St. DaviD’S

Seniors travel in the footsteps of Paul, weaving together the components of faith, virtue, and knowledge that they have focused on at St. David’s.

Grecian aDventure

GraDuation Heading off to college is the final step in the four year adventure. Students choose colleges that reflect their personalities and interests.

From independent studies to spiritual development, seniors reflect on their St. David’s experiences.

Senior StorieS

St. David’s Snapshot is a quarterly publication that highlights the unique ways in which St. David’s School strives to fulfill its mission of preparing young men and women for college and life in the vital areas of faith, virtue, and knowledge.

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Our graduates: the final report card...

Greetings to all,

Having recently closed out the 2011-2012 academic calendar and sent

our graduates off to college, we want to celebrate the wonderful ac-

complishments that this class has achieved. I have often said, “As goes

the senior class, so goes the school.” Well, this class was certainly a

special one that reflects what is unique about St. David’s School. Let’s

look at some of the highlights:

• The graduating class of 2012, with an average SAT of 1200, collectively received 172

acceptances to 71 institutions in 25 states.

• College acceptances included 16 acceptances to UNC-Chapel Hill, 14 acceptances to

North Carolina State University, and many other wonderful options for our students

(see the list on the back page).

• In addition, they received $3,186,160 in college merit scholarships – the highest ever

in the history of the school, with a senior class of just 45 students.

In addition to impressive statistics and college acceptances, we are blessed to have seen

our students flourish in an atmosphere that couples a superlative educational program

with an authentic Christian worldview. Truly, we are blessed.

All of the end-of-the-year festivities have passed. From our honors day assemblies to

baccalaureate, from our annual moving-up exercises to our 40th commencement exer-

cises; it all seems to go by so quickly. But we are grateful for your partnership, and we

are excited to share with you some of our joys and the success of our students.

The end of the year is always a time for reflection, so let’s take a look at how we finished

the year! Faith, Virtue and Knowledge are not simply words—they are the road map for

this headmaster.

What a responsibility it is to lead, what a privi-

lege it is to serve. May God bless you and your

families, and may God bless St. David’s School.

Onward and upward,

Kevin J. Lockerbie, Headmaster

Standing on Mars Hill, the very spot where the Apostle

Paul reasoned with Greek philosophers, offers a perfect

opportunity to bring the book of Acts alive on our senior

trip to Greece.

On the cover: with the ancient Odeon behind him, Chandler Ray soaks up the sights of the Acropolis, snapping photos along the way.

College choice journey“I want access to some

of the world’s most brilliant people,” said Powell Eddins in his interview with Harvard ad-missions. “I told them point blank, ‘I could get an educa-tion as good at UNC, but I want to be surrounded by excel-lence.’ It was the truth about why I wanted to go there...and they loved it.”

Powell’s preparation in-volved more than just a suc-cessful St. David’s education. The college office partnered with teachers and community members to help him clarify his goals, while engaging him in mock interviews to help him hone his presentation.

Despite having dreamed

of attending an ivy league col-lege for many years, choosing Harvard wasn’t simple. Duke, USC, and Emory courted him, flying him to their campuses, offering generous scholar-ships. But when it came down to it, Powell said, “it was all about the fit.”

He is excited to go and is thankful for the preparation he received at St. David’s. “It was the relationships with my teachers that made all the difference,” he said. “Having role models that I could go to for personal or academic rea-sons, with so much wisdom, knowledge, kindness, and willingness to share; that was so valuable.”

Powell Eddins, Harvard University

Ivy league decisions

Real world learning “The data from my lab work

was actually used in research at NC State,” said Becky What-ley, explaining how her inde-pendent study at NCSU had a real-world application. Like many seniors, Becky chose a specialized area of study that she wanted to try out while still in high school.

“It was awesome; it con-firmed that I want to pursue something along these lines in college,” she explained. Chemistry teacher Mrs. Norma Pedersen mentored

Becky as she researched in preparation for her culminat-ing experience in a forensic research lab at NC State. Us-ing state-of-the-art centrifuge equipment, Becky engaged in a complex process to extract DNA from bedbugs, then par-ticipated in the analysis of its DNA patterns.

Becky’s independent study became a part of important research towards a bedbug eradication program -- and a key component in directing her towards a field of study.

Becky Whatley, University of Mississippi

Forensic chemistry and bedbugs

Spiritual preparationJosh McClenney sees

spiritual development and academic excellence as go-ing hand-in-hand. “In terms of knowledge, the St. David’s curriculum is one which has challenged me and prepared me for life in college and be-yond,” he said.

Not only does Josh feel ready to face the academic

world, but he feels prepared to face the spiritual challeng-es he’ll encounter along the way.

