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<strong>Fall</strong> <strong>Cumberlite</strong> 2011<br />
ANNUAL REPORT 2015-<strong>2016</strong><br />
”<br />
…whoever sows generously<br />
will also reap generously…<br />
2 Corinthians 9:6”
ANNUAL REPORT 2015-<strong>2016</strong><br />
<strong>Cumberlite</strong> Staff<br />
EDITOR:<br />
Laura Dancek<br />
ASSISTANT EDITOR:<br />
Nancy Gerard<br />
LAYOUT & DESIGN:<br />
Megan Keller, College Press LLC<br />
COPY EDITING:<br />
Patti Speer<br />
PHOTOGRAPHERS:<br />
Laura Dancek<br />
Nancy Gerard<br />
Jaclynn Huse Photography<br />
Barbara Chase McKinney<br />
Becca Overstreet<br />
Laura Short<br />
Georgia-Cumberland Academy<br />
397 Academy Drive SW<br />
Calhoun, GA 30701<br />
Phone: (706) 629-4591<br />
Fax: (706) 629-1a272<br />
Email: ldancek@gcasda.org<br />
www.gcasda.org<br />
A LOOK BACK AT GCA FINANCES<br />
From the Treasurer<br />
Welcome to the 2015-<strong>2016</strong> Annual Report<br />
for Georgia-Cumberland Academy. As we take<br />
time to review the financial position of this<br />
school, we are reminded of how blessed we are.<br />
What a privilege to work in this particular area of<br />
God’s harvest field.<br />
It’s hard to know where to start as we look<br />
back at the 2015-<strong>2016</strong> fiscal year, but our biggest<br />
excitement continues to be the major capital<br />
improvements that are in the works for this school.<br />
We celebrated the groundbreaking for the new<br />
facilities and continue to work with the architects<br />
and builder to bring our hopes and dreams to a<br />
workable plan. Current work is focused on our<br />
infrastructure such as a much-needed new sewer<br />
Deborah Theus<br />
GCA Treasurer<br />
system and new roads. Work will begin shortly on the new gymnasium and<br />
cafeteria.<br />
Our enrollment remains healthy and the school continues to operate with<br />
a strong financial position. We are blessed to operate within the Georgia-<br />
Cumberland Conference, which is also financially secure and very supportive of<br />
Adventist education. All these things add up to an Adventist boarding academy<br />
that is not only strong now, but should be strong for years to come.<br />
We work hard to maintain and upgrade when needed. This past year<br />
has seen improvements in various areas of our program such as new laptop<br />
computers for students and staff, renovations to parts of our 50-year old facilities,<br />
new air conditioning units in our classrooms, and other things needed to run a<br />
successful school.<br />
Thanks to you, our generous donors, we are able to envision a future at<br />
GCA that includes beautiful new facilities, renovated current facilities, endowed<br />
scholarships, and enhanced programs. We are blessed to work in partnership<br />
with you!<br />
Maner Costerisan, P.C. and General Conference Auditing Service are in the<br />
midst of our 2015-<strong>2016</strong> annual audit and we are expecting a clean opinion as<br />
in past years.
DATE<br />
NO.<br />
Contents<br />
4<br />
Your Gifts<br />
Make a Difference<br />
ACADEMIC BUILDING<br />
VIEW FROM QUADRANGLE<br />
Future Facilities<br />
for GCA<br />
All drawing and written material constitutes original work by the architect. It is unlawful to duplicate,use or disclose this drawing without the written consent of the Architect.<br />
12<br />
16<br />
Planning for<br />
Future Impact<br />
Blessed Berries<br />
17<br />
18<br />
Lessons from<br />
the Land<br />
GCA NEWS<br />
21<br />
Dear Donors<br />
23<br />
Annual Report 1
PLANNING AND PROVIDING<br />
FOR A WONDERFUL HARVEST<br />
GREG GERARD<br />
PRINCIPAL<br />
From the Principal<br />
About half of the approximately 500 acres that makes up Georgia-<br />
Cumberland Academy is leased to a local farmer. Each year he plants various<br />
crops. In recent years he has grown corn or soy beans.<br />
The land on our campus has good soil. Especially the acres dedicated to<br />
farming - rich, river-bottom land. The man who farms our land seems to be a<br />
good farmer. He carefully plants each year. He keeps the land cleared.<br />
Most years the farmer has a good crop. This year it looks a bit rough. That is<br />
primarily due to the fact that the weather has been very dry. You can have the<br />
best soil, good seed, and careful preparation –but without the right weather conditions,<br />
the crop will suffer.<br />
We pay attention to all of the conditions under which our students grow at<br />
GCA.This week as I write this short piece, our teachers have encouraged students<br />
who have doubted their own ability. They have carefully explained difficult<br />
concepts, and have provided interesting and lively classroom lessons. They have pointed their students to Jesus as the source<br />
of all truth.<br />
In recent weeks we worked to fix some challenges with our Internet filter system. One of our buses went into the shop<br />
for repairs. We replaced the air conditioning system for the main classroom building. All of this was done to provide the right<br />
conditions for students to learn and grow.<br />
Recently we dedicated time and energy to our fall Week of Prayer. Our speaker was Pastor Mark Witas, whose stories<br />
and illustrations kept students’ attention and inspired all who attended or watched on-line. Five students were baptized. We<br />
created the right conditions for this wonderful harvest to take place. Without God’s Spirit moving and working, all of our<br />
work would not have mattered.<br />
You participate in this work of helping kids flourish when you pray for the students of GCA and when you support GCA<br />
with your gifts. Thank you for being part of the careful work of creating the right conditions for our students to grow.<br />
From the GCA Board Chairman<br />
As the days shorten and the weather cools, we intuitively know it is harvest time. One<br />
of my favorite seasons! This issue of The <strong>Cumberlite</strong> focuses on important imagery found in<br />
agriculture. The risks inherent in sowing seed, combatting pests, and cultivating plants is real,<br />
especially knowing we cannot control the weather. But the reward of the harvest makes it all<br />
worthwhile. Similarly, you have believed in GCA, investing both time and treasure, long before<br />
you could see results. I sense the days are shortening and believe we are nearing harvest. Those<br />
who have invested the most, who have labored the longest in the heat of the summer sun will<br />
rejoice the most in the rich harvest of fall. Sincere thanks for your commitment to GCA – the<br />
“family farm” that grows young people for eternity!<br />
ED WRIGHT<br />
PRESIDENT, GEORGIA-CUMBERLAND CONFERENCE<br />
2 Annual Report
Gifts that Result in<br />
Eternal Dividends<br />
A field of gold – Georgia-<br />
Cumberland Academy is exactly that.<br />
The gold is not stalks of wheat or corn<br />
gently bowing with the breeze. The<br />
gold is in the hearts and minds of the<br />
teenagers we are grateful to call our<br />
students. The decisions made about<br />
our staff, our curriculum, our activities,<br />
and our worship is with the mission of<br />
