Valwood Visions - Valwood School

Transcription

VISIONS
4380 Old U.S. Highway 41 N
Hahira, Georgia 31632
VISIONS
Volume 15 - Number 1
A Magazine for Alumni, Parents, and Friends of Valwood School
Valwood School does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national or ethnic origin in any of its
policies, practices or procedures.
www.valwood.org
2015
Continued from Page 14 (Alumni News)
Valwood Graduation 2015
From the Headmaster
Amanda Lupo, Valwood Class of 2015 introduced the 2015
Commencement Speaker, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle.
In his 2008 book
Outliers, Malcolm
Gladwell popularized
what has come to be
known as the “10,000
Hour Rule” and which I
shall henceforth refer to as
“Gladwell’s Law.” This
rule stipulates that 10,000
hours of focused, attentive
practice is required to
perform complex tasks at
a level which could be
recognized as mastery. As
the name implies,
Gladwell’s Law was
formulated by Gladwell –
not by K. Anders Ericsson,
the professor upon whose
work Gladwell devoted an
entire chapter of Outliers – and is based on a well-designed but
limited study published in the Psychological Review (1993,
Volume 100, Number 3, pages 363-406 if you are interested)
focusing on two activities (playing the violin, playing the piano)
to identify expert performance as (in Ericsson’s words) “the end
result of individuals’ prolonged efforts to improve performance
while negotiating motivational and external constraints.”
“A successful entrepreneur and former State Senator, Casey Cagle made
history in 2006 by becoming the first Republican ever elected to
Georgia’s second highest office. In November of 2010 and 2014,
Georgia voters overwhelmingly re-elected Lieutenant Governor Cagle.
Raised by a single mother, he learned early the challenges that
single-parent families face. But with the love and support of his mother,
he overcame these challenges against many odds. His mother instilled in
him the values of hard-work and honesty that have defined his career in
public service. One of his many accomplishments since being Lt.
Governor is the creation of the Georgia College and Career Academy
Network, a partnership between local community leaders, school
systems, and Georgia’s technical colleges. Thanks to Lt. Governor
Cagle’s leadership, Georgia has 33 college and career academies today
with others coming every year.”
Thank you all very
much for allowing me to
speak to you today – it is
certainly my honor. Let
me begin by saying that I
have given many speeches
over the past 12 years.
Speeches to foreign
dignitaries, top business
leaders, and various
bodies of government and
political organizations
throughout our state. I
can say that none of those
events mean more to me
than being here with you
today, sharing in one of
the greatest
accomplishments of your
life.
Not long after Outliers had established itself on the New
York Times Bestseller List (where it remained for a full 11
weeks) both the general population and popular media had
accepted Gladwell’s Law prima facie, granted it the invincible
aura of empirically established scientific fact, and subsequently
applied it to any and all areas of human endeavor. Playing the
violin? 10,000 hours of practice. Whistling? 10,000 hours of
practice. Becoming a chess grand-master? 10,000 hours.
Rock-Paper-Scissors? 10,000 hours. Anything and everything, it
seemed, would require a minimum of 10,000 hours of focused,
attentive practice if one were to truly achieve mastery.
I have said time and time again that the key to success is a
strong educational foundation. The milestone you have reached
today marks the completion of that foundation, and you should
be truly proud of your accomplishment. Valwood School is one
of the best schools in Georgia. Each one of you has overcome
many challenges…worked very diligently….and has persevered
to get to this place today and to chart a course for a better life
for yourself, for your families and for generations to come.
Fortunately for schools, the universal application of
Gladwell’s Law has been thoroughly dismissed in the years
following the publication of Outliers. Simple math helps to
illustrate why I consider this to be good fortune: 14 years of
schooling x 180 days per year x 6 hours per day = 15,120 hours
of instructional time.
It was no small feat for you to get to this point and I am
personally proud of each of you. And I know that there are
many others in this audience who are proud of you as well. As
you celebrate today, you should take a moment to reflect on all
those present and unseen who have helped you on your journey.
Because you certainly did not walk this path alone. Parents,
grandparents, teachers, coaches, pastors and friends have walked
this road with you – sometimes holding your hand….sometimes
offering a friendly word of advice….and sometimes even
carrying you as you were too tired to walk. No one achieves
success alone, and I would encourage you to start the next chapter
A student who begins at Valwood in Pre-K, continues through
until graduation for 14 years, and never misses a day of
instruction would be subject to only slightly more than 15,000
hours of instructional time. Per Gladwell’s Law that’s only
enough time to master one-and-a-half things! It would be
difficult for this Headmaster to boast to prospective parents
about our students even having the reasonable opportunity to
“master” such academic and artistic domains as reading,
writing, mathematics, science, history, music, dramatic
performance, or fine arts if the empirically established scientific
facts allegedly contained in Gladwell’s Law revealed that there
were not enough hours in the career of a Valwood student to
Continued on Page 17
Cover Photo: Class of 2015 Jefferson Cup Recipients
1
Trent and Holly Taylor*
Trey and Sheya Taylor
James ’91 and Carly Thomas*
Trent and Shonie Thomas*
Rodney and Robin Thomas*
Andrew and Jeniffer Thompson*
Bill and Cathy Tidmore**
Jeff and Lynn Tillman
Rusty and Kim Trancygier***
Eric and Katherine ’94 Trickett
Adam and Angela Tucci
Scott ’90 and Missy Turner
Jason and Suzanne Tyrone
Yasmin Utterback ’10**
Jorge Valdez and Michelle Griffin-Valdez
Rob and Jackie Veuleman
Scotty and Charlotte Wainright
Eric and Kre Ward*
Dr. and Mrs. Fred Ware, Jr.**
Vic and Cheryl Weeden
Merry Parker Whidby ’06
Mr. and Mrs. Barry Whilden*
Kenneth and Susan White
Ron and Terry Wickstrom
Maysoe and Lashandra Wiley
Ted and Heather Wilkes
Janet Wilkins
Julie Williams
Scott and Susan Wilson
Barry and Candace Witherspoon*
David and Cheryl Wolfson**
Michael and Kelly Yates
*Third consecutive year of gifts to
the Annual Fund.
**Fifth consecutive year of gifts to
the Annual Fund
*** Tenth consecutive year of gifts to
the Annual Fund
^Class chairman
Gifts to The
Legacy Campaign
for Valwood
School
Jim and Julie Godbee
Jeff and Cathy Helms
Howard Hsu and Tamara Hardesty
The W.P. “Billy” Langdale Family
Foundation. Inc.
John and Suzanne ’85 Lastinger
Jerry and Terri Lupo
Dutton and Donna Miller
Scott and Debra Petermann
Chip and Tia Sanderlin
Daniel and Heather Schert
Ferrell Scruggs Foundation
Jim ’89 and Deann Scruggs
Sue Nelle Scruggs
Mala Vallotton
Gifts in Kind
PricewaterhouseCoopers. Cady earned her Master of Communication
Disorders at Auburn University, and she is a Speech and Language
Pathologist.
Memorial and
Restricted Gifts
In May Elizabeth Holland ’11 graduated from the University of
Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Science with a Bachelor of
Science in Furnishings and Interiors. She lives in Atlanta and is a Design
Associate for Mallory Mathison, Inc. and C. Brandon Ingram Designs.
Phil Alday
Ron and Jennifer Allen
Brooks and Michelle Akins
Astro Exterminating
Blanton & Griffin Insurance
Vallye Blanton
Steve and Lynn Browning
Brad and Ann Burnette
Joe and Kathi Clifton
Kenny and Susan Crago
Kent Crago
Davis Stucco Inc.
First Federal Savings
Chad ’03 and Val Gallahan
Tim and Ellen Golden
Dr. and Mrs. William Gee
Bill and Jeannie Grow
Ned and Kelly Hansen
Jack and Lisa Henry
E. Cameron and Kathy Hickman
Jeff, Cathy and Jack Helms
Ronald and Susan Hogan
Justin Horne
Hugh and Judy Hathcock
Joiner Insurance Agency
Pope and Evelyn Langdale
Mike and Melody Lindsey
Chris and Pam Manwell
Michael and Teresa Maxwell
McKesson Foundation
Martin and Laura Miller
Mink Chiropractic Center, LLC.
Nexxtep Technology Services
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Olson
Packaging Corporation of America
Josh and Joyce Pate
Kim and Laura Perlman
Vicki Ray
Jim and Monique Sineath
South Georgia Medical Center
Southwest Georgia Bank
Robert Stark and Maria Castellano
State Farm Insurance
Charles Templeton & Family
Wright and Betsy Turner
Mala Vallotton
Bill and Susan Whitfield
Steve and Patty Wilson
Dr. and Mrs. Owen Youles
Lindsay Lastinger ’11 graduated from the University of Georgia’s
College of Education in May. She earned her undergraduate degree in
Exercise and Sports Science and is pursuing a graduate degree in Physical
Therapy at Mercer University’s College of Health Professions in Atlanta.
Alyssa Bradford ’10 graduated from Valdosta State University with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with an emphasis on
Public Relations. Alyssa lives in Charleston, South Carolina and has
worked for the Keystone Group, an agency for Keynote and Professional
Speakers.
Jessie Glassmire ’10 graduated in May 2014 from Pennsylvania State
University with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional
Management. Jessie currently lives in Washington, D.C. where she is a
Financial Analyst for LaSalle Hotel Properties.
Katie Querin ’10 lives in Stamford, Connecticut were she is an EMT for
and a member of the crew on the Schooner, “SoundWaters” – the
Teaching Vessel of Long Island Sound. The ship’s mission is to protect
Long Island Sound through education and to give every child the
opportunity to explore science in the real world. In November Katie is
off to Australia on another Tall Ship.
Summer Swindle ’10 graduated magna cum laude from the University of
South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality
Management with specializations in Club Management and Event and
Conference Planning. While an undergraduate Summer worked the
Masters Tournament in Augusta and was an Assistant Event
Coordinator with a country club in Lexington, South Carolina. Since her
May 2014 graduation Summer has moved to Orlando, Florida where
she is the Director of Operations for Festivals of Speed, a luxury lifestyle
event company.
Alex Elliott ’11 graduated in August from the University of Alabama
with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a major in Public
Relations. Alex has worked in Public Relations for Colquitt Regional
Medical Center, the Public Relations Council of Alabama and for the
Laps for Cystic Fibrosis campaign.
Andy Sundin ’11 graduated in May 2015 from the University of Georgia
with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with an
emphasis in Digital Marketing. He also earned certificates in Music
Business and New Media. Andy lives in Nashville, Tennessee where he
specializes in marketing for musicians – he has completed projects for
Thirty Tigers, Sony, Arista, Big Machine and Fat Possum. Some of his
artwork is posted and can be viewed on his website
Betty Googe
Scholarship
Darrin and Ann Layton
Ben Montague ’06
Maura Respess ’94
James ’91 and Carly Thomas
Valwood Class of 1994
Ben Broomberg
Meredith Crum
Jim and Susan Elliott
Mr. and Mrs. Johnny B. Lastinger
Karen Reissiger
Tillman & Tillman, LLP
Mendi Ray Griner ’94 and
Katherine Mathis Trickett ’94 with
Dr. Pascavage after making a gift
to the Betty Googe Scholarship
from the Valwood Class of 1994.
Valwood’s classes of 1999, 2000 and 2001 celebrated last July at
Ocean Pond. Shown here are Mae Roquemore Hicks ’00, Brooks
Platt Thomas ‘00, Thor Hahn’01, Jacob Cocke ’01, John Hobdy ’00,
Bryan Goodin ’01, Susanna Dover ’00, Richard Smith ’01, Justin
Hitch ’00, Scott Stamschror ’00, John Sineath ’99, Bucky Shiver
’00, Brad Douthit ’99, J.P. Cocke ’01, and Trent Matthews ’00.
22
2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5
A N N U A L
Tom and Sue Miller*
Andy and Mary Carrell Morrison
Donald and Marilyn Nichols
Richard and Claudia Nijem**
Emelynn C. Odom**
Vicki Ray*
Dan and Marti Schert**
Ferrell and Pam Scruggs
Lucy Nell Smith
Henry and Linda Sparrow
Wesley and Julie Street
Wright and Betsy Turner**
Mala Vallotton**
Richard and Hylda Wilson***
Bipin and Kristi Patel
Trav and Sally Paulk
Bill and Cindy Pegg***
Pfizer Foundation
Robert and Sharon Plummer
Publix Super Markets, Inc.**
Sun Kyu and Mi Yun Ro**
Chip and Tia Sanderlin***
Michael and Amy Sharon**
Larry Smith and Charlene Blache**
Robert Stark and Maria Castellano**
Mala Vallotton**
Rachel Velez**
Archie and Star ’82 Waldron***
Headmaster‘s
Council
Valwood Sponsor
(Gifts of $5,000 and up)
Eric and Stephanie Gee**
Chris and Pam Manwell**
Microsoft Corporation**
Doug and Stephanie Moss**
Kim and Laura Perlman***
William Tidmore and Jennifer
Lawrence**
James and Jessica Warren
Trustee’s Council
(Gifts of $2,000 to 4,999)
Brooks and Michelle Akins**
Ron and Jennifer Allen***
Fernando and Caryn Alvarado**
Anonymous
Battelle*
Brent and Mariana Brinkley
Joe and Kathi Clifton***
Mike and Mary Ann Drumheller*
John Folkerts and Catherine Welsh*
Jim and Julie Godbee***
Mike and Jayne Godwin***
Rhett and Christine Holmes**
Terry and Tish Johnson
Pope and Evelyn Langdale***
John and Suzanne’85 Lastinger***
Jeff and Lori Lovell
Jerry and Terri Lupo***
Dutton and Donna Miller**
John Miller ’77
Samuel and Dorothy Ofori*
Scott and Debra Petermann***
Daniel ’94 and Heather Schert
Ferrell and April Scruggs***
Wesley Vallotton ’01
Valwood Patron
(Gifts of $1,000 to $1,999)
AAXA Foundation**
Mr. and Mrs. Flynn Barbare
Steve and Lynn Browning***
Lex and Donna Culbreth***
Paul and Lisa Day**
Mike and Martha Dover*
Michael and Kelly Drumheller*
Georgia Power Company*
Wendell and Ann Godbee
Hugh and Judy Hathcock***
Jeff and Cathy Helms**
Jack and Lisa Henry***
E. Cameron and Kathy Hickman*
Nick and Patricia Lacey
Bobbie Lester*
Phil and Ellice Martin**
Michael and Teresa Maxwell**
(Gifts of $500 to $999)
Dr. and Mrs. Romulo Alvarado
Tom and Kelly Call*
Pat and Karyn Cochran*
Ed Crane***
Gene and Marcia Felts***
David and Melanie Ferrell*
David and Cindy Gallahan*
Alberto and Vera Garcia**
Tom and Mary Gooding***
Chip and Cindy Gregory**
Mr. and Mrs. William Hall
Keith and Mary Hawthorne**
Bubba and Kim Highsmith*
Adam and Maranda Houston
N.G. Houston
Bobby W. Kimble
George and Martha Lawrence**
Michael and Ashlee McRae
Ashley and Melanie Moorman*
John ’81 and Jane Peeples***
Vicki Ray*
Frankie and Bobbie Sapp
Ira and Lucia Sukoff
Target***
Jim and Brice Tunison
Deidre White*
Kevin and Cynamon Willis
Valwood Supporter
(Gifts up to $499)
Sarah Adler ’07
Mika and Paivi Alakulppi
Curtis and Monique Alexander
Paul Alvarado
Amazon Smile
Michael Anderson*
Anonymous
Jon and Melissa Asbell
Freddie and Shayla Bajalia*
Joe and Meghan Barnard
Lee Barrett
Bruce and Leslie ’77 Beal
Tom and Almedina Bell
Joan Bellflower
Tim and Mindy Bland*
Mrs. Lou S. Blanton*
John and Corky Bonner
Carmen Booth**
Pete and Jenny Breed
Steven ’90 and Mary Ellen Brogdon
Tonya Brookhouser*
David and Tammy Brooks
Ben ’96 and Dwan Broomberg
Jaret ’92 and Leigh Broomberg*
Mark and Cathy Buescher
Daniel and Tara Burgess
Jonathan and Elizabeth Burns*
Mark and Beth Cargile*
Fred and Ellen Carlo
21
G I V I N G
John and Vicy Carroll
Josh and Jenny Carroll
Shirlee Carroll
Tyler and Karen Carson
Greg and April Carter**
Tripp ’97 and Ava Castleberry
Eric and Jessica Castor*
C.C. and Donna Chaitram
Sid Chakraborty and Pam Ghatak
Clayton and Shannon Chandler*
Bobby and Margaret Chasteen*
Alan and Laura Christopher
Michael and Christy Clark
Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Coleman**
Jeff and Sonya Collins*
Scott and Dale Crane***
Jeff and Tammi Creamer***
Julian and Sue Creamer**
Scott and Lalee Cregger
Kathy Curry
Tim and Nan Dame*
Bobby and Ann Dasher
Nic ’94 and Catherine ’94 Daugharty*
James and Belinda Davis*
John and Tammi Dawson
Johnny and Dale Deal
J.D. and Kerri Dean*
Shad and Betty Dean
Bob and Sandra DeCesare
Jose Deocon and Jackie Day*
Keith and Donna Dimick
Gracie Douglas ’02**
Susanna Dover ’00
Chuck and Suzie Dunmon***
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Durand, III**
Carolyn Eager
Steve and Trish Edmondson*
Glenn and Wendi Evans*
Paul and Sunny Everett***
Terry and Cindy Faucette
Kristen and Ashley Fielding
Cheryl Anne Figeroa
Janie Smith Fink**
Gabe Fisher*
Sherry Fisher*
Aubrey and Jie Fowler
Bryan and Kasey France
Chad and Kim Franks*
Steve and Lynn Fuller
Roberto and Jenny Garcia
James and Latasha Gatlin
Randy Gail Gaytan
Kevin and Donna Giddens*
Lisa Gilchrist*
Russell Goldman
Kemp and Mary Carol Greene*
Brian and Pam Griner
Jim and Shirley Guilliams
Pilar Hansley
Angela Harris
Keith and Cynthia Harris*
Brad and Keylee Hartley*
Avonne Hartshorn***
Patricia Heckaman
Dan and Spring Henry*
Wade Henry ’05**
Zac Henry ’08**
Alfred Hiers*
Vince and Michelle Hnat
Arnold and Teresa Hodum
Sam and Casey Hogan
Bill and Marie Holland
Jason and Shelley Holloway*
Jimmy and Tori Holmes
Ward and Julie Holton
Dr. Leonard R. Howell, Jr.*
Howard Hsu and Tamara Hardesty*
Mr. and Mrs. Thad Hughes
Craig and Holly Hutchinson*
Michael and Nikki Illges**
Michael and Beverly Imon
Andrew Jackson and Sharlene Morell
Dave and Stephanie Johnson
Steve and Cathy Johnson*
Larry and Olesya Kenzel
R E P O R T
Patrick and Rose ’93 Kerns*
Amber Kimbrell
Wright and Stephanie Kimbro*
Brian and Vicki Kipper
James and Ashley Knighton*
Michael and Rebecca Kung-Korte
Tom and Merry Jo Kurrie
Thompson and Stephanie Kurrie
Brian Lacey
John and Crystal LaHood*
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Lawrence, Jr.***
Darrin and Ann Layton*
Tripp Lester*
Tamar Levi
James and Jacqueline Lilly*
Russell and Elbonee Lissimore
Javon and Dawn Longieliere
Sheree Macaroni*
Mack and Susan Mackey
Rich and Lezlie Marasco
David and Debra Martin*
Michael and Wanda Mashburn
Steve and Cathy Matchett
Larry and Shannon McGlothlin*
Bill and Jenny McLendon
Bill and Robin McLendon
Blake and Anne McLeod**
William and Gloria McMurray
Kyle and Wanda McQuitty**
Jim and Kim Megow*
Charles and Chris Merine*
Chris and Laura ’84 Michael**
Greg and Mary Ann Miller
Steve Miller and Nichole Douglas
Tommy ’89 and Wendy Miller*
Tom and Sue Miller*
Kevin and Sheila Moland
Calvin and Heidi Moody
Ryan and Kristi Moorman
Ben Montague ’06
Ginger Moritz***
Frank and Mary Morman**
Ken and Dawn Morrison
Eric and Tara Moss
Steve and Christy Musgrove
Casey and Brooke Music
Jason and Beth Musser
Ben and Wendy Neal*
Travis and Jennifer Norris
Emelynn C. Odom**
Jeremy and Mikki Osha*
Steve and Debby Parker
Anna Parks and Brandi Parks
Charles and Sara Paulk
Jim Paulk*
Terry and Shelly Persaud*
Scott and Salena Register
Greg and Holly Reid*
Maura Respess ’94
Scott and Kay Retterbush
Tony and Kathy Richards
Michael and Dee Dee Rountree
Scott and Kerri ’91 Routsong*
Jason and Lindsay Scarpate
Anthony Scheffler and Kelly Heckaman
Amanda Shapard**
Ashley Shapiro*
Jason and Katy Shaw
Max and Jennifer Shute*
Larry and Dana Simpson
Trip and Laura Singletary
James and Wendy Smith
Jeff and Amy Smith
Lucy Nell Smith
Matt and Maria Smith*
Brad and Sarah Soshnik
Thomas and Elizabeth Street
Heath ’93 and Joanie Strickland*
Justin and Haynes Studstill*
Regina Suriel
Chris and Anita Sweat
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS
Lower School Service
Not to be out done by the service
minded Upper Schoolers, the Lower
School has incorporated “Service”
into the classroom. From walking for
cystic fibrosis to making birthday
bags for a local children’s agency to
making cookies for the Annual
Moody Holiday Cookie drive, Lower
Schoolers are giving of themselves to
a variety of projects!
