MAGAZINEFPD

David Walton42 years of devoted service to FPD

SUMMER 2013

FPD MagazineFirst Presbyterian Day School5671 Calvin DriveMacon, Georgia 31210Phone: (478) 477-6505www.fpdmacon.org

Administration and StaffGregg Thompson, HeadmasterDr. Barry E. Shealy, Assistant HeadmasterJoseph Childs, High School PrincipalMolly Pearson ’87, Middle School PrincipalWade Putnal, Elementary PrincipalKris Cutright, Instructional Support DirectorCharles Parrish, Chief Financial OfficerJennifer Barfield, Advancement DirectorCheri Frame ’89, Enrollment DirectorGreg Moore ’84, Athletic DirectorBrad Thompson, College CounselorAndrew Strickland, Fine Arts DirectorDavid Bass, Technology DirectorCal Powell, Communications Director

2012-13 Board of TrusteesMr. Danny Smith, ChairpersonMrs. Saynor Foshee ’86, Vice ChairpersonMr. Cole Tidwell ’88Mr. Rick BonfimMr. Jay Strickland ’81Mrs. Lara CarltonThe Rev. Chip Miller, Ex OfficioMr. Charles ScurryMr. Paul CableMr. Henry HicksMrs. Tracy JonesMrs. Patti MartinMr. Gregg Thompson, Ex OfficioMr. Steven Rumford ’99

Design: Cal PowellWriting: Cal Powell, Greg MooreCover: Steve PenleyPhotography: Cal Powell, Tyler ShoresPrinter: Panaprint

FPD Magazine is published by the First Presbyterian Day School Advancement Office. Contents may be re-printed with permission of the school. For questions or comments, e-mail cal.powell@fpdmacon.org

HeadmasterFROM THE

Dear FPD family and friends,

It’s hard to believe our youngest, Jonathan, was in this year’s graduating class. The years have flown by!

Beverly and I count it a real privilege to have all four of our kids graduate from FPD and for each to have benefitted from our school’s incredible teachers, coaches and directors. The Lord has certainly brought an exceptional group of educators to the Day School.

Knowing the history of our school, this is a characteristic that has been consistent over FPD’s 43 years – teachers who are gifted educators, who are highly relational and who are committed to growing in their relationship with Christ.

One special teacher who’s been changing hearts and minds at FPD for God’s glory is Mr. David Walton. This edition of FPD Magazine seeks to honor his faithful devotion to his students for the last 42 years!

Mr. Walton, all who have had the privilege of being your student or colleague say a hearty thanks for your friendship, constant encouragement and unfailing support in helping each of us strive to honor our Lord with our best.

We wish you the best as you enjoy a much-deserved retirement! We know you won’t be a stranger around here and will look for you on campus often.

Because He is faithful,

Gregg Thompson

4

contents

ON THE COVER 4COVER STORYFPD says goodbye to English teacher David Walton, who retired this year after a 50-year career in education.

33AUSTIN CHILDERSThe football field will soon be dedicated in honor of 2009 grad Austin Childers, who has inspired countless people with his courage and faith.

10CLASS OF 2013This year’s graduating class was a close-knit group that will send students to 34 colleges in 14 states across the country.

38FACULTY PROFILESVeteran educators Dianne Hattaway and Robyn Robertson share their love of learning and love of FPD.

FPD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013

10

33

First Presbyterian Day School (FPD) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or physical handicap in its educational programs or activities, including admission and employment. FPD does not discriminate on the

basis of gender in the education programs or activities it operates, including admission and employment.

MAGAZINEFPD

Internationally-acclaimed artist Steve Penley, a 1983 FPD grad, honors his former English teacher, David Walton, with this painting.

End of an EraDavid Walton, who began teaching English at FPD in 1971,

retired this year after a 50-year career in education. He leaves behind a legacy of service, faith and a passion for learning.

There are cameras in the classroom on the first day of his last year as a teacher. A local news station is here to capture the his-toric moment for posterity.

David Walton tries to carry on as usual, with cameras clicking and humming about him, urging the students to disregard the pomp and pageantry.T

adverbsJABBERWOCKY

conjunctions

1973 1981 1992

“I’m going to tell you something right off the bat,” he says to the assembled seventh graders in his third period class in room 202. “This year in English 7, you’re going to work hard, you’re going to learn a lot and you’re going to have fun in the process. Notice I said that. Yes I did. We’re going to enjoy the ride. Now that doesn’t mean every day is going to be all fun and roses. But the overall experi-ence will be English 7 was a class that I enjoyed.”

The 20 or so students appear somewhat ill at ease, a little in awe, maybe. Some giggle nervously.

In that familiar, distinctly Southern lilt, Walton launches into a definition of literature, pronouncing every syllable perfectly (“lit-a-rah-tour”), a walk-ing, living lesson in diction with an almost aristo-cratic flair.

The students shuffle in their seats. Surely by now they’ve heard of Mr. Walton, like every rising FPD seventh grader before them, dating back to 1971.

The stories told of his class are practically things of legend.

As they sit there thinking of it all, watching this man perform, as if on a stage all by himself, with cameras there to record every motion, Walton intro-

duces them to his favorite poem.“Jabberwocky,” a nonsensical poem full of made-

up words about a mythical winged beast, was writ-ten by the English poet Lewis Carroll in 1871.

It was made famous, though, by the first son of Bill and Elizabeth Walton of Macon, Ga.

“’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe ...”

It is somewhere in the reading of the whimsical tale, between the “frumious bandersnatch” and the climax when the hero goes “galumphing back” with the head of the creature, that Walton hits his full stride.

By CAL POWELL

Mr. Walton’s first teaching contract from March 1963 is shown here. He was later assigned to Riley Elementary, where his principal was future FPD assistant headmaster Russell Floyd.

First FPD contract, signed by headmaster Henry Middlebrooks and board chairman Ren W. Milor, dated March 20, 1971.

His pre-teen audience stares at him in some-thing resembling amazement as Walton continues, carrying his students to a foggy, faraway place in make-believe land, where dragons wander and brave warriors seek their destruction, where words are powerful and where imaginations soar.

It is the place where Walton is most at home, here in a classroom full of students.

The poem draws to a close, with Walton repeat-ing the opening stanza:

“’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.” He allows for a brief pause. The room is silent.

Then, Walton speaks.“Poetry expresses thoughts in beautiful, different

ways from short stories and long novels,” he says. “I love poetry. I hope you’ll learn to love it too.”

So begins Walton’s 50th – and final – year as an educator, and as he continues talking, you can’t help but wonder about all the man has seen and all the lives he’s touched since he first darkened the doors to a classroom, way back in 1963.

A heart for teaching

Bill Walton worked in the maintenance division at Robins Air Force Base.

He left home every morning at 5:30. When he returned home at 5, his wife, Elizabeth, had supper on the table.

Bill’s son, David, became somewhat of a crea-ture of habit at an early age.

“To this day, when it gets around 5 or 5:30,” Walton says, “it’s time to eat.”

It also explains why Walton’s little red Toyota truck was parked in the same spot, at almost exactly the same time (a solid hour before the first bell), in the FPD parking lot each morning for at least the last decade.

Walton’s maternal grandfather, John W. Ballard, was a Baptist preacher from Macon and one of Walton’s earliest influences.

The story is told that when Walton was a boy of 4 or 5, he broke free from his mother and wan-dered up to the pulpit where his grandfather was preaching.

“I put my arm around his leg and he ended his

Neither the weird financier nor the ancient foreigner seizes leisure at its weight

1944 1968 1976

sermon with that,” Walton says, still smiling at the more than 60-year-old memory.

It was in a church where Walton got his first taste of teaching. He was 15 years old, called to teach a Sunday school “beginner’s” class.

“I knew even when I was in middle school that I wanted to teach,” Walton says. “I didn’t know exactly what or where, but the Lord just instilled that in me.”

The beginning

Walton’s first teaching job was at Joseph B. Riley Elementary. He was 22, a recent graduate of Mercer, and he soon found himself staring at 41 seventh graders.

“I had to teach every single subject,” Walton says. “Math, science, and back then social studies was far more some-thing than it is now. You had a geogra-phy book and a history book and you studied both of them.”

One of his students during Walton’s years at Riley was Buddy Judd, who now runs a publishing company in Macon.

By his own account, Judd was not the model student. When he entered Walton’s class as a seventh grader in 1968, something changed, Judd says.

Walton made learning interesting.“He just instilled in me an opportu-

nity or desire to learn something, to get more out of it than what I was get-ting,” Judd says. “There was a way to

COVER STORY: DAVID WALTON

20131987

Neither the weird financier nor the ancient foreigner seizes leisure at its weight

FPD Magazine Summer 20138

1981do it that wasn’t so atrocious as some of the other teachers I had. If I had to point to a turning point in my life, it would start in that seventh grade year as far as my school life was concerned. He put me on the road to a different mindset.”

Walton’s principal at Riley was Russell Floyd, who left in 1970 to take a job as assistant headmaster at a new Christian school that was set to open in August, First Presbyterian Day School.

Sometime in the winter of 1971, Walton met with FPD headmaster Henry Middlebrooks about a seventh grade English vacancy.

On March 20, 1971, Walton signed the first of what would be 42 consecu-tive contracts to teach at FPD – he still has copies of all of them – and that’s where this story really begins.

He was paid $8,704 a year.

The Jabberwocky

Despite all the lessons on gram-mar, sentence structure, writing, reading comprehension and literature analysis, Walton realizes he is per-haps best known for his recitation of

Carroll’s “Jabberwocky.”The two will forever be linked in

the minds of the thousands of students who have entered his classroom.

A few years ago, one of his former students even sent Walton a photo-graph of himself in front of The Jab-berwocky Restaurant, somewhere out in Texas.

Walton can’t recall his first en-counter with the poem, only that it happened during his college days at Mercer.

“We had to pick a piece of litera-ture, memorize it and promise to use it every year in class,” Walton says. “I have kept that promise.”

Legacy of love

Shortly before the dreaded day when Walton was to retire, FPD middle school principal Molly Pear-son solicited letters from current and former students to present to Walton as a gift at the year-end assembly in his honor.

