The Ripple Maker What does it take to capture the hearts of decade after decade of Christ School Boys? Just take a look at Mike Knighton, beloved coach, teacher and administrator, who retired in June from his daily duties after 27 years at the school’s service. Mike Knighton with son, Matt ’87 Coach’s better half, Shirley, is retiring The 2008 Mike Knighton Sportsmanship Young alumni stop Mike to reminisce. from the Bookstore. Award went to Davis Jayroe ’08. 34 Summer 2008 “Ripplemaker” Mike Knighton retires he reports through the years have been glowing. Reed Finlay ’58 in “Successus Fidelitate: Christ School in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s” said T“Mike Knighton was the man every parent would want his son to have as a mentor and friend.” When the Class of 2006 announced that it was dedi- cating its yearbook to him, “the entire school erupted in a standing ovation.” Testimonials abound that “Coach” has made a difference in the lives of the boys passing through the halls of Christ School. Mike’s profound impact and his legacy to Christ School come from qualities too often given short shrift in the curriculum vitae of modern life. He has warmth. He has humor. He has a generous heart. He is a great (nay, “infamous”) storyteller. He is dedicated and passionate in his chosen service. He has an ability to articulate lasting values in a way that inspire the mind and heart. And most of all, when he meets you in the hallway, he makes you feel that, of all the people in the world he could have happened upon, he is most glad that it was you. Mike joined Christ School in 1981 after serving as Assistant Headmaster at LaGrange Academy. During his tenure, he served as Varsity Football Coach, Dean of Students, Director of Admissions, Athletic Director, English teacher and Director of Alumni Relations. He is a Georgia native and he played football and majored in English (not necessarily in that order) at Vanderbilt University. He earned a Master of Arts in Education at West Georgia College. Mike’s family has also been part of the Christ School community. His wife, We all know of Mike’s fondness Shirley, worked at the Jigger Shop and his children, Matt ’87 and Elizabeth grew for motivational words such up on the school campus. Matt is currently the school’s Director of Grounds as the “Thoroughbred,” Teddy and the artist who has created stone walkways, benches and flower beds. Roosevelt’s inspiring lines “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how it could have been done…” and more. In Mike’s office ike’s own words capture his extraordinary spirit: is an autographed picture of M Super Bowl MVP Brad Johnson “For me, however, what transcends saying “To Mike Knighton, the the emotion of winning and losing is Thoroughbred.” that spirit of competition that prevails between these two great institutions All of these quotes are related [Christ School and Asheville School] to the importance of positive and how that competition has helped to shape the character of so many attitudes in life, especially not young men throughout the years. For quitting, or more precisely of a coach, the final score doesn’t read having character, one of the so many points for my team, so many most important traits that any points for theirs. Instead, it reads: so young man can have. many men out of so many boys. And – Reed Finlay ’58 this is a score that is never published. And this is the score he reads to him- self and in which he finds his real joy when the last game is over.” Summer 2008 35 Tax-wise Ways of Giving Do you: Joseph Duncan ’37 • Want to help Christ School but need current income? donated a charitable • Own highly appreciated stock that doesn’t pay much gift annuity in 2002. of a dividend? • Have a CD maturing and want a more competitive rate? • Need to cash in a money market fund, savings Christ School would like to account, or a bond and want a higher yield? thank Mr. Duncan for his kindness and generosity. We are honored that he —then read on. has included CS in his future plans. y giving assets to Christ School you may be able Bto accomplish your financial goals. Charitable op- tions, like a Charitable Gift Annuity, available through Christ School, allow you to make a generous gift to the School and create income for you or others. A chari- Suggested Gift Annuity Rates* table gift annuity can provide Effective July 1, 2008 • capital gains tax savings • estate tax savings ONE LIFE • income, now or in the future Age Rate 50 ................. 5.1% The payout rate is based on the age(s) of the donor, 55 ................. 