Paul Krieger, Innovation… Headmaster

Thud. The 8-lb. light blue to assess a boy’s progress must be scrutinized, evaluated and bowling ball lands in the high grass adjusted as needed. and rolls to an abrupt stop. Three juniors, Memorization has been a skill long associated with hunkered down 30 feet away, dash towards the ball with school and the workplace. As recently as the mid-20th measuring tapes in hand. “307 and a half feet,” one screams. century those students and workers who could memorize “Awesome” says the boy next to him. A crowd of some 100 vast amounts of material were rewarded. One of the students and faculty let out a loud cheer of approval. most popular game shows of the 1960s was television’s Mr. Fagen’s honors physics class had spent the last two “Concentration.” The game featured thirty blocks which weeks of the semester researching, designing, procuring would roll over and display items such as pineapples, fire the materials, building, and finally testing a 13-foot high hydrants, and ladders. The contestant had but a short time 12th century-style trebuchet. The trebuchet was made to memorize where they were in relationship to each famous by Richard the Lionheart (Duke of Normandy) other before the blocks would roll back to a blank display. and used in the 1191 siege of the city of Acre. Basing Those who remembered where all the matching blocks their calculations on engineering data, wind speed, torque, were won the game and prize money. One would be hard and even current humidity, this class of young physicists had figured that the 8-lb bowling ball would sail 310 feet through the air. They were off by less than three feet. This past year, Christ School altered the traditional concept of end of semester and final exams. Exams have been replaced with intentionally designed end-of-semester projects which assess a myriad of skills that our students acquire over the course of the term. A 10th grade English class wrote, cast, directed and acted in their own play. Several students in Mr. Clapper’s chemistry class developed a hydrogen fuel cell while others explored and documented the process of electroplating metals using a voltaic cell. Another student who was enrolled in both AP Art and Bible Studies did a joint study and examined biblical images within the context of art history. The genesis of this change arose from the belief that our focus is to prepare Christ School boys properly for the rapidly changing 21st century workplace. To do that well, the tools we have traditionally used in the classroom

…we are properly preparing our boys for the abstract material and requirements at competitive 4-year colleges and universities. On front cover, and above is the Honors Physics class reproduction of a 12th century trebuchet.

Summer 2008 1 • Go to http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=gsXl-evLfbM to see a live action demonstration of the Trebuchet

pressed to find such a game in 2008, which rewards rote memorization. Google now serves as the “memory lobe” for our modern brain. Skills that will be rewarded in the 21st century will be those involving and engaging creativity, innovation and the understanding of global markets, cultures, and trends. Products such as steel, clothes, and cars once manufactured in the modern world industrial countries are now being made less expensively in developing world economies. Western economies now find it increasingly difficult to compete globally. The old skill set no longer suffices. The 1970s workplace for which I was educated during high school is not the one that Christ School boys will be entering. Yes, they still need the time-tested values he new English elective, Drama as Literature, dove of responsibility, dedication, and hard work—a staple for T head-first into Shakespeare with their in-class pro- generations of Christ School boys, but their high school duction of scenes from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” during fourth quarter. Students were responsible for all curriculum needs to reflect the changing environment aspects of the production from costume, set, music and of the 21st century world economy and prepare them prop design to editing, directing and acting—including accordingly. the memorization of their lines. Surveys tell us that 70% of today’s graduating college All twenty students in the class performed roles. In the students want to become entrepreneurs. That is up Shakespearean tradition, no women were allowed on from 13% in 1965. Young adults ages 18-24 start new stage, so the boys portrayed all the female roles as well. companies at twice the rate of 35-44 year olds. Young In addition to the production work, each student was people today are “digital natives” who live on-line and required to write academic papers analyzing the script think nothing of texting, cell phoning, surfing the internet and justifying his stage work and designs. and watching TV — all at the same time. At 53, I am considered a “digital immigrant” who struggles to access, harness, and process the plethora of available information and data in our 24-hour world. Rest assured that we haven’t thrown the proverbial baby out with the bath water. Throughout the academic term at Christ School, there are tests, essays, papers, oral reports, and quizzes all of which serve as tools for assessing a student’s progress during a school year. Students still need to know how to take a test. The positive feedback we have received from colleges on our revised curricular approach has buoyed our confidence that we are properly preparing our boys for the abstract material and requirements at competitive 4-year colleges and universities. This article celebrates our innovative new style of teaching, mentoring, and engaging our boys both inside and outside of the traditional classroom. Take a glimpse. arrison Dent ’10 investigates his chemiluminescent I think that you will find – as indeed I have found – that Hreaction between luminol and sodium hydroxide. learning is much more exciting and meaningful.

