk of your car? You have my permission to toss those away, as well.

God called Moses from the midst of the bush and said, “’Moses!’ And Moses replied, ‘Here I am.’” As you recall from your Bible class, this encounter with God dramatically altered the course of Moses’ life.

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My first hero, George Merrow, born in 1916, was an employee of my family on Cumberland Island, the home of his birth and place where my family vacationed. As a two year old when I first met George, I had no way of knowing that this encounter would be the beginning of an enduring friendship only put on pause by his death in 1996 and that he was much more than a hired hand, as you will see.

aught” buckshot, fired, and killed my first deer. He taught me how to clean a fish and gut a rabbit. Although I was more in the way than helpful, George was always patient, never expressing disapproval, a cross word, or an impertinent comment. Even though he taught me so much, he taught me even more when he stood shoulder to shoulder with me after a driving accident, something you may be able to relate to. Here is what happened.

I was a 14 year old boy when on a blistering hot, humid afternoon in August as the sun burned in the sky I went tooling around in my father’s dune buggy. For those who are unfamiliar with the finer points of a dune buggy, let me explain. A dune buggy is a Volkswagen Beetle from which the heavy metal body has been removed and replaced with an open, lightweight fiberglass one.

The engine has been souped up, a roll bar attached for safety, glass pack exhaust added creating an engine roar, and big slick racing tires installed on the rear wheels. Thus, I had a light weight, high horse power, gasoline guzzling, engine revving, earth shaking, ear deafening, heart throbbing machine, and the steering wheel was in my hands. And it was mine! All mine!

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George, who never completed middle school, served our country and the cause of freedom fighting as a soldier in General George Patton’s Third Army against the Germans who sought to destroy the nations of Europe and imperil America. He never earned more than a few thousand dollars a year as a manual laborer, was never given awards nor recognized for meritorious achievements, was not a president of a company, nor ever elected to political office. He served on no boards, made no scientific discoveries, and never applied for a patent. By all accounts and by many measures, he would simply be an ordinary American. Yet, he was truly extraordinary.

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He was a little boy’s best buddy as he raised my brothers, cousins, and me during those idyllic summer and fall days we spent growing up on Cumberland Island. Only accessible by water, our much anticipated family vacation would begin as our boat approached the dock on the Cumberland River, and there standing tall on the decking and even taller in life was George ready to greet me.

Likewise, when we departed the island for our return to Atlanta, he was there bidding me a sad farewell until the next time I would return to the place of my dreams.

George took me, an uninitiated city boy, and taught me the finer points of how to catch a sheepshead fish using a hand line of string baited with a fiddler crab, and then how to wrestle the thrashing wild beast from the depths of Christmas creek, our favorite fishing spot. I also assisted him in the messy jobs of slopping hogs and auto mechanics. If he could drink the foul smelling sulfa water which percolated from the artesian wells on the property, then I could as well. And, I did. He was sitting by my side very early on a November morning just after Thanksgiving when, nervously, I leveled my 12 gauge automatic shot gun loaded with “double

Anyway, with my younger brother riding shotgun, we were two Formula One racers ready to take the checkered flag as we drove along one of the soft, sandy, wheel rutted island roads on our way home from Lake Whitney. Now, I am quite certain that I was obeying the speed limit. The truth is that there is no speed limit on Cumberland Island, only that imposed by the trepidation of the driver, and this driver had little to fear. Suddenly, out of nowhere an imposing, menacing, unmovable, unforgiving south Georgia Long Leaf pine tree had the audacity to jump out in front of my vehicle, crashing into the left front fender, cracking and splintering the finely crafted fiberglass body. How dare that tree dare do this to me, I thought!

Well, the truth is that maybe, just maybe I was driving a little too fast and taking too much risk when a road rut caught my front wheels yanking my dune buggy off the road to the right. Being the novice driver that I was, I over corrected by steering to the left and slammed into a pine tree just off the road. As you can imagine, my countenance in a moment went from being an overly confident teenager having a splendid joy ride in a fast dune buggy to that of, “I am in big trouble now!”

Full of trepidation which I lacked only minutes before, I very cautiously, carefully, and slowly drove the fractured vehicle and my fractured ego to our home hoping and praying that it would be a while, maybe even never, before my father appeared knowing that I had a lot of explaining to do.

Fortunately, God heard my prayers where, upon my return home, I was met by George who saw the all too obvious damage and wanted to know what had happened. Hoping for a little sympathy, George said, “Gooey – as he often called us kids – you are going to the jail house now!” What comforting and reassuring words these were. And he followed, “You got to tell your father.”

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When I was finally able to muster the courage to speak with my dad, George went with me as my counselor, lawyer, advocate, friend and if necessary my minister who could give me my last rites. To my surprise, my father wasn’t even the least bit upset.

Maybe he had done the same thing as a boy. Maybe he realized that I had learned my lesson. But, I honestly believe that it was because George, a man for whom my father had the utmost respect, was standing at my side.

All of those formative childhood years spent with George gave me an education of extraordinary value. I was just a little kid, yet he treated me as someone special. He was patient and took the time to teach me the “manly things.” During my frightening time, he stood by me when I wanted to run and hide. But more than all of this, I now realize that George possessed the fruit of the spirit as described by the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22 , “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol”. He was a man who lived these Godly qualities before me in everyday life.

Graduates, you may already have a “George” in your life or may have one in the future. I encourage you to learn from him and appreciate what he has done for you. Then, when the opportunity presents itself, be a George to others as you model a Christ-like life before them.

Asa Candler had a strong desire for Atlanta to be the home of a great Godcentered university. To achieve that goal in 1914, he donated property he owned in Druid Hills as an inducement to move Emory, a small Methodist college, from Oxford, Georgia. Along with this gift of land, he also made a significant financial

contribution establishing an endowment to sustain the school. Let me read excerpts from a letter he wrote to his brother in 1914 outlining his contribution and sharing his view of the stewardship of the resources God had entrusted to his care.

He begins by writing that he is “impelled by a deep sense of duty to God and an earnest desire to do good for my fellow man…,” and that, “God has blessed me….with this world’s goods as to constitute a sacred trust that I must administer…to His will.” He concludes by saying that his gifting to Emory is offered to “its founding” and that the university will be for “the blessing of men and to the glory of God.” Asa Candler’s view of “the world’s goods, a sacred trust” as he calls wealth in his letter, lies in stark contrast to the view held by many of today’s wealthiest people who, in many cases, do not acknowledge the Giver of wealth. Rather, too many people today focus on gaining wealth for the sake of wealth, using wealth as a means of keeping a score card for comparison, and promoting self in today’s narcissistic culture. Too often the genuine origin of wealth is forgotten or conveniently ignored and replaced by the god of self-interest. Unfortunately, the things of eternal value: relationships, serving others in the name of Christ, caring for the least of these among us, influencing and disciplining young Christians, concern for the down trodden, and honoring God are relegated to a category of ancient stories and fables, irrelevant in today’s times.

Class of 2012, you, too, have been given a “sacred trust.” The education you have received at Wesleyan, the foundation of a good home provided by your parents, the friendships you have cultivated, the talents you possess, and the time you have been granted are all resources given by God to you as a “sacred trust.”

My great- great grandfather’s belief and mine, as well, is that when these resources are put in our hands – that we are merely God’s stewards – granted the responsibility of using these resources for His purpose. Asa Candler understood his role as God’s steward and lived as Jesus said in Luke 12:48, “From everyone who has been given much shall much be required; to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Each of us has been given an abundance. Think about what that is for you. Then utilize these abundant resources in prudently building God’s kingdom.

Finally, sharing a common profession and a distinctive calling is what connects me with Dr Sam Poole, a 1949 graduate of Emory School of Medicine. After completing his post graduate studies in internal medicine and cardiology, Dr. Poole dedicated his - cont’d. on page 20

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Another of my heroes who died many years before my birth not only imprinted me with his DNA, but more importantly with his character as he significantly and indelibly influenced his son who raised a devoted daughter who in turn nurtured a child who is my father. Each of them impacted my life in so many profound ways.

I may not have sat at the feet of my great-great grandfather, Asa Candler, founder of the Coca Cola Company, but with him I am intimately and eternally linked by the legacy of understanding the stewardship of God’s resources and the enormous responsibility that comes with holding them. Please know—I am not limiting resources to only the financial ones but rather including all resources such as the time you are given, your talents, your relationships, your place in the world, your education, and your sphere of influence. Each of these resources is a “sacred trust” as Asa Candler called them, given by God to us, His stewards. Here is one event in his life which teaches this principle.

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career to those of the rural community of Gainesville, Georgia. He was a pioneer in founding Gainesville’s first coronary care unit and was the first Director of Cardiology at Northeast Medical Center.

As if his life could not become more interesting and challenging, upon retirement at age 67, he entered a second, more “lucrative” career when he became an unpaid, full-time physician and medical director of Good News at Noon which is a charitable, Christian medical and dental clinic serving Gainesville’s less fortunate and marginalized residents. Despite suffering from chronic, daily back pain and Type II diabetes, he continued to practice medicine until his death at age 81 in 2006.

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I first met Dr. Poole in 1995 when I began volunteering as a pediatrician at Good News at Noon. At that time in my life, I had just left my private pediatric practice in Sandy Springs in order to develop and start The Good Samaritan Health Center, and I know God divinely placed Dr. Poole in my life. He became one of my mentors from whom I learned both a practical and a Christian way of delivering health care to the indigent. Through my time with Dr. Poole, I came to understand that he believed that everyone should have access to medical and dental care irrespective of one’s income or health insurance status. More than once I heard him say, “Being poor is awful; being poor and sick is tragic.” He desperately wanted everyone in his community to have a caring and competent medical professional who would carefully assess each person’s needs and then provide the support and education necessary to improve the patient’s health, well-being, and quality of life.

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Having founded and now directing The Good Samaritan Health Center which provides healthcare for Atlanta’s neediest residents, I share many of Dr. Poole’s experiences, concerns and solutions for those who often lack access to a doctor, dentist or mental health counselor. Dr. Poole, through his words, and more importantly, by his actions, taught me how to convert compassion into action by genuinely caring for the poor. At the Good Samaritan Health Center, we do this daily by treating our patients with dignity and respect and by charging them an affordable fee for the care they receive. In so doing, patients take ownership of their health.

Dr. Poole also inspired me to remain resolute to the purpose to which God had called me in spite of adversity, distractions and naysayers. During the early years just after The Good Samaritan Health Center had opened, I became discouraged as our building was broken into four times. In the process, the thieves not only stole computers, equipment and educational televisions, but they also destroyed our doors, ceilings, windows, and the roof. We also had numerous car break-ins including my own, illegal parking on our lot which prevented patients from accessing the services they needed, and more than once we were threatened by those who

wanted to harm us. There were times, believe it or not, when I thought, “Why am I here?” And, “Why do I insist on doing this work when I could be back at Sandy Springs Pediatrics where I did not have so much trouble?” During these hardships and setbacks, I reflected back on Dr. Poole who never gave up, and his example inspired me to never quit, as well. Finally, Dr. Poole’s example taught me the value of fidelity and devotion to our God-centered mission which is the ultimate worthy cause. For without God directing our efforts, everything would be a waste of time.

As eighteen years olds, you may not yet know God’s calling on your life. And, that’s okay. It wasn’t until I completed my third year in medical school that I sensed God’s leading me into providing healthcare for the poor. Then it was another seventeen years before I became directly involved in serving the less fortunate. Was all of this wasted time? Certainly not- as God was preparing me just as He is preparing you now. Do know this – when you step out in faith to follow the calling which God has given you, you will face challenges and discouragement. When these do occur, I encourage you to follow the directive found in Hebrews 12:1-2, “Strip off anything that slows you down or holds you back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around your feet and trip you up; and run with patience the particular race that God has set before you.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, your leader and instructor.” You see, when you focus on Christ, He will provide the strength and endurance to succeed.

I have spoken of my experiences and how each of these heroes impacted me at critical junctures of my life. The fruit of the spirit including love, patience, and kindness were made real to me by the example of one man. From my family, I learned that the faithful stewardship of God’s resources entrusted to my care is a critical responsibility. Finally, from a physician, I learned that persevering when faced with adversity and challenges requires a steadfast focus on Christ, the sustainer.

Graduates, please know that your families, churches, mentors, and Wesleyan School with its Christ-centered mission have together made an enormous investment in your life. This investment has laid a solid foundation on which the cathedral of your character is being built. Your Godly character is not yet complete, but I am certain that God will finish it as the apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, “God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His grace until His task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.” As a result of God’s work in your life when all is said and done, you will be able to affirm as Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7

Agnes Scott College

Kennesaw State University

Shorter College

University of Alabama

Liberty University

University of South Carolina

Asbury College

Louisiana State University

University of the South

Auburn University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Southern Methodist University

Baylor University Belmont University Berry College Boston University Catawaba College

Mercer University Mississippi State University University of Mississippi New York University

Centre College

University of North Carolina/ Chapel Hill

Clemson University

North Carolina State University

College of Charleston

North Georgia College & State University

Columbia University Columbus State University Dartmouth College Davidson College Duke University Eckerd College Elon University Florida State University Furman University Gainesville State College Georgia College & State University Georgia Gwinnett College Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia State University University of Georgia Harvard University University of Hawaii University of Illinois/Champaign Johns Hopkins University Juniata College

Oxford College at Emory University Pennsylvania State University Princeton University

Stanford University Texas Christian University University of Texas/Austin Tulane University United States Air Force Academy United States Military Academy Prep School United States Naval Academy Valdosta State University Vanderbilt University University of Virginia

Purdue University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Wake Forest University

Rhodes College

University of Washington

University of Richmond

Washington University/St. Louis

Rollins College

Wofford College

Samford University San Diego State University

Yale University Young Harris College

Savannah College of Art & Design

College Acceptances CLASS OF 2012

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Georgia Southern University

University of Pennsylvania

Southern Polytechnic Institute

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Class of 2012 Final College Decisions

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Elise Abernathy ������������������������������������� University of Georgia Ali Ables............................... United States Air Force Academy Duncan Albert ��������������������������������������� University of Georgia Audrey Anderson ��������������������������������� University of Georgia Fabricio Andrade ����������������������� Kennesaw State University Mary-Sanford Anheuser..................University of Georgia Kate Aspinwall ���������������������������������� University of Mississippi Jay Baker ������������������������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech McAllister Ball ��������������������������������������������������Georgia College Lexi Ballard ���������������������������������������������������Samford University Briana Bardi ������������������������������������������College of Charleston Callie Bivings ������������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech

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Alana Broe ���������������������������������������������������������Auburn University Davis Brooks ����������������������������������������������������Auburn University Garrett Busch ���������������������������������������������Clemson University Missy Byrd.......................... United States Air Force Academy Kaileigh Cartmill ��������������������������������������Samford University Kaelyn Causwell ����������������������������������� University of Georgia Elizabeth Christopher....Georgia Southern University Rebecca Christopher.........................University of Alabama Julia Collins ���������������������������������������������������������� Eckerd College Mason Colquitt ������������������������������������������������Georgia College Sheldon Connor ����������������������Georgia Gwinnett College Emily Cowart �������������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Darby Coxhead �������������������������������������� University of Georgia Caitlin Crabill..................... University of South Carolina Catherine Cropper ������������������������������ University of Georgia Jeremy Dale �����������������������������������������������������Samford University Chandler Darnall ������������������������������ University of Alabama Kristin Davis ��������������������������������������������Vanderbilt University Abby Daws �������������������������������������������������� University of Alabama Lila Deaton �������������������������������������������������������Auburn University Hannah Duane ������������������������������������Wake Forest University Thomas Duke ������������������������������������������� University of Georgia Andrew Farrell.................... University of South Carolina Andrew Farrow ��������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Shannon Felts ����������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Van Fletcher ��������������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Jordan Frazier ��������������������������������������������������Wofford College Abbie Frye ��������������������������������������������������� University of Georgia Mitchell Gentry ����������������������������������University of Virginia Bradley Gossett �������������������������������������������� Furman University Erik Gossett �������������������������������������������� University of Georgia Nathan Grice ��������������������������������������������� Dartmouth College Austin Gritters �������������������������������������������Samford University Marcela Guerra ������������������������������������ University of Georgia Lauren Hall �������������������������������������������������University of Hawaii Meagan Hall �������������������������������������������������Samford University Bryce Hamlin.................................San Diego State University Kenzie Hanson ���������������������������������������������Samford University Caitlin Healy ������������������������������������������ University of Georgia Mackenzie Hediger �����������������������������������Clemson University Paul Hogan ���������������������������������������������� University of Georgia

Karsan Holley ������������������������������������������������������������ Georgia Tech Brent Hornbuckle ������������ University of South Carolina Beth Horner ���������������������������������������������������������� Juniata College Jeffrey Hsu �������������������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Caroline Johnson ������������������������������� University of Georgia Caroline Jordan.......Savannah College of Art & Design Megan Kelly ����������������������������������������������������� Furman University Josh King ������������������������������������������������������������������ Centre College Emily Knauss ��������������������������������������������������Samford University Fendall Laughlin ���������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Lizy Lockett.......................Southern Methodist University Matt Macia ����������������������������������������������� University of Alabama Timothy Marsh..................North Georgia College & State Russell Matherly ������������������������ Kennesaw State University Ansley Maughon ���������������������������������� University of Georgia Jenna McConnico ��������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Anthony McMurry ������������������������ Florida State University Michael McWhinnie �������� University of South Carolina Doug Mohme ������������������������������������������ University of Georgia Will Moody.................................... Mississippi State University Leanne Moore........................Georgia Southern University Savannah Newman �������������������������������������Samford University Clark O’Kelley ���������������������������������������� University of Georgia Brooks Prettyman ��������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Alex Raabe ���������������������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Eric Rappe..................................Georgia Southern University Drew Ritter ����������������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Julie Rodriguez ������������������������������������� University of Georgia Drew Rowland ���������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Chad Russell.................................. Kennesaw State University Nick Salyers ��������������������������������������������� University of Georgia Nick Schroer ������������������������������������������ University of Georgia Joseph Sheffield ������������������������������������ University of Alabama Mary Anne Short ������������������������������������������ Furman University Shane Smith.....................US Military Academy Prep School Ben Spears ����������������������������������������������������������� Mercer University Jamie Stark ���������������������������������������������������������Auburn University Eric Sunderman �������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Barry Sutlive...........................Georgia Southern University Drew Sutton ��������������������������������������������������������������� Georgia Tech Zach Taylor ����������������������������������������������Vanderbilt University Megan Walker ������������������������������������������������ Furman University Brooke Walton �������������������������������������� University of Georgia Cole Warren ���������������������������������������������������� Furman University Frank Warren...............................Georgia Gwinnett College Taylor Wesley ��������������������������������������������������Auburn University Holli Wilkins ������������������������������������������������� Furman University Katie Williams ���������������������������������������� University of Georgia Takim Williams �����������������������������������������Princeton University Zander Yost...............................United States Naval Academy Taylor Yungk ������������������������������������������������Samford University Katie Zimmerman �����������������������������������Vanderbilt University