Odyssey of the Mind
The fifth graders hosted a car wash last May to
benefit the Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes
County and raised over $1000. Lots of animals will
benefit from their hard work!
The fourth graders helped make some birthday
wishes come true for children in our community!
For the seventeenth year in a row our Valwood Valiants
participated in the Odyssey of the Mind competition. This year
four Primary teams performed the solution to the problem –
“Wacky Weather Warning” and the Division I team performed the
solution to the problem “Pandora’s Box.” One of the kindergarten
teams was coached by Tabitha Barber and the team members were
Paisley Barber, Sean Brookhouser, Zoe Doughty, Rumi
Garbett-Chaitram, Cade Longieliere and Ellianna Zinn. The other
kindergarten team was coached by Jessica Warren and the team
members were Ashlyn Johnson, Evan Schert, Anne Harvey Shaw,
Julia Soshnik and Kennedy Warren. The first grade team was
coached by Christy Musgrove and the team members were Will
Greene, Caroline Kerns, Cort Kurrie, Annabel Musgrove, Ryleigh
Reister and Will Tricket. The second grade team was coached by
Kerri Routsong with team members Sophia Hatfield, Murphy
Johnson, Jake Kerns, Jaxon Routsong, Taylor Sparrow and Gracie
Williamson. The Division I team was coached by Jacqueline Lilly
with team members Tonya Brinkley, Cadence Hatfield, Ean Henry,
William Kerns, Kennedy Lilly, and Lawrence Smith.
Lower School Class Plays
Each year every Lower School class performs a play for their parents and the other Lower School students. The performances are a variety
of themes from holiday celebrations to character lessons, but they are always an amazing display of creativity and accomplishment!
The first graders entertained the audience with
their “Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!” play.
Kindergarteners Emmett Street and Cade
Longieliere are sporting their Georgia t-shirts for
their “Interesting Facts about Georgia” class play.
2
L O W E R
S C H O O L
N E W S
Tom and Kelly Call*
Tommy ’88 and Debbie Nijem**
Todd and Deidre Parramore***
Craig and Mitzi Parrish**
Chip and Tia Sanderlin***^
Lawrence**
K-Kids
Last year, the K-Kids Club organized a great community service project that will
ultimately affect people around the world - literally! Raising over $850 from the
Lower School dance: “Dancing Locally, Acting Globally” last October, the
Valwood K-Kids Club partnered with Heifer International to purchase animals
for needy families and communities around the globe. And after much discussion,
all the Lower School classes voted to buy a sheep, a pig, a goat, 20 flocks of
chickens and three sets of honeybees!
Read Across America
Our Lower Schoolers spent a week in
February “Reading Across America.” Once
every day, Librarian Leanne Griffin, walked
through the halls ringing a bell so the
students knew it was time to “drop
everything and read.” Each day of the week
was a different celebration – Fox in Socks
Day, Bling Day, Dr. Seuss Character Day,
Pajama Day and Safari Day.
Safari Time!
Cat in the Hat Third Graders
Field Day 2015!
Fifth Grade Explorers
Last fall in celebration of Columbus Day, our fifth grade students
each researched an explorer and, instead of building a ship this
year, they wrote obituaries and made tombstones. The “graveyard”
was displayed on Dasher Quadrangle.
Lower Schoolers race with a leaky bucket!
100 Days of School
In January our Kindergarteners celebrated 100
Days of School by dressing up as 100 year olds!
3
EIGHTH GRADE
87% Parent Participation
Rob and Stacy Evans***
Brian Lacey
Tripp Lester*
Casey and Michele Luedke*
Jim and Kim Megow*
Ashley and Melanie Moorman*^
Eric and Tara Moss
Raymond and Lorie Sable**
Regina Suriel
Deidra White*
NINTH GRADE
Carmen Booth**
Tom and Kelly Call*
Shad and Betty Dean
Mike and Heidi Fafard**
Lisa Gilchrist*
Angela Harris
Brett and Traycee Martin***
Greg and Mary Ann Miller^
Karl and Ronda Paoletti*
Anthony Scheffler and Kelly
Heckaman
Rachel Velez**
Deidre White*
TENTH GRADE
Mark and Cathy Buescher*
Don and Karen Crump**
Jim and Julie Godbee***^
Jim and Kim Megow*
Jeff and Amy Smith
Tim and Nan Dame*
Lisa Gilchrist*^
Todd and Julie Guilliams**
Pilar Hansley
Gina Milburn
Ginger Moritz***
Darren and Andrea Pascavage**
Robert Stark and Maria Castellano**^
Regina Suriel
Eric and Kre Ward*
Faculty &
Friends
ELEVENTH GRADE
Lee Barrett
Kathy Curry
Russell Goldman
Jeff and Cathy Helms**^
Thad and Stephanie Hughes
Amber Kimbrell
Eric and Tara Moss
Ben and Joy Owens***
Frankie and Bobette Sapp
Steve and Patty Wilson***
Sarah Adler ’07*
Peter Allen*
Amazon Smile
Ashley Ammons**
AXA Foundation**
Drew Bailey
Teresa Bailey***
Tabitha Barber
Julie Barr***
Battelle*
Vallye Blanton**
Ashely Brannen
Angela Burnett**
Susan Colson
Ed Crane***
Karen Crump**
Cristie Dasher
Susanna Dover ’00
Carolyn Eager
Michelle Edwards*
Laura Elliott***
Susan Elliott***
Stacy Evans***
Cheryl Anne Figueroa
Fran Fuller***
Chad ’03 and Val Gallahan**
Jeanna Ganas
Leanne Griffin**
Charles Grimes***
Mendi Griner ’94*
Julie Guilliams**
Lisa Hale***
Rhonda Hamman***
Avonne Hartshorn***
Tiffany Hatfield
Zan Hatfield
Ashley Henderson*
Justin Henderson
Wade Henry ’05**
Zac Henry ’08**
TWELFTH GRADE
20
Alfred Hiers*
Cindee Hiers***
Jan Holmes
Katie Houseman***
John and Suzanne ’85 Lastinger***
Kim Lerstang
Tamar Levi
Michele Luedke*
Karen Marcellus**
LaVie Marshall***
Brett Martin***
John Miller ’77
Ben Montague ’06
Adam Murphy
Debbie Nijem**
Meredith Nuckols*
Joy Owens***
Ronda Paoletti*
Deidre Parramore***
Mitzi Parrish**
Darren Pascavage**
Mike Patrick
Heather Pickard
Pfizer Foundation
Publix Super Markets, Inc **
Jennifer Rasmussen***
Kayla Reeves
Trina Register*
Dianne Rigoni***
Lorie Sable**
Marti Schert**
Heather Shaw*
Robert Shipman*
Bucky Shiver ’00
Kelley Simms
Jay Sizemore*
Clint Smith***
Bobby Stephenson**
Max Stieve
Target***
Charlotte Thomas ’74**
Lynn Vallotton*
Joe Walker
Dennis Wall
Robyn Williams**
Genny Wynn
Grandparents
Joan Bellflower
Shirlee Carroll
Fred and Kay Durand**
Janie Smith Fink**
Sherry Fisher*
Patricia Heckaman
N.G. Houston
Bobby Kimble
Bobbie Lester*
Gloria McMurray
2014-2015 ANNUAL GIVING REPORT
GO BEYOND
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
CREATING A CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY AT VALWOOD
National Junior Honor Society
Gifts to the 2014-2015 Annual Fund
Thank you so much for your support of the 2014-2015 Annual Fund. We
raised more than $181,000 with 84% of our parents participating! Revenue
raised through the Annual Fund enhances all aspects of our school from
additions to the curriculum to the expansion of enrichment programs and
athletics. Your generosity was crucial to our success. Thank you!
Parent
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
Howard and Cristie Dasher
Ryan and Alexandra Hatfield
Wright and Stephanie Kimbro*^
Ben and Wendy Neal*
Anna and Brandi Parks
KINDERGARTEN
Jason and Tabitha Barber
Tonya Brookhouser*
C.C. Chaitram and
Donna Garbett-Chaitram
Paul and Lisa Day**
Steve and Cathy Johnson*^
Shawn and Brianne Kelley
Larry and Oleysa Kenzel
Kim and Alyson ’94 Lerstang
Adam and Jenna Murphy
Brant and Heather Pickard
Ashley Shapiro*
Jason and Katy Shaw
Janet Wilkins
Genny Wynn
FIRST GRADE
David and Angela Burnett**
Preston and Melanie Coile
Thompson and Stephanie ’95 Kurrie
Sheree Macaroni*
Ben and Wendy Neal*
Ben and Trina Register*
Maura Respess ’94
Kevin and Gayla Shaw**
Ryan and Robyn Williams**
SECOND GRADE
Michael and Kelly Drumheller *
Terry and Leanne Griffin**
Jim Paulk*
Ashley Shapiro*
Eric and Kre Ward*
THIRD GRADE
Michael Anderson*
Jeffrey and Sonya Collins*
Clay and Mendi ’94 Griner*
James and Jacqueline Lilly*^
Amanda Shapard**
Clint Smith***
Nic ’94 and Catherine ’94
Daugharty*
Sheree Macaroni*
Chris and Laura ’84 Michael**^
Maura Respess ’94
Lawrence**
Rachel Velez**
Eric and Kre Ward*
FOURTH GRADE
Fernando and Caryn Alvarado**^
Paul and Lisa Day**
Michael and Heidi Fafard**
Gabe Fisher*
Ashley Shapiro*
Rouse and Lynn Vallotton*
Julie Williams
SIXTH GRADE
Jamie and Ashley Brannen
Gabe Fisher*
Sam and Casey Hogan
Tripp Lester*
Michael and Amy Sharon**^
FIFTH GRADE
Paul Alvarado
Michael Anderson*
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SEVENTH GRADE
Tonya Brookhouser*
Last March the induction ceremony for new members to the Valwood Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society was held in the
Godwin Holmes Arts Center. Dr. Darren Pascavage welcomed the inductees, their parents, Middle School students and faculty. The
National Junior Honor Society seeks candidates from the seventh and eighth grades who demonstrate excellence in the areas of academics,
service, character, leadership, and citizenship. Valwood Middle School welcomes the following Middle School Students into the National
Junior Honor Society: Benjamin Breed, Cole Broomberg, Sarah Kate Call, Max Culbreth, Trey Henry, Wade Holton, Billy McLendon,
Brooke Miller, Clark Miller, Clare Nijem, Lilly Parrish, Zach Paulk, Lauryn Robello, Gracyn Sanderlin, Lindsay Thomas, Josie Tidmore,
and Corey White. Vallye Blanton is the National Junior Honor Society sponsor.
Science Olympiad Team Finishes Second in the Region
Last March our Middle Schoolers participated once again in the Middle School Science Olympiad Competition finishing overall in Second
Place! Individual regional event medals went to the following students: 1st Place: Anatomy – Mary Lacey and Gabby Moss, Bioproess
Lab – Cole Broomberg and Caroline Evans, Can’t Judge a Powder – Cole Broomberg and Bailey Everett, Entomology – Will Lester and
Maddox Wood, Solar System – Cole Broomberg and Bailey Everett, Write It Do It – Ben Breed and Bailey Everett. Second place medalists
were Crime Busters – Gabby Moss and Ashaka Patel, Disease Detectives – Caroline Evans and Mary Lacey, Dynamic Planet – Marc
Brookhouser and Wyatt Willis, Elastic Launched Glider – Marc Davison Evans and Will Megow, Fossils – Billy McLendon and Maddox
Wood, Road Scholar – Caroline Evans and Billy McLendon. Third place finishers were Crave the Wave – Gabby Moss and Ashaka Patel,
Dynamic Planet – Ben Breed and Josie Tidmore, Fossils – Trey Henry and Seth Tillman, Picture This – Will Lester and Josie Tidmore.
Other team members were Paige Bland, Carsen Jane Carter and Sarah Sable. The team is coached by Max Stieve.
Geography Fair
Mrs. Sable’s 6th grade Geography students participated in a Geography Fair
last December. Each year the 6th graders select a country to research and to
present to their peers. The culmination of the unit of study is the fair where
the students are immersed in the culture of the country – donned in the style
of the country’s dress and preparing native dishes for their classmates.
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Ellie Smith with her presentation on Norway.
M I D D L E
S C H O O L
N E W S
OTHER NEWS
The Doug Henderson III Scholarship Fund
Buddy Johnson and Nicole Manwell visit during the
Middle School Veterans Day performance.
Our Middle School One Act actors competed successfully last November
at theState Competition – Lindsay Thomas was selected to the All-Star Cast!
The Doug Henderson III Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 to honor the
memory Doug Henderson III. Doug was an honor graduate at Valdosta High School. He
graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Accounting in 1998 and
earned his Master’s degree in Accounting from VSU while working for South Georgia
Medical Center. Doug was a very ambitious young man who strived to always do his
best. Doug was diagnosed with sarcoma, an aggressive, soft tissue malignant tumor in
March 2002. He accepted his diagnosis with a positive attitude, never giving up. He
grew in faith and hope during his illness and was a strong Christian young man, a great
example to everyone with whom he came in contact. Doug died in September 2003 at
the age of 27. Doug’s Foundation has awarded 149 $1,000 scholarships to high school
seniors. Additionally, his Foundation has donated to many charities and organizations
including Langdale Hospice House, the Boys and Girls Club, LAMP, FCA and many schools. The Foundation raises funds through its
annual Doug Henderson Memorial Golf Tournament. Pictured are Doug’s mother, Beverly Henderson and brother, Justin with his
daughter Jayce, and the 2015 Valwood School Doug Henderson Scholarship recipients: Colby DeCesare, Zane Edmondson, Garrett
Lovell, Bryce Everett and Hailee Hathcock.
Grandparents Day
Last April close to 300 grandparents visited the campus for Valwood’s annual
Grandparents Day. The grandparents enjoyed breakfast, meeting our Headmaster,
classroom visits, touring the facility and student performances. Save the date!
Grandparents Day April 22, 2016.
Eighth graders Valerie Zinn, Sarah Sable and Ashka Patel tour
Ford’s Theater while visiting Washington, D.C. last February.
Eighth Graders pose for a group photo after
performing “Tall Tales and Heroes” last May.
Anne Harvey Shaw with her grandparents
Harvey and Jessie Miller and Libby Shaw.
Jefferson Cup Reception
Last May Valwood honored the Jefferson Cup seniors and their families at a reception at the
home of Hugh and Judy Hathcock. The Jefferson Cup is awarded to members of the graduating
class who have spent their entire school career at Valwood. This year’s award winners were Will
Allen, Christian Gaytan, Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Kamie Hartley, Hailee Hathcock, Ginnie Bree
Hunter, Lanier Langdale and Anna Turner.
Caleb Vandemark, Seth Kipper, Aaron Mashburn, Austin Akins, Madison
Highsmith, Talley Petermann and Emily Clifton are in costume
and ready to perform for our Veterans!
Valwood Middle School’s Quiz Bowl team won the Region competition
in the Page Academic Bowl in January! Team members were: Abbey Bland,
Ben Breed, Cole Broomberg, Bailey Everett, Mary Lacey, Kasey McQuitty,
Erin Moss, Gabby Moss, Lucas Papadopoulos and Lindsay Thomas.
Valwood Parents Association
Continued from Page 17 (Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle)
It is to be focused on the future, focused on making your world, the
world that starts in your own backyard, a better place.
So as you leave here today, be proud of where you are and look
forward to where you are going. But always be mindful of where you
have come from. And remember that the life that you look forward to
today is the life you have to look back on tomorrow. Make that life
worthwhile.
Act justly…love mercy…and walk humbly.
Derby Day! Caryn Alvarado, Stephanie Kurrie and Suzanne Tyrone
pose for a photo at the 43nd Annual Valwood Parents
Association Spring Auction last May.
Congratulations to Madeline Castor, Smith Shaw and Jolie Green
for being selected to the GISA Middle School All-Select Choir!
Congratulations on this great achievement and enjoy this victory
today. I for one look forward to seeing the great things that your
generation will accomplish.
The 6th graders explored the outdoors with Pathfinders last February.
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18
Thank you all very much.
Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle
of your life by remembering and thanking those who have helped you.
The future is bright for each of you. You are graduating at a time of
great prosperity and great opportunity. There are many different paths
that you can take from here, paths that will lead to crucial decisions that
will affect your life and determine who you will become. Most often you
will make the right decisions, but sometimes you will not.
And while there is no guaranteed formula for success, I would like to
share with you three life principles I learned long ago from Scripture that
have helped me make monumental decisions in my life. These are not new
ideas…and they are certainly not a secret. But they have shaped my life
and impacted every decision that I have made, and I am sure that they can
be helpful to you, regardless of your faith or religion.
The second principle is to love mercy. To love mercy is to aspire to be
someone who achieves greatness because of others, not instead of them.
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS
It is to understand that every man is your brother, that every woman is
your sister, and that every person deserves your love. It is to fill your heart
with compassion. To know that no matter where you came from, no
matter what your background, everybody deserves the opportunity to
achieve greatness.
Science Olympiad
Some years ago when I was in my Senate office and I received a call
from a constituent. He was upset and needed help. He told me that his
nephew had just come to live with him and he was having trouble getting
him enrolled in a new school. You see, this man’s brother had made some
very bad choices in his life, gotten involved with drugs and took his life
down a self-destructive path. Unfortunately, he was taking his child with
him. The man who called me had taken his nephew from a bad situation
and brought him into his home, determined to create a better life for this
innocent young person. He gave the boy shelter. He gave the boy a chance
at a better life. He did not have to, but he was living a life of mercy.
These principles are: Act justly…love mercy…and walk humbly.
Now these six words are not designed to tell you what to do with your
life in order to be successful. That would be too simple. And as we all
know, all things of worth…all things of value…come with hard work and
often great challenge.
But because he didn’t have custody of the child, he wasn’t able to give
the boy the opportunity for an education in his school district. This man
was just trying to do the right thing and government was standing in the
way. He was acting in mercy, but running out of options. I heard his plea
and knew that helping him was not just the right thing to do – it was the
only thing to do. So I set out to try and resolve the issue, and after several
different phone calls and letters on behalf of his nephew, we were able to
get him enrolled in a new school.
Your path to success will change often throughout your life, as did
mine. Twenty-five years ago, when I was around your age, I was running a
small business in Gainesville….already married to my high school
sweetheart and in no way on a path (I thought) that would lead me to
becoming Georgia’s Lt. Governor. But to every decision I made, I applied
the framework of choosing to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk
humbly on this earth.
I talked to the man 6 months after and he told me that not only has the
boy become a standout athlete on the football team but that he is making
straight A’s. The future looks bright for him now and it is all because of
his uncle’s mercy. I personally did nothing for that young man; I was
grateful enough to use the opportunities I have been given in my life to
serve that family.
Those three guiding principles can and will prepare you for a life
centered on what is truly important…a life focused not on self but on
service to others. Your path will change as mine did but the ultimate
measure of your success will not be what you did with your life, but the
manner in which you did it. How did you serve those on earth while you
were here? What was the legacy you left? Albert Einstein, someone who
truly understood this call to service, said that only a life lived for others is
a life worthwhile.
This brings me to my third point…to walk humbly. To walk humbly is
to recognize that you can always improve. That your success lies not from
what you have built in the past but in what you build for the future. We
are hands that are put here to do the work – not to take the credit. If you
can remember that, then walking humbly is easy.
Living those six words every day…and committing yourself to making
a difference, not just making a living…can help you achieve that
worthwhile life. A life with a legacy that never dies.
As some of you may know, I didn’t live a storybook childhood. I was
raised by a single mom who had to work two jobs to make ends meet.