2 Summer 2008 Danny Wright Director of Advancement

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C A E T S I L S E U S I D F An Episcopal School for Boys CHRIST SCHOOL Greetings! While the Christ School campus has quieted down somewhat since graduation, things are buzzing in the Advancement Office as we head towards the end of the fiscal year. The team is hard at work reaching for our Annual Loyalty Fund goal, and with four full weeks left, the pressure is on to finish strong.

I feel extremely fortunate now to consider my family part of the Christ School community. The ten years I spent teaching and coaching at Greensboro Day School provided me with several opportunities to experience, and become very impressed with, Christ School as a visitor. After residing in my hometown for all of my life except the college years, I thought that I would experience some anxiety about leaving as moving day drew nearer in late May. Interestingly, that never happened. Those prior experiences with Christ School helped to create a level of anticipation about coming here that in turn was confirmed during my first forty-eight hours on campus. Warm welcomes from faculty and staff, the help we received from faculty member James Uhler and students Colin Allshouse and Josh Whitney as we unloaded a storage “pod”, and the opportunity to explore the larger campus beyond the have already provided my family with warm, memorable first impressions.

I am excited to serve in a capacity working to promote the development of this incredible school, and I understand very well the high expectations that are placed upon the Advancement Office. We have a strong team, and should you have any questions or concerns pertaining to advancement issues, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Danny Wright Director of Advancement

500 Christ School Road • Arden, North Carolina 28704-9914 828-684-6232 • Fax: 828-684-2745 • www.christschool.org

Summer 2008 3 Lights… Cameras… Auction!

The Script

n Saturday, April 5, 2008, the Parent Council rolled out the red carpet to host O“Hollywood Nights - Legends to Legacies” at Blue Ridge Motion Picture Studios. More than 245 guests fended off the paparazzi to enjoy an elegant and fun evening complete with live and silent auctions. “Jack Nicholson” and “Audrey Hepburn” were sighted among the crowd, but the stars were the Above right: The flashbulbs volunteers who were responsible for recruiting of the paparazzi are almost sponsors and advertisers, gathering items and as dazzling as the red carpet “stars,” Sean Cashin and designing the event, which was the first for Christ Donna Coudes. School in more than a dozen years. Current parent and Gala Chair Patti Harrison led a tireless team of Above and right: Robin parent and alumni volunteers whose enthusiasm and Boylan ’66 interviews “Jack Nicholson” and “Audrey creativity made it a night to remember. Hepburn” was sighted more than once among the crowd.

4 Summer 2008 Hollywood Nights – Legends to Legacies Gala Auction

Going once… going twice…

Gala Chair Patti Harrison and Acquisition Co-chair Sandy McLeod worked tirelessly to create the magical and successful evening. Current parents The Plot Kevin and Nancy Simpson (Ashe he gala evening was ’09) with Walter underwritten by ’72 and Susan Tsponsorships, advertising Hannah. and ticket sales. Generous donors provided more than $120,000 Tommy Westfeldt ’70 congratulates Headmaster worth of travel, services and Paul Krieger on his new golf vacation. merchandise value for the live and silent auction packages. Some of the stars of the show were a day trip on a 45’ custom touring coach, Opus One wine, a stay at Ocean Forest on Sea Island, Georgia and dorm packages for the boys that provided permission to have an in- room refrigerator. Guests got a sneak preview on the auction website provided by Donna Larry Miller ’66 and the Lyerly (Jake ’07). resplendent John Bowen ’67. Sports items for every fan! The Climactic Finish