Lasting Legacies

Elizabeth (Faculty), Ali, & Turner (2011) Ables

Eric (2001) & Alana Broe

Meg (Faculty) & Davis Brooks

Austin (2011) & Garrett Busch

Rebecca, Allison (2004), & Elizabeth Christopher

Mason Colquitt & Bobbi Lencke (Former Faculty)

Ken (Faculty) & Sheldon Connor

Grace (2010), James (2008), Emily, & Dan (Trustee), Daniel (2005), & Sarah Beth (2006) Cowart

Billy (Administration) & Darby Coxhead

Andrew (2006), Caitlin, & Brian (2008) Crabill

Jake (2004), Jordan (2007 - pictured), & Jeremy Dale

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Detra (Former Trustee) & Elise Abernathy

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WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Class of 2012

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Ashley (2002), Gerald (Former Trustee), Abby, Rawson (2005 - pictured), & Ansley (2008) Daws

Steven (Trustee) & Lila Deaton

Rachael (2009), Hannah, & Diane (Trustee) Duane

Shonda (Faculty) & Thomas Duke

Will (2010) & Andrew Farrell

Jessica (2010), Shannon, & Jill (Trustee) Felts

Van & Kit (2011) Fletcher

Demetrius (Faculty) & Jordan Frazier

Susan (Trustee) & Abbie Frye

Lesley (Faculty) & Mitchell Gentry

Bradley, Mary (Faculty), Erik, & Matt (2008) Gossett

Taylor (2010) & Nathan Grice

Lasting Legacies

Tyler (2009) & Mackenzie Hediger

Carol (Faculty) & Beth Horner

Tyler (2010) & Caroline Johnson; Courtney Masters Schneider

Erika (Trustee) & Fendall Laughlin

Skip (Faculty), Russell, Celia (Faculty), & Ryan (2008) Matherly

Rich (2008) & Anthony McMurry

Kristina (2004), Doug, & Laura (2005) Mohme

Natalie (2010) & Leanne Moore

Melanie (Faculty), Clark, & William (Trustee) O’Kelley

David (2009) & Julie Rodriguez

Clay (2008) & Drew Rowland

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Erin (2010) & Lauren Hall

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WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Class of 2012

J.J. (2009) & Chad Russell

Scott (2010) & Nick Schroer

Jim (2010) & Joseph Sheffeld

Austin (2011) & Mary Anne Short

Bill (Trustee), Jamie, & Billy (2004) Stark

Andrew (2010) & Eric Sunderman

Kim Adair (Trustee) & Drew Sutton

Kristen (2006), Zach, & Will (2009) Taylor

Bill (Trustee) & Cole Warren

Ashley (2010) & Zander Yost

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Class of 2012

evergreens

Elise Abernathy Ali Ables Duncan Albert Jay Baker McAllister Ball Lexi Ballard Davis Brooks Kaileigh Cartmill Catherine Cropper Jeremy Dale

Kristin Davis Abby Daws Lila Deaton Hannah Duane Thomas Duke Andrew Farrow Shannon Felts Van Fletcher Bradley Gossett Erik Gossett

Nathan Grice Mackenzie Hediger Jeffrey Hsu Caroline Johnson Megan Kelly Fendall Laughlin Michael McWhinnie Doug Mohme Leanne Moore Savannah Newman

Brooks Prettyman Nick Shroer Mary Anne Short Shane Smith Jamie Stark Eric Sunderman Drew Sutton Cole Warren Taylor Yungk

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

The following seniors have attended Wesleyan since Kindergarten:

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Honors & Awards 2012

Middle School Awards

Underclass Awards

Senior Awards

Fifth Grade Boys Highest Academic Average Stephen Dunlap

Barbara Adler Ricky Yoder

Atlanta Journal Cup Katie Zimmerman

Outstanding Achievement - Freshman Girl Jordan Zimmerman

Wesleyan Award Abbie Frye

Fifth Grade Girls Highest Academic Average Chloe Hangartner Sixth Grade Boys Highest Academic Average Nicholas Poulos Sixth Grade Girls Highest Academic Average Kelsey Rappe Seventh Grade Boys Highest Academic Average William Delk Seventh Grade Girls Highest Academic Average Angela Yang Eighth Grade Boys Highest Academic Average Dylan Mendicino Eighth Grade Girls Highest Academic Average Hannah Petterson

Jack Michael Menefee Leadership Ryan Hughes

Raymond L. Abernathy Citizenship Sophia Strickland Exceptional Improvement Macy Williams Service Johanna Cyran Chase Kelly

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Dean’s Award Holland Sharon Tyler Harper

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Middle School Boys Sportsmanship - Athletic Ability Jordan Mack Middle School Girls Sportsmanship - Athletic Ability Taylor Casey Middle School Boys - Fine Arts John Allen

Middle School Girls - Fine Arts Olivia Larner Madison Parks Fifth Grade Top Reader Harrison Larner

Sixth Grade Top Reader Grayson Ragsdale Literary Guild Angela Yang

Outstanding Achievement - Freshman Boy Andrew Sauer

Outstanding Achievement - Sophomore Boy Cort Coxhead

Outstanding Achievement - Sophomore Girl Caroline Reed Outstanding Achievement - Junior Boy Rhett Delk

Outstanding Achievement - Junior Girl Katie Frerking Academic Excellence - Freshman Boy Brendan Abernathy

Academic Excellence - Freshman Girl Audrey Short

Academic Excellence - Sophomore Boy Brandt O’Kelley

Academic Excellence - Sophomore Girl Isabella Mateu Academic Excellence - Junior Boy Cody Solomon

Academic Excellence - Junior Girl Hannah Fletcher Dean’s Awards Madison Jones Palmer Brasher The Arts Award Pete Eigel

Most Valuable Female Athlete Katie Frerking Most Valuable Male Athlete Charles Mack

Faculty Cup Kristin Davis

Daughters of the American Revolution Russell Matherly Excellence in Citizenship Doug Mohme Dean’s Awards Darby Coxhead Mitchell Gentry Valedictorian Nathan Grice Salutatorian Kristin Davis

Jayne Burns Excellence in the Arts Caitlin Healy Most Valuable Male Athlete Eric Sunderman

Most Valuable Female Athlete Holli Wilkins STAR Student Nathan Grice STAR Teacher Nina Kozlova

Wolf Player Freedom Award Lila Deaton

Jean Raney Artist of the Year Award Brooke Walton John Philip Sousa Award Duncan Albert Serve His Award Megan Kelly

Book Awards:

Harvard Ricky Yoder

Rhodes (sophomore award) Kristen Pack

Faculty Stewardship Awards

Vanderbilt Cody Solomon

Middle School Joseph Antonio

Williams Daisy Mills

Will Jackson Award

University of the South Emily Dardaman

Lower School Lynn McArthur

Wake Forest Hannah Fletcher

High School Theresa Mays-Albanese

Yale Christy Zachary

Chad McDaniel

Board of Trustees Stewardship Award Jack and Sieglinde Gillfillan

Faculty & Staff Recognitions Celebrating Thirty Years at Wesleyan Mary Helen Johnson

Celebrating Fifteen Years at Wesleyan Left to right: Jan Azar, Ken Connor, Billy Coxhead, Matt Crew, Skipper Gholston, Lacy Gilbert, Ramona Blankenship

Celebrating Ten Years at Wesleyan Left to right: Chris Cleveland, Carolyn Chapman, Anne Shirley, Meg Foster, Rich Billing.

Left to right: Suzanne Ragains, Colleen Walker, Katie Veal, Mel Schulze, Linda McDaniel, Chad McDaniel, Nina Kozlova, Meagan Brooker, Jeff Plunk, Lesley Lang Not pictured: Becca Brown, Rachel Jones, Chris Yoder

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Celebrating Five Years at Wesleyan

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student news

LOWER SCHOOL

Sticks & Stones: Bully Business!

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ticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” How often did we hear that phrase as children? Thinking back on it, is the statement accurate?

While many of us may not be able to recall a time that we were actually bullied physically, most of us can remember a time when words embarrassed us in front of friends, made us want to disappear, or even crushed our spirits. While bullying used to be defined as stealing lunch money or an afterschool rumble at the flag pole, the rules have changed in our world today. Bullying can be defined as physical, verbal, or relational.

It reaches beyond being stuffed in a locker or punched in the stomach; intentionally embarrassing a classmate in front of her peers or excluding someone from a game because you don’t “like” him are examples of verbal and relational aggression. We are constantly seeing “bullying” in the news, often with tragic results. The statistics are staggering, with upwards of 90% of children nationally reporting they have witnessed, participated in, or been the victim of bullying, and with more than 160,000 children missing school each day because of fears of victimization by bullies. Additionally, we have the new frontier of bully behaviors: cyber bullying. While technology has afforded us incredible ways to teach our students, it has brought parents and schools new challenges in managing a child’s ability to push a button and have dozens, hundreds, and even thousands of other kids know the latest rumor or the meanest comeback. Email, smart phones, and social media sites are making it easy and to say hurtful things, often times anonymously.

So, what’s a group of concerned parents and educators to do?

While there are myriad ways you can help your children at home, I will offer three suggestions. First, “out with the old.”

No longer can the excuses of “boys will be boys” or “that’s just how girls act at that age” be given. There are legal statutes now that address the growing epidemic of bullying, and as parents, we are all subject to being held accountable for our children’s inappropriate behaviors that go unchecked. Behaviors that may have been “acceptable” and “normal” when we were children are now held to a higher level of scrutiny and are judged by a different benchmark. Another avenue to pursue is utilizing children’s literature to help your child see examples of appropriate and inappropriate communication and behaviors. It is easy for children to catch lessons learned by the “bully” in a book, whether it is a picture book and the bully is a bunny rabbit, or the bully is a fictional middle school girl in a youth novel. I am happy to suggest books for you to use at home if you wish to try this method. Finally, teach your child the exceptionally important skill of owning his own behavior; has he or she said or done something that, in hindsight, is wrong? The child should say so, and try to right his or her wrong. We do no favors to our children by trying to excuse their misbehaviors, or rescue them from learning opportunities.

RIGHT: Nancy Jones acting out “Bully Business” situations with lower school students.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Written by Nancy Jones, Lower School Guidance Counselor

student news | lower school

ABOVE LEFT & RIGHT: Students -- & --- showing the books they made in Bully Business Class.

Wesleyan School believes that all students and employees have a right to a safe and healthy school environment. Moreover, we have an obligation to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance among students, staff, families, and volunteers. By bringing the issue of “bullying” to light and helping our students view it through a Biblical lens, we hope to offer them a life skill that will serve them well.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

In the lower school, we address “bullying” in age appropriate ways. One way, for example, is through the classroom guidance program. In second, third, and fourth grades, I teach a curriculum that I developed called “Bully Business.” One of the first lessons the students learn is that we do not label anyone a “bully.” We discuss that there has been and only ever will be one perfect being; the rest of us sin, and our sin likely includes words or actions that have not been examples of our finest moments. We refer to these things as “bully talk” and “bully behaviors.” The students learn examples of what constitutes bully talk and bully behaviors, and definitions of key terms such as “targets,” a person who is the victim of bully talk/bully behaviors, and “bystanders,” people who see or hear bully talk and/or bully behaviors. Then, we focus on specific tools students can use if they find themselves in one of these roles, as well as discernment between when to have thick skin, and when to know that they are not being treated appropriately. As the ultimate authority, we look to the Bible to find scripture that calls us to lead a Christ-centered life, free of hurting others with words and deeds (James 4:11, Romans 15:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Students participate in role-plays with me where I model the right and wrong ways of handling bully talk and bully behavior. They are offered opportunities to practice those skills in role-plays and verbal examples, as well.

In each of the three grade levels, students create a “book” to record the skills they have learned. This year, we even learned

a bully rap titled, “We Don’t Do Bullying at Our School!” and have had several opportunities to perform it. For younger lower school students, we focus mainly on “friendship,” teaching characteristics of a good friend and displaying appropriate and kind behaviors. All of these lessons are puzzle pieces of the lower school approach to fostering good choices: Wesleyan teachers utilize every opportunity to weave this message in to daily lessons and the teachings are also reinforced by our support staff, chapel curriculum, and core virtues. The foundation has been created on which we build our expectations for appropriate behavior, a compassionate student body, and our daily mantra that “I should treat others the way I want to be treated.”

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student news | middle school

MIDDLE SCHOOL

SALSA Club Written by Heidi Lloyd, High School Guidance Counselor

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

he SALSA club is working hard to make a difference in the Wesleyan community particularly in the middle school. To clarify, SALSA is not a club that teaches the popular Latin dance nor is it a club that samples a variety of dips for chips. SALSA stands for Students Advocating Life without Substance Abuse. It is a leadership skills program for high school students who are committed to promoting healthy alcohol and drug free lifestyle choices while encouraging students to excel in school.

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In its second year at Wesleyan, SALSA has almost 60 members from the high school student body who have pledged to stay substance free and have committed to sharing their values with other students at Wesleyan. The primary goals of a SALSA member are to influence other students to refrain from using alcohol and drugs and to reinforce students who are already making healthy decisions. SALSA not only presents a model of healthy, productive older students; it also reinforces the reality that teenagers are making healthy decisions about substance use. The hope is that this positive norm will greatly strengthen Wesleyan’s younger students’ resolve to emulate healthy behaviors modeled by SALSA members.

SALSA has concentrated a great deal of its efforts toward influencing students in the middle school. In the fall semester, small groups of SALSA members visited 7th and 8th grade study halls to share their stories. In the spring semester, the 5th and 6th grade study halls spent time with SALSA members in their study halls. Each story the high school students share invites the middle school student to get to know the SALSA member and hopefully helps them find a common ground with a SALSA member. Members share information about their family, their interests, their pets, and their involvement at Wesleyan. After this introduction, SALSA members share their personal reasons for not using alcohol or drugs. They also share tips for how to say “no” to substances if they encounter them in social settings.

ABOVE: Seniors Doug Mohme, Clark O’Kelley, & Fendall Laughlin peforming a skit to an 8th grade class.

The culminating event for SALSA’s efforts in the middle school is an assembly in the spring semester. At this assembly, middle school students hear stories from different SALSA members that will hopefully encourage their resolve to make healthy decisions about alcohol and drugs. SALSA members perform several skits displaying examples of ways that any student can say “no” if they are offered alcohol or drugs in social settings.

To provide some humor but also reinforce SALSA’s primary goal, the SALSA members lead the middle school student body in a funny cheer to close the assembly.

Each SALSA member hopes that he or she is making a lasting impact on a younger student’s choices. These middle school students affirm that SALSA is, indeed, having an impact: Jack Norris, 5th grade: “I think they give inspiring reasons why not to take drugs.”

Madison Lloyd, 6th grade: “I think that the SALSA kids that came to my class were amazing! They really taught everyone in my class some valuable lessons. I thought that the things that they taught were very meaningful because they helped us learn what to do and what not to do! There were very good life lessons that they talked about. They also shared some really sad stories about what would happen if people drank and took drugs. When I get into high school I really want to become a part of SALSA because I would also want to help kids know how bad it is to drink and take drugs.”

Ashlee Fincher, 8th grade: “I already knew that Wesleyan has a no tolerance policy about using drugs and alcohol. When I heard about SALSA, I thought it was cool that Wesleyan had a program that allowed students to stand up and say that they would say no to drugs and to alcohol. It just goes to show you that Wesleyan really does care about the health and well-being of their students and will be beside them and support them in their decision to do the right thing.”

student news | high school

HIGH SCHOOL

Robotics Club

When Sean Casey, high school principal, came to Wesleyan in 2010, he saw a need for a robotics team. He graciously offered to find funding for the expensive parts and registration fees, if I would coach the team. Since coming to Wesleyan, I’ve had a vision of starting a robotics team, so I gladly accepted the challenge. At the beginning of this school year, our robotics team only had three student founders: Jeffrey Hsu, Grant Murphy, and Philip Sawyer, but we quickly expanded to include students from the entire high school. We worked during program time, after school on Wednesdays, and four or five Saturdays to build the robot. During the shorter meetings, we planned the robot design and worked on programming. On the Saturday meetings, we constructed the robot using tools to cut metal and plastic parts to implement our design. Two Wesleyan dads kindly came to these workdays and helped us use the power tools. We were always careful to wear our safety goggles!

balls, and pick up as many of the 100 racquetballs as possible.

Students controlled the robot with a remote control that the team programmed. Philip Sawyer and Jeffrey Hsu were our team’s drivers for the competition. Between rounds, student builders Grant Murphy, Kim Heng, Michaela Bailey, Vivian McCoy, Blake Center, and Stephen Johnson, made necessary adjustments to our robot, including fixing a broken robot arm.

Overall, we did not place high enough to advance. However, we did win the spirit award for our enthusiasm.

Next year, we are hopeful to have two Wesleyan teams, the Green RoboWolves and the Gold RoboWolves. Having two teams will be helpful in practicing against other robots so we can more accurately simulate an actual competition. The added practice of maneuvering around other robots controlled by another team will benefit all members and hopefully take us far in multiple competitions in the upcoming school year. Our goal is for at least one team to make it to the state competition.

The first year of the robotics team was a success especially in the sense that it brought students from all four grades together to work on a common goal. Each student contributed something and took pride in the robot’s performance. It encouraged them to think creatively because there was not one correct answer– there were many ways to design and build the robot, but above all it gave our students an opportunity to use the gifts that God has given and to glorify Him through their work.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Our team is a member of FIRST, specifically a First Tech Challenge Team (FTC). This year we only attended one local competition held at Wheeler High School. The challenge for this year’s competition was “Bowled Over,” requiring robots to push a bowling ball up a ramp, pick up racquetballs, and drop them into a tube. During each round, four different robots were on the field each trying to push one of the two bowling

BELOW LEFT & ABOVE RIGHT: The inside and outside of the 2012 Welseyan robot.

Written by Linda McDaniel, High School Science Teacher

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WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

the wesleyan junior players present

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christian life

RUNNING WITH PERSEVERANCE: photography by Brian Morgan

Discovering Your Mission

Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

he implication of this passage is that each of us has a “race marked out for us.” Each person walking on this earth has a purpose, a goal, a mission. There is no greater example of this than Jesus Christ, who never wavered from his purpose. The race marked out for Jesus took him to the cross and into the grave, but it ended in joy seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12 begins by mentioning a “great cloud of witnesses.”

This is a beautiful reminder of the fact that no one is meant to run this race alone. Our hope here at Wesleyan is that we might join in that great cloud of witnesses and encourage each of our students to “run with perseverance” the race marked out for them.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

At Wesleyan, we encourage students to discover the race marked out for them. Though there are many goals and purposes that are common to all Christians (caring for the poor, sharing the gospel, fighting for justice, etc.), God also has a specific mission for each individual. This mission is specially designed by God to incorporate the passions and abilities of that person. That is why, at Wesleyan, we give students so many opportunities to pursue their talents and loves. These opportunities come on a daily basis in the classroom, athletic arena, and theater, but they happen off campus as well. Mission trips, retreats, Bible Studies, and service projects offer consistent opportunities for students to investigate their passions and abilities outside the walls of Wesleyan. Our hope is that through these activities Wesleyan students will begin to see their mission take shape.

