A newsletter for the families, alumni, and friends of Westchester Country Day School Summer 2013

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Booster Co-President Named Volunteer of the Year

WCDS parent Emilee Brigman received the Margaret Kemper Bonney Volunteer of the Year Award for 2012-2013. Emilee is mom to two boys, Bo (3rd) and Hamer (5th), and served as co-president of the Booster Club this year. Aside from her Booster Club duties, Emilee is a fixture on campus, always pitching in when needed, including volunteering to help with special events, assisting with hearing or vision screenings, being a classroom helper, pitching in in the development office, and cheering on the Wildcats on the fields, on stage, and in the classrooms.

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Board of Trustees2013-2014

Caren YorkPresident

John D. BrysonVice President

Jaree ToddSecretary

Douglas R. MuirTreasurer

Sandra P. Adams Michael R. Beaver

Emilee Brigman (Booster Co-President)

Lee Cecil Stan Clinard Sara Dyson

Rene M. Folk

Michele Jedlica Terrance Johns

Jackie King Lorraine Ledford Suzanne Lowe

Jeffrey L. McDowell Lee B. Nunn

Will G. Ragsdale Coleman Team

(Alumni President) Cindy Webb

(WAPA President)

Cobb Atkinson ex officio, Head of School

On the Cover:Luke Evans and Allyson Chiu (8th)

take a ride at Blue-White Day.

3 Welcome

4 Academic Excellence

8 Artistic Excellence

10 Athletic Excellence

12 Moral Excellence

14 Alumni Update

15 News You Can Use Wildcat Paws is published twice yearly byWestchester Country Day School2045 N. Old Greensboro RoadHigh Point, North Carolina 27265336.869.2128 | www.westchestercds.orgFor questions or comments, please contact Mary Ann Smith, Director of Communications & Marketing, 336.822.4084

From the Head of School

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Westchester’s graduating classes always give us lots of reasons to brag, and the Class of 2013 was certainly no exception. These bright, talented students are fast approaching that day in August when they will begin their undergraduate careers, but before they leave us, I would like to take a moment to celebrate their accomplishments:

• The Class of 2013 submitted 226 applications to 79 different institutions in 23 states.

• 181 of the applications (80%) resulted in an outright acceptance or a spot on a waiting list.

• Collectively, the members of this class were offered over $2.4 million in merit scholarships; this translates to an average of $55,000 per graduate in merit awards.

• 31 members of this class, nearly 75%, were offered at least one merit scholarship or grant. • This year’s Valedictorian, Claire Councill, was awarded a Jefferson Scholarship at the

University of Virginia. She is one of 34 students from around the country and the world who have earned this all-expenses-paid scholarship that includes international study and summer stipends.

• Avery Goho, our Salutatorian for 2013, was awarded a Mary and Elliott Wood Scholarship. Avery will attend Clemson University, where she has been awarded additional scholarship money as well as a place in the honors program.

• Over their collective high school careers at WCDS, members of the Class of 2013 led the school to 10 NCISAA State Championships—three in Varsity Golf, two each in Boys Track and Baseball, and one each in Boys Soccer, Boys Basketball, and Girls Track. These represent one-third of the total state titles won at WCDS since its founding 46 years ago.

• Also over their collective high school careers, members of this class led the Varsity Golf, Boys Baseball, and Girls Track teams to their first state championships in the history of the school.

• Nine members of the Class of 2013 will be moving on to play college sports. Will Thomas, Angel Valencia, Tristan Winkle, and Meghan Ingram will be playing college soccer. Bruno Beca will be joining a college basketball team, and Micah Hedgepeth, WJ Jessup, Luke Puckett, and Markel Johnson will be playing college baseball.

• 22 members of the senior class were enrolled in an art class this past year, and 18 of them were working at the Advanced Placement level.

• As a group, over the past four years, this senior class took 70 art classes as high school students.

• 14 members of the Class of 2013 played key roles in WCDS drama productions dating back for more than a decade. Julia Ormond alone performed in 17 separate shows during her time at WCDS and served on the stage crew in five more.

As you can see, we have lots of reasons to be proud of this year’s graduating class; in countless and indelible ways, they have left their collective mark on Westchester Country Day School. While the numbers are indeed impressive, they only begin to capture the power and depth of the legacy that this class has left behind. Having seen what they can accomplish, I look forward to watching them move into new communities, tackle even greater challenges, and accomplish even more in the years to come.