he Parent Council’s goal was The Sports Complex Concession Pavilion to fund the construction Tof a Concession Pavilion, complete with bathroom facilities, to be located down by the track, soccer and baseball fields. The gala raised more than $116,000 (net proceeds) and construction began in June. It is projected to finish before the Greenies take the field for their home-opener against A full list of our generous sponsors will be Providence Day in August. printed in our Headmaster’s Annual Report.

Summer 2008 5 Graduation 2008

“For students to arrive here at Yard A represents more than the acquisition of enough courses to graduate. The young men who are about to walk across this stage have lived together, eaten together, won numerous athletic championships… studied together… taken tests together …and know each other as one might know a brother, and will remain friends forever.” “The Class of 2008 comes from six different countries, nine different states, and 22 different cities. Yard A is the end, but like so many things in life, it also represents a new beginning… a chance to go forth and make a difference in the world.” –John Yanik, Valedictorian

n Sunday morning May 18th, the Angelus Bell on top of Christ School’s St. Joseph’s Chapel tolled 107 times to mark the 107th graduation.* The ceremony for the 35 omembers of the Class of 2008 was preceded by a Baccalaureate service in the chapel. Members of the Class of 2008, followed by the faculty and administration, marched through a double row of students and parents to take their places on the historic “Yard A” in the center of the campus, the site of the original school buildings. In his introduction of the Valedictorian John M. Yanik of Arden, Academic Dean Erich L. Cluxton said that John had been the scholastic leader of the school each of the four years he attended Christ School. Also, said Dean Cluxton, John had been awarded one of the fifty world-wide R.H. Park Foundation Scholarships to attend NC State University, “two incred- ible achievements for one student.” John Yanik’s Valedictory speech focused on the tradition, Verger Chris Thompson symbolism and significance of “Yard A” in Christ School’s long history. rings the Angelus for the * Christ School was founded in the fall of 1900, and the first graduating class was the following spring of 1901. Baccalaureate service.

he graduation speaker was the students’ choice for 2007-08 Teacher of Tthe Year, Matt Fagen, who teaches physics and math. In a speech filled with humor and personal experiences of “the road less traveled,” Mr. Fagen said he had taken a very non-traditional route in life and held many jobs (including working in a rock band, a pet store, a women’s clothing store, a potato harvester, and as a music teacher, among others) before realizing that his real calling was to teach. “There is nothing wrong with taking the road less traveled. But if you are lucky enough to know where you want to go in life, just go there… if there is a four-lane highway right to it, there’s no reason to get out your snow shoes. If you don’t know where you’re going, don’t worry… don’t be afraid to wander around a bit… You might have a good time, and collect a couple of good stories Matt Fagen, Teacher of the Year along the way!”

6 Summer 2008 Family Time

Academic Heights

Thomas Belk’s family Coleman Dessaint’s family

The Mahoney Family with Carter ’08 Valedictorian John Yanik with his parents and brother Mark ’04

Academic Dean Erich Cluxton presents Class Salutatorian, Miles C. Plumlee, with his diploma. Plumlee, from Indiana, will attend Duke University in the fall to study engineering. The graduation ceremony concluded with each new graduate moving down a faculty receiving line offering his personal thanks and saying an individual goodbye, a tradition filled with emotion. At the front of the line Max Baker greets Latin teacher Chris Webb.

“Gentlemen of the class of 2008: Be wary of the comfortable life, because it won’t teach you much. It will be the discomfort that will open your hearts and open your eyes. It will be the discomfort that will make you grow, and you will be different than all others around you. I would rather you spend 10 years growing than 100 years vegetating. Be wary of the comfortable life.” –Headmaster Paul Krieger

Summer 2008 7 The Awards

Vincent Draddy ’11 received a Commendation from Headmaster Krieger– “Vincent is a 9th grader from Arden, NC with a 4.08 GPA. I have had the opportunity to watch Vincent grow up since 5th grade. It has been an impressive and signifi- cant path to manhood.”

