Coast Episcopal School Launches Capital Campaign ~ $474,149 Received in Gifts and Pledges to Date ~

In the spring of 2019, Coast Episcopal School partnered with the J.F. Smith Group – a fundraising consulting firm – to conduct a mini-feasibility study that tested the amount of support among our constituency to extend our Makerspace/Middle School capital campaign. After receiving positive feedback in the study, school leadership launched Phase 2 of the campaign, which will provide for additional investment opportunities to assist us in sustaining the level of excellence for which CES is known.

We have collectively titled Phase 1 and 2 Building on Our Tradition: A Capital Campaign for Coast Episcopal School. With a working campaign goal of $1,095,000, this campaign will enable us to further impact the leaders of tomorrow and sustain the level of excellence for which CES is known. In addition to the makerspace and middle school expansion and program enhancements, the campaign will fund:

• Renovation of the K-5 classroom space; new entry & exit doors, ceiling tiles & grids, flooring, paint, enhanced security, new phone system

• Campus beautification; new walkways, lighting & landscaping, playground & athletic space enhancements

• Air conditioning in the gymnasium; will equip the facility for outside groups and community engagements, extended PE programs, etc.

• Fund for Excellence; gives the school the ability to act on timely opportunities to enhance the student and faculty experience

We are excited to announce that we have raised $474,149 in gifts and pledges to date! This includes 100% financial participation from our Board of Trustees and generous leadership gifts made prior to the campaign.

This is a pivotal time in the history of our school, and we hope that you will prayerfully consider how your family can partner with us in this exciting opportunity!

Campaign Newsletter September 2019

Exterior rendering of the new CES Middle School and Makerspace area of the school Interior rendering of the Makerspace

Campaign Newsletter

From Interim Head of School Fr. Louis "Smokey" Oats Dear Coast Family, I’m in. I believe. I have seen what goes on around here, and I’m sold. Every day, in countless ways, I see children being raised right in the eyes of the world and the ways of God. Shepherd training, not sheep tending; leaders molded, not followers directed; joy and delight in learning, not drill and kill busywork; imaginations unleashed and creativity celebrated, not mindless routine and paint-by-numbers lessons. I’m in. I’ve made my pledge and will cut a check before I drive north from Long Beach. As your interim head of school, I invite you to join me in building on the Coast tradition and setting a proper launching pad for educating children now and for the next 70 years. I believe in your children, the students of the Mississippi coast. I have seen their promise and hope you, too, will recognize and support your legacy in a gift to our capital campaign.

"As an alumna, I’ve had the privilege of being a part of the Coast Episcopal family for over 30 years. Now that our four girls are here, I’ve found the importance of advancing Coast Episcopal School to reach its full potential. I not only want our children to have the educational, spiritual and developmental experience that I was so blessed to have known, but I feel there is a need for this sacred place to thrive for the

many generations to come. There have been so many great ideas and programs we have wanted to implement, but funding is often an

issue. Coast Episcopal, in almost 70 years, has never had a capital campaign. Now is the time to strengthen our program, to implement

our plans and to make our vision a reality."

– Whitney Eastman Miller, Campaign Co-Chair

Words from our Campaign Co-Chairs

"I am honored to be a part of the Building on Our Tradition capital campaign. As we work together to achieve the campaign goal, I

believe CES will see more than tangible growth in facilities and student enrollment. The faculty, students, families, and other

supporters have the potential to experience growth in gratitude, faith, and community. I look forward to seeing what we can do when

we come together to support this place we love. Coast Episcopal is already a phenomenal school, and the future is exciting!”

