COMMENCEMENT EDITION Training Ethical Servant-Leaders & Wise

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION FOR CORAM DEO ACADEMY FAMILIES, ALUMNI & FRIENDS SUMMER 2017

Collin County Graduates

Flower Mound Graduates

Training ethical servant-leaders & wise thinkers who will shape culture for the glory of God

COMMENCEMENT EDITION 2017 In this year’s Forum, we Taylor served 2 years in the Air Force is difficult. And it has been healthy to What piece of advice from your (2011-2013) as part of a college loan admit when I haven’t had all the facts. CDA experience would you give to highlight three alumni, two of payment program. He became a That way, I have been able to update my Taylor Follis help future CDA graduates? whom graduated 10 years Logistics Technician at Dyess AFB, views and beliefs. 2007, Flower Mound serving the 7th Ops Group’s B1-B Embrace being the well-rounded ago from our Flower Mound person that CDA helped to foster and College: Baylor University /Air Force Lancer and C-130 Hercules squadrons, What role has your faith in Christ managing the supply train from try to learn a little of everything, even Campus and one who was in ROTC played in your occupation? maintenance to the supply system. He in subjects you dislike. Take electives our first graduating class from Degree: Bachelor of Science in I am where I am by the grace of Christ. currently ranks as an Airman 1st Class. in college that you’re not sure you Mechanical Engineering There have been highs and lows in my the Collin County Campus. would enjoy. Join a dance club. Play life since graduating from CDA, and We’ll gather insight from Occupation: Nuclear Engineer for the US How did CDA help your worldview? some sports. You never know when God has consistently used those times Navy I credit my love of learning and pursuit you may be exposed to something that their experiences as former to help me. I met my loving wife, made Residing in: Chesapeake, VA of knowledge to my time at CDA. Even you become passionate about, or meet lifelong friends, obtained a fantastic students and how these now, I continue loving to learn, and am a friend who can challenge and temper Personal: Married to Jaclynne Follis, job in service to my country, and have experiences have helped constantly broadening my horizons. I you. Use every experience, good or bad, they are expecting their first child in started a family. My life has truly been believe that knowledge is always better to grow as a person and enrich your life. transform their lives currently September! blessed and God has taught me lessons than ignorance, even if the answer as adults. through every step. We are proud of these incredible alumni and believe How did CDA help your worldview? with challenges to my faith, the lessons What piece of advice from your they are having a lasting I learned at CDA are the ones I recall. Andrew Ahles I gained a deep appreciation for CDA experience would you give to impact by exemplifying who the philosophical and theological help future CDA graduates? What role has your faith in Christ 2007, Flower Mound foundations of my faith. The books Place more importance on how you are they are in Christ and what played in your occupation? Class Valedictorian I read while at CDA—by authors like living your life than on what specifically they do to glorify Him. Everyone needs redemption, but for C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, and N.T. you are doing. If I had tried to predict in College: Oral Roberts University my clients, brokenness has become Wright—hold a special place in my May 2007 what I would be doing now, I particularly intense. I believe work in the Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in New understanding of Christianity. They would have been very wrong. Dreaming mental health field is deeply spiritual, so I Testament Theology, Master of Arts in laid the groundwork for much of what I about the future and setting goals are see that it’s God deeply investing Himself Counseling believe about God and how He works in important, but goals may come and go. through Christ in people’s restoration Occupation: Licensed Marriage and the world. CDA also did not teach me a Focus on becoming Christ-like and the and healing. My approach to every kind Family Therapist rigid or inflexible Christianity, with no rest will take care of itself. I have found room for mystery or reflection. Rather, of problem or trauma is to trust God to Residing in: Tulsa, OK when I have this focus—the “how” work through me, and that helps me I learned the beauty and complexity of my life—then the “what” usually Personal: Married to Kathleen for 6.5 years, persevere with the work’s challenges. of a God who is—through Christ— becomes more apparent. has a 5 month old daughter Evelyn both approachable and far beyond our God is not finished with the hurting, and understanding. When I’ve been faced in the end, all will be made right.