Cobb Atkinson Head of School

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Bruno Beca Hampden-Sydney CollegeSt. Michael’s College *

Charlie Branson Appalachian State University *High Point UniversityWofford College

Haleigh Breece College of Charleston East Carolina University *UNC WilmingtonUniversity of South Carolina

Clayton Brewer Barry UniversityEast Carolina University *UNC CharlotteUniversity of South Carolina

Josh Burton A & T State University *Catawba Valley Community CollegeFerrum CollegeGuilford CollegeWinston-Salem State University

Leah Caffey Elon University *NC State UniversityUniversity of AlabamaUNC Chapel HillUniversity of South Carolina

Megan Caffey University of Alabama *UNC GreensboroUNC Wilmington

Sarah Kate Christiansen Radford University

Savannah School of Art and DesignSchool of the Art Institute of ChicagoUNC Wilmington *University of South Carolina

Kristine Chukwuma Campbell UniversityEast Carolina University *High Point UniversityRoanoke College

Claire Councill Davidson CollegeUNC Chapel HillUniversity of Virginia *

Nicole Danch Appalachian State UniversityFlorida Atlantic UniversityIndiana UniversityMiami University

The Class of 2013 officially became alumni at Westchester’s 42nd commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m. at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point. The 43 graduates were accepted to 66 different colleges and universities and have been offered more than $2.4 million in scholarship money.

Claire Councill was this year’s valedictorian and was the recipient of the Peter M. Cowen Outstanding Senior Award and the History Department Award. She received a Jefferson Scholarship from the University of Virginia, where she will begin in the fall.

Avery Goho was the Class of 2013 salutatorian. She was the recipient of the Westchester Cup and the Science Department Award. She also received certificates of merit from the History and English departments. She will attend Clemson University. Below is a list of the Class of 2013 college acceptances with an asterisk indicating which college each student will attend:

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Academ

ic ExcellenceMichigan State University *Penn State UniversitySyracuse UniversityUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of South Carolina

Tyler Fairly Appalachian State University *Hampden-Sydney CollegeUNC CharlotteWingate University

Mary Marshall Fariss Hollins UniversityUniversity of the South (Sewanee) *

Elizabeth Folk Clemson UniversityNC State University *UNC Wilmington

Thomas Freund Clemson UniversityEmory UniversityFurman UniversityUNC Chapel HillWake Forest University *

Avery Goho Clemson University *UNC Chapel Hill

Jeff GreenEast Carolina University *University of AlabamaWashington & Jefferson CollegeWest Virginia University

Olivia Greeson Auburn UniversityClemson UniversityNC State University *UNC Chapel HillUNC CharlotteUniversity of South CarolinaVirginia Tech

Micah Hedgepeth Brevard College

Meghan Ingram Meredith College *

Christian James College of CharlestonUNC Wilmington *University of South Carolina

WJ Jessup Lenoir-Rhyne University *NC Central University

Markel Johnson Appalachian State University *

Alexis King Appalachian State UniversityFlorida State UniversityNC State University *

Lizzy Lawrence Appalachian State UniversityNC State University *Savannah College of Art and

DesignUNC Chapel HillVirginia Tech

Jan Luehr Catawba CollegeElon University

Oby Nwamu Mercer UniversityOxford College of Emory University *Stetson UniversityUniversity of Maryland

Julia Ormond Appalachian State UniversityUNC Wilmington *University of South CarolinaVirginia Tech

Abbey Perdue Anderson UniversityBelmont UniversityCampbell UniversityLee University *UNC CharlotteWestern Carolina University

Luke Puckett Carson-Newman College *East Carolina UniversityHigh Point UniversityLenoir-Rhyne UniversityNC Wesleyan CollegeUniversity of Tennessee

Sydney Richards Brevard CollegeCatawba CollegeGreensboro CollegeHigh Point University *St. Andrews University

Walker Rose High Point UniversityPresbyterian CollegeUNC Wilmington *Wofford College

Bele Seyoum Appalachian State UniversityNC State UniversityUNC Chapel Hill *Wake Forest University

Katarina Terentieva UNC Chapel Hill *Wake Forest University

Will Thomas Mercer UniversityRoanoke CollegeStetson UniversityUniversity of the South (Sewanee) *

Kennedy Thompson NC State UniversityUNC Chapel Hill *University of South Carolina

Julie Tugwell Ferrum CollegeHigh Point UniversityRoanoke College *UNC CharlotteWestern Carolina University

