2 0 1 4 – 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T THANK YOU for making this year our best yet! WELCOME TO ATL A NTA Y O U T H A C A DEMY! 2015–2016 FA C U LT Y A N D S TA FF Fa CULTY Nina Akerman, Spanish Stephanie Banner, Kindergarten Mary Heath Brown, Second Grade Shanda Dennis, Fifth Grade Atlanta Youth Academy (AYA) is a Christian preparatory school for Corinne Easterlin, First Grade inner-city youth in Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade who are willing Karla Jelks, Art to work hard and whose academic efforts are well-supported at home. Kristopher Jones, Eighth Grade Through an investment–partnership model between donors and our tuition- Ruby Jones, Third Grade paying parents, AYA exposes students who otherwise would not have access to such opportunity to life-changing experiences, launching them to a brighter future in high Katie Koerten, Sixth Grade school, college and beyond. Angela Simpson, Pre-Kindergarten Kathryn Stanley, Seventh Grade Unlike public, charter and other independent schools in the inner-city, only AYA offers a Christ-centered experience for its students, families and community — in a way that Jamal Webb, Fourth Grade teaches them who they are and whose they are. Shirley White, Junior High History and Science Welcome to AYA. Our students are eager to greet you, and for you to get to Paulette Woodruff,Learning Specialist know them. On these pages are just a few stories from our community of leaders. STA FF Peter Rooney, President Erin Blair, Development Director Katie Koerten, Acting Co-Dean of the Academy Paulette Woodruff,Acting Co-Dean of the Academy Mabel L. Jones-Allen, Administrative Assistant Carrilyn Strickland, Administrative Coordinator Becca Vinson, Development Assistant Anthony Gates, After-School Director Reggie Short, Maintenance Pamula Smith, Cafeteria AYA’s daily operations run on the skills, talents, and enthusiasm of individuals working behind the scenes to support our students’ learning experiences. Here are just a few of them. Pictured at top, left to right, Becca Vinson, Carrilyn Strickland, and Mabel Jones-Allen. Above, our Acting Co-Deans of the Academy, Katie Koerten and Paulette Woodruff. Pr E S I D E N T ’ S L ETTE R Because of You . So many times last year we stopped and remembered our theme for the annual fund year was Because of You. We did stop to appreciate every single gift that was received last year, but that’s not the pause I’m thinking about in reflecting upon the 2014-15 year. I’m thinking about how often board members, faculty, staff, and I stopped to appreciate what you did for the students at AYA. We paused as our students left for a Civil Rights and College Tour through the state of Mississippi. We paused when several faculty and staff members received new computers. When our students celebrated the successful completion of an etiquette course, we paused. Times are tough these days for so many in the AYA community, yet when an unforeseeable crisis arose last year, I can remember pausing in gratitude that we could respond to help a young student and her mother. There were other moments as well: When our Spanish teacher would arrive on campus, when Billy Peebles came from The Lovett School to bring our students History Club, and when the Plylers arrived every Friday morning to teach their Leadership Class to the eighth graders, we paused and just said a resounding “Thank you!” When our graduates went for their first day at Pace Academy, The Piney Woods School, Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, and Woodward Academy, they went with our collective voice, back on the AYA campus, saying Because of You. Over and over we said Because of You, AYA is possible. Because of You, AYA can get better. And Because of You, we can offer a transformational Christian education to 150 young people in the Thomasville Heights area of the metro Atlanta region. Because of You, we are thankful. Because of You, we are challenged to do our best each day. And Because of You, God’s kingdom is strengthened and lives are changed forever. Thank you! Peter Rooney President 2 0 1 4 – 2 0 1 5 GOVE R NIN G B O ar DS BO ar D O F F OUND AT I O N Caitlin Jones BO ar D O F DI R ECTO R S Tr USTEES Roger Key, ADVISO R S Secretary/Treasurer Larry Teem, Founder Billy Briggs Ron Lenderman Wayner Crowder and Chairman Frank Briggs, Richard Maner Larry Edge Chair Emeritus Sid Mashburn Cooper Mills Philip Bray Bo Briggs Molly Milligan Richard Parker Harold Melton Lee Burrows Bill Ragland Chris Schoen Megan Nellen Richard Collier Erwin Reid Steve Shuler Jay Simms Kim Daugherty