The response was overwhelming.Nearly all of the letters reference

“Jabberwocky,” of course, or the funny way in which Walton shakes his head and pronounces “conjunctions.”

But to a person, every student men-tioned Walton’s tenderness.

“Thank you so much for everything you taught me inside and outside of the classroom,” one letter begins. “You always challenged me to be a better student, but you also chal-lenged yourself to love your students on a deeper level. You always loved me with a Christ-like love, even when I least deserved it.”

The letter continues:“I pity all the students who won’t

have you as their teacher, but I know you will never stop impacting people with your love for Jesus. I cannot fully explain to you how thankful I am

FPD Magazine Summer 2013 9

COVER STORY: DAVID WALTON

2013to have met you. You were the best teacher I ever had.”

Fifty years

Walton does not like to talk about his “legacy.”

He is grateful to have taught for so long in a place he calls home.

He cherishes the precious memo-ries of colleagues and friends, recall-ing the funny ones and still choking back tears at the painful ones, like the day seventh grader Gil Cutright died of a congenital heart defect dur-ing a basketball practice.

“He was in my fourth period class,” Walton says. “When that fourth period class came to me that day ... wow. Wow. I’m sure I tried my best to hold it together, but I have no idea what I said.”

Through it all, there was a sort of family atmosphere to FPD that kept Walton going.

“I felt at home here,” he says of FPD, tears welling in his eyes. “I felt that the Lord maybe planted me here, that maybe he wanted me to grow here.”

A former student tracked Walton down through Facebook a while back. They shared a few old stories and she told him that she still recalls the blessing he used to recite to his students prior to lunch.

It was the same blessing that Wal-ton’s own seventh grade teacher had taught him so many years before:

“We thank thee, our father, for life, for love, for friends, for food, for the good in the world, and for the op-portunity to serve you by serving our fellow men. Amen.”

Walton repeats the blessing now through tears. It’s his last day of school, ever, and the emotions flow.

“This is a day I do not look for-ward to,” he says.

A few days later, Walton would be back in room 202, his grandson Will at his side, packing up all the books and papers and other assorted mementos collected along the way.

He tries to work quickly, methodi-cally, but it would take longer than expected. How do you box up 50 years of memories?

Before he leaves, he takes a mo-ment to sit down at his desk and write a short note to his replacement.

“I trust you enjoy and love your time here as much as I have,” he writes. “It’s a great place!”

He signs it “God’s blessings, Da-vid Walton.”

When he’s done, he gets back into his little red Toyota and drives home.

He takes a left onto Foster Road and his truck disappears down the street beyond the curve, boxes of memories as his companion.

In the summer of 1966, David Walton was in the library at Georgia College in Milled-geville, studying for a master’s degree.

He began chatting with a young teacher, Janet, who was there for the same reason.

Two years later, they were married.

Walton would spend 50 years as an educator, including the last 42 at FPD, where he taught English 7 and served as elementary school principal from 1981-2002.

Janet was the FPD librarian for 23 years.

FPD will honor the Waltons’ combined 65 years of service, fittingly enough, when the school designates a section of the library as the Janet and David Walton Reading Room.

Friends have made dona-tions in recent months toward the project. The room will be housed in a glass-enclosed section of the library and will contain a collection of some of the Waltons’ favorite literary works, along with the portrait of David Walton provided by FPD’s own Steve Penley.

School plans to dedicate Walton Reading Room

Class of 2013

BY THENUMBERS

79graduates

32honor

graduates

34colleges

Class of 2013

14states

hoursappointments

2military

10,455community service

FPD Magazine Summer 201312

Marching On

FPD Magazine Winter 2013 13

In his commencement address to FPD’s 39th graduating class, longtime English teacher David Walton quoted from one of his favorite writers, Dr. Seuss.

“Oh, the places you’ll go,” he said, quoting the famous lines.

The Class of 2013 will end up all over the map, actually.

Graduates will attend 34 colleges in 14

states, with two of them being military appointments to West Point and the Air Force Academy.

“This tight-knit group will now become one of the most geographically diverse matriculating classes FPD has ever known,” college counselor Brad Thompson said. “We are so proud of them and wish them the very best in the future.”

Here’s a closer look at six of our graduates.

college choiceGeorgia Tech “I have always been interested in the field of engineering, and I knew that Tech was the best engineering school in the state. After visiting the school, I fell in love with the campus and knew that it was the best fit for me.”future plans“I plan on studying mechanical engineering, but I’m not sure yet as to what career I want to go into.”activities/honorsFootball, Wrestling, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Honor Council, Spanish Club, High Honor Roll, Highest GPA in class (10th and 11th grades), Salutatorian, Senior Superlative, AP Scholar, Wofford Scholar, Georgia Certificate of Merit, PC Fellow (Presbyterian College) Awardquotable“What I will miss the most about FPD is the warm and welcoming Christian atmosphere and the close-knit environment. I love the fact that everything that takes place at FPD is Christ-centered, and I also love that I was able to get to know everyone in my class on a personal basis.”

college choiceMecer University“It was just what I was looking for. I wanted a smaller college with everything a large college would have. I love the idea of small classes and having a relationship with my professors. I don’t want to be just another face in the crowd. I believe Mercer is perfect for me and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for my future there!”future plans“After I complete four years of undergraduate school at Mercer, I plan to attain a nursing degree and hopefully work at the Children’s Hospital here in Macon.”activities/honorsVarsity cheerleader, Project L.E.A.D, community servicequotable“If I had to choose, I would definitely say spirit week my senior year is one memory that I will always remember. Lining up on the road at 7:30 in the mornings, participating in the penny potato relay with Corrie Peake, and winning first place our last year, those will always be memories that I will look back on and miss. ... The thing I will miss the most about my time at FPD is by far the teachers. They put forth so much time and effort to teach us, help us succeed and help us grow in our spiritual lives. No matter how their morning was, they are going to say something to you that will brighten your day. I know if I ever need someone to talk to, I can always come back to FPD and someone will be there just to talk and catch up.”

BENNETT HUMPHRIES rebekah coon

FPD Magazine Summer 201314

college choiceMiddle Georgia State College“I chose it so I can get my core classes out of the way and stay close to my family. After 30 hours of class I plan to attend North Georgia University and join the ROTC program.” future plans“I plan to do the cadet program at North Georgia and join the army. I’m not sure about a major yet.” activities/honorsFPD Beacon (advisor to middle school boys, where he met weekly to encourage and listen), chosen to represent the state of Georgia at the Hugh O’Brian World Leadership Conference in Chicago, established a non-profit organization called Childers’ Children, dedicated to helping children going through chronic and lengthy stays in the hospital by providing blankets and toys, etc. quotable“The close relationships I’ve made at FPD has been like an extended family to me. Seeing these family members in the hallway always cheered me up.”

college choiceWake Forest University “I wanted a school that really prepared its students for life in such a way that, no matter what each individual chooses to do, someone will be impacted by a student somewhere. Wake Forest has so many opportunities for students to go out and serve their fellow man, whether it be through feeding the homeless, taking a mission trip or through teaching, and that was something that really stood out to me.”future plans“I plan to major in English and minor in Spanish or History. After graduation, I intend to pursue a doctorate in English Literature. My grand plan is to become a professor of English Literature with a focus on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien.” activities/honorsMarching band, chorus, theatre department, swim and cross country teams, The Edda editor, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Graduated Honors with Distinction, Salem College Alumnae Association Book Award, University of St. Andrews Summer Programme quotable“I have many other memories that I hold dear, but if I had to choose just one, it would have to be spending an entire lunch period debating various theories about the movie Donnie Darko and not realizing how much time we had spent on it until the sixth period bell rang. The debate was complete with two boards worth of diagrams and theories and ended with Mrs. Weems charging the six of us who had stayed behind with writing our own version of the movie and assigning each of us a separate part to write.”

GARRETT CHILDERS GRACE YOUNG

college choiceBard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.“Bard College is a prestigious college in the north and is particularly famous for its arts program. Bard is located in a gorgeous town by the Hudson River in upstate New York. I kinda enjoy the whole campus setting there. And the school is small and intimate. The largest class only has about 40 people.”future plans“I’m planning on going to grad school to get my master’s in fine arts and possibly my doctorate in art history or something similar. And hopefully I can become a professor or assistant professor.”activities/honorsGraduated Honors with Distinction, National Honor Society; AP Scholar, swim team, chorus, FPD Theatrequotable“My favorite memory will definitely be the time I spent in the theater and Mrs. Butler’s art class. It’s a place I could just be myself.”

college choiceSouthern Methodist University“I chose SMU because I wanted to go somewhere out of state. SMU really stood out because it has a beautiful campus and it is in a great city (Dallas). SMU was different from the other schools that I looked at because it was a smaller university, and when I visited, it really felt like where I was supposed to be.”future plans“Right now I am planning on majoring in Inter-national Business.”activities/honorsVarsity cheerleading, competition cheer, National Honor Society, Project LEADquotable“The thing I’ll miss the most about FPD are my friends and the FPD family. I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime and the FPD family feels like home. The teachers at FPD truly love and care about all of us and I will definitely miss that. FPD has been my home for the past 13 years and it will be a part of me forever!”

nicholas shao maury saitow

University of MississippiAlysha Amerson

Southern Methodist UniversityMaury Saitow

Virginia TechAddison Ruble

Georgia College & State Univ.Conner AlbrightNancy BerknerKristen CallawayAbby DeckbarConner GettmannPatrick HagueKaty HallHunter HotchkissTanner JohnstonDaniel JonesKathryn LylesMacy PamBonnie ScurryDylan StokesConnor Tolbert

Air Force AcademyGrace Tinkey

USMA at West PointScott McCormick

ClemsonDaniel Strawn

University of WyomingCarolyn McDonald

ABACJenna ByrdDylan LilesMegan Pittman

University of GeorgiaKinsey CutrightLauren EllardKristin FillingimSierra HerndonJeremy OvermanMeredith RogersBrooks StroudSummer Willingham

