Forty-First Year | Volume 23 | 2020 COVID-19 AND CA New Outlets, New Ways of Thinking, and Newfound Creativity 1 FROM THE PRESIDENT “REJOICE IN HOPE, BE PATIENT IN BOARD OF DIRECTORS TRIBULATION, BE Seth Lasater, Chairman Beth Foster, Vice-Chairman Tim Garrison, Secretary CONSTANT IN PRAYER.” Jacob Love, Treasurer Vickie Cofer - ROMANS 12:12 Amy Greene (THEME VERSE FOR 2020-21) Adrienne Law Landon Loveall Joy McDonald This year has brought unexpected and unique challenges. We never thought the last day David Morris students would come to campus for school would be March 13 or that graduation would Dr. Cason Shirley be pushed back to June 20. Between those dates Columbia Academy did something it had Alan Thomason never done before — transitioned to online learning for all students in junior kindergarten through 12th-grade. PRESIDENT Dr. James A. Thomas Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our teachers quickly transitioned to virtual school, with students using Google Classroom or Zoom meetings to continue their education. I have CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER never been prouder of our faculty than during this challenging time. The CA teachers Andrew Williams demonstrated their commitment to serving our students and accomplishing our school’s LOWER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL mission by facing the challenge head-on, doing whatever it took to keep students learning. COLUMBIA CAMPUS With every challenge comes opportunity, and our students, faculty, and staff continue Trent Hill to rise to meet the challenges that appear. As the 2020-21 school year begins, we are PRINCIPAL committed to bringing students and staff back to campus safely. Our mission is best SPRING HILL CAMPUS accomplished and our students learn and grow the most when they are present, face-to- Nathan Hixson face with our dedicated Christian teachers and coaches. UPPER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL There will always be challenges as long as this world remains, and I remind all of us to Jon Bennett remember the words of our Lord in John 16:33, where He says, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart; I have overcome the world.” The God we serve is greater than any EDITORIAL TEAM challenge we might face, and He is faithful. May we look to Him for guidance, wisdom, Ashley Gilles — Editor and strength. Bramblett Group — Art Direction/Design We humbly ask for your prayers for a safe and successful school year. Thank you for those The Columbia Academy Communicator is published prayers and for your support, and please continue to join with us in our mission to impact annually by Columbia Academy, 1101 West 7th Street, Columbia, Tennessee 38401 for the parents, friends, the lives of young people for eternity. supporters and alumni of Columbia Academy. Editorial inquiries can be made to Ashley Gilles ([email protected]). Dr. James A. Thomas, President 2 4 10 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 CA Students and Staff Shine Bright 16 COVID-19 and CA 6-9 Class of 2020 Achievements 18 Faculty and Staff Appreciation 10 Spring Hill Campus Update 20 New CA Employees 11 CA Fine Arts Update 21 In Memoriam - Mary Margaret Lovell 12 School Year Memories 22 Annual Giving Report 2019-2020 14 Alumni Updates 16 3 CA STUDENTS & STAFF SHINE BRIGHT KELLEY LOVELESS MISSION TRIP GUN DAWGS TAKE FOURTH PLACE IN TENNESSEE JUNIOR OLYMPICS Regionals CA Rookies finished third as a team and Taylor Sims was second overall. Upper school science teacher, Kelley Loveless, left June 8, 2020, for Mesa, Arizona with her husband Jeff and two daughters, Olivia State and Lola, for a mission trip with the Salt River Church of Christ. Our Rookies won third place. Much of their planned work was canceled due to COVID-19, but the Loveless family trusted God to guide them in His work throughout National Championships in Ohio their time in Arizona. This is their story in Kelley Loveless’s words. We finished in 11th place. “When we got there, our main focus became helping the Native TN State Junior Olympics Americans affected by this virus. Due to shortages and restrictions Our team finished in fourth place. on cleaning items and some food, we spent hours every day searching Chandler Hinson won the silver medal (second place overall). for items to meet the needs of the Native Americans. Most of the Gregory Jones won first place in the junior (J3) division. reservations were on a daily curfew during the week and were not allowed to leave their homes on the weekend. This makes it Above: Gregory Jones (L) and Chandler Hinson (R) pose for a photo at the extremely difficult for them to get the basic items they need to get Tennessee State Junior Olympics. through this pandemic. The first two weeks we were in Arizona, we The Gun Dawgs gather for a group photo after a competition. were able to