MILL SPRINGS ACADEMY Matters SPRING/SUMMER 2016
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MILL SPRINGS ACADEMY Matters SPRING/SUMMER 2016 IN THIS ISSUE MSA Class of 2016........1 Graduation and Baccalaureate ..........2–3 Senior and Honors Day Awards...............4–7 Scholarships and Other Awards............8 MSA Announces Duel Re-Accreditation ..........9 Plants and Pollinators......9 Spring Band Concert .....10 Spring Musical ..........10 Poetry Month ...........10 Pet Partners ............11 School House Rock .......11 Chess Club Starting at MSA 11 Literary Festival .........12 Mill Springs Academy’s Class of 2016. Teachers Attend National Arts Convention .........12 CommArts Goes Outdoors ..13 Sister School Visits MSA ...13 MILL SPRINGS’ CLASS OF 2016 Golf Tournament ........14 his May, forty eight happy graduates of Mill Springs Academy, completed their academic Lower Schoolers Make Mark in New Building ....14 requirements and made one last walk up the hill from the Upper School/Communication Arts Senior Presentations ......14 classroom building to the Tweetie Lewis Moore Student Activity Center, where a record crowd T Student Achieves of over 600 family members, friends, teachers, administrators and returning graduates cheered their Eagle Scout.............15 success. After the opening processional, National Anthem and a greeting by MSA’s Board Chair, Angel Alumni News ...........15 Murr, graduating seniors were treated to an address by alumnus, Tucker O’Brien (’07) who shared with Students Learn About graduates how he created a successful “Five Steps after MSA” plan to transition from MSA into college. Bacteria and CDC .......15 Sports and Athletic Other highlights of the program included several seniors who delivered carefully prepared words, Awards.............16–17 including many heartfelt thank-you’s to parents, friends, and teachers; recognition of Neil Jensen, who Building on a Mission earned the distinction of Valedictorian with the highest grade point average; and the announcement of Capital Campaign ....18-20 the Class of 2016 Alumni Ambassador, Nicole Thomas. Emma Searing closed the ceremony by deliv- 2015–2016 ering the benediction and Communication Arts teacher Matthew McConnell played the recessional. Annual Fund ........21–23 Afterwards, graduates, families and friends gathered in the Upper School Great Room for a catered Success in reception, cherished moments and final good-byes. School… CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE GRADUATING SENIORS. WE WISH YOU THE Success in BEST AS YOU CONTINUE ON YOUR JOURNEYS. Continued on page 2 Life MILL SPRINGS’ CLASS OF 2016 Thrilled to see these familiar faces! Alumni Sam Sigman (’15), Brandon Pike (’14), Tyler Buice MSA’s 2016 Class Ambassador, Nicole Thomas, (’14) and Ethan Reish (’15) gather outside the Upper School reception to catch up and greet the and her very proud father, Patrick Thomas. graduates. Good times! Adam Warmouth and his parents, Danette Graduate Sam North gathers outside with MSA alumnus, Tucker O’Brien (’07), was and Wesley Warmouth gather in the Upper family post-ceremony. His dad, Bill North, the featured guest speaker (pictured here with Great Room for a catered reception following couldn’t be happier to see his talented son former Upper English teacher, Gail Kreher). graduation ceremonies. Adam will be graduate! attending Reinhardt University in the fall. Baccalaureate n May 6, Mill Springs’ graduating seniors, along with their proud parents, family members, friends and MSA faculty/staff gathered for an evening of celebration Oand recognition at the Birmingham United Methodist Church in Alpharetta for Baccalaureate services. Teachers acknowledged student accomplishments and triumphs made throughout the year. As an ongoing MSA tradition, instead of inviting speakers from outside the Mill Springs’ community, the program featured speeches from graduates who called to mind their reasons for attending MSA, their successes and friendships, and also used the opportunity to thank family, teachers, staff and friends for their valuable support. Valedictorian Neil Jensen and Salutatorian While students received their awards during a special gathering earlier in the week, a Jeremy Border both look handsome in their listing of some honors and awards that were recognized during this year’s Baccalaureate MSA Graduation gowns, offset by some serious services have been included elsewhere in this issue. BLING in the way of cords, medals and honors. 