March 2018

Lions’ Share A S H E V I L L E

C H R I S T I A N

The ACA worldwide experience Hiking in Patagonia was one of many adventures this Winterim.

A C A D E M Y

Abby Harris, Reagan Dellinger, Kelly Lee, Elizabeth Wilcox, Lissy Somerville

ACA alumni love to come home for a visit They loved their time at ACA and like any good family, we love it when they come home for a visit. Alumni, have you moved? Gotten married? Graduated from college? Have a cool story to share? Update your contact information with us. We want to stay in touch! Visit www. AshevilleChristian.org/ Alumni-Update

Ryan Hand, Will Osigian

Jordan Shepherd, Jared Sellers pictured with Bill George Zoe Kiratzis, Esther Pruitt, Annalise Patete pictured with David Beaver

Sarah Piwowar, Katie Hankley, Sarah Foley, Sabrina Jones, Leyao Huang

Riley Beckstrand with Gordon Meiners Sophie Frank, Megan Rasku, Isabella Barker, Emily Sulaski with Mary Ellen Auten

A note from the Head of School In this issue of Lions’ Share, which highlights the achievements of this past winter, we focus on students past and present. The blessing of my tenure as Head of School has been a 25-year (a generation, the experts say) observation of fruitfulness and harvests. Oftentimes our view is shortsighted: we may see only a few years beyond graduation. But my grand view, which at times leads me to sorrow, most often leads me to thankfulness for God’s faithful hand in our students’ lives. In these features, take note of several stories from our current senior class. Can you remember when you were 17 or 18 years old? It’s important to realize that like you and me, our seniors are a work in progress. They have dreams. They are “shooting for the stars.” But they are in many ways new and improved versions of their parents, with entirely new aspirations. Our last few graduation classes have been packed with talent and drive. They are still working out what it means to live this life. As you read, listen to their hearts. I think you will see the footprints of Christ in their lives. We also reached back several years to check in on some of our alumni. What a joy it was for me to reconnect with these individuals as we sat down to do interviews for the magazine. I think you will see more footprints in their lives as well. Throughout the years, we have used many different terms to

refer to the process of growing in Christian maturity. As we see the growth of their hearts and minds, we are thankful to see spiritual formation happening in many of their lives. One of my highest goals in leadership is to love all of our students and alumni, regardless of their spiritual condition. While we have great programs in place to encourage spiritual growth, we also have exceptional teachers and coaches who show our students what healthy engagement and relationships look like. We press students into spiritual disciplines. We urge, encourage, and share not only the Gospel, “but our very lives” with students (I Thes. 2:8). The greatest compliment we hear is that we loved our students well. I am convinced that God uses the unconditional love of our school culture to dwell in the memories of most of our students so that many flourish because of the relationships forged. And for those not yet ready to embrace the Gospel, our acts of unconditional love will not drive them away. Instead, it will be a sweet remembrance that will spring forth one day, we pray. There is a great deal involved with raising up children into adults. Parents past and present have poured countless resources into their children. While Jesus is our only real trophy, I think it is fitting to celebrate not only our seniors, but also our alumni around the world who are leaving their mark. Enjoy this issue! Truly,

Bill George, Head of School

Lions’ Share

Our Mission Statement Seeking to serve Jesus Christ and uphold His pre-eminence, Asheville Christian Academy, in committed partnership with Christian parents, provides a Gospel-centered education to shepherd and inspire Christoriented lives within a community of grace.

In this issue 3 NICHOLAS PANCHY Developing a model that may help scientists discover a cure for cancer.

5 LUKE AND KATE (HOSEY) CARTER Raising a family and opening their home to children in foster care.

7 ANNA STEWART A heart for refugees and using art therapy to aid those with traumatic pasts.

Departments 9 FACULTY FOCUS 11 SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS 13 STAFF NEWS 14 FROM THE LIONS’ DEN 15 FROM THE TEAM ROOM 17 FOCUS ON THE ARTS Cover photo provided by Black Mountain Expeditions. Pictured: Rachel Lanter, Tristi Townsend, and Jason Ingle on the 2018 Winterim Patagonia trip.

© Copyright 2018

Alumni

Nicholas Panchy

A man of science and faith NICHOLAS PANCHY is a post-graduate researcher at the University of Tennessee, helping biologists use mathematics to further their research. His senior year at ACA he was voted “Most Likely to Teach at ACA,” and while that has not

happened yet, the opportunity to teach has not slipped him by entirely. Nick joined the ACA family in 4th grade, and graduated in 2007. Classmates knew Nick for his extraordinary intelligence, and he pursued a double major in biology and mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. From there he attended Michigan State University and received his Ph.D. in genetics. Having just visited with former classmates at the celebration of their 10-year reunion, Nicholas reflected on the impact ACA made on his life and shared his story of life beyond these four walls. This is an abreviated summary of the

conversation Dr. George and Mary Ellen Auten had recently with him:

What does your cancer research at UT entail? I am currently studying a type of cell differentiation called epithelial to mesenchymal transition, or EMT for short. EMT is the process by which cells can switch between migratory and layer-building functions that our bodies use in a day-to-day basis, like healing a cut, for example. Cancerous cells can also exhibit this process to form tumors and trick the body into thinking everything is okay. My research focuses on building a model of how EMT is normally controlled. The hope is that once we understand how EMT should be controlled, we can then alter the model, match predictions, and identify the regulatory genes that are responsible for a cancer’s invasive properties. While I won’t be developing the cure myself, my hope is that my model can be used to identify good targets for the development of future drugs and therapies.