collect enough items to fill a 14 foot trailer and take to Below: the Navajo Nation. They were filled with so much love and gratitude. With the help of Salt River Church of Christ, we were able to fill the trailer two more times for multiple deliveries. These supplies were taken to Many Farms and Kayenta on the Navajo reservation and the White Mountain Apache. During our time there, Jeff was able to be a part of several Bible studies and also taught Wednesday and Sunday night Bible classes via Zoom. He was also able to baptize a woman into Christ. We are so thankful for the Salt River Church of Christ and the time we were able to spend and serve with them. We are also extremely grateful for the trust and support that the Graymere Church of Christ showed us during our time in Arizona.” We appreciate Mrs. Loveless and the servant hearts of her family. Even amidst a global pandemic, they made it their goal to help others. 4 LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS PUBLISH BOOK: “THE COLUMBIA ACADEMY ANTHOLOGY: LOWER SCHOOL EDITION” Columbia Academy Lower School students hosted a book release David Woodfine, a long-time educator in Oxford, England, and the Dec. 18, 2019. The book, “The Columbia Academy Anthology: chancellor of The Hilliard Institute. Lower School Edition,” features 68 students from third-sixth-grade. Dr. Hilliard met with all students in third-sixth-grade on the Dr. James Thomas, president of Columbia Academy, said, Columbia campus to instruct them in writing. Students then “Encouraging students to write at submitted short stories for review. The a young age is important in them best were published in the anthology. becoming proficient writers for their In total, there were 150 submissions. future educational success. We are so Approximately 80 were chosen to be proud of our students’ creativity and edited by a large board of professionals, abilities, and we are thankful for our including four editors from Ireland, teachers who help develop these skills two from England, and five from the each day. We are especially thankful United States. The top stories were for Dr. Hillard’s help in making this published in the anthology. exciting project a reality.” The anthology is available for purchase The release was made possible by for $10 with all proceeds being Dr. Mark Hilliard of The Woodfine donated to the Columbia Academy Young Writers Guild, a division of Lower School Library. More than 200 The Hilliard Institute located in copies sold during the pre-order phase. Spring Hill, Tenn. The purpose of the Additional copies will be for sale at Woodfine Young Writers Guild is to Duck River Books, the Columbia advance literacy skills and encourage Academy Dawg House Gift Shop, a love for reading and writing in young or through the Columbia Academy people. The master of the Guild is Dr. Lower School Library. CROSS-COUNTRY AT COLUMBIA ACADEMY For most sports, running is a punishment, unless you run cross country. This year Columbia Academy had both a full boys and girls teams. Starting in June, they worked six days a week to get better and stronger. These teams were led by three athletes who made it to the state championship. Sophomore Annabelle Cothran, freshman Jaelyn Hickerson, and sophomore Connor Henson all qualified for the D2 Small Schools State Championship. Only the top 10 individuals and top three teams in each respective region advanced to compete. Annabelle Cothran advanced to the state championship by winning the regional in 20:28.04 while Jaelyn Hickerson finished in 10th championship. In the girls’ race, Annabelle Cothran ran a 20:30 and position with a 22:22.78. Connor Henson finished runner up in the placed fifth, earning All State honors for the second straight year. boy’s regional, running a 16:28.53. Jaelyn Hickerson earned a 24th place finish with a 22:26.06, capping off an outstanding freshman campaign. On the boys’ side, Connor These Bulldogs ran for the state championship Nov. 2, 2019, Henson placed sixth with a 17:00.63, earning All-State honors for a at Nashville’s Iroquois Steeplechase Course for the state second consecutive year. 5 CA CLASS OF 2020 ACHIEVEMENTS VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN Representing the Columbia Academy Senior Class of 2020, the valedictorian is Hannah White, daughter of Chris and Sara White of Columbia. The salutatorian is Phillip Young III, son of Phillip and Brandy Young of Columbia. Hannah White has been a student at CA for six years. She has been president of the HOSA club, president of the Science Club, president of the REACH program, co-captain of Mock Trial, an active member of Best Buddies, a small group leader, a City of Children member, and class treasurer for two years. White is a National AP Scholar, National Merit Commended Scholar, Presidential Scholar Candidate, and a member of the National Honors Society.