There were some very hard times for our family. We didn’t have expensive
toys or designer clothes or a fancy house. I remember times when I would
come home for dinner and there would be barely enough food on the
table for my brother and me. Many nights, my mom only had enough to
feed us, while she had to go without.
To act justly is to understand that there are some things in life that are
non-negotiable. There are absolutes, a right way and a wrong way to act.
To speak honestly.
To work hard.
To expect nothing but the best from ourselves.
To act justly is to recognize that you do not reach a goal or achieve a
dream on your own. We therefore owe it to others to give more than we
have been given. To right a wrong even if it is not ours to correct.
Neither of those two jobs she worked was glamorous. Maybe they
were not her life’s goal, or very fulfilling. But my mom knew that it was
not status of the job she had that was important. What was important
was to live a life that was an example to her sons, to provide for us with
the best opportunities she could and to teach us that no matter where you
start out you can always end up successful.
The act of serving others is not about the kind of job you have. It’s
about using the talents, the abilities and the education you have been
given to serve others in the best way you can. Every one of you has this
opportunity through your words and through your actions.
And that’s exactly what my mom did. Raising us by herself she
achieved her own success by creating opportunities for us, the
opportunities that have brought me to this stage today. My life has been
shaped by the sacrifices that she made for me, just as your lives have been
shaped by the sacrifices people have made for you. We should never forget
those sacrifices. Remembering keeps us real, keeps us connected.
You do not have to be a public servant to serve the public. Those with
a commitment to serve are found in all walks of life and across all
professions. They are on the front lines of our society providing extra
guidance to that child in school, holding the hand of the scared patient in
the hospital and serving food to the homeless in the shelters. The greatest
acts of service are often unseen and in our own backyards.
To walk humbly means to keep your eye on where you’re going, but to
never forget where you have come from. To remember that it was those
who helped you,who have given you the chance to help someone else.
And it is your duty to take others with you on your road to success.
So act justly. Fill your life with a spirit of service. Make it your goal to
do what you can, when you can and as often as you can.
The Valwood School Science Olympiad Team placed third at the
regional competition held last February in Swainsboro and went on to
compete at the State competition last March in Atlanta. Individual
regional event medals went to the following students: 1st Place:
Chemistry Lab – Will Hawthorne and Jason Papadopoulos, Forensics
– Amanda Lupo and Jason Papadopoulos, Green Generation – Lanier
Langdale and Amanda Lupo; 2nd Place: Air Trajectory – Kush Patel
and Connor Barnard, Wright Stuff – Kush Patel and Connor Barnard;
3rd Place: Anatomy & Physiology – Jason Papadopoulos and Kush
Patel, Experimental Design – Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Will
Hawthorne and Lanier Langdale; 4th Place: Disease Detectives –
Lanier Langdale and Amanda Lupo, Technical Problem Solving –
Jason Papadopoulos and Sarah Godwin. At the State Competition
Jason Papadopoulos and Kush Patel earned First Place and a Gold
Medal in Cell Biology. Ribbon winners at the State Competition were:
Olivia Cox, Sarah Godwin, Will Hawthorne, Amanda Lupo, Jason
Papadopoulos, and Kush Patel. Other team members were Abhinav Dasyam, Bryce Everett, Meagan Kimbrell, Arabi Luke, Anna Ma,
Allie Maxwell, Emily Pascavage, Connor Smith, Jake Smith, Maggie Smith, Joe Stark, Brenna Wilson and Zilan Yang. The team was
coached by faculty members Joy Owens and Bucky Shiver.
National Honor Society Inducts New Members
The induction ceremony for new members to the Valwood
Chapter of the National Honor Society was held last spring in the
Godwin Holmes Arts Center. Dr. Darren Pascavage welcomed
the inductees, their parents, Upper School students and faculty.
Honor Society members are selected on the basis of scholarship,
leadership, service and character. The following Upper School
students were inducted into the National Honor Society: Sara
Barrett, Ben Browning, Evan Creamer, Kaitie Curry, Carly Eaves,
Jack Helms, Sara Knighton, Anna Ma, Garrett Moss, Emma
Parrott, Kush Patel, Tyler Richards, Joyce Ro, Sara Scruggs,
Connor Smith, Ben Trancygier, Peyton Trancygier, Hollis
Waldron, Brenna Wilson and Zilan Yang.
Valiant Award
Spirit Award
James Braswell returned to
Valwood to present the
Valiant Award at the May
Senior Banquet. James
received the award last year,
and this year the honor went
to Joe Stark. The award is
given to the senior who best
exemplifies the qualities of
school spirit, academic
endeavor and outstanding
citizenship. This fall Joe will
attend the University of
Georgia.
Will Allen was the recipient of
the Spirit Award given at the
May Senior Banquet. Last
year’s winner, Kate Evans
returned to bestow the honor.
This award is given annually to
the member of the graduating
class who embodies the spirit of
the School in all areas of school
life. Will will attend the College
of William & Mary in the fall.
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Congratulations Valwood Class of 2015
Congratulations once again to the Class of 2015! The final acceptances are in and following is the list of schools to which our students
were admitted: Andrew College, Auburn University, Berry College, Bowling Green State University, College of Charleston, University of
Cincinnati, Colby College, University of Colorado at Boulder, Denison University, Eckerd College, Emmanuel College, Emory University,
Florida Atlantic University, Florida Southern College, University of Florida, University of Florida (College of Engineering), Furman
University, The George Washington University, Georgia College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Regents University, Georgia
Southern University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Georgia State University, The University of Georgia, High Point University,
Kennesaw State University, LaGrange College, University of Louisville, Mercer University, Middle Georgia College, Mississippi State
University, University of Mississippi, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Oglethorpe
University, University of Oregon, University of Richmond, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at Newark, Savannah College of
Art and Design, Sewanee: The University of the South, University of South Alabama, University of South Carolina, South Georgia College,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Texas Christian University, Valdosta State University, Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech, The
University of West Georgia, College of William & Mary, Xavier University and Young Harris College.
William Vann Allen, Austin Cole Asbell, Connor Bradley Barnard, John Parker Bonner, Emory Chandler Cargile, Eli Briggs Carlo, Jonathon Bryant Carroll,
Jacob Aaron Chandler, Joseph Daniel Dame, Colby Belflower DeCesare, Kaden Ferrell Dimick, Zachary McLain Edmondson, Zane Stewart Edmondson,
Bryce Taylor Everett, Gavin Moye Faucette, Christian Anthony Folkerts, Christian James Gaytan, Elizabeth Holland Giddens, Savannah-Jane Gilchrist,
Seth Timothy Golden, Grace Elizabeth Guilliams, Kamie Rebecca Hartley, Hailee Jewell Hathcock, William Bailey Hawthorne, Daniel Micah Hodum,
Ginnie Bree Hunter, Alex D'Morea Jackson, Evelyn Lanier Langdale, Garrett Scott Lovell, Arabi Rayne Luke, Amanda Lee Lupo, Alexandra Tierney Maxwell,
Holden Trace McGlothlin, Charmarik Antwone Merine, Chase Michael Milburn, Jason Papadopoulos, Emily Jane Pascavage, Connor Ian Smith,
Joseph Paul Stark, Andrew Bayly Thompson, Anna Dianne Turner, Eric Michael Ward Jr., Kyle David Weeden, Stephen Lance Wilkes and Zilan Yang.
Seniors Honored with
Academic Scholarships
Academics, Character, Service
The following students were awarded academic scholarships at the colleges
and universities to which they will be attending in the fall: Christian Gaytan –
Savannah College of Art & Design, Elizabeth Giddens – Mercer University, Seth
Golden – LaGrange College, Grace Guilliams – Denison University, Ginnie Bree
Hunter – Andrew College, Jason Papadopoulos – Valdosta State University,
Connor Smith – Auburn University and Kyle Weeden – Xavier University.
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In keeping with the school’s motto of Academics, Character,
Service, each year Upper School students are required to
perform 20 hours of community service. The following
students were members of the “100 Hour Club” working over
100 hours of community service for the year: Chandler Call,
Mills Culbreth, Zach Edmondson, Zane Edmondson, Bryce
Everett, Tyler Franks, Katherine Godbee, Kamie Hartley,
Lanier Langdale, Garrett Lovell, Allie Maxwell, Kush Patel,
Bayly Thompson, and Lance Wilkes. The following students
were members of the “100 Hour Club” for a second year in a
row: Sara Barrett, Colby DeCesare, Hank Evans,
Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Grace Guilliams, Will Hawthorne,
Victoria Maxwell, Shana Morman, and Emily Pascavage.
Additionally Elizabeth Giddens, Sara Knighton, and Brenna
Wilson were members of the Club for a third consecutive year.
Senior Hailee Hathcock was a member of the Club for 4
straight years.
GEORGIA GOAL
GEORGIA GOAL
Thank you parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, friends and corporations for your
participation the Georgia Tax Credit program in 2015. Since 2008 the state of Georgia has
allowed for the redirection of state income tax liability to a qualified student scholarship
organization for the purpose of need-based financial assistance. In 2014-2015 Georgia
GOAL provided scholarships for 85 Valwood students. Students receiving GOAL dollars
were enrolled in Lower, Middle and Upper School. Without your support, these students
would be unable to experience the benefits of a Valwood education.
Fernando and Caryn Alvarado
Craig and Jennifer Bishop
Ben and Jan Blanton
Vallye Blanton
Jonathan and Elizabeth Burns
Pat Cochran and Karyn Kunzelman
Colonial Bag Company
William and Lavonia Cowles
Lex and Donna Culbreth
Jeremy and Charlotte Davis
Marvin and Jacquelyn Dickey
Michael and Martha Dover
Michael and Kelly Drumheller
Gene and Marcia Felts
First America Home Medical Equipment Company
John Folkerts and Catherine Welsh
Eric and Stephanie Gee
Ronald and Beverly Giles
Brian and Pamela Griner
John and Rhonda Hamman
Hugh and Judy Hathcock and Family
Jack and Lisa Henry
Sam and Casey Hogan
James and Josette Ingram
Bill and Beverly Langdale
John and Suzanne Lastinger
Alex and Rudell Lawrence
Casey and Michele Luedke
Lee and Amy Mackey
Mac and Susan Mackey
Mary Catherine Mackey
Tommy and Wendy Miller
Kenton and Dawn Morrison
Doug and Stephanie Moss
Jonathan and Katie Parrott
William and Nancy Pegg
Terry and Shelly Persaud
David and Cecilia Pierce
Ferrell and April Scruggs
James and Deann Scruggs
Sue Nell Scruggs
Amanda Shapard
Leon and Valerie Smith
Jodie and Vickie Stevens
Daniel and Dana Swilley
John and Angela Swilley
Johnny and Wanda Swilley
Tim and Tanya Swilley
Trent and Holly Taylor
James and Carly Thomas
Billy Tidmore and Jennifer Lawrence
Harrison Tillman and Jan Loeffler
Rouse and Lynn Vallotton
Shawn and Wendy Vandemark
Eric and Kre Ward
Stewart and Barbara Williams
Hylda Wilson
Barry and Candace Witherspoon
David and Cheryl Wolfson
Bo and Pam Woodward
Tim Wright and Julie Nijem
Continued from Page 1 (Dr. Darren Pascavage)
master even two of those things!
Nevertheless, we know and understand from our own
experience that there is something to be said about the
relationship between the time one spends on something and the
degree of mastery that one achieves. We may not be able to
precisely quantify the relationship, but we certainly appreciate
the causal connection.
thought, practice, study and preparation to determine if the
conditions of Gladwell’s Law have been met, but the students
themselves can attest to the commitment required to perform at
such levels. I appreciate their effort, for its own sake but also
for the positive attention it brings to Valwood School, and trust
that you will join me in congratulating them for their good
work when the opportunity arises.
I hope to focus on the important notion of time this year in
considering how Valwood will continue to serve students well,
and how we might improve the program that we offer. It is
cliché to note that time is precious, but given that fact of human
existence it does make practical sense to consider whether the
current, traditional, and accepted allocations of time in school
are appropriate to help our students reach their goals. Such
consideration might be especially important in light of both the
opportunities and the threats that technology introduces with
respect to the best use of time.
Kind Regards,
Darren J. Pascavage, Ph.D.
Headmaster
This edition of Visions is replete with accounts of students
who have excelled in various areas of pursuit. I suspect that no
one has tallied the hours that these students have spent in
We should not forget that while the path to mastery may be
well-established and laid out for an individual to travel, he or
she must be the one who does the walking.
P.S. An important but typically overlooked aspect of Dr.
Ericsson’s work on expert performance is the internal drive of
individuals to improve. He writes: “The most cited condition
(regarding progress towards mastery) concerns the subjects’
motivation to attend to the task and exert effort to improve
their performance.” (p. 367, italics added)
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ET
NST S
SS PPEECCI IAALLE E
VV
EN
Mock Trial
Valwood’s Mock Trial team placed third in the Regional Competition in Valdosta
last January. Connor Smith won an award for Outstanding Attorney and Brenna
Wilson won as an Outstanding Witness. At the District Competition held in Albany
in February the team placed third – just one step away from qualifying for the State
tournament. At the District Competition Connor Smith and Arabi Luke won
Outstanding Attorney awards and Allie Maxwell won an Outstanding Witness
award. At the State competition Arabi Luke was inducted into the Class of 2014
Student Bar of Georgia. Additional team members were attorneys – Will Allen,
Connor Barnard, Will Hawthorne and Joe Stark, witnesses – Zach Barnard, Joe
Dame, Meagan Kimbrell and Shana Morman and the timekeepers were Christian
Gaytan, Hailee Hathcock and Kush Patel. Team Alternates were Andrew
Heckaman, Jack Helms, Avi Patel and Pavan Patel. The team was coached by Bobby
Stephenson and attorneys Will Elliott, Cathy Helms and Jeff Helms.
Valedictory Address
By Emily Jane Pascavage
Lieutenant Governor Cagle,
Trustees, Faculty, parents,
grandparents, friends, and other
distinguished guests, thank you for
being here to celebrate this great
day with us!
It is common, and perhaps even
expected, for the Valedictorian to
thank the people who helped her
achieve that outcome. There are so
many people I could and should
thank – many of whom are sitting
in this very room – and I will
thank them, privately and personally. I could not have earned this honor without them. It is also
common for the Valedictory speech to be about how much good
the class is going to do in the future and how far we are all
going to go. After all, the word valedictorian comes from the
Latin wally dec airy and means to say farewell – farewell to the
past…and hello to the future. Our future.
AP Scholars
Congratulations to Valwood’s students who were named as 2014 AP Scholars in
recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college level Advanced
Placement Examinations. 2014 graduates James Braswell, Gabe Garcia, Lisa
Garcia, Ruddy Parrott, and Maggie Scruggs and seniors Savannah-Jane Gilchrist,
Seth Golden, Will Hawthorne, Arabi Luke, Amanda Lupo, Allie Maxwell and
Joseph Stark, and juniors Jack Helms, Sara Knighton, and Kush Patel were
awarded this honor. AP Scholars receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP
exams. AP Scholars with Honor were graduates Madelynn Phan, Meghan
Veuleman, and Matt Williams and current seniors Bryce Everett, Lanier Langdale,
and Jason Papadopoulos. This distinction is awarded to students who receive an
average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on
four or more of these exams. Will Allen was named AP Scholar with Distinction.
Will received an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and grades 3
or higher on five or more of these exams.
But what is “Valwood”? It is not the buildings – as beautiful
as our campus is, the physical campus is not enough to define
our school or any academic institution. It is not the mission
statement – many organizations have a mission statement that
sounds terrific, but which fails to describe what actually occurs
or is actually produced. It is not the curriculum – we could have
earned many of the same credits elsewhere, taking the same
courses with the same names and using the same textbooks - or
(this being 2015) we could have earned those credits “online”
by attending “virtual school” using the “internet” and a
“computer”.
Sara Barrett, Carly Eaves, Sara Knighton, Anna Ma, Joyce Ro and Brenna Wilson
were selected to participate in Valdosta State University’s 20th Annual Sonia
Kovalevsky Math Day, a day promoting math and science careers for girls. Over
one hundred girls from approximately 20 schools competed on the math test, and
Valwood junior Anna Ma placed first, winning a $1000 scholarship to VSU, while
junior Joyce Ro placed 2nd and won a $500 scholarship to VSU.
Taylor Sanderlin, Grant McLendon and Ellie Stark
show off their Disney alter egos during
Homecoming Week!
15
The principles Valwood has instilled will definitely help us
succeed, but the difference with our class is who we are. We
help each other in times of need and enjoy each other’s company
when times are good. Like many of you, I am not a Jefferson
Cup recipient. Coming to Valwood meant leaving behind a
school that was comfortable, familiar, and, well…easier. No
doubt about it: it would have been easier if I had stayed at
Woodland High School. But it would not have been better. I
know that now, and in retrospect knew it all along. After all the
opportunities I have been given, I couldn’t possibly regret my
decision to come to Valwood. I would do it again in a heartbeat,
and I know that is true for all of us. In fact, I wish I had come to
Valwood sooner – and I know I am not the only member of the
Class of 2015 who feels that way. The atmosphere of Valwood
School is like a second home. The teachers are supportive and
caring. The students bring healthy competition and fun to every
aspect of the school experience. I can’t thank you all enough for
having enriched my life, and I hope that I have been able to
return that favor to you in some small measure.
All of us are capable of doing “hard work” now and then.
Valwood demanded something more of us than an occasional
burst of effort – it demanded a commitment to diligence,
organization, focus, and active attention to both the responsibilities which were imposed upon us and those for which we
volunteered.
Annual Sonia Kovalevsky Math Day
Girls Trio – Fran Plummer, Shana
Morman and Mary Peeples earned
First Place at the Region 3 AAA GISA
Literary Competition and Second
Place at the State Competition.
Working hard in high school was not easy – I don’t know
how many times I wished I were playing cards with my friends
or watching Netflix in bed, but when my motivation waned it
was almost always my classmates who were the ones who kept
me going. Countless group messages were created about study
sessions or how to prepare for an upcoming test. Many of the
nights I spent studying were fueled by caffeine, by anxiety…and
by the laughter and positive energy of my peers. Not only have
my classmates motivated me to work harder in an academic
setting, but a social setting as well. We studied together, we
played together, we served together… but it almost didn’t really
feel like service because when we gave back to the community,
we did it together and that made it fun.
Students from Mrs. Owen’s Honors Physics class
visited Wilson Eye Center to get some hands on
experience for their studies on optics. Looking
good!
I have heard my father say on more than one occasion that
the most important part of Valwood School, the most vital
component of Valwood’s success, is the peer group – the
students who populate the school and serve as friends, counselors, trainers, motivators, tutors, and advocates for each other. I
understand now that he is absolutely right, and for that reason I
want to use this opportunity to thank my peers, my classmates,
my fellow graduates in the Class of 2015 at Valwood School.
Allie, you are right: we ARE the greatest class in Valwood
School history, and because of Valwood our future is as bright
and promising as it could possibly be. It is now up to us to seize
the opportunity we have been given, and I am confident that we,
the Valwood Class of 2015, are up to the task.
No, fellow graduates, none of these adequately capture what
it is that makes Valwood so special, and so unique, and so
important for each of us, for Lowndes County, and for all of
South Georgia. I believe the answer is simple: we are Valwood.
We occupied those buildings…we played on those fields…we
performed on those stages…and we did so with distinction.
(And we are not finished – the baseball team still has a state
championship to win!) We accepted the challenge expressed by
our mission statement – academics, character, service – and
excelled like no class had ever excelled before: more HOPE
scholarship qualifiers, more Zell Miller Scholars, an unprecedented number of service hours (8147 to be exact)…the list
goes on.
Thank you very much.
Emily Pascavage, the Valwood Class of 2015 Valedictorian, is
the daughter of Darren and Andrea Pascavage. She will attend
the University of Georgia in the fall.
8
S P E C I A L
E V E N T S
ALUMNI NEWS
Salutatory Speech
By Alexandra Tierney Maxwell
Society has brainwashed us into thinking that good grades, being in
every club possible, playing three sports, and making stellar SAT scores
is the recipe for success. We have been trained to work for A’s, not for
knowledge. I have watched my classmates struggle with this as they put
their resumes before sleep, as they do what they can to make the A, but
don’t enjoy learning and are tortured by the idea of another day of
school. But despite the constant whispers of the world telling us we
can’t, that we’re not good enough, we made it. Each and every one of
the graduates before you found themselves despite the pressures of the
world of education. Each and every one of them discovered the key to
success and happiness: passion. We have learned that good grades mean
nothing if we aren’t doing what we love. We have found what we love
and pursued it. We have faced great challenges and come out stronger
because of them. We have many remarkable feats to celebrate.