How did CDA help your worldview? kingdom by showing his love to What piece of advice from your others whenever I can. This includes Coram Deo showed me that education CDA experience would you give to Alicia Magee working for Credera, a management and faith are not mutually exclusive; help future CDA graduates? consulting, user experience, and 2013, Collin County in fact, it’s very important that they I know school often feels like an technology solutions firm. Its CEO go together. Baylor largely shares this obligation, but every day when you College: Baylor University is a professing Christian, and the view, and it has been great to continue study, try to find something to enjoy leadership refuses to consult for Degree: BSECE Electrical and Computer to look at the world not as secular and in the material. Take it slow. Study it. Engineering (minor in Computer Science) companies that take advantage of Christian, but as God’s creation, every Learn from it; don’t just memorize it. I others or that contradict a set of basic Occupation: Consultant at Credera. I’m facet of which is important to Him. won’t pretend like I always did this (in values. This is an environment in in their Mobile Practice. I’ll be working high school or college), but I regret the which I know I can serve others, both largely as a software developer on What role has your faith in Christ attitude I often had about school. You in the office and at the companies for mobile apps. played in your occupation/ have access to a wonderful education: which we consult. And further, it’s an continued studies? take advantage of it. Further your Residing in: Plano, TX opportunity to further my software

VISION & VISION LEGACY knowledge. Broaden your opinions. Give Knowing that God’s Son sacrificed skills for whatever God leads me to subjects you don’t like a chance. You’ll himself for all people has continually do next. reminded me to participate in his thank yourself later.

2 3 Flower Mound Collin County

Abby Weatherford Flower Mound Valedictorian Jennifer Pearson Collin County Valedictorian Coram Deo Academy-Flower Mound Valedictorian Coram Deo Academy-Collin County Valedictorian Abby Weatherford’s Commencement Speech – excerpt Jennifer Pearson’s Commencement Speech – exerpt

Each graduate here today has had a rely on the accumulation of awards, but In music, as a child learns how to Collin County campus, we already different experience at Coram Deo, ultimate success is using our talents to play, the pieces gradually grow more know that we can persevere through and has written a different story. serve His kingdom. complex. They progress from one line difficulty. From Latin and Spanish, to AP However, we are unified by our shared of single notes to complicated chords and Dual Credit classes, we have proven experiences at CDA. Football games, We may not know our path, but we know that dance to syncopated rhythms. that we can overcome. We have not let the house system, paint wars, are all who guides us. And with this knowledge, Our lives are much the same. As uncertain rests, low notes, or dissonant shared experiences that have shaped we can approach the future with joy. Kindergarteners, we walked into chords throw us from our place in the this class. Through our efforts, as As we have all written our stories, we Coram Deo ready to learn. We started music. We have kept learning and kept well as the investments of others, have all developed a unique capacity to with the basics: a one line melody that gaining skills and now are about to many of these experiences have been impact our world. We don’t have to forge seemed almost impossible at the time. finish one movement of this song that successful. Indeed, you see before you world peace or extinguish illiteracy. We But we continued to persevere, and has been Coram Deo Academy. We are district champions in athletics and may not be able to. But we can smile at now, as seniors, we have progressed to about to begin a new movement with a drama, and award winning artists and someone. We can give directions to a the intertwined chords and melodies new tempo and different, more complex musicians. Though certainly something student lost on campus. Those actions, that inspire us to press on toward the notes and rhythms. The piece, however, to celebrate, these awards do not define though perhaps not changing the world, four-part harmony of our futures. is still the same. Even though it feels us. God does. Temporal success may can change someone’s world. Sometimes the chords are dissonant, unfamiliar and frightening, we know but they are perfectly composed… that when we look back, we possess all the essential skills and are ready for As the first class to have gone from this new line in the music. Flower Mound Co-Salutatorians kindergarten to twelfth grade at the Clara Migala & Lauren Moses Coram Deo Academy-Flower Mound Co-Salutatorians’ Commencement Speech – excerpt Kate Radovich Collin County Salutatorian Coram Deo Academy-Collin County Salutatorian The young American poet, Sarah Kay, instilled in all of us a perspective. We Kate Radovich’s Commencement Speech – exerpt in one of her works tells the story of a as young adults have a duty to them young girl who visits a construction site. and to ourselves to honor the lessons Coram Deo has not limited our potential, possible. Our daily devotionals, chapels, She sees three workers, all of whom are we have been taught, the memories it has pushed us and given us the tools and theology classes have helped many doing the exact same task, and decides we have shared, and the gifts we have we need to achieve our goals. C. S. Lewis of us solidify our faith, and I speak for to approach each of them. She asks each been given. Somewhere along the once said, “Courage is not simply one all of us when I say that we will not what he is doing. The first replying he way, as we watched those before us of the virtues, but the form of every forget the lessons we have learned is laying brick, the second building a set off into the world, we guided those Do not be conformed to this virtue at the testing point.” Attending here. I would like to end by presenting wall. But the third replies, “Can’t you behind us and helped to give advice and world, but be transformed by Coram Deo takes courage. For those of you with our class verse, Romans 12:2, see? I’m building a temple.” This fable encouragement at even the smallest the renewal of your mind, that you who have attended, you know that “Do not be conformed to this world, it is not an easy task. We have all lost but be transformed by the renewal of is used to emphasize the importance of sign of progress, we grew up too. by testing you may discern what countless hours of sleep and stressed your mind, that by testing you may perspective. It is that perspective which And so we stand before you all today, is the will of God, what is good defines our senior class, established by workers before a temple, certainly over seemingly endless assignments to discern what is the will of God, what is and acceptable and perfect. our teachers, parents, and experiences ready to create new cities of our own, get to this point. It might be daunting to good and acceptable and perfect.” The here at CDA, and what we hope to pass but certainly never ready to forget Romans 12:2 (ESV) prepare for a college that has over 30,000 class of 2017 will remember this verse on to the next generation of students. those who gave so much of themselves people when your class only has 14, but as we graduate and continue down our to teach us how to build. CDA has provided us with more than separate paths. During our time at Coram Deo, our enough experience and reassurance teachers, coaches, and friends have to make the transition as smooth as