Georgia Southern UniversityCarter CasebeerAlex NelsenAtalia RamirezBrittany Rogers

Georgia Military CollegeBrandon ClausenClaire CrawfordKaleb FullerLauren Wilson

University of South CarolinaMary Lanphier

Rollins CollegeLily Garnett

Georgia TechBennett HumphriesCollin Humphries

Concordia CollegeDarron Moore

Mercer UniversityRebekah CoonHeidi ParkCorrie PeakeTimothy Ramdin

Berry CollegeDanielle FerroSam JoyceSam Pope

Pace UniversityMichael Money

Auburn Max ChandlerNicolle Smith

Middle Georgia State CollegeGarrett ChildersTyler ColterWilliam LetsonJonathan ThompsonJoshua Weaver

Georgia State UniversityAlex Davis

AlabamaAlec Martin

VanderbiltDavy Priester

North Georgia College & StateCaleb DupreeAllison Lange

Valdosta State UniversityDarrelle GarvinAlex NewberryEmmalyne Smith

Georgia Regents (Augusta State)Austin MooreIan Smith

University of KentuckyConnor Jones

Samford UniversityLindsey O’Quinn

College of Coastal GeorgiaMadison Arnett

Indiana StateJackson Busbee

Gordon CollegeHannah Davis

Wake ForestGrace Young

Bard CollegeNicholas Shao

Chairman Smith, other Board of Trustees members, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Childs, my faculty colleagues, senior parents, grandpar-ents, other relatives, friends, and especially, of course, the Graduating Class of 2013!

It is my distinct honor to speak with you this day as your former English teacher and elementary principal here at FPD. What an interesting, exciting ride we have had these past 14 years!

First I met some of you and your parents as you entered into our four-year-old Pre-Kindergarten class back in 1999. Others entered our school in first grade and then some in other grades all along the way. By God’s design each of you has become an integral part of this group of young men and ladies who will forever be identified as FPD’s Graduating Class of 2013.

As such you have formed some lasting bonds and friendships that will last for years regardless of where you go after this day. Find ways with all the modern means of technology and social media to stay in touch with the others in this select group. You will be glad you did.

You will have a blast at your class’s reunions, also. This past October during a Homecoming luncheon, Mrs. Walton and I had the pleasure of sitting at a table with six former graduates from 30 years ago. What a fantastic time they had reminiscing about their years at FPD! So did we.

As one of your former English teachers, I must use a few aspects of grammar in my last official words to you. Today for just a few moments I want you to think about the importance of verbs. Yes, I said verbs; some of you will remember Lolly’s and our trips there in seventh grade. By the way, I hope

some of you still have your n’t, never, or not that you purchased back in 2008. One of my favorite authors is Dr. Seuss, who wrote Oh, the Places You’ll Go; go, by the way, is our first verb of the day.

Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer your-self any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

Let’s think about that action verb GO. Each of you will be off to many different destinations; some in just a few weeks in fact. It may be to Georgia, Tech, Berry, Mercer, Auburn, SMU, Vanderbilt, Air Force Academy, West Point, or To Be Determined later. Going can be fun and alluring, but at the same time it can be frus-trating and confusing. Each destination will offer opportunities for you to grow, prosper, put down roots, meet new friends, and most importantly grow deeper in your faith with the Lord Jesus Christ. As you are going keep this short passage from Dr. Seuss in mind:

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.

Young people, along the way there will be fabulous days, challenging assignments, monumental disappointments, and days when you wonder if you can handle all that is thrown at you. Yes, you can, if you learn to remember to live your life with Proverbs 3:6 in mind. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

One way to make that happen is to go to church and Bible studies during these for-mative years in your new location. Be sure to ask around and find a House of Worship that has an active ministry for college stu-dents. Then get up each Sunday morning on time and go with some friends. All of you will be glad you did.

Think about this message from an exer-cise instructor: If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse. All of us in this Worship Center probably know of times in our lives where we found an excuse not to do something important and later regretted the decision.

One last thought about Going is this: You will always look forward to coming back home. Remember home is where your heart yearns to go; this, of course, means where Mama, Daddy, other loving relatives, and friends from school live.

It also means coming back to First Pres-byterian Day School and reconnecting with your teachers, coaches, and many others who have loved and supported you for well over a decade. It always makes my day at school to look up and see one of my former students standing there returning to his or her roots for a visit. What a delight it is for us to see our alums returning for a visit! Thoroughly enjoy your going but always look forward to coming back home for a while.

Once you have left home and FPD for the first time for such an extended time, what will you be DOING—our second important verb of the day? At the colleges or universities, you will be taking academic courses you never dreamed of, having some professors who seem to be speaking a for-

eign language but declaring it to be English, cramming for major examinations, submit-ting lengthy research papers, essays, and other reports in forms never before expected. Studying, reading, researching, analyzing, conducting scientific experiments, and solv-ing complex mathematical problems will take up a big part of your time, but do not despair; you have what it takes to be suc-cessful in difficult circumstances. God has blessed you in so many ways. He has given you the tools you need to meet the chal-lenges along the way.

Also, remember this quote from the American industrialist, Henry Ford: Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—You’re right. Just think about that idea. It says a lot.

You will also enjoying making many new acquaintances and friends. As you meet someone along the way, you might think to yourself here is possibly a new friend, someone to say “Hi” to, or perhaps someone I might even like to date. Yes, some of you might very well meet your future husband or wife during these years. It does happen. I know of a couple in attendance here at Ingleside today who met in their freshman year in a botany lab at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Five years later, they were married.

There will be opportunities galore for you to have the times of your lives. There will be those famous football games at Georgia, Auburn, and yes even at our Mercer this fall. Do enjoy all of them to the utmost.

Some of you will be on athletic teams, members of college clubs, sororities, frater-nities, and even honor societies such as Phi Beta Kappa. Enjoy the benefits of each of these, and as you do, you will meet others who will become an important part of your life. Day by day, month by month, you will be mighty busy going to special destinations, parties, dances, and, of course, the school library. Let me give you a practical piece of advice: get to know your college librarian well; he or she can be a most valuable asset wherever you are.

Now allow me to be personal and sound like your grandfather. Your parents, teach-ers, coaches, and others have all shared this life principle with you, but I must do so as well today. Be reminded, graduates-to-be, that your actions all have consequences—whether they be good, bad, or indifferent. Have you heard this old saying: He has his head screwed on right? or She is wise be-yond her years. Well, be sure that you do not put yourself in situations that might lead you to do or say something that you will later regret. As you are going places and doing these fun and different activities, you are gradually becoming.

Who you are becoming? Our third verb to examine is the verb to be. Who are you

and who do you desire to be. God wants to direct your lives with this verse from Mat-thew 6:33: But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Our Heavenly Fa-ther wants only the best for his children. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as you Lord and Savior, you are a Christian; yet He de-sires so much more from you. I believe He wants to enrich your lives under the direc-tion of the Holy Spirit. An essential part of developing your spiritual progress is Bible study and prayer. Mother Theresa said it this way: Feel often during the day the need for prayer and pray. Prayer opens the heart, till it is capable of containing God Himself. Ask and seek and your heart will be big enough to receive Him and keep Him as your own.

Now go back with me to your Kinder-garten days and remember what Robert Fulghum suggested in All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Here are a few ideas from him. Share everything, Play fair, Don’t hit people, Put things back where you found them, Clean up your own mess, Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody, Wash your hands before you eat, Flush, Live a balanced life, and Be aware of wonder.

Now I know these principles are basic, but they are extremely important as we go, do, and become the adults the Lord wants us to be. After you left Kindergarten you have been adding to these foundational stones mentioned in Fulghum’s work. Yes, you are adding to the solid foundation begun in your homes, churches, and at FPD.

Remember that no structure or life will withstand the storms unless it is resting on Je-sus Christ, the solid foundation. How strong and secure is your life’s foundation? As you march out of this room with your diploma in hand today, I believe you carry with you a strong, solid academic foundation, a posi-tive relationship with your peers, a heart that loves Jesus and the potential to be the man or woman God desires you to be.

Now take your academic background, your talents, your spiritual gifts, and your distinct personality and add your determination and your passions and see what the Lord has in store for you. By the way, what are your pas-sions?

Now that we have examined three impor-tant verbs, I want to leave three significant nouns for you to consider. The first is spiri-tuality. 2 Chronicles 16:9 reads as follows: For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. Second is Humility. When we have a ser-vant’s heart, we are humble and do not care who gets the glory. Third is Integrity.

Chuck Swindoll in his book David: A Man of Passion and Destiny tells us that integrity is so significant. God is not look-

ing for magnificent specimens of humanity. He is looking for deeply spiritual, genuinely humble, honest-to-the-core servants who have integrity. In other words, it is what we are and what we do when nobody’s looking. Class of 2013, as you are going, doing, and becoming, I pray that these three character-istics—spirituality, humility, and integrity—will become key cornerstones of your lives now and forevermore.

Ladies and gentlemen, now it’s my plea-sure to present to you a once in a lifetime tapestry never before seen. This project was begun at First Presbyterian Day School at the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year and has been completed today, May 25, 2013.

A number of 4-year-olds entered our school and began a memorable journey. In fact six of you left your hand prints in the freshly-poured cement in front of the Kindergarten building. Each year thereafter others have joined this group, and today we have before you this special class of seven-ty-nine young people ready to graduate.

In doing so I want you to remember these lines from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s work Psalm of Life: Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime And, departing leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time. Each of you has left your footprints all over our campus, our community, and in our hearts. Everywhere we go on campus and beyond, we will see evidence of you, your family, your intel-lect, your artistic and athletic achievements, and your caring spirit in community service works.

Remember in a tapestry it takes every thread regardless of size or color positioned just right to make up such a beautiful depic-tion of something beautiful, meaningful, and worthy of memory. Every contribution each senior has made during the fourteen year span at FPD is reflected in this beautiful picture that we see today of 79 graduates-to-be attired in the red Viking caps and gowns. Many of these young people have excelled in the classroom, others have made their impact on the athletic fields, some have entertained us as actors on the FPD stage, many have been involved in our musical programs, and all have been involved in community service throughout our area. Ev-ery single candidate for graduation has made significant contributions to the final unveil-ing of the FPD Tapestry of 2013.