The Headmaster’s Cup was presented by Headmaster Paul Krieger to John Yanik, Valedictorian.

Academic Dean Erich Cluxton presented Salutatorian , and Valedictorian John Yanik with their medals.

Athletic Director David Gaines ’84 presents Lakeem Jackson ’09 with his Championship ring. Father Kirk Brown presents student, Till von Manteuffel ’09 of Germany, with his Certificate of Attendance.

Beth and Paul Krieger with their son Colin Allshouse ’09. Colin was awarded the Yale Club Book Prize and the Technology Service Award. He is the Honor Council Chair for 2008-09. Blake Cannino ’08 is close to his sisters (they’re triplets), so he doesn’t mind them helping him pose with his art award.

8 Summer 2008 2007-2008 Prefects

Senior Prefects L to R: David Wilson, Matt Shackett, Miles Plumlee, John Yanik, Hal Swanson, Billy Newton, Carter Mahoney, Sam Redmond, Clay Maxwell.

Tyler Stokes ’12 was The Awards awarded the David L.M. Taylor Award - presented Sp e c i a l Aw a r d s by Mr. Taylor’s sister, Valedictorian...... John Yanik ’08 Vinton Murray. This is Salutatorian...... Miles Plumlee ’08 awarded to a Second The Headmaster’s Cup ...... John Yanik ’08 The Big Brother Award ...... Alex Swendsen ’08 Form student for The Philip Tilghman Memorial ...... James Nardi ’08 scholarship, leadership James Gibbon Merrimon Scholarship Prize...... John Yanik ’08 and athletic achievement The Class of 1941 Award ...... Thomas Belk ’08 demonstrated during his The David L.M. Taylor Award...... Tyler Stokes ’12 eighth-grade year. North Carolina State University Park Scholarship...... John Yanik ’08 The Switzer Family Scholarship.... Carter Mahoney and Matt Shackett ’08 Ac a d e m i c Aw a r d s Departmental Aw a r d s Brevard College Book Award...... Preston Holmes ’09 Redwood Senior English Prize...... Whit Whitmire ’08 Dartmouth Club Book Award ...... Jarred Lehr ’09 Robert L. McWhorter Creative Writing Awd...... Steven Tutor ’09 Harvard Club Book Award ...... Ryan Volatile ’09 The Pen and Plate Award ...... John Yanik ’08 The Sewanee Award for Excellence ...... Ben Jones ’09 Robinson Journalism Award...... Gabe Dunsmith ’11 The Randolph-Macon Award...... Charles McCarthy ’09 Edward E. Ford Foundation Award...... Hough Price ’09 The Yale Club Book Prize...... Colin Allshouse ’09 The Angelus Award...... Alex Wojno ’09 The Grayson Cole Mathematics Award ...... John Yanik ’08 Fo r m Bo o k Pr i z e s Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award...... Matt Horwitz ’10 The Second Form Book Prize...... Josh Horwitz F.R. Meech Biology Award ...... John Yanik ’08 The Third Form Book Prize ...... Mitchell Smith Chemistry Award...... Matt Horwitz ’10 The Fourth Form Book Prize ...... Dylan Wiemer Physics Award...... Zhelyo Vasilev ’09 The Fifth Form Book Prize ...... Hannes Toewe Environmental Science Award...... Matt Shackett ’08 The Sixth Form Book Prize ...... John Yanik Technology Award...... Thomas Willingham ’10 Technology Service Award...... Colin Allshouse ’09 Th e Su c c e ss u s Fi d e l i t a t e Aw a r d The History Award ...... Matt Horwitz ’10 The Second Form Prize...... Marcus Stephanides The Global Awareness Award ...... Vincent Draddy ’11 The Third Form Prize ...... Derrick Pace The Spanish Award ...... Whit Whitmire ’08 The Fourth Form Prize ...... Dylan Wiemer The French Award ...... Harrison Dent ’10 The Fifth Form Prize ...... Kent Godwin The Robert H. Reid Latin Cup ...... James Garland ’10 The English as a Second Language Prize ...... Karl Cho ’11 At h l e t i c Aw a r d s The Art Award ...... Blake Cannino ’08 The Athletic Cup ...... Miles Plumlee ’08 The Weil Award...... Ross Lalor ’10 The Moltke-Hansen School Spirit Trophy ...... Casey Pence ’08 The Pingree Theatre Award ...... Alex Swendsen ’08 The Sewell Hustle Award...... Austin Coward ’11 Lawton Ingle Music Award...... Danny Agee ’09 The Pat James Award...... Ali Knowles ’09 The Sacred Studies Award ...... Jarred Lehr ’09 The Mike Knighton Sportsmanship Award...... Davis Jayroe ’08