Leigh Tyson Appalachian State UniversityClemson UniversityNC State UniversityUNC Chapel Hill *University of South CarolinaVirginia Tech

Angel Valencia Greensboro CollegeGuilford College *

Kimberly Watson Clemson UniversityNC State University *

Savannah Wellington Clemson University *College of CharlestonFurman UniversityUniversity of AlabamaUniversity of South Carolina

Patrick Williford Appalachian State UniversityClemson UniversityNC State UniversityUNC Chapel Hill *

Tristan Winkle East Carolina UniversityGeneva College *Millsaps CollegeUniversity of AlabamaUniversity of Montevallo

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2012-2013 Academic Award WinnersUpper School Awards

Suzi Holliman AwardCharlie Branson

Good Citizenship AwardHaleigh Breece

Westchester CupAvery Goho

Peter M. Cowen Outstanding Senior Claire Councill

Ninth Grade Top Scholar Paige Hetley

10th Grade Top Scholar Kess Hendrix

11th Grade Top ScholarCatherine York

ValedictorianClaire Councill

SalutatorianAvery Goho

Senior Speech AwardOlivia Greeson

Vijaya Kumar Chemistry AwardChristian James Garrett Willard

Student Government AwardKennedy Thompson

Departmental AwardsArt

Sarah Kate Christiansen Lizzy Lawrence

DramaJulia Ormond

English

Kennedy Thompson

Health & Physical EducationJonathan Bethel

HistoryClaire Councill

MathPatrick Williford

Music

Patrick Williford

ScienceAvery Goho

Thomas Freund

SpanishGeorge Heath

Yearbook Kimberly Watson

Certificates of Merit

ArtHaleigh Breece

DramaW.J. Jessup Alexis King

Abbey Perdue

EnglishTyler Fairly

Avery Goho

Health & Physical EducationRyan Beale Laura Folk

Paige Hetley

History Josh Evans

Avery Goho Courtney Spencer

MathHaleigh Breece

Andrew Foreman Katarina Terentieva

MusicJessica Barker

Charlie Branson George Heath

ScienceSam Argo

Kess Hendrix Abraham Hernandez

SpanishJonathan Bethel

Paige Hetley Bele Seyoum

Additional AwardsBausch and Lomb Award

Hunter Heinbach

Peters Family ScholarshipAnna Hood

Catherine York

Randolph College Book AwardCatherine York

Salem College Book AwardMary Kate Farris

Human Relations AwardKimberly Watson

Middle School AwardsFreddie Kirkman Award

Margot Behrens Terry Neza

Emma Padgett AwardAdam Chinnasami

Eliza Fisher

Scott Patterson AwardCharles York

ArtTJ Webb

Drama

Kammy Forester

Music Maddie Dyson

PhotographyAllyson Chiu

Alex Hall

Certificates of MeritArt

Ambar Khawaja Rayha Haque

DramaAnnabelle Fisher

Lilly SheffieldStephanie Thomas

Charles York

Music Anna Blackman Annabelle Fisher

Samuel Noyes

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Lower School Teachers Receive Finch Awards

Fourth grade teacher Blair Hawley (left) was named this year’s T. Austin Finch Chair of Distinguished Teaching, and fifth grade teacher Vicki Sloop received this year’s T. Austin Finch Master Teacher Award. Both awards, established in 2010, recognize outstanding classroom teaching and commitment to the WCDS mission. Mrs. Hawley and Mrs. Sloop both joined the WCDS faculty in the fall of 2008. Since their arrival, they have been instrumental in bringing positive changes to the Lower School curriculum such as the introduction of the “Words Their Way” differentiated spelling program.

Mrs. Keever, Mrs. Parks Recognized

Head of Middle School Mary Keever (left) received this year’s Class of 2005 Award, recognizing a member of the faculty who, during the course of the year, has taken time to give of himself or herself in a special way.

Director of Arts and Upper School art teacher Ann Parks was this year’s WAPA Teacher of the Year. The annual award recognizes the teacher who has exhibited outstanding skill in the classroom and a deep concern for the welfare of the students.

Two Westchester Favorites Retire

This spring marked the retirement of two Westchester favorites - Upper School science teacher Ms. Jane Bowie, who has been with WCDS for 31 years, and facilities manager Luke Hale. The two were honored at a reception following the Upper School Academic Awards and again at the WAPA Service Faculty Luncheon when colleagues were invited to speak for their retiring friends. Mr. Hale was also the recipient of this year’s Chuck and Carol Hamblet Award. Mrs. Hamblet made a surprise appearance at the C.A.R.E.S. Crews Field Day to present him with the award. They will both be missed!