GCA at the forefront of our minds: “To<br />
know Jesus as Savior and Friend, To love<br />
God and those He brings into our lives,<br />
To serve the church and society.” Our<br />
mission is the DNA that determines<br />
what our harvest will be – disciples for<br />
Christ.<br />
Just as planting one seed produces<br />
fruit with numerous seeds, contributing<br />
to the Christian education of even one<br />
child is an investment of enormous<br />
multiplicity. Of the 250 students<br />
enrolled last year, we were able to<br />
offer scholarships and worthy student<br />
assistance to 210 of these precious young<br />
people.<br />
God has done incredible things for<br />
GCA this past year. Because of you<br />
“Our mission is the DNA that<br />
determines what our harvest<br />
will be – disciples for Christ.”<br />
we are well on our way in the largest<br />
capital campaign of our history, having<br />
raised $8.2 million of our $12 million<br />
goal. Some of those funds have already<br />
been spent for the architectural and<br />
engineering work required to plan for<br />
new and expanded buildings that will<br />
better serve our current needs and give<br />
us the ability to grow and increase the<br />
number of students we can teach. We<br />
are now seeing evidence of those plans,<br />
as bulldozers and construction workers<br />
have taken over portions of our campus<br />
and the project begins.<br />
This field of gold is God’s field,<br />
and He has blessed us abundantly this<br />
past year with financial seed generously<br />
sown by our donors, you who have<br />
given cheerfully and<br />
from your hearts,<br />
whose names are listed<br />
in this publication. We<br />
are gratified by your<br />
gifts, and GCA is better<br />
because of you. We<br />
give Him thanks and<br />
pray that He will richly<br />
bless you, knowing that<br />
He will be faithful to<br />
His promise:<br />
“Now He who supplies seed to the sower<br />
and bread for food will also supply and increase<br />
your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest<br />
of your righteousness. You will be enriched in<br />
every way so that you can be generous on<br />
every occasion, and through us your generosity<br />
will result in thanksgiving to God.”<br />
2 Corinthians 9:10, 11 NIV<br />
Annual Report 3
Your Gifts Make<br />
a Difference<br />
4 Annual Report
Daniel and Susan Ahn<br />
Anthony and Patricia Allen<br />
Tony and Donna Baumann<br />
Matt and Loretta Beasley<br />
Greg and Keila Birge<br />
Mr. and Mrs. William Brackbill<br />
Ryan Bradshaw<br />
David and Cheryl Brannon<br />
Vivian Carlson<br />
Brad and Justina Carrick<br />
Donald and Michelle Chase<br />
Linda Clough<br />
Randy and Lynn Coble<br />
Wayne and Patricia Darville<br />
Richard and Melanie DiBiase<br />
Gary and Janice Edgmon<br />
El Cubano, Inc.<br />
Steve and Judy Fehlenberg<br />
Greg and Nancy Gerard<br />
Brent and Synnova Goodge<br />
Albert and Doreen Handal<br />
Jeni Hasselbrack<br />
Lyle and Karla Helm<br />
Robby and Meredith Herr<br />
Todd and Brooke Hold<br />
Joel and Carmen Joa<br />
Robert and Alyssa Keehn<br />
Laverne and Lishcia Keizer<br />
Jeffrey and Alicia King<br />
Loren and Rita King<br />
James and Jenny Klemm<br />
Jark and Judith Lau<br />
David and Trissa Lovell<br />
Doug and Candace Nesmith<br />
Joseph and Debbie Paulson<br />
Larry and Caryn Payne<br />
Cory and Amanda Reeves<br />
Curtis and Kathy Reeves<br />
David and Tami Richardson<br />
Ken and Cheryl Rogers<br />
David and Cheryl Smith<br />
Dennis and Tami Starkey<br />
Eddie and Gail Turner<br />
Kent and Joan Van Arsdell<br />
Pete and Karen Weber<br />
Loel and Marjorie Wurl<br />
Charles and Joyce Young<br />
Annual Report 5
GIVING LEVELS<br />
GIVING LEVELS<br />
This list recognizes gifts<br />
received between 7/1/15<br />
and 6/30/16<br />
GCA LEADERS<br />
$10,000 and Up<br />
Bainum Family Foundation<br />
Bowman Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Collegedale Spanish-American Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Georgia Tuition Assistance Program<br />
Georgia-Cumberland Academy Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Georgia-Cumberland Conference<br />
Jeni Hasselbrack<br />
Clyde and Rena Holland<br />
Patricia Page<br />
Zandra Tutt<br />
Unum Group<br />
George Whitman<br />
David Woodcock<br />
GCA PARTNERS<br />
$2,000-$9,999<br />
AAA Scholarship Foundation<br />
Anonymous<br />
C. and Jean Anderson<br />
Cheryl Anthony<br />
Carole Arellano<br />
Arete Scholars Fund, Inc.<br />
Atlanta North Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Austin Central Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Better Label & Products, Inc.<br />
Norman and Joan Brought<br />
Madlyn Brown<br />
Nedra Brown<br />
Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Elina Campbell<br />
Cartersville Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Donald and Michelle Chase<br />
Chase Farm, Inc.<br />
Chatsworth Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Cherokee Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Cleveland Fellowship<br />
J. Edween Cronenweth<br />
Arnold and Sharon Hudson<br />
Victor and Rene Czerkasij<br />
Dalton Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Don and Peggy Day<br />
Jim and Pamela DeArk<br />
Den-Ann Enterprises, LLC<br />
El Cubano, Inc.<br />
Roger Elliston<br />
Fjarli Foundation<br />
Scott Flemmer<br />
Mildred Floyd<br />
Ken Fuller<br />
Gregory and Nancy Gerard<br />
Don and Cynthia Gettys<br />
Todd and Melinda Goodman<br />
Jocelyn Green<br />
Marcia Hamilton-Hill<br />
Albert and Allison Handal<br />
Healing Music, Inc.<br />
Henry Henderson<br />
Mary Ann Higginbotham<br />
Larry and Jaclynn Huse<br />
Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia Hispana<br />
Laverne and Lishcia Keizer<br />
Robert and Charlotte Kyle<br />
Alina Land<br />
Robert and Marsha Land<br />
Loan Nguyen Land<br />
Don and Ruthanne Leeper<br />
Marietta Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Mark and Barbara McKinney<br />
Emanuel and Jeanice Mitchell<br />
Wesley Moore<br />
Johnny and Georgia O’Brien<br />
Oglethorpe Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Chukwuma and Nwaozichi Onyeije<br />
Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Cory and Amanda Reeves<br />
Donald and Wendy Rhodes<br />
Dennis and Ann Schlisner<br />
Margaret Seckler<br />
Tiffany Smith<br />
Danny and Jennifer Song<br />
South Atlantic Conference<br />
Southern Adventist University<br />
Southern Union Conference<br />
Standifer Gap Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Don and Doris Starkey<br />
John and Helen Stumbo<br />
Valley Grande Association of Christian Education<br />
Carlyle and Astrid Walton<br />
Wendy Dixon Realty, Inc.<br />
Alston and Melissa West<br />
Bill and Nanci Westcott<br />
6 Annual Report
THE ACADEMY CLUB<br />
$1,000-$1,999<br />
Kurt Allen<br />
Fred Ashmore<br />
Atlanta First Brazilian Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Pablo and Merlyn Balboa<br />
Dewey Campbell<br />
Centro de Salud Familiar, LLC<br />
Glen Lee and Ellen Chase<br />
Allan and Jeannie Chastain<br />