In the process of discovering a person’s mission, Hebrews reminds us of the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus. Though each individual has a unique race marked out for them, the final goal of every race is the same – Jesus Christ. Therefore, at Wesleyan, we do not separate a person’s individual mission from their relationship with Christ. The two are intertwined. It should come as no surprise, then, that the goal of every mission trip, retreat, Bible Study, and service project is to help students more fully fix their eyes upon Jesus. This goal is not in conflict with the idea of discovering each student’s mission, but an essential partner to it. In fact, one might say that the purpose of Christian Life at Wesleyan is to help students fix their eyes on Jesus so they might discover the race marked out for them.

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christian life | missions

2012

STUDENT REFLECTION:

Costa Rica written by Katie Zimmerman, Class of 2012

midst the laughter and singing and jokes, Coach McKeel stands up in the front of the bus and clears his throat. “Guys, let’s have a few minutes of silence. We’re about to drive by some of the poorest slums in all of Costa Rica, and I want everyone to take a moment to pause and think about what we’re seeing. Try to put yourselves into the shoes of the people who live there, and think about what you’re really seeing.”

As the bus quiets down, we round a corner, and I look to my left.

A small distance away from the road, the ground quickly slopes upward in the form of a hill. However, I can’t actually see the ground on the hill; I can only see the shacks. Shacks are littered everywhere, and many are even built on top of each other.

At first glance, I was struck by the beauty of the hill. It was a perfect day, I was in a good mood from spending the morning with my team, and the oddity of the village I was looking at intrigued me. However, after a moment of taking in the scene, I began trying to place myself in the shoes of the people who lived there. I tried to imagine life without water. Life without electricity. Life without school. Life without opportunities.

Life without people who cared about me. Life without a stable family. Life without consistent food. Life without hope. And I soon realized that I simply couldn’t imagine it. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t completely put myself in their shoes.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

TEAM:

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Jake Barden Callie Bivings Davis Brooks Julia Collins Jeremy Dale Andrew Dorman Andrew Farrow Van Fletcher Madison Jones Margaret Kent Timothy Marsh Ty Maughon David Monte Caroline Nelson Courtney O’Leary Philip Sawyer Dee Dee Seaman Taylor Wesley Connor Woerner Katie Zimmerman

LEADERS: James McKeel Andrea Shupert Mary Willson Schill Nichole Dixon

WHAT THEY DID: Wesleyan returned to Costa Rica to partner with Project Abraham, working daily at a construction site and daycare. In the evenings, students, served through community outreach and worship services. During the week, the team joined Christ for the City for a day to assist in their feeding ministry in a poor neighborhood in San Jose.

christian life | missions

2012

STUDENT REFLECTION:

Nicaragua written by Cameron Anderson, Class of 2013

ay 5: Today was a long day. We woke up at 5:45 and left our favorite hotel so far. We drove for 4 hours through Leon and finally ended up in Chinandega. After lunch we drove to the Santa Matilde community about 20 minutes outside of the city. We began work at the local church as soon as we arrived. First, I shoveled and carried dirt dug up from the latrine (a giant hole in the ground) the locals were digging.

Afterwards, I dug up the foundation for the actual bathroom. At 3:30, the kids in the community began showing up for Vacation Bible School. I continued working for a while and later joined the kids. The kids were violent and aggressive with each other but were kind and social with us. Our work in Nicaragua was tiring but rewarding. It was powerful to see God use our work in the lives of the people of Chinandega.

TEAM:

The Wesleyan team joined the Nehemiah Center in their ministry to youth living on the streets and former gang members who have come to a relationship with Christ. They also served the local community playing soccer, planning VBS activities, and doing various construction projects.

LEADERS: Andy Cook Rebecca Carpenter Laura Siron Gabi Martinez-Esteve

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

WHAT THEY DID:

Elise Abernathy Cameron Anderson Maddy Brehmer Alana Broe Rhett Delk Shannon Felts Adriana Galvez Austin Gritters Megan Kelly Aubrey McCabe Jake Miller Carti Payne Chad Russell Nick Schroer Drew Sutton Katie Williams Austin Zakas

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christian life | missions

2012

STUDENT REFLECTION:

Guatemala Girls written by India Welton, Class of 2013

s I look back on my trip to Guatemala, I immediately think of the lessons I learned and the impact it had on me. In short, the trip was an amazing experience for many reasons. Seeing how joyful all of the kids and adults we met were after everything they had been through was really inspiring. Building relationships with the kids really taught me many lessons in what thankfulness looks like. Also, seeing two cultures come together and worship one God was really cool. There are so many different people, cultures, and languages, but only ONE God. Even two distant places worship

the same God but in different languages. Throughout the week we helped with construction projects, such as painting, played with kids, visited people’s homes, and bonded as a team. At the end of the trip we spent our R&R time in Antigua. We travelled there by a buses and a long boat ride. We went zip lining, walked around the town, went to the markets, went to cool restaurants, and even made our own chocolate at the local chocolate factory.

Overall, the entire trip was life changing and a great experience.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

TEAM:

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Madeline Adair Audrey Anderson Lillie Baker Darby Coxhead Catherine Cropper Courtney Day Marcela Guerra Janie Harper Grace Hodges Beth Horner Polly Howell Anna Kean Mallory Macgill Miranda Mendicino Jennifer Miller Camille Roy Abby Thurston Maddie Thykeson India Welton Ali Godwin

LEADERS: Pam Fedas Amanda Lang Amanda Walker Jamie Wochele Jenna Smith

WHAT THEY DID: Wesleyan partnered up with Bridge Builders once again and visited Panyevar, Guatemala. The allgirls team painted a school, lead vacation bible school, and visited homes, all while building relationships with those in the community. In the evenings, students got the opportunity to experience the culture and customs of the area.

christian life | missions

2012

STUDENT REFLECTION:

Guatemala Boys

written by Zach Taylor, Class of 2012

t’s significantly easier to think back on a day here than it is at home. The past few days have provided time for me to reflect on what I’ve seen and experienced here in Guatemala.

100% of this time that I have to reflect would have been spent being a slave to my iPhone. In fact, my iPhone is over 1,000 miles away from me right now. What I thought was going to be a painful detox was actually pretty refreshing. I originally thought that I would need my iPhone for things like an English-Spanish dictionary. But, as it turns out, they make physical dictionaries.

It’s like an electronic dictionary but you have to turn pages. The things you learn in Guatemala.

On a more serious note, today I got to experience the true generosity that exists in Guatemala. While I was working on a latrine with Mr. Scheer and Erik Gossett, a boy near us named

Martín played with a tattered soccer ball and occasionally stopped to move a cinder block to where we were working.

Martín looked like he was four, maybe five, years old but when I asked him how old he was he said he was nine. I suspected this was half genetics (since every adult Guatemalan came up to our shoulders) and half malnutrition as a result of poverty.

A couple of hours into the job, Martín’s sister brought him a little bag with five decent size crackers. As I tried not to think about how much of his daily food these crackers represented, Martín reached into the bag and offered me one. Martín didn’t have much, but what he did have, he readily gave away. This mindset is something common to every Guatemalan that we’ve encountered. When I think of Martín, I think of someone who I should strive to be like.

TEAM:

Wesleyan returned to Guatemala and worked with Bridge Builders building latrines for families in the town of Cruz Nueva. The students worked alongside members of the community, and the students also spent time with children playing soccer and other fun games.

LEADERS: Joseph Antonio Jason Scheer Matt Cole

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

WHAT THEY DID:

Fabricio Andrade Michael Armstrong Jay Baker Will Clifton Trince Degraffinreaidt Aurimas Stripekis Connor Fitzpatrick Erik Gossett Landon Hoffman Brent Hornbuckle Miles Laughlin Michael McWhinnie Zac Mackenzie Doug Mohme Danny Nocharli Brooks Prettyman Alex Raabe Zach Taylor

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christian life | missions

2012

STUDENT REFLECTION:

Romania written by Lindsay Panther, Class of 2013

ednesday (3rd day in Romania): Today I went to the high school in Brad. It was tons of fun hanging out with the students there. Two things surprised me the most. First, the kids would just walk out of the class room with a cigarette and teachers wouldn’t say anything.

It’s definitely a different kind of school than Wesleyan. Secondly, I’m surprised that I’m not nervous or shy around the students.

Usually, I’m reserved or nervous to make conversation with people I don’t know, but God gave me this incredible peace and comfortable-ness around them. It was an awesome experience.

After the high school, we went back to CASA, the orphanage, and ate lunch. It was delicious as usual. Then we went off to the Christian Center. What happened there tonight was something that I will never forget. Almost the whole time I talked to a man named Alin. At first I was a bit scared because he probably weighed 250 pounds and was about 6 feet tall, but God gave me the confidence I needed. We started talking about school,

Romania, and music, but then somehow it changed to the subject of Christianity. We talked about almost every theological question out there. He asked me questions, and I responded with answers that I don’t think I even fully comprehended. The Holy Spirit was truly present during that conversation in both Alin and myself. Alin changed that night. It was so special to witness.

After the Christian Center, we went back to the orphanage and played with the kids. Denesa was “my kid.” We played together, danced together, and called each other sisters. She is such a beautiful girl. I can’t wait to see her again someday. If not here, then in heaven. I never want to leave.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

TEAM:

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Anna Davis Chandler Darnall Lila Deaton Thomas Duke Pete Eigel David Facteau Ashley Gentry Bradley Gossett Karsan Holley Anna Gritters Leanne Moore Will O’Briant Pierce Oswalt Lindsay Panther Maddy Robinson Austin Schanen Jack Widner Ricky Yoder Taylor Yungk

LEADERS: Jen Sheppard Chris Yoder Jonathan Koch Leslie Grogan

WHAT THEY DID: Wesleyan returned to Brad, Romania for a week of service and relationship building in a local high school, Christian center, and local orphanage. They worked alongside the International Christian’s Aid Foundation, a ministry committed to serving children in both state and private orphanages in Romania and building a Christian community center for local teens.

christian life | missions

2012

STUDENT REFLECTION:

Ukraine

written by Julie Rodriguez, Class of 2012

can’t believe I’m sitting in the same place for the third year in this little church on this dilapidated road. It’s the end of our first day and it seems like I woke up forever ago.

Like my empty suitcase lying open on my bed, I feel as though my emotions have already been unpacked and I stand vulnerable and ready to serve.

Today we woke up around 8:00 a.m. to begin our long day. With a juice box and a piece of bread bathed in Nutella in our systems, half of our team set off to teach English at the girls’ orphanage nearby while the other half went to work at the Orphan’s Hope office.

As we pull up to the orphanage, all my great memories flooded back. The friendships I have made, the soccer games I’ve played, and the tears I’ve shed—I soaked it all in with a smile and got off the bus to greet all the excited girls. From 10:00 a.m. - 3:00

p.m. we taught English classes in the school next door to the orphanage. We taught basic phrases and then broke into groups to practice. The conversations quickly progressed from English to more serious topics, and we looked forward to returning after lunch to pick up where we left off.

We ate lunch in a really dirty and sketchy park. We ate the same cheese and ham and mayonnaise and ketchup sandwiches and I think I am the only person who likes them. They are so delicious.

After lunch, we went back to the orphanage and spent time playing games and making bracelets. I became friends with three girls, Vlada, Olya and Vika. They never left my side.

I can’t wait to come back tomorrow. I feel as though I never left, and I feel like I’m home here. I don’t want this week to end.

TEAM:

Wesleyan returned to Simferopol, Ukraine to join Orphan’s Hope in developing relationships with the children of a local orphanage. The team taught English classes in the morning, spent the afternoons playing with the children, and at night spent time with Exodus 50, a ministry dedicated to ministering to graduates of the orphanages teaching life skills and sharing the gospel.

LEADERS: Jeff Plunk Sabrina Schulze Natalie Scott Mamie McIntosh

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

WHAT THEY DID:

Kate Anderson Griffin Bone Kaileigh Cartmill Abbey Coppenger Grace Farley Mitchell Gentry Meagan Hall Mackenzie Hediger Ben Johnson Fendall Laughlin Jack Lloyd John McCleskey Drew Middleton Trent Perry Caroline Reed Julie Rodriguez Brittany Stevens Brooke Walton Taylor Walton

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christian life | missions

2012

STUDENT REFLECTION:

Chicago, IL

written by Palmer Brasher, Class of 2013

he first day of actual work was awesome. We woke up, ate, and had a devotion before we left to help out at a school of children aged kindergarten through eighth grade. Crawford and I were assigned to a kindergarten bilingual classroom where we spoke Spanish with the kids. The kids began opening up and looking to Crawford and me as role models. I discovered that one of the nicest kids in the class, named Alexis Garcia, had an abusive father, which was very upsetting. I saw God providing for me in that moment because the Spanish that I had been learning in school paid off (I didn’t even know I would have to use Spanish before this trip).

and had Pho! Another highlight of the trip was the immersion night. In a group of seven, we each had $2 to spend on dinner that evening. After talking to many homeless men and women including a blind lady, we bought 99 cent cups of fried rice for dinner. Then, on our way back, we met a man named Shane whose child had died and had lost his job and house when he turned to drugs because of depression. We bought him a meal and prayed with him in the middle of the sidewalk. Through all of these experiences, I really saw how God is with everyone in even the worst of situations.

Afterwards, we went to a soup kitchen at a Catholic church. I walked around serving milk and talking to those eating. Rachel and I talked to a homeless man we met named Melvin for a very long time. After serving, we went to a Vietnamese restaurant

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

TEAM:

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Palmer Brasher Crawford Brooks Robert Kunce Carrie Ciccotello Justin Cowart Victoria DiStasi Alex Dubose Rachel Koch Kate Lackey Kristen Pack Meghan Sullivan Will Vance

LEADERS: Adrienne Christian Philip Hart

WHAT THEY DID: The Chicago team partnered with the Center for Student Missions participating in many service opportunities in the city. The ministries they served with include Good News Community Church (working in the soup kitchen), Cornerstone Community Outreach (serving meals and leading a VBS program), Casa Central (helping with programs for school age children), and St. Thomas Soup Kitchen (serving and cleaning up evening meals).

christian life | missions

2012

STUDENT REFLECTION:

Atlanta, GA written by Takim Williams, Class of 2012

t’s quiet here in Renaissance Park. The ING Marathon has just passed by, dragging the music and festive atmosphere with it and leaving us in peace. God has set aside a little time for reflection this morning.

This city, which I’ve claimed to know intimately, is alien to me.

The skyline and major landmarks are familiar. Tech is familiar, Marta is familiar; but, the drug addicts up and down Piedmont and Ponce are news to me. Yesterday Pastor Andy, head of Church on the Street, took us on a short walk in a circuit around Ms. Antonio’s church, a tour along streets that I’ve seen, but where I’ve missed so much. He pointed out spots where drug dealers

spend their time, and it’s clear that crack and even heroin are all too accessible. The way Andy describes the night scene makes it sound like another world, and it reminds me of I Am Legend or some other zombie movie. But it’s real. Even this very spot, so green and bright and innocent, is a hot spot for crack when the sun goes down. I don’t know where the drug dealers go when the rest of Atlanta wakes up and begins to walk the streets, but they supposedly come out of the woodwork at night.

TEAM:

LEADERS: WHAT THEY DID: The Atlanta urban plunge trip challenged students to see Atlanta from a different perspective. Partnering with Lazarus Ministries, the team prepared and provided meals for homeless men and women, helped families transition into temporary housing, served in soup kitchens, and spent time among the homeless building relationships. The team also created and hosted a game night for men and women connected with Lazarus Ministries.

Caroline Antonio Julie Pack Mary Stephenson Joseph Cooper Kristie Onorato

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Ali Ables Lexi Ballard Garrett Busch Hunter Dixon Hannah Duane Alexandra Hernandez Challee Johnson Isabella Mateo Lindsay Moore Kaitlin Mullen Brandt O’Kelley Mike Simpson Christy Stipe Takim Williams Matt Zimmerman

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christian life | missions

2012

STUDENT REFLECTION:

Chattanooga, TN written by Daisy Mills, Class of 2013

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

n Tuesday, a few of the 8th graders, Ms. Nash and I went to the Widows Harvest prayer meetings. First, the pastor of the church, Andy, spoke about loving others as Christ loved us in 1 John 3. After the message, a guest speaker came from North Carolina to talk to us about the Widows Harvest Ministry in Kenya. He spoke of women and children with absolutely nothing, yet when the pictures were shown, their faces showed gladness. We heard a prayer in Swahili from women who took shifts praying over the church 24/7. Despite the hardships they faced, they praised the Lord for His work in their lives. After the guest speaker, the widows prayed with us for over an hour. They prayed for the widows in Africa and that

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TEAM:

SERVANT LEADERS:

Will Barnard Ellie Bradach Madi Brady Mary Cowart Beck Coxhead Carter Gravitt Jack Greer Caroline Hodges Ryan Hughes Maddie Jones Haydon Koch Leo Mateo Chris Middleton Tanner Moore Mikey Olson Austin Pack Kylie Reed William Schneider Holland Sharon Ali Stall Julia Tallant Jenny Van Laeke Megan Williams Jeff Willis

Kate Aspinwall Hannah Fletcher Nathan Grice Daisy Mills Cole Warren

God would heal the brokenness of the families in Kenya. Even the widows in Chattanooga had very little because they had little income and no one to help them with cooking, cleaning, or other household maintenance. Some women spoke their prayers while others sang hymns and songs to God. I had never heard such thankful prayers in my life and I was completely convicted about my attitude towards difficult situations in my life. There are so many blessings in my life that I overlook and these widows really showed me that prayer is powerful. Because of their faithfulness, the Lord has provided these women with the blessing of the volunteers of the Widows Harvest Ministry.

LEADERS: Corrie Nash Michael Tablada Katie Dixon Joe Reilly

WHAT THEY DID: The team served widows in need of help in and around their homes through Son Servants and Widows Harvest Ministries in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Projects varied from construction, cleaning, light repairs and yard work. At night, the team heard from people in Chattanooga who are dedicated fo serving widows in their community.

christian life | serve his league

WESLEYAN’S 4TH ANNUAL

Lymphomathon Walk written by Julie Pack, Serve-His League Coordinator

For the 4th year in a row, Wesleyan School hosted the Lymphomathon Walk on Saturday, April 28th. The Lymphomathon is a noncompetitive 5K walk where survivors, family, friends, community and corporate teams walk in honor and in memory of those whose lives have been touched by lymphoma. Funds raised by participants support the mission of Lymphoma Research Foundation, to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by the disease. The event was initially hosted at Wesleyan in memory of Jessica Berry, class of 2001, who lost her four year battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2005.

Serve-His League would especially like to thank Wesleyan facilities and members of the girls lacrosse team who helped with set-up, the boys lacrosse team who helped set up the course and spread themselves out throughout the route to help direct everyone, members of the JV baseball team who helped with clean up after the event, and last but not least, all the Wesleyan students, parents, alumni and faculty who made a donation and/or came out to support the following Wesleyan families who have been impacted by this terrible disease.