McKittrick Simmons Jack Sibley Hank Thomas John Hamilton, David Songy Chair Larry Teem, Ex-officio Keith White Sivan Hines, Zach Young Chair Emeritus 1 D ONO R A N D V OLUNTEE R Pr OFILES Kim Daugherty | STEM S K I L L S F O R T ra NSFO R M ATION A L E D U C ATION Mrs. Daugherty, you and your husband Robert have been actively involved with AYA for many years. What first drew you to AYA? What aspects of your involvement have been the most rewarding? We first learned of AYA over twelve years ago through the Angel Tree project sponsored by The Westminster Schools (where our daughter was a first-grader). At AYA, we’ve been involved in various ways: we worked on library book drives, creating newsletters, helping to plan field trips, visiting classrooms, and fundraising. These activities have been so meaningful to our whole family as our children have been involved as well. We love talking to AYA students, and seeing their excitement for learning always makes us smile. AYA students are just so impressive. In terms of helping to provide a transformational education to its students and families, how do you know when you and AYA have been impactful? AYA students are so energized about learning and owning the results of their hard work — they and their families work hard every day to overcome challenges and create a better future for themselves. I’m constantly impressed by how positive, confident, and well-spoken the students are. AYA helps students set big goals and supports them daily in achieving those. It’s exciting and uplifting to see this happening so consistently. The results reflect the impact AYA has on these students’ lives — 100% of AYA students have finished high school and gone on to college. That makes me so proud of this school. When it comes to Career Week, you’ve brought in African-American professionals in STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and math). Can you discuss why you feel this is important? Mrs. Daugherty is a Everyone needs a role model. Seeing is believing. When AYA students see and hear a successful professional member of the AYA talk about his or her experiences — the successes and the difficulties they’ve overcome — the students begin to Foundation Board of outline dreams and goals for themselves. They think, “He’s like me, and I can be like him.” This is very powerful, Trustees, the AYA and the impact is long-lasting. Interacting with these role models can change the trajectory of a student’s life. Leadership Gift Nationally and globally, there’s a strong and growing demand for bright individuals who understand how Committee, and the to use STEM skills to solve problems. Our AYA students are very capable. Success in these fields must start Career Week Committee. with solid preparation in junior high school. I want to introduce the students to these career fields and get them She is pictured with her thinking about being innovators. STEM careers provide interesting, stable, high-paying jobs. They can be the husband Robert and their important final step in our students’ pathway out of poverty. daughters Caroline and Ellen. Of your many insights about AYA, what’s something about AYA students you want others to know? They aim high, and their achievements are amazing! The AYA transformational education model is working — year after year, AYA helps ordinary kids do extraordinary things! I love being a small part of these students’ big adventures. They are inspiring to watch. 2 To see a brief video about Career Week at AYA, please visit http://youtu.be/qsma9jkzZvo D ONO R A N D V OLUNTEE R Pr OFILES Roger Key | I MPA C T F U L F I N A NCI A L G OVE R N A NCE Mr. Key, what first drew you and your wife to AYA? If, for example, someone from another country were to ask about AYA’s special mission and community, how would you describe AYA to them? I was introduced to AYA by a fellow church member, Margaret Ann Briggs. I visited the campus and met several students. Almost immediately I knew that AYA was a special place, and wanted to get involved. AYA is committed to teaching children how precious they are in God’s sight, and how important it is for them to live out that vision. When we talk about transformational education at AYA, how would you describe that mission given the important work of the finance committee? In terms of funding and stewardship, how would you respond to a new donor who says, “OK, why should I contribute to AYA?” For me, transformational education first involves children knowing how special they are. Then it means having the people and tools to support you in becoming the best that you can be.