Collegedale Community Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Dalton Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Edward and Laura Dancek<br />
Wayne and Patricia Darville<br />
Ricky and Julie Dickerson<br />
Dixie Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Herby and Wendy Dixon<br />
Larry and Theresa Doran<br />
Elkhart Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Pamela Evans<br />
First Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Georgia Tuition Aid Providers, Inc.<br />
Brent and Synnova Goodge<br />
Gordon Hospital<br />
A. Audley and Sheila Hendricks<br />
Paucar Henry<br />
Todd and Brooke Hold<br />
George and Nancy Humphrey<br />
Peter Hwang<br />
Michael and Tami Joiner<br />
Brian and Joan Jones<br />
Don and Sandy Keele<br />
Eddie and Debbie Klein<br />
Kevin and Gwendolyn Kossick<br />
Chris and Becky Lau<br />
James Ray and Phyllis McKinney<br />
Marialice Morales<br />
Sandra Myers<br />
North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists<br />
North Atlanta Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Larry and Caryn Payne<br />
Performance Food Service<br />
J. Rudolph and Shirley Reinhardt<br />
Mark and Brenda Richardson<br />
Sandy and Marjorie Robinson<br />
Ken and Cheryl Rogers<br />
Edward and Olga Rojas<br />
Donald and Christine Sager<br />
Derin and Shannon Scott<br />
Dominic and Georgie Smith<br />
Dennis and Tami Starkey<br />
Starkey Homes, Inc.<br />
Fred and Jane Tolhurst<br />
Turner Heating & Air, Inc.<br />
Grant and Pam Tuttle<br />
Miguel Valdivia<br />
Vassar Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Jason and Jessica Warren<br />
Dean and Jody Waterman<br />
Bill Waters<br />
West End Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
West Georgia Endodontics, P.C.<br />
Todd and Marsharee Wilkens<br />
Marvin and Carrie Wilson<br />
Andy and Debra Windham<br />
John and Dona Wineland<br />
Josh and Brittany Woods<br />
Ed Wright<br />
THE CUMBERLITE CLUB<br />
$500-$999<br />
Acworth Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
American Imaging & Design<br />
Augusta First Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Barry and Sandy Benton<br />
Joey and Suzanne Bird<br />
David and Carla Bishop<br />
Brevard Home Buyers, Inc.<br />
Edward Hale Burnside<br />
Larry Calloway<br />
Vivian Carlson<br />
Eldon and Sharlene Carman<br />
Bryan and Becky Cheever<br />
Carol Clark<br />
Lyle Connell<br />
Edward and Sandra Dancek<br />
GIVING LEVELS<br />
Annual Report 7
GIVING LEVELS<br />
Richard and Melanie DiBiase<br />
Joyce Dick<br />
Ted and Mary Jo Dubs<br />
Mark and Deborah Fink<br />
Curtis and Doris Fleener<br />
Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists<br />
Fox Systems Inc.<br />
Paul and Valerie Fuchcar<br />
Tag Garmon<br />
Greater Community Bank<br />
Mary Hagen<br />
Hartsock’s Horticulture, Inc.<br />
Robby and Meredith Herr<br />
Ronald and Christine Herr<br />
Hispanic Community Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Gerald and Joyce Jones<br />
Gary Jostandt<br />
Randy and Kalie Kelch<br />
Jeffrey and Alicia King<br />
Edwards and Merry Lacson<br />
Learning Labs<br />
Sam and Mary Lou Minten<br />
Claudius Moore<br />
Mountainside Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Jeff Morris<br />
Benjamin and Joy Nwadike<br />
Marilyn Overfield<br />
Palm Coast Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Joel and Jennifer Peel<br />
Suzie Rimer<br />
St. Augustine Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Reginald Sherrill<br />
Michael and Darlene Showalter<br />
TAG Manufacturing, Inc.<br />
Robert and Shereen Thomas<br />
Leslie Treece<br />
Kent and Joan Van Arsdell<br />
Beverly Wahlne<br />
Elaine Watkins<br />
Rick and Debi Williams<br />
Don and Elizabeth Wilson<br />
Judy Wolcott<br />
Ronald and Brenda Wotring<br />
Jonathan and Leslie Wurl<br />
Aurora Zapata<br />
THE FOUNTAIN CLUB<br />
$100-$499<br />
Sandra Aguilar<br />
Daniel and Susan Ahn<br />
Pablo and Ivelisse Alvarez<br />
Tracy Ashmore<br />
Allen and Valarie Baldwin<br />
Brent Baldwin<br />
Tony and Donna Baumann<br />
Katherine Beeman<br />
Glenn and Sang Nam Bentjen<br />
Canute Birch<br />
Greg and Keila Birge<br />
Jamie and Caroline Bishop<br />
Bill Blackwood<br />
Bruce and Dori Boggess<br />
Timothy and Ngozi Bolton<br />
Brian and Terrie Breetzke<br />
Terri Britt<br />
Thomas and Stephanie Brogden<br />
Jeff and Nichole Bromme<br />
Charles and Jemece Burke<br />
Lisa Bynum<br />
Calhoun Anesthesia, P.C.<br />
Calhoun OB-GYN Associates<br />
Jim and Jan Campbell<br />
Canton Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Donald Cantrell<br />
Jacquelyn Cantrell<br />
Shannon and Janee Cantrell<br />
Mark and Kimberly Carr<br />
Gary Chaffee<br />
Sara Chase<br />
Richard and Daryl Chesney<br />
Vernon and Angela Chin<br />
Christian and Jake’s Bistro, Inc.<br />
Andre and Claudine Clarke<br />
Jim and Ellen Clizbe<br />
8 Annual Report
Hal and Jennifer Coble<br />
Coldwell Banker<br />
Kinard Realty<br />
College Press, LLC<br />
Community Foundation of Northwest<br />
Georgia Alan and Diane Connelly<br />
Douglas and Victoria Coulter<br />
Kenneth and Lisa Crawford<br />
William and Phyllis Crawford<br />
Cronenweth Films, Inc.<br />
Rick and Judy Cusick<br />
John and Carolyn Dalton<br />
Davant Sales, Inc.<br />
Tommy and Angie Davidson<br />
Robert and Lois Davis<br />
Woody and Donna Davis<br />
Kim and Renee Day<br />
Jeff and Tammorah DeMercy<br />
Edmund Dobson<br />
Michael and Heather Doherty<br />
Roy and Celia Dunning<br />
John and Marian Eaton<br />
Keith and Helene Elliott<br />
Fair’s Auto Service & Repair, LLC<br />
Felicito and Lynette Fernando<br />
Norman and Frances Fickling<br />
Noel and Dianne Fillman<br />
Joyce Flowers<br />
Marshall Foster<br />
Ephraim and Elizabeth Gammada<br />
Jorge and Aura Garcia<br />
Serge and LeAnn Gariepy<br />
Genesis Women’s Center<br />
Georgia Bank & Trust<br />
Joan Gibran<br />
Jan Golden<br />
Kathleen Goyne<br />
Robert and Barbara Goyne<br />
Michael and Simone Grace<br />
Charles and Mary Lou Graves<br />
George and Melanie Graves<br />
Joyce Greene<br />
Rick and Denel Greve<br />
Grover Lunsford<br />
State Farm Insurance<br />
Charles and Janice Hackett<br />
Roger Hall<br />
Bob and Joni Hamilton<br />
James and Nicole Harris<br />
Gene and Bobby Jean Harrison<br />
Sherry Harrison<br />
Gerald and Vivian Hazekamp<br />
Heritage Health Food, Inc.<br />
Linton Hinds<br />
Terry Hissong<br />
Stephen and Connie Hodges<br />
Fritz and Jan Hofmann<br />
Jason Hogan<br />
Jeff and Jeri Holweger<br />
Marianne Hoosier<br />
Todd and Kim Hunt<br />
Iglesia Adventista Del<br />
Jim Ingersoll<br />
Amy Jacobs<br />
Geraldine Jacobs<br />
Ingrid Jacobs<br />
Monty and Susan Jenkins<br />
Stephen and Jennifer Johnson<br />
Howard and Mona Karst<br />
Randy and Julie Kite<br />
William and Dorothy Knecht<br />
Hillard and Sarah Knowles<br />
Phillip and Naomi Koh<br />
Gerald and Sandra Kovalski<br />
Patricia Kuhlman<br />
Brenda LaBar<br />
Ledford Chiropractic, PC<br />
Lee-Voegele, LLC<br />
Janneth Lester<br />
Del Licht<br />
Chris and Cathy Lindsey<br />
Michael and Heather Lopez<br />