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Arts Are Magic Ticket

Come with meAnd you’ll beIn a world of

Pure Imagination

Take a lookAnd you’ll see

Into your imagination.

Imagination…the ability to see beyond the ordinary, to dream. The arts give us the freedom and opportunity to imagine and create magical places-- on the stage, in the studio, and in our hearts and minds.

Pure imagination filled Rives Hall this spring as Stuart Nunn, portraying the Candy Man in Willy Wonka Kids, showed us that all things are possible and that the world is a pretty sweet place to be. The ever-positive Charlie, played by Lilly Sheffield, didn’t let his disappointments color his outlook. We traveled with Charlie and the cast of characters from the ordinary to the extraordinary world of Wonka’s technicolor chocolate factory, filled with amazing machines run by Oompa Loopas. The audience experienced a place and time where magic is real, helped, of course, by a talented cast of nearly 50 kindergarten through eighth grade students and Mrs. Noyes’s visionary staging. She notes, “The K-8 production is very important to the school in that it offers Middle School students and upper Lower School students the responsibility of a primary role. This production is the learning ground for all K-8 students planning to be in future productions that are more challenging. Support of this year’s production was exceptional.”

An interesting sidebar about our productions: Many of our costumes and scenery pieces have been rented by other schools and community theaters, a true testament to the high quality of our productions. The spring choral programs in the Lower School offered us magical lightning bugs and cocoons that grew into butterflies. Third through fifth grade students transformed into singing pirates, searching for buried treasure. Their swagger was infectious. These students learned confidence by singing and speaking in front of an audience.

Their enthusiasm and understanding of music were clear under the direction of Shelley Jennings.

The Middle and Upper School concert entertained us with a wide array of musical offerings from country to classical. Seeing students perform in ways that are far outside of their everyday roles is indeed magical. Despite being out on maternity leave for part of the semester, Mrs. English prepared her students well for their performances.

The visual arts concluded the year with the AP Studio Art portfolio presentations at the

Celebration of the Arts, Theatre Art Gallery exhibits for our Lower School students, and even paintings by Mrs. Parks as part of TAG’s art educators show. Creativity and imagination are evident every day in our studio classrooms, guided by Mrs. Weiss, Mrs. Bailess, and Mrs. Parks, our trio of committed art instructors.

Celebration of the Arts showcased the talents of many of our student artists—singers, dancers, actors, and visual artists. It also gave the arts community the opportunity to celebrate Mrs. Noyes’s 25 years of commitment to the arts at Westchester. Alumna Hannah Hunt Gilliland sang her own version of “My Favorite Things” and graduate George Gilliland performed “You Lift Me Up” to Mrs. Noyes.

This summer our students continue to study the arts. Jessica Barker attended Governor’s School in vocal performance, a very high honor. Summer camps in art and drama offer our own artists an opportunity to create and use their imagination. Camps also introduce non-Westchester students to our excellent art programming and the wide variety of opportunities to learn and grow. The arts really are the Magic Ticket!

Ann Parks Director of Arts

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Mrs. Noyes Marks 25th Year

Middle School math teacher and theater director extraordinnarie, Mrs. Debby Noyes, celebrated her 25th year at Westchester this year. At right, Mr. Atkinson recognizes Mrs. Noyes during the Middle School academic awards ceremony. He noted that during her tenure here, Mrs. Noyes has directed well over 50 plays, has served as the head of both the Middle and Upper Schools, and is continually recognized as one of the students’ favorite math teachers. During the ceremony Mrs. Noyes was presented with an engraved chair in recognition of her service to WCDS.