I walked into the doors of Valwood
5 years ago, completely unaware of the
incredible journey on which I was
about to embark. I was unaware that I
would form friendships that would last
a lifetime. I was unaware that I would
meet teachers who cared for me, my
education, and what I thought. I was
unaware that Will Allen would yell,
“fix your pants,” at Mr. Nettles, that
we would have to sing embarrassing
western songs, that Mrs. Levi would
threaten to bite us, that the superfans
would yell in the rain for 4 hours
dressed in Hawaiian clothes, that
Christian would faint in our 8th grade
play, that Mrs. Owens would
face-plant in the middle of physics, that SJ would be called boring by
half of her teachers, that Mrs. Maria would send Joe to school with a
steel fork in his bag that would somehow end up in Connor Smith’s leg,
that we would learn that Hailee has a “feisty” side, that the smartest kid
in our class would end up in a ditch on prom night and that Colby
would be called a 43 year old man by Coach Martin in front of the
entire senior class and their families. Most of all, I was unaware that the
Class of 2015 would become a family.
Parents, family, friends and teachers, welcome. We are here today to
celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of Valwood’s Class of 2015.
The class before you has worked incredibly hard the last four years to
get where they are today.
Before you sits the Class of 2015. A class of passion, a class of
achievement. Before you sit 46 students. 46 students who have
submitted 149 college applications. 124 of which were acceptances.
That’s 83%. We have been accepted into 63 schools in 21 states. Before
you sits a class with an average GPA of a 3.561. Before you sits a
student who scored a 2270 on the SAT. Before you sits a student who
scored a 35 on the ACT. Before you sits a class that has been awarded a
total of $1,953,022 in scholarship money. Before you sits a barefoot
skiing champion. Before you sits a student who did mission work in
Africa over the summer. Before you sit athletes who have won a State
Championship in football and in tennis. Before you sit 6 students who
have signed to play a sport in college. Before you sit 45 students who
will be attending a college or university next year. (Sorry everyone... I
kind of ruined that statistic.) Before you sits a class in which 15.22% of
the students earned above a 4.0 cumulative GPA.
With that said, we would not be here today if it were not for the
many helpful hands that have guided us and pushed us to grow.
Teachers, thank you for your dedication and for putting up with our so
called “whining.” Coach Allen, for being the greatest teacher in
Valwood history. Parents, thank you for supporting us every step of the
way. Friends, thank you for listening to us when we needed someone to
rant to about all our homework. Mr. Don and the rest of the lunch
room staff, thank you for making delicious chocolate chip cookies.
Custodians, thank you for cleaning up all those little pieces of paper that
we put down Connor Barnard’s shirt during Econ.
I also want to give some special recognition to 5 amazing students.
Although I am honored to be named this year’s Salutatorian, there are
many students who worked just as hard as I worked. I’ve been doing
some digging for information about my classmates, and I’ve come to
find that the difference in cumulative GPA between 2nd and 7th place in
the class is merely 0.092. Less than 1 tenth of a point. I would love to
recognize these students who have worked so hard and in result, have
earned a cumulative GPA over a 4.0. If you would stand when I call
your name: Lanier Langdale, Amanda Lupo, Arabi Luke, Savannah-Jane
Gilchrist, and Grace Guilliams.
We would not have made it this far without these awesome people in
our lives. But I think most of all, we have each other to thank. To thank
for holding each other up, for keeping each other laughing, for suffering
through late nights of studying, and for being there for each other until
the end. And although I know many of you have wanted to strangle
each other at one time or another, we are one, giant (for Valwood
anyway), messy, loving family.
If these aren’t achievements to be celebrated, I don’t know what is. I
could not be more proud of my class, the best class in Valwood history.
We didn’t just make it Class of 2015, we rocked it.
I’m so blessed to have gotten to share my years at Valwood with each
of you. I am thankful that God placed me in this wonderful Valwood
family, and that we were able to grow together in our character, our
knowledge, our faith, and well let’s face it we’ve gotten a lot better
looking since middle school, too. I cannot wait to see the incredible
paths God leads you on and to see the awesome marks each of you leave
on the world. I will be praying for each of you as you take these next
steps in your journey.
That’s what’s so special about Valwood. You aren’t just another
student; you aren’t just another face in the hallway. Each teacher and
student knows and cares for you. I mean at what other school would a
teacher change the date of a test because the whole class is swamped
with work and sports? At what school do teachers bring homemade
goodies, or let you make popcorn in the middle of class? At what school
would a teacher hold a tea party for all the senior girls every year? (I
think Mrs. Edwards deserves a round of applause for that.)
I love you guys.
One family. One heartbeat.
Valwood has so much to offer, but I think our journey here goes far
beyond a good education and snacks during class (sorry, Mrs. Owens,
for always being hungry). Through this journey, we have learned what
truly matters.
Allie Maxwell, the Valwood Class of 2015 Salutatorian, is the daughter
of Rhett and Christine Holmes and Michael and Teresa Maxwell.
9
Chad Gallahan ’03 and wife Val are the
proud parents of Beckham Marie born
December 2, 2014. Chad is Valwood’s
Middle School Dean and Varsity Boys
Soccer Coach, and Val is Valwood’s
Director of Admissions and the Varsity and
JV Girls Volleyball Coach.
The Valwood Alumni Council is looking for your Valiant memorabilia!
We are designing a display in Crane Hall. If you have something you
would like to share, please call the school.
Please also visit and friend/follow us on:
Valwood School
Alumni
@ValwoodSchool
Thompson Gooding ’03 and his wife
Courtney welcomed Thompson Monroe
Gooding to the family on June 2, 2015. The Goodings live in Valdosta
where Thompson is a Vice President for a real estate development
company and a newly appointed member of Valwood’s Board of
Trustees.
We look forward to keeping in touch with you!
Alex Tillman ’80 has been involved in
education since 1993 when he started
teaching U.S. History at Albany High School.
Alex has been the Assistant Principal at Ben
Hill Primary School in Fitzgerald, Georgia
since 2006. He is member of the Fitzgerald
City Council. He earned his Bachelor of Arts
in History from the University of Georgia, his
Master of Arts in History from Valdosta
State University and an Educational Specialist
degree in Leadership from Albany State University. Alex is married to
Steffi, a native of Germany, and they have two children, Bo and Liz, ages
13 and 11.
John Alday ’04 and wife Ashley are the proud parents of a daughter,
Catherine Elizabeth born in February 2015.
Wade Henry ’05 and Annabelle Barbour are engaged to be married on
December 19, 2015. Wade is employed with Blanton and Griffin
Insurance Agency in Valdosta, and Annabelle is a Speech and Language
Pathologist with Keystone Therapy Services.
Ryan Johnson ’05 and Nikki Perloff were married on July 18, 2015.
Ryan is employed with South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta.
Channing Mathews ’05 graduated from Duke University in May 2009
with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Spanish Language.
Since her graduation she has worked teaching, coaching and as a college
counselor in the Dominican Republic and the Democratic Republic of
Congo. Channing is currently pursuing a combined Ph.D. in Education
and Psychology at the University of Michigan.
We are saddened by the loss of Valwood alumna, Christi Inmon Pearson
’89. The Valwood family extends our deepest sympathies to the
Pearsons.
Katelan Kendrick Davis ’02 and Tyler Davis
were married on May 4, 2013. Tyler
graduated from Valdosta State University
with a degree in Criminal Justice. This
summer Katelan and Tyler returned to
Valdosta from Atlanta, and Katelan joined
the Valwood faculty as a Middle and Upper
School Spanish teacher.
Jon Miller ’05 and Maggie Karras ’08 are engaged to be married on
November 21, 2015. Jon earned his undergraduate degree from Auburn
University and his MBA from Mercer University. Jon works at Miller
Hardware and recently earned the North American Retail Hardware
Association’s “2015 Young Retailer of the Year” award. Maggie also
graduated from Auburn University. She earned her Master of Social
Work from Valdosta State University and is employed by the Valdosta
City Schools as the Homeless Case Manager.
Molly Roan Ferrier ’02 and James Ferrier
were married on April 25, 2015 in Jekyll
Island. Among the Valiants in attendance
were: Curry Thomas Anderson ’02, Luke
Cocke ’97, Gracie Crane Douglas’02, Maggie
Carroll Ferguson ’02, Thompson Gooding
’03, Jolie Hyatt ’02, Larry McCain, Alice
Thrasher Popielarz ’02, Rebekah Johnson
Stevens ’03, Brooks Thomas Vizzini ’02 and
Katie Harrell Wood ’02. Molly holds a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the
University of Vermont and a Master of Social Work from the University
of South Carolina. She is employed by Valdosta-Lowndes County
Habitat for Humanity. James is a graduate of Valdosta State University
with a degree in Computer Science and currently operates his own IT
business. Molly and James live in Valdosta.
Will Elliott ’06 and Gretchen Edwards are engaged to be married on
May 28, 2016. Will is an attorney with Elliott Blackburn & Gooding,
and Gretchen is Senior Marketing Specialist at South Georgia Medical
Center.
Zac Henry ’08 graduated from Auburn University in May of 2012 with
a Business and Finance degree and is currently a Loan Officer with
Fidelity Bank in Atlanta. Zac is pursuing his MBA from Georgia State
University.
Jessie Querin ’08 and Mike Bolster are engaged to be married on
October 17, 2015. Jessie is in her fourth year of veterinary school at
Auburn University.
Bianca Cooper ’09 graduated from the
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of
Mercer University and is currently an
Operating Room Registered Nurse.
Brooks Thomas Vizzini ’02, husband Jamey
and big sister Lanier welcomed daughter and
sister, Quinn Marie to the family on July 14,
2015. Brooks is the Account Manager for
Cooper, Simms & Mosley Insurance Agency,
and Jamey is the pastor of Cross Pointe
Church. They live in Peachtree City, Georgia.
Carter Karras ’09 and Cady Minor ’10 were
married last May and live in Birmingham,
Alabama. Carter earned his Master of
Accountancy from Auburn University last
August and works for
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F A C U L T Y
Jeff Hurd
N E W S
VALWOOD ATHLETICS
Upper School Social Science
A graduate of Georgia State University, Jeff received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and his Certification for Teaching
English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from Oxford Seminars. Jeff taught Middle and Upper School Social Science at Eastminster
School in Conyers, Georgia where he also developed curricula for Geography, History and American Government classes. He
coached and judged students for the National History Day Competition – helping Eastminster students advance to the state level. Jeff
studied Mandarin at Nanjing Normal University in China. In his free time Jeff enjoys cooking, language exchanges, map browsing
and reading.
Sophie Linnett
Upper School English, Composition and AP Econmics
Sophie joined the Upper School faculty last January. She is a graduate of Columbia University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Classics. Originally from California, Sophie has lived on both coasts before moving to Valdosta last year when her
husband, Sean Daily, an Air Force Pararescueman, was stationed at Moody Air Force base with the 38th Rescue Squad. Sophie has
tutored middle and high school students for many years and is an SAT and Act prep tutor. This summer she was selected to audition
to be a contestant on Jeopardy! In her free time she enjoys cooking and watching movies.
Andy Stamschror
Upper School Mathematics
Andy is a 1998 graduate of Valwood School, and he received his Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in
Economics from Valdosta State University in 2002 and his Master’s degree in Business Administration from VSU in 2005. Andy is
pleased to be returning to Valwood where he has previously taught and coached. Most recently Andy was a high school mathematics
teacher at Tiftarea. Andy and his wife Brittany are the parents of Owen who will be joining our Pre-kindergarten class and Anna
Kate. They are all looking forward to an addition to the family in November. When he is not spending time with his family, Andy
enjoys golfing and fishing.
Jessica Warren
Middle School English and Composition
Jessica earned both her Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education degree and her Master of Education in Curriculum and
Instruction degree at Valdosta State University. She holds several certifications issued by the state of Georgia in Science, Reading,
Business Education, and Online Teaching Endorsement and was nominated for Teacher of the Year for Lowndes Middle School in
2013 and 2014. Jessica and her husband James are the parents of three Valwood Valiants, Katelyn a rising eighth grader, Kelsee a
rising sixth grader, Kennedy a rising first grader and future Valiant, 2 year old Karaline. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family,
traveling, and reading.
Misty Watkins
Kindergarten
Misty is from Douglas, Georgia and graduated from Valdosta State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Elementary Education. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education from Troy University. Misty taught first grade in the
Valdosta City School System at Sallas Mahone Elementary School before taking time off to raise her family. Misty and her husband,
Paul are the parents of twin sons, Bennett and Kade, and a daughter Hallie who will be joining Valwood’s Pre-Kindergarten class in
the fall. In her free time Misty enjoys spending time with her family.
V A L W O O D
Region and State Athletes
Congratulations to all of our Valiant Athletes! In football, Parker Bonner, Gahnon Byington,
Terry Carter, Anthony Folkerts, Daniel Hodum, Marik Merine, and Garrett Lovell received
All-Region recognition. Parker Bonner was the Region Player of the year, and he and Marik
Merine also received All-State recognition. Riley O’Linn received All-Region recognition for cross
country and track. Other All-Region track honorees were Seth Golden, Alex Jackson, Erin Moss,
Jake Parker, Jason Papadopoulos, Connor Smith and Luke Veuleman. Erin Moss also received
All-State honors for track. Volleyball athletes Lanier Langdale, Ashley Manwell, Erin Moss, and
Ellie Stark received All-Region recognition. Joseph Dame received All-State recognition for
shooting sports. In girls basketball Emily Johnson and Ashley Manwell received All-Region
honors. Miles Parramore and Gahnon Byington were both honored as All-Region and All-State
wrestlers. Eli Carlo, Jake Chandler, Joseph Hopper, Tyler Richards and Maysoe Wiley received
All-Region recognition for baseball and Eli Carlo, Tyler Richards and Maysoe Wiley also received
All-State honors. Additionally, Valwood tennis players Olivia Cox, Hailee Hatchcock, Hope
Hathcock and Connor Smith received the All-Region honor. Hailee Hatchcock and Hope
Hathcock also received All-State recognition for tennis. Peyton Trancygier was an All-Region
golfer and Ben Trancygier was honored as an All-State golfer. Hank Evans, Andrew Heckaman,
William Pegg, Ty Petermann and Carter Sharon were honored as All-Region soccer players and
the All-State honor was awarded to Andrew Heckaman and Ty Petermann for boys soccer.
Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Emily Johnson, Lanier Langdale, Allie Maxwell and Hollis Waldron
were named to the All-Region girls soccer team. Emily Johnson received All-State soccer honors.
Varsity Clay Target Sports
All-state soccer athletes – Emily Johnson,
Andrew Heckaman and Ty Petermann
Now in its third year, Valwood’s Clay Target Sports Team finished a
successful season with Sara Barrett finishing second in the state in Girls
Sporting Clays and Joe Dame finishing seventh in the state overall – earning
the All State recognition. The team is coached by Jake Wisenbaker and the
2014 team members were: Sara Barrett, Evan Creamer Joe Dame, Brandon
Dean, Matthew Ferrell, Holden McGlothlin, Eli Paulk and Travers Paulk.
A T H L E T I C S
2015 Baseball
The 2015 baseball year for the Valwood baseball team was one of the best seasons in school history. In just their first year in AAA, the
highest level in the GISA, the Valiants advanced all the way to the state championship finals, where they battled hard, but eventually fell
to region rival Deerfield-Windsor. As a team, Valwood batted over .324, had 297 hits and blasted 10 home, all school records. The team
also had three players make the All-State team – senior Eli Carlo, who led the team in nine offensive categories, junior Maysoe Wiley,
and junior Tyler Richards. In addition, senior Parker Bonner signed to play baseball (and football) with Valdosta State University, senior
Seth Golden inked a scholarship with LaGrange College and Eli Carlo will be playing with Emmanuel College.
Valwood Diver Emily Ann Wolfson
Eighth Grader, Emily Ann Wolfson, had a very productive year in her Springboard Diving Events. She
won the Girls’ One Meter Springboard Event at the Westminster Invitational Middle School Dive Meet in
Atlanta, Georgia, on November 14, 2014, giving Valwood its first ever gold medal in a diving event.
Thereafter, she represented Valwood School in Atlanta, Georgia in the 34th Annual War Eagle Middle
School State Championships held at Marist School Aquatic Center. She won the gold medal, giving
Valwood its first diving state championship.
This spring and summer, she qualified to dive in the AAU National Championships to be held in
California in July and also qualified for the USA Diving National Championships to be held in Orlando in
August. Wolfson won the Southeast United States qualifier for the AAU Red, White and Blue
Championships by taking first on one meter and first on three meter. This qualified her to dive at the Red,
White and Blue National Championships, against divers from across the nation, where she took second
on one meter and third on three meter.
Emily took first on one meter and first on three meter at the 2015 Moose Moss Invitational held in Moultrie this summer, as well as
taking second on the one meter and second in the 14-18 year age group synchronized diving at the High Stakes Diving Invitational held
in Las Vegas, Nevada in February, 2015.
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10
V A L W O O D
A T H L E T I C S
Scholar Athletes
Valwood Varsity athletes whose academic performance placed
them on the Headmaster’s List during the quarter they were
playing a varsity sport received the Scholar Athlete medal.
Compiled at the end of each grading period, the Headmaster’s
List is Valwood’s most prestigious academic recognition for it
highlights extraordinary academic achievement among the
school’s Upper and Middle School student body. To be named
to the list, students must have a 90 or better average in all
academic subjects. The scholar athlete award, modeled on the
NCAA’s Academic All-American recognition, honors those
varsity student-athletes who maintain high academic and athletic
performance at Valwood. Winners of this award for the fall
sports season were Will Allen, William Clifton, Madelyn Clyatt,
Carly Eaves, Caroline Evans, Sarah Godwin, Grace Guilliams,
Kamie Hartley, Hope Hathcock, Ginnie Bree Hunter, Mary
Lacey, Lanier Langdale, Arabi Luke, Amanda Lupo, Allie
Maxwell, Kasey McQuitty, Erin Moss, Mary Peeples, Addy
Perlman, Joyce Ro, Taylor Sanderlin, Carter Sharon, Jake Smith
and Ellie Stark. Winter scholar athlete award winners were
Jaakob Alakulppi, Madelyn Clyatt, Carly Eaves, Caroline Evans,
Elizabeth Giddens, Ginnie Bree Hunter, Addison LeBoutillier,
Amanda Lupo, Erin Moss, Emily Pascavage, William Pegg, Addy
Perlman, Joyce Ro, Jake Smith and Maggie Smith. Pictured
below are the winners of the spring scholar athlete medal.
2015 Varsity Football
Aug 21
Memorial Day School
Home
7:30
Aug 28
Westfield School
Home
7:30
Sept 4
North Florida Christian School
Away
7:30
Sept 11
Frederica Academy
Home
7:30
Sept 18
Tiftarea Academy * (Homecoming)
Home
7:30
Oct 2
Southland Academy *
Home
7:30
Oct 9
Westwood Schools
Away
7:30
Oct 16
Terrell Academy * (Senior Night)
Home
7:30
Oct 23
Brookwood School
Away
7:30
Oct 30
Deerfield-Windsor School
Away
7:30
2015 Varsity Volleyball
Aug 14
Endless Summer Tournament
Away
TBA
Aug 15
Away
TBA
Aug 22
Memorial Day School *
Away
1:00
Aug 25
Sherwood Christian Academy
Away
6:00
Aug 27
First Presbyterian Christian Academy *
Away
5:30
Aug 29
Home
1:00
Sept 1
Georgia Christian School
Home
5:00
Sept 3
Valdosta High School
Home
4:30
Sept 10
Home
6:00
Sept 12
Frederica Academy *
Home
11:00
Sept 15
Grace Christian Academy *
Away
5:00
Sept 17
North Florida Christian Academy
Home
6:00
Sept 18
Home
2:00
Sept 21
Mitchell County High School (@VHS)
Away
4:00
Sept 21
Away
5:00
Sept 24
Frederica Academy *
Away
5:00
Sept 29
Away
5:00
Oct 1
Tift County
Away
4:30
Oct 6
Away
6:00
Oct 8
Home
5:30
Oct 15
Tift County
Home
4:30
Aug 27
Southland Academy
Away
Sept 3
Tiftarea Academy
Home
Join the Valiant Club! Support
Valwood Athletics! For your
$100 membership fee you will
receive two Valiant Club passes
which allow free admission to
all home* athletic events. Call
the school office for more
details 229-242-8491. See you
at the games!
*not including Region and State Playoff Games
Wendy Bahnsen
Kindergarten
Wendy earned her undergraduate degree in Special Education from North Georgia College and her Master’s degree in Early
Childhood Education from Valdosta State University. She taught in Hinesville, Georgia before moving to Valdosta with her husband
Chris in 1986. She taught Kindergarten in the Valdosta City School system for almost 20 years. Wendy was the 2011 Valdosta City
School System Teacher of the year. Wendy and Chris have three adult children; the youngest, Jon Bradley is a member of Valwood’s
Class of 2011. Wendy is a member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church and in her free time enjoys reading, spending time with
her family and taking trips to the beach.