W. Dean and Angela Lorenz<br />
Marilyn Maples<br />
David Marrero<br />
Kris Marshall<br />
Brian Martin<br />
Scot and Krista Martin<br />
Martin Leasing, LLC.<br />
Andy and Vicki McDonald<br />
Tom and Arlene McFarland<br />
Katie McGhee<br />
Caleb McKinney<br />
Warren and Joanne Minder<br />
Brian and Cynthia Mitchell<br />
Donald and Renee Moore<br />
Darla Morgan<br />
Mount Pisgah Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Joan and Ryan Mura<br />
Patricia Muriel<br />
Bonnie Myers<br />
Mateus and Yoshie Nanbu<br />
New Hope Seventh Day Adventist Church<br />
GIVING LEVELS<br />
Annual Report 9
GIVING LEVELS<br />
North Georgia National Bank<br />
Eliana Nunez<br />
Chika Nwogwugwu<br />
Oak Haven Inc.<br />
Bob and Jeanette Oblander<br />
Ekta Patel<br />
Ken and Sonna Peck<br />
Sheri Peck<br />
Tammie Peltier<br />
Dennis Pettibone<br />
The Poiema Foundation, Inc.<br />
Mary Lou Rahn<br />
Kathy Releford<br />
Renee Day, CPA, LLC<br />
David and Tami Richardson<br />
Donald and Cynthia Robbins<br />
Matthew and Betsy Roberts<br />
Gary and Jorine Rollins<br />
The Sample Barn, Inc.<br />
Alicia Schukar<br />
Buz and Marge Schwitzgoebel<br />
Walter and Nancy Sharp<br />
Nick Shweeka<br />
Marc Smith<br />
SouthernCare Family Medicine<br />
Star Supplies<br />
Daniel Steiner<br />
Richard and Bea Stitzer<br />
Phil and Mary Stover<br />
Chad and Christina Stuart<br />
Stubbs Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc.<br />
Martin Sutton<br />
Richard and Patricia Sutton<br />
Jucely Swab<br />
John Swafford<br />
Taco House<br />
Takoma Regional Hospital<br />
Daniel and Maricela Tamay<br />
Deborah Theus<br />
Lloyd and Cheryl Thomas<br />
William and Rhondda Thomas<br />
John Thompson<br />
Bobby and Tami Tishaw<br />
Mark and Kaitlyn Torsney<br />
Corneliu and Michaela Totpal<br />
Murrell and Danette Tull<br />
Tullahoma Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />
Gayle Van Buren<br />
Dorsey and Mary Ellen Van Horn<br />
Beth Wallace<br />
Jody and Gayle Whisenant<br />
Charles and Bonnie Wilkens<br />
Alfred and Quintessa Williams<br />
Kelly and Angela Williams<br />
William D. Fisher, D.O., Inc.<br />
David and Judy Winters<br />
Charles and Joyce Young<br />
FRIENDS OF<br />
GCA<br />
$1-$99<br />
Angel and Irma Acevedo<br />
Robert and Kathy Aitken<br />
All Realty, Inc.<br />
Georgina Almeda<br />
Carl and Debbie Anderson<br />
Gerald and Pamela Anderson<br />
Kathryn Anderson<br />
Matt and Elisabeth Anderson<br />
Marc Bahn<br />
Murdnal Baker<br />
Vernon and LaVerne Barnett<br />
James and Barbara Bearden<br />
Faye Beckner<br />
Harry and Marilyn Bennett<br />
Dana Bishop<br />
Wilber Bishop<br />
Bryan and Sharalea Blewett<br />
Sandra Gale Blount<br />
Bill and Lorene Boddy<br />
James Bowden<br />
Keith and Shayna Bowman<br />
Bobbi Jo Bridges<br />
Brent and Rebecca Burgess<br />
Andrew and Mariana Caban<br />
Lynelle Callender<br />
Delvetra Calvin<br />
Susan Carter<br />
David and Judy Caswell<br />
Lena Clarke<br />
Donald and Diana Clemons<br />
Glenda Cline<br />
Randy and Lynn Coble<br />
Derrick and Althea Collins<br />
Robert and Nicola Connor<br />
Lyndon and Doylene Cook<br />
Richard and Vonda Cook<br />
Lamar and Jane Craze<br />
Andrew Davis<br />
Steven and Janice Davis<br />
Kenneth and Barbara Debelak<br />
Nicholas and Jennifer Dempsey<br />
Richard Denney<br />
Donna Denton Jenning<br />
Rolen and Lyn Dobson<br />
10 Annual Report
Christopher and Heidi Donavan<br />
Paul Ensminger<br />
Troy and Nicole Epperson<br />
Susan Ermer<br />
Jason and Terri Everts<br />
Chris Ezell<br />
Castwell Fider<br />
Robert Field<br />
Angela Finch<br />
Luke Foll<br />
Jennifer Fos<br />
Linda Foster<br />
Darren and Jennifer Fowler<br />
Wally and Mary Ellen Fox<br />
Inez Garcia<br />
Gary and Sharon Garner<br />
Denise Grady<br />
Danell Green<br />
Holly Greer<br />
Bill and Juli Hamilton<br />
Scott and Rachel Hansen<br />
John and Blainette Hanson<br />
Greg and Allison Harper<br />
Christina Harrison<br />
Dwagne Haskins<br />
Ben Holt<br />
Timothy and Sue Hullquist<br />
Kyle and Allyson Humphrey<br />
Nicole Humphrey<br />
Huntsville Central Seventh-day<br />
Adventist Church<br />
J. Larry and Valerie Jackson<br />
Frank Jacobs<br />
Donna Jamieson<br />
David and Bonnie Jenkins<br />
Joel and Carmen Joa<br />
Sophia Johnson<br />
Connie Johnston<br />
Tyler Jones<br />
Paul Keener<br />
Gyann Kent<br />
Loren and Rita King<br />
John and Barbara Kitterman<br />
Michael and Laura Knutson<br />
Jerry and Dawn Krentz<br />
Jean LaClair<br />
Yung and Carmen Lau<br />
Jeffrey and Vicky Lauritzen<br />
Daniel Lee<br />
Ji Sun Lee<br />
Kaleb and Heather Leeper<br />
Jim and Natalie Lewellen<br />
Louis and Stacy Licht<br />
Cassandra Lithgow<br />
M. Gay Little<br />
Michael and Mary Lou Lopez<br />
David Lowe<br />
Michael and Carla Maret<br />
Alex Martin<br />
Charles and Carol Martinez<br />
Chris and Bridget Massengill<br />
John and Cara McClung<br />
Tammy McGhee<br />
Bettie McIntyre<br />
Lisa Millar<br />
Stephanie Miller<br />
James Moor<br />
Michael Morgan<br />
James and Brenda Morris<br />
Denison and Lislene Moura<br />
Randy and Janet Naus<br />
Leslie and Heidi Neal<br />
Scott and Debra Nein<br />
Garry and Donna Nudd<br />
Isaac Nwadike<br />
Clyde and Lettie Ondrizek<br />
David and Georgia Overfield<br />
Brianna Paradis<br />
Kenny Patel<br />
Surekha Patel<br />
Suresh Patel<br />
Nathaniel Patterson<br />
Elsa Patton<br />
Charlie and Debbie Payne<br />
Gwen Payne<br />
Karen Peckham<br />
Jose and Carmen Perez<br />
Louesa Peters<br />
Lisa Pfeister<br />
Janet Pinero<br />
Scott Pritchett<br />
Sherrenise Proctor<br />
Jorge and Ingrid Pubillones<br />
Deanna Rader<br />
Ron and Bridgette Raitz<br />
Michael and Jodie Reams<br />
Rhondalyne Reed<br />
James and Ethel Rice<br />
Kristen Robinson<br />
Chris and Logan Roche<br />
Maria Rodriguez<br />
Teresa Rodriguez<br />
Sharon Rogers<br />
Lloyd and Beverly Sargeant<br />
John and Kathy Schleier<br />
Danielle Schlisner<br />
Everett Schlisner<br />
Charlie and Karen Schmidt<br />
Frank and Melanie Schrader<br />
Ben and Debbie Schultz<br />
Kathy Seeley<br />
David Self<br />
John and Annette Shafer<br />
Fred and Heidi Shoemaker<br />
Helena Silcott<br />
Mildred Silvers<br />
James and Amie Smith<br />
Shannon Smith<br />
Sheril Smith<br />
David and Jodi Steele<br />
Lorraine Stewart<br />
Jonathan and Rebecca Sumner<br />
Linda Swart<br />
Alfonso and Eliana Toranzo<br />
Chris and Britnee Tow<br />
Eddie and Bonnie Towles<br />
Kendall Turcios<br />
Rudy and Pat Valen<br />
Melanie Vaughn<br />
Woodrow and Shelley Vaughn<br />
Keith Wahlbon<br />
Mary Walker<br />
Mark Walters<br />
Rhonda Wellborn<br />
Geoff and Amy White<br />
Glen and Elizabeth Wolters<br />
Joe and Jennifer Woods<br />
John Yost<br />
Charles and Jeri Zacharias<br />
Thank you to those not listed<br />
here that have given through<br />
your local church.<br />
GIVING LEVELS<br />
Annual Report 11
Continuing<br />
the Mission<br />
We dream of spaces where spiritual growth a<br />
relationships are built, and physical
nd inspired learning occurs, meaningful<br />
activity promotes healthy living.