What were some of your more memorable upper school experiences?

“While I won’t be developing the cure [for cancer] myself, my hope is that my model can be used to identify good targets for the development of future drugs and therapies.”

Some of the biggest impacts were probably my science classes with Mrs. Hagan and Mr. Barnett and feeling challenged to do more than just memorize facts. Mr. Barnett taught a Foundations of Science class that emphasized using logic and thinking deeply through concepts. Mrs. Hagan supplemented the standard curriculum textbook with a college textbook that helped us wrestle through much deeper concepts. I wanted to take every science class ACA offered. I also remember taking a philosophy type of class taught by Dr. George that focused on worldview and how to engage others

contrast with what science was teaching and where I was working?

In 2007, Nick showed his dramatic chops as a dancer in Esther. (He’s the one jumping, top right!) in discussion about their worldviews. It was a really great course because it prepared me as I was going into college to dialogue through different beliefs instead of just proselytizing others. It helped me to better understand my own beliefs so that I could converse with others without being shaken.

much spiritual growth. At Michigan State, I worked at a lab where many evolutionary concepts were regularly discussed. I came to the point where I needed to decide if I could reconcile my faith in God with my career. So I sat down to read Genesis – and

What was your faith journey like after ACA, especially considering your pursuit of an advanced science degree? It has been a complicated journey. At Chapel Hill, my first science class was a senior level Biology and Evolution class. I was on guard going into the class, but overall had a good experience. The professor swore on the first day of class and definitely had his own opinions, but he was willing to dialogue with students and not immediately shut down questions. I found a church in the area that had people from the university in attendance. It was encouraging to see that professors could have a faith and still work at the university level. It was also frustrating because there was a more political focus than a focus on theology, and I sadly felt there wasn’t often a chance for

A huge help in answering these questions came from the small church I attended while in Michigan, Providence PCA. The pastor had studied animal sciences and was able to talk through a number of topics and help guide me through my questions. Essentially, it came down to accepting that God reveals some things to us by allowing us to use logic and reason, and others He keeps a mystery. It reminded me of Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” It’s still a struggle at times – some people are open and intelligent, and others have preconceived notions about religion and say things that make them look foolish. But the bottom line is this: It’s not about making science my identity. I work in science. My faith defines me.

Do you have any book recommendations? Fiasco, by Polish author Stanislaw Lem, is a fictional book I just recently finished reading that really resonated with me.

Nick says ACA prepared him to ”better understand my own beliefs so that I could converse with others without being shaken.” instead read Job. When God finally speaks toward the end of the book, He asks Job if he really believes what he had been claiming. “Did you make the world? Are you God?” is essentially what God was asking Job. I knew that I had faith in God. The question then became, could I believe what God had told me in

It’s a sci-fi novel about a first contact that goes wrong. And it doesn’t go wrong because humans are greedy or cruel, but because the crew gets on a thread of logic counter to the aliens’ logic and are unable to see the flaws. I love it because it’s a parable about intelligent, reasonable, and educated people who can still have a line of thought that is wrong. I encounter a lot of people in the field that have the assumption that because it’s science, it will work. But to be able to accept that sometimes our thinking is flawed, or that science can be wrong is a huge part of how I see the world.

Alumni

Luke and Kate Carter

Raising a family to walk with the Lord KATE HOSEY and LUKE CARTER didn’t really know each other very well before they met at RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) at North Carolina State University. ACA class of 2007, Luke had already been at NC State for two years studying civil engineering before Kate, class of 2009, began her undergraduate career. They gradually struck up a friendship, which turned to something more by the time Luke graduated, and they married in 2011 after he graduated. Luke was commissioned in 2011 as a Marine Corps Officer, and they moved to Quantico for a year while he went through infantry officer training. Kate, meanwhile, continued her degree online, eventually finishing through Arizona State’s online degree program in healthy lifestyles coaching. The couple then moved to Camp Pendleton, CA as Luke served as a platoon commander and deployed as part of a Marine Expeditionary Force traveling all over the world on the LHD4 USS Boxer. His last role in the Marines was in leadership of an infantry rifle company that trained and deployed to Australia as a ready force in the Pacific region. They now live in Horseheads, NY, where Luke has transitioned to civilian life. He is employed by Nucor, the largest steel producer in the U.S. and largest recycler in North America. He is now the detailing supervisor for four

different drafting teams. Kate is currently pursuing study to become a certified herbalist. Living in rural New York comes with its challenges, but fortunately the young family has some family nearby, and they have also plugged into a wonderful church community. Luke and Kate have two children, Thomas, age 5, and Byron, age 2. As they have researched where to put Thomas in Kindergarten next year, the importance of having the home and school mesh in the message that is being taught has been brought into sharp focus. Wanting the messages that are being taught and reinforced to synchronize with home, they have committed to continuing the tradition of Christian schooling in their own family. Additionally, they have been licensed to be a foster and respite care home in their county. The following is from a Luke and Kate have two children, Thomas, age 5, and Byron, age 2, and call rural New York state home.

recent interview with Dr. George.