5.3% and the rates are very competitive. The older you are, the 60 ................. 5.5% higher the payout rate. Not only will you receive current 65 ................. 5.7% 70 ................. 6.1% income, but you also receive a charitable deduction. If 75 ................. 6.7% the asset you donate is highly appreciated, you will avoid 80 ................. 7.6% paying a lump sum capital gains tax. 85 ................. 8.9% To learn more about tax-wise ways of giving to 90+ ............... 10.5% Christ School, call Christina Auch at (828)684-6232 x145 or e-mail her at [email protected]. *American Council on Gift Annuities Yearbook Dedication aring for Christ School’s 500-acre campus is no easy C feat. Supervising teenage boys in tasks involving manual labor doesn’t make you a popular guy. Doing so day after day with pride and fairness has won this CS graduate the respect and friendship of many students and faculty over the past few years. Growing up on the Christ School campus, this student-artist-athlete exemplifies the four-fold philosophy of the school. A talented stone mason, he constructed the stone path to the Wellness Center as well as several of the new walls around campus. Working quietly with modesty and dedication, he hates drawing attention to himself. For his even-handed leadership, strength of character, mischievous humor, and obvious loyalty to the school, the Class of 2008 Matt Knighton ’87 dedicated the yearbook to Matt Knighton ’87. 36 Summer 2008 Gatherings Around the South was great catching up with the Greenie faithful in the spring at different locations throughout It Eric Thorp ’01, Mrs. Elizabeth Parker and Donald Parker (son the region. Please look for “Save the Dates” com- Frost ’11), and Chad Drayton ’66 joined alumni, parents, ing this summer, as we will begin the 2008-2009 grandparents, and friends of Christ School at The Boathouse get-togethers in the fall at locations ultimately Restaurant in Charleston, SC for a luncheon gathering hosted including: by Richard Stoney ’70 and Edward Pritchard ’80. Asheville Greensboro Greenville Raleigh Columbia Charlotte Charleston New Orleans Atlanta Washington D.C. If you have ideas about other places that may be good meeting locales, please make your suggestions known to the Advancement Office. Will Willimon ’94 and Wade Strozier ’95 pose for a picture at the Atlanta gathering held at the Capital City Pat and Alice Ann Battle (parents of Will ’09), Steve Young Club in Atlanta hosted ’82, and Beth and Tom Willingham ’84 (parents of Thomas by Richard Moore ’90. ’10) also attended the Atlanta area gathering. Alumni, past parents, current parents, future parents, grandparents, and friends gathered at The Grappa Grill for a luncheon hosted by Trip Brown ’57 and John Beard ’84 in Greensboro, NC. Summer 2008 37 Class Notes 1937 “This is dedicated to the ones Reed Finlay I love…” ’58 met Joseph Duncan ’37, Dabney Johnson (Durward ’41) son of Norvin commissioned two benches to Duncan ’09, in be made of Wetmore House Chattanooga at St. stone. The first bench is Paul’s Episcopal dedicated to “The Ultimate Greenie,” JD Jones ’36 (see Church. Reed’s page 31), and the second (left) son Douglas came is dedicated to the classes to the back of the of 1940-45. Dick Fayssoux, church to say, “Dad, there is a man sitting Dabney, and Gene Fayssoux near me who has a Christ School ball show off the handsome bench cap.” After the service, Reed introduced built by Matt Knighton ‘87. himself and took a photo. Duncan is a graduate of Duke and had a career as an engineer with the TVA. 1943 Charles. R. (Buddy) Hancock ’43 of Denham Springs, LA, is still very involved in his church and is also working with the Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Mary made a trip to High Point, NC in the spring to see their daughter Libby. He celebrated 65 years as a CS alumnus this year. (L to R) Skipper Logan ’66, King Logan ’70, Ellen Logan (King’s daughter), Sam Logan ’40, and Polk Van Zandt ’70, 1944 enjoying Mardi Gras in New Orleans David P. Harris ’44 and his wife Pat (February 08). Ellen Logan was queen of from Baton Rouge, LA have had some carnival this year. Skip is her uncle and medical setbacks this year but that is Sam is her grandfather. not stopping them from coming up to the Arden area to see their children this 1947 summer. Tom “Satch” Wilson ’47 wrote from Petaluma, California that “Guess what? 1939, 1949 78-year-old Satch is finally retiring!” In February, 2008, St. Matthews Anglican Church, with Father John Lathrop ’49 at the helm, moved into a 105-year-old church in North Asheville.