2 Mill Springs Academy Matters SUMMER 2016 Graduating Class of 2016 School of Attendance Nathan Andrew Beard | Kennesaw State University Matthew Randolph Rankin | Appalachian State University, NC Caroline Blair Berman | Kennesaw State University John Destin Ray | Savannah College of Art & Design Caroline Ansley Bonds | Kennesaw State University Rachel Kaelin Robertson | Young Harris College Jeremy Rex Border | Oxford at Emory Griffin Bertrand Rudd | Beacon College, FL Matthew Alexander Boyer | Gwinnett Technical College Cameron Walker Schrader | Kennesaw State University Thomas Stephens Cheek, III | Young Harris College Timothy Mikell Schultheis | Young Harris College Jacob Edison Cutchin | Georgia Southwestern State University Emma Renee Searing |Young Harris College Joseph Ross Dalton | Georgia Gwinnett College Alexander Evan Silverman | Columbia College, IL Sophia Elizabeth Davis | Reinhardt University Wesley Charles Site | Young Harris College Alexander Stuart Diaz | University of West Georgia Marshall Andrew Stoddart | Savannah College of Art & Design Andrew Scott Dickerson | Young Harris College Liam Patrick Symonds | Berry College Hayden William Draycott | Oglethorpe University Joseph Trevor Tencza | Utah Valley University Emily Katheryn Estes | Young Harris College Nicole Taylor Thomas | Piedmont College Alexander Caruso Gonzales | Young Harris College William Leon Treace | Georgia State University Keaton Jackson Graves | Undecided Adam Ray Warmouth | Reinhardt University Alexander Stephen Hain | LEAP Program Haley Marie Williams | High Point University, NC Gwyneth Madeline Hummel-Levy | Full Sail University, FL James Carlyle York | Gwinnett Technical College Ashley Nicole Hyman | Kennesaw State University Neil Bingham Jensen | Rollins College, FL Russell Alan Jones | Kennesaw State University Bailey Christopher Kiser | US Air Force Rachel Anne Lamp’l | Midway University, KY Nicholas Paul Landy | Lanier Technical College Garrett Cullan McCarthy | Chattahoochee Technical College Brandon Kyle McCormick | Berry College Thomas Kelly Moore | University of North Georgia Samuel William North | Undecided Austin Gray Palmore | Gwinnett Technical College Alexander Robert Parman | Kennesaw State University Dylan Charles Porper | Atlanta Institute of Music & Media Upper teachers Jaime Gutierrez and Keith Muma flank Most Improved Medallion recipient Thomas Moore and swap stories about his younger, Alyssa Maria Quatela | Art Institute of Atlanta more mischievous days. They could not be prouder! Citizenship Medallion recipient Johnny Ray, Academic Excellence Medallion recipient Marshall Stoddart, Prom Queen Caroline Berman, Track Star Sophie Davis, Scholar Jacob Cutchin and Most Improved Senior Ashley Hyman’s, family (from left: Grandmother Sylvia, sister Medallion recipient Garrett McCarthy mingle in exalted company before Emily and Grandfather Barry) get special shirts made to celebrate Ashley’s the program begins. Graduation. www.millsprings.org Mill Springs Academy Matters 3 HONOR CORDS GOLD CORD-ALL A’S SENIOR YEAR SILVER CORD-A’S AND B’S SENIOR YEAR GREEN & WHITE CORD-ALL A’S AND B’S IN HIGH SCHOOL STAR Student G. Paul Kreher Guts and Glory Award Highest SAT score at one sitting The “Guts and Glory” Award was established in 2012 in honor of Math teacher, G. Paul Kreher. The “Guts and Glory Award” AJC Award (Best All-Around) recognizes the MSA student who has confronted and dealt with adversity, whether in school or out, with Honor, Courage, and Senior who demonstrates leadership qualities, is active in the Commitment. community and has a winning attitude. Gail Janus Kreher Senior Diane Lewis Leadership Award Presentation Award The Diane Lewis Leadership Award was established in 2010 to honor former Math Teacher and Level L Council Advisor, Diane Lewis’ The Senior Presentation Award was established in 2015 to honor Legacy of Leadership. Diane was the Level L Advisor for many years retiring Senior Research and Composition Teacher, Gail Janus and set a high standard to help the Level L’s reach their ultimate Kreher, for her thirteen years of guiding the Seniors through the Leadership potential. Each year, the Award is given to the Level L Senior Presentation process. The Award is given to the student whose Student who best exemplifies Diane’s commitment to Leadership Senior Presentation exemplifies the qualities Gail deems essential for Excellence. “the best” presentation: a significant subject, a focused study, and a polished performance. Nathan Andrew Beard Sophia Elizabeth Davis Ashley Nicole Hyman Citizenship Medallion Silver Presidential Award Silver Presidential Award Silver Presidential Award Silver Honor Cord Silver Honor Cord Silver Honor Cord Most Improved—Environmental Science Green & White Cord Alexander Stuart Diaz Gail Janus Kreher Senior Neil Bingham Jensen | Valedictorian Caroline Blair Berman Presentation Award STAR Student Gold Presidential Award Gold Presidential Award Gold Presidential Award Gold Honor Cord Gold Honor Cord Gold Honor Cord Green & White Cord Green & White Cord Green & White Cord Most Improved—Senior Composition Most Improved—Honors Pre-Calculus Academic Excellence—Economics