In Honor of: Gary Baumgardner (brother of Joyce Podojil, Kindergarten teacher) Doug Farley (father of Grace,11th) Margaret Fancher (sister of Ann Marie Hanlon, 8th Grade Girls Chair) Laura Freese (mother of Mary Claire, 8th) Jeff Lochmandy (father of Regan, 9th & Abbie, 7th) Francine L. McCabe (mother of Aubrey, 11th) Jeff Moore (father of Jake, 11th & Logan, class of 2010) Jean Rheudasil (grandmother of Maggie, 2nd) Craig Smith (father of Tanner, class of 2008) Brandan Strickland (brother of Savannah, 9th & Sophia, 8th) Jim Whitney (father of Carolyn and Elise, class of 2006) Norma Wood (maternal grandmother of the Kelly family; Chase, 8th, Emily, 4th & Danielle, 2nd) James Cyran (10th) Leukemia survivor (brother of Johanna, 8th) Marcela Guerra (12th) Leukemia survivor Bobby Struble (class of 2011) Leukemia survivor (brother of Matt—10th) In Memory of: Jessica Berry (class of 2001) Candace Broome (mother of Leighton, 10th) William T. Crowley (father of Eileen Moore, Administrative Asst.

Academic Affairs) John Demos (maternal grandfather of the Davis family: Anna, 11th, Leah, 8th, Callie, 6th & Matthew, 3rd) Randall Lamar Manning (father of Meagan Brooker, HS Visual Art teacher) Richard C. Mays, Sr. (late husband of Theresa Albanese, HS Visual Art teacher) Elaine B. Oakes (maternal grandmother of John McCleskey, 11th, Jake, 8th & Jason, 7th) Patrick “Scottie” Robinson (uncle of Shenell Robinson, class of 2011) Edmund Francis Whalen (father of Kathy Benson, Asst. Headmaster for Academic Affairs) David White (uncle of David Andrews, class of 2011)

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Of the four hundred plus participants in this year’s walk, over one hundred Wesleyan students, parents, alumni and faculty participated in the day’s festivities. Corner Bakery Café graciously provided coffee and breakfast to the participants. Each participant received a Lymphomathon t-shirt. Gurvir Dinsa, Fox 5 Morning Show anchor, helped MC the event with Lance Locher, Georgia Chapter President of the LRF. Mrs. Georgia American 2012, Judy Hodges Redderson, was also in attendance and spent the day signing autographs and posing for pictures. Wesleyan’s own, Matt Zimmerman, 10th grade, donned one of the Chick-fil-A mascots and also posed for pictures with walk participants. In addition, BeDazzle-Do did zany hair designs, a massage therapist from Massage Envy gave chair massages, 700South provided live music, and Chick-fil-A served hot chicken sandwiches to all walk participants after the walk. There were raffle prizes too! Altogether, this year’s walk raised an estimated $45,000 for LRF!

ABOVE: Wesleyan student volunteers with sophomore Matt Zimmerman dressed as the Chick-Fil-A mascot.

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FAR LEFT: Wesleyan students with Matt Zimmerman, 10th dressed as the Chick-Fil-A mascot; LEFT: participants by the stage at the Lymphomathon; ABOVE: Team P.A.L. including Carolyn and Elise Whitney, class of 2006.

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

FOR 2011-2012

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Through service activities involving the whole school, divisions, individual grades, sports teams, and other student groups, Wesleyan has positively affected the following organizations during the 2011-2012 school year:

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A. Worley Brown Boys and Girls Club of Norcross Alta Johns Creek Assisted Living Community American Red Cross Andee’s Army Assistance League of Atlanta Atlanta Community Food Bank Community Gardens Atlanta Community Tool Bank Atlanta Mission Shepherd’s Inn Men’s Homeless Shelter Atlanta Mission My Sister’s House/Women & Children Services Atlanta Youth Academy Autrey Mills Nature Preserve Build An Ark Animal Rescue Chambrell Assisted Living Community Chattahoochee Nature Center Children’s Restoration Network Church on the Street City of Refuge Community Action Center Community Gardens of Atlanta Community Food Bank The Drake House Dunwoody Nature Center Eagle Ranch East Lake Arbor Health & Rehab Nursing Home Elaine Clark Center Friends of Refugees Foster Care Support Foundation Foundation for Hospital Art Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta The Gateway Center

Global Soap Project Good Samaritan Health Center Lazarus Ministries, Inc. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Lymphoma Research Foundation Mary Hall Freedom House MedShare No Longer Bound Norcross Community Garden Norcross Cooperative Ministry North Fulton Child Development Association North Fulton Community Charities Project Open Hand Rainbow Village, Inc. Ronald McDonald House Peachtree-Dunwoody Rosemont Nursing Home Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Sheltering Arms Daycare, Norcross Sheltering Arms Daycare, Techwood Special Pops-Special Olympics Tennis Academy Spikes4Tykes St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church Dunwoody St. Vincent de Paul Society StandUp for Kids Sunrise Assisted Living Community Buckhead Tanner’s Totes Tapestry House Assisted Living Community The Lionheart School Trinity Anglican Mission Church Trinity House Big Bethel Wesleyan Missions Wesleyan School Facilities Woodson Elementary School

photography by Brian Morgan

library news

DISCOVERING WHO WE ARE MEANT TO BE

Summer Reading written by Carolyn Chapman, Head Librarian

he high school summer reading lists always contain books promoting the Wesleyan School mission. In short, our mission is to provide the best Christian education while encouraging and guiding our students to find the path God has chosen for them. One of the ways we encourage students to think about the life they lead is through books. Books transport readers to a better understanding of themselves and others leading many students to understand the person God wants them to become. Ultimately, this is the goal for the summer reading program.

Other outstanding book selections on the summer reading list also intended to help students understand themselves and their commitment to Christianity include: The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers Blinders by Kristy Shelton Bloodline: Race, Cross and the Christian by John Piper Erasing Hell: What God Said about Eternity, and the Things We Made Up by Francis Chan Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis Lead…for God’s Sake: A Parable for Finding the Heart of Leadership

by Todd Gongwer More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman’s Quest to Make a Difference by Warren St. John Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow The True Measure of a Man: How Perceptions of Success, Achievement and Recognition Fail Men in Difficult Times by Richard E. Simmons III A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

High school principal Sean Casey has chosen The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God’s Best Version of You (Teen Edition) by John Ortberg to be read by all high school students, faculty and staff in hopes of meaningful lessons for all. In this book for teens, Ortberg states, ”Spiritual growth doesn’t mean a life spent doing what I should do instead of what I want to do. It means getting to the point where I actually want to do what I should do.

When people come to understand how good God is, they want him. They don’t just love him. They like him. When we become aware of this, we feel guilty because our desire for God doesn’t go deep enough—but we can’t make ourselves desire God more by telling ourselves we should. God is so gracious and patient, waiting for us to want him: and God is glad to work with this

kind of honesty. That’s why we’re invited to “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

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the wesleyan players present

Oklahoma

fine arts

written by Dr. John Peed Director of Fine Arts photography by Brian Morgan

Why do I tell you this? Because our missions are formed by God and sometimes when we try to change our mission, events occur that, if we are paying attention, let us know we might be taking the wrong path. Unfortunately, sometimes we do not pay attention and consequently end up going in a direction that we believe will pay us more money, give us more responsibility, or

increase our visibility, reputation, etc. However, these pursuits do not provide us with the passion we previously felt. I have realized my decision to go into administration twelve years ago and leave teaching was one of those times. Fortunately, God put Wesleyan in my path, providing an opportunity for me to return to the classroom and feel that passion again. He knows what my mission should be, and he knows what your mission should be; we just have to pay attention.

Wesleyan allows a myriad of opportunities for students to discover the passion and resultant mission that will serve them during their lives as they accomplish God’s plan and spread His word. The elementary and middle school curriculums offer students a variety of interests, but in my opinion, high school is where passions begin to be sorted out as God directs our lives and prepares us for adulthood.

In conclusion, my advice to current and future Wesleyan Wolves is this: take a risk and try something you haven’t done–be in a play, join the choir, run cross country, take an art class, try color guard or winter guard, experience the excitement of mock trial, go on a mission trip, study on a regular basis. The possibilities here are boundless. God knows what our mission is, and it may not be what we think it is right now or what our parents think it is. We develop our passions and ultimately our life’s mission by paying attention and taking advantage of the opportunities God provides.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

s we turn corners in our lives trying our best to determine God’s plan for us, we often have to reinvent who we are (or were) and reevaluate our life’s mission.

When I look back over my life, discovering my mission came about with God’s direction, of course as a result of my interactions with friends, teachers, church youth groups, etc.

These interactions primarily occurred from the time I was a ninth grader until I graduated high school. In my early years, music was a peripheral love for me. Like most young boys, I was into sports, playing baseball and running track, with a couple of years thrown in as a fullback on the junior high football team. Because of a family breakup and subsequent reuniting that resulted in a move back to my hometown, sports became less of an interest and music took the forefront. During the folk era, I played guitar and sang, taught guitar, formed several folk groups with friends and became totally immersed in the British invasion. A couple of my folk-singing friends were in choir, so I joined during my junior year. From that point on, choral music and music theater were my passions. I was fortunate to have a wonderful mentor as a high school choir teacher who helped me solidify my mission.

ARTS

spring 2012

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fine arts | profile

Julie Rodriguez

fine arts senior profile • Daughter of Manny and Joann Rodriguez • One sibling: David, class of 2009 • Attending the University of Georgia • Plans to major in graphic design • Julie attends Trinity Anglican Mission Church.

• In her spare time enjoys: hanging out with friends, reading and taking pictures.

• Extracurriculars at Wesleyan: cross country, diving, tennis, C.S. Lewis Club, Creative Writer’s Guild, and Peer Leadership • Standout moment at in visual arts at Wesleyan: “In Advanced Art, we had to do a “refuge” project. We had to choose our refuge (like where we go to escape or reflect) and I chose the shower. I got to do a cool painting of me with water running down my face.”

• Inspired creatively by: “I have a bunch of silly ideas in my head so that’s usually where my drawings and photography come from. But I also really love looking at other artists’ work and getting ideas and learning techniques.”

• What she loves about the arts: “Probably the psychology of it. It’s really interesting to me how photographs and paintings can make you feel something. If a photograph or painting follows the principles of art, it makes a huge difference in how the viewer feels about it. Art also teaches you patience because painting takes forever.”

• Enjoyed most about Wesleyan: “Getting to know my teachers, going to Ukraine, running cross country, and being in lots of art classes.”

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Top Left: “The Accordian Man.” Bottom Left: “Enlightened.” Bottom Right: “Underneath.”

• Unique feature about Wesleyan: “I love how at Wesleyan everyone can be friends with anyone. People genuinely care about each other and the community here is unlike anywhere else.”

fine arts | profile

Russell Matherly

fine arts senior profile

• Son of Skip and Celia Matherly • Siblings: Ryan, class of 2008, and Delaina • Attending Kennesaw State University • Plans to major in theater with an emphasis in musical theater • The Matherly family attends Peachtree Corners Baptist Church where Russell plays in the worship band.

• In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar, watching movies, going to church, and spending time with friends.

• Extracurriculars at Wesleyan: chapel band, footsie four square team, Peer Leadership, and plays • Stand out moment at Wesleyan: “My favorite experience in Wesleyan theater was the play Godspell. It was such an incredible experience to see the cast come together, and to see God move in a two hour play that was literally competely worshipping the Lord.”

• What he loves about the arts: “The ability to take people into another world.

Even if it’s just for a few hours, to see people get wrapped up in the story, getting into the play, and really feeling the emotions that the play evokes is in and of itself a form of magic that is unique to the arts. I want to learn more because I am legitimately in love with the art.”

• What the performing arts teaches you that other interest may not: “Performing arts teaches a lot about the human experience. It’s similar to reading a book because it introduces me to a character and seeing things from his perspective. It shows me how different people react to things–whimsical or realistic. It teaches a lot about the human heart, and the human psyche in a way that other interests might not go deep enough to get.”

• Favorite part about Wesleyan: “I have loved the community that theater has created. I’ve gotten to know some of my best friends through theater. Also, just the experience of being onstage to entertain people and to give glory to God is so much fun to me.”

• Unique feature about Wesleyan: “I have learned that Wesleyan is what you choose to make it. Too many times, I’ve heard people complain over and over about the rules and things of Wesleyan. But I figured out that Wesleyan, if you let it, is as good as a home away from home. After being a terrified fifth grader, literally trembling at my dad’s leg, I chose to make Wesleyan the best experience that I could. And in turn, going to Wesleyan has been the greatest experience of my life. The teachers have indeed played a crucial role in this development, and I encourage all students to take the time that is given to them and make the best of it.”

Top: Russell performing as Professor Henry Higgins in Pygmalion; Bottom: Russell performing as Curly McLain in Oklahoma.

• Inspired creatively by: “Seeing the crowd inspires me. Looking out into the audience and seeing people reacting whether they’re clapping, laughing, crying, or covering their faces in fear. The expressions of the audience are my main motivation.”

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fine arts | honors

Fine Arts Honors spring 2012 1

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1) Duncan Albert, class of 2012, All-State Band, tuba 2) Fiona Allgaier, class of 2019, Capital Art Exhibit, painting 3) Carrie Ciccotello, class of 2014, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Concert Master for GISA All-Select Orchestra, violin 4) Emily Cowart, class of 2012, Silver Key, Scholastic Art Competition, drawing 5) Amanda Doane, class of 2019, Capital Art Exhibit, painting 6) Kaley Hecht, class of 2016, Capital Art Exhibit, drawing 7) Amenda Kang, class of 2017, District Band, flute 8) Jonathan Kim, class of 2013, 2nd place SCAD Junior Challenge 2D Competition, painting.

9) Olivia Larner, class of 2016, GMEA All-State Chorus 10) Nicholas Montano, class of 2016, GMEA All-State Chorus 11) Ethan Moon, class of 2018, District Band, oboe 12) Katie Newman, class of 2017, District Band, oboe 13) Savannah Newman, class of 2012, All-State Band, flute 14) Kristen Pack, class of 2014, Capital Art Exhibit, painting 15) Cassie Pilgrim, class of 2015, All-State band, First Chair, oboe 16) Henry Pilgrim, class of 2013, All-State Band, clarinet 17) Jessie Roberts, class of 2017, District Band, flute 18) Savannah Strickland, class of 2015, Capital Art Exhibit, drawing 19) Sophia Strickland, class of 2016, Capital Art Exhibit, painting 20) Brooke Walton, class of 2012, Honorable Mention, SCAD Junior Challenge 2D Competition, painting.

21) Abby Yang, class of 2018, District Band, flute

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FINE ARTS MOVING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Duncan Albert University of Georgia UGA School of Music

Kaileigh Cartmill Samford University Flag Line

Caitlin Healy University of Georgia Redcoat Band

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

GROUP HONORS

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CHAMBER SINGERS Overall Superior Rating at the Southern Star Music Festival

BEL CANTO Overall Superior Rating at the Southern Star Music Festival

5TH & 6TH CHORUS Overall Superior Rating (singing & challenging example) at the Large Group Performance

7TH & 8TH CHORUS Overall Superior Rating (singing & challenging example) at the Large Group Performance

MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND Overall Superior Rating at the State Performance Evaluation

MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVANCED BAND Overall Superior Rating at the State Performannce Evaluation; Festival Disney, Overall Superior Rating, Gold Honors Award, Best in Class, Best Overall in Classification.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Our Town

the wesleyan players present

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fine arts | artist market

wesleyan arts alliance presents

Artist Market 2012 written by Lisa Hoskin & Jamie Stewart.

Co-Chairs, 2012 Arist Market Therese Bailey Publicity Chair

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

he Wesleyan Arts Alliance Artist Market is one of the most anticipated spring traditions for Wesleyan families and the community. The 2012 Wesleyan Artist Market, presented by the Wesleyan Arts Alliance, took place May 3rd-5th in Yancey Gymnasium. Wesleyan is fortunate to be able to offer students one of the top fine arts programs and facilities in our community. The support of the Wesleyan Arts Alliance for the fine arts department is integral in providing this high level of arts for the students. The Artist Market is the largest fundraising event for the Arts Alliance, and a portion of all proceeds generated directly benefits the fine arts program at Wesleyan.

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The 14th annual event was a joyous celebration of the arts featuring over 75 professional artists from all over the southeast selling acrylic and oil paintings, watercolors, folk art, ceramics, mixed media, photography, textiles, pottery, glass, jewelry, wood, and much more. Artwork by Wesleyan lower school students was featured in the children’s art gallery. After the children visited the market, proud parents and families had the pleasure of purchasing these original works of art. Watching the children run up to their artwork was a highlight of the market.

The opening night celebration on Thursday, May 3rd kicked off the market, celebrating past and present Wesleyan artists.

The night began with the induction of 2012 Fine Arts Circle of Honor recipients, Cristy Yarbrough, class of 2004, Jennifer Kelley, class of 2005, and Eliana Marianes, class of 2006. Then, Lisa Hoskin and Jamie Stewart, the 2012 Artist Market CoChairs, presented headmaster Zach Young with a commissioned watercolor of his favorite view of campus. The painting by

featured artist Keith Andry is an aerial view of Wesleyan titled, “A View from Heaven.” Afterwards, Zach kindly autographed limited edition prints of the painting for Wesleyan families writing personal messages as well. David Carnes, the “poet of the piano,” provided entertainment and guests viewed the works of the 2012 featured artists, Keith Andry, Shannon Haas, and Adam Newman.

The celebration of the arts continued on Friday as student and faculty bands performed throughout the day. Additionally, lower school art teacher, Jayne Pitney’s twenty-one years of service to the school was celebrated. Former and currents students and teachers honored Jayne Pitney with speeches and fond memories.

Complimentary activities for children included tattoos, face painting, crafts, and snacks. The fun continued Saturday with entertainment by The Stephen Lee Band.

fine arts | artist market

For the 2012 Artist Market, the committee strived to achieve a greater presence in the community by spreading the word via social media and several local newspapers. The efforts paid off as our sales surpassed $120,000 in spite of the current economic slump. It is gratifying to know that a portion of these sales not only helps fund the arts programs at Wesleyan but also supports talented local artists in our community and beyond.

On behalf of the Wesleyan Arts Alliance, we would like to thank you for joining us in Celebrating the Arts at our 14th annual Wesleyan Artist Market. Each year the goal is to produce an event that showcases the fine arts at Wesleyan while celebrating the arts in our community; we are humbled and blessed by this wonderful tradition.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

The Wesleyan Arts Alliance would like to extend our warmest thank-you to the many people who made this event possible, and whose contributions made the Artist Market such a huge success. We would like to give a special thanks to the Wesleyan Board of Trustees and Wesleyan Administration for their confidence and support every year. A special thank you goes to the Wesleyan Fine Arts Department and Arts Alliance Executive Board for giving so much of their time and energy. In addition, thank you to our generous sponsors, faculty members, students, Phil Stalvey and his tireless facilities crew, and countless parent volunteers. Finally, a most heartfelt thanks to our WAM Committee: Brenda Eller, Entertainment Chair, Alison Wentz and Julie Zakas, Hospitality Chairs, Marcia Jerding, WAM Treasurer and her successor Christine Stewart, Kathie Chipman and the volunteers who ran the Children’s area and Lisa Fletcher, Decorations Chair. We could never produce this event without each and every one of you!