Tammy Brooks
A native of Hahira, Tammy earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education and her Master of Education in
Secondary Mathematics from Valdosta State University. Tammy worked for over 20 years in the Valdosta City School System teaching
math in the classroom and as a Mathematics Academic Coach. Tammy and her husband David have two daughters; Ashley is a student
at the University of Georgia and Olivia is a rising Valwood fourth grader. Tammy is excited to be joining the faculty and is looking
forward to sharing with her students her passion and joy for all things mathematical!
Britt Bugby
Upper School English and Composition
Britt is a native of Valdosta, and graduated from Valdosta State University with a degree in English. She also has a Master's degree in
Library and Information Studies from Florida State University and is currently completing her Master of Science in Secondary English
Education at VSU. Britt previously worked in Instructional Technology and taught high school English in the Lowndes County School
System. Britt and her husband Wade are the proud parents of a small menagerie of fur-children. In her spare time, she enjoys video
games, reading, genealogy, and fostering for animal rescues.
Phyllis Childree
Middle/Upper School Drama
A native of Panama City, Florida, Phyllis came to Valdosta after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood
Education and her Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Disabilities from Florida State University. Phyllis has taught for many years in
both the Valdosta City School System and the Lowndes County System. She also holds a Master of Science in Special Education from
Valdosta State University. Most recently she was the Drama teacher for Lowndes High School. Phyllis and her husband Gary are the
parents of an adult daughter Ansley. When she is not rehearsing or searching for props for set design, Phyllis can be found traveling
across Georgia looking for antiques.
Sept 10
Home
Sept 22
Georgia Christian Academy
Away
Oct 1
Brookwood School
Home
Oct 8
Westwood Schools
Away
Middle/Upper School Spanish
Katelan is another returning Valwood graduate. She graduated with Valwood’s Class of 2002 and taught Middle School Spanish at
Valwood for the 2009-2010 school year so her return is a double homecoming. Katelan earned her Bachelor of Arts in International
Studies with a minor in Spanish from Louisiana State University and her Certification for Teaching English as a Foreign Language
(TEFL) from Bridge English. Last May she earned a Master of the Arts in Spanish from Georgia State University. In addition to
Valwood, Katelan has previously taught at Georgia State University and in Argentina and Venezuela. In her free time Katelan enjoys
spinning classes, traveling and reading, especially Spanish language books.
Robin Ervin
2015 Varsity Softball
The Valiant Club
Valwood School is proud to introduce our new faculty. We are excited to have such qualified, talented, and enthusiastic
faculty joining us at Valwood.
Katelan Kendrick Davis
2015 JV Football
William Pegg, William Clifton, Arabi Luke, Carter Sharon, Kaitlyn Curry,
Brenna Wilson, Grace Guilliams, Lanier Langdale, Allie Maxwell, Hope
Hathcock, Karsten Smith and Olivia Cox – not pictured – Mary Peeples.
FACULTY NEWS
Aug 10
Southland Academy *
Away
4:00
Aug 13
Tiftarea Academy *
Home
4:00
Aug 17
Citizens Christian Academy
Away
4:00
Aug 18
Westwood Schools *
Home
4:00
Aug 20
Brookwood School *
Away
4:00
Aug 25
Deerfield-Windsor School *
Away
4:30
Aug 27
Home
4:00
Sept 1
Terrell Academy *
Home
4:30
Sept 3
Southland Academy *
Home
4:30
Sept 8
Tiftarea Academy *
Away
4:00
Sept 10
Westwood Schools *
Away
4:30
Sept 14
Away
4:00
Sept 15
Brookwood School *
Home
4:00
Sept 17
Home
4:30
Sept 22
Home
4:00
Sept 24
Terrell Academy *
Away
4:30
Robin comes to Valwood with an extensive professional background in teaching and theater and film. She earned her Bachelor of Arts
in English and in Communication & Theater Arts from Mercer University and her Master of Fine Arts in Theater Arts from the
University of Mississippi. She has taught at colleges (the University of Mississippi, Mercer University, Red Rocks, Wesleyan), at art
institutions (Kennedy Center, Folger Shakespeare Library, Smithsonian) and in high schools throughout Georgia, but she is most proud
of her two best and ongoing creative projects --- her sons, Blue and Dolyn.
Mattia Goddard
Upper School Spanish
Mattia joined the Upper School faculty last February. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. As a teenager she and
her family lived in Columbia, and her experiences there began her interest in Spanish language and culture. Since moving to Valdosta,
Mattia has used her Spanish speaking skills to help the Hispanic migrant population as an interpreter and a teacher and tutor. She is
the wife of Bob Goddard, Valwood Class of 1985. They have two children, Bobby, who is a rising junior in the IB program at Valdosta
High School and Raquel, a rising freshman at Valdosta High School. Mattia spends her down time writing mysteries, reading, cooking
and gardening.
12
V A L W O O D
A T H L E T I C S
Scholar Athletes
Valwood Varsity athletes whose academic performance placed
them on the Headmaster’s List during the quarter they were
playing a varsity sport received the Scholar Athlete medal.
Compiled at the end of each grading period, the Headmaster’s
List is Valwood’s most prestigious academic recognition for it
highlights extraordinary academic achievement among the
school’s Upper and Middle School student body. To be named
to the list, students must have a 90 or better average in all
academic subjects. The scholar athlete award, modeled on the
NCAA’s Academic All-American recognition, honors those
varsity student-athletes who maintain high academic and athletic
performance at Valwood. Winners of this award for the fall
sports season were Will Allen, William Clifton, Madelyn Clyatt,
Carly Eaves, Caroline Evans, Sarah Godwin, Grace Guilliams,
Kamie Hartley, Hope Hathcock, Ginnie Bree Hunter, Mary
Lacey, Lanier Langdale, Arabi Luke, Amanda Lupo, Allie
Maxwell, Kasey McQuitty, Erin Moss, Mary Peeples, Addy
Perlman, Joyce Ro, Taylor Sanderlin, Carter Sharon, Jake Smith
and Ellie Stark. Winter scholar athlete award winners were
Jaakob Alakulppi, Madelyn Clyatt, Carly Eaves, Caroline Evans,
Elizabeth Giddens, Ginnie Bree Hunter, Addison LeBoutillier,
Amanda Lupo, Erin Moss, Emily Pascavage, William Pegg, Addy
Perlman, Joyce Ro, Jake Smith and Maggie Smith. Pictured
below are the winners of the spring scholar athlete medal.
2015 Varsity Football
Aug 21
Memorial Day School
Home
7:30
Aug 28
Westfield School
Home
7:30
Sept 4
North Florida Christian School
Away
7:30
Sept 11
Frederica Academy
Home
7:30
Sept 18
Tiftarea Academy * (Homecoming)
Home
7:30
Oct 2
Southland Academy *
Home
7:30
Oct 9
Westwood Schools
Away
7:30
Oct 16
Terrell Academy * (Senior Night)
Home
7:30
Oct 23
Brookwood School
Away
7:30
Oct 30
Away
7:30
2015 Varsity Volleyball
Aug 14
Away
TBA
Aug 15
Away
TBA
Aug 22
Away
1:00
Aug 25
Away
6:00
Aug 27
Away
5:30
Aug 29
Home
1:00
Sept 1
Home
5:00
Sept 3
Home
4:30
Sept 10
Home
6:00
Sept 12
Frederica Academy *
Home
11:00
Sept 15
Away
5:00
Sept 17
Home
6:00
Sept 18
Home
2:00
Sept 21
Mitchell County High School (@VHS)
Away
4:00
Sept 21
Away
5:00
Sept 24
Frederica Academy *
Away
5:00
Sept 29
Away
5:00
Oct 1
Tift County
Away
4:30
Oct 6
Away
6:00
Oct 8
Home
5:30
Oct 15
Tift County
Home
4:30
Aug 27
Southland Academy
Away
Sept 3
Tiftarea Academy
Home
Join the Valiant Club! Support
Valwood Athletics! For your
$100 membership fee you will
receive two Valiant Club passes
which allow free admission to
all home* athletic events. Call
the school office for more
details 229-242-8491. See you
at the games!
*not including Region and State Playoff Games
Wendy Bahnsen
Kindergarten
Wendy earned her undergraduate degree in Special Education from North Georgia College and her Master’s degree in Early
Childhood Education from Valdosta State University. She taught in Hinesville, Georgia before moving to Valdosta with her husband
Chris in 1986. She taught Kindergarten in the Valdosta City School system for almost 20 years. Wendy was the 2011 Valdosta City
School System Teacher of the year. Wendy and Chris have three adult children; the youngest, Jon Bradley is a member of Valwood’s
Class of 2011. Wendy is a member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church and in her free time enjoys reading, spending time with
her family and taking trips to the beach.
Tammy Brooks
A native of Hahira, Tammy earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education and her Master of Education in
Secondary Mathematics from Valdosta State University. Tammy worked for over 20 years in the Valdosta City School System teaching
math in the classroom and as a Mathematics Academic Coach. Tammy and her husband David have two daughters; Ashley is a student
at the University of Georgia and Olivia is a rising Valwood fourth grader. Tammy is excited to be joining the faculty and is looking
forward to sharing with her students her passion and joy for all things mathematical!
Britt Bugby
Britt is a native of Valdosta, and graduated from Valdosta State University with a degree in English. She also has a Master's degree in
Library and Information Studies from Florida State University and is currently completing her Master of Science in Secondary English
Education at VSU. Britt previously worked in Instructional Technology and taught high school English in the Lowndes County School
System. Britt and her husband Wade are the proud parents of a small menagerie of fur-children. In her spare time, she enjoys video
games, reading, genealogy, and fostering for animal rescues.
Phyllis Childree
Middle/Upper School Drama
A native of Panama City, Florida, Phyllis came to Valdosta after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood
Education and her Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Disabilities from Florida State University. Phyllis has taught for many years in
both the Valdosta City School System and the Lowndes County System. She also holds a Master of Science in Special Education from
Valdosta State University. Most recently she was the Drama teacher for Lowndes High School. Phyllis and her husband Gary are the
parents of an adult daughter Ansley. When she is not rehearsing or searching for props for set design, Phyllis can be found traveling
across Georgia looking for antiques.
Sept 10
Home
Sept 22
Georgia Christian Academy
Away
Oct 1
Brookwood School
Home
Oct 8
Westwood Schools
Away
Middle/Upper School Spanish
Katelan is another returning Valwood graduate. She graduated with Valwood’s Class of 2002 and taught Middle School Spanish at
Valwood for the 2009-2010 school year so her return is a double homecoming. Katelan earned her Bachelor of Arts in International
Studies with a minor in Spanish from Louisiana State University and her Certification for Teaching English as a Foreign Language
(TEFL) from Bridge English. Last May she earned a Master of the Arts in Spanish from Georgia State University. In addition to
Valwood, Katelan has previously taught at Georgia State University and in Argentina and Venezuela. In her free time Katelan enjoys
spinning classes, traveling and reading, especially Spanish language books.
Robin Ervin
2015 Varsity Softball
The Valiant Club
Valwood School is proud to introduce our new faculty. We are excited to have such qualified, talented, and enthusiastic
faculty joining us at Valwood.
Katelan Kendrick Davis
2015 JV Football
William Pegg, William Clifton, Arabi Luke, Carter Sharon, Kaitlyn Curry,
Brenna Wilson, Grace Guilliams, Lanier Langdale, Allie Maxwell, Hope
Hathcock, Karsten Smith and Olivia Cox – not pictured – Mary Peeples.
FACULTY NEWS
Aug 10
Southland Academy *
Away
4:00
Aug 13
Tiftarea Academy *
Home
4:00
Aug 17
Away
4:00
Aug 18
Westwood Schools *
Home
4:00
Aug 20
Brookwood School *
Away
4:00
Aug 25
Away
4:30
Aug 27
Home
4:00
Sept 1
Terrell Academy *
Home
4:30
Sept 3
Southland Academy *
Home
4:30
Sept 8
Tiftarea Academy *
Away
4:00
Sept 10
Westwood Schools *
Away
4:30
Sept 14
Away
4:00
Sept 15
Brookwood School *
Home
4:00
Sept 17
Home
4:30
Sept 22
Home
4:00
Sept 24
Terrell Academy *
Away
4:30
Robin comes to Valwood with an extensive professional background in teaching and theater and film. She earned her Bachelor of Arts
in English and in Communication & Theater Arts from Mercer University and her Master of Fine Arts in Theater Arts from the
University of Mississippi. She has taught at colleges (the University of Mississippi, Mercer University, Red Rocks, Wesleyan), at art
institutions (Kennedy Center, Folger Shakespeare Library, Smithsonian) and in high schools throughout Georgia, but she is most proud
of her two best and ongoing creative projects --- her sons, Blue and Dolyn.
Mattia Goddard
Upper School Spanish
Mattia joined the Upper School faculty last February. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. As a teenager she and
her family lived in Columbia, and her experiences there began her interest in Spanish language and culture. Since moving to Valdosta,
Mattia has used her Spanish speaking skills to help the Hispanic migrant population as an interpreter and a teacher and tutor. She is
the wife of Bob Goddard, Valwood Class of 1985. They have two children, Bobby, who is a rising junior in the IB program at Valdosta
High School and Raquel, a rising freshman at Valdosta High School. Mattia spends her down time writing mysteries, reading, cooking
and gardening.
12
F A C U L T Y
Jeff Hurd
N E W S
VALWOOD ATHLETICS
Upper School Social Science
A graduate of Georgia State University, Jeff received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and his Certification for Teaching
English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from Oxford Seminars. Jeff taught Middle and Upper School Social Science at Eastminster
School in Conyers, Georgia where he also developed curricula for Geography, History and American Government classes. He
coached and judged students for the National History Day Competition – helping Eastminster students advance to the state level. Jeff
studied Mandarin at Nanjing Normal University in China. In his free time Jeff enjoys cooking, language exchanges, map browsing
and reading.
Sophie Linnett
Upper School English, Composition and AP Econmics
Sophie joined the Upper School faculty last January. She is a graduate of Columbia University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Classics. Originally from California, Sophie has lived on both coasts before moving to Valdosta last year when her
husband, Sean Daily, an Air Force Pararescueman, was stationed at Moody Air Force base with the 38th Rescue Squad. Sophie has
tutored middle and high school students for many years and is an SAT and Act prep tutor. This summer she was selected to audition
to be a contestant on Jeopardy! In her free time she enjoys cooking and watching movies.
Andy Stamschror
Andy is a 1998 graduate of Valwood School, and he received his Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in
Economics from Valdosta State University in 2002 and his Master’s degree in Business Administration from VSU in 2005. Andy is
pleased to be returning to Valwood where he has previously taught and coached. Most recently Andy was a high school mathematics
teacher at Tiftarea. Andy and his wife Brittany are the parents of Owen who will be joining our Pre-kindergarten class and Anna
Kate. They are all looking forward to an addition to the family in November. When he is not spending time with his family, Andy
enjoys golfing and fishing.
Jessica Warren
Middle School English and Composition
Jessica earned both her Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education degree and her Master of Education in Curriculum and
Instruction degree at Valdosta State University. She holds several certifications issued by the state of Georgia in Science, Reading,
Business Education, and Online Teaching Endorsement and was nominated for Teacher of the Year for Lowndes Middle School in
2013 and 2014. Jessica and her husband James are the parents of three Valwood Valiants, Katelyn a rising eighth grader, Kelsee a
rising sixth grader, Kennedy a rising first grader and future Valiant, 2 year old Karaline. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family,
traveling, and reading.
Misty Watkins
Kindergarten
Misty is from Douglas, Georgia and graduated from Valdosta State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Elementary Education. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education from Troy University. Misty taught first grade in the
Valdosta City School System at Sallas Mahone Elementary School before taking time off to raise her family. Misty and her husband,
Paul are the parents of twin sons, Bennett and Kade, and a daughter Hallie who will be joining Valwood’s Pre-Kindergarten class in
the fall. In her free time Misty enjoys spending time with her family.
V A L W O O D
Region and State Athletes
Congratulations to all of our Valiant Athletes! In football, Parker Bonner, Gahnon Byington,
Terry Carter, Anthony Folkerts, Daniel Hodum, Marik Merine, and Garrett Lovell received
All-Region recognition. Parker Bonner was the Region Player of the year, and he and Marik
Merine also received All-State recognition. Riley O’Linn received All-Region recognition for cross
country and track. Other All-Region track honorees were Seth Golden, Alex Jackson, Erin Moss,
Jake Parker, Jason Papadopoulos, Connor Smith and Luke Veuleman. Erin Moss also received
All-State honors for track. Volleyball athletes Lanier Langdale, Ashley Manwell, Erin Moss, and
Ellie Stark received All-Region recognition. Joseph Dame received All-State recognition for
shooting sports. In girls basketball Emily Johnson and Ashley Manwell received All-Region
honors. Miles Parramore and Gahnon Byington were both honored as All-Region and All-State
wrestlers. Eli Carlo, Jake Chandler, Joseph Hopper, Tyler Richards and Maysoe Wiley received
All-Region recognition for baseball and Eli Carlo, Tyler Richards and Maysoe Wiley also received
All-State honors. Additionally, Valwood tennis players Olivia Cox, Hailee Hatchcock, Hope
Hathcock and Connor Smith received the All-Region honor. Hailee Hatchcock and Hope
Hathcock also received All-State recognition for tennis. Peyton Trancygier was an All-Region
golfer and Ben Trancygier was honored as an All-State golfer. Hank Evans, Andrew Heckaman,
William Pegg, Ty Petermann and Carter Sharon were honored as All-Region soccer players and
the All-State honor was awarded to Andrew Heckaman and Ty Petermann for boys soccer.
Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Emily Johnson, Lanier Langdale, Allie Maxwell and Hollis Waldron
were named to the All-Region girls soccer team. Emily Johnson received All-State soccer honors.
Varsity Clay Target Sports
All-state soccer athletes – Emily Johnson,
Andrew Heckaman and Ty Petermann
Now in its third year, Valwood’s Clay Target Sports Team finished a
successful season with Sara Barrett finishing second in the state in Girls
Sporting Clays and Joe Dame finishing seventh in the state overall – earning
the All State recognition. The team is coached by Jake Wisenbaker and the
2014 team members were: Sara Barrett, Evan Creamer Joe Dame, Brandon
Dean, Matthew Ferrell, Holden McGlothlin, Eli Paulk and Travers Paulk.
A T H L E T I C S
2015 Baseball
The 2015 baseball year for the Valwood baseball team was one of the best seasons in school history. In just their first year in AAA, the
highest level in the GISA, the Valiants advanced all the way to the state championship finals, where they battled hard, but eventually fell
to region rival Deerfield-Windsor. As a team, Valwood batted over .324, had 297 hits and blasted 10 home, all school records. The team
also had three players make the All-State team – senior Eli Carlo, who led the team in nine offensive categories, junior Maysoe Wiley,
and junior Tyler Richards. In addition, senior Parker Bonner signed to play baseball (and football) with Valdosta State University, senior
Seth Golden inked a scholarship with LaGrange College and Eli Carlo will be playing with Emmanuel College.
Valwood Diver Emily Ann Wolfson
Eighth Grader, Emily Ann Wolfson, had a very productive year in her Springboard Diving Events. She
won the Girls’ One Meter Springboard Event at the Westminster Invitational Middle School Dive Meet in
Atlanta, Georgia, on November 14, 2014, giving Valwood its first ever gold medal in a diving event.
Thereafter, she represented Valwood School in Atlanta, Georgia in the 34th Annual War Eagle Middle
School State Championships held at Marist School Aquatic Center. She won the gold medal, giving
Valwood its first diving state championship.
This spring and summer, she qualified to dive in the AAU National Championships to be held in
California in July and also qualified for the USA Diving National Championships to be held in Orlando in
August. Wolfson won the Southeast United States qualifier for the AAU Red, White and Blue
Championships by taking first on one meter and first on three meter. This qualified her to dive at the Red,
White and Blue National Championships, against divers from across the nation, where she took second
on one meter and third on three meter.
Emily took first on one meter and first on three meter at the 2015 Moose Moss Invitational held in Moultrie this summer, as well as
taking second on the one meter and second in the 14-18 year age group synchronized diving at the High Stakes Diving Invitational held
in Las Vegas, Nevada in February, 2015.