“Spiritually, I feel confident in where I am in my walk with God,” Josh explained, “and St. David’s has helped me grow in my faith -- I feel comfortable in my faith as I go off into the world.” Josh McClenney,

UNC - Chapel Hill

Ready to face the challenges

“I had no idea how amazing it was go-ing to be,” said Adam DelPapa. “Following in

the footsteps of Paul was really enlightening.” Adam explained that the passages “meant so much more to me while I was there,” adding, “and being in the cave at Patmos, in silence, think-ing about how John wrote his Revelation -- it was incredible.”

“The devo-tionals were awesome,” said Will Sin-den. “Espe-cially the one at Ephesus.” Will recalled

the moment when the group sat for a brief devotional in the an-cient theater of Ephesus, and Mr. Lockerbie read from Acts chapter 19 -- where a mob of Ephesians stormed the theater, dragging Christians in to be attacked. The Apostle Paul struggled to get into the theater to defend them as the mob chanted “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” and a riot swirled around those early Christians. “It was a powerful experience,” explained Will about being in the very spots that the drama of biblical history unfolded.

“It was a powerful experience”

Headmaster Lockerbie opens the book of Acts in the theater at Ephesus, reading about the events that happened in that very spot.

Ephesus

Will Sinden Adam DelPapa

Beneath the bells of the Monastery of St. John, Harrison Stewart and Chan-dler Ray discuss the island of Patmos with Mr. Cianca.

Carson Hurt

Jonnie Weiandt

Athens Corinth

“Something about being in that place [the Grotto of St. John] made it click for me,” said

Carson Hurt. “It brought it closer, made me realize this was from God.” Carson was intrigued and decided that when he got back to the cruise ship, he’d pull out his Bible and take another look at the book of Revelation. “It sparked an interest in me; it made me think about the book of Revelation in another way.” Carson saw John as a man will-ing to suffer for Christ.

Jonnie Weiandt saw Carson read-ing Revelation and decided to join in. “We had some good

discussion,” Jonnie explained. They discussed the significance of the site and what they saw of it in Revelation, the pros and cons of what has been done to honor the site, and what it meant to them. They remarked about the remoteness of the island, and how God came in a vision, inspiring John to write holy scripture.

“Ephesus and Corinth really stood out as well,” said Jonnie. “To think that this was where Paul actually walked, to sense all the action of the events around us. It was right where we were.”

Biblical history comes alive across the Aegean Sea

It took a day trip to Turkey to get to Ephe-sus, and it was quite a sight. Devney Hoft and Wesleigh Vick stand in the public square, at the Library of Celsus, where the apostle Paul undoubtedly spent plenty of time while establishing the church there.

Letter to self: one of the senior trip traditions is to read the let-ters that the students wrote to themselves during the freshman retreat. Lauren Bateman and Raines Ivey chuckle as Campbell Stewart reads hers.

Leaving the cruise ship behind to follow his Greek guide up the cliffs of Santorini on his donkey, Kyle Huggins waves as he progresses upwards. Everyone took the alpine cable car back down to the dock.

Patmos

Nightly baklava runs, tzatziki sauce with fresh

bread at every meal, and grilled souvlaki -- the food was almost as epic as the sights. Even the picky eaters let loose and joined in on the fun. But the suc-culent dishes were just a taste of the purpose of the traditional senior trip to Greece. It was a time to discover, bond,

grow, and learn. Riding the donkeys

up Santorini’s cliffside “was a memorable experience, and I’d do it again in a heart-beat,” said Becky Whatley, adding with a chuckle, “even though it smelled!” These were new experiences shared with longtime friends who would soon be heading off to distant colleges. The Medi-

Above: Having breakfast on their Athens hotel rooftop, with the ancient ruins of the Temple of Zeus behind them and the Acropolis in front of them, Taylor Dickens, Lauren Bateman, Julia Canavan, and Emory Cooley look forward to another day of discovery, with the trip for the day being Corinth, where they would soon walk on the very stones that the Apostle Paul walked. Left: Corinth’s Temple of Apollo stood behind Paul as he spoke in the city square, much as it does behind Forrest Lasher and Oluwole Nylander-Thompson here. Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months, establishing a church, to whom he later wrote the letters of I & II Corinthians. Mr. Lockerbie led the seniors in a thoughtful devotional from I Corinthians as they stood in the ancient city.

terranean cruise, the deep blue waters of the Aegean, the ancient Parthenon, the 3,500 year old Mycenaean palace, and much more presented eye-opening adventures to the class.

Many of the most memorable experi-ences on the trip took place when the group visited sites that played prominently in the New Testament narrative.

Walking through the cities that Paul lived in, praying in the very cave where John wrote the Revelation -- these were moments that many seniors will remember for a lifetime.

The annual pilgrim-age to Greece is much more than a sightseeing vacation -- it’s a culmi-nating experience in the four-year adventure at St. David’s.

Greece

Eat, Pray, Bond

Caitlyn Reynolds and Katherine Boliek proudly don the caps of their next educational destina-

tion: Butler University for Caitlyn and UNC for Katherine.