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BOYS S WI MMI NG & DI VIN G

2012 STATE CHAMPIONS

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athletics WESLEYAN ATHLETICS IN REVIEW

photography by Brian Morgan

SPRING 2012

written by Marc Khedouri, Athletic Director

s the spring magazine is seeking to highlight the school’s distinctly Christian mission, I feel blessed to again contribute in a small way to that end. The magazine’s chronicling of the unique ways in which our faculty and staff are fulfilling the mission complements nicely the school’s efforts toward biblical integration across all of our academic disciplines.

In particular, the athletic department is a full and willing participant in these efforts.

Beautiful buildings and fields are an incredible blessing, but the best part of Wesleyan must always be the people; this was true when we were in trailers and it must still be true now that we are in finished buildings. Towards this end, as this year comes to a close, we say goodbye to some long-time and dearly beloved men and women but we eagerly welcome a new group of men and women who are deeply committed the school’s Christian mission and are excited to become a part of the Wesleyan community.

Please welcome them when you see them next fall. I am certain they will each further the mission in their own special way.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

While I am certainly not an economist, anecdotally the economy seems to be incrementally improving. I feel this to be true because in previous years we have had very little faculty attrition. This year, however, we have more openings than we have had in many, many years. While this means some longtime and beloved faculty members will be departing, it is also an opportunity for us to appoint new faculty who are excited to be a part of this community. Whenever we post an opening, I am overwhelmed by both the number of applicants and the quality of the applicants. As Wesleyan’s Athletic Director, I have come to realize that the two most important facets of my job are keeping our coaches focused on the school’s Christian mission and attracting quality teachers and coaches. When I interview

a head coaching applicant, one of the first questions I will ask is, “What is your plan to further the Christian mission through your sport?” In fact, I am often asked, “What is the secret to Wesleyan’s success?” The reasons of course are numerous: great coaches, hardworking, motivated athletes and extraordinary facilities to name a few. However, we must always remember that our true success cannot always be measured in trophies and patches. Our success must be measured in the legacy our coaches leave and the impact they have on the young people with whom they work.

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athletics | profile

ATHLETICS SENIOR PROFILE

Holli Wilkins

• Daughter of Gerald and Vita Wilkins • Two siblings, Jasmyn, Class of 2008, and Damien.

• Attending Furman University • Plans to major in broadcast journalism • The Wilkins family attends Providence Baptist Church.

• In her spare time she enjoys playing the guitar.

• Extracurricular activities at Wesleyan: basketball, softball, and track and field.

• Standout moment at Wesleyan: “During my freshman track season, I won the shot put. It was one of the best athletic accomplishments I’ve achieved because I felt like it was a title that truly every throw I did mattered and I was only ahead of the next person by a couple of inches.”

• Inspired by: “I’m just naturally competitive. I like that pressure feeling you get in heated competition and I like to play against the best competition because it makes the game much more challenging.”

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

• Why she loves athletics: “I think athletics really teaches discipline and how to train yourself to be fully committed to something.”

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• Enjoys most about Wesleyan: “I have met some of the greatest people at Wesleyan and I feel really blessed to have them around.”

• Unique or special feature about Wesleyan: “I think it’s hard to find a place where coaches and teachers genuinely care about you. I’ve come to think of a lot of my coaches at Wesleyan as family. I think it’s really unique that you find yourself in a place where a teacher or coach is willing to go out of their way to help you.”

athletics | profile

ATHLETICS SENIOR PROFILE

Eric Sunderman • Son of Michael and Julie Sunderman • One sibling, Andrew, class of 2010.

• Attending Georgia Tech • Plans to major in biomedical engineering.

• The Sunderman family attends Passion City Church.

• In his spare time enjoys: hanging out with friends, playing sports, spending time in the outdoors and going to the lake.

• Extracurricular activities at Wesleyan: football, soccer, and swimming.

• Standout moment at Wesleyan: “My sophomore year, we made it to the state championship in soccer. During this game, we had over 100 students there to support us, and they all dressed up for the USA theme, and there were a ton of American flags flying in the stands. This was a great demonstration of how supportive and encouraging our student body is.”

• Why he loves athletics: “Athletics teach me teamwork and how to work well with others. I have found no other activities like it that require full participation from everyone and everyone giving their best effort in order to accomplish a goal.”

• Enjoys most about Wesleyan: “My favorite thing about Wesleyan is how close a student can get with a coach or teacher. The coaches and teachers go beyond the classroom to help students shape their character. Teachers and coaches will go to lunch with kids and even invite an entire team over to their house for dinner.”

• Unique or special feature about Wesleyan: “A quality I feel is important is that coaches do not coach in order to win state championships, but they use sports as a vessel to teach students about Jesus Christ. Coach Pridgen says our mission is to be the best football team we can be, but teaches the character and person of Jesus is the ministry. Coach Coxhead tells the team that winning should be a goal not an idol, and that our main focus should be playing in a way that is pleasing to God.”

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

• Inspired by: “I look to my coaches and older players for inspiration during games. Because of this, I try to inspire the kids younger than me just as I wanted older kids to do with me. Competitiveness is what pushes me most athletically. I do not want to lose, and I know that my teammates do not want to lose, so I need to give my best effort if I want them to give their best effort.”

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athletics | spring 2012 team summaries

Wrestling

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Cheerleading

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The varsity basketball cheerleading squad ended its season on an incredible high note, cheering the girls basketball team on to their fifth consecutive state championship. This capped off a wonderful season of growth and achievement for the members of the squad. Even though the squad was young, comprised of four freshman and seven sophomores, each cheerleader brought new life and energy to the program. This year we began stunting for the basketball games including a fun and challenging halftime dance. From painting buses and making locker decorations to long road trips for tournament games, the girls always had a joyful and enthusiastic attitude. While the girls faced numerous challenges during the season, their bonds of friendship strengthened the squad as a whole. The girls worked to perfect cheers and chants for the basketball games, and enjoyed supporting the basketball teams throughout the season. The squad was led by their captains, sophomores, Rachel Robinson and Leighton Broome, who modeled hard work and dedication to the squad.

The cheerleaders enjoyed having a “crazy” sock exchange around the Christmas holidays, trips to The Forum for bonding, shopping, and eating, and of course, eating lunch at The Original Dwarf House on their annual trip to Macon. The girls were thrilled to be part of another state basketball championship and enjoyed cheering on the Wolves during a very successful season!

Coming off several seasons as an elite wrestling power in the state, the Wesleyan high school wrestling team began the process of rebuilding for the future. The team recorded two state place winners in Rhett Delk, 3rd, and Brent Hornbuckle, 6th.

Connor Fitzpatrick, Jake Mosely and John McCleskey also contributed significantly to the varsity team. The future looks bright for the varsity Mat Wolves as all but one wrestler return to the varsity lineup for next year and a strong group of junior varsity wrestlers move up to the varsity ranks.

The junior varsity team was led by Alexander Dubose, Danny Nocharli, John Walker, Cody Frost & Matthew Moratti. A strong contingent of freshman wrestlers also bolstered the JV lineup. In fact, at the Gwinnett County freshman championships four of our freshman wrestlers made it to the championship finals and three came away with individual county championships. County champions were Adam Nakada, Ian Robinson, and Miles Smith. Sam Beltrami took runner-up honors at his weight class. The middle school wrestling team defeated traditional powers Woodward, Westminster, Marist, and GAC during its most successful season in school history. After finishing the regular season with a 13-2 record, the middle school wrestlers finished with a strong showing at the conference tournament. The team was led by Haydon Koch, who wrapped up an undefeated season by winning his third consecutive conference title, and William Delk, who picked up his second consecutive title. Other grapplers winning their weight class include Jason McCleskey, Billy Stepp, Lawson Forro, and George Bielan.

athletics | spring 2012 team summaries

Girls Basketball Boys Basketball The varsity boys completed another great season with a 1st round appearance in the state tournament and a 4th place finish in the region tournament. The team finished with a record of 18-12 including a 3rd place finish in the Westminster Christmas Tournament. The team was led by a senior core: Shane Smith, Takim Williams, Drew Ritter and McAllister Ball. Juniors Will Clifton and Charles Mack were starters and contributed greatly, as did reserves Brandon Gilliam and Jaye Rochell. The Wolves will miss our graduating seniors, but return a strong nucleus and expect to be very strong again next season.

The JV Boys team, coached by Greg Lisson and Chris Cleveland, finished with a 10-6 record, including big wins over Buford, Mill Creek, and St. Pius. The team’s most notable improvement was on the defensive end of the court.

The 8th grade boys basketball team experienced a successful campaign this year finishing with an 11-10 record while playing a very difficult schedule. The team improved and ended the season winning seven of the last ten games of the season.

Against extremely tough competition, the 7th grade boys basketball team finished the season with 6 wins and 13 losses. Included in the 6 wins were two over GAC as well as a late season win over an undefeated Mt. Paran team. The team goal for the season was to be a winner in God’s eyes, and in this respect the boys did an outstanding job.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

The 5th grade Lady Wolves had a great season under the leadership of coaches Carolyn Whitney and Anna Sheppard. The 6th grade Lady Wolves finished 2nd in their league under coaches Mary Stephenson and Sara Goodkind. The 7th grade Lady Wolves won their league tournament with back-to-back overtime victories finishing the season 1-2 under coaches Chris Luke, Jenna Smith and Laura Archer. A mixture of 7th and 8th graders, the 8th grade Lady Wolves also won their league championship and finished with a record of 21-2 under coaches Heidi Lloyd and Gabi Martinez. Coaches Nichole Dixon and Demetrius Frazier led the JV girls to another successful season finishing 13-2.

The varsity girls season ended with a 5th straight state championship win. This season’s emphasis on both Luke 12:48 and John Wooden’s pyramid of success saw the team focus on the true meaning of success and the character traits that successful teams and individuals possess. The Lady Wolves compiled a 29-4 record and finished ranked #18 in the nation despite playing one of the most challenging schedules in school history. A season highlight was competing in Phoenix, Arizona over Christmas Break in the Nike Tournament of Champions and regular season wins over AA state champion Lovett, AA state runner-up Buford, and AAAA state runner-up SW Dekalb. Seniors Missy Byrd (Air Force Academy), Jordan Frazier (Wofford), Kaelyn Causwell (University of Georgia), and Holli Wilkins (Furman) leave a lasting mark on the Wesleyan basketball program and will continue their basketball careers in college. While excited about this team’s accomplishments, the Lady Wolves look forward to next season when the team will try to tie the state record for consecutive state championships with six.

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athletics | spring 2012 team summaries

Baseball

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Swimming & Diving

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Both the varsity boys and girls swim and dive teams had outstanding 2012 seasons. The boys earned their second straight state title by winning an extremely close state meet with a come from behind victory in the meet’s final event, the 400 Freestyle relay. Anthony McMurry and Nick Salyers, along with team captains, Timothy Marsh and Ben Spears, led the championship effort for the team. Erik Gossett and Drew Middleton were also major contributors in the successful defense of the state title at the combined A-AAAA state meet held at GA Tech. Additionally, new team records were set this season by Lauren Hall, Rachel Koch, Anthony McMurry and Nick Salyers. In the diving competition, team captain Lauren Hall became the first female diver in the state of Georgia to win an individual state championship four years in a row. Finishing in 9th place at the state meet, the girls team was led by captains Ansley Maughon and Darby Coxhead who each contributed fantastic relay swims during the meet. The middle school swim & dive teams also performed well this season. Both the boys and girls teams had strong showings at the Westminster and Marist invitational meets with the boys finishing second and the girls finishing 5th at each meet respectively.

Brian Krehmeyer coached the Varsity Wolves to a 16-11 finish and a berth in the state playoffs. Eight seniors led the team, four of whom are continuing their baseball careers at the collegiate level: Mason Colquitt, Sheldon Connor, Ben Spears, and Frank Warren. Senior pitchers Jamie Stark, Sheldon Connor, and Frank Warren accounted for 12 wins and over 60% of the innings pitched.

Offensive contributers included Mason Colquitt, Griffin Bone, Brandon Moss, Carter Hall, and Jahmai Jones. Bone led the team in average (.366) and RBI (26), while Moss led the team in HRs (4). During the season, the team conducted a clinic at the A. Worley Brown Boys and Girls Club in Norcross and shared a meal with the men at No Longer Bound, a drug and alcohol treatment center. The future of Wesleyan baseball looks to continue its previous success under the leadership and contributions of the rising juniors and seniors.

The JV had a season of growth and improvement finishing 9-7-1 under head coach Jack Van Der Sluys, winning a number of closer games. The Wolves concluded their season by either winning or tying six of their last eight games. Oustanding pitchers include Christopher Peden, Trey Mannion, and Ben Childers. Chad Arnold, Christian Stark, and Will Collins led the team at the plate.

The team spent an afternoon cleaning up after the Georgia Lymphomathon Walk at Wesleyan.

The middle school team led by head coach Bob Worthington, ended the season 15-5-1, repeating as league champions. The season highlight, however, did not have anything to do with on-thefield success. The boys reported to practice one evening only to be met by the coaches and presented with a powerful and impactful devotional organized by Coach Worthington and his staff. This year’s team consisted of twelve 8th graders and five 7th graders.

athletics | spring 2012 team summaries

Girls Lacrosse The Wesleyan varsity girls lacrosse team has completed the 2012 season with a record of 7-10-1. The varsity was led by head coach, Anna Myrick and assistants Peg Engleka and Jessie Dutcher. The team had many great games including impressive wins over St. Pius X and Blessed Trinity. Courtney O’Leary led the team in both the midfield and on attack setting new school records for most goals in one season (95), draw control possessions (69), and assists (15). Caroline Jordan led the offense and Missy Byrd led the defense. Goalie Lizy Lockett finished the season with 143 saves. Abi Irwin set a school record for ground balls in one season (31). End of season awards were given to Abi Irwin, Most Improved Player, Courtney O’Leary, Most Valuable Offensive Player, Missy Byrd, Most Valuable Defender, and Caroline Jordan, Coach’s Award.

Led by coaches Ed Smith and Wesleyan alum Johnny Schumacher, the junior varsity Wolves finished with a record of 4-7.

Comprised of mostly 8th graders and freshman, the team made tremendous progress in skills and knowledge of the game. Offensively, 8th graders Josh Garrard, Ryan Pahl, and Haydon Koch led the team. Fellow 8th grader Tyler Harper won an impressive 70% of his face-offs. Trey Jackson, Hale Porter, Avery Carpenter, and Ian Robinson led the defense. The backbone of the defense was 8th grader Jake Hanson, who had an exceptional year in the goal. The varsity Wolves were led by captains Fendall Laughlin, Nick Schroer, Barry Sutlive, and Jake Miller.

The young squad finished the year 5-9, missing the state playoffs by one game. Offensively, Blake Davis, who set a school record for points in a game, 11, led the team and was also the team’s leading scorer. Other offensive stars include juniors Jake Miller and Miles Laughlin, and sophomores Matt Zimmerman and Blake Center. Seniors Barry Sutlive, Alex Raabe, junior Trent Perry and freshman Zack Kaloper spearheaded the defense. Additionally, juniors Jake Miller and Danny Nocharli had strong seasons in the faceoff circle. Sophomore goalies Aaron Smay and Heath Middlebrooks had impressive seasons, as did long pole middies Nick Schroer and Jack Widner. The Wolves worked tremendously hard on and off the field, leaving a strong legacy that will translate into great success in both areas in the future.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Wesleyan JV girls lacrosse finished with a record of 3-7 under head coach James Moleta and assistant coaches Rebecca Carpenter and Katie Dixon. The team was comprised of 20 players, most of whom were rookies or had only one year of experience. Goalie Meredith DiStasi, a freshman and second time JV player, won the Shining Star award. Other awards were given to Carson Guess, Rising Star Award for strong offensive and defensive presence, and Coaches Award winner Gwyn Lando, a freshman team leader and offensive threat. Eighth grader Taylor Casey paced the team in scoring with 29 goals in only 8 games and Distasi saved 53% of the shots taken against her.

Boys Lacrosse

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athletics | spring 2012 team summaries

Girls Soccer

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Boys Soccer

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The 2012 varsity boys soccer team finished the season with a 11-6-1 record, a third place area finish, and qualification for the state tournament. This was the fourth year in a row that the team qualified for the state tournament. The team played Walker in the first round of the state tournament and outshot Walker 248, but had trouble finishing its chances and lost 1-4. The team had quality wins during the season of 2-1 over Providence, 2-0 over Atlanta International, and a 3-3 tie with AAAAA Duluth.

The team also had an exciting come-from-behind win of 2-1 over Fellowship, while scoring two goals with under 4 minutes to play, and a 3-2 penalty kick win over Whitefield after being down 0-2 with less than 15 minutes to play. The team scored 42 goals on the season and had 7 shutouts. The nine seniors, Cole Warren, Jay Baker, Eric Sunderman, Drew Sutton, Van Fletcher, Garrett Busch, Paul Hogan, Timothy Marsh, and Drew Ritter provided outstanding leadership, and will be greatly missed next year. Eric Sunderman led the team in scoring with 17 goals and 6 assists and Cort Coxhead was second on the team in scoring with 5 goals and 10 assists. Both Eric and Cort were named to the All-Gwinnett County team. Jay Baker, Cole Warren, and Van Fletcher led the defense while freshmen Carter Flachbarth gave solid play as goalie. Drew Sutton was Wesleyan’s Gwinnett County Scholar Athlete for the second year in a row. The junior varsity team finished with a record of 3-6-3 while competing against many schools of much larger size. Graham Deaton, Carter Kuehn, John Adent, Mike Simpson, Aurimas Stripeikis, and Austin Schneider led the JV team. The middle school team finished with a record of 5-5-2 and was led by Benji Johnson, Tucker Cannon, William Delk, and Bryce Cook.

The varsity girls soccer team ended the season with a #10 state ranking and a trip to the state playoffs for the 4th year in a row for the 10 seniors on the team. The girls worked together as a team and improved with each game, in spite of dealing with several injuries and facing tough competition throughout the entire season. Congratulations to Abby Daws, Hannah Duane, and Diane Torres for being named to the Gwinnett All-County Team and to Shannon Felts, the team’s Scholar Athlete. Seniors Hannah Duane and Abby Daws, along with freshmen Hope Morgan and Diane Torres were chosen to play in the Georgia Soccer AllStar Game. Team Awards were given to the following girls: Abby Daws (Career Impact Player), Hannah Duane (Legacy Award), Shannon Felts (Coach’s Award), Maddie Hall (Hustle Award), and Hope Morgan (Rookie of the Year). The junior varsity team had incredible talent this year and holds promise for the future of the soccer program. As a team of 8th and 9th graders, they beat and tied teams who started sophomores and juniors. The tenacious defense, led by keeper Vivian McCoy, only allowed 7 goals over the 12-game season while the offense scored 32. The middle school girls team, composed of all 6th and 7th graders, had a great season against many tough and older competitors.