Can you tell us more about your foster care experience? KATE: Children will often spend 2-7 nights at a time, usually for emergency situations. Recently, we took on a long-term foster care of two girls. It has been challenging, but we are hopeful for their futures moving forward. Our family has been stretched and grown closer this past year as we’ve had to come together and really work as a team to actively love and add new family members. It affects even the youngest member of the household so we have to be wise at to what our family is capable of and how we spend our time as a family. Everyone knows that when a child comes into our home, even if only for a night, that they are part of the family. Love is not a feeling, but an action.

“We are no different from those we are serving.” Foster parents are rarely given much information about children coming into their care. It’s fast moving and intense. Typically, we get a phone call with a child’s age, gender, and a guess if this is short term or long term. We then have a short period of time to discuss and respond. Usually within a few hours they are being dropped off at our house. It’s wild! The first few times were extremely difficult because we didn’t know what we were doing, and there is definitely a learning curve to this. We still have so much to learn but we are very thankful for God’s provisions and grace. He has used these experiences to help us see our need for Him. We are no different from those we are serving.

life, even from a random speaker one week in chapel.

Do you have any parenting advice to share with our families? LUKE: Actually, we would like some advice ourselves! We feel like we are just learning as we go and could use all the advice we can get. DR. GEORGE: Every kid wants to know two things, right? One, do you love me? And two, where are the boundaries? The boundaries are where the battles will be, so don’t be discouraged, and hold fast. It doesn’t matter how many hours of TV you allow them to watch – they will

What inspired you to become foster parents? KATE: The idea of being adopted daughters and sons of Christ is really appealing. Both Luke, ACA class of 2007, and Kate, class of 2009, didn’t really know of us have considered each other very well before they met again at RUF at North Carolina adoption since we were State University. They were married in 2011. very young. My mom says I expressed a desire always ask for more. And regarding before I even remember wanting to. loving your children, unconditional I came to see adoption through the love is hard to demonstrate, but how foster care system as the direction we love our children can show them we would go, if not just for the huge a picture of Christ’s love for us and need in upstate NY. We were also makes Him attractive to others. encouraged by younger friends who had gone that route, that you didn’t What about ACA has made a lasting have to be a certain age before you impact on you? could do foster care. KATE: I really appreciate my ACA LUKE: A chapel speaker at ACA one day shared a fact that 3,000 children in NC at that very moment were in need of a home. That really awakened something in my heart that never left me. Funny how one phrase can stick with you your whole

experience. I may not have liked memorizing Bible verses or wearing uniforms at the time, but now I so appreciate that Bible verses come to mind when situations arise. I may not remember them verbatim, but the messages are deeply rooted. I

also feel like ACA allowed students to learn to communicate with brothers and sisters in Christ, how to walk and follow after Christ, and how to have healthy Christian relationships with adults. For example, Mrs. Goffin shared with me one day that she had been up at 3 a.m. praying for me and asked how I was doing. I feel like ACA prepared me to reach out and find Christian community and find help and encouragement from ladies in the church. LUKE: I concur with Kate on how ACA taught students to build solid relationships. It also helped in the understanding of authority and trust. I also feel like it taught me to be a disciplined person. In fact, to reiterate that notion, I have been reading Good to Great by Jim Collins, and I am struck with the concept of needing to be a disciplined person, engaged in disciplined thoughts, which leads to disciplined actions. I tend to be a workaholic, and I think ACA both helped and hurt in that area. First ACA taught me how to handle a high level of stress because of how many opportunities I had to get involved in so many different avenues of school life. However, I have found that I needed to retrain myself in how to say “no” and balance life well without becoming overcommitted. Now that we have children, I am trying to figure out how to train them to have a well-balanced life. But overall, it’s the teachers who are the ones that have the biggest impact on the students at ACA. They are the ones on the ground, holding the banner high, and communicating the mission of ACA to each individual student.

Alumni

Anna Stewart

A heart for refugees ANNA STEWART, class of 2009, started at ACA in seventh grade. She attended a basketball camp at the old campus where she also interviewed, but by the time classes started, the school had moved to its current location. She remembers bringing a Harry Potter book with her to the interview and the subsequent 20-minute conversation she had with Dr. George over the popular young adult series. Anna proceeded to be an active member of the soccer and basketball teams in addition to taking four years of art and Spanish classes and volunteering in her spare time. A spunky young woman, Anna recalls that she did not take the traditional route after high school. She began her undergraduate studies at UNC-Greensboro in prenursing, but after two years decided to take a year off to work at Red Cloud Camp in Colorado, helping kids in adverse circumstances learn outdoor skills. She then returned to UNCG to complete a degree in art therapy. She has since finished her master’s degree from New York University in art therapy as well. Her studies have taken

Anna worked with Syrian refugee children in istanbul, Turkey her all over the world, a trend that she hopes to continue. During her time at UNCG, Anna was involved in a variety of experiences that helped set her on her current path. She studied in Peru to complete her Spanish studies, something she has found very useful in her work in New York. She also volunteered with AmeriCorps while finishing her undergraduate degree. She worked primarily with children of refugees in the Greensboro area, tutoring and exploring art therapy techniques as a way to help them process traumas they had experienced. Her firsthand witness of how these children had been affected by their situations made Anna ask herself how

Anna says she “wanted to travel, but as more than just a tourist – to develop relationships to help others and to look outside my own bubble.” Here she does art therapy with autistic adults in Florence, Italy.