Summer Art Trip to Italy

On June 10, 17 travelers—students, parents, siblings, and teachers—took off for a 10-day tour of Italy, visiting Verona, Venice, Ravenna, Florence, Assisi, Sorrento, Pompeii and Rome. Our focus was on the art and artifacts of Italy: the paintings, sculpture, and architecture that have defined western culture for over 2,000 years. These masterworks of human ingenuity and creativity became real for us, not simply images in a book or on a screen. In places such as the Uffizi Museum (ranked this year the #1 museum in the world) or the awe-inspiring cathedral, Il Gesu, we experienced the vast offerings of Italian history. We also witnessed Italian culture from wandering the cities with their small coffee shops, gelateria, and neighborhood eateries. We traveled as a private tour with our own full-time guide, Simone, and our own small bus with driver Salvatore. We were grateful for the thirty seater as Salvatore negotiated the winding roads of the Apennine Mountains. We traveled from the Adriatic Sea on the east coast to the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west, crossed two major river systems, fell in love with Umbria with its olive groves, and marveled at everything we saw. Saying Buongiorno and Grazie became second nature. The weather was beautiful, with blue skies every day. We returned on the 19th already missing the rhythms of Italian life, especially our morning routine of cappuccino. Though a bit weary from our long walks on cobblestone streets, we wouldn’t have changed a thing and are eager to travel again.

The magic of Italy is found in everyday

experiences as much as in stunning artistic or

architectural masterpieces. It emerges while

riding the waves to Venice or when wandering

the streets of Florence after dark; in the curl of

steam above a morning cappuccino or in the

soul-satisfying coolness of gelato. Thus part of

the magic of Italy is simply being there. And

yet, the masterpieces are without compare, too,

particularly when one can see them in their

original locations. One of my favorite memories

was an afternoon spent navigating a tangle of

hot, narrow Venetian streets, crossing canals

and countless squares, only to enter abruptly

into the cool, soaring Gothic interior of Santa

Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, one of the greatest

churches in Venice. Inside this church is the 22

1/2 foot tall painting that helped to establish

Titian as Venice’s master artist in 1518, his

Assumption of the Virgin. This altarpiece

painting literally soars upwards behind the

high altar, framed in marble and surrounded

by a flood of light from tall, narrow windows.

No print in a book or painting in a museum

can compare to the experience of seeing a

painting like Titian’s as it was meant to be seen.

Transfixed and overwhelmed by the play of the

master’s colors and overwhelmed by the sudden

beauty of his painting after the noisy clamor of

the streets, I lost all track of my surroundings for

several glorious minutes. I still feel chills when

I close my eyes and feel again that bit of Italian

magic.- Robin French

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Triple ThreatSpring sports teams claim three state titles - one the first time in Wildcat history!

The 2012-13 athletic year will go down as one of the most successful in school history! The NCISAA gives an award (Wells Fargo Trophy) to the best overall athletic program in North Carolina based on standings in the state competitions. WCDS is one of the smallest in enrollment in the 2A Division but found a way to finish 2nd out of 26 teams throughout North Carolina (back-to-back years). Congratulations go out to all of our coaches, players, managers, and fans for an incredible year in and out of the classroom!

The Wildcats were truly impressive during the spring season. The Varsity Girls Track team won its first ever state and conference championships, with the boys team coming in as runner-up at the state meet and bringing home the championship at the conference meet. The girls 800 Relay (Leigh Tyson, Terra Johns, Olivia Greeson, and Montana Heinbach), 1600 Relay (Tyson, Heinbach, Johns, and Abbi Khan), and 3200 Relay (Heinbach, Khan, Johns, and Claire Councill) all won state championships. On the boys side, senior Jan Ole-Luehr won the state championship in the triple jump, and the 3200 relay team won first place as well. Congratulations to the track program on a truly memorable season!

The Varsity Boys Baseball team won its back-to-back state championship at WCDS against Rocky Mount Academy, as well as the TAC Championship at Trinity School of Durham. Senior Markel Johnson, junior Donnie Sellers, and sophomore Tyler Marion were named to the All-State team, and Marion was named the TAC Conference Player of the Year. Four of the team’s graduates will all be continuing their educations and playing baseball at the next level in the fall.

The Varsity Golf team got back to its championship ways by winning the state title at Talamore and the conference title at Quarry Hills. Sophomores Thomas Walsh and Russell Marion and freshman Hardin Councill were all named to the All-State team, and Walsh was named TAC Conference Player of the Year. This was the golf team’s third state championship in four years!

The Varsity Girls Soccer and Varsity Boys Tennis teams did not win any championships this spring, but they are reloading for the future. Senior soccer player Meghan Ingram was named to the All-State and All-Conference teams and will be continuing her soccer career at Meredith College next fall.

What a year for Westchester athletics - three state championships, a runner-up finish, incredible team memories, and unbelievable individual achievements! All of our returning athletes are out working hard this summer to accomplish more next year. Go Cats!