13
10
S P E C I A L
E V E N T S
ALUMNI NEWS
Salutatory Speech
By Alexandra Tierney Maxwell
Society has brainwashed us into thinking that good grades, being in
every club possible, playing three sports, and making stellar SAT scores
is the recipe for success. We have been trained to work for A’s, not for
knowledge. I have watched my classmates struggle with this as they put
their resumes before sleep, as they do what they can to make the A, but
don’t enjoy learning and are tortured by the idea of another day of
school. But despite the constant whispers of the world telling us we
can’t, that we’re not good enough, we made it. Each and every one of
the graduates before you found themselves despite the pressures of the
world of education. Each and every one of them discovered the key to
success and happiness: passion. We have learned that good grades mean
nothing if we aren’t doing what we love. We have found what we love
and pursued it. We have faced great challenges and come out stronger
because of them. We have many remarkable feats to celebrate.
I walked into the doors of Valwood
5 years ago, completely unaware of the
incredible journey on which I was
about to embark. I was unaware that I
would form friendships that would last
a lifetime. I was unaware that I would
meet teachers who cared for me, my
education, and what I thought. I was
unaware that Will Allen would yell,
“fix your pants,” at Mr. Nettles, that
we would have to sing embarrassing
western songs, that Mrs. Levi would
threaten to bite us, that the superfans
would yell in the rain for 4 hours
dressed in Hawaiian clothes, that
Christian would faint in our 8th grade
play, that Mrs. Owens would
face-plant in the middle of physics, that SJ would be called boring by
half of her teachers, that Mrs. Maria would send Joe to school with a
steel fork in his bag that would somehow end up in Connor Smith’s leg,
that we would learn that Hailee has a “feisty” side, that the smartest kid
in our class would end up in a ditch on prom night and that Colby
would be called a 43 year old man by Coach Martin in front of the
entire senior class and their families. Most of all, I was unaware that the
Class of 2015 would become a family.
Parents, family, friends and teachers, welcome. We are here today to
celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of Valwood’s Class of 2015.
The class before you has worked incredibly hard the last four years to
get where they are today.
Before you sits the Class of 2015. A class of passion, a class of
achievement. Before you sit 46 students. 46 students who have
submitted 149 college applications. 124 of which were acceptances.
That’s 83%. We have been accepted into 63 schools in 21 states. Before
you sits a class with an average GPA of a 3.561. Before you sits a
student who scored a 2270 on the SAT. Before you sits a student who
scored a 35 on the ACT. Before you sits a class that has been awarded a
total of $1,953,022 in scholarship money. Before you sits a barefoot
skiing champion. Before you sits a student who did mission work in
Africa over the summer. Before you sit athletes who have won a State
Championship in football and in tennis. Before you sit 6 students who
have signed to play a sport in college. Before you sit 45 students who
will be attending a college or university next year. (Sorry everyone... I
kind of ruined that statistic.) Before you sits a class in which 15.22% of
the students earned above a 4.0 cumulative GPA.
With that said, we would not be here today if it were not for the
many helpful hands that have guided us and pushed us to grow.
Teachers, thank you for your dedication and for putting up with our so
called “whining.” Coach Allen, for being the greatest teacher in
Valwood history. Parents, thank you for supporting us every step of the
way. Friends, thank you for listening to us when we needed someone to
rant to about all our homework. Mr. Don and the rest of the lunch
room staff, thank you for making delicious chocolate chip cookies.
Custodians, thank you for cleaning up all those little pieces of paper that
we put down Connor Barnard’s shirt during Econ.
I also want to give some special recognition to 5 amazing students.
Although I am honored to be named this year’s Salutatorian, there are
many students who worked just as hard as I worked. I’ve been doing
some digging for information about my classmates, and I’ve come to
find that the difference in cumulative GPA between 2nd and 7th place in
the class is merely 0.092. Less than 1 tenth of a point. I would love to
recognize these students who have worked so hard and in result, have
earned a cumulative GPA over a 4.0. If you would stand when I call
your name: Lanier Langdale, Amanda Lupo, Arabi Luke, Savannah-Jane
Gilchrist, and Grace Guilliams.
We would not have made it this far without these awesome people in
our lives. But I think most of all, we have each other to thank. To thank
for holding each other up, for keeping each other laughing, for suffering
through late nights of studying, and for being there for each other until
the end. And although I know many of you have wanted to strangle
each other at one time or another, we are one, giant (for Valwood
anyway), messy, loving family.
If these aren’t achievements to be celebrated, I don’t know what is. I
could not be more proud of my class, the best class in Valwood history.
We didn’t just make it Class of 2015, we rocked it.
I’m so blessed to have gotten to share my years at Valwood with each
of you. I am thankful that God placed me in this wonderful Valwood
family, and that we were able to grow together in our character, our
knowledge, our faith, and well let’s face it we’ve gotten a lot better
looking since middle school, too. I cannot wait to see the incredible
paths God leads you on and to see the awesome marks each of you leave
on the world. I will be praying for each of you as you take these next
steps in your journey.
That’s what’s so special about Valwood. You aren’t just another
student; you aren’t just another face in the hallway. Each teacher and
student knows and cares for you. I mean at what other school would a
teacher change the date of a test because the whole class is swamped
with work and sports? At what school do teachers bring homemade
goodies, or let you make popcorn in the middle of class? At what school
would a teacher hold a tea party for all the senior girls every year? (I
think Mrs. Edwards deserves a round of applause for that.)
I love you guys.
One family. One heartbeat.
Valwood has so much to offer, but I think our journey here goes far
beyond a good education and snacks during class (sorry, Mrs. Owens,
for always being hungry). Through this journey, we have learned what
truly matters.
Allie Maxwell, the Valwood Class of 2015 Salutatorian, is the daughter
of Rhett and Christine Holmes and Michael and Teresa Maxwell.
9
Chad Gallahan ’03 and wife Val are the
proud parents of Beckham Marie born
December 2, 2014. Chad is Valwood’s
Middle School Dean and Varsity Boys
Soccer Coach, and Val is Valwood’s
Director of Admissions and the Varsity and
JV Girls Volleyball Coach.
The Valwood Alumni Council is looking for your Valiant memorabilia!
We are designing a display in Crane Hall. If you have something you
would like to share, please call the school.
Please also visit and friend/follow us on:
Valwood School
Alumni
@ValwoodSchool
Thompson Gooding ’03 and his wife
Courtney welcomed Thompson Monroe
Gooding to the family on June 2, 2015. The Goodings live in Valdosta
where Thompson is a Vice President for a real estate development
company and a newly appointed member of Valwood’s Board of
Trustees.
We look forward to keeping in touch with you!
Alex Tillman ’80 has been involved in
education since 1993 when he started
teaching U.S. History at Albany High School.
Alex has been the Assistant Principal at Ben
Hill Primary School in Fitzgerald, Georgia
since 2006. He is member of the Fitzgerald
City Council. He earned his Bachelor of Arts
in History from the University of Georgia, his
Master of Arts in History from Valdosta
State University and an Educational Specialist
degree in Leadership from Albany State University. Alex is married to
Steffi, a native of Germany, and they have two children, Bo and Liz, ages
13 and 11.
John Alday ’04 and wife Ashley are the proud parents of a daughter,
Catherine Elizabeth born in February 2015.
Wade Henry ’05 and Annabelle Barbour are engaged to be married on
December 19, 2015. Wade is employed with Blanton and Griffin
Insurance Agency in Valdosta, and Annabelle is a Speech and Language
Pathologist with Keystone Therapy Services.
Ryan Johnson ’05 and Nikki Perloff were married on July 18, 2015.
Ryan is employed with South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta.
Channing Mathews ’05 graduated from Duke University in May 2009
with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Spanish Language.
Since her graduation she has worked teaching, coaching and as a college
counselor in the Dominican Republic and the Democratic Republic of
Congo. Channing is currently pursuing a combined Ph.D. in Education
and Psychology at the University of Michigan.
We are saddened by the loss of Valwood alumna, Christi Inmon Pearson
’89. The Valwood family extends our deepest sympathies to the
Pearsons.
Katelan Kendrick Davis ’02 and Tyler Davis
were married on May 4, 2013. Tyler
graduated from Valdosta State University
with a degree in Criminal Justice. This
summer Katelan and Tyler returned to
Valdosta from Atlanta, and Katelan joined
the Valwood faculty as a Middle and Upper
School Spanish teacher.
Jon Miller ’05 and Maggie Karras ’08 are engaged to be married on
November 21, 2015. Jon earned his undergraduate degree from Auburn
University and his MBA from Mercer University. Jon works at Miller
Hardware and recently earned the North American Retail Hardware
Association’s “2015 Young Retailer of the Year” award. Maggie also
graduated from Auburn University. She earned her Master of Social
Work from Valdosta State University and is employed by the Valdosta
City Schools as the Homeless Case Manager.
Molly Roan Ferrier ’02 and James Ferrier
were married on April 25, 2015 in Jekyll
Island. Among the Valiants in attendance
were: Curry Thomas Anderson ’02, Luke
Cocke ’97, Gracie Crane Douglas’02, Maggie
Carroll Ferguson ’02, Thompson Gooding
’03, Jolie Hyatt ’02, Larry McCain, Alice
Thrasher Popielarz ’02, Rebekah Johnson
Stevens ’03, Brooks Thomas Vizzini ’02 and
Katie Harrell Wood ’02. Molly holds a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the
University of Vermont and a Master of Social Work from the University
of South Carolina. She is employed by Valdosta-Lowndes County
Habitat for Humanity. James is a graduate of Valdosta State University
with a degree in Computer Science and currently operates his own IT
business. Molly and James live in Valdosta.
Will Elliott ’06 and Gretchen Edwards are engaged to be married on
May 28, 2016. Will is an attorney with Elliott Blackburn & Gooding,
and Gretchen is Senior Marketing Specialist at South Georgia Medical
Center.
Zac Henry ’08 graduated from Auburn University in May of 2012 with
a Business and Finance degree and is currently a Loan Officer with
Fidelity Bank in Atlanta. Zac is pursuing his MBA from Georgia State
University.
Jessie Querin ’08 and Mike Bolster are engaged to be married on
October 17, 2015. Jessie is in her fourth year of veterinary school at
Auburn University.
Bianca Cooper ’09 graduated from the
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of
Mercer University and is currently an
Operating Room Registered Nurse.
Brooks Thomas Vizzini ’02, husband Jamey
and big sister Lanier welcomed daughter and
sister, Quinn Marie to the family on July 14,
2015. Brooks is the Account Manager for
Cooper, Simms & Mosley Insurance Agency,
and Jamey is the pastor of Cross Pointe
Church. They live in Peachtree City, Georgia.
Carter Karras ’09 and Cady Minor ’10 were
married last May and live in Birmingham,
Alabama. Carter earned his Master of
Accountancy from Auburn University last
August and works for
14
U P P E R
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N E W S
ET
NST S
SS PPEECCI IAALLE E
VV
EN
Mock Trial
Valwood’s Mock Trial team placed third in the Regional Competition in Valdosta
last January. Connor Smith won an award for Outstanding Attorney and Brenna
Wilson won as an Outstanding Witness. At the District Competition held in Albany
in February the team placed third – just one step away from qualifying for the State
tournament. At the District Competition Connor Smith and Arabi Luke won
Outstanding Attorney awards and Allie Maxwell won an Outstanding Witness
award. At the State competition Arabi Luke was inducted into the Class of 2014
Student Bar of Georgia. Additional team members were attorneys – Will Allen,
Connor Barnard, Will Hawthorne and Joe Stark, witnesses – Zach Barnard, Joe
Dame, Meagan Kimbrell and Shana Morman and the timekeepers were Christian
Gaytan, Hailee Hathcock and Kush Patel. Team Alternates were Andrew
Heckaman, Jack Helms, Avi Patel and Pavan Patel. The team was coached by Bobby
Stephenson and attorneys Will Elliott, Cathy Helms and Jeff Helms.
Valedictory Address
By Emily Jane Pascavage
Lieutenant Governor Cagle,
Trustees, Faculty, parents,
grandparents, friends, and other
distinguished guests, thank you for
being here to celebrate this great
day with us!
It is common, and perhaps even
expected, for the Valedictorian to
thank the people who helped her
achieve that outcome. There are so
many people I could and should
thank – many of whom are sitting
in this very room – and I will
thank them, privately and personally. I could not have earned this honor without them. It is also
common for the Valedictory speech to be about how much good
the class is going to do in the future and how far we are all
going to go. After all, the word valedictorian comes from the
Latin wally dec airy and means to say farewell – farewell to the
past…and hello to the future. Our future.
AP Scholars
Congratulations to Valwood’s students who were named as 2014 AP Scholars in
recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college level Advanced
Placement Examinations. 2014 graduates James Braswell, Gabe Garcia, Lisa
Garcia, Ruddy Parrott, and Maggie Scruggs and seniors Savannah-Jane Gilchrist,
Seth Golden, Will Hawthorne, Arabi Luke, Amanda Lupo, Allie Maxwell and
Joseph Stark, and juniors Jack Helms, Sara Knighton, and Kush Patel were
awarded this honor. AP Scholars receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP
exams. AP Scholars with Honor were graduates Madelynn Phan, Meghan
Veuleman, and Matt Williams and current seniors Bryce Everett, Lanier Langdale,
and Jason Papadopoulos. This distinction is awarded to students who receive an
average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on
four or more of these exams. Will Allen was named AP Scholar with Distinction.
Will received an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and grades 3
or higher on five or more of these exams.
But what is “Valwood”? It is not the buildings – as beautiful
as our campus is, the physical campus is not enough to define
our school or any academic institution. It is not the mission
statement – many organizations have a mission statement that
sounds terrific, but which fails to describe what actually occurs
or is actually produced. It is not the curriculum – we could have
earned many of the same credits elsewhere, taking the same
courses with the same names and using the same textbooks - or
(this being 2015) we could have earned those credits “online”
by attending “virtual school” using the “internet” and a
“computer”.
Sara Barrett, Carly Eaves, Sara Knighton, Anna Ma, Joyce Ro and Brenna Wilson
were selected to participate in Valdosta State University’s 20th Annual Sonia
Kovalevsky Math Day, a day promoting math and science careers for girls. Over
one hundred girls from approximately 20 schools competed on the math test, and
Valwood junior Anna Ma placed first, winning a $1000 scholarship to VSU, while
junior Joyce Ro placed 2nd and won a $500 scholarship to VSU.
Taylor Sanderlin, Grant McLendon and Ellie Stark
show off their Disney alter egos during
Homecoming Week!
15
The principles Valwood has instilled will definitely help us
succeed, but the difference with our class is who we are. We
help each other in times of need and enjoy each other’s company
when times are good. Like many of you, I am not a Jefferson
Cup recipient. Coming to Valwood meant leaving behind a
school that was comfortable, familiar, and, well…easier. No
doubt about it: it would have been easier if I had stayed at
Woodland High School. But it would not have been better. I
know that now, and in retrospect knew it all along. After all the
opportunities I have been given, I couldn’t possibly regret my
decision to come to Valwood. I would do it again in a heartbeat,
and I know that is true for all of us. In fact, I wish I had come to
Valwood sooner – and I know I am not the only member of the
Class of 2015 who feels that way. The atmosphere of Valwood
School is like a second home. The teachers are supportive and
caring. The students bring healthy competition and fun to every
aspect of the school experience. I can’t thank you all enough for
having enriched my life, and I hope that I have been able to
return that favor to you in some small measure.
All of us are capable of doing “hard work” now and then.
Valwood demanded something more of us than an occasional
burst of effort – it demanded a commitment to diligence,
organization, focus, and active attention to both the responsibilities which were imposed upon us and those for which we
volunteered.
Annual Sonia Kovalevsky Math Day
Girls Trio – Fran Plummer, Shana
Morman and Mary Peeples earned
First Place at the Region 3 AAA GISA
Literary Competition and Second
Place at the State Competition.
Working hard in high school was not easy – I don’t know
how many times I wished I were playing cards with my friends
or watching Netflix in bed, but when my motivation waned it
was almost always my classmates who were the ones who kept
me going. Countless group messages were created about study
sessions or how to prepare for an upcoming test. Many of the
nights I spent studying were fueled by caffeine, by anxiety…and
by the laughter and positive energy of my peers. Not only have
my classmates motivated me to work harder in an academic
setting, but a social setting as well. We studied together, we
played together, we served together… but it almost didn’t really
feel like service because when we gave back to the community,
we did it together and that made it fun.
Students from Mrs. Owen’s Honors Physics class
visited Wilson Eye Center to get some hands on
experience for their studies on optics. Looking
good!
I have heard my father say on more than one occasion that
the most important part of Valwood School, the most vital
component of Valwood’s success, is the peer group – the
students who populate the school and serve as friends, counselors, trainers, motivators, tutors, and advocates for each other. I
understand now that he is absolutely right, and for that reason I
want to use this opportunity to thank my peers, my classmates,
my fellow graduates in the Class of 2015 at Valwood School.
Allie, you are right: we ARE the greatest class in Valwood
School history, and because of Valwood our future is as bright
and promising as it could possibly be. It is now up to us to seize
the opportunity we have been given, and I am confident that we,
the Valwood Class of 2015, are up to the task.
No, fellow graduates, none of these adequately capture what
it is that makes Valwood so special, and so unique, and so
important for each of us, for Lowndes County, and for all of
South Georgia. I believe the answer is simple: we are Valwood.
We occupied those buildings…we played on those fields…we
performed on those stages…and we did so with distinction.
(And we are not finished – the baseball team still has a state
championship to win!) We accepted the challenge expressed by
our mission statement – academics, character, service – and
excelled like no class had ever excelled before: more HOPE
scholarship qualifiers, more Zell Miller Scholars, an unprecedented number of service hours (8147 to be exact)…the list
goes on.
Thank you very much.
Emily Pascavage, the Valwood Class of 2015 Valedictorian, is
the daughter of Darren and Andrea Pascavage. She will attend
the University of Georgia in the fall.
8
U P P E R
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N E W S
Congratulations Valwood Class of 2015
Congratulations once again to the Class of 2015! The final acceptances are in and following is the list of schools to which our students
were admitted: Andrew College, Auburn University, Berry College, Bowling Green State University, College of Charleston, University of
Cincinnati, Colby College, University of Colorado at Boulder, Denison University, Eckerd College, Emmanuel College, Emory University,
Florida Atlantic University, Florida Southern College, University of Florida, University of Florida (College of Engineering), Furman
University, The George Washington University, Georgia College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Regents University, Georgia
Southern University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Georgia State University, The University of Georgia, High Point University,
Kennesaw State University, LaGrange College, University of Louisville, Mercer University, Middle Georgia College, Mississippi State
University, University of Mississippi, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Oglethorpe
University, University of Oregon, University of Richmond, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at Newark, Savannah College of
Art and Design, Sewanee: The University of the South, University of South Alabama, University of South Carolina, South Georgia College,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Texas Christian University, Valdosta State University, Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech, The
University of West Georgia, College of William & Mary, Xavier University and Young Harris College.
William Vann Allen, Austin Cole Asbell, Connor Bradley Barnard, John Parker Bonner, Emory Chandler Cargile, Eli Briggs Carlo, Jonathon Bryant Carroll,
Jacob Aaron Chandler, Joseph Daniel Dame, Colby Belflower DeCesare, Kaden Ferrell Dimick, Zachary McLain Edmondson, Zane Stewart Edmondson,
Bryce Taylor Everett, Gavin Moye Faucette, Christian Anthony Folkerts, Christian James Gaytan, Elizabeth Holland Giddens, Savannah-Jane Gilchrist,
Seth Timothy Golden, Grace Elizabeth Guilliams, Kamie Rebecca Hartley, Hailee Jewell Hathcock, William Bailey Hawthorne, Daniel Micah Hodum,
Ginnie Bree Hunter, Alex D'Morea Jackson, Evelyn Lanier Langdale, Garrett Scott Lovell, Arabi Rayne Luke, Amanda Lee Lupo, Alexandra Tierney Maxwell,
Holden Trace McGlothlin, Charmarik Antwone Merine, Chase Michael Milburn, Jason Papadopoulos, Emily Jane Pascavage, Connor Ian Smith,
Joseph Paul Stark, Andrew Bayly Thompson, Anna Dianne Turner, Eric Michael Ward Jr., Kyle David Weeden, Stephen Lance Wilkes and Zilan Yang.
Seniors Honored with
Academic Scholarships
Academics, Character, Service
The following students were awarded academic scholarships at the colleges
and universities to which they will be attending in the fall: Christian Gaytan –
Savannah College of Art & Design, Elizabeth Giddens – Mercer University, Seth
Golden – LaGrange College, Grace Guilliams – Denison University, Ginnie Bree
Hunter – Andrew College, Jason Papadopoulos – Valdosta State University,
Connor Smith – Auburn University and Kyle Weeden – Xavier University.