Their persistence paid off when they won and tied the last two games of the season by scoring goals in the very last seconds of the game. The coaches are very proud of this young team’s 6-6-2 season.

athletics | spring 2012 team summaries

Boys Track & Field Girls Track & Field The middle school and varsity girls track teams recently wrapped up very successful seasons. The middle school team placed first at their region meet, and the varsity team won the region championship for the fourth year in a row. The varsity Wolves ended their season with a runner-up finish at the state meet, the program’s fifth consecutive top three finish in state competition. At the Region 5-A meet, the Wolves won with a total team effort by scoring in fifteen of sixteen events. Region champions were Landyn Duley in the long jump, Katie Frerking in the high jump, and Holli Wilkins in the shot put and discus. At the state meet in Albany, Wesleyan competed in eight events and scored an impressive 64 points behind several incredible performances. India Welton and Adrienne Lee placed fourth and fifth in the pole vault, while Katie Frerking and Hannah Hoskin placed 1st and 2nd in the high jump. Landyn Duley scored eighteen points by placing first in the triple jump and second in the 100m. Holli Wilkins finished her impressive career with a third place finish in the shot put and a sixth place finish in the discus, and Caroline Reed placed fourth in the 1600m and 3200m. This season new school records were set by Landyn Duley (100m), Katie Frerking (high jump), Caroline Reed (3200m), India Welton (pole vault), and Holli Wilkins (shot put and discus). Congratulations to these athletes and all of the girls who worked hard and helped to make this track season such a success!

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

The Wesleyan boys track & field team won the 2012 Region 5-A Championship for the third straight year, which is also the third in school history. In the process, 10 athletes qualified for the state meet in nine events, eight school records were broken, two athletes earned individual region championships in their event, and two members earned state championships in their events. The following athletes qualified for state by finishing in the top four in the region in their event: Charles Mack, Drew Jones, Josh King, Cole Warren, Doug Mohme, Bradley Gossett, Zander Yost, Erik Gossett, Brandon Gilliam, and Takim Williams. Bradley Gossett won the region title in the 3200m run and was joined as a region event champion by Charles Mack in the triple jump. In Jefferson, GA at the state meet, the team finished 3rd in Class A, the highest finish in school history. On Thursday evening, Bradley Gossett ran a new school record in the 1600m in 4:22.38 for third place, and followed up that effort on Friday with a dramatic come from behind win for a state championship in the 3200m with a time of 9:33.79.

On Saturday in the running finals, Cole Warren won the 400m dash with a school record of 49.03 and later finished second in the 200 with another record of 22.36. Zander Yost and Doug Mohme also had strong performances in the 300m hurdles and the 800m, finishing third and fifth respectively. In the final event of the day, the 4x400m relay team of Mack, Williams, Mohme and Warren earned 3rd place. Three additional school records were set during the regular season; Mack in the triple jump (43’4”) and Mohme in the 800m (1:58.12) and Yost in the 300m hurdles (39.95). In the past five seasons our boys team has broken 15 of the 16 Wesleyan track & field school records. Team awards went to Cole Warren– Wesleyan Competitor’s Award, Josh King– Alpha Wolf Award, Erik Gossett–Breakout Wolf Award, Doug Mohme–Blue Collar Wolf Award, Charles Mack–Field Events MVP, and Bradley Gossett– Running Events MVP.

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Boys Golf Girls Golf

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

The Girls Golf Team had a great 2012 season under the leadership of head coach Mary Stephenson and assistant coach Jennifer Russell. Season highlights include challenging matches against region rivals Pace, Mt. Pisgah, and Holy Innocents and great competition in an 18-hole scramble at Country Club of Roswell.

The team began the season in the weight room and perfected their swings and short game at River Pines Golf Course. Juniors Janie Harper, Grace Farley, Maddy Robinson, and Lindsay Panther led the team. Newcomers Riley Henning, Traci Wilson, Mackenzie Gallagher, and Camille High rounded out the team.

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Janie Harper consistently led the team throughout the season as the team’s low scorer, and freshman Riley Henning worked her way up the lineup to claim the #2 spot. Janie, Riley, Grace Farley, and Traci Wilson competed in the region tournament at Dunwoody Country Club. Battling fierce winds and cooler than usual April temperatures, the Lady Wolves finished 4th in region with Grace Farley leading the team with her best performance of the season.

The girls had a great time working on their golf games and building friendships. They learned the benefits of hard work, the importance of patience, and the value of positive teammates. The future looks bright for the Lady Wolves next season!

The Wesleyan boys golf team peaked at just the right time for 2012. After a regular season match record of 2-6, the team rallied to a 3rd place finish in the state tournament on May 7th in Augusta, shooting 314. Junior Cody Solomon led the team throughout the year and set multiple records. He broke the 18 hole scoring record by 2 strokes in a match against Lovett and Blessed Trinity at St. Ives Country Club, shooting a 69. In the state tournament, he finished 4th overall with a score of 71, tying the previous 18 hole record. Nick Ross, also a junior, contributed in every varsity match this year, and his steady and consistent play became the bedrock we could count on in a crunch.

Seniors Will Moody and McAllister Ball, both four-year members of the program, rounded out the varsity team along with sophomore James Cyran, and freshman Connor Schanen. The JV team consisted of freshmen Ryan Dobbs and Rhodri Howell, sophomores Nicholas Menefee, William Vance, and Hunter Dixon, and junior Will Clifton. With a match record of 2-4, the team worked hard and played well. The future looks bright for these links warriors!

athletics | spring 2012 team summaries

Tennis

In middle school tennis, eighth grader, Sophia Strickland helped to lead the girls to an 8 and 1 season. The girls were a determined group and often fought back after being down to win. The boys led by Tucker Cannon and Abraaz Khan were a determined group despite a 0-8-1 season. The guys often battled after being down only to lose in a heated tie breaker.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

The varsity girls team advanced to the state championship match to conclude their 18-6 season, the most team wins in Wesleyan school history. The team was led by seniors Megan Kelly and Julie Rodriguez who concluded impressive tennis careers. Megan finished as the all-time leader in overall victories and Julie finished as the all-time leader in doubles victories. Other key contributors in the region and state tournament were junior Sarah Settlage, sophomore Katie Van Laeke, and freshmen Katie McLaughlin, Savannah Strickland, and Kaitlin English. The varsity boys team had another winning season led by seniors Brooks Prettyman and Zach Taylor. As a top five team in the state, the boys battled and competed with the top competition throughout their schedule and playoff run. Zach Taylor finished his career as the all-time leader in doubles victories, and with his partner Andrew Dorman, compiled the most doubles victories as a team. Brooks finished his career in the top five in doubles wins as well. Also contributing to success on the courts were Jeffrey Chang, Austin Zakas, Kris Ippolito, and Palmer Brasher.

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INDIVIDUAL ATHLETIC HONORS

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1) Taylor Blackmon, class of 2013, Gwinnett Tipoff Club All-County Honorable Mention, basketball 2) Missy Byrd, class of 2012, GHSA All-County 1st Team, All-State Honorable Mention, lacrosse 3) Kaelyn Causwell, class of 2012, Gwinnett Tipoff Club All-County Honorable Mention, basketball 4) Will Clifton, class of 2013, Gwinnett Tipoff Club Honorable Mention, basketball 5) Mason Colquitt, class of 2012, All-County Honorable Mention, baseball 6) Cort Coxhead, class of 2014, All-County 1st Team, soccer 7) Blake Davis, class of 2015, GHSA All-County 2nd Team, lacrosse 8) Abby Daws, class of 2012, All-County 1st Team, soccer 9) Rhett Delk, class of 2013, All-County Honorable Mention, wrestling 10) Hannah Duane, class of 2012, All-County 1st Team, soccer 11) Landyn Duley, class of 2014, State Champion (triple jump), All-County 1st Team, All-State, track and field 12) Jordan Frazier, class of 2012, GDP All-County Honorable Mention, AJC All-County Honorable Mention, AJC All-State Honorable Mention, GSWA All-State Honorable Mention, Gwinnett Tipoff Club All-County Honorable Mention, basketball 13) Katie Frerking, class of 2013, AJC All-State 2nd Team, AJC All-County 2nd Team, GSWA All-State 2nd Team, GDP All-County 2nd Team, GACA All-State 1st Team, Atlanta Tipoff All-Metro 2nd Team, Gwinnett Tipoff Club All-County 1st Team, basketball; All-County 1st Team, State Champion (high jump), track and field 14) Bradley Gossett, class of 2012, State Champion (3200 meter), All-County 1st Team, All-State, track and field 15) Erik Gossett, class of 2012, All-State 2nd Team, swimming 16) Lauren Hall, class of 2012, State Champion (diving), New state record in diving, First female diver to win 4 individual state titles, All-State 1st Team, Gwinnett County Diver of the Year, Dooley Award, diving 17) Brent Hornbuckle, class of 2012, All-County Honorable Mention, wrestling 18) Caroline Jordan, class of 2012, GHSA All-County 2nd Team, All-State 2nd Team, lacrosse 19) Rachel Koch, class of 2013, All-County 2nd Team, swimming 20) Timothy Marsh, class of 2012, State Champion (400 freestyle relay), All-County 2nd Team, All-State 2nd Team, Dooley Award, swimming 21) Anthony McMurry, class of 2012, State Champion (100 freestyle, 400 freestyle relay), All-County 1st Team, All-State 1st Team, swimming 22) Drew Middleton, class of 2013, State Champion (400 freestyle relay), All-State 2nd Team, swimming 23) Jake Miller, class of 2013, GHSA All-County 2nd Team, lacrosse 24) Doug Mohme, class of 2012, All-County Honorable Mention, track and field 25) Courtney O’Leary, class of 2013, GHSA All-County 1st Team, All-State 2nd Team, lacrosse 26) Nick Salyers, class of 2012, State Champion (400 freestyle relay), All-County 1st Team, All-State 2nd Team, swimming 27) Shane Smith, class of 2012, All-State Honorable Mention, Atlanta Tipoff Club AllMetro Team, Gwinnett Tipoff Club All-County 1st Team, GSWA All-State 2nd Team, basketball 28) Cody Solomon, class of 2013, All-State 1st team, golf 29) Ben Spears, class of 2012, All-County 1st Team, swimming 30) Brittany Stevens, class of 2013, Atlanta Tipoff All-Metro Honorable Mention, Gwinnett Tipoff Club All-County Honorable Mention, basketball 31) Eric Sunderman, class of 2012, All-County 1st Team, soccer 32) Diane Torres, class of 2015, All-County 1st Team, soccer 33) Cole Warren, class of 2012, State Champion (400 meter), All-State, All-County, track and field 34) Holli Wilkins, class of 2012, AJC Class A Player of the Year, GACA All-State 1st Team, GDP All County 1st Team, AJC All-State 1st Team, GSWA All-State 1st Team, AJC All-County 1st Team, Atlanta Tipoff All-Metro 1st Team, Gwinnett Tipoff Club All-County 1st Team, basketball; Gwinnett All-County Honorable Mention, track and field 35) Takim Williams, class of 2012, Sports Champions of Greater Atlanta Award, basketball

ATHLETIC SIGNINGS

Mason Colquitt Georgia College & State University Baseball

Sheldon Connor Bradley Gossett Georgia Gwinnett College Furman University Baseball Cross Country & Track and Field

Frank Warren Nick Salyers University of Georgia Georgia Gwinnett College Baseball Swimming

COACHING HONORS

Jan Azar Girls Basketball AJC Gwinnett Coach of the Year, AJC Class A Coach of the Year, GDP Gwinnett Coach of the Year, Gwinnett County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Gwinnett Tipoff Coach of the Year, & GSWA Class A Coach of the Year

Kevin Kadzis Boys Swimming & Diving GDP Co-Coach of the Year, GACA Coach of the Year, All-County Co-Coach of the Year

TEAM HONORS CONGRATULATIONS TO GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH

Jan Azar BOYS GOLF 3rd in state

BOYS SWIMMING Class A-AAAA State Champions

GIRLS TENNIS State Runner-Up

photography by Lisa Hopper

on her induction into the

GWINNETT COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME May 5, 2012 BOYS TRACK & FIELD Region 5-A Champions; 3rd in state

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD Region 5-A Champions; State Runner Up

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

GIRLS BASKETBALL Gwinnett Tip-Off Club Team of the Year; #18 in nation, ESPN final rankings; Class A State Champions

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STATE CHAMPIONS GIRLS BASKETBALL

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faculty profile

Lisa McNearney

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photography by Brian Morgan

of the lower school Tone Chimes Group, Percussion Group, and Girls and Boys Chorister Groups.

• Five children: Gerard, twenty-seven, who lives in Charleston, South Carolina and works for Yard Art Landscaping, LLC; Stephen, twenty-five, who lives in Atlanta and works for How Now Media, LLC; Jack, twenty-three, who lives in Atlanta and works for Kingsley Associates; Sam, twenty, who attends and is a member of the football team at Georgia Tech; Gus, sixteen, who is an upcoming sophomore at Marist School.

• Standout moment at Wesleyan: “Since this is my first year and all of it is new, it’s hard to pick just one experience that stands out; however, I particularly enjoy getting students ready for a performance and we’ve had many of those: Homecoming Flash mob, Grandparents’ Day, caroling with the chorister groups, all the grade-level plays, the Talent Showcase, and the End-of-Year Program have been fun projects for me and given me the chance to see students shine!”

• The McNearney family attends the Cathedral of Christ the King where Gerry and Lisa serve as a sponsor couple for the marriage preparation ministry helping prepare couples for day-to-day married life.

• Path to education: “I am from a family of educators: my mother and one of my sisters both teach music and another sister taught Kindergarten and first grade for thirty years.”

• In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children’s activities, and spending time with her family, which is her favorite thing to do especially now that her children are older.

• Before coming to Wesleyan, she taught music at Christ the King School.

• Attended Wellington High School in Wellington, Kansas.

• Unique or Special Feature of Wesleyan: “The spiritual theme JOY! Such a happy thought and such a worthwhile goal. I believe it sets the tone and keeps us grounded in what is most important.”

• Earned a Bachelor in Music Education from the University of Kansas.

• Teaches lower school music and serves as the director

• Enjoys most about Wesleyan: “Getting to know and working with the children.”

O NE year

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• Married for twenty-eight years to Gerry, an executive account director for PGi.

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faculty | profile

Joanna Schuermann

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photography by Brian Morgan

• Married for three years to Jered, a music producer and audio engineer.

• The Schuermanns attend Passion City Church where she sings in the choir.

• Attended Harrison High School in Cobb County.

• Earned a bachelors of science degree in Secondary English Education from Kennesaw State University.

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• Teaches 7th grade English and Media World in the middle school and serves as the middle school assistant director for theater productions and as middle school chapel coordinator.

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• Standout moment at Wesleyan: “I’ve been a part of many middle school shows at Wesleyan, but our most recent show, Annie, really stood out to me. All of our shows take a lot of hard work to put together, and the students always shine on stage but this particular show as very rewarding because through the show process, we had a couple of students give their hearts to the Lord.

It makes all of the preparation and hard work worth it when we’re planting seeds and making a difference not only in giving them an opportunity to use their gifts for the Lord but to also impact them spiritually.”

SIX years

• Path to Education: “I always felt a calling on my life to work with students; I had some really great teachers (and not so great teachers) growing up, and I always wanted to be the kind of teacher who not only taught students English but someone who was also a role model and a mentor. My mom was a teacher, and I always wanted to be like her.”

• Before coming to Wesleyan, she taught second grade at Christ the King School for three years.

• Enjoys most about Wesleyan: “I have enjoyed getting to know my students on a personal level and sharing life with them. Additionally, I’ve really enjoyed making some really great friends, which makes coming to work a joy!”

• Unique or Special Feature about Wesleyan: “I think that the average person would maybe not know what an amazing community that we have here at Wesleyan. From the administration to the parents and the teachers, everyone supports everyone, and I think that’s what makes Wesleyan a desirable place to work and attend school. Not only do we support each other, but we also keep our eyes fixed on keeping Christ the center of each and every day.”

faculty | profile

Billy Coxhead

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• Married to Lori, a homemaker, for twenty-four years.

• Four children: Darby, eighteen, class of 2012, attending the University of Georgia; Cort, sixteen, a rising Wesleyan junior; Beck, fourteen, a rising Wesleyan freshman; Liam, twelve, a rising Wesleyan sixth grader.

• The Coxhead family attends Perimeter church.

• In his spare time, he enjoys attending or coaching his children’s activities and sport teams, including soccer and basketball. He also enjoys playing on USTA and ALTA tennis teams.

• Attended Durham Academy in Durham, North Carolina.

• Earned a bachelors of science in Mathematics from Davidson College.

• Earned a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University.

• Standout moment at Wesleyan: “Coaching boys soccer is my one connection with the real life of the school. If I did not coach boys soccer, I would really not even know that I worked at a school. Wesleyan is a business and keeping up with income, expenses, budgets, and benefits keeps me occupied in the administration building. However, coaching boys soccer allows me to know fifty or so boys in grades 7-12, and allows me to be part of the athletic program and to experience many of the things that other coaches experience. In addition, I have enjoyed having the varsity boys soccer team over to my house for a pregame meal before most of our Friday games. After we eat lasagna, we play some kind of silly game which is a good way for us to enjoy being together in a non-soccer environment.”

• Before coming to Wesleyan, he worked for five years at an automotive finance company called Primus Automotive Financial Services, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company.

My brother George attended Westminster in the 1970s and connected me with Zach through his Westminster roommate Jesse Sasser.

• Enjoys most about Wesleyan: “I enjoy many things about working at Wesleyan. Working in the business office, has been satisfying work trying to create a school business environment that values its employees through its compensation and benefits programs. I work with wonderful people in the business office that have been a great help to me. However, coaching soccer and investing in the lives of the players on the team who provides experiences that I will never forget. Getting to know the players and trying to share with them about life, humility, and a relationship with God has been a blessing. And, it has been a special blessing to now have my own son, Cort (and hopefully soon, Liam), on the team.”

• Unique or Special Feature of Wesleyan: “Wesleyan has an exceptional retirement program for its faculty and staff that encourages longevity. After one year, Wesleyan will match an employee’s retirement contribution dollar for dollar up to 5% of the employee’s salary. The matching percentage increases through time up to a maximum of 9% after 15 years of employment. This is a great benefit for those of us who work here, and it is a great benefit to encourage us to continue to work here!”

FIFTEEN years

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

• Works in administration as the Director of Business and Finance. During his first year at Wesleyan, he taught remedial math class to the first class of graduating seniors.

He is also the head boys soccer coach, a role he has served for fourteen years.

• Path to education: “After I graduated from Davidson, I taught math and coached soccer at Durham Academy, the school I attended growing up. After Lori and I married, I worked various jobs including working as an actuary and for a finance company. I always looked back fondly on my days at Durham Academy and thought it would be great to work in a private school again someday. I also thought I would enjoy working at the school where by children attended.”

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faculty | retirements

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photography by Brian Morgan

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Jayne Pitney 21 years of service

Jayne Pitney and her family moved to the Atlanta area from Jacksonville, Florida in 1991 where she began working at Wesleyan at the Sandy Springs Location.

Over the years, she started teaching at Wesleyan in a basement where they had few supplies and could not leave materials or art out because it also served as a room for church meetings. The next move with the school was to a trailer in the back of the school, under an old oak tree which eventually came through the roof! As the school grew, she taught middle school classes across the street in the activities building. The final move was to the new campus where she started in trailers and in 2002 moved into Warren Hall, into one of the most beautiful, well-equipped art rooms in Atlanta.