4 5 Christian, Classical & Collaborative EDUCATION WORKS

Training ethical servant-leaders and wise thinkers who will shape culture for the glory of God Low student-teacher ratio means opportunities to go deep in every step of the educational process. Average Classroom Size 13

3 CAMPUSES A Love for Learning Teacher & Parent with 1 SCHOOL Classical Education progresses Biblically Integrated Student-led Collaboration through the grammar, logic (dialectic), MISSION & VISION Curriculum Chapel Services 6 and rhetoric stages of learning with Collin County, And these words that I command 7 the ultimate goal being philosophia, a ...to train the heart Dallas, Flower Mound you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your love of wisdom. as well as the mind CDA National Merit 2017 GRADUATES Accredited as a District through 496 children, and shall talk of them when AdvancED; a Member of ACCS and 3 National Merit trained to shape culture you sit in your house, and when you TAPPS, and a Member of NAUMS for the glory of God Commended walk by the way, and when you lie 2 Students accepted full-tuition down, and when you rise. 8You shall scholarships, Class of 57 Students bind them as a sign on your hand, with from Flower Mound and they shall be as frontlets between Accepted scholarships of at 43 student athletes were awarded 3 Hispanic 2017 graduates have committed 5 31 your eyes. 9You shall write them on least $100,000, and 14 Collin County Students the honor of academic all state. Scholars 3 to participate in collegiate athletics: NYU, Macalester College the doorposts of your house and on 25 Students were offered your gates. – Deut. 6:6-9 Presidential or Chancellor and North Lake College. Scholarships, 200+ Area Churches 6 Required AP Courses $6,072,744 Percent of seniors were % 86 represented by the student body of CDA Of the juniors and seniors who 32 Attending Out-of-State Colleges accepted to their first choice of Faculty, Staff, & CDA Parents took AP tests in the last 5 years, Scholarship % college to attend, 67% of the Class of 2017 volunteer entirely composed of 42 Pursuing STEM Degrees CDA had an offerings to 70% in their church or community, and professing Christians adhering to (Entire Class) 17 Accepted to the Honors of the class 2017 the tenets of the College at the school they’re 46% have been on a mission % graduates accepted 68% Pursuing STEM Degrees attending trip in high school 82 AP Pass Rate $2,389,536. Nicene Creed (Female Students)

Our students participate in a variety of athletic programs as well as visual arts, drama, band, choir, speech and debate, and more.