1966<br />
Jan (Spivey) Campbell<br />
Jan (Golden) Hofmann<br />
Marilyn Maples<br />
Arlene (West) McFarland<br />
Gary Rollins<br />
Alicia (Chesser) Schukar<br />
Phil Stover<br />
Fred Tolhurst<br />
Jane (Travis) Tolhurst<br />
Grant Tuttle<br />
Gayle Van Buren<br />
CLASS OF 1967<br />
Gerald Anderson<br />
Mary Lou Rahn<br />
CLASS OF 1968<br />
Allan Chastain<br />
Mary (Martin) Hagen<br />
Jean (Harrold) LaClair<br />
Brenda (Murray) Morris<br />
Donald Robbins<br />
George Whitman<br />
CLASS OF 1969<br />
Carole Arellano<br />
Gary Chaffee<br />
Lyle Connell<br />
Norman Fickling<br />
Jan (Pethel) Golden<br />
Caryn (Carman) Payne<br />
Don Wilson<br />
CLASS OF 1970<br />
Barbara (Lee) Bearden<br />
Nanci (Padgett) Westcott<br />
ALUMNI DONORSCLASS OF<br />
CLASS OF 1971<br />
Chris Lindsey<br />
Marialice (Carey) Morales<br />
Debbie (Howe) Payne<br />
Cheryl (McGhee) Rogers<br />
Bill Westcott<br />
CLASS OF 1972<br />
Edward Hale Burnside<br />
Eldon Carman<br />
Tommy Davidson<br />
CLASS OF 1973<br />
Theresa (Klein) Doran<br />
Andy McDonald<br />
CLASS OF 1974<br />
Kathy (Oakley) Aitken<br />
Sandra Gale (Blackburn) Blount<br />
Hal Coble<br />
Chris Ezell<br />
Joni (Liles) Hamilton<br />
Jeff Holweger<br />
Eddie Klein<br />
Ron Raitz<br />
Mark Richardson<br />
CLASS OF 1975<br />
Helene (Harris) Elliott<br />
Roger Elliston<br />
Ken Fuller<br />
Brian Martin<br />
David Richardson<br />
Kathy (McGhee) Schleier<br />
CLASS OF 1976<br />
Susan (Turlington) Carter<br />
Carolyn (Harris) Dalton<br />
John Dalton<br />
Tammorah (Price) DeMercy<br />
Paul Fuchcar<br />
George Graves<br />
Sherry Harrison<br />
Jeffrey King<br />
Brenda (Brown) Richardson<br />
Tami (Baker) Richardson<br />
Jody Whisenant<br />
CLASS OF 1977<br />
Glenn Bentjen<br />
Randy Coble<br />
Judy (McGhee) Fehlenberg<br />
CLASS OF 1978<br />
Monty Jenkins<br />
Angela (Addison) Lorenz<br />
Rhondda (Robinson) Thomas<br />
Marvin Wilson<br />
CLASS OF 1979<br />
David Bishop<br />
Melanie (Wurl) DiBiase<br />
CLASS OF 1980<br />
Anthony Allen<br />
Lisa Bynum<br />
Brenda LaBar<br />
Carmen (Wilson) Lau<br />
Yung Lau<br />
Brian Mitchell<br />
CLASS OF 1981<br />
Susan Ermer<br />
Marianne Hoosier<br />
Melissa (Holland) West<br />
CLASS OF 1982<br />
Suzanne (Eaton) Bird<br />
Caroline (Maretich) Bishop<br />
Cheryl Bowie-Thomas<br />
Kim Day<br />
James Harris<br />
Tammy McGhee<br />
Jonathan Wurl<br />
CLASS OF 1983<br />
Jamie Bishop<br />
Georgia (Butterfield) O’Brien<br />
Leslie (Johnson) Wurl<br />
John Yost<br />
CLASS OF 1984<br />
Dewey Campbell<br />
Tag Garmon<br />
Julie (Chacon) Kite<br />
Frank Schrader<br />
Marc Smith<br />
CLASS OF 1985<br />
Troy Epperson<br />
Todd Hunt<br />
Stephen Johnson<br />
David Woodcock<br />
CLASS OF 1986<br />
Krista (Kent) Martin<br />
Scot Martin<br />
CLASS OF 1987<br />
Sharalea (Cowen) Blewett<br />
Todd Hold<br />
Kris (Schlapa) Marshall<br />
14 Annual Report
CLASS OF 1988<br />
Alan Connelly<br />
Diane (Artress) Connelly<br />
Sheri Peck<br />
Joel Peel<br />
Rhondalyne Reed<br />
Georgie (Seckler) Smith<br />
Danny Song<br />
Tami (Wiseman) Tishaw<br />
CLASS OF 1989<br />
Anonymous<br />
Jennifer (Gibson) Peel<br />
CLASS OF 1990<br />
Scott Pritchett<br />
Keith Wahlbon<br />
CLASS OF 1993<br />
Synnova (Hill) Goodge<br />
Peter Hwang<br />
David Steele<br />
CLASS OF 1996<br />
Naomi (Lee) Koh<br />
Daniel Lee<br />
Stacy (Bruce) Licht<br />
Chris Massengill<br />
David Self<br />
CLASS OF 1997<br />
Terri (Holland) Everts<br />
Britnee (Kent) Tow<br />
CLASS OF 1998<br />
Ryan Bradshaw<br />
Ji Sun (Sandy) Lee<br />
CLASS OF 1999<br />
Louis Licht<br />
CLASS OF 2000<br />
Jason Everts<br />
CLASS OF 2001<br />
Sara Chase<br />
Cara (Anderson) McClung<br />
CLASS OF 2002<br />
Jessica (Tunnell) Warren<br />
CLASS OF 2003<br />
Keith Bowman<br />
Laura (Bowen) Knutson<br />
Josh Woods<br />
CLASS OF 2004<br />
Ricky Dickerson<br />
CLASS OF 2005<br />
Logan (Ehlert) Roche<br />
CLASS OF 2006<br />
Matt Anderson<br />
Darren Fowler<br />
Jennifer (Small) Fowler<br />
CLASS OF 2007<br />
Allison (Gerard) Handal<br />
Becky (Riggs) Lau<br />
Chris Lau<br />
CLASS OF 2008<br />
Allyson (Bridges) Humphrey<br />
Kyle Humphrey<br />
Heather (Thames) Leeper<br />
Kaleb Leeper<br />
CLASS OF 2009<br />
Tyler Jones<br />
Mark Walters<br />
CLASS OF 2011<br />
Dwagne Haskins<br />
Isaac Nwadike<br />
CLASS OF 2013<br />
Brianna Paradis<br />
CLASS OF 2014<br />
Luke Foll<br />
Alex Martin<br />
Caleb McKinney<br />
ALUMNI DONORS<br />
THOUGHTS ABOUT GIVING : FROM OUR S.A. PRESIDENT<br />
Cassie Freeman, S.A. President, recently made an offering call<br />
at church. We thought we would share her inspirational thoughts<br />
with you:<br />
“I was asked the question, ‘Why do I give?’ My answer to<br />
this question is that God is too amazing not to. I can honestly say<br />
that we indulge in many, many blessings God graciously gives us.<br />
From the very air we breathe to the clothes, shelter and happiness<br />
we experience from day to day. God is way too good! God asks<br />
of us to act on the faith we have in Him, and if that means giving<br />
10% of my income in order to further His ministry and His will...<br />
it is a privilege to have something to give back to the Infinite,<br />
All-powerful, Most High God who is nothing short of worthy!”<br />
Annual Report 15
PLANNING FOR FUTURE IMPACT<br />
DEBBIE BEGLEY, CERTIFIED PLANNED GIVING AND TRUST SERVICES ADVISOR<br />
There was a boy who had a bag with<br />
five loaves and two fishes that his mother had<br />
packed for him. He was the only one in the<br />
crowd who had a lunch that day. Because of<br />
his mother’s planning and his willingness to<br />
share, Jesus blessed the gift and multiplied it to<br />
feed 5,000 people with leftovers to spare. The<br />
boy’s little became much in the hands of God.<br />
When many people think about estate<br />
planning, or giving in general, they assume<br />
the amount isn’t large enough to make a<br />
difference in God’s work. However, you never<br />
know how the Lord will bless something to<br />
have a larger effect than you think.<br />
John and Ella were missionaries for over<br />
forty years. They were dedicated to the Lord’s<br />
work and faithful in remembering their local<br />
church every month, and also in their will.<br />
Their planned bequest helped their church<br />
purchase a bus to bring community children<br />
to church. Eventually, eight of those children<br />
were baptized into God’s fellowship.<br />
In that same church, there was another<br />
man named Steve. He was a thoughtful,<br />
kind Christian gentleman. Steve sat on the<br />
second pew every Sabbath. He loved music<br />
and would listen to every note of the postlude<br />
each week. His loving smile and spirit were<br />
an inspiration. After his passing, the generosity<br />
of a gift from his estate, along with a gift<br />
from an anonymous donor from the church,<br />
enabled the purchase of a new piano. But,<br />
that is not the end of the story. In purchasing<br />
the piano, the funds went to an individual<br />
who had pledged to use them to start a church<br />
in India. These estate gifts kept giving and<br />
who knows what the harvest will bring from<br />
that church in India. God multiplied their<br />
generosity in remembering His work.<br />
Another man left a life estate to his<br />
daughter allowing her to live in the family<br />
house until the time of her death. The house<br />
was then conveyed to the conference. The<br />
house was in need of many repairs and<br />
improvements and the leaders felt they would<br />
be fortunate to sell the house for anything at<br />