What have you discovered to be a unique or special feature/quality of Wesleyan that perhaps the average person wouldn’t know?

Facilities have changed but the things that first drew me to Wesleyan have remained the same. The dedicated Christian faculty who focuses on nurturing the talents of each student with warm and loving care has remained a constant. Wesleyan continues to attract teachers that do not look at teaching as a job but as a commitment to serve as Christian role models and to help each student reach their potential. It is always a thrill for me to see students that I had as kindergartners playing football, starring in plays, marching in the band, achieving academic honors, and becoming responsible young adults serving their communities.

What will you miss most about Wesleyan?

I will really miss teaching and being around young people every day. I have a host of wonderful memories and mind pictures of happy times and great relationships with faculty, parents and students spanning all of my years at Wesleyan.

What are your plans after you retire?

My husband and I are building a home in Naples, Florida. I am looking forward to living near the ocean again. I find the sound, smell, and visual beauty of it inspiring. I grew up with a swimming pool and am very excited about having one again. My husband’s hobby is woodworking and he is designing a great workshop to continue to pursue his passion. I will be on the other side of the house, in one of the bedrooms which I will make into my studio. I am thrilled with the idea of having time to do my own art. Naples has a very active art community and I know I will enjoy continuing to learn new skills and making new contacts. We also look forward to traveling to see our children in Charleston and Austin and hitting the road with friends.

What have you enjoyed the most about your time at Wesleyan?

I have enjoyed having Wesleyan as my extended family.

We share one another’s joys and support each other in time of sorrow. We set an example, touch lives, and celebrate the bounty of blessings we have been given. I am happy to be invested in Wesleyan’s past and will look forward to keeping up with the future of our amazing school.

faculty | welcome to new faculty and staff Lower School Juliette Ball will serve as a teaching assistant in Kindergarten to Joyce Podojil. She attended Stony Brook School in New York as a boarding student for three years and graduated high school from The Taft School in Connecticut. Juliette attended the University of the South for two years and finished her undergraduate degree at Georgia State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.

She is currently pursuing her masters at Kennesaw State University. Juliette enjoys gardening, reading, playing tennis, skiing and volunteering at Wesleyan. Currently, she is a substitute teacher at Wesleyan in the lower and middle schools. Prior to staying at home with her children, Juliette taught at Johnston Elementary where her colleagues awarded her the Teacher of the Year Award. Juliette, her husband Harold, and children, William, a Wesleyan 7th grader, and Caitlin, a Wesleyan 1st grader, attend St. Brigid’s Catholic Church.

Megan Rappe will serve as a teaching assistant to Jodi Furr in first grade. She attended Maria Regina Diocesan High School in New York and earned a Bachelor of Science in Cardiorespiratory Science from State University of New York at Stonybrook. Megan enjoys watching her childrens’ games and performances, reading, photography, and spending time with family and friends. Megan has been a Wesleyan substitute in all three divisions for the past two years. Prior to staying at home with her children, Megan worked in the Cardiac Catheterization lab at Winthrop University Hospital and later at Scimed Life Systems as a Clinical Specialist. Megan, her husband Chip, and children, Eric, a Wesleyan senior, Courtney, a rising junior, Kyle, a rising freshman, Kesley, a rising 7th grader, and Lindsay, a rising 5th grader, attend Perimeter Church.

Middle School Ryan Hodges will teach middle school physical education and serve as the head boys basketball coach and assistant boys golf coach. He graduated from Heritage High School and attended Shorter University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science, majoring in History and Political Science. Ryan enjoys playing golf, coaching his sons sports teams, and traveling. Prior to Wesleyan, Ryan taught at the Marist School. He attends Peachtree Corners Baptist Church in Norcross with his wife Mary and their children Wyatt, 9, and Owen, 6.

Jason Landers will teach middle school chorus and plans to volunteer as an accompanist for Wesleyan theater and chorus programs. He graduated from South Gwinnett High School and attended the University of Georgia where he earned a Bachelor of Music, Master of Music Education, and an Education Specialist degree in Middle Grades Education. He enjoys playing the piano, acting, reading, and spending time with his family.

Prior to Wesleyan, Jason taught mathematics at North Oconee High School. Jason, his wife Rachel, and son, Seth, 3, attend Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church in Dacula where he serves as the Principal Pianist.

Heather Niemann will teach middle school art. She graduated from Newark High School in Ohio and attended Washington University in St. Louis, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in graphic communications and minoring in art history. Heather enjoys volunteering with the Foundation for Hospital Art and Wesleyan Parents Club and running a custom cakes business as a hobby. Currently, she is a freelance graphic artist for her own company, Tingible Design. She also runs ARTerrific Camp for elementary children in the summer. Heather, her husband Randy, and children, who attend Wesleyan, Danny, 10, Naomi, 8, and Rebekah, 5, attend Perimeter Church.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Chip Myrick will teach middle school Physical Education and be the permanent substitute. He will serve as an assistant coach for the varsity football, varsity boys basketball, and track and field teams. Chip graduated from the Lovett School and attended Clemson University earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Kennesaw State University and a masters in Physical Education from Jacksonville State University. Chip enjoys staying active through exercise and sports, the outdoors, and spending time with family. Currently, he teaches at The Westminster Schools, and attends Northwest Presbyterian Church with his wife, Anna, a Wesleyan middle school teacher.

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faculty | welcome to new faculty and staff Middle School Lee Rider will teach middle school Physical Education and serve as the 8th grade boys chair in addition to coaching varsity football and JV boys basketball. He graduated from Lumpkin County High School and attended North Georgia College and State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a masters in Education. In addition, he earned a Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Lumpkin Memorial University. Prior to Wesleyan, Lee taught at Harrison High School. Lee enjoys being with his family, playing golf, and watching Georgia football. Lee, his wife, Amanda, and daughter Kennedy, 2, attend Cumming First United Methodist Church.

High School Jewel Anderson joins the IT department as the department chair and instructional technologist. She graduated from Stephens County High School in Toccoa, Georgia and attended Young Harris College earning a 2 year Associates Degree. She then attended the University of Georgia, earning an undergraduate degree in education and masters in business administration. Prior to Wesleyan, Jewel was the department head and high school technology teacher at Hebron Christian Academy. Jewel, her husband Richard, and children, Nathan, 19, and Rachel, 17, attend Hebron Baptist Church.

Deborah Brown will teach high school math and coordinate the math team. She graduated from Jonesboro Senior High and attended Georgia State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Mathematics. Prior to Wesleyan, Deborah taught Advanced Placement Calculus at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy and worked with Mu Alpha Theta. She lives in McDonough with her husband, Keith, and children, Joseph, 14, Will, 13, and Matthew, 8, and attends Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church. All three boys will attend Wesleyan for the 2012-2013 school year.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Brock Derringer will take over the high school chorus program and assist other performances as an accompanist and assistant director. He graduated from Thomasville High School and attended Valdosta State where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. He also holds a masters of Music Education in Choral and Conducting from Florida State University. Brock enjoys mountain biking, hiking, reading, and anything relating to music. Currently, Brock formerly served as the assistant choral director at the Marist School and attends Bethesda United Methodist church where he teachers the adult choir and hand bells.

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Nathan Emmelhainz will teach high school Bible and help build sets in the fine arts department. He graduated from Westland High School in Ohio and attended Asbury College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries. Nathan is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Wesleyan Biblical Seminary.

Nathan recently served as a long-term substitute in the Bible department. Currently, he is an associate pastor at Duluth First United Methodist Church. Nathan’s wife Heather homeschools their eight children, Josiah, 12, Abi, 10, Grace, 9, Erinae, 8, Ellie, 6, Hannah, 4, Kessia, 2, and Caleb, almost 1. The Emmelhainz family attends Daystar Church in Tucker.

Will Greene will teach mathematics and Bible and coach JV football and Varsity golf. He graduated from the Collegiate School in Virginia. After graduating high school, he attended College of William and Mary where he earned a Bachelor of Science. William is currently pursuing a Master of Theology degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and plans to also pursue an Educational Leadership Masters in the near future.

Prior to Wesleyan, William taught and coached at Virginia Episcopal School where he was awarded the Smith Family Award (Teacher of the Year) in 2009. He enjoys sports, youth ministry, reading, swing dance, music and crosswords. William attends Redeemer Presbyterian in Lynchburg, Virginia.

faculty | welcome to new faculty and staff High School Dean Jackson will teach high school English and assist with varsity tennis and middle school basketball. He graduated from Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia and attended Georgia State University. Prior to Wesleyan, Dean taught honors English at Northview High School. In addition, he is a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Advisor. Dean, his wife Rachel, and two boys, Nathaniel, 11, and Benjamin, 8, attend Johns Creek First United Methodist Church. Rachel teaches Kindergarten at Medlock Bridge Elementary School.

Kendra Morris will teach high school English and be responsible for the Literary Magazine. She graduated from the Marist School in Atlanta and attended the University of Notre Dame, earning a Bachelor of Arts double majoring in English and Liberal Studies. In addition, she holds a masters in the Art of Teaching English from Agnes Scott College. Kendra enjoys attending her children’s activities, playing tennis and volleyball, her women’s Bible study, serving as the PTA vice-president at Simpson Elementary, and serving with “Hands of Love” ministry. Kendra previously taught at Wesleyan from 1999 - 2008 and has spent the past four years at home with her youngest child. While at Wesleyan, she received the yearbook dedication from the class of 2003. Prior to teaching at Wesleyan, she was awarded the Teacher of the Year award, selected by her colleagues, at Atlanta Country Day School. Kendra, her husband Mike, and their children, Fletcher, 9, Lily, 8, and Piper, 3, attend Simpsonwood United Methodist Church.

Whitney Panetta joins the Wesleyan staff as the Fine Arts Administrative Assistant and will also teach two art classes and coach middle school softball and JV girls lacrosse. She graduated from Roswell High School. After high school, Whitney attended the University of Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education and a Masters of Art Education. She enjoys making art in her spare time, painting, and volunteering with Relay for Life. Prior to Wesleyan, she taught at Eastside High School in Covington, Georgia. At Eastside, she was awarded two grants for lessons she planned and was named one of Eastside’s top teachers in 2011.

Whitney and her husband Nick attend Roswell Presbyterian Church.

Guillermo Vallejo will teach high school Spanish and serve as an assistant varsity girls soccer coach and middle school volleyball coach. He graduated from Calasancio High School in Columbia and attended Universidad Distrital Bogata earning a Bachelors degree in Modern Language. He also holds a masters degree in Spanish as a second language from the Universidad de Leon Spain and a Specialist degree in Linguistics from the Universidad La Gran Colombia. Guillermo enjoys playing and watching sports, reading, dancing salsa and merengue with his wife, and is a volunteer soccer referee for the Latino community in Queens, New York. Prior to Wesleyan, he taught Spanish and coached at Marymount School of New York City. Guillermo, his wife, and their children Evelyn, 23, Lauren, 22, Alexandra, 16, and Sofia, 12, attend St. Francis de Sales in Manhattan.

Administration & Staff Brian Morgan joins the Wesleyan staff as the Director of Information Services, including technology, library, and photography services. He graduated from Norcross High School and attended Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management. He enjoys volunteering at Wesleyan, playing tennis, and sports. Prior to joining the Wesleyan staff in April, Brian worked for the Microsoft Corporation and most recently was self-employed running his photography business, Brianography. Brian’s wife Carey is Wesleyan’s lower school administrative assistant and his children Ramey, a rising 11th grader, and Rachel, a rising 8th grader attend Wesleyan. The Morgan family are members at Simpsonwood United Methodist Church.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Emily Zaritz will teach high school English and help in the Writing Lab after school. She graduated from Chattahoochee High School and attended the University of Georgia earning a Bachelor of Science in English.

She plans to pursue a Masters in Theological Studies in the near future. Emily enjoys reading, writing, spending time with family, and volunteering in the Johns Creek Baptist Church Preschool and Children’s Ministry. She has taught at Chattahoochee High School for the past nine years. Emily, her husband Paul, and children, Kailey Kate, 6, and Luca, 3, attend Johns Creek Baptist Church.

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faculty | welcome to new faculty fellows Faculty Fellows for 2012-2013 Grant Campbell will be a fellow in the high school History department working with Kevin Kadzis. He will also assist coaching 8th grade football, varsity swimming and diving, and middle school track. After living in South Africa for three years, Grant and his family moved to Alabama. Grant graduated from Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham in 2008 and attended Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History. He currently attends First Baptist Opelika in Auburn, Alabama.

Victoria Casey will be a fellow in the Modern Classical Languages department serving in high school Spanish classes with Adrienne Christian. She will also assist coaching varsity girls cross country, 7th grade girls basketball, and middle school girls soccer. Victoria is a graduate of Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis. She graduated from Grace College in December 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling and a minor in Spanish. In January of this year, she began working toward a Master of Arts at Grace College Graduate School. Victoria has served as captain of her collegiate soccer team for three years.

Currently, she attends Mission Point Community Church in Indiana.

Brittany Knight will be a fellow in the lower school in the 3rd grade working with Dana Huggins. She will also serve as the head JV girls cheerleading coach and assist with theater productions. A 2008 graduate of Trinity Christian School in Dublin, Georgia, Brittany will graduate this month from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education with concentrations in Math and Science.

She plans to pursue a masters degree in Early Childhood Education. Currently, she attends First Baptist Church of Dublin.

Hibisca Liaw will be a fellow in the high school science department and will work with Nina Kozlova teaching Physics classes. She will also assist with middle and high school theater productions. Hibisca attended Chattahoochee High School and graduated from Georgia Institute of Techonology in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in music. She graduates this summer from Georgia Tech with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Hibisca attends Journey Church of Atlanta.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

John Otwell will be a fellow in the high school working with Leslie Grogan teaching Chemisty and Pam Fedas teaching Biology. His extracurriculars will be decided this summer. John graduated from Dunwoody High School and graduates from the University of Georgia in July, earning a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cellular Biology. John attends Wieuca Road Baptist Church.

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Elizabeth Smith will be a fellow in the middle school working with Tracey Greene teaching middle school math. She will also assist coaching varsity girls cross country, 7th grade girls basketball, and varsity lacrosse.

Elizabeth graduated from The Westminster Schools and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and religious studies minoring in entrepreneurship.

This past year, Elizabeth has served as an intern for Campus Crusade for Christ. She attends Northside United Methodist Church.

faculty | appointments Congratulations to these faculty and staff who will begin new roles in the fall of 2012.

1) Laura Archer, Sixth Grade Chair 2) Tim Blue, English Department Chair 3) Laurel Chason, Fourth Grade Teacher 4) Adrienne Christian, Ninth Grade Girls Chair

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5) Linda Dunlap, Financial Secretary/Accounts Payable 6) Meg Foster, Director of Fine Arts 7) Andy Free, Math Lab Instructor 8) Fiona Hocking, Fourth Grade Teacher 9) Jonathan Koch, High School English

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10) Gabi Martinez, High School Spanish 11) Matthew Means, Tenth Grade Boys Chair 12) Kristie Onorato, High School Art 13) Joe Reilly, Middle School Geography/Media World 14) Jenna Smith, First Grade Teaching Assistant

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15) Mary Stephenson, Writing Lab Instructor 16) Jamie Wochele, Kindergarten Teaching Assistant

Wesleyan Parent Organizations • Board Members for 2012-2013 Arts Alliance Board

Wesleyan Parents Club Executive Committee Presidents Deena Coughlin Brandy Gardner Vice Presidents Lynn Stall Michele Williams Treasurer Darcy Harper Recording Secretary Kim Alexander Corresponding Secretary Kim Kaloyannides Advising Presidents Heather Niemann Kim Panther

Wolf Trackers Board President Doug Farley Events Chuck Reed Cofield Widner Programs Teri Hernandez Membership Tammy Duley Fundraising Holly Mattingly Secretary Weezy Bradach Treasurer Les Harper Concessions Michele Jones Board Liaison Kim S. Adair Athletic Director Marc Khedouri

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

President Dana Sullenberger Advising President Kathie Chipman Vice President Susan Hughes VP Membership Ginger Patton-Schmitt Treasurer (Alliance Business) Marcia Jerding Treasurer (Artist Market) Christine Stewart Recording Secretary Michele Bishop Members-At-Large Gina Solomon Michelle Williams Artist Market Judy Beaman Board Liaison Mary Ramsey Faculty Advisor Meg Foster

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faculty | new board of trustees members

Diane Duane

Welcome to New Board of Trustees Members

Diane Duane rejoins Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees this year. She served on the board previously from 2002-2007 and has been on the Development Committee since 2001. An active volunteer at Wesleyan, Diane has also served the Parents Club (Gala Auction and Hospitality), Arts Alliance (Liaison), WolfTrackers (Wolf Run Coordinator), and as a high school grade representative. Diane is a native of Fairfield, Connecticut and graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University and a Masters of Arts in Theology from Columbia Theological Seminary. Diane is the Director of Resource Development at Roswell Presbyterian Church but will be leaving this position in June to devote time to family and discern where God is leading her next. Diane, and her husband, Thomas, have three children, Rachael, class of 2009, Hannah, class of 2012, and Bruce, a rising Wesleyan 10th grader. The Duane family attends Roswell Presbyterian Church.

Mike Nicklaus

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Mike Nicklaus joins Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees this year after serving on Wesleyan’s Development Committee. A native of North Palm Beach, Florida, Mike graduated from The Benjamin School. He then earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and serves as the President of Golden Bear Realty, LLC. In addition, Mike serves on the Atlanta Junior Golf Board. Mike and wife Tracis’ oldest children, Michael, 11, Vance, 9, and Frances, 6, attend Wesleyan. The Nicklaus family, including younger children, Gray, 5, and Finley, 1, attend John’s Creek Baptist Church where Mike is involved with Sunday School and discipleship.

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Danny Strickland

Danny Strickland joins Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees this year after serving on the Finance Committee for the past three years. A native of Macon, Georgia, Danny graduated from Willingham High School. He then graduated summa cum laude from Georgia Tech earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Danny is the Principal of Innovation Frameworks, LLC, a consulting firm helping companies learn how to develop new product pipelines. He recently retired from the CocaCola Company where he held the position of Chief Innovation and Technology Officer. Danny and his wife, Christine, have two children at Wesleyan, Savannah, 15, and Sophia, 14, and a son Brandan, 29, who recently received his MBA from Emory Goizueta Business School. The Strickland family attends Saint Brigid Catholic Church.

faculty | announcements Newest Additions

William Waters Allen Son of David and April Allen January 6, 2012 7 pounds, 15 ounces

Wyatt Randall Brooker Son of Jacob and Meagan Brooker January 27, 2012 7 pounds, 13 ounces

James Harold Benson Grandson of Hal and Kathy Benson March 2, 2012 8 pounds, 4 ounces

Watson Earl Davis Son of Jeff and Amelia Davis December 21, 2011 5 pounds, 14 ounces

Emma Boeschen Granddaughter of John and Bev Boeschen February 2, 2012 8 pounds, 14 ounces

Wyn Elise Jones Daughter of Stephen and Rachel Jones March 17, 2012 9 pounds, 2 ounces

Harley Jayne Klein Daughter of Alex and Brittany Klein February 18, 2012 7 pounds, 4 ounces

In Memoriam James Wilson Beck, Sr. May 13. 2012 Grandfather of James McKeel, Eighth Grade Boys Chair & P.E.