I conclude today with this quote from Dr. Seuss: And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.) Kid, You’ll Move Mountains! Start moving your mountain today.

Congratulations, Seniors, on a job well done! I will always remember you and my time with you and your families. God’s rich-est blessings!

FPD Magazine Summer 201320

On behalf of FPD’s Class of 2013, I wish to thank the Board of Trustees, the faculty and staff and our parents for all of their support and encouragement through the years.

The thing about life is that it, like a Hobbit, is full of riddles and surprises. For thousands of years, we humans have struggled to reach for truth, for ultimate meaning, for knowledge - and for all our efforts, there are always more questions, and easy answers are rare.

Some are tempted to give up the pursuit of knowledge that stretches forever onward, and they might well believe themselves to have found happiness, being free from the compulsion to keep moving and content to rest in a nice, shady spot by the wayside. But what kind of life is this - a life of blind complacency, a life without hope of improvement, a life without answers, a life without purpose? I am inclined to agree with Einstein, who said:

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”

The winding road of life in this world is a turbulent, shadowy, even evanescent cloud of sensations and experiences, or so it appears to us. We hope we have the right idea about where the road is supposed to lead, but we do not have the full picture, so we try to find higher ground so that we can see better the surrounding country and the way we are supposed to go.

The climbing is not easy. In this tempestuous world of twilight, the ground frequently shifts, not unlike the surface of an ocean. What is a peak of a wave one minute is replaced by a low trough the next. In order to keep climbing, we must be quick on our feet and alert to the tidal forces and the winds that

stir the water. But there is a limit to the utility of looking down.

In keeping our eyes upon the world around us, we may indeed ascertain valuable information on how to stay afloat and on how to resist slipping back down into a trough, but we must also look up at the stars in the sky, like the sailors and travelers who for ages have used the stars to chart their courses.

Now, it is true that the stars are enormous nuclear fusion reactors drifting through space while producing huge amounts of energy. The science of stars will be useful for another illustration later, but for now, consider the stars as they appeared to our ancestors, dancing elegantly through the sky, glittering gems on a cloak of dark purple. Consider them as they are described in the song from Les Miserables:

[The] stars In [their] multitudesScarce to be countedFilling the darknessWith order and light[They] are the sentinels Silent and sureKeeping watch in the night...

[They] know their place in the sky[They] hold [their] course and [their] aimAnd each in [its] seasonReturns and returnsAnd is always the same

Now we look out at Creation, at the turbulent, glistening sea, ever in motion, and we see patterns. We see the light of the stars reflected in the waters. We also see that the tides follow certain patterns.

We see over the course of history common elements weaving repetitive patterns of events that act as a dialectic, so that though specific woven patterns across time may resemble one another closely, they are also each distinct, but with common elements that are passed from one generation to the next.

These entities which repeat themselves over time and weave together into various phenomena are what Dawkins calls “memes.”

They generally behave as particles that group together in meme-complexes that form what we might recognize as cultural trends. They are components of culture that behave as a unit, though they may dissolve into separate particles to recombine with others.

As with all that is organic, the matter is simply not a simple one. Like genes, these memes replicate themselves and pass down from generation to generation, mutating naturally over time. There is an important difference between the meme and the gene, however; while the gene combines with other genes into the DNA blueprints for all life on Earth according to unconscious natural laws, the meme exists in the realm of human

consciousness. Though some of the lower animals exhibit

primitive examples of memes, not until the emergence of human consciousness could memes come into their own. The essence of the meme is that of an idea, but it is not what Plato recognized as an Idea, but rather a reflective or derivative embodiment of the eternal, immutable, transcendental Platonic Idea that illuminates the world from its place in the firmament.

While the gene is of dumb physical matter, the substance of the meme is the far more vivacious intellectual or spiritual matter, given its communicability through nonphysical media, i.e., thought, (though exploiting physical media, e.g., air, at the same time). Unlike with the unconscious gene, in the realm of the meme, in the realm of thought, on account of the vitality and fluidity of that sphere, conscious reflection enables there to be freedom of choice, so that one is not merely a slave to memes, but may rather participate consciously and deliberately in their realm.

Borrowing from traditional Polynesian culture, I shall call the spiritual substance of that sphere “mana.” Mana is a spiritual energy, and since the spirit belongs to what Plato would call the intelligible realm, I think this is appropriate. It is an elementary fact of science that what we call matter is a form of energy, physical energy. In the intelligible realm, mana is the energy, and intelligible objects are forms of mana. From whence does this mana come? It is, in fact, the light of the stars.

Once upon a time, the entire universe was a primordial soup of energy, a sea of pure light. From this soup emerged the first particles. As the universe expanded, as time went on, the particles clumped together to form atoms. There were only a few light elements in the early years.

Then the stars formed, and the stars forged heavier elements. The heavy elements clumped together around the stars into larger bodies, and eventually the force of gravity led to the formation of planets, one of which is our very own Earth. Here on Earth, some rogue molecules developed the capacity for self-replication, and from these primitive organic molecules, all of life on Earth has arisen. In Sophie’s World, Major Alberto Knag tells his daughter, “Yes, we too are stardust.”

From a singularity comes a vast expanse full of swirling energy; from oceans of energy, the first elementary particles; from these, stars; from stars, planets; from one planet, self-replicating organic molecules; from these primitive molecules, the entire biosphere of Earth. From small to big, big to small, and then back to big again, the way of the universe runs. With the turning of the seasons, the seed gives way to a towering oak tree, which in turn produces new seeds, and

so new generations of forms continue to arise as time goes on, each generation taking its place in the universe, setting the stage for the next in a grand, cosmic pattern.

Then we come to man, and the great cycle has followed its pattern to come full circle. In man, as the only known sentient being in the universe, the universe is realized.

Consciousness, the capacity for abstract thought, for reflection, allows us to turn backward. We see the universe immediately around us first, and then we reach further outward. Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky said: “The Earth is the cradle of the mind, but one cannot eternally live in a cradle.”

As we grow, we reflect upon reality, and the process of reflection leads to invention, and so man moves forward. Man is not a linear being. To quote T.S. Eliot, “Time present and time past/Are both perhaps present in time future,/And time future contained in time past.”

The material universe provides vessels for mana. The material universe born of Eternity evolved upwards to meet the mana poured down from the Eternal, and thus is man, whose form is fashioned out of dust, given zoe, spiritual life. Mana gives man the power to turn back against the flow of entropy and reflect the light of creation. Mana gives man what authority he has. Mana drives man toward his end, unity with the Source of all mana.

Again quoting Eliot, “In my end is my beginning.” Man’s beginning lies in the breathing of life into dust, the union of mana and dust in an act of creation, and man’s end lies in reflection of the action of the Divine, in manifesting love, in returning to the Source of Creation. God is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

The spiritual life of man is movement along the circle: he passes through season after season, for all eternity, constantly beginning and ending. This is the life of the Divine, as described by Aristotle: reflection upon goodness, an eternal cycle of goodness loving itself.

The highest life of man parallels and reflects the life of God. The paradisaical man, as I call him, exists in a state of harmony with himself, with nature, and with the supernatural or metaphysical. God is the source of all goodness, and man becomes good by reflecting God’s goodness.

Man is in the image of God. Man is a reflection of the Creator. The fulfillment of man lies in Creation. As soon as the cycle is completed, it begins again anew; as T.S. Eliot says, “...there is only the dance.” It is a dance of reflections, a dance of many lights. The light of the stars illuminates this world forged of stardust for us, whose corporal forms are also of stardust. The sensations of the material world are conveyed by our nerves to our brains, where mind meets matter, and in our minds the received images

take on a dynamic quality, in our minds, where sensations of the physical world are invigorated by mana, and our wills dance among these dynamic images, the world realized in our minds.

And the will is the negative to intelligible objects, for, as Hegel says, the moving principle, that which relates the “I” (as in “I am”) to its object, is the negative, and the will is the embodiment of the “I.”

I do not mean “negative” and “positive” here in any inherently moral sense, but rather in a sense analogous to the charges of particles, like protons and electrons. As oppositely charged bodies do, the will and the intelligible objects attract one another. They complement one another and form a whole, as protons and electrons come together in the formation of an atom, or as subject and predicate make a complete sentence together, for the will is an emptiness without an object, and the object requires the will for movement.

One might also compare the will and the intelligible objects to matter and antimatter, two different modes of energy, one having both the opposite charge and opposite spin of the other. When the will and an intelligible object meet, there is a burst of energy, as happens when matter and antimatter meet, and this energy that is produced drives the growth and development of the mind of man, as the energy produced in cellular respiration fuels the human body.

The created world presents itself to us, and we through mana in turn participate in the world and re-create it as we do so. We are created, and we are creators. In the divine act of creation lies our beginning. Creation is part of the reflective life of the divine, for, as G.K. Chesterton writes, “there is in all good things a perpetual desire for expression and concrete embodiment ... The trend of good is always towards Incarnation.”

And let it be so with us. Let us reach for the stars, and let our lives reflect their glory. The essence of being is realized through conscious reflection. “Cogito, ergo sum.” “I think, therefore I am.”

Aristotle says in his Metaphysics that “thought is the actuality of life, and God is that actuality; and God’s self-dependent actuality is life most good and eternal.” This pattern of cognitive reflection causes me to recall a creation myth from the Elder Scrolls series, part of which I offer to you now:

“Anu encompassed, and encompasses, all things. So that he might know himself he created Anuiel, his soul and the soul of all things. Anuiel, as all souls, was given to self-reflection, and for this he needed to differentiate between his forms, attributes, and intellects. Thus was born Sithis, who was the sum of all the limitations Anuiel would utilize to ponder himself. Anuiel, who was the soul of all things, therefore became many things, and this interplay was and is the Aurbis.”

The self is realized in conscious activity.

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Word, through whom all things are made, is the expression of God. The expression both expresses the expresser and defines the expresser. How we live our lives shapes who we are, and who we are shapes how we live our lives.