“The use of art therapy helps refugees individualize their experiences, to humanize them.” to better help refugee populations, especially through art therapy. It was a question that would pursue her all the way through her graduate studies and beyond. In NYU’s art therapy program, Anna found the flexibility and support for students to take a more clinical approach and explore a broader scope of research beyond that of a typical art therapist. She received two different art grants to study in Italy, and used the opportunity to work with adults with autism. Most of her work was non-verbal due to the language barrier, but it was also rewarding. Spurred on by her work in Italy, she went to work in the Usra Community Center in Istanbul, Turkey for three weeks. The center works exclusively with Syrian refugees. The children at the center are being helped to write or draw their narratives. Anna reflects that “we rarely see the real picture of the refugee experience because the world sees such a blended picture. The use of art therapy helps the refugees to individualize their experiences – to humanize them.” Energized by this experience, she applied to return to Turkey on another grant from NYU to work for a month with refugees, this time with an even more structured research plan and intentional education for the children. Back home in the States, Anna has had experience working in a variety of settings in New York City using her art therapy degree. From residential treatment centers for young boys to a rehab hospital working with undocumented adults, to her current position working with children in Brooklyn with one or more incarcerated parents, she continues to work with an international goal in mind. Anna points to the ACA basketball mission trips to Poland as being instrumental in her faith journey. She recalls that they “created a launchpad of desiring to work with those in need overseas. I developed the idea that I wanted to travel, but as more than just a tourist – to develop relationships to help others and to look outside my own bubble. The experience in Poland definitely shaped my trajectory to travel and help others.” She says that her heart is in Turkey and she hopes that she might find a way to live there in the near future.

ACA

Dates to Remember April 19 Guys and Dolls, 7 pm April 20 Quarter 4 Mid-Term US Parent Chat, 1:30 pm Guys and Dolls, 7 pm April 21 Guys and Dolls, 1 pm and 6 pm April 24 MS Spring Banquet, 6 pm April 25 MS Parent Chat, 1:45 pm April 26 Guys and Dolls, 7 pm April 27 No School ACSI Math Olympics Guys and Dolls, 7 pm April 30 Rising Senior College Workshop May 1 Lion Golf Classic May 2 LS Parent Chat, 1:45 pm May 4 LS Fine Arts Night, 6:30 pm May 5 Upper School Spring Fling May 7-18 AP Testing May 8 Learning Connections Recognition Night May 11 MS/US Fine Arts Night, 7 pm May 16-18 Eighth Grade Charleston Trip May 16 Lower School Awards Chapel, 8:30 am Upper School Awards Chapel, 1:15 pm May 18 K4/K5 Field Day Senior Walk, 8:30 am May 23 Noon Dismissal KinderCelebration Gathering of the Pride, 6 pm May 24 Noon Dismissal Middle School Awards Chapel, 10:45 am Sports Physicals, 12 pm Eighth Grade Stepping Up, 7 pm May 25 Field Day (Grades 1-5) Noon Dismissal/Last Day of School Baccalaureate, 7 pm May 26 Graduation, 10 am

Faculty Focus A heart for our students:

New Head of Upper School Wade Tapp Wade Tapp was born in Atlanta, Georgia and moved with his family to Charlotte at age 11. He attended Charlotte Christian in high school and then majored in biology at Covenant College. He proceeded to teach science and coach basketball at Covenant Day School in Charlotte while completing his master’s degree in educational administration through Covenant College. He also served as Covenant Day’s Assistant Principal and Student Life Director. Wade was raised in a Christian home by parents who understood and communicated Christ’s preeminence in all things. The Holy Spirit awakened him to his own sin and need for a savior through their intentional teaching and guidance.

What has been the most encouraging thing for you about coming to ACA as a father and as a principal? The number one question I asked before considering ACA as a place of profession was whether or not this was a school that I would want my kids to attend. I knew that this was a strong school – both in community and academically, based on acquaintances who were familiar with the school and people that I had met during visits. Mrs. Dowdy and Mrs. Lowder have done an absolutely phenomenal job of shepherding, teaching, and loving my children. I could not be more pleased with their experience. Professionally, I wanted to work

academic culture. In the short term we simply need to think intentionally about our growth. ACA’s Upper School has increased by over 20% in the past year, and this means we need to work intentionally to handle that growth – both culturally and logistically. Regarding longterm goals, I think about the school that I want my son or daughter to come into when they reach Wade and Kim Tapp moved this year from Charlotte to Swannanoa. Kim high school. What will the heartbeat is a graphic designer and works from home. They have two children, of our culture be? In Caden (7) in first grade and Lindley (5) in K4, both attending ACA. my mind, one of the at a school that valued partnering greatest opportunities we have with parents. I appreciated the fact in education is to broaden the that parent partnership was a part horizons of our students. This means of the mission statement. In order exposing them to experiences – to operate effectively as a covenant either through classes, field trips school, we need to establish the or service opportunities – that they common ground that we have in might not otherwise participate in. A Christ, and move forward from couple of great examples of this are there. Operating from a common our Global Issues Class- designed understanding of the Creationto increase student awareness of Fall-Redemption narrative that concerns that impact humanity runs through the world that we as a whole – from homelessness inhabit informs how we think about to hunger. Another example is education. If our lives on this earth Winterim – this has traditionally should emanate from the gospel, been an opportunity for students to then it will transform every part of experience internships or travel, but how we teach. I think there is untapped potential regarding the places and things that What is your short-term vs. long-term students can be a part of.

vision for the Upper School?