all. An inspection revealed that the electric<br />
box needed updating. When the electrician<br />
came to put in the new box, he ended up<br />
offering to purchase the house. His offer was<br />
double the price of what was expected. What<br />
began as a small, seemingly insignificant gift,<br />
was multiplied by God--just like the boy’s<br />
loaves and fishes.<br />
In 2 Corinthians 9:6 Paul writes: “Whoever<br />
sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever<br />
sows generously will also reap generously.”<br />
Everyone can “sow generously” by leaving a<br />
bequest in their will or making a present gift<br />
to benefit Christian education. God calls and<br />
entrusts us to be stewards with what He has<br />
given to us. With forethought and planning,<br />
we can support God’s work both in life and<br />
death. God wants to bring in the harvest in<br />
a mighty way. Your support can help prepare<br />
the next generation of leaders for the Lord<br />
to do just that.<br />
If you would like to make an impact<br />
like these people did, there are steps you can<br />
take to insure your money goes for the Lord’s<br />
work. Careful preparation and discussion<br />
with a qualified trust officer about a Last<br />
Will & Testament or Revocable Living Trust<br />
can help put a plan in place that is tailored to<br />
your wishes. I encourage you to pray about<br />
what God is calling you to do. Make an<br />
appointment and speak with a trust officer<br />
from your conference who can advise you<br />
on what will work for you and your family.<br />
Everyone can invest in a gift that keeps<br />
on giving.<br />
“ What began as a small, Seemingly<br />
insignificant gift, was multiplied by God.”<br />
16 Annual Report
Blessed<br />
Berries<br />
SUBMITTED BY JUDITH NEMBHARD<br />
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE COMMUNIQUE<br />
Scott and Jennifer Dempsey,<br />
members of the Chattanooga First<br />
Church in Tennessee, wanted to send<br />
their daughter, Isabella, to Georgia-<br />
Cumberland Academy at the start of the<br />
2014 school year. There was just one<br />
problem: They didn’t have the money.<br />
Jennifer’s parents had a suggestion. They<br />
would dedicate the berry bushes in their<br />
sizable garden toward financing Isabella’s<br />
education.<br />
The suggestion seemed workable<br />
since during the previous year, money<br />
from selling the berries had helped send<br />
Isabella’s younger brother, Chandler, to<br />
the International Pathfinder Camporee<br />
in Oshkosh, Wis.<br />
God’s providence began to unfold<br />
in the summer of 2014 when the berries<br />
ripened in such large quantities that<br />
the entire family was kept busy picking<br />
berries from early June to the end of July.<br />
They reaped 56 gallons of blackberries<br />
and 91 gallons of blueberries. At times,<br />
they harvested berries from bushes that<br />
had been picked clean the afternoon<br />
before.<br />
“I knew there was no way they<br />
should be there,” Jennifer said of the<br />
constant supply of berries. “God knew<br />
we needed the money.”<br />
Jennifer said they didn’t pick on<br />
Sabbath and “when we went out on<br />
Sunday, we had three to four hours’<br />
worth of picking.”<br />
Amazingly, the berries never spoiled<br />
and they were always able to sell them—<br />
through friends on Facebook and<br />
Instagram. Whatever didn’t sell via social<br />
media, the farmer’s market was happy<br />
to have.<br />
Jennifer is convinced that since the<br />
berries had been dedicated, they had<br />
God’s blessing. She also sees God’s hand<br />
in the extension of the normal berry<br />
season from three weeks to eight weeks,<br />
during which they were able to reap a<br />
bountiful supply.<br />
“God is not through doing miracles,”<br />
said Dale Tunnell, Chattanooga First<br />
Church pastor. The Dempseys fully agree.<br />
Annual Report 17
Lessons from<br />
the Land<br />
Peanut harvest at Chase Farm.<br />
“When a farmer puts any seed in the<br />
ground it requires a lot of faith.” Thus<br />
began a recent conversation with farmerbusinessman,<br />
Donald Chase, of Chase Farm<br />
in Oglethorpe, Georgia. “And that part has<br />
not changed at all over the years. Most of<br />
us recognize there needs to be a partnership<br />
with the Lord in anything we grow.”<br />
Conversations about agriculture are<br />
not new. Jesus, the Master Teacher, called<br />
upon the locally growing crops to instruct<br />
His hearers. He talked about sowing seeds,<br />
soil conditions, harvest issues and other<br />
farming-related subjects. Though most<br />
of us don’t live close to the land or have<br />
much knowledge of the source of our<br />
food, there is still much to learn, if we are<br />
willing to listen.<br />
The Chase Farm story is one from<br />
which we can learn, as well. In the early<br />
50’s, the family settled in the southeast when<br />
Glen and Lois Chase moved from Oklahoma<br />
to Wildwood, Ga. From Wildwood, the<br />
family moved to Greeneville, Tn., where<br />
Glen labored for Dr. Coolidge, constructing<br />
what is now Takoma Hospital. Although<br />
he could build anything, Glen wanted to<br />
farm. But the land around Greeneville was<br />
too expensive, and the primary local crop<br />
was tobacco. That just wasn’t going to work.<br />
It was an appeal in the Southern<br />
Tidings, though, that looked to Glen<br />
like the perfect opportunity. Here was a<br />
chance to move to South Georgia, buy<br />
reasonably priced farmland, and help start<br />
an Adventist Church in the Oglethorpe<br />
area. Acting on faith, but with little capital,<br />
Mr. Chase borrowed money from his<br />
friend, Dr. Coolidge, and the other half<br />
from a local bank to purchase some land.<br />
Family lore recalls Lois Chase bursting<br />
into tears when she saw what looked<br />
to her like really terrible farmland. But<br />
Glen saw the river bordering the land<br />
and recognized the water source as a huge<br />
benefit to their farming efforts. In 1952<br />
Glen and Lois, along with their sons, Glen<br />
Lee and Richard, moved from Greeneville<br />
18 Annual Report
to Oglethorpe and the 300-acre<br />
Chase Farm was born.<br />
Nineteen fifty-four was a<br />
notoriously dry summer and<br />
was a terrible time for farmers<br />
across the state. The Chases<br />
started irrigating from the river,<br />
but were still struggling to make<br />
the farm productive. Then<br />
opportunity came knocking. Mr.<br />
Chase’s former employer from<br />
Oklahoma showed up at their<br />
door, looking for Glen to help<br />
him with some building projects<br />
back in Oklahoma. The family<br />
packed up and went west.<br />
That could have been the<br />
end of the Chase farming story,<br />
but the family worked hard<br />
in Oklahoma and, after a year,<br />
came back to Georgia with<br />
enough cash to pay off their<br />
debt to the bank, as well as to<br />
Dr. Coolidge. Looking back,<br />
they learned the important lesson<br />
that oftentimes the roadblocks<br />
we face in life turn out to be our<br />
biggest blessings.<br />
Over the years, acreage was<br />
added to the farm and success<br />
was found in growing vegetables<br />
such as greens, roots (turnips),<br />
squash, and cucumbers. From<br />
the beginning, peanuts were a<br />
significant crop for the Chases.<br />
When the large frozen food cooperative<br />
closed in their area, Chase Farm turned<br />
to field corn, sweet corn, and poultry, in<br />
addition to the peanuts. Applying the<br />
latest research and farming technologies,<br />