Do not think of the limits necessary to self-identity as restrictive, for they are not so; rather, consider how definition allows one to act, to be one thing and not another. Participate in the productive, in the reflective, and in the creative, and grow closer to the good. This is the way of true happiness, to grow “in spirit and truth.”

The pursuit of knowledge is a most noble activity, for in it lies the essence of the divine activity, reflection upon the good, the true, and the beautiful. Let our actions lead to increased self-knowledge so that we may better relate to the whole universe, and know that the pursuit of knowledge for the sake of knowledge will bring oneself continually closer to the truth. As Tolkien says, we are “made in the image and likeness of a Maker,” so let us be productive with our lives, and what else is there to produce but a continuation of the cycle of creation and comprehension?

Tolkien wrote a poem defending the fantasy genre from a critic, and I believe it is appropriate to cite part of it here and now: Man, Sub-creator, the refracted Light through whom is splintered from a single White to many hues, and endlessly combined in living shapes that move from mind to mind.

To summarize: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” From the chaotic flux of the material universe rose a creature called Homo sapiens, whom God endowed with mana, spiritual energy, and so man is the fulfillment of the first Creation. Man is tasked with comprehending the vast world in which he finds himself, and in this movement man himself becomes productive, re-creating the world in which he lives by the light of the stars and reflecting that heavenly light in doing so.

Now let us go forth from here and work to fill the world with the light of Creation, each according to his or her own vocation and talents, and remember that love, which for the good, is what ties everything together in universal harmony.

I would like to end with two quotes, the first being the last words of an important work, the second being the opening words of another important book, which Stephen Jay Gould used as the final sentence of his Rocks of Ages. The first is from Plato’s Republic: “Let us do well.”

The second is the opening of the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word.” Remember these, and think on them as you go, and remember also the stars in the heavens, whom we should seek to emulate. Thank you.

I would like to welcome friends, family, FPD faculty, administration, and members of the Board to the commencement ceremony for the FPD class of 2013.

I am truly thrilled that you are able to share this incredible moment with my classmates and me, and I am greatly honored to be standing before you today.

Today marks a huge milestone in each of our lives as we depart from a place that we have come to love over the years. However, today we start a new journey that will last a lifetime as we discover God’s unique plan for each of us as individuals.

I owe many thanks to the people that have guided and directed me over the years, but I would like to start off by thanking my parents.

Mom and Dad, you have told me from day one that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to, and I cannot thank you enough for the unwavering confidence that you have always had in me.

You always read to me from the Bible when I was young, and you have taught me what it truly means to be a Christian. You have laid a solid foundation on which I was able to mature and become the person I am today. Your approving eye means the world to me, and I love both of you very much.

Next, I have to thank my brother Collin. Whenever most people see Collin and me together for the first time, they assume that we are twins.

However, I am quick to tell them that I outrank him by 15 months. Collin has always been by my side, and he has always supported me in everything. Of course we have our differences at times, but he has always been there for me, and I truly appreciate this.

FPD boasts a faculty filled with excellent teachers, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every teacher that I have had.

FPD teachers truly are dedicated to equipping students to change the world for God’s glory, and this is a special quality. Also, it is apparent that teachers at FPD love their students and get to know them as individuals, and I am grateful for the relationships that I have built with my teachers.

I will never forget Mrs. Henley’s crazy stories in chemistry or her concern that I would eventually get myself into trouble.

In his World History and AP Euro classes, Coach A instilled in me a love of history

as he brought historical figures to life with his stories, and he also made me laugh on a regular basis.

I have to give credit to his grandma because apparently she was faster than the entire football team, and to Stevie Wonder who could have seen all the blocks we missed.

To all my teachers, thank you for the countless hours you spent helping me and working with me, and I enjoyed all the time that I have spent with you.

As an athlete, my FPD coaches have also had a large impact on me.

I got to know Coach Garvin over the years through wrestling and then football. In addition to wrestling moves and football plays, Coach Garvin taught me the importance of self-discipline and leadership.

And then when I decided to play football senior year, Coach Moore welcomed me to the team with open arms. I’ll never forget

the sincerity of his prayers and pre-game devotions, and the example he set as a Christian leader will last.

To my friends, what can I say but that a man is nothing without his friends?

You all have made the last four years some of the most enjoyable years of my life. We have made many memories together as a class like winning spirit week this year, parties, dinners and lazy lake days.

You always make classes more fun like Jeremy shooting Coach Childs with a marshmallow gun last year in history or any time Busbee goes into uncontrollable laughter.

And I will always remember the image of

D Jones in his Gumby suit. We have always been a close group, but

this last year together has really strengthened our bonds, and I have grown very close to some of you.

This makes it difficult and sad to see you go your separate ways, but I cannot wait to see where life takes each one of you. I look forward to seeing God’s plans unfold, and I wish each of you the best of luck in whatever you choose to do in life.

Lastly, I must give thanks and glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

According to Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I also believe that nothing is possible without Christ, and so I attribute all of my accomplishments to the fact that I have

been very blessed by the grace of God. I can tell that God has been at work in

my life, and now looking back, I can see the paths that He laid for me, the opportunities that I know He placed in my lap, and the people that He strategically placed in my life.

In my opinion, success and faith go hand in hand. Faith in God and faith in oneself to me are important for a successful life.

Classmates, I leave you with the words of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I pray that your futures are bright and prosperous.

Thank you.

“It is apparent that teachers at FPD love their students and get to know them as individuals, and I am grateful for the relationships that I have built with my teachers.”

ValedictorianDavy Priester

SalutatorianBennett Humphries

STAR Student Davy Priester

Class PresidentKristin Fillingim

Peyton Anderson ScholarshipKristin Fillingim

Exchange Club Youth of the MonthScott McCormick

National Merit ScholarsDavy Priester, Scott McCormick, Michael Money

Golden Eagle Award winnersLindsey O’Quinn, art; Alex Newberry, technology; Kristin Fillingim, citizenship

Best Citizens Award (below)Kristin Fillingim, Garrett Childers

Director’s Award (FPD Theatre)Lily Garnett

Dooley Award nomineesScott McCormick, Kristin Fillingim (semifi-nalist)

DAR Citizenship AwardLily Garnett

Female Outstanding AthleteClaire Crawford

Male Outstanding AthleteBrooks Stroud

Boys StateJackson Busbee

Girls StateKristin Fillingim

Georgia ScholarScott McCormick

Senior Superlatives (pictured below)Kristin Fillingim, Lauren Ellard, Bennett Humphries, Scott McCormick, Conner Gettmann, Grace Tinkey

Legacies

Emily ‘08 and Conner Albright Joey ‘77 and Nancy Berkner with Jennifer (2015)

Austin ‘09 and Garrett Childers Stephen ‘11 and Rebekah Coon

Hannah ‘09 and Claire Crawford Gerral Cutright ‘97, Kinsey Cutright, Richard Stembridge ‘99 and Jeffrey Cutright ‘97

Legacies

Natalie ‘09 and Abby Deckbar Daniel ‘09 and Caleb Dupree

Brooke ‘09 and Lauren Ellard Emily ‘11 and Conner Gettmann

John ‘82 and Katy Hall Hayley ‘09 and Hunter Hotchkiss

Legacies

Rebecca ‘09, Sam and Tommy ‘00 Joyce Lane ‘10 and William Letson

Taylor ‘08 and Alec Martin Robert ‘09 and Carolyn McDonald

Jennifer ‘88 and Tanner Johnston Zach ‘09 and Daniel Jones

Legacies

Cole ‘11 and Austin Moore Micah ‘12 and Darron Moore

Bryan ‘81, Lindsey and Josh ‘11 O’Quinn Marisa ‘09 and Macy Pam

Kristi ‘05, Corrie, Betsy ‘80 and Allen ‘79 Peake Ben ‘11 and Bonnie Scurry

Brandon ‘11 and Nicolle Smith Elizabeth ‘06, Daniel and Laura Lee Strawn ‘08 Dean

Lindsay ‘09 and Lauren Wilson

David ‘81 and Grace Tinkey with uncle John ‘84 and grandfather James R. Tinkey, former board member

Rhonda ‘81, Joseph, Joe ‘81 and James ‘12 Watwood Lally ‘83, Joshua and Joey ‘82 Weaver

Jessica ‘09, Jonathan, Robert ‘11 and Rebekah ‘07 Thompson

Photography by Andrew BrooksAll members of the Class of 2013 with alumni family members

were invited to be photographed prior to graduation.

Not picturedAmanda ‘08 and Brandon ‘13 Clausen

DJ ‘07 and Sam ‘13 PopeElizabeth ‘07 and Allison ‘13 Lange

Joseph ‘05, Louis ‘06 and Max ‘13 Chandler

AROUNDCAM US

FPD’s Kostovetsky attends leadership camp at Ole Miss

Rising senior Kathryn Kos-tovetsky was chosen to par-ticipate in the Lott Summer Leadership Institute at Ole Miss University.

Kostovetsky, president of the Class of 2014, was chosen based on her interest in public policy, leadership, concern for others and academics.

As part of the program, she spent four weeks at Ole Miss and one week in Washington, D.C., in late June. She was one of just 50 students nationwide chosen for this honor.

The program included trips to various halls of government in Washington as well as the Smith-sonian, the Newseum and the Kennedy Center, among others.

“Although it was challenging at times, the experience was truly incredible,” Kostovetsky said. “I had the rare chance of having a one-on-one meeting with Senator Isaakson, as well as many other politicians and behind-the-scenes people on Capitol Hill. The advice they gave me was very enlightening.”

Davy Priester (left) was named the school’s STAR Student after posting the highest score on the SAT during one sitting. Priester selected Dr. Barry Shealy, his Cal-culus teacher, as his STAR teacher. Priester, who also is the school’s valedictorian, will attend Vander-bilt University.

FPD’s elementary school students won a $3,000 cash prize as the winning participant in Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia’s donation drive contest. Represen-tatives from Goodwill made the announcement to the students in a surprise assembly in April.

