Covenant Alumni Newsletter: November 2015

The Talon: November 2015

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"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
1 Thessalonians 2:8

News from the Office

Alumni Program Personnel Changes
Covenant Welcomes Clay Tharrington

Clay Tharrington is a new face at The Covenant School. He joined the Advancement Office at the beginning of November to train under current Alumni Relations Coordinator, Alexis Valente '10. Clay will succeed Alexis as Alumni Relations Coordinator when she leaves Covenant at the end of December. There will be several opportunities to say goodbye to Alexis and meet Clay before the end of the calendar year and we hope that you will join us at our events. The last event that they will work together will be the Alumni Basketball Game on Sunday, December 27th. We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Events in Charlottesville

Tuesday, November 17

Tomorrow, alumnus Paul Beyer '00 will be speaking about his experiences as an entrepreneurial leader in the Charlottesville community. Paul is the founder and director of Charlottesville's Tom Tom Founders Festival. He is also the vice president of R. L. Beyer Custom Homebuilders. This is the first Covenant Business Partners meeting of the year. We hope to see you at the Vander Meulen Library at the Lower School for this professional networking event.

Sunday, December 27

The annual Alumni Basketball Game will be held on Sunday, December 27th at 2:00 p.m. You can sign up to play on the Google Doc here. This year, there will be no reception afterwards but bananas and Gatorade will be provided to players. Also new this year, current TCS boys and girls basketball players will be invited to play with you! Each member on the winning team will win a stainless steel Covenant water bottle. Be on the lookout for a Facebook event and a reminder email closer to the game.

Tuesday, November 17

Covenant Business Partners: Speaker, Paul Beyer '00
Vander Meulen Library (Lower School)
8:30 a.m.

Thursday, November 19
Liberty & Lynchburg Mini-Reunion
Panera
12:30 p.m

Sunday, December 27
Alumni Basketball Game
Upper School Gym
2:00 p.m

Saturday, May 21
Alumni Soccer Tournament
Upper School Fields
Time TBD

Covenant Business Partners

Alumni Reconnecting

Opportunities presented by the Office of Alumni Relations

JMU Mini-Reunion

A handful of JMU alumni connected over lunch at El Charro in Harrisonburg on Wednesday, October 14th. Several alumni from the Class of 2015 came to share stories about their first semester at college. Also present was an alumna from the Class of 2010.

Pictured from left to right. Bobby Findley '15, Hugh Mills '15, Amal Mitchell '15, Sarah Harar '15, Alina Murphy '10

CNU Mini-Reunion

There was a great turnout for the CNU alumni lunch at Schooners Bar & Grill. Alumni of all class years caught up with each other and shared stories with Alexis Valente ’10, Spencer Burton, and Clay Tharrington, who visited the school on Wednesday, November 4th.

Pictured from left to right. Sarah Field ’13, Jamie Gaston ’13, Noah Crawford ’15, Sara Maria Finley Blanton ’11, Nathan Sieminski ’12, Josh Sipe ’12, Jay Gaffney ’15. Not pictured: Jacob Savinsky ’13, Courtney Krstich ’15, Spencer Godine ’14.

Portrait of a Graduate:
Lindsay Shoop

When Lindsay Shoop '99 entered The Covenant School as a fifth grader, she had no idea that her life's journey would eventually lead her to the podium as an Olympic Gold medalist. She planned to attend Covenant only through middle school, but says that her friends, teachers, and coaches inspired her to stay.

One of those teachers was longtime Latin instructor Betty Hogan, who instilled in her a love for languages. During her senior year at Covenant, Lindsay turned down scholarship offers to basketball and volleyball programs, choosing instead to pursue a degree at the University of Virginia. After being recruited by U.Va.’s rowing coach, she joined the team during her third year and went on to become a 2-time NCAA All-American, recognized as one of the best rowers in the country. After graduating, Lindsay moved to New Jersey where she trained with the coaches of the National Team. Her training earned her a spot in the Women’s Eight boat at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. She and her boatmates won the Olympic Gold in the 2000 meter distance, the first win of that length in the history of American rowing. Last year, Lindsay, with her team, was inducted into the United States Rowing Hall of Fame. Lindsay not only excelled as an Olympian, but also won three world championships, set a world best time, and medaled in 5 of 8 world cups in various boat classes.