There have been some incredible men handling the leadership transition in the Upper School over the past couple of years. Both Jeff Herzog and Rick Spurling cared well for student hearts and the spiritual climate of the school.  They mentored faculty and worked to perpetuate the strong

What Upper School strengths do you see? Both the teachers and students at Asheville Christian are incredible. The teachers, both veteran and new, care deeply about the hearts of the students and are masters of their craft. The students themselves are amazingly talented – athletically, artistically, and academically. 

Wade Tapp: Thoughts on school culture We all know that upper school students are busy.  The tyranny of the urgent presses in around us, and simultaneously we are inundated by messages from social media about what is “important.” We shouldn’tforget the importance of long-term gratification and what writer and Yale University Professor David Brooks calls, “Eulogy Values.”  So how can this be addressed?  How do we reorient the framework of our worldview?  Part of the solution relates to the long-term goals I mentioned earlier – finding opportunities for students and teachers to look beyond of ourselves and our experiences.  Part of the solution lies within our admissions department by continuing to seek out families that have bought in to Christian education and the values that it instills. And part of it lies in the intentional work that we do through spiritual formation – which we are continually tweaking – small groups, chapels, Bible classes, and the everyday relationships that faculty members form with students.

Beyond that, I am struck by the spiritual maturity that many of our students possess. Especially in conversation with upper classmen, I see a desire to put feet on the gospelcentered education that they receive in the classrooms.

Any advice for parents of teenagers? I have never parented a teenager, but I have worked with them for over a decade, so there are some observations that I’ve made in my career. Ultimately, it’s important to keep the end in mind, and the end is not just graduation. There really should be two primary goals for your children as they grow and mature. The first is that they have a thriving relationship with the Lord, and the second is that you be in a position to maintain a positive peer relationship with them when they are adults. When you view other goals with those two as primary priorities, it really helps to discern what is valuable. Athletic achievement,

college acceptance, and monetary comfort is all fine, but they actually do not, by themselves, tap into what best results in human flourishing.

Who have been the role models with the biggest influence in your life? I feel so privileged when I look back on my life and think about the various people who have taken time to invest in me. My father was the best man in my wedding, and his position as such speaks his willingness to love me unconditionally and speak wisdom into my life. There has never been a major decision in my life that I did not discuss with him first, and every time he has spoken with wisdom and insight. One of the most honorable men that I have ever known is Scott Dillon, currently Head of School at Westminster Catawba Christian School, who was my Middle School Principal. When I attended his school, he had a quiet, unassuming

disposition, yet his commitment to the development of the spiritual lives of students was resolute. He is the one who taught me to always ask, “what is best for the student?” when faced with hard decisions. I have also borrowed his favorite verse as a theme for my work in Christian education – 3 John 1:4 – “I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.”

Any books that you would recommend? I recommend Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx to anyone who has not read it. I picked it up early in my career, and it changed the way that I thought about sports, coaching, and leadership. I most recently finished Making Sense of God by Tim Keller, which is an insightful, well-referenced read for those looking to having conversation with unbelieving friends. I am currently reading The New Testament and the People of God by N.T. Wright, which is incredibly well done.

and live out their faith made a huge impact. The relationships that the teachers have with their students and their willineness to talk about their faith and share life experiences, relating to times when they were younger as well.

Senior Spotlight THE CLASS OF 2018 has many bright and already very accomplished young men and women among its ranks. The 65-member

GRAY JACKSON

class is one of ACA’s first graduating classes that have attended kindergrarten through

Years at ACA: 15 (K3-12)

senior year at the current Riverwood Road

Extra-curricular involvement: Soccer, Track and Field, Basketball, NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Habitat for Humanity

campus. Even as this class has grown in size, the “lifers” have enveloped each group of newcomers into the fold. Healthily competitive, the class born almost

Non-ACA Activities: Indoor Soccer, Soccer Referee

exclusively in the 21st Century has led ACA

Intended College Major: Nursing

to multiple state championships, achieved

Potential College Choices: East Tennessee State University, Appalachian State University, UNC Chapel Hill

renown on the stage, as well as pushed each other over the years to academic excellence. From Harvard-bound to future trauma surgeons, this class does not lack in ambition. The five seniors featured here are just a small sample of what this class has to offer. Whether they joined the ACA community this year or back in 2003, each one is beloved and has contributed something special to the lives of everyone here. With over half of their senior year behind them, each is looking ever more intently at what may be in store beyond ACA. We look forward to seeing how God will use the class of 2018 in the future.

Influential Teachers: It was in Mr. Ingle’s Bible class when Gray felt like his faith become his own instead of just something that he learned about. The impact wasn’t necessarily in the content of the lessons so much as the personal relationship Mr. Ingle developed with his students. “You could just tell that he cared about us a lot.” As a younger teacher and coach, Coach Ficker was a relatable example and role model for the soccer teams. “You can always talk to him about anything. He can joke and have fun, but be real when he needs to be. We’re ‘his boys,’ almost like he’s our dad.” Spiritual Impacts of ACA: The example of the faculty, being of such diversity in contrast with their united strength of faith, and seeing how different everyone is, but still able to articulate Asheville Christian’s Class of 2018 gathers at the nation’s Capitol in November.