Rising junior Katherine Strickland was chosen to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership camp at Berry College this summer. She is shown here with FPD community service director Holly Scott. FPD senior Garrett Childers helped facilitate the event as a member of the HOBY Junior Staff.

The middle school Speech Bee was held in March, featuring guest judges John Jones, Jami Gaudet and Kenny Burgamy. Shown here are the finalists with the top three finishers (front row, left to right) Mac Willingham, Andy Wanamak-er and Evan Correa. Wanamaker won first place in the contest.

Rising seniors and members of The Saga staff, Mary Helen Douglas (left) and Emily Goldin were chosen to attend the Digital Media Summer Camp hosted by Mercer’s Center for Collaborative Journalism. They are shown here with the CCJ’s Tim Regan-Porter.

Several students were recognized at the year-end assemblies in May. 1. McKay Family Scholarship, a $2,000 award: Freshman Megan Huggins (with headmas-ter Gregg Thompson)2. James Girardeau Scholarship ($1,500): Junior Savannah Phillips (with athletic director Greg Moore)3. Ponder Family Scholarship ($1,000): Junior Anna Smith4. Judy Jones Scholar-ship ($2,500): Junior Mary Helen Douglas5. Judy Jones Scholar-ship (middle school): Seventh grader Cooper Martin (with principal Molly Pearson)6. FPD Alumni Scholar-ship ($500): Sophomore Cole Morton and junior Megan Sparks7. Andy Bridges Memorial Scholarship ($1,000): Junior Caroline Stroud (with Michael Bridges ‘06 and coach Jim Turner)8. Gil Cutright Memo-rial Award: Eighth grader Mac Willingham9. Patty Fuchs Cup: Eighth grader Maggie Renfroe

scholarships & awards

1 2 3

4 5

6 7

8 9

HUMBLE WARRIORAustin Childers has inspired hundreds with his

life of tenacity, humility and service despitedifficult circumstances. On Aug. 30, the school

will dedicate the football field in his honor.

A long fight with mitochondrial disease has weakened his body, but it has strengthened his soul. The cliches we use in athletics, like “dig-ging down deep” and “fighting to the finish” and “sacrificing for the good of the team” aren’t merely words in a game for Austin and his fam-ily. They are real life – every day.

It is unimaginable for most of us what they have endured, but still they do – and they do so in a way that makes us want to be around them more. How ironic in a world that tells us to seek fun and pleasure all the days of our lives that we find ourselves drawn to a struggle that demands more than we can comprehend. What is it about Austin that makes his story – his life – so mag-netic? In one word, the answer is Jesus.

I’m awed by Austin’s ability to prioritize the only thing that matters. The answer to every question in our lives – Jesus – is the priority of Austin’s. Success is not awards, positions, payments, titles, or even achievements. True success is a deeper pursuit and understanding of Jesus.

We tell our student-athletes that it’s important for us to “keep the main thing the main thing.”

Austin Childers shows us how. It is this qual-ity, the ability to push away all of the things that entangle us and rob us of the blessings of Jesus, that makes the dedication of our field to honor Austin so exciting.

Austin Childers Field at George S. Johnson Memorial Stadium will come to symbolize a place where the pursuit of Jesus as the answer to all of life’s questions will be real.

Athletics presents the highest of highs and the lowest of lows – but Jesus is still higher, and no one has ever been lower than when he died for our sins.

The name, Austin Childers, will be esteemed because of whom Austin pursues in his own life. As he prioritizes that pursuit, he does so with a

special place in his heart for people. He honors his mother and father, he encour-

ages his brother, and he adores his family and friends. He has taught his doctors, and he still motivates his coaches.

He houses this amazing dichotomy – much like Jesus – of humility and warrior.

Recently, as evening fell, I leaned next to Austin as he lay in his hospice bed. I touched his face with my hand and whispered, “How are ya, man?” He cracked his eyes, gave a slight smile, and whispered back, “Still fighting!”

It will be a privilege and one of the highest honors of my life to coach a game on the newly dedicated Austin Childers Field.

Our students will count it as one of their greatest blessings to be present that night – whether they are on the field or in the bleachers.

Our school family will begin a new era of celebrating a young man who still teaches us the only lesson that really matters.

For years, we closed our post-game huddle on the field with the longing to hear our Lord and Savior say the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share your master’s happiness.”

It makes me think of Austin Childers!

Sometimes, without an explanation at first, we just know when we have been in the presence of someone special. They change the atmosphere when they are present, and they make us want to be around them more when they are gone. Legendary Hall of Famer, Bill Curry, described this phenomenon once as someone having “presence – consistent, powerful, and positive.” This is Austin Childers.S

All former FPD football players and cheerleaders are invited to join us on the field at 7 p.m. prior to the Aug. 30 game for a special cer-emony honoring Austin Childers. RSVP to Ren-nie Atkinson at rennie.atkinson@fpdmacon.org

For more infor-mation on how to make a gift in honor of Austin Childers, please contact Advance-ment Director Jen-nifer Barfield at jennifer.barfield@fpdmacon.org or (478) 477-6505, Ext. 190.

By GREG MOOREFPD athletic director

hannah davissoftballGordon College

jenna byrdsoftballABAC

claire crawfordsoftballGMC

daniel strawntennisClemson University

atalia ramirezsoccerGeorgia Southern

conner albrightgolfGeorgia College

College Signings

sport

s Strong spring season propels FPD to state prominence in GHSA

Powered by a solid spring season, highlighted by the boys tennis team’s appearance in the GHSA state championship match, FPD placed third in the state rankings that determine the best overall athletic program.

Out of 97 Class A schools in GHSA, the Vikings were third in the GHSA Regions Bank Director’s Cup standings.

The boys teams actually topped the rankings in the 2012-13 season, while the girls were seventh statewide.

Overall, FPD had 12 teams qualify for GHSA postseason play. Gordon Lee took first place in the standings, while Holy Innocents was second.

Meanwhile, 12 senior Vikings signed letters of intent to continue their playing careers in college (see

graphic below).“I just can’t express how proud I

am of all of our kids and coaches,” athletic director Greg Moore said of the third-place finish. “This is a significant achievement and God has certainly blessed us.”

BASEBALL The baseball team raced to a

school-record 17 wins to start the season, rolling to the Region 7-A championship and advancing to the second round of the GHSA state championship.

The Vikings finished the year with a 23-3 record, falling to visiting Darlington in the third game of a best-of-three series in the second round.

Among the many highlights of the year was the team’s trip to Turner

darron moorefootballConcordia College

sam joycebaseballBerry College

sam popebaseballBerry College

danielle ferrocross country/trackBerry College

grace tinkeycross country/trackAir Force Academy

Field, home of the Atlanta Braves, where the Vikings battled Veterans out of Warner Robins in a state exhibition game (photo at right).

Infielders Sam Pope and Sam Joyce signed with Berry College, while Joyce and pitcher Kevin Moreau were named first team All-Middle Georgia.

GOLFThe boys team finished as the

GHSA Class A runner-up after winning the sectional tournament with a team score of 296.

The Vikings won six tournaments on the year, and senior Conner Albright signed with Georgia College.

Albright, Brooks Stroud and Brantley Wilson were all named first team All-Middle Georgia.

TENNISLed by Clemson signee Daniel

Strawn, who finished the season undefeated, the boys team stormed through the regular season with a perfect record before falling to perennial power The Walker School in a heartbreaker in the state finals.

Strawn was later named the All-Middle Georgia Boys Tennis Player of the Year.

The girls team also reached the state playoffs, losing to Pace Academy in the first round.

TRACK & FIELDBoth boys and girls team won the

Area championships to advance to the state meet.

The girls finished sixth at the state meet while the boys were 10th.

Christian Moore was third in the state in the 110 hurdles and Jonathan Raines was fourth in the state triple jump.

Top-four finishers at state for the girls were Maggie Johnston (fourth/discus), Savannah Phillips (third/high jump), Grace Tinkey (second in both

the 1,600 and 3,200), and Jessica Smith (fourth, 800).

SOCCERBoth the boys and girls teams

advanced to the GHSA Class A state semifinals.

The boys team finished with a 13-7-1 record, while the girls were 17-2-2 and won the Area championship and didn’t lose a home game all season.

Four girls team members were named first team All-Middle Georgia, including Atalia Ramirez, Sara Robertson, Jane Howell and Claire Crawford. Christian Moore and Conner Gettmann were named first team All-Middle Georgia selections for the boys.

caleb dupreebasketballN. Georgia College

fine a

rts

FPD Magazine Summer 201336

FPD Theatre presented William Shakespeare’s King Lear on May 2-4 in the Clark Fine Arts Center Auditorium. This famous tragedy traces the story of an old king’s descent into madness and the political upheaval that grips his newly-divided kingdom.

FPD’s production kept Shakespeare’s timeless words but reset the action to a post-apocalyptic future where groups of hardened survivors fight for supremacy over a Britain ravaged by nuclear war.

With a running time of nearly three hours, incredibly difficult characterization and dialogue, and a relatively short rehearsal process, King Lear was one of the most difficult plays ever presented by FPD Theatre. The outstanding cast that met this challenge was led by graduating seniors Alex Newberry (King Lear), Connor Tolbert (Edmund), Mary Lanphier (Goneril), and Nicholas Shao (Albany).

FPD’s King Lear also featured a multiple-platform set that could change color to suggest different locations in the play. This stunning visual was created using FPD Theatre’s powerful LED lighting system.

Bon Travail!

IF IRENE MARXSEN SUSPECTED ANYTHING, she certainly hid it well.

The veteran French teacher reacted with shock when she was announced as the William H. Bragg Teacher of the Year at an assembly in May.

Headmaster Gregg Thompson presented the award as Marxsen’s husband, Roger, stepped from behind the curtain on stage to greet his beaming wife.

“It was a great honor and such a big surprise,” Marxsen said. “I was really touched. FPD is a wonderful place to teach.”

Marxsen began her career at FPD in 1996. Her two children, Bryce (class of 2001) and Elizabeth (2005) are FPD graduates, as is her granddaughter, Caitlyn.