6 7 PRESENTING The Class of 2017 Ethical Servant-Leaders & Wise Thinkers Demonstrating the gifting and skills which will help them to enter the next stage of life ready to shape culture for the glory of God.

Flower Mound Flower Mound

Luke Alexander Adams Alyssa Grace Early Christian Reid Henderson James Dunn Morrison Kirby Robert Rector Hayley Lynne Russell Ryan Thomas Vosburg Kayla Noel Webb Texas A&M University Texas A&M University Baylor University University of Oklahoma Undecided University of Michigan Baylor University Baylor University Aerospace Engineering Special Education Actuarial Sciences/Risk Entrepreneurship Business Pre-Med Business Economics and Business Management Entrepreneurship Mikayla Jae Anthony Arianna Michelle Farmer Hope Laurelei Morriss Elisheba Danielle Rowland Sophie Elizabeth Vos Vincent S. Wu Baylor University University of Texas-Arlington Hannah Elizabeth Kline University of Mary Hardin- Worcester Polytechnic Institute Southern Methodist University Abby Caroline Weatherford New York University-Shanghai Physical Therapy Nursing John Brown University Baylor Pre-Med Statistical Science Baylor University Mathematics and International Music Business Music Education and Graphic International Studies Business Michael Douglas Arthur Abigayle Anne Farrier Design Abilene Christian University Dallas Baptist University Matthew Rainier Lohstroh Business Management or English and Psychology Texas A&M University Lauren Rebecca Moses Engineering Business Management and University of Mississippi Leiana Hoi-Ling Fung Entrepreneurship Accounting and Tax Law Collin County Kenneth Blake Beaverstock Baylor University North Central Texas College, Biological Engineering Aaron Andrew Mackie Braeden Lawrence Murphy Charles Landon Carter Georgeann Nicole Garland Luis Maximillian Meade V Garry David Patterson Then to a Four Year University minors in Physics and New York University Baylor University University of North Texas University of North Texas Texas Tech University Rice University Undecided Neuroscience Pre-Med New Media Mathematics Education Economics and Multimedia Chemistry Journalism Carter Andrew Berry Joseph Ash Furber Rachel Ann Maddalena John Gresham Newton Caroline Nichole Colberg Aaron Ediger Geist Jennifer Grace Pearson Texas A&M University University of Texas-Arlington North Central Texas College, Maclaester College Baylor University Oklahoma State University David Joseph Mullen University of Alabama Business Business Management Then to a Four Year University Economics Business Entrepreneurship Electrical Engineering Texas Woman’s University Nursing Physics and Engineering Pre-Physical Therapy/ Max Thomas Christiansen Taylor J. Frances Grace Brendan Hudson Patnode Timothy Twitchell Engman Ashley Elizabeth Kinesiology Katherine Simone Radovich Abigail Elizabeth John Brown University Southern Methodist University Marquette Univesity Texas State University Klingensmith University of Alabama McCrummen Business Management and Undecided Business Pre-Physical Therapy Texas Tech University Emily Rebekah Palmer Biomedical Engineering Entrepreneurship Texas State University Pre-Speech/Laguage Hearing Trevecca Nazarene University Emily Elizabeth Guthrie Nursing Brian James Payne Alexandra Ashley Fontana Science Music Grayson Duval Whittle Molly Marie Chubb Baylor University Texas A&M University University of Arkansas Texas A&M University Margaret Piper McGee Tarrant County College, Chemistry Electrical Engineering Architecture Engineering Then to a Four Year University Saint Mary’s University in Nursing/Midwifery Blake Thomas Hathaway Minnesota Justin Lewis Pelletier North Lake College, Musical Theatre and English Texas A&M University Kayla Lynne Costigan Then to a four year University Economics Texas A&M University- Business Clara Elizabeth Migala Students and were accepted to 95 different colleges. They will be Galveston Texas A&M University Mary Elise Perrone Marine Biology Grant Allan Heath International Studies Fashion Institute of Technology attending 31 colleges across the country and internationally this fall. North Central Texas College, Fashion Design Catherine Ann Cowan Then to Oklahoma State Baylor University University Nutrition Sports Journalism summa cum laude magna cum laude cum laude