Following her Olympic career, Lindsay moved to Florida where she fulfilled her dream of working with the Miami Beach Ocean Rescue. Now, she coaches the women’s rowing team at Barry University and is working toward her master’s degree in exercise physiology. Lindsay's advice to fellow Covenant alumni: “Identify those things about which you are most passionate! When impassioned, you are truly willing to give everything to your cause.” You can read more about Lindsay's story here and here.

If you or an alumnus you know is doing great things, let us know at avalente@covenantschool.org. If you would like to read Covenant’s Portrait of a Graduate, click here.

Happening At Covenant Now

Covenant recently wrapped up a debt-reduction campaign that raised more than $2.2 million. Our Sure Foundation began in 2012 as a strategic effort to strengthen the school's financial position. Thanks to more than 120 families who donated - including 2 alumni and many parents of alumni - the school has raised faculty salaries, increased financial aid, and enhanced school facilities. If you haven't visited Covenant in a while, be sure to stop by and see the amazing changes at both campuses.

CLASS NOTES

Joanna Foley Luper ’00 and her husband Will welcomed their second son Alexander Thomas Yi Luper on July 10, 2015. Their first-born son, William, is two years old. Joanna is entering her fifth year as the assistant director of the English Language Institute at Liberty University.

Sarah Vander Meulen Westenbroek '00 and her husband Ryan traveled from Michigan in September to attend the dedication of the Lower School library as the Doris Vander Meulen Library, honoring Sarah's mother. While in Charlottesville, Sarah caught up with her classmates during the 15-year reunion.

Chris Gilbert '01 and wife Elizabeth are pleased to announce the birth of their fourth child, Luke Dominic Gilbert. Luke was born on November 10, 2015 weighing 9lbs 10 oz. The Gilberts have two older children at Covenant: Stella, Kindergarten, and Jude, Pre-K.

Tyler Martin Robinett '05 and her husband welcomed their first child, Owen David Robinett on November 6, 2015. Tyler's brother, Mason Martin '15, took family portraits of this long awaited gift for the Robinett family.

Katie Denney Thomas ’05 gave birth on August 6, 2015 to her first child, Jacob Lee Thomas. Katie and her husband Eric are extremely excited to share the news!

Mallory Crandall ’11 is engaged to Charlie Slattery of California. The two met in Montana and recently moved to California for a job opportunity for Charlie. Their wedding is scheduled for September, 2016 and will take place at the family’s farm in Nelson County. Charlie is a project engineer for a contractor specializing in heavy civil work such as dam restoration, hydroelectric, and natural gas pipeline construction. Mallory has turned down a few job offers while searching for the right fit. She hopes to find employment in marketing or operations for an agricultural-based company.

Emily Huddleston ’11 graduated in May from the University of Virginia with a double major in Spanish and Foreign Affairs. After graduation she accepted a job with The Ritz-Carlton in Lake Tahoe working in the sales and marketing department, specializing in intimate weddings. Emily is living in the mountains of Truckee, California. In her free time she enjoys hiking, biking, and rock climbing. Emily is looking forward to coming home for Thanksgiving to see her family and friends. Pictured below is Emily with her brother, Joe Huddleston '13.

Elleigh Morris ’13 has taken the semester to study abroad in Lyon, France. She was presented the opportunity through Elon University where she currently attends. Elleigh recently completed a 10-day road trip around Italy with 6 of her new friends. Through the international opportunity, she has been able to meet people from many different backgrounds while studying for her business management classes. She will return home on December 19th.

Please let us know about the happenings in your life. We want to share news about your educational and spiritual pursuits, marriage, children, employment, moves, and personal accomplishments!

Blue & White Circle

Whenever you donate to Covenant, you become a part of the Blue and White Circle. The Blue and White Circle is a giving tier reserved especially for alumni. Make a donation of any size and have an impact on students’ lives. All alumni donors will be listed in the school's annual report.

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