their perseverance paid off over the years in<br />
some of the best peanut yields in Georgia.<br />
By the late 1960’s Glen and Lois’s<br />
son, Glen Lee Chase, was now married<br />
to Ellen and they were running the farm.<br />
Some years later, Ellen was inspired by a<br />
new thought. Why not plant a few acres<br />
of sweet corn and set up business selling it<br />
at a roadside stand? She quickly found a<br />
huge demand for the delicious corn and<br />
the next summer additional acres were<br />
planted. That tiny seed of an idea is now<br />
a successful summer crop. The corn stand<br />
continues to be a source of learning and<br />
blessing to many. Working at the corn stand,<br />
the children and grandchildren, cousins and<br />
friends learn important lessons regarding<br />
the value of hard work. In addition, the<br />
family has seen God bless their sweet corn<br />
crop to the extent that they are able to<br />
support causes close to their hearts through<br />
the profits from the corn stand--causes<br />
such as Georgia-Cumberland Academy and<br />
many other important projects.<br />
After graduate school, in 1988, Glen<br />
Lee and Ellen’s son, Donald, and his wife,<br />
Michelle, became partners in Chase Farm<br />
and they continue to learn from the land.<br />
“Farming is a partnership with God,”<br />
Donald explains. “But you don’t just plant a<br />
seed and walk away. You cultivate, nurture,<br />
and study the crop so you can do what you<br />
need to do to help the crop flourish.”<br />
Donald even finds life lessons in the<br />
latest agricultural research. “Studies show<br />
that maturity issues must be addressed in a<br />
timely manner with peanuts. Optimizing<br />
the maturity factor has ramifications for<br />
generations of peanuts to come. Toward<br />
harvest, some of the peanuts on the vine<br />
will be mature and some will be immature.<br />
The farmer’s goal is to have as many fully<br />
mature peanuts on the vine at harvest as<br />
possible. If the farmer withholds water<br />
at just the right time it will ‘prime’ the<br />
peanuts to seek peak maturity. These fully<br />
mature peanuts will impact the following<br />
generations of peanuts when they are used<br />
for seed.”<br />
Isn’t that so much like working with<br />
young people? Donald finds remarkable<br />
parallels. Much like farming, work with<br />
our students requires careful monitoring<br />
of conditions, protection from harmful<br />
“<br />
environmental influences, making sure<br />
the “tender plants” have what they need<br />
in order to grow and mature so they<br />
can flourish until harvest time. Even<br />
appropriate stressors, allowed at the right<br />
time, much like seed peanuts, can actually<br />
help produce a better, more mature harvest<br />
in the end.<br />
According to farming experts, like<br />
Donald Chase, Georgia-Cumberland<br />
Academy sits on some of the best farmland<br />
in north Georgia. The rich river bottom<br />
land may have been one of the attractions<br />
of this property to Emeline Hurlbutt, who<br />
started the work of the Adventist Church<br />
here in 1914 with a farm, a school and a<br />
sanitarium. Over the decades, this land has<br />
helped sustain the work and the people<br />
living here.<br />
Growing and harvesting continue on<br />
this land. We are still in the agricultural<br />
business, though now more in a metaphorical<br />
sense. Our “farming” endeavors are<br />
directed toward nurturing the growth of<br />
people and preparing them for an eternal<br />
harvest, rather than growing plants. But<br />
wasn’t that the point of those lessons from<br />
the land that our teacher, Jesus, taught?<br />
Note: Donald Chase serves on the<br />
Georgia-Cumberland Academy board of<br />
trustees. He and Michelle’s three children,<br />
Marilee Chase Rego (’06), Greg (’09), and<br />
Laura (’13) graduated from this school.<br />
Donald’s sister, Barbara Chase McKinney,<br />
board member, entrusted her sons, Joshua<br />
(’10) and Caleb (’14) to GCA. Cousins,<br />
Sara Chase (’01) and Amanda Chase (’06),<br />
graduated from GCA and now Sara serves<br />
as one of the assistant girls’ deans at GCA.<br />
Our "farming" endeavors are directed<br />
toward nurturing the growth of people<br />
and preparing them for an eternal<br />
harvest, rather than growing plants.<br />
Annual Report 19<br />
“
GCA NEWS<br />
GCA WELCOMES NEW STAFF<br />
Laura Dancek<br />
Alumni and<br />
Development<br />
Assistant<br />
Laura was born and raised in Elyria, Ohio, and graduated from Mt. Vernon Academy.<br />
She is a licensed speech/language pathologist, and received her bachelor’s degree in<br />
communication disorders from Andrews University, where she met her husband, Ed. She<br />
earned her master’s degree in speech pathology at Western Michigan University before<br />
moving to Florida, where Ed and Laura have lived for more than 34 years. In 2011, the<br />
Danceks took on a second home in Calhoun when their oldest daughter, Chelsea, was<br />
ready to attend GCA. Chelsea graduated in 2014. Their youngest daughter Aubri is<br />
now a GCA senior preparing to join her sister at Southern Adventist University next year.<br />
Laura has enjoyed being involved as a volunteer parent, and has been grateful for all<br />
that the GCA staff has invested in the lives of her children. She hopes to communicate<br />
with alumni in a way that keeps them connected to GCA and their spiritual experiences<br />
while students here. “It’s a tremendous privilege to be part of the school in a new way and<br />
have even more opportunity to serve and interact with these wonderful kids and alumni.”<br />
Heather grew up in Douglasville, GA. She attended Georgia-Cumberland Academy for<br />
four years and graduated in 2008. Heather was awarded a bachelor’s in social work degree<br />
from Southern Adventist University in 2012 and spent the following year working for Child<br />
Protective Services.<br />
Heather married fellow GCA alumnus, Kaleb Leeper, in 2012 and they moved to Calhoun<br />
in 2013 when he began teaching at their alma mater and Heather managed the office for the<br />
GCA church. Their love for being active in sports and with young people endeared them to<br />
their team when they coached girls’volleyball for three years. They have a son, Everett, 23 months<br />
old and a daughter, Emrie, four months old.<br />
Heather’s desire to be a girls’ dean stems from her own, positive experience in the GCA<br />
dorm. She was impressed with the way Dean Janet interacted with the girls. This planted the<br />
seed for her passion to be able to offer help and guidance to teenagers. “I hope to be real with<br />
these kids so God can work through me before they head off on their own.”<br />
Heather Leeper<br />
Assistant Girls’ Dean<br />
Shannon Scott<br />
Science and<br />
Drama Instructor<br />
Shannon moved to Calhoun with husband, Derin, and their six children in 2012. Raised in<br />
Oregon, Shannon attended Auburn Adventist Academy and Walla Walla University, graduating<br />
with a bachelor of science degree in biology. She was accepted to Loma Linda University’s<br />
medical school, but chose to marry and start a family.<br />
She homeschooled all six of her children for part of their formal education, and says that<br />
“stepping into this seems like something I’ve done a thousand times. I feel like I’m teaching<br />
GCA students just like I did my own children.” Shannon teaches the physical science classes,<br />
which introduces students to chemistry and physics. Shannon has been involved in drama since<br />
she was young, and has written skits and plays, so teaching drama comes naturally. She aspires to<br />