Thelma Jean Shannon Ruddell February 9, 2012 Mother of Shannon Loftis Lower School 3rd grade teacher

Jeanne Ann Gasaway April 10, 2012 Sister of Mary Gossett, Lower School Nurse

Philip Archie Peed October 15, 2011 Father of John Peed Director of Fine Arts/Choir

Marion Tarlton “Pitt” Pittard February 11, 2012 Father of Nancy Jones Lower School Counseling

Edmund Francis Whalen February 6, 2012 Father of Kathy Benson, Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs

Mary Frechtling White December 7, 2011 Mother of Terry Dillard, Middle School Mathematics

Carl W. Wrenn December 6, 2011 Husband of Lucille Wrenn Former Lower School teacher

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Rev. David Lee Martin January 8, 2012 Father of Rebekah Martin-Fong, Lower School Spanish

Doris Turner Crew March 16, 2012 Mother of Matt Crew, Director of Studies & High School Spanish

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alumni

CLASS NOTES 2001

Ryan Nord recently moved to Cleveland, Ohio with wife, Erin, who works at the Cleveland Museum of Art. He is currently doing his residency training in Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery at Case Western Reserve University.

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Steven Brown will complete his Masters in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech this June. He will then begin work with GE Energy in July as Mechanical Engineer Advanced Programs’ for the Mechanical Design Team for the LMS100 (an aero derivative gas turbine) and Advanced Programs at GE Aero in Houston, Texas.

David Joyner is getting his PhD in HumanCentered Computing. His specific research is in educational technology, and he is currently working on creating an artificial intelligence software tutoring system that can guide students in developing metacognitive skills.

2002

Chris Jensen accepted a position with IBM in Charlotte, North Carolina. He will be selling software on IBM mainframe systems in the mid-Atlantic region.

Forester Gholston graduated from the University Of Georgia College Of Veterinary Medicine in May 2012. Forester is working at Sprayberry Animal Hospital in Marietta, Georgia.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Preston Sutter married Lauren Riley Sutter on April 24, 2009 in Point Washington, Florida. The couple had their first baby, Emmaline this fall. Preston is working as an Account Executive with Atlanta’s Tanner, Ballew & Maloof, Inc,. selling Commercial property & liability insurance. He moved back to Atlanta in December of 2011 after six years on the water as a fly-fishing guide with Shallow Water Expeditions in Watercolor, Florida.

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2008 Grayson Garvin was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays organization and is currently playing Class A Advanced baseball for the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Matt Hanlon graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in May 2012. He will begin working for SunTrust Robinson Humphrey in June as an Investment Banking Analyst.

Molly Hawkins is graduated from the University of Georgia, Summa Cum Laude in both of her majors, Biology and Religious Studies.

ABOVE: Sarah Beth Cowart and Kat Owen at the class of 2006 reunion in December.

BELOW:Carolyn and Elise Whitney, class of 2006, and their team at Wesleyan’s Lymphomathon Walk this spring.

Cat Lewis graduated from the University of Georgia in May. In March, Cat, Sara Grantham, class of 2008, Kelsey King, class of 2009, Alex Thykeson, class of 2011, Kelsey Sanders, class of 2010, Courtney Batchelor, class of 2011, and Presley Kuehn, class of 2011, participated in the UGA Dance Marathon which raised money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Cat serves on the Executive board of UGA Miracle.

alumni | class notes

2011 Davis Brown was named to the 2012 All-SCAC (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) Men’s Lacrosse 2nd Team at the University of the South.

Kevin O’Leary signed to play for the East Texas Pump Jacks in collegiate summer league baseball. After transferring from Furman following his freshman year and sitting out this season due to NCAA rules, Kevin will play for the Tennessee Volunteers next season.

Back (left to right): Sara Grantham, class of 2008, Kelsey King, class of 2009, Alex Thykeson, class of 2011, Kelsey Sanders, class of 2010, Cat Lewis, class of 2008. Front (left to right): Courtney Bachelor, class of 2011 and Presley Keuhn, class of 2011.

James Ramsey, has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for baseball. This award is given to a senior baseball player who has made noteworthy contributions in the community, classroom, and competition and through excellence in character.

James was also named to the 2012 Capital One Baseball Academic All-District IV first team. In June, he was drafted by 23rd overall in the MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.

2009

Brent Pugh, is at Georgia Southern University, and had a successful year on their baseball team which finished the season as SoCon Runner-Up.

Gardner Heaner is at Samford University, where he is a member of the baseball team.

Austin Short was cast as Snout (the Wall)/ Cobweb in an NYU production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream this spring, which was performed outdoors in Washington Square Park. He was the only student cast who is not majoring in acting.

Alexis Garcia was selected in the Georgia Honors program as a CURO Honors scholars.

Theater Director Steve Broyles with Austin Short, class of 2011.

Trey Thompkins, class of 2008, celebrates with his Los Angeles Clippers teammates during a recent NBA playoff game.

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alumni | marriages

MARRIAGES 1.

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Martha Cole Dyer, class of 2002, married Greg Dyer on May 5, 2012, in Cashiers, North Carolina at Camp Merrie-Woode.

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Anna Sheppard Vance, class of 2002, married David Vance on April 14, 2012, to in Atlanta, Georgia. Sister, Emily Sheppard, class of 2005, and Sarah Leeper Ray, class of 2002, were bridesmaids.

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Lauren Olson Nilan and Taylor Nilan, both in the class of 2005, were married on May 19, 2012, at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.

Sarah Beth Cowart, class of 2006, Jeff Hajek, class of 2005, Mikey Olson, class of 2016, John Olson, class of 2008, Courtney Sanders, class of 2005, and Webb Worthington, class of 2005, were in the wedding party.

Tricia Klaer Nall, class of 2002, married Davis Nall on February 18, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia. Sister, Michelle Klaer, class of 2004, and Kerri Campbell, class of 2002, were bridesmaids.

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alumni | marriages

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Emily Michaud Porche, class of 2005, married Jason Porche on April 21, 2012, at Neverland Farms in Cleveland, Georgia. Sisters, Molly Michaud Tanner, class of 2004, and Sarah Michaud, class of 2006, were in the wedding, as well as Laura Vann and Charlotte Steelman, class of 2005.

Tommy Binion, class of 2006, married Sarah Winslow Smith Binion on December 10, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church in the bride’s hometown, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

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Mary Olivia Holt Jones, class of 2006, married Turner Jones on December 10, 2011, at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Brittany Gottlich, class of 2006, was in the wedding party.

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Sam Ball, class of 2007, married Sarah Massee Ball, on December 31, 2011 at Central United Methodist Church in Fitzgerald, Georgia with a reception followed at the Dorminy-Massee House Bed and Breakfast.

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alumni | births

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

BIRTHS

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Katelyn Elizabeth Brown Daughter of Tanner & Jill Austin Brown class of 2000 April 15, 2011 8 pounds, 2 ounces

Wyn Elise Jones Daughter of Stephen & Rachel Hart Jones class of 2003 March 17, 2011 9 pounds, 2 ounces

Karis Elisabeth Ray Daughter of Jared & Sarah Leeper Ray, class of 2002 January 23, 2012 9 pounds, 3 ounces

Gavin Parker Ready Daughter of Stephen & Amanda Hill Ready class of 2002 July 1, 2011 8 pounds, 10 ounces

Emmaline Rose Sutter Daughter of Preston & Lauren Sutter class of 2002 November 13, 2011 7 pounds, 7 ounces

Braden Hall Winter Son of Brian & Jenny Hall Winter class of 2002 November 28, 2011 8 pounds

athletics | features

FINE ARTS CIRCLE OF HONOR

2012 INDUCTEES

written by Rebecca Carpenter, Alumni and Special Events Coordinator

n 2009, Wesleyan inducted their first four members into the Fine Arts Circle of Honor. Through this induction, Wesleyan recognizes contributors for their influence on the school, especially in the early years. They are awarded not only for their talent, but for the way they carried themselves on the stage, in the band, etc. and for the Godly conduct they kept while representing Wesleyan.

On May 3rd, Wesleyan’s Fine Arts Department inducted three alumni into the Circle of Honor: Cristy Yarbrough, class of 2004, Jennifer Kelley, class of 2005, and Eliana Marianes, class of 2006.

CRISTY YARBROUGH, class of 2004

• “It is no exaggeration to say that Wesleyan’s color guard program would not be where it is today without Cristy Yarbrough. As a charter member of the Marching Wolves, color guard captain, one of the founders of the winter guard program, and (most belovedly) as the guard’s instructor, coach, and friend, Cristy gave so much of herself to this program. She participated in every marching and

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

• Band and Theater

winter guard season from her ninth grade year to the completion of her master’s degree. She was a model student of the art and became one of its greatest teachers. With an innate sense of timing and movement and a creative spirit that infused the guard’s routines, Cristy and her inborn leadership skills took the program to new heights. The winterguard, for instance, rose three competitive tiers from the Aladdin effort of her senior year to the triumphant “Only Hope” show of our final season together – and yes, that final show was fittingly designed in radiant purple in honor of our Cristy.

In her artistic visions, she shared her beauty with her girls. In the daily grind of working segments count by count, she modeled determination, discipline, and hard work. And in her enduring belief in what the program could be, she taught her students (and me) that all our creativity and hard work are for the glory of our Creator and His Risen Son.” - Katie Sutton, Color Guard/Winter Guard Director (2002-2009) - cont’d. on page 88

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circle of honor | fine arts

CRISTY YARBROUGH, cont’d • Involvement at Wesleyan:

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Band • Color Guard; charter member, captain (2003, 2004) • Winter Guard; founder, charter member, captain (2004)

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Theater • Godspell • Good Luck Charlie Brown • Hamlet • Pilgrim’s Progress • Awards received at Wesleyan: Drama award (2004) Color guard, placed in several regional tournaments Cristy graduated Wesleyan in 2004, and went to Georgia Tech, where she majored in Accounting and International Business, and participated in their color guard program. After graduation in 2008, she then pursued a Masters of Accountancy from Mercer University.

Cristy now works at Deloitte & Touche, LL, as a certified Public Accountant-auditor. Cristy has also continued to coach color guard & winter guard here at Wesleyan and at North Hall high school.

JENNIFER KELLEY, class of 2005 • Band and Theater

“Jennifer Kelley made a significant impact on the Wesleyan community, as she was involved in nearly every imaginable Wesleyan activity. She was a member of symphonic band, marching band, and basketball band throughout high school. She was one of our most celebrated drum majors, a position she served in for two years – she was a friendly, welcoming person who also had the maturity to lead with strength and boldness. She was a gifted flutist who made it into District Honor Band and the GISA All-Select Band on several occasions. She played flute in the “pit orchestra” for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She also acted in shows including an unforgettable performance in Cotton Patch Gospel. Jennifer could make friends with anyone and, to this day, loves people and serves her Lord in a powerful way. I am so thankful for her and the time she gave to the Wesleyan band program.”

- Jeff Foster, High School Band Director • Involvement at Wesleyan: Band Marching Band, Drum Major 2003; 2004 Wind Ensemble Winter Guard Theater Cotton Patch Gospel You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Orchestra Role Wizard of Oz, Orchestra Role Awards received at Wesleyan: • Faculty Cup Jennifer graduated from Wesleyan in 2005 and went to Emory University and continued to participate in the wind ensemble and theater program. She pursued careers as a Christian life coordinator for an elementary school, a second grade teacher, and as a youth minister. Jennifer is currently attending Georgia State and studying Psychology.

circle of honor | fine arts

ELIANA MARIANES, class of 2006 • Band, Chorus, and Theater “Eliana “Lia” Marianes is a woman of many gifts and talents. Her love of life is undoubtedly, though, the greatest gift she has given every day of her own life. Her enthusiasm for each endeavor, her absolute lust for life in general led her to be an incredible presence on stage and off. The many roles she played opened our eyes to a variety of characters and made us really feel and experience the various plights of the human condition. Lia is also a talented musician and poetress and songwriter. Her love for God even brought those talents together as she played her guitar for us in an all-school chapel, singing a special song she had written and composed. In French class, she excelled, always seeking to reach higher levels of fluency and proficiency. These efforts paid off for her as she was able to join the Théâtre du Rêve, a French theater troupe based here in Atlanta. She took her talents to France where she performed in the début of a French play. While a student at Emory, Lia thrived in the theater program, and contributed her own special talents to their thespian group.

• Involvement at Wesleyan Band & Chorus Wesleyan Winter Drum Line, captain (2006) Wesleyan Concert Choir Wesleyan Symphonic Band Guitar & Vocal soloist Wesleyan Artist Market Wesleyan Chapel Band Wesleyan Symphonic Band

• Awards received at Wesleyan 2006 Triple Star Award (Desire, Discipline and Character) International Thespian Society, Secretary, Tri - M Music Honor Society Eliana graduated Wesleyan in 2006, and went to Emory University.

There she majored in English and Theater Studies, and continued to pursue theater. She graduated in 2010. Currently Eliana is serving as the Development Coordinator for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta. She also continues to audition throughout Atlanta, and has performed with the Alliance Theater, The Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern, Georgia Shakespeare Festival, Aurora Theater, Out of Hand Theater, The Center for Puppetry Arts, Georgia Ensemble Theater, Theater Emory, Emory Dance Company, Academy Theatre, Theatre Decatur, and Théâtre du Rève, (both in Atlanta and in Limoges, France) and is currently performing the role of Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense at the Legacy Theater.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE Fall 2012 2010 WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | S•ummer

All in all, Lia has won my heart, but I am not alone. Her gifts of performances, theatrical, musical, academic, combined with her spiritual, yet grounded approach to life made, and will continue to make a great impact on any who are fortunate enough to be around her. “ - Jo-Ann McCauley, High School French Teacher

Theater Much Ado About Nothing Skin of Our Teeth Cotton Patch Gospel The Boys Next Door A Night in Elsinore Rosencrantz Guildenstern Are Dead Wild Oats A Midwinter’s Dream Knight The Drawer Boy, Director The Magic Paintbrush, Director You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Director

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circle of honor | ceremonies

CIRCLE OF HONOR CEREMONIES:

ATHLETICS & FINE ARTS 2012 written by Rebecca Carpenter, Alumni and Special Events Coordinator

he Wesleyan Athletics and Fine Arts Circles of Honor were created in 2007 to show appreciation to members of the Wesleyan community who have made significant contributions to Wesleyan athletics and fine arts. Those chosen for induction into the Athletics and Fine Arts Circles of Honor have influenced our society in the athletics or fine arts, academics and service while at Wesleyan and following their graduation.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

This spring, Wesleyan had its third annual induction into both the Athletics and Fine Arts Circle of Honor. On January 28, Brian Kennerly, former Boys Head Cross Country Coach; Tony Plagman, class of 2006; Carolyn Whitney, class of 2006 and Elise Whitney, class of 2006 were inducted into the Athletic Circle of Honor. On May 3, Cristy Yarbrough, class of 2004; Jennifer Kelley, class of 2005; and Eliana Marianes, class of 2006 were inducted into the Fine Arts Circle of Honor. All of these inductees were recognized and honored for their hard work and dedication to the athletic and fine arts programs during their time at Wesleyan, as well as for carrying out their talents following their graduation.

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To nominate a candidate for either the Fine Arts or Athletics Circle Of Honor, please visit the athletics of fine arts home pages on our website (www.wesleyanschool.org) for criteria and form or contact Rebecca Carpenter at (rcarpenter@wesleyanschool.org).

Save the Dates SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

2002 TEN YEAR REUNION

HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME & ALUMNI TAILGATE

FADO’S IRISH PUB @ 7PM

WESLEYAN VS. BROOKSTONE SCHOOL

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rob Binion, Chairman Kim Sutton Adair Bob Atkinson Don Barden Dan Cowart

Dear Alumni,

Dr. Edress Darsey Steve Deaton

Three years ago I was fortunate enough to be elected the president of the Wesleyan Alumni Board. I had been involved in the board for two years before, but we were taking a step forward and formalizing the structure of the board.

Susan Frye

When we first started, we struggled to find our way and what we wanted to be when we grew up. This journey was similar to starting high school and trying to figure out how it would work. Allison Christopher and David Anderson were elected as the vice president and alumni fund chair, respectively. A large majority of the success and progress of the alumni board is a direct result of their hard work and constant effort. I feel very fortunate that we were together to start the board moving forward.

Michael Parks

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

The board members changed each year as people started families, moved away, or their careers would not let them participate. I enjoyed the differing perspectives of each person along the way and seeing us come together as a board. The first two years were by far the toughest; however, this last year things have really picked up. We have formal role definitions, a full structure in place and plenty of energy for the future. I am excited that Allison will be taking my place as president next year. I am also excited to announce that Reed Dailey will become a part of the executive committee as the vice president. David Anderson will continue doing a great job in his role as chair of the alumni fund. We should all be happy that these three great people will be leading the alumni board and taking it further in its vision to connect the alumni and the school. Yes, they will continue to give us the opportunity to experience the joy of giving, but they will also give us the opportunity to continue to make Wesleyan great!

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Mark McIntosh Tom Menefee Mary Ramsey Jim Pierce Paul Robertson Frank Simpson Bill Stark Dr. Anna Tanner Dr. Bill Warren Bob Worthington Zach Young, Ex-Officio

ALUMNI BOARD Allen Marsh, Class of 2000, President

I have had a great time as president and have learned more than I ever imagined I would.

Wesleyan has proved to be a place of learning and knowledge for all of us even after graduation.

Thank you to all the alumni, teachers and staff for your support during this time. A special thank you to Andy Cook and the leadership he has provided, without which our success would not be as great.

David Andersen, Class of 2001, Vice President for Development

Last year, I moved to Charlotte, and in October we will welcome our first child to the family.

I will not be around the Wesleyan campus much, but look forward to hearing about all our alumni do through this magazine. Please take the opportunity to get involved. The Alumni Board is set to achieve some of the greatest accomplishments to date. Thank you all again for an amazing journey, and I leave you with a quote that I hope you find useful:

Brody McBrayer, Class of 1999

Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.

- John Wooden

Allison Christopher, Class of 2004, Vice President for Events CLASS AGENTS Reed Dailey, Class of 2001 Ashley Gross, Class of 2002 Calder Justice, Class of 2002 Stuart Lawder, Class of 2005 Emily Sheppard, Class of 2005 Page Long, Class of 2006 Mark Rockett, Class of 2006

Allen Marsh, class of 2001 Wesleyan Alumni Board President 2009-2012

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WESLEYAN MAGAZINE • Spring | Summer 2012

Parents of Alumni: If this issue is addressed to your child who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of the new mailing address. (Rebecca Carpenter: 678-223-2133 or rcarpenter@wesleyanschool.org).

Office of External Affairs 5405 Spalding Drive Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 (770) 448-7640

WESLEYAN SCHOOL

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