The Bragg award is given to a teacher who exhibits a commitment to Christ that is evident and contagious; a teacher who demonstrates professional excellence; one who challenges and engages students academically and spiritually and one who is a servant leader. The honor includes a $2,000 monetary award.

“She loves us and helps us however and whenever we need one,” one student wrote in nominating Marxsen for the honor.

Math teacher Ellen Royal is a happy grandmother. In the top photo, she’s shown holding grandsons Holden (3) and twins Charlie and Tucker (9 months), the sons of Carson and Kate Pyles Royal (‘00), who now live in Chattanooga. In the bottom photo, Royal enjoys an afternoon with Jack (10 months) and Steve-O (2 1/2 months), the sons of Lau-ren Royal ‘02 DeGeorge and her husband Steven, who works as a social worker with Strong Tower Fellowship, a church serving the Pleasant Hill community in inner-city Macon.

Veteran French instructor named William H. Bragg Teacher of the Year

IFPD counselor Susan Causey received a double blessing this spring upon the birth of two granddaughters born a month apart. Anna Cate Simmons (right) was born on March 26. She is the daughter of Mary Jo Causey ‘02 Simmons and her husband Matt. Causey Ann Berg (left) was born on April 16 to Valli Causey ‘98 Berg and her husband James.

FPD Magazine Summer 201338

dianne hattaway

HOMETOWNLizellaPOSITION6th grade Math/BibleFACULTY MEMBER SINCE1981-1991 (4th Grade); 1999-present (6th Grade)EDUCATIONA.L. Miller High School, 1970Macon Junior College, 1972B.S., Home Economics Educa-tion, Georgia College and State University, 1974BEHIND THE SCENESHattaway was named Miss Lizella in 1969 ... She has both a real estate and insurance license ... She and husband Al-lan just celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary ... She enjoys decorating, traveling and spending time with her family. Her daughter, Kris, is a 2004 FPD graduate who currently works as Director of Place for NewTown Macon ... Son, Josh, is an All State Insurance agent in his father’s office.

FACULTYprofile

What brought you to FPD?

(After teaching at Redding in Lizella and Pye in Macon), my neighbor, Sha-ron Adams, mentioned that FPD would be adding a fourth grade class and encouraged me to apply. It was an an-swer to my prayers!

After 10 years here, a former class-mate of mine became principal at Redding and called me, pleading for me to come back to Redding, so I said yes. I was there in 5th grade for eight years when I received a call asking if I would be interested in a position at FPD. So, here I’ve been since 1999.  When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher?

Growing up I was involved in 4-H with projects such as Family Life, Safety, Child Care and Leadership; in fact I competed at State level several times and won state in Family Life. During the summer I held Play Schools where parents would drop off their children each morning from 9-12.  (I charged $10 per week for supplies!)

As a teenager I worked in Vacation

Bible School, taught a young Training Union and Sunday School class, played piano and organ for youth choirs as well as for our congregation. Working with children has always been a huge part of my life! What are some of the joys you experi-ence as a teacher at FPD?

Student relationships are THE best part of teaching.  Students need to know that you care about them and what’s going on in their lives.

After teaching elementary school for 25 years, I “graduated” to sixth grade to teach math and Bible. It’s the best job in the world! 

My “paycheck” is when a student finally understands the math concept and that light bulb comes on! That’s a thrill.

And Bible, wow! God is so good! Each day He uses our lesson and tailors it to our needs. Our Bible class is the sweetest time of day, a time when we can get personal and call on God with our every need.

I cannot think of a better way to help our students make their way and change our world!

FPD Magazine Summer 2013 39

robyn robertson

What brought you to FPD?

 My husband, Todd,  is an FPD alum-nus, so when we started looking at school options for our children, FPD was our first choice.  We wanted an educational environment that was not only academically challenging but also incorporated Christian values in the cur-riculum.  The coaches who worked with my husband when he was in school had a very positive impact on his life, and we wanted that for our children.  

In God’s timing, a position opened up when Rachel finished 5K,  and I feel blessed that I was given the opportunity to teach here. 

The FPD administration has always been very supportive of my role as a mom and teacher. I actually began work-ing here as a kindergarten aide, which worked out perfectly while my children were still young. 

When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher?

My college advisor suggested it. I liked science and was considering a major in animal science when he told me about the need for high school science teach-

ers.  There was an opportunity to receive a service cancelable loan for anyone who taught in public schools, so I decided to teach for two or three years to help pay off school loans.  

I found that even after 19 years, I still love teaching.  What are some of the joys you experi-ence as a teacher here at FPD?

My favorite part of my job is watching my students perform well inside and outside the classroom.  I know how hard they work academically, and I have had the pleasure to see how hard many of them work to succeed in extracurricular activities as well.  Watching as a parent and teacher as the girls soccer team won the state championship was one of the highlights of my teaching career. 

My favorite verse is Colossians 3:23 which says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” 

I am inspired by how many of my stu-dents truly work with all their heart.  We have so many incredibly talented stu-dents who I know can change the world for God’s glory, and I am blessed to have been part of their lives. 

HOMETOWNHazlehurstPOSITIONHigh school scienceFACULTY MEMBER SINCE2000EDUCATIONJeff Davis High School, 1986B.S., Education, Georgia Southern University, 1990; M. Ed., Georgia College & State University, 1993BEHIND THE SCENESRobertson’s daughter, Sara, is a member of FPD’s soccer team ... Robertson taught for six years at Mary Persons High School in Forsyth ... She grew up on a farm in South Georgia and learned to drive a tractor before she started school ... The Robertsons attend Ingleside Baptist Church

FACULTYprofile

1976From Sanford Jones ’76 McAllister: “Life in Montana is great for the McAllisters. Gene’s job as President of the University of Great Falls keeps him busy and challenged at every turn. I work part time in a doctor’s office and am involved in volunteering at the boys high school, being a member of the Symphony Board and watching lots and lots of sports (and concerts) that the boys participate in. Walker, Connor and Patrick will be high school sophomores and love playing football, basketball and track. The only downside to Montana is that it’s a bit harder to get back to Macon as often as I would like.”

1977Dawn Sparks ’77 Shields and her husband, Ted, celebrated both of their sons graduating this May. Her oldest son, Steven, graduated from Mercer Law School in Macon and her youngest son, Scott, graduated from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. She began the year with a trip to the Holy Land with their church, Alpharetta First United Methodist Church.

1978Lauren Geddings ’78 Halvorsen and her husband, Rick, live in Evans, Ga. Lauren says she “holds down the fort” while Rick is a dentist and assistant professor at MCG. Her daughter, Haverly, is a freshman at KSU while other daughter, Lindsey, is a Psychology major at Georgia Southern University and transferring to KSU next year. Lauren volunteers at the high school and is involved with Bible studies for medical and dental wives.

1980Robert (Bob) Davidson ’80 recently retired from an intellectual property law group, and is active with the mission and ministries of Strong Tower Fellowship, a church plant by the Middle Georgia Presbytery as an outreach of First Presbyterian Church of Macon.

Craig Hagood ’80. Chris’ brother, Bruce Hagood ’82, decided to brag on big brother and sent us the following note: “Craig was a starting tight end in 1978 and 1979. He skipped his senior year and went early CL

ASSN

OTES Sanford Jones ’76 McAllister’s triplets,

Walker, Connor, and PatrickDawn Sparks ’77 Shields, son Stephen, and husband, Ted

Lauren Geddings ’78 Halvorsen’s daughters, Haverly and Lindsey

Class of 1980 classmates Jana Howells Cansler, Betsy Middlebrooks Peake, and Carla Kemper Morton on their annual beach trip

admissions due to a second concussion vs. Savannah Christian in 1979. He served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and graduated from UGA with a degree in Food Science. He has moved all over the country in leadership positions with companies like Conagra and Cargill. He has run all the major marathons and ironman competitions and was a two-time member of the U.S. Triathlon Team representing us in Germany and France. He is now President & CEO of House-Autry Mills (you see their products at the grocery store - hush puppy mix, corn bread, fish breading, etc.). He now lives outside Raleigh, N.C.”

1996Brent Matthews ’96 and wife, Bonnie welcomed daughter, Bennett Ann Matthews, on August 18, 2012. They are currently living in Opelika, Ala.

1998Valli Causey ’98 Berg and husband James welcomed daughter Causey Anne Berg on April 16, 2013. She weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces.

1999Asa Lambert ’99 and Jessica Barth were

married on Cumberland Island on October 22, 2011. Asa received his MBA from Georgia College and State University in 2011 and is preparing to pursue a Master of Finance degree.

Syd ’99 and Jennifer Adams ’99 Rives welcomed their daughter, Riley Margaret Rives, born on April 27, 2012. Her name was listed incorrectly in our previous magazine.

2000Megan Impink ’00 Dehem and husband Brad are proud to announce the birth of their son, Benjamin Wright Dehem. He was born on August 24, 2012 and was welcomed home by big brother Cade. Megan and Brad have relocated to Columbus where Brad is the head football coach and Athletic Director at Brookstone School.

2002Matthew Lambert ’02 and wife Alexis Antonacci Lambert welcomed Georgia Elly Lambert on September 17, 2012. They make their home in Tallahassee, Florida where Matthew is employed at the firm of Moore, Ellison & McDuffie CPA.

Big sister Susan Martha Berg and baby Causey Anne Berg, daughters of James and Valli Causey ’98 Berg

Mary Jo Causey ’02 Simmons with baby Anna Cate, Haley Causey ’06 Clubb, and Valli Causey ’98 Berg with baby Causey Anne

Eric Newton ’93, with his son, Andrew, and stepdaughter Scottie. Eric and his family live in Statesboro, Ga.

Matthew Lambert ’02, daughter Georgia Elly Lambert and wife Alexis

Riley Margaret Rives, daughter of Syd ’99 and Jennifer Adams ’99 Rives

Asa Lambert ’99 and wife Jessica

Megan Impink ’00 Dehem with husband Brad, baby boy Benjamin and big brother, Cade

Anna Cate Simmons, daughter of Mary Jo Causey ’02 Simmons and husband, Matt

Mary Jo Causey ’02 Simmons and husband, Matt, welcomed daughter, Anna Cate Simmons on March 26, 2013.