8 9 Commencement Speaker, Flower Mound J.T. English The Coram Deo Academy

urrently serving as Pastor of House System Cthe Village Church Institute, JT The Four Pillars of the House System are Leadership, English is passionate about theological Self-Government, Honor and Spirit, and Community Service. education, discipleship, and mission in the local church. JT received his ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary House of Homer – Flower Mound and his PhD in Systematic Theology exemplar: Homer (Ancient Poet) from The Southern Baptist Theological colors: Green (hope, joy, loyalty) Seminary. JT and his wife Macy live in Gold (generosity and elevation of mind) Highland Village, Texas with their son, motto: Post nubila phoebus (After the storm, comes the sun.) Thomas, and they are expecting a little girl, Bailey, in the summer of 2017. House of Lewis – Flower Mound exemplar: C.S. Lewis (Early Modern-Modern Theologian/Author)

colors: Maroon (patience in battle) Silver (peace and sincerity)

motto: Ad majorem Dei gloriam (To the greater glory of God)

House of Wallace – Flower Mound exemplar: William Wallace (Medieval Military Leader)

colors: Purple (sovereignty and justice) Gold (generosity and elevation of mind)

motto: Ignis aurem probat, miseria fortes viros (Fire tests gold, adversity tests strong men.)

Commencement Speaker, Collin County Afshin Ziafat House of Wright – Flower Mound exemplar: The Wright Brothers (United States Scientists)

colors: Black (constancy) fshin Ziafat is the lead pastor of Gold (generosity and elevation of mind) AProvidence Church in Frisco, TX. motto: Audentia fortuna juvat (Fortune assists the daring.) Before taking his current role in October 2010, Afshin spent over a decade House of Churchill – Collin County traveling nationally and internationally Winston Churchill epitomized true leadership by his wisdom and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in foresight in understanding the purposes of his enemy and by refusing churches, retreats, camps, conferences to compromise in the face of adversity. We seek to model this wisdom and missions. Afshin helped launch and steadfastness in our walks with Christ, our lives both in and out of Vertical Bible Study at Baylor University school, and our interaction within the house system and the community. in Waco, TX. He also partners with Elam Ministries and has traveled into the Middle East to train Iranian pastors. House of Luther – Collin County Afshin’s passion is to teach the Word Martin Luther as a religious reformer exemplified courage in holding to his of God as the authority and guide for beliefs as well as passion and determination to carry out his work. These life, to preach Jesus Christ as the only characteristics of courage, passion and determination are what we want Savior and Redeemer of mankind and to characterize what we do on campus and in the community. to proclaim the love of Christ as the greatest treasure and hope in life. He and his wife, Meredith, currently House of Newton – Collin County reside in Frisco, TX, along with their Isaac Newton exemplified the spirit of creativity and determination daughters, Elyse and Ansley. through his works in the field of science and mathematics. As a lifelong learner with a unique brand of ingenuity, he forever changed the world while doing so as a man of God. In the House of Newton, we strive to follow his example. 10 11 Breaking Ground in Flower Mound

n the ongoing pursuit to Total Project Costs: $6,000,000 fulfill the mission of Coram Deo Academy, we began Financing and Funds Raised: $5,416,000 construction of a new multi- Additional Needed To Complete Project: $584,000 Ipurpose facility in May of 2017. By Projected Completion: February 2018 the grace of God, the new facility 2 2 will be completed in February 2018. Building: 23,520 ft with future expansion capability to 28,400 ft Due to our increase in enrollment, - Gym Space for Athletic and Grammar Level Activities - Stage for Performing Arts, Assemblies, and Festivals this facility is vital to continue - Meeting Rooms for CDA Parent Groups providing excellent educational - Lunchroom Space for All Grade Levels opportunities for our students. - 7 New Classrooms - F-5 Tornado/Storm Shelter

Cor am Deo Academy Campuses

Collin County Dallas Flower Mound Classical Education 9645 Independence Pkwy 7777 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy 4900 Wichita Trail in the Presence of God Plano, TX 75025 Dallas, TX 75251 Flower Mound, TX 75022 Phone 469.854.1300 Phone 972.385.6410 Phone 682.237.0232