CHLOE DAVIS Years at ACA: 6 (K5-2, 10-12) Extra-curricular involvement: Volleyball, Track and Field, Cross Country, Soccer, NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Habitat for Humanity Non-ACA Activities: Piano, Volunteering at Horse Sense OTC Intended College Major: Pre-med Potential College Choices: UNC Chapel Hill or High Point University Influential Teachers: Mr. Green taught her a love of writing in AP Language and Composition by encouraging the class to view everything they wrote as an argument. Chloe began to view writing assignments as more than just homework exercises, but a chance to really make her voice known. He also makes it a point to draw individuals into group conversation so that everyone can benefit and learn from one another. Chloe has had Mrs. Hagan for three classes, and beyond the drive and high expectations found in her classroom, Chloe shared that Mrs. Hagan is also a source of comfort and compassion to her students. “She’s our school mom, listens to us without being judgmental, and gives good advice.” Spiritual Impacts of ACA: Mr. Rowe’s Biblical Discernment class challenged Chloe to go deeper in her faith than ever before. He encouraged his students to view prayer as something more than just praying for simple and immediate things and he opened the doors to help them view prayer as a means of praise and adoration.

“I grew immensely in my faith that year. I didn’t necessarily learn more facts, but he helped bring out the personal side of Christianity for me.”

VICTORIA TAMPLIN JACOB PARKS Years at ACA: 6 (7-12) Extra-curricular involvement: Upper School Choir, Lighting Crew for drama, NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Tri-M Non-ACA Activities: Teaching Sunday School at Biltmore Church Intended College Major: Chemical Engineering Potential College Choices: MIT, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State University, University of Alabama Huntsville Influential Teachers: Jacob claims the “dubious honor of being one of the few who actually enjoys [Mr. Barnett’s] subjects.” His outlook on academics and school is a mindset that Jacob appreciates, especially his ability to see a lot of the fun stuff in the sciences. Outside the classroom, Mr. Barnett also trained Jacob to use the light board for the school plays and allowed him the freedom to not just assist, but gradually to take the reins. Mr. Herzog has a unique approach to grading and often points out to his students that he is never taking points away from them – he just isn’t giving them points they didn’t earn. Additionally Jacob reflects, “His theological outlook and his submission to the Lord in all things is so much more than I’ve ever witnessed. Hearing him talk, I wish that I had been able to have a Bible class with him.” Spiritual Impacts of ACA: When asked what about ACA had the greatest impact on his spiritual walk, he simply stated, “Broadly, relationships that I’ve made here.”

MALEEAH LANGSTAFF Years at ACA: 1 (12) Extra-curricular involvement: Basketball, Habitat for Humanity Non-ACA Activities: Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Soccer, Cross Country, Track and Field Intended College Major: Communications with Sportscasting Potential College Choices: Committed to Winthrop University Influential Teachers: Mr. Herzog made an otherwise hard subject an enjoyable one for MaLeeah. She also points to the ways she has grown spiritually because of the way he incorporates faith into his lessons. SIP is another class that is hard to like, but Mrs. McIntosh has made sure that all the students get the support they need. One day, as MaLeeah apologized for bothering her, Mrs. McIntosh responded, “MaLeeah, that’s what I’m here for.” MaLeeah says of Mrs. Goffin, “She helped me not just catch up in Brit. Lit., but also to love the literature. I also appreciated that she took the opportunity to get to know me on a personal level.” Spiritual Impacts of ACA: The basketball team and coaches encouraged and supported MaLeeah as she started at a new school her senior year. “I had fallen out of love with the game and was questioning why God would allow that to happen. They helped me to reconnect with God and go deeper in my relationship with him. And I also re-found my love of the game.”

Years at ACA: 13 (K5-12) Extra-curricular involvement: Cross Country, Track, Swimming, Volleyball, Tennis, NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Habitat for Humanity, Student Ambassadors Non-ACA Activities: Symphonettes, Mission trips to the Dominican Republic, Volunteer at the Least of These Ministries Intended College Major: Business Administration Potential College Choices: UNC Chapel Hill, Clemson University, University of Georgia, and New York University Influential Teachers: Mrs. Hagan became the teacher that Victoria sought for advice. “She will yell at you like a mom to clean up your messes, but you know she loves you. You also know that you have to go above and beyond the set expectations in her class. She pushes you to go the extra mile.” Victoria reflects on one instance where she wrote a discussion paper that did not receive very good marks, but after then presenting it to the class as a speech, Mr. Green’s comments sparked in her a love of public speaking. “I love Mr. Green because he has seen the evolution of our class over the last four years and makes a point to come up and talk about life with us. He also takes someone who hates writing and turns them into someone who loves it.” Spiritual Impacts of ACA: Mr. Ingle’s Bible class was where Victoria found herself encouraged to wrestle with hard questions and have discussions on the issues at hand. “I finally found myself understanding why certain things were rules instead of resenting them. He also helped teach us how to react to things in the world as Christians.”