– Jane Varner, Campaign Co-Chair

1. How did you become involved with NHCS? We have been a NHCS family for four years. My husband, Chad, and I have two daughters who attend NHCS (Riley, Kindergarten, and Raegan, 4th grade). NHCS provides an education for my children that is in alignment with our family’s Christian beliefs. Providing an excellent education for my children that is biblically based is extremely important to me and my husband. 2. Why do you believe NHCS is important to the community? NHCS provides families in Salisbury, Rowan County and surrounding areas with an excellent private education choice that integrates Christian principles. The mission of the school “to equip the hearts and minds of students to impact the world for Christ” will make a difference in our community. 3. Why did you choose to get involved in the capital campaign as the campaign

chair? NHCS students and faculty deserve facilities that support the excellent education they receive and give. I am passionate about ensuring our students and teachers have modern and appealing facilities, and as a result, I felt called to lead this effort. 4. How will the proposed projects change the future of NHCS? NHCS is currently in need of improved facilities, and this will enable the school to handle these improvements as well as plan for future anticipated growth. 5. What would you say to others to encourage them to join the campaign either

financially and /or as a volunteer? This capital campaign is necessary to support the future of NHCS. Without the related funding, our school facilities and resources will not meet the needs of our current and future students. At such an important time of influence for our children, it is critical that NHCS continue to provide an educational choice that is Christ-based. This campaign ensures the development of young hearts and minds through the continued work of God in our community.

Anonymous Foundation Will Ashley Tammy and Mariano Barvie Dody and Kyle Bennett Alisa Bethea Melissa and Kris Brown Deseraie and Bo Cain Caroline Cervera Amy and Ray Cox Elizabeth and Kile Foster Tiffany and Rhett Harris Stacey Johnson James Kostmayer Maggie Kowalski Anita and Hutson Lambert

Thank You to our Campaign Donors! (names as of September 18, 2019)

What is a Makerspace?

Our Mission: Coast Episcopal School is dedicated to a life-long love of learning by developing the whole child, mind, body and spirit, and

by providing a joyful, unique, and nurturing Judeo-Christian community that inspires its students to imagine and create a better world.

The makerspace at CES will provide each student with a unique hands-on and practical experience that goes beyond supplementing what they are learning in the classroom, but provides them additional support surrounding critical thinking, problem-solving, media navigation, collaboration, evaluation, and distributed cognition. Our students will be exposed to both physical and digital fabrication tools such as 3D printing, laser engraving, media production, woodworking, crafting/sewing, introductory programming, and much more. The makerspace will also serve as an innovative hub to inspire our students to find solutions to everyday problems surrounding accessibility and sustainability in our homes and local community, while also thinking toward global solutions.

Laura and Peter Lucore Kim and Kennon McWilliams Whitney and Martin Miller Vicki Miller Betsy and Rea Montjoy Margaret Murdock Ruth and William Murdock Louis "Smokey" Oats Liz and Brandon Paige Kelly and Robbie Pitre Emily Anne Pertuit Marcie and Doug Power Jennifer and Patrick Sanders Julie Scialdone

Rachel and Frank Scott Wynn and Bill Seemann Nancy and Jerry Smith Renee and Walker St. Paul Anna and Justin Taylor Kathy and Mike Terrell Lindsay and Mike Thompson Cary and Casey Trapani April and Chris Ulmer Joy and Jan van Meerveld Jane and Matt Varner Jesmyn Ward Colette and Johnny Weber Amanda and Adam Wood Liz and Mark Young

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be involved with Coast Episcopal for the past 25 years. The school not only enriches the lives of students and families, it also makes the community we

live in a better place.” – Wynn Seemann, Honorary Campaign Chairman

Donor Spotlight ~ Honorary Campaign Chairman

To know them is to love them. Bill and Wynn Seemann have been a fabric of the Coast Episcopal School community for over 20 years. Their commitment to educating the whole child, mind, body, and spirit has been unwavering through their involvement in the Gail Keenan Art Center, Board of Trustees, Toast to the Coast, and the CES scholarship fund… and now the CES Makerspace.

Bill, a maker in his own right, has taken his dream to the design table and brought it to life by constructing a place where CES students and community may do the same. His vision and dedication to this project have been inspiring and this incredible new program is only possible through Bill and Wynn’s generous leadership gift to Coast Episcopal School. We are infinitely grateful.

It is with great honor and pleasure that we introduce Wynn Seemann as Honorary Chairman of Building on Our Tradition.

Coast Episcopal School 5065 Espy Avenue

Long Beach, MS 39560 giving@myces.org

www.CoastEpiscopalSchool.org

Wynn and Bill Seemann