Facing page: New graduates Haley Bubac and Morgan Bridg-ers are all smiles as they leave

the gym at the conclusion of the commencement exercises. The

faculty lined the exit route and celebrated the occasion with the

graduates and their families.

Chairman of the Board Mr. Joe Knott gives the graduates their final charge. He

enthusiastically congratulated them on their success and admonished them to

rise to the challenges ahead.

Justin New pauses in the Commons to read the com-

ments the faculty wrote on his senior portrait. These final words from the faculty are

treasured by both the gradu-ates and their parents.

From seniors to freshmen once again... the graduates put on their caps from the colleges they will soon be attending.

Graduation

After the last exam is grad-ed, yearbooks signed, the trip to Greece concluded

and the final awards bestowed, there was only one activity left for the class of 2012: gradua-tion. Determining these students “prepared for college and life,” the administration awarded diplomas to the graduates, along with a Bible embossed with the St. David’s seal and their initials, prayers for their success, and words of wisdom from com-mencement speaker Mr. Joe Knott, chairman of the board of trustees.

The event was packed full of St. David’s traditions, from a bagpiper leading the procession, and the faculty choir singing an “Irish Blessing” to the graduates’ reminiscences from the valedic-torian, Sam Doyle, and salutato-rian, Matt McMillan.

In our wordsHow did St. David’s prepare you for college?

I feel confi-dent entering my freshmen year at American from the years of support

and encouragement from the faculty and staff at St. David’s. They have taught me to be an autonomous individual by pro-viding leadership opportunities in academics, sports, spiritual life, and community service.” -- Lauren Bateman

“

The Final Event A special tradition included

the wall of senior portraits, each one signed by faculty members who wrote special memories that they shared with the graduates during their time at St. David’s, or one last pearl of wisdom before saying goodbye. The new gradu-ates took their photos with them as mementos to keep.

As soon as they tossed their graduation caps in the air, the new alumni donned another type of cap -- one from the college that they would soon be attending. At the luncheon, the attendees noted the directional sign with all the colleges listed that showed just how far and wide the 26 col-leges selected by our senior class are scattered.

But no matter how far they travel from this campus, they will always have a home to return to on White Oak Road.

St. David’s has provided the academic rigor of college classes as well as infinite oppor-

tunities to be independent. St. David’s teaches initiative which is a crucial trait to possess in order to succeed in college life! I owe much of the readiness I feel to the faculty’s dedication and excel-lence at what they do!” -- Hannah Bornhofen

“ St. David’s provided me with an environment where I felt safe and comfortable asking

questions and letting the teacher know when I didn’t understand. This allowed me to excel where I needed to and get the base of knowledge necessary to suc-ceed in college before I arrive on campus.” -- Harrison Stewart

“

Lauren Bateman American UniversityCatherine Boliek UNC - Chapel HillHannah Bornhofen University of VirginiaAdam Bridgers Wake Forest UniversityMorgan Bridgers East Carolina UniversityHaley Bubac East Carolina UniversityNathalie Buffaloe St. John’s UniversityJulia Canavan North Carolina State UniversityEmory Cooley North Carolina State UniversityAdam DelPapa UNC - WilmingtonTaylor Dickens Wake Forest UniversityAustin Donze Louisiana State UniversitySam Doyle Duke UniversityKaitlin Dunston UNC - Chapel HillPowell Eddins Harvard UniversityWill Flaugher Middle Tennessee State UniversityEmma Gierman Elon UniversityHanna Gierman UNC - Chapel HillBrett Griffith UNC - Chapel HillJames Harrod Western Carolina UniversityDevney Hoft Randolph-Macon CollegeKyle Huggins Elon UniversityCarson Hurt UNC - Chapel Hill

Raines Ivey UNC - Chapel HillLindley Jones University of AlabamaBen Keator Pfeiffer UniversityForrest Lasher East Carolina UniversityJosh McClenney UNC - Chapel HillMatt McMillan Clemson UniversityJoe McOwen North Carolina State UniversityJustin New UNC - Chapel HillOluwole Nylander-Thompson UNC - Chapel HillZach Rabon Savannah College of Art & DesignChandler Ray UNC - CharlotteCaitlyn Reynolds Butler UniversityPeyton Robbins North Carolina State UniversityTitus Sfirlea UNC - Chapel HillWill Sinden Wake Forest UniversityRyan Stevens North Carolina State UniversityCampbell Stewart High Point UniversityHarrison Stewart Hampden-Sydney CollegeWesleigh Vick Washington and Lee UniversityJonnie Weiandt LeTourneau UniversityBecky Whatley University of MississippiChris Widin UNC - Chapel Hill

St. DaviD’S School

3400 White Oak RoadRaleigh, NC 27609

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2012 College Choices