Staff News

Serving at Christmas

Chef Cindy Normand and her husband spent this past Christmas morning a little differently this year, delivering specially packed boxes to some of Asheville’s homeless. Instead of purchasing gifts for family and friends this Christmas, Chef CINDY NORMAND decided to make “Homeless Care Kits” for local homeless residents in Asheville. She went to Walmart and purchased enough food items, toiletries, blankets, and winter clothing items for eight kits. She boxed them up in Christmas boxes with ribbon and a Christmas card with some words of kindness. She and her husband Tom then distributed them to the homeless on Christmas morning. Over the past several years, Chef Cindy has begun to renounce the commercialism that often

accompanies Christmas. Realizing how fortunate she is to live in comfort, wanting for nothing, she felt challenged to help those who struggle to make ends meet, especially those who do not even have the basic necessities. Switching things up helped her to feel the true spirit of Christmas again by allowing her to give back to the community and feel joy in her heart. Sharing the love of God with those in need at Christmas is just one of the ways that God works through His people. Reflecting on the experience, Chef Cindy shares, “I really loved the bonding experience that Tom and I had while putting the kits together. And the sense of gratitude from the recipients was overwhelming. The biggest challenge was overcoming the uncomfortable feeling of approaching people without knowing their situation, and hoping not to insult someone if my instincts were wrong. We solved the issue by relying on my contact at Western Carolina Ministries, and he helped us determine who would benefit most. “I’m very happy with my decision to celebrate Christmas by giving back. I share it with others not to brag or boast, but to inspire them to do the same!”

Chef Cindy Normand lets lower school students touch and see live lobsters up close and personal.

From the Lions’ Den: Winterim UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS recently completed ACA’s seventh annual Winterim mini-semester. Students choose from special class offerings, U.S. and international trips, and a wide variety of internships for this special one to two-week enrichment experience. Dean of Men JASON INGLE led a backpacking and kayaking trip through a portion of Patagonia in Argentina. MRS. JESSICA TRIPP organized a mission trip to Sri Lanka through Serve to LEAD. The foreign language department took an immersion experience to FRANCE AND SPAIN, while the Fine Arts Department explored the artistic and culinary sides of NEW YORK CITY. They also spent some time volunteering with children at the House on Beekman and engaged the children with a puppet program and reading. The BASEBALL TEAM retreated to the warmer climate of Orlando, Florida for the final Winterim trip of the season, playing some of Florida’s high school teams as well as visiting Universal Studios. The class offerings were, as usual, varied and interesting. Pictured are students who participated in the Farm to Table and Victorian Experience classes. Other classes included a soccer referee training and 3D Blender computer programming. Over 100 of our upper school students chose to participate by setting up internships all over the city, state, and in some cases, country. For example, senior JAKE HANKLEY had the opportunity to intern at NASA for the week.

Victorian Experience class visited the Biltmore House

It wasn’t “all work and no play” for the New York travelers.

Students performed with puppets and read with students at New York’s House on Beekman.

Foreign language department had an immersion experience in France and Spain.

Jason Ingle led a backpacking and kayaking trip through a portion of Patagonia in Argentina.

Above: Hao Ding and Bob Li visited a farm with the Farm to Table class. Below: Hannah Burnette with children at a school in Sri Lanka

From the Team Room

A Myth Debunked “An Indian burial mound.” That is one of the more popular rumors that circulated over the years around the existence of the hill formerly next to the soccer fields on the east side of campus. And while there is a slight possibility of finding an arrowhead digging just about anywhere in Swannanoa, the myth of a sacred burial site on the property of ACA is just that: a myth. Driving down Riverwood Road towards campus these days reveals a little less hill and a little more blue Staking out new territory

roof. Land excavators flattened out the knoll over the Christmas break to make way for a new multi-purpose athletic field. In keeping with the most recent Campus Master Plan, the addition of this field helps solve several challenges in addition to setting the stage for future growth. Varsity soccer and baseball games will be able to take place simultaneously, something that has not been able to happen safely due to the proximity of the current fields. The reduction of the grade of the hill will mean a better ease of access to the lower soccer field, which is eventually set to be the location of on-campus tennis courts. So what about the myth of the football field? It is true, the Asheville Saints will occasionally use this new multisport field as a home game field as we continue to partner with this independent

Preparing to roll out the sod

football team. But while we will maintain a loose partnership with the Saints, the field will remain a multi-sport field that will greatly benefit a number of ACA sports teams and club teams. So why this field? And why now? With the release of the updated Campus Master Plan at the

Middle schoolers enjoying a fire on top of the hill in the fall of 2016. The fire pit may have been removed, but the new field promises just as many fun memories. Gala last spring came a renewed excitement for finishing the campus. ACA parents approached the school with a desire to see these aspects of our master plan come to fruition. Upon board approval and meeting the criteria for established gifting, they generously funded the projects, and for this we are so grateful. We are excited that we will be able share additional plans that are in

development in the next few months. The hill is leveled. The turf is laid. But before ACA moved from the Bell Road campus in East Asheville, Dr. George and others stood on top of this hill, looked out over the Baker farm, and first felt God’s peace in the confirmation of a new location for the school. For those who were a part of the search for ACA’s new home over 20 years ago, the hill was a monument to God’s provision. As we move forward, ACA continues to be a testimony of God’s faithfulness. No one who stood surveying the property dared to dream that ACA would be what it is today. As steps are taken to improve the campus and to move toward completing the master plan, we must note that all of this is possible because of generous people who want to partner with Asheville Christian Academy in the ministry and education of the next generation of Christ-following planners, dreamers and earthshakers.

Canary Islands at Christmas Over Christmas break, the VARSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL team traveled to the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain to participate in a tournament and see some of the sights.