Adam Schwartz Director of Athletics

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BRUCE E. HATHAWAY, JR. SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDFEMALE – Avery GohoMALE – Tyler Fairly

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Claire CouncillMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Patrick Williford

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Meghan Ingram MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Walker Rose

SCHWARTZMANSHIP AWARDS – Jeremiah Foster, Laney Henley

MIDDLE SCHOOL FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Terra Johns

MIDDLE SCHOOL MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Tyrese Hearst

BOYS VARSITY CROSS COUNTRYMVP – Abraham HernandezWILDCAT – Walker RoseCOACHES’ – Patrick Williford

GIRLS VARSITY CROSS COUNTRYMVP – Avery GohoWILDCAT – Anna HoodCOACHES’ – Leigh Tyson

BOYS VARSITY SOCCERMVP – Will Thomas, Angel ValenciaWILDCAT – Tyler FairlyCOACHES’ – Jan-Ole Luehr

GIRLS VARSITY TENNISMVP – Erica SawyerWILDCAT – Claire CouncillCOACHES’ – Olivia Greeson

GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALLMVP – Oby Nwamu, Kayla Watson

WILDCAT – Kayla Kushner, Morgan KushnerCOACHES’ – Lizzy Lawrence, Bele Seyoum

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALLMVP - Sadeeq Bello, Josh BurtonWILDCAT – Justice CuthbertsonCOACHES’ – Bruno Beca

GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALLMVP – Meghan IngramWILDCAT – Leigh TysonCOACHES’ – Anna Hood

VARSITY CHEERLEADINGMVP – Sydney RichardsWILDCAT – Haleigh Breece, Sarah Kate ChristiansenCOACHES’ – Campbell Kinley, Savannah Lewis

BOYS VARSITY SWIMMINGMVP – Christian JamesWILDCAT – Charlie BransonCOACHES’ – Luca Lagemann

GIRLS VARSITY SWIMMINGMVP – Kess HendrixWILDCAT – Julia OrmondCOACHES’ – Michaela Craycroft

BOYS VARSITY BASEBALLMVP – Tyler Marion, Donnie SellersWILDCAT – Micah Hedgepeth, Markel JohnsonCOACHES’ – WJ Jessup, Luke Puckett

VARSITY GOLFMVP – Hardin Councill, Thomas WalshWILDCAT – Russell MarionCOACHES’ – Alexis King

BOYS VARSITY TENNISMVP – Adam ChinnasamiWILDCAT – Hunter HeinbachCOACHES’ – Baxter Bruggeworth

GIRLS VARSITY SOCCERMVP – Meghan IngramWILDCAT – Anna Hood, Campbell Kinley COACHES’ – Avery Keefe

BOYS VARSITY TRACK MVP – Jeff Green, Jan-Ole Luehr WILDCAT – Tyler Fairly COACHES’ – Walker Rose

GIRLS VARSITY TRACK MVP – Olivia Greeson WILDCAT – Avery Goho COACHES’ – Leigh Tyson

SPECIAL RECOGNITION – Cindy Thomas, Pam Tyson

2012-2013 Athletic Award Winners

Iron Cat Award Honors Athletic Proweress

This year Coach Schwartz introduced a new award, the Iron Cat, recognizing a student athlete who has participated in three sports every year of his or her Upper School career. The inaugural winner was Leigh Tyson, who has been a member of the cross country, basketball, and track teams all four years of high school.

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Seniors Remember Former Classmate

This year’s senior class suffered a terrible loss in the fall of 2011. One of their former classmates, Emma Thomas, who had left WCDS at the end of 10th grade to attend boarding school, was killed in a car accident. To honor her memory, several members of the class, under the leadership of Avery Goho, created a memorial garden adorned with rocks, ferns, and colorful cast iron butterflies on the new cross country trail.

“Emma loved running in the woods, and she loved butterflies, so we created a space in her honor that combined her two loves,” said Goho.

A crew of seniors came out on a Saturday to clear an area of the trail, place rocks, and plant vegetation to create a quiet place where people could go and remember Emma. The iron butterflies were made in Raleigh, and Goho was immediately drawn to them because “they are beautiful like Emma.”

Emma’s family came out for the dedication of “Emma’s Garden” this spring. A plaque on a tree in the garden reads: “A friend and inspiration to all, she was and always will be our angel, our butterfly.”