2003Jason Blizzard ’03 received a Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia Southern University in May 2013. He will pursue a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia, beginning in August 2013.

Caroline Seymour ’03 modeled for a six-page spread in a recent issue of SELF magazine.

2004Peyton Ethridge ’04 received his LLM in Taxation with distinction from Georgetown University May 19, 2013. He also received a Certificate in Estate Planning, as well as a Dean’s Certificate, for recognition of special and outstanding service to the Law Center Community.

Andrew Lambert ’04 and Taylor Owens were married in Macon on December 31, 2011. They live in Chattanooga, Tennessee where Andrew has opened a second location of his business, Good Guys Moving & Delivery.

2005Donley Elizabeth Dawson ’05 recently graduated from UGA’s Pharmacy College and will become a PGYI Pharmacy resident with Columbus Regional Healthcare System in Columbus, Ga.

2006Whitney Tucker ’06 got engaged to Charlie East of Macon on June 1, 2013 and they plan to wed in the spring of 2014.

2007Stephen Blizzard ’07 received a B.A. degree from Georgia College in Business Management in summer 2012. He joined GEICO in December 2012 as a Claims Service Representative.

Matthew Goings ’07 finished his first year at Georgia State University College of Law and is focusing on Intellectual Property Law. He also got engaged to Ashley Bene on May 4, 2013.

Stacey Ryle ’07 and Casey Whalen ’06 and were married on March 23, 2013 at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon. The wedding party included many alumni and current FPD students: Jessica Ryle ’03, Staci Carter ’07, Chelsea Pound ’07, Suzanne Seymour ’07, Samantha Whalen ’09, Carl Wheeler ’06, Alex Thigpin ’06, Daniel Bridges ’06, Jarrett Clubb ’06, Blake Gilbert ’06, Connor Morris ’11, and Benjamin Ryle (rising 7th grade). The flower girls were Lucy Bonfim (rising 2nd grader) and Sophie Bonfim (rising pre-k).

2008Alexandra Jewett Markert ’08 recently graduated from Middle Georgia State College with a B.S.

in Early Childhood and Special Education. Upon graduation, she accepted a position with the Monroe County School System as a 5th grade teacher at Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School.

2009Morgan Johnson ’09 was recently featured in the Valdosta State University magazine. Morgan (see feature on page 46) graduated in May with a degree in Nursing and is back in Macon working at Coliseum hospital. She was named to the Capital One Academic All-America team, as well as the Gulf South Conference’s (GSC) All-Academic Team with a 3.66 GPA. Kyle Stapleton ’09 graduated from Berry College with a major in Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology. He is stepping into the mission field and will be leaving in January to go to Australia and minister to college students at the University of Queensland. He is partnering with Campus Outreach for one year “so that God can use him to impact the future leaders of Australia, which is the least reached first-world country.”

Calli Christine Watson ’09 graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Medical College of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She has accepted a position at Northside Hospital in Atlanta where she will be working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Andrew Lambert ’04 and wife, Taylor.

Casey Whalen ’06 and Stacey Ryle ’07 Whalen.

Casey Whalen ’06 with new bride, Stacey Ryle ’07 Whalen, as well as alumni-filled wedding party.

Got a Classnote? We want to hear from you! Please send all Classnotes to alumni@fpdmacon.org

2011Anna Gainey ’11 left in July for a six-month mission trip to Africa. She is going with a national organization called Experience Missions. Her journey will actually begin in the Navajo Nation in Arizona, then she will venture to the northern region of South Africa (the rural parts), next to Leastho, and finally Mozambique. During this trip she will live with the natives in the tribes at each stopping place and live as they live. Her team’s goal will be to teach the people about the word of God, conducting studies for them, doing crafts and other activities that involve Christ. Anna

has previously traveled to Nicaragua and Malawi and is excited about God revealing His plan for her.

Devin Lavender ’11 has been accepted into the UGA College of Pharmacy for the upcoming Fall Semester. Devin is a rising junior and will be a member of the College of Pharmacy class of 2017.

Colby Rebekah Watson ’11 was named to the dean’s list Fall Semester at Georgia College & State University. She has been accepted into the Early Childhood Education Cohort and is a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.

Whitney Tucker ’06 and fiancé, Charlie East

Proud parents Braxton and Suzanne Bullard-Markert, Alexandra ’08 and Meridith ’10 at Alexandra’s graduation

Matthew Goings ’07 and fiancée Ashley Bene

Calli Watson ’09 graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Medical College of Georgia.

Haley Causey ’06 Clubb and husband Jarrett

Congratulations to a few members of the Class of 2009 at their UGA Graduation: Jeremy Trescott, Adelyn Bargeron, Taylor Duggan, Marisa Pam, Matthew Smith, Jessica Thompson, Brooke Ellard, Aubrey Place, Becca Joyce.

Kyle Stapleton ’09

Kemper Morton ’09 (#9 white jersey) running Cross Country & Track at Troy University.

FPD Magazine Summer 2013 43

Several FPD gradu-ates participated in FPD’s Career Day for seniors in April. Ca-reer Day is a chance for seniors to hear from professionals in a wide range of fields. Among the FPD alumni who spoke were engineer Daniel Slocumb ‘07 (top right), banker David Wilson ‘89 (middle left), architect Gene Dunwody ‘81 (middle) and nurse Rebecca Tribble Taunton ‘98 (bottom, middle). Also speaking were Ingleside youth pastor Adam Brown, OrthoGeor-gia CEO Bill Lindsey, pediatrician Dr. Chris Crawley, inte-rior designers Julie Renfroe and Laura Bonfim and kin-dergarten teacher Tammy Viviani.

career day

FPD Magazine Summer 201344

The Day School Society is a new giving club founded this summer.

It includes all donors who give at the $1,000 and above level (cumu-latively) in a fiscal year.

An annual donor recognition for The Day School Society members will be held at a private home off-campus, hosted by a member of the Society.

FPD’s Advancement team has a new home. Located adjacent to the main campus, just behind the foot-ball stadium, is a beautiful home, including 10 acres of land, the school purchased five years ago.

Director of Advancement Jennifer Barfield and her team are housed here; the home also has hosted board meetings and will serve as a host site for future alumni gather-ings and special events.

The Office of Advancement is re-sponsible for all of the development and alumni work of the school.

The original date of April 29 for the 14th annual FPD Golf Tournament had to be changed to May 20 due to rain.

Fortunately, we had great weather on May 20 and 30 teams showed up to enjoy a day of golf, friends, food and fun - all to support athletics at FPD. Many thanks to all of our golfers, sponsors and volunteers for another fantastic outing!

Mark your calendars now for April 21, 2014 at Idle Hour Country Club for next year’s tournament.

For additional information, contact Advancement Assistant Stephanie Gaither at stephanie.gaither@fpdmacon.org.

14th annual Golf Tournament another huge success for FPD

advancement

CALL IT A FLAIR FOR THE dramatic. Morgan Johnson knows how to finish things.

Johnson, a 2009 FPD graduate, capped a wildly successful softball career at Valdosta State University by winning the Gulf South Conference’s Commissioner’s Trophy, given to the league’s top female student-athlete.

Johnson also won the award last year.

“I was very honored that I could represent my school in this way,” Johnson told FPD sports information director Chandler Lee. “I was happy to be able to do it for the university and I was also very happy that I could put forth the effort that

I have in the last four years and have it come to something that meant something to me.”

As a senior, Johnson helped lead the Blazers back to the national tournament, hitting .374 with 12 home runs, 49 RBI and 55 runs scored. She also concluded her undergraduate work with a 3.69 GPA in Nursing.

Even in the midst of constant practices, games and classwork, Johnson contributed 71 hours of community service, helped organize the VSU Softball Blood Drive and assisted at the local dog shelter. She also volunteered at the VSU Heart Health Expo and organized free softball clinics for children 10 and under in the Valdosta area.

She is now in Macon and working as a registered nurse in the operating room at Coliseum hospital, where she likely will bump into her father, Dr. Joe Johnson, a local cardio-thoracic surgeon.

Finishing StrongMorgan Johnson ’09 ends college career with huge honor.

C

Alumni in the NewsMorgan Johnson

Morgan Johnson, a 2009 graduate, was named the recipient of the Gulf South Conference Commissioner’s Trophy for the second straight year.Photo by Valdosta State University Sports Information Department

Aug. 15 ................... First day of schoolAug. 26 ................... Open House, upper schoolAug. 29 ................... Open House, elementaryAug. 30 ................... Austin Childers Field DedicationSept. 9 .................... Red Cross Blood Drive at FPDSept. 16 .................. School pictures, grades 6-11Sept. 19 .................. School pictures, grades 3K-5Sept. 20 .................. New Family DinnerOct. 8 ................... Fall Band ConcertOct. 18 ................ HomecomingNov. 25-29 ............. Thanksgiving holidays

DATES REMEMBERto

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Aug. 23 Hawkinsville (scrimmage)Aug. 30 George WaltonSept. 6 at Pike County Sept. 20 Pace Academy Sept. 27 at Lincoln County Oct. 4 at GMC Oct. 11 Twiggs CountyOct. 18 Hancock Central* Oct. 25 at Wilkinson CountyNov. 1 Warren County**Nov. 8 at Aquinas

2013 Football Schedule

twitterFollow us: @FPDSMacon and @FPDVikingSports

www.vimeo.com/fpdmacon

All former football players and cheerleaders, please join us on Aug. 30 for a pre-game ceremony when we officially dedicate the field to Austin Childers.

sports websitewww.fpdvikings.com

2013Homecoming

get connected

We welcome reunion classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2008.Friday: Pre-game Alumni Dinner, followed by football game at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday: Fun Run and Family Fun (details to follow)Contact Amy Kenney with questions (amy.kenney@fpdmacon.org)

* Homecoming** Senior NightAll games start at 7:30 p.m.

5671 Calvin DriveMacon, Georgia 31210

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