7
In keeping with the school’s motto of Academics, Character,
Service, each year Upper School students are required to
perform 20 hours of community service. The following
students were members of the “100 Hour Club” working over
100 hours of community service for the year: Chandler Call,
Mills Culbreth, Zach Edmondson, Zane Edmondson, Bryce
Everett, Tyler Franks, Katherine Godbee, Kamie Hartley,
Lanier Langdale, Garrett Lovell, Allie Maxwell, Kush Patel,
Bayly Thompson, and Lance Wilkes. The following students
were members of the “100 Hour Club” for a second year in a
row: Sara Barrett, Colby DeCesare, Hank Evans,
Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Grace Guilliams, Will Hawthorne,
Victoria Maxwell, Shana Morman, and Emily Pascavage.
Additionally Elizabeth Giddens, Sara Knighton, and Brenna
Wilson were members of the Club for a third consecutive year.
Senior Hailee Hathcock was a member of the Club for 4
straight years.
GEORGIA GOAL
GEORGIA GOAL
Thank you parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, friends and corporations for your
participation the Georgia Tax Credit program in 2015. Since 2008 the state of Georgia has
allowed for the redirection of state income tax liability to a qualified student scholarship
organization for the purpose of need-based financial assistance. In 2014-2015 Georgia
GOAL provided scholarships for 85 Valwood students. Students receiving GOAL dollars
were enrolled in Lower, Middle and Upper School. Without your support, these students
would be unable to experience the benefits of a Valwood education.
Fernando and Caryn Alvarado
Craig and Jennifer Bishop
Ben and Jan Blanton
Vallye Blanton
Jonathan and Elizabeth Burns
Pat Cochran and Karyn Kunzelman
Colonial Bag Company
William and Lavonia Cowles
Lex and Donna Culbreth
Jeremy and Charlotte Davis
Marvin and Jacquelyn Dickey
Michael and Martha Dover
Michael and Kelly Drumheller
Gene and Marcia Felts
First America Home Medical Equipment Company
John Folkerts and Catherine Welsh
Eric and Stephanie Gee
Ronald and Beverly Giles
Brian and Pamela Griner
John and Rhonda Hamman
Hugh and Judy Hathcock and Family
Jack and Lisa Henry
Sam and Casey Hogan
James and Josette Ingram
Bill and Beverly Langdale
John and Suzanne Lastinger
Alex and Rudell Lawrence
Casey and Michele Luedke
Lee and Amy Mackey
Mac and Susan Mackey
Mary Catherine Mackey
Tommy and Wendy Miller
Kenton and Dawn Morrison
Doug and Stephanie Moss
Jonathan and Katie Parrott
William and Nancy Pegg
Terry and Shelly Persaud
David and Cecilia Pierce
Ferrell and April Scruggs
James and Deann Scruggs
Sue Nell Scruggs
Amanda Shapard
Leon and Valerie Smith
Jodie and Vickie Stevens
Daniel and Dana Swilley
John and Angela Swilley
Johnny and Wanda Swilley
Tim and Tanya Swilley
Trent and Holly Taylor
James and Carly Thomas
Billy Tidmore and Jennifer Lawrence
Harrison Tillman and Jan Loeffler
Rouse and Lynn Vallotton
Shawn and Wendy Vandemark
Eric and Kre Ward
Stewart and Barbara Williams
Hylda Wilson
Barry and Candace Witherspoon
David and Cheryl Wolfson
Bo and Pam Woodward
Tim Wright and Julie Nijem
Continued from Page 1 (Dr. Darren Pascavage)
master even two of those things!
Nevertheless, we know and understand from our own
experience that there is something to be said about the
relationship between the time one spends on something and the
degree of mastery that one achieves. We may not be able to
precisely quantify the relationship, but we certainly appreciate
the causal connection.
thought, practice, study and preparation to determine if the
conditions of Gladwell’s Law have been met, but the students
themselves can attest to the commitment required to perform at
such levels. I appreciate their effort, for its own sake but also
for the positive attention it brings to Valwood School, and trust
that you will join me in congratulating them for their good
work when the opportunity arises.
I hope to focus on the important notion of time this year in
considering how Valwood will continue to serve students well,
and how we might improve the program that we offer. It is
cliché to note that time is precious, but given that fact of human
existence it does make practical sense to consider whether the
current, traditional, and accepted allocations of time in school
are appropriate to help our students reach their goals. Such
consideration might be especially important in light of both the
opportunities and the threats that technology introduces with
respect to the best use of time.
Kind Regards,
Darren J. Pascavage, Ph.D.
Headmaster
This edition of Visions is replete with accounts of students
who have excelled in various areas of pursuit. I suspect that no
one has tallied the hours that these students have spent in
We should not forget that while the path to mastery may be
well-established and laid out for an individual to travel, he or
she must be the one who does the walking.
P.S. An important but typically overlooked aspect of Dr.
Ericsson’s work on expert performance is the internal drive of
individuals to improve. He writes: “The most cited condition
(regarding progress towards mastery) concerns the subjects’
motivation to attend to the task and exert effort to improve
their performance.” (p. 367, italics added)
16
of your life by remembering and thanking those who have helped you.
The future is bright for each of you. You are graduating at a time of
great prosperity and great opportunity. There are many different paths
that you can take from here, paths that will lead to crucial decisions that
will affect your life and determine who you will become. Most often you
will make the right decisions, but sometimes you will not.
And while there is no guaranteed formula for success, I would like to
share with you three life principles I learned long ago from Scripture that
have helped me make monumental decisions in my life. These are not new
ideas…and they are certainly not a secret. But they have shaped my life
and impacted every decision that I have made, and I am sure that they can
be helpful to you, regardless of your faith or religion.
The second principle is to love mercy. To love mercy is to aspire to be
someone who achieves greatness because of others, not instead of them.
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS
It is to understand that every man is your brother, that every woman is
your sister, and that every person deserves your love. It is to fill your heart
with compassion. To know that no matter where you came from, no
matter what your background, everybody deserves the opportunity to
achieve greatness.
Science Olympiad
Some years ago when I was in my Senate office and I received a call
from a constituent. He was upset and needed help. He told me that his
nephew had just come to live with him and he was having trouble getting
him enrolled in a new school. You see, this man’s brother had made some
very bad choices in his life, gotten involved with drugs and took his life
down a self-destructive path. Unfortunately, he was taking his child with
him. The man who called me had taken his nephew from a bad situation
and brought him into his home, determined to create a better life for this
innocent young person. He gave the boy shelter. He gave the boy a chance
at a better life. He did not have to, but he was living a life of mercy.
These principles are: Act justly…love mercy…and walk humbly.
Now these six words are not designed to tell you what to do with your
life in order to be successful. That would be too simple. And as we all
know, all things of worth…all things of value…come with hard work and
often great challenge.
But because he didn’t have custody of the child, he wasn’t able to give
the boy the opportunity for an education in his school district. This man
was just trying to do the right thing and government was standing in the
way. He was acting in mercy, but running out of options. I heard his plea
and knew that helping him was not just the right thing to do – it was the
only thing to do. So I set out to try and resolve the issue, and after several
different phone calls and letters on behalf of his nephew, we were able to
get him enrolled in a new school.
Your path to success will change often throughout your life, as did
mine. Twenty-five years ago, when I was around your age, I was running a
small business in Gainesville….already married to my high school
sweetheart and in no way on a path (I thought) that would lead me to
becoming Georgia’s Lt. Governor. But to every decision I made, I applied
the framework of choosing to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk
humbly on this earth.
I talked to the man 6 months after and he told me that not only has the
boy become a standout athlete on the football team but that he is making
straight A’s. The future looks bright for him now and it is all because of
his uncle’s mercy. I personally did nothing for that young man; I was
grateful enough to use the opportunities I have been given in my life to
serve that family.
Those three guiding principles can and will prepare you for a life
centered on what is truly important…a life focused not on self but on
service to others. Your path will change as mine did but the ultimate
measure of your success will not be what you did with your life, but the
manner in which you did it. How did you serve those on earth while you
were here? What was the legacy you left? Albert Einstein, someone who
truly understood this call to service, said that only a life lived for others is
a life worthwhile.
This brings me to my third point…to walk humbly. To walk humbly is
to recognize that you can always improve. That your success lies not from
what you have built in the past but in what you build for the future. We
are hands that are put here to do the work – not to take the credit. If you
can remember that, then walking humbly is easy.
Living those six words every day…and committing yourself to making
a difference, not just making a living…can help you achieve that
worthwhile life. A life with a legacy that never dies.
As some of you may know, I didn’t live a storybook childhood. I was
raised by a single mom who had to work two jobs to make ends meet.
There were some very hard times for our family. We didn’t have expensive
toys or designer clothes or a fancy house. I remember times when I would
come home for dinner and there would be barely enough food on the
table for my brother and me. Many nights, my mom only had enough to
feed us, while she had to go without.
To act justly is to understand that there are some things in life that are
non-negotiable. There are absolutes, a right way and a wrong way to act.
To speak honestly.
To work hard.
To expect nothing but the best from ourselves.
To act justly is to recognize that you do not reach a goal or achieve a
dream on your own. We therefore owe it to others to give more than we
have been given. To right a wrong even if it is not ours to correct.
Neither of those two jobs she worked was glamorous. Maybe they
were not her life’s goal, or very fulfilling. But my mom knew that it was
not status of the job she had that was important. What was important
was to live a life that was an example to her sons, to provide for us with
the best opportunities she could and to teach us that no matter where you
start out you can always end up successful.
The act of serving others is not about the kind of job you have. It’s
about using the talents, the abilities and the education you have been
given to serve others in the best way you can. Every one of you has this
opportunity through your words and through your actions.
And that’s exactly what my mom did. Raising us by herself she
achieved her own success by creating opportunities for us, the
opportunities that have brought me to this stage today. My life has been
shaped by the sacrifices that she made for me, just as your lives have been
shaped by the sacrifices people have made for you. We should never forget
those sacrifices. Remembering keeps us real, keeps us connected.
You do not have to be a public servant to serve the public. Those with
a commitment to serve are found in all walks of life and across all
professions. They are on the front lines of our society providing extra
guidance to that child in school, holding the hand of the scared patient in
the hospital and serving food to the homeless in the shelters. The greatest
acts of service are often unseen and in our own backyards.
To walk humbly means to keep your eye on where you’re going, but to
never forget where you have come from. To remember that it was those
who helped you,who have given you the chance to help someone else.
And it is your duty to take others with you on your road to success.
So act justly. Fill your life with a spirit of service. Make it your goal to
do what you can, when you can and as often as you can.
The Valwood School Science Olympiad Team placed third at the
regional competition held last February in Swainsboro and went on to
compete at the State competition last March in Atlanta. Individual
regional event medals went to the following students: 1st Place:
Chemistry Lab – Will Hawthorne and Jason Papadopoulos, Forensics
– Amanda Lupo and Jason Papadopoulos, Green Generation – Lanier
Langdale and Amanda Lupo; 2nd Place: Air Trajectory – Kush Patel
and Connor Barnard, Wright Stuff – Kush Patel and Connor Barnard;
3rd Place: Anatomy & Physiology – Jason Papadopoulos and Kush
Patel, Experimental Design – Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Will
Hawthorne and Lanier Langdale; 4th Place: Disease Detectives –
Lanier Langdale and Amanda Lupo, Technical Problem Solving –
Jason Papadopoulos and Sarah Godwin. At the State Competition
Jason Papadopoulos and Kush Patel earned First Place and a Gold
Medal in Cell Biology. Ribbon winners at the State Competition were:
Olivia Cox, Sarah Godwin, Will Hawthorne, Amanda Lupo, Jason
Papadopoulos, and Kush Patel. Other team members were Abhinav Dasyam, Bryce Everett, Meagan Kimbrell, Arabi Luke, Anna Ma,
Allie Maxwell, Emily Pascavage, Connor Smith, Jake Smith, Maggie Smith, Joe Stark, Brenna Wilson and Zilan Yang. The team was
coached by faculty members Joy Owens and Bucky Shiver.
National Honor Society Inducts New Members
The induction ceremony for new members to the Valwood
Chapter of the National Honor Society was held last spring in the
Godwin Holmes Arts Center. Dr. Darren Pascavage welcomed
the inductees, their parents, Upper School students and faculty.
Honor Society members are selected on the basis of scholarship,
leadership, service and character. The following Upper School
students were inducted into the National Honor Society: Sara
Barrett, Ben Browning, Evan Creamer, Kaitie Curry, Carly Eaves,
Jack Helms, Sara Knighton, Anna Ma, Garrett Moss, Emma
Parrott, Kush Patel, Tyler Richards, Joyce Ro, Sara Scruggs,
Connor Smith, Ben Trancygier, Peyton Trancygier, Hollis
Waldron, Brenna Wilson and Zilan Yang.
Valiant Award
Spirit Award
James Braswell returned to
Valwood to present the
Valiant Award at the May
Senior Banquet. James
received the award last year,
and this year the honor went
to Joe Stark. The award is
given to the senior who best
exemplifies the qualities of
school spirit, academic
endeavor and outstanding
citizenship. This fall Joe will
attend the University of
Georgia.
Will Allen was the recipient of
the Spirit Award given at the
May Senior Banquet. Last
year’s winner, Kate Evans
returned to bestow the honor.
This award is given annually to
the member of the graduating
class who embodies the spirit of
the School in all areas of school
life. Will will attend the College
of William & Mary in the fall.
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6
M I D D L E
S C H O O L
N E W S
OTHER NEWS
The Doug Henderson III Scholarship Fund
Buddy Johnson and Nicole Manwell visit during the
Middle School Veterans Day performance.
Our Middle School One Act actors competed successfully last November
at theState Competition – Lindsay Thomas was selected to the All-Star Cast!
The Doug Henderson III Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 to honor the
memory Doug Henderson III. Doug was an honor graduate at Valdosta High School. He
graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Accounting in 1998 and
earned his Master’s degree in Accounting from VSU while working for South Georgia
Medical Center. Doug was a very ambitious young man who strived to always do his
best. Doug was diagnosed with sarcoma, an aggressive, soft tissue malignant tumor in
March 2002. He accepted his diagnosis with a positive attitude, never giving up. He
grew in faith and hope during his illness and was a strong Christian young man, a great
example to everyone with whom he came in contact. Doug died in September 2003 at
the age of 27. Doug’s Foundation has awarded 149 $1,000 scholarships to high school
seniors. Additionally, his Foundation has donated to many charities and organizations
including Langdale Hospice House, the Boys and Girls Club, LAMP, FCA and many schools. The Foundation raises funds through its
annual Doug Henderson Memorial Golf Tournament. Pictured are Doug’s mother, Beverly Henderson and brother, Justin with his
daughter Jayce, and the 2015 Valwood School Doug Henderson Scholarship recipients: Colby DeCesare, Zane Edmondson, Garrett
Lovell, Bryce Everett and Hailee Hathcock.
Grandparents Day
Last April close to 300 grandparents visited the campus for Valwood’s annual
Grandparents Day. The grandparents enjoyed breakfast, meeting our Headmaster,
classroom visits, touring the facility and student performances. Save the date!
Grandparents Day April 22, 2016.
Eighth graders Valerie Zinn, Sarah Sable and Ashka Patel tour
Ford’s Theater while visiting Washington, D.C. last February.
Eighth Graders pose for a group photo after
performing “Tall Tales and Heroes” last May.
Anne Harvey Shaw with her grandparents
Harvey and Jessie Miller and Libby Shaw.
Jefferson Cup Reception
Last May Valwood honored the Jefferson Cup seniors and their families at a reception at the
home of Hugh and Judy Hathcock. The Jefferson Cup is awarded to members of the graduating
class who have spent their entire school career at Valwood. This year’s award winners were Will
Allen, Christian Gaytan, Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Kamie Hartley, Hailee Hathcock, Ginnie Bree
Hunter, Lanier Langdale and Anna Turner.
Caleb Vandemark, Seth Kipper, Aaron Mashburn, Austin Akins, Madison
Highsmith, Talley Petermann and Emily Clifton are in costume
and ready to perform for our Veterans!
Valwood Middle School’s Quiz Bowl team won the Region competition
in the Page Academic Bowl in January! Team members were: Abbey Bland,
Ben Breed, Cole Broomberg, Bailey Everett, Mary Lacey, Kasey McQuitty,
Erin Moss, Gabby Moss, Lucas Papadopoulos and Lindsay Thomas.
Valwood Parents Association
It is to be focused on the future, focused on making your world, the
world that starts in your own backyard, a better place.
So as you leave here today, be proud of where you are and look
forward to where you are going. But always be mindful of where you
have come from. And remember that the life that you look forward to
today is the life you have to look back on tomorrow. Make that life
worthwhile.
Act justly…love mercy…and walk humbly.
Derby Day! Caryn Alvarado, Stephanie Kurrie and Suzanne Tyrone
pose for a photo at the 43nd Annual Valwood Parents
Association Spring Auction last May.
Congratulations to Madeline Castor, Smith Shaw and Jolie Green
for being selected to the GISA Middle School All-Select Choir!
Congratulations on this great achievement and enjoy this victory
today. I for one look forward to seeing the great things that your
generation will accomplish.
The 6th graders explored the outdoors with Pathfinders last February.
5
18
Thank you all very much.
Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle
2014-2015 ANNUAL GIVING REPORT
GO BEYOND
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
CREATING A CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY AT VALWOOD
National Junior Honor Society
Gifts to the 2014-2015 Annual Fund
Thank you so much for your support of the 2014-2015 Annual Fund. We
raised more than $181,000 with 84% of our parents participating! Revenue
raised through the Annual Fund enhances all aspects of our school from
additions to the curriculum to the expansion of enrichment programs and
athletics. Your generosity was crucial to our success. Thank you!
Parent
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
Wright and Stephanie Kimbro*^
Ben and Wendy Neal*
Anna and Brandi Parks
KINDERGARTEN
Jason and Tabitha Barber
Tonya Brookhouser*
C.C. Chaitram and
Donna Garbett-Chaitram
Paul and Lisa Day**
Steve and Cathy Johnson*^
Shawn and Brianne Kelley
Adam and Jenna Murphy
Brant and Heather Pickard
Ashley Shapiro*
Jason and Katy Shaw
Janet Wilkins
Genny Wynn
FIRST GRADE
Preston and Melanie Coile
Thompson and Stephanie ’95 Kurrie
Sheree Macaroni*
Ben and Wendy Neal*
Maura Respess ’94
SECOND GRADE
Michael and Kelly Drumheller *
Terry and Leanne Griffin**
Jim Paulk*
Ashley Shapiro*
Eric and Kre Ward*
THIRD GRADE
Michael Anderson*
Jeffrey and Sonya Collins*
James and Jacqueline Lilly*^
Amanda Shapard**
Clint Smith***
Nic ’94 and Catherine ’94
Daugharty*
Sheree Macaroni*
Chris and Laura ’84 Michael**^
Maura Respess ’94
Lawrence**
Rachel Velez**
Eric and Kre Ward*
FOURTH GRADE
Fernando and Caryn Alvarado**^
Paul and Lisa Day**
Michael and Heidi Fafard**
Gabe Fisher*
Ashley Shapiro*
Rouse and Lynn Vallotton*
Julie Williams
SIXTH GRADE
Jamie and Ashley Brannen
Gabe Fisher*
Sam and Casey Hogan
Tripp Lester*
Michael and Amy Sharon**^
FIFTH GRADE
Paul Alvarado
Michael Anderson*
19
SEVENTH GRADE
Tonya Brookhouser*
Last March the induction ceremony for new members to the Valwood Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society was held in the
Godwin Holmes Arts Center. Dr. Darren Pascavage welcomed the inductees, their parents, Middle School students and faculty. The
National Junior Honor Society seeks candidates from the seventh and eighth grades who demonstrate excellence in the areas of academics,
service, character, leadership, and citizenship. Valwood Middle School welcomes the following Middle School Students into the National
Junior Honor Society: Benjamin Breed, Cole Broomberg, Sarah Kate Call, Max Culbreth, Trey Henry, Wade Holton, Billy McLendon,
Brooke Miller, Clark Miller, Clare Nijem, Lilly Parrish, Zach Paulk, Lauryn Robello, Gracyn Sanderlin, Lindsay Thomas, Josie Tidmore,
and Corey White. Vallye Blanton is the National Junior Honor Society sponsor.
Science Olympiad Team Finishes Second in the Region
Last March our Middle Schoolers participated once again in the Middle School Science Olympiad Competition finishing overall in Second
Place! Individual regional event medals went to the following students: 1st Place: Anatomy – Mary Lacey and Gabby Moss, Bioproess
Lab – Cole Broomberg and Caroline Evans, Can’t Judge a Powder – Cole Broomberg and Bailey Everett, Entomology – Will Lester and
Maddox Wood, Solar System – Cole Broomberg and Bailey Everett, Write It Do It – Ben Breed and Bailey Everett. Second place medalists
were Crime Busters – Gabby Moss and Ashaka Patel, Disease Detectives – Caroline Evans and Mary Lacey, Dynamic Planet – Marc
Brookhouser and Wyatt Willis, Elastic Launched Glider – Marc Davison Evans and Will Megow, Fossils – Billy McLendon and Maddox
Wood, Road Scholar – Caroline Evans and Billy McLendon. Third place finishers were Crave the Wave – Gabby Moss and Ashaka Patel,
Dynamic Planet – Ben Breed and Josie Tidmore, Fossils – Trey Henry and Seth Tillman, Picture This – Will Lester and Josie Tidmore.