Eleven students were inducted into the National Honor Society in March. They are (back row, from left): Lewis Miles, Baxter Bruggeworth, Luca Lagemann, Prajan Marhatta, Walker Rose, (front row, from left) Kess Hendrix, Julie Tugwell, Daphne Foster, and Haleigh Breece. Not pictured: Sarah Kate Christiansen and Kayla Watson. Established in 1921, the National Honor Society recognizes outstanding high school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Service By The Numbers• 130 holiday cards created

by WCDS students were given to Westchester Manor residents.

• 70 holiday cards were delivered to Elm Towers.

• More than 50 coats collected by WCDS students were donated to the Doris Henderson Newcomers School.

• A Middle School canned food drive added 344 food items to Hasty Elementary School.

• More than 250 wrapped books were given to students at Fairview Elementary School. The books were collected last fall and wrapped during our school-wide C.A.R.E.S. Crews event in November.

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Student Submissions Determine Change Recipients

Westchester was able to donate $600 each to four charities close to our students’ hearts as a result of a school-wide change collection drive.

The drive was part of the school’s C.A.R.E.S. (Compassion, Awareness, Responsibility, Empathy, Service) Crew initiative. This was the second year of the change drive and the first that students were asked to submit essays on where they would like to see the change donated. These submissions resulted in the four recipients - Calcutta Fund, Guilford County Animal Shelter, Start with One Kenya, and the Webb family.

Calcutta Fund is an organization working to provide nutritional and medicinal support to pregnant mothers and young children in the “City of Joy” slum in Calcutta. Eighth grader Jaya Bhardwaj nominated this organization because her mother, Neelam, has been an instrumental member of the charity since 2006. The Guilford County Animal Shelter received a huge number of nominations from students, particularly in the Lower School. Westchester alumnus Bill Coble is the founder of Start With

One Kenya, a non-profit organization focused on working with Kenyans in the areas of clean water, education, micro-finance, and health. Coble’s organization was nominated by a Global Studies class after Coble came to campus to speak with students about his work. Eighth grader Maddie Dyson nominated her fellow classmate T.J. Webb’s family as the final recipient of the change drive. T.J.’s father, Monte, was in a debilitating motorcycle accident last fall. He will be wheelchair-bound for the remainder of his life, and the family is facing huge medical costs.

The entire school gathered on May 17 to count the change and recognize the recipients. and then students participated in games and water activities at a PK-12 field day.

“We called this gathering a ‘field day with purpose,’” said Head of School Cobb Atkinson. “The most important work we do at Westchester Country Day School is to teach our students the importance of giving back to others. Today, our school family empowered these organizations to continue the legacy of selfless service that we work to instill in our students every day. ”

Above, senior Tristan Winkle helps pre-kinder-gartener Lily Phillips count change during the school’s C.A.R.E.S. Crew event on May 17.

Middle School Makes Service a Priority

Westchester’s Middle School continues to make community service a priority for students through its service days, which are held on one Friday each quarter. During these days, students leave campus in groups for service opportunities such as tutoring at local elementary schools or visiting with residents in area nursing homes. At right are sixth graders Aidan Lim and Axel Hwasser with a student at Hasty Elementary School. All told our Middle School students spent over 1,200 hours performing community service during the 2012-2013 academic year.

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Bill Coble Receives Distinguished Alumni Award

Bill Coble (’80) received the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award during commencement. Bill is the founder of Start With One Kenya, an organization working in the areas of clean water, micro-finance, education, and health care in Kenya. Westchester was fortunate enough to host Bill as a speaker for our Middle School students this spring, and the students were so moved by his work that they nominated his organization as one of our Change for Change recipients (see story, page 15.) Learn more about his work at www.startwithonekenya.org. He is pictured with his wife, Chat (left), and Alumni Director Ashley Timberlake.

CLASS NOTES1972

Kim Setliff hosted the Class of 1972’s 40th reunion on September 9, 2012. He reports that about 20 people were in attendance, along with family and friends of the ‘72 alums. In the photo are Morris Miller (left) and Setliff.

2001Blair Wannamaker Archila and husband Jorge welcomed a baby girl, Audrey Elizabeth, on April 25, 2013.

2003Sarah Irvin married Surry Wood on May 18, 2013.

Natalie Stephens married Tim Pitchford on June 9,2013.

2006Candace Icenhour married Zach Banks on November 3, 2012.

2007Trey Hicks and Will Newman co-founded HoopBeatz, a mobile app and website for high school basketball athletes to promote their abilities and personalities to other athletes and fans. www.hoopbeatz.com.

Mollie McInnis married Evan Hobbs on January 12, 2013.