Summer 2008 9 Academics National Honor Society Do the Math! Math Competition

his year a team of four eighth graders competed in TMATHCOUNTS, a national middle school math competition for public and private middle schools all over Western NC. The CS team consisted of Wesley Academic Dean Erich Cluxton with the newest members Kang, Josh Horwitz, David Miller, and Dylan Morris. of the National Honor Society. L to R: Matt Horwitz ’10, The boys prepared for the competition with additional Marshall Plumlee ’09, Clay Maxwell ’08, and Ben Jones ’09. classes throughout the school year. They worked on creative problem solving techniques and learned con- Ninth Grader Wins cepts above and beyond what they studied in their Essay Contest Algebra I and II classes, including geometry and sta- tistics. Faculty members Dan Chase and Bryan Martin abe Dunsmith ’11 served as coaches. Gwas one of five winners in the Junior Virtual Stock Market Achievement Business Ethics essay contest and the only freshman in a contest r. Chase’s Algebra classes participated in a virtual usually restricted to juniors and seniors. Mstock market competition to solidify their under- “I wrote the essay about whether or not professional standing of percentages, probabilities, ratios, and a lot football teams should allow players to join who do not have of negative numbers. Each student was given $100,000 a college degree, went through a vigorous editing stage, in virtual money to spend on stocks, bonds, and mu- submitted the essay, and waited for a response.” tual funds. Prizes were awarded for the top earners in The keynote speaker for the Business Ethics Luncheon each class, plus a grand prize for the overall winner. at the Grove Park Inn was Pete McDaniel, senior writer for To date, the top investor (Tyler Stokes ’12) has turned Golf Digest Magazine and co-author of sabout Tiger Woods. his $100,000 into nearly $120,000 in just a few weeks. McDaniel spoke about prejudices he faced growing up, The game generated enough interest that a second weaving in his own views on athletic importance and ac- school wide game was started. ceptance. CS Chaperone, Drew Hyche ’94, introduced the students to Mr. McDaniel, whose father laid many stones for buildings at Christ School and worked in the dish room. Math Students Visit NC State What a small world!

Math Department Chair Bryan Martin took students interested in engineering to visit NC State University. The students, (L to Christ School Latin scholars received recognition for their R) Jayon Payne ’10, Zhelyo Vasilev ’09, and Matt Thurston ’08, outstanding performances on the National Latin Exam. are standing in front of the self-guided vehicle built on campus. Left to Right: Mitchell Smith ’11, Cum Laude, Latin 1; They saw the mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, Cornelius Benecke ’09, Silver Medal, Maxima Cum Laude, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, computer sci- Latin 3 Prose; Marshall Plumlee ’11, Magna Cum Laude, ence, and electrical engineering departments. Latin 1; David Miller ’12, Magna Cum Laude, Latin 1; Gabriel Dunsmith ’11, Cum Laude, Latin 1; Latin Teacher Chris Webb; not pictured Latin Teacher Jackson Mabry.

10 Summer 2008