Winter Season Summary VARSITY GIRLS were NCISAA 2A Runners-Up and CAA Cochampion. JAY CRUELL, MALEEAH LANGSTAFF, EMMA NEWTON, and BRAELYN WHITESIDE were named All Conference. Langstaff was also named All Sate. VARSITY BOYS were in the NCISAA 2A Final Four and CAA Runners-Up. RAISHAUN BROWN, CALEB MILLS, and JUSTIN TENE were named All Conference. Mills and Tene were also named All State. VARSITY SWIMMING went to the state swim meet where the girls finished 9th in the NCISAA and boys finished 12th. ERIN BUTLER (in the 100 fly and 100 breast stroke) and BODE LIZARRALDE (in the 100 fly) were named All Conference. Erin has been a varsity letterman and has gone to States every year since seventh grade. She will be swimming on scholarship for The University of Findlay next fall. Lizarralde, Butler

Fine Arts Focus

Regional Gold Key Winners

Gold Keys and more

ACA Students Win 32 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is a national competition for students in grades 7-12. Students apply in 29 categories of art and writing and are juried by experts in the visual and literary arts. Students receiving Gold and Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, or American Visions and Voices nominations are celebrated in their communities and Gold Key works move on to the national competition. We are excited that this year SILAS CHU, SUSANNAH CONDON, and ISABEL INMAN were Gold Key recipients in the categories of Drawing and Illustration and Photography. JOY BARKER, RACHEL FORESTER, ISABEL INMAN, JANE JACKSON, HENRY LOGAN, JESSE PATETE, AIDAN PEELE, and AMELIA ST.ONGE received a Silver Key in the categories of Painting, Drawing and Illustration, Ceramics and Glass, Film and Animation, Comic Art, and Sculpture. Their works were on display at the Asheville Art Museum On the Slope through early March.

Sinking City (Photo) Susannah Condon, 9th grade

The Coffee Shop at the Center of the Universe with Special Guest Salmon Jim (Drawing and Illustration) Silas Chu, 11th grade

Silas Chu was named a ­Scholastic Gold Medalist for his black and white rendering of his illustration. It also received Best of Show at the ACSI Art Festival in March with color added. Silas Chu’s work deserves special note. He was named a NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS GOLD MEDALIST! Gold Medalists are invited to the National Awards Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in NYC on June 7, 2018.

Cincerely (Photo) Isabel Inman, 9th grade

All National Gold award-winning artwork will be put on exhibit for a few months in NYC at Parsons, The New School for Design, and Pratt. Then the works become part of a national traveling exhibit with stops including the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Museum and Library services in Washington D.C. Congratulations, Silas!

ACA Presents

CARLISLE PATETE was awarded a Gold Key award at the regional competition for her poem entitled Stars in Their Eyes. At the national level, Carlisle was a Silver Medalist. Congratulations Carlisle! These students have been identified by panels of creative professionals as the most talented young artists and writers in the nation. This year, nearly 350,000 works of art and writing were submitted. Less than 1% were recognized at the national level. LYDIA BASHAM, SUSANNAH CONDON, RACHEL FORESTER, CHRIS FUNK, HALEY GUESS, PEYTON HIGHTOWER, AUDREY HILL, KAYLEE HUTZLER, ISABEL INMAN, JESSICA KELLEY, MASON LAMB, CARLISLE PATETE, JESSE PATETE, AIDEN SCHROEDER, ISABELLA ST.ONGE, and TRIP TRIPLETT also received Honorable Mention in various categories. Our students were recognized at the Awards Ceremony held at the Diana Wortham Theatre on Sunday, February 25. Thank you to Mrs. Jennifer Edwards for her continued support and encouragement of our young artists. It is evident that under her guidance, they have been allowed to flourish. We are proud of the results and representation of ACA at the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

PERFORMANCES: Thursday, April 19 7:00 pm Friday, April 20 7:00 pm Saturday, April 21 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm Thursday, April 26 7:00 pm Friday, April 27 7:00 pm

All-District Band Out of 31 ACA students who auditioned for the regional AllDistrict Bands this winter, five students were selected to represent ACA in the honors band. RACHEL FORESTER, EMILY BOER, and CAMERON DAVIS (not pictured) were selected to play in the middle school band, and ALEXIS FULLER and STEPHANIE FIELD played in the high school band performance on February 10. Stephanie Field, flute player, also qualified to audition for the All-State band. Congratulations, musicians!

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Champion of the frozen tundra ACA dad wins 1000-mile Iditarod Trail race on foot

< The Ripmaster family

We partner with Christian families to provide a unique transformational education in a Christ-centered community of grace.

The Asheville Citizen Times reports that “Of all the agonies Ripmaster endured . . . the one he can’t shake is the memory of waking up in a sleeping bag next to the Yukon River, smothered under a foot of snow, with wolves howling dangerously close along the ridges above his bivvy. ‘Peo­ple said, ‘that’s so awesome, you heard wolves!’ Well, it’s not. It’s really scary.’” Ripmaster told the paper last week, safely back home in Fairview.

74 Riverwood Road Swannanoa, NC 28778 www.AshevilleChristian.org

Former ACA middle school teacher and dad to two lower school girls Peter Ripmaster spent the last month trudging across Alaskan wilds, averag­ing 38 miles per day. He won the byinvitation-only race for the first time in three tries.

2018 Lion Golf Classic The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

Save the Date! Tuesday, May 1 For more information, visit: www.ashevillechristian.org/golf-classic