2004Brittany Hogan lives in Greenville, S.C. With a passion for both teaching and singing, she performs on a regular basis and has developed her own private vocal studio at her home and at the Fountain Inn Center for the

Visual and Performing Arts. www.brittanyhogansoprano.com.

2008Leslie Allen married Blake Willoughby on September 29, 2012.

Audrey Berrier is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor working at the YMCA in Lexington. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May 2012.

Lynwood Smith graduated from N.C. State in the summer of 2012 with a BS in Sport Management and a minor in Business Administration.

2011Jay Kennedy was elected VP of Facilities and Environment in Duke University’s Student Government. Jay is a rising junior double majoring in statistics and math. He was also recently chosen for the highly selective group, Dukes and Duchesses. Jay is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and The Pitchforks and serves as business manager for the group.

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Blue and White Gala a Galloping Success

...And We’re Off! This was the tag line for Westchester’s 30th annual Blue and White Gala Auction, and the Kentucky Derby theme was a hit with party-goers who donned their finest Derby hats and enjoyed a live viewing of the race. In addition, the event - as always - featured live and silent auctions, a sit-down dinner, music, and dancing.

Many thanks to our countless volunteers, patrons, attendees, and especially our sponsors: Caffey Distributing; Carolina Anesthesiology; Central Carolina Heating and Air; Cornerstone Hematology/Oncology; Friends of Westchester; High Point Ballet; Ledford Medical; Lee Bass-Nunn, DDS; Leslie and Iv Culp; McDonald’s of High Point; Paper and Party Place; Pepper Moon Catering; Sir Speedy; SmartChoice; Somerset Bay; and Verellen.

Mark your calendars now for May 3, 2014, for Westchester’s most fun, fundraising event!

At right, teachers Sterling Smith and Marla Seelig show their support of the Derby theme at the Gala.

WCDS was pleased to launch two new avenues for bright students and their families to join our school this year. Our goal is to make WCDS a viable option for the best and brightest in the Piedmont Triad.

Lily Blackman Promise Grants are being awarded to incoming Lower School students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade who display exceptional promise. Lily Blackman was a bright and caring Westchester kindergartener whose time was cut short when she lost her battle with cancer in the fall of 2011. To honor her memory, Promise Grants are awarded to incoming pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students with great potential. Promise Grants fund a percentage of tuition and are renewable throughout the Lower School years as long as the student remains in good standing in the division.

Rising sixth and ninth graders competed for a full-paid Merit Scholarship (two in each grade). Merit Scholarships were awarded to two rising sixth graders and two rising ninth graders

who demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, exemplary character, and well-rounded participation in school and community. Merit Scholarships fund full tuition for the recipients and are renewable for the Middle or Upper school term as long as the student remains in good standing in the division.

The winners of this year’s Merit Scholarships are Terra Johns and Laura Simon (ninth graders), and Chase Portaro and Aditi Shah (sixth graders).

Applicants for the scholarships underwent a rigorous process including testing, essay writing, and an in-person interview by three panelists: Jared Rosenberg, senior assistant director of admissions at UNC-Chapel Hill; Linda Nelson, executive director of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools; and Don Scarborough, vice president of community relations at High Point University.

WCDS Announces Merit Scholarships, Grant OpportunitiesN

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Mission StatementWestchester Country Day is a college preparatory school that seeks to educate each child toward moral, academic, artistic, and athletic excellence in a nurturing, family environment where students, teachers, and parents support one another. By respecting the student and honoring learning, Westchester aims to cultivate informed citizens who are ready for a rapidly changing world and to graduate students who view the pursuit and wise use of knowledge as a lifelong joy.

A record number of students participated in this year’s W-Day 5K “The Hobey.” Part of the increase can be attributed to Westchester’s Lower School GO FAR (Go Out For A Run) group. Proceeds from the event benefit WCDS’s Athletic Department as well as the American Lung Association.

Fall Highlights

August 21 - First Day of SchoolOctober 4 - Golf TournamentOctober 11 - Grandparents DayNovember 1 - 3 - K-12 ProductionNovember 29 - Alumni Holiday GatheringDecember 2- Grades 6 - 12 Winter ConcertDecember 17 - Grades K - 5 Winter Concert

Now accepting applications

for 2013-2014!

Non-Profit OrganizationUS Postage

PAIDHigh Point, NCPermit No. 147

2045 N. Old Greensboro RoadHigh Point, NC 27265

www.westchestercds.org