Other team members were Paige Bland, Carsen Jane Carter and Sarah Sable. The team is coached by Max Stieve.
Geography Fair
Mrs. Sable’s 6th grade Geography students participated in a Geography Fair
last December. Each year the 6th graders select a country to research and to
present to their peers. The culmination of the unit of study is the fair where
the students are immersed in the culture of the country – donned in the style
of the country’s dress and preparing native dishes for their classmates.
4
Ellie Smith with her presentation on Norway.
L O W E R
S C H O O L
N E W S
Tom and Kelly Call*
Tommy ’88 and Debbie Nijem**
Lawrence**
K-Kids
Last year, the K-Kids Club organized a great community service project that will
ultimately affect people around the world - literally! Raising over $850 from the
Lower School dance: “Dancing Locally, Acting Globally” last October, the
Valwood K-Kids Club partnered with Heifer International to purchase animals
for needy families and communities around the globe. And after much discussion,
all the Lower School classes voted to buy a sheep, a pig, a goat, 20 flocks of
chickens and three sets of honeybees!
Read Across America
Our Lower Schoolers spent a week in
February “Reading Across America.” Once
every day, Librarian Leanne Griffin, walked
through the halls ringing a bell so the
students knew it was time to “drop
everything and read.” Each day of the week
was a different celebration – Fox in Socks
Day, Bling Day, Dr. Seuss Character Day,
Pajama Day and Safari Day.
Safari Time!
Cat in the Hat Third Graders
Field Day 2015!
Fifth Grade Explorers
Last fall in celebration of Columbus Day, our fifth grade students
each researched an explorer and, instead of building a ship this
year, they wrote obituaries and made tombstones. The “graveyard”
was displayed on Dasher Quadrangle.
Lower Schoolers race with a leaky bucket!
100 Days of School
In January our Kindergarteners celebrated 100
Days of School by dressing up as 100 year olds!
3
EIGHTH GRADE
Brian Lacey
Tripp Lester*
Casey and Michele Luedke*
Jim and Kim Megow*
Ashley and Melanie Moorman*^
Eric and Tara Moss
Regina Suriel
Deidra White*
NINTH GRADE
Carmen Booth**
Tom and Kelly Call*
Shad and Betty Dean
Mike and Heidi Fafard**
Lisa Gilchrist*
Angela Harris
Greg and Mary Ann Miller^
Anthony Scheffler and Kelly
Heckaman
Rachel Velez**
Deidre White*
TENTH GRADE
Mark and Cathy Buescher*
Jim and Julie Godbee***^
Jim and Kim Megow*
Jeff and Amy Smith
Tim and Nan Dame*
Lisa Gilchrist*^
Pilar Hansley
Gina Milburn
Ginger Moritz***
Darren and Andrea Pascavage**
Robert Stark and Maria Castellano**^
Regina Suriel
Eric and Kre Ward*
Faculty &
Friends
ELEVENTH GRADE
Lee Barrett
Kathy Curry
Russell Goldman
Jeff and Cathy Helms**^
Amber Kimbrell
Eric and Tara Moss
Frankie and Bobette Sapp
Steve and Patty Wilson***
Sarah Adler ’07*
Peter Allen*
Amazon Smile
Ashley Ammons**
AXA Foundation**
Drew Bailey
Teresa Bailey***
Tabitha Barber
Julie Barr***
Battelle*
Vallye Blanton**
Ashely Brannen
Angela Burnett**
Susan Colson
Ed Crane***
Karen Crump**
Cristie Dasher
Susanna Dover ’00
Carolyn Eager
Michelle Edwards*
Laura Elliott***
Susan Elliott***
Stacy Evans***
Cheryl Anne Figueroa
Fran Fuller***
Chad ’03 and Val Gallahan**
Jeanna Ganas
Leanne Griffin**
Charles Grimes***
Mendi Griner ’94*
Julie Guilliams**
Lisa Hale***
Rhonda Hamman***
Avonne Hartshorn***
Tiffany Hatfield
Zan Hatfield
Ashley Henderson*
Justin Henderson
Wade Henry ’05**
Zac Henry ’08**
TWELFTH GRADE
20
Alfred Hiers*
Cindee Hiers***
Jan Holmes
Katie Houseman***
John and Suzanne ’85 Lastinger***
Kim Lerstang
Tamar Levi
Michele Luedke*
Karen Marcellus**
LaVie Marshall***
Brett Martin***
John Miller ’77
Ben Montague ’06
Adam Murphy
Debbie Nijem**
Meredith Nuckols*
Joy Owens***
Ronda Paoletti*
Deidre Parramore***
Mitzi Parrish**
Darren Pascavage**
Mike Patrick
Heather Pickard
Pfizer Foundation
Publix Super Markets, Inc **
Jennifer Rasmussen***
Kayla Reeves
Trina Register*
Dianne Rigoni***
Lorie Sable**
Marti Schert**
Heather Shaw*
Robert Shipman*
Bucky Shiver ’00
Kelley Simms
Jay Sizemore*
Clint Smith***
Bobby Stephenson**
Max Stieve
Target***
Charlotte Thomas ’74**
Lynn Vallotton*
Joe Walker
Dennis Wall
Robyn Williams**
Genny Wynn
Grandparents
Joan Bellflower
Shirlee Carroll
Fred and Kay Durand**
Janie Smith Fink**
Sherry Fisher*
Patricia Heckaman
N.G. Houston
Bobby Kimble
Bobbie Lester*
Gloria McMurray
2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5
A N N U A L
Tom and Sue Miller*
Emelynn C. Odom**
Vicki Ray*
Dan and Marti Schert**
Lucy Nell Smith
Mala Vallotton**
Pfizer Foundation
Publix Super Markets, Inc.**
Mala Vallotton**
Rachel Velez**
Headmaster‘s
Council
Valwood Sponsor
(Gifts of $5,000 and up)
Lawrence**
Trustee’s Council
(Gifts of $2,000 to 4,999)
Anonymous
Battelle*
John and Suzanne’85 Lastinger***
John Miller ’77
Valwood Patron
(Gifts of $1,000 to $1,999)
AAXA Foundation**
Paul and Lisa Day**
Michael and Kelly Drumheller*
Jeff and Cathy Helms**
Bobbie Lester*
(Gifts of $500 to $999)
Tom and Kelly Call*
Ed Crane***
N.G. Houston
Bobby W. Kimble
Vicki Ray*
Frankie and Bobbie Sapp
Target***
Deidre White*
Valwood Supporter
(Gifts up to $499)
Sarah Adler ’07
Paul Alvarado
Amazon Smile
Michael Anderson*
Anonymous
Lee Barrett
Joan Bellflower
Carmen Booth**
Tonya Brookhouser*
Mark and Cathy Buescher
21
G I V I N G
Shirlee Carroll
Jeff and Sonya Collins*
Kathy Curry
Tim and Nan Dame*
Shad and Betty Dean
Susanna Dover ’00
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Durand, III**
Carolyn Eager
Cheryl Anne Figeroa
Janie Smith Fink**
Gabe Fisher*
Sherry Fisher*
Randy Gail Gaytan
Lisa Gilchrist*
Russell Goldman
Pilar Hansley
Angela Harris
Avonne Hartshorn***
Patricia Heckaman
Wade Henry ’05**
Zac Henry ’08**
Alfred Hiers*
Sam and Casey Hogan
Mr. and Mrs. Thad Hughes
Larry and Olesya Kenzel
R E P O R T
Amber Kimbrell
Thompson and Stephanie Kurrie
Brian Lacey
Tripp Lester*
Tamar Levi
James and Jacqueline Lilly*
Sheree Macaroni*
William and Gloria McMurray
Jim and Kim Megow*
Tom and Sue Miller*
Ben Montague ’06
Ginger Moritz***
Eric and Tara Moss
Ben and Wendy Neal*
Emelynn C. Odom**
Anna Parks and Brandi Parks
Jim Paulk*
Maura Respess ’94
Anthony Scheffler and Kelly Heckaman
Amanda Shapard**
Ashley Shapiro*
Jason and Katy Shaw
Jeff and Amy Smith
Lucy Nell Smith
Regina Suriel
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS
Lower School Service
Not to be out done by the service
minded Upper Schoolers, the Lower
School has incorporated “Service”
into the classroom. From walking for
cystic fibrosis to making birthday
bags for a local children’s agency to
making cookies for the Annual
Moody Holiday Cookie drive, Lower
Schoolers are giving of themselves to
a variety of projects!
Odyssey of the Mind
The fifth graders hosted a car wash last May to
benefit the Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes
County and raised over $1000. Lots of animals will
benefit from their hard work!
The fourth graders helped make some birthday
wishes come true for children in our community!
For the seventeenth year in a row our Valwood Valiants
participated in the Odyssey of the Mind competition. This year
four Primary teams performed the solution to the problem –
“Wacky Weather Warning” and the Division I team performed the
solution to the problem “Pandora’s Box.” One of the kindergarten
teams was coached by Tabitha Barber and the team members were
Paisley Barber, Sean Brookhouser, Zoe Doughty, Rumi
Garbett-Chaitram, Cade Longieliere and Ellianna Zinn. The other
kindergarten team was coached by Jessica Warren and the team
members were Ashlyn Johnson, Evan Schert, Anne Harvey Shaw,
Julia Soshnik and Kennedy Warren. The first grade team was
coached by Christy Musgrove and the team members were Will
Greene, Caroline Kerns, Cort Kurrie, Annabel Musgrove, Ryleigh
Reister and Will Tricket. The second grade team was coached by
Kerri Routsong with team members Sophia Hatfield, Murphy
Johnson, Jake Kerns, Jaxon Routsong, Taylor Sparrow and Gracie
Williamson. The Division I team was coached by Jacqueline Lilly
with team members Tonya Brinkley, Cadence Hatfield, Ean Henry,
William Kerns, Kennedy Lilly, and Lawrence Smith.
Lower School Class Plays
Each year every Lower School class performs a play for their parents and the other Lower School students. The performances are a variety
of themes from holiday celebrations to character lessons, but they are always an amazing display of creativity and accomplishment!
The first graders entertained the audience with
their “Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!” play.
Kindergarteners Emmett Street and Cade
Longieliere are sporting their Georgia t-shirts for
their “Interesting Facts about Georgia” class play.
2
Continued from Page 14 (Alumni News)
Valwood Graduation 2015
From the Headmaster
Amanda Lupo, Valwood Class of 2015 introduced the 2015
Commencement Speaker, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle.
In his 2008 book
Outliers, Malcolm
Gladwell popularized
what has come to be
known as the “10,000
Hour Rule” and which I
shall henceforth refer to as
“Gladwell’s Law.” This
rule stipulates that 10,000
hours of focused, attentive
practice is required to
perform complex tasks at
a level which could be
recognized as mastery. As
the name implies,
Gladwell’s Law was
formulated by Gladwell –
not by K. Anders Ericsson,
the professor upon whose
work Gladwell devoted an
entire chapter of Outliers – and is based on a well-designed but
limited study published in the Psychological Review (1993,
Volume 100, Number 3, pages 363-406 if you are interested)
focusing on two activities (playing the violin, playing the piano)
to identify expert performance as (in Ericsson’s words) “the end
result of individuals’ prolonged efforts to improve performance
while negotiating motivational and external constraints.”
“A successful entrepreneur and former State Senator, Casey Cagle made
history in 2006 by becoming the first Republican ever elected to
Georgia’s second highest office. In November of 2010 and 2014,
Georgia voters overwhelmingly re-elected Lieutenant Governor Cagle.
Raised by a single mother, he learned early the challenges that
single-parent families face. But with the love and support of his mother,
he overcame these challenges against many odds. His mother instilled in
him the values of hard-work and honesty that have defined his career in
public service. One of his many accomplishments since being Lt.
Governor is the creation of the Georgia College and Career Academy
Network, a partnership between local community leaders, school
systems, and Georgia’s technical colleges. Thanks to Lt. Governor
Cagle’s leadership, Georgia has 33 college and career academies today
with others coming every year.”
Thank you all very
much for allowing me to
speak to you today – it is
certainly my honor. Let
me begin by saying that I
have given many speeches
over the past 12 years.
Speeches to foreign
dignitaries, top business
leaders, and various
bodies of government and
political organizations
throughout our state. I
can say that none of those
events mean more to me
than being here with you
today, sharing in one of
the greatest
accomplishments of your
life.
Not long after Outliers had established itself on the New
York Times Bestseller List (where it remained for a full 11
weeks) both the general population and popular media had
accepted Gladwell’s Law prima facie, granted it the invincible
aura of empirically established scientific fact, and subsequently
applied it to any and all areas of human endeavor. Playing the
violin? 10,000 hours of practice. Whistling? 10,000 hours of
practice. Becoming a chess grand-master? 10,000 hours.
Rock-Paper-Scissors? 10,000 hours. Anything and everything, it
seemed, would require a minimum of 10,000 hours of focused,
attentive practice if one were to truly achieve mastery.
I have said time and time again that the key to success is a
strong educational foundation. The milestone you have reached
today marks the completion of that foundation, and you should
be truly proud of your accomplishment. Valwood School is one
of the best schools in Georgia. Each one of you has overcome
many challenges…worked very diligently….and has persevered
to get to this place today and to chart a course for a better life
for yourself, for your families and for generations to come.
Fortunately for schools, the universal application of
Gladwell’s Law has been thoroughly dismissed in the years
following the publication of Outliers. Simple math helps to
illustrate why I consider this to be good fortune: 14 years of
schooling x 180 days per year x 6 hours per day = 15,120 hours
of instructional time.
It was no small feat for you to get to this point and I am
personally proud of each of you. And I know that there are
many others in this audience who are proud of you as well. As
you celebrate today, you should take a moment to reflect on all
those present and unseen who have helped you on your journey.
Because you certainly did not walk this path alone. Parents,
grandparents, teachers, coaches, pastors and friends have walked
this road with you – sometimes holding your hand….sometimes
offering a friendly word of advice….and sometimes even
carrying you as you were too tired to walk. No one achieves
success alone, and I would encourage you to start the next chapter
A student who begins at Valwood in Pre-K, continues through
until graduation for 14 years, and never misses a day of
instruction would be subject to only slightly more than 15,000
hours of instructional time. Per Gladwell’s Law that’s only
enough time to master one-and-a-half things! It would be
difficult for this Headmaster to boast to prospective parents
about our students even having the reasonable opportunity to
“master” such academic and artistic domains as reading,
writing, mathematics, science, history, music, dramatic
performance, or fine arts if the empirically established scientific
facts allegedly contained in Gladwell’s Law revealed that there
were not enough hours in the career of a Valwood student to
Cover Photo: Class of 2015 Jefferson Cup Recipients
1
Eric and Kre Ward*
Janet Wilkins
Julie Williams
*Third consecutive year of gifts to
the Annual Fund.
**Fifth consecutive year of gifts to
the Annual Fund
*** Tenth consecutive year of gifts to
the Annual Fund
^Class chairman
Gifts to The
Legacy Campaign
for Valwood
School
Howard Hsu and Tamara Hardesty
The W.P. “Billy” Langdale Family
Foundation. Inc.
Jerry and Terri Lupo
Scott and Debra Petermann
Ferrell Scruggs Foundation
Jim ’89 and Deann Scruggs
Sue Nelle Scruggs
Mala Vallotton
Gifts in Kind
PricewaterhouseCoopers. Cady earned her Master of Communication
Disorders at Auburn University, and she is a Speech and Language
Pathologist.
Memorial and
Restricted Gifts
In May Elizabeth Holland ’11 graduated from the University of
Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Science with a Bachelor of
Science in Furnishings and Interiors. She lives in Atlanta and is a Design
Associate for Mallory Mathison, Inc. and C. Brandon Ingram Designs.
Phil Alday
Astro Exterminating
Blanton & Griffin Insurance
Vallye Blanton
Brad and Ann Burnette
Joe and Kathi Clifton
Kenny and Susan Crago
Kent Crago
Davis Stucco Inc.
First Federal Savings
Chad ’03 and Val Gallahan
Dr. and Mrs. William Gee
Bill and Jeannie Grow
Ned and Kelly Hansen
Jack and Lisa Henry
E. Cameron and Kathy Hickman
Jeff, Cathy and Jack Helms
Ronald and Susan Hogan
Justin Horne
Hugh and Judy Hathcock
Joiner Insurance Agency
Mike and Melody Lindsey
Chris and Pam Manwell
Michael and Teresa Maxwell
McKesson Foundation
Mink Chiropractic Center, LLC.
Nexxtep Technology Services
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Olson
Packaging Corporation of America
Josh and Joyce Pate
Vicki Ray
Jim and Monique Sineath
South Georgia Medical Center
Southwest Georgia Bank
State Farm Insurance
Charles Templeton & Family
Wright and Betsy Turner
Mala Vallotton
Bill and Susan Whitfield
Dr. and Mrs. Owen Youles
Lindsay Lastinger ’11 graduated from the University of Georgia’s
College of Education in May. She earned her undergraduate degree in
Exercise and Sports Science and is pursuing a graduate degree in Physical
Therapy at Mercer University’s College of Health Professions in Atlanta.
Alyssa Bradford ’10 graduated from Valdosta State University with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with an emphasis on
Public Relations. Alyssa lives in Charleston, South Carolina and has
worked for the Keystone Group, an agency for Keynote and Professional
Speakers.
Jessie Glassmire ’10 graduated in May 2014 from Pennsylvania State
University with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional
Management. Jessie currently lives in Washington, D.C. where she is a
Financial Analyst for LaSalle Hotel Properties.
Katie Querin ’10 lives in Stamford, Connecticut were she is an EMT for
and a member of the crew on the Schooner, “SoundWaters” – the
Teaching Vessel of Long Island Sound. The ship’s mission is to protect
Long Island Sound through education and to give every child the
opportunity to explore science in the real world. In November Katie is
off to Australia on another Tall Ship.
Summer Swindle ’10 graduated magna cum laude from the University of
South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality
Management with specializations in Club Management and Event and
Conference Planning. While an undergraduate Summer worked the
Masters Tournament in Augusta and was an Assistant Event
Coordinator with a country club in Lexington, South Carolina. Since her
May 2014 graduation Summer has moved to Orlando, Florida where
she is the Director of Operations for Festivals of Speed, a luxury lifestyle
event company.
Alex Elliott ’11 graduated in August from the University of Alabama
with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a major in Public
Relations. Alex has worked in Public Relations for Colquitt Regional
Medical Center, the Public Relations Council of Alabama and for the
Laps for Cystic Fibrosis campaign.
Andy Sundin ’11 graduated in May 2015 from the University of Georgia
with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with an
emphasis in Digital Marketing. He also earned certificates in Music
Business and New Media. Andy lives in Nashville, Tennessee where he
specializes in marketing for musicians – he has completed projects for
Thirty Tigers, Sony, Arista, Big Machine and Fat Possum. Some of his
artwork is posted and can be viewed on his website
Betty Googe
Scholarship
Darrin and Ann Layton
Ben Montague ’06
Maura Respess ’94
James ’91 and Carly Thomas
Valwood Class of 1994
Ben Broomberg
Meredith Crum
Jim and Susan Elliott
Mr. and Mrs. Johnny B. Lastinger
Karen Reissiger
Tillman & Tillman, LLP
Mendi Ray Griner ’94 and
Katherine Mathis Trickett ’94 with
Dr. Pascavage after making a gift
to the Betty Googe Scholarship
from the Valwood Class of 1994.
Valwood’s classes of 1999, 2000 and 2001 celebrated last July at
Ocean Pond. Shown here are Mae Roquemore Hicks ’00, Brooks
Platt Thomas ‘00, Thor Hahn’01, Jacob Cocke ’01, John Hobdy ’00,
Bryan Goodin ’01, Susanna Dover ’00, Richard Smith ’01, Justin
Hitch ’00, Scott Stamschror ’00, John Sineath ’99, Bucky Shiver
’00, Brad Douthit ’99, J.P. Cocke ’01, and Trent Matthews ’00.
22
VISIONS
4380 Old U.S. Highway 41 N
Hahira, Georgia 31632
VISIONS
Volume 15 - Number 1
A Magazine for Alumni, Parents, and Friends of Valwood School
Valwood School does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national or ethnic origin in any of its
policies, practices or procedures.
www.valwood.org
2015

Valwood Visions - Valwood School

Transcription

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