teach students the value of using drama in a church setting so they can take what they’ve learned<br />
and use it in their future home churches. Regarding her new job Shannon states, “I love it. I feel<br />
excited to go to work everyday and unbelievably blessed. It’s a wonderful, wonderful experience.”<br />
20 Annual Report
GCA BOOSTER CLUB<br />
New to GCA is a booster<br />
club to support our<br />
varsity athletics program.<br />
Spear-headed by parent Jeanice<br />
Mitchell, the goal is to build school<br />
spirit and bridge the financial gap<br />
between what the school can afford and<br />
what the coaches need. To accomplish this goal,<br />
funds are being raised in a variety of ways, including<br />
membership fees, the sales of team roster t-shirts, the<br />
creation and publication of a sports program booklet which<br />
will have a “meet the coaches” section, student recognition,<br />
team photos, and business advertisements which will provide<br />
financial support. Families of athletes will be pleased to know<br />
that livestreaming will be available at every home volleyball<br />
and basketball game. Plans are in the works so that away<br />
volleyball and basketball games, and all soccer games will be<br />
uploaded and archived on YouTube. If you have questions<br />
or ideas, please email booster@gcasda.org.<br />
GCA NEWS<br />
FORENSIC SCIENCE COMES TO GCA<br />
The GCA science department has expanded in recent years,<br />
and this school year it is offering a forensic science class to those<br />
seniors not taking anatomy and physiology or physics.<br />
Forensic science, taught by Marty Briggs, Ph.D., combines<br />
bits and pieces of other science fields such as chemistry, physics,<br />
biology and psychology. These areas are studied through the lens<br />
of investigation and inquiry.” It really ties into the desire that<br />
is in each one of us to figure out puzzles, and our God-given<br />
desire for justice,” Dr. Briggs stated.<br />
Briggs plans on involving the community and will have<br />
presentations from the Gordon County Sheriff’s department,<br />
a speaker with a master’s degree in forensic science and<br />
experience as a crime scene investigator and forensic chemist,<br />
and a presenter with expertise in the field of forensic computing<br />
and cybercrime.<br />
Currently, nineteen students are taking the class. Senior,<br />
Alyssa Johnson, said “I love it. This is one of my dream careers.”<br />
Fellow senior, Nikayla Connor, is in agreement, “I’m really<br />
excited for this class. Forensics is a career option that I am<br />
definitely interested in.”<br />
Annual Report 21
GCA NEWS<br />
STAFF UPDATES<br />
Mark Carr<br />
Grounds Supervisor<br />
LeAnn Gariepy<br />
ESL instructor<br />
When Charlie Schmidt retired, Mark Carr was promoted to grounds supervisor. Mark has<br />
been assisting with grounds and maintenance at GCA since 2013. He loves kids and being<br />
able to teach them the value of work and how to operate machinery and equipment -- skills<br />
that will aid them later in life and give them opportunities to earn money during college.<br />
LeAnn is teaching English and Introduction to Christianity to GCA students from China. LeAnn<br />
gained experience with English as a second language as a student missionary in Taiwan. Previously,<br />
she taught senior religion and drama at GCA. This year she is having a great time getting to<br />
know the Chinese students and helping them understand American culture and Christianity.<br />
Albert is continuing his work as assistant boys’ dean and has added the responsibilities of<br />
janitorial supervisor. He supervises student janitors in the ad building and classrooms. As a<br />
dean, Albert is there to provide wise counsel to all of the young men needing it. “I feel very<br />
blessed to have a job at GCA. I never imagined I would be working for the high school I<br />
graduated from. I feel very happy that I have an opportunity to be at GCA as an employee.”<br />
Albert Hernandez<br />
Assistant Boy’s Dean<br />
Janitorial Supervisor<br />
Kalie Kelch<br />
Assistant Chaplain<br />
Kalie felt God’s calling to leave the alumni and development office in order to minister to the needs<br />
of the students by praying with and for them and encouraging them in their walk with Christ. To<br />
help prepare her for this role, Kalie completed a life coaching certification program this summer.<br />
She conducts Bible studies and helps plan the spiritual programming on campus. Kalie also assists<br />
with the praise and worship program, providing guidance and instruction to the bands in the area of<br />
worship and musical skills. “I’m thrilled that God opened the doors for me to serve in this capacity.<br />
It is my daily prayer that He shines through me.”<br />
Marty Sutton<br />
Assistant Principal<br />
Marty completed his year of internship at GCA in May and has been hired as a full-time<br />
member of the administrative team. Marty will complete his doctoral degree in educational<br />
administration this fall. His responsibilities as assistant principal include coordinating the<br />
student worker program, monitoring student attendance, and being a sponsor for the student<br />
association. Marty shared “I am enjoying the challenges. I appreciate how this job allows<br />
me to build relationships with students.”<br />
22 Annual Report
DEAR DONORS...<br />
My favorite thing about<br />
attending GCA is the<br />
atmosphere that the people<br />
around me create. The staff<br />
and students here are so<br />
supportive and I can feel<br />
their support. I count GCA as<br />
my home and these people as<br />
my family.<br />
From a student<br />
Every day I have the privilege<br />
of interacting with precious<br />
young people at GCA. Most of<br />
them could not be here without<br />
the help of people like you<br />
who generously give to make<br />
this possible. Thank you for<br />
allowing me to work in a place<br />
like GCA .<br />
From a teacher<br />
Thank you for assisting<br />
me in my attending GCA.<br />
Because of your gift I can<br />
stay at GCA.<br />
From a student<br />
Thank you for helping make<br />
it possible for me to go to GCA.<br />
Because of your gift, I am<br />
able to attend a school that<br />
actually cares about whether<br />
I have a personal relationship<br />
with Jesus or not.<br />
From a student<br />
Thank you so much for what<br />
you do for the students at<br />
GCA. I, for one, have been<br />
incredibly blessed here, and<br />
I know that this is where God<br />
wants me to be. Thank you<br />
once again for working with<br />
HIM!<br />
From a student<br />
GCA is indescribable. It<br />
is not just a school, it is<br />
family, a community,<br />
and most importantly it is<br />
home.<br />
From a student<br />
GCA has helped me grow<br />
spiritually. I feel that I am<br />
closer to God here. It’s so<br />
spiritual and overwhelming.<br />
From a student<br />
We would like to express our<br />
thanks for all those who make<br />
Adventist Education possible.<br />
Scholarships, sponsoring a<br />
student and donations are<br />
some ways that our donors<br />
stay involved. Thanks to each<br />
of you for your generosity<br />
and giving students the gift<br />
of Adventist Education.<br />
From a parent<br />
We want to thank all of<br />
the donors for their support<br />
in developing the positive<br />
GCA Christian academic<br />
environment.<br />
From a parent<br />
Thank you so much, you<br />
may not see how much the<br />
students of GCA need you,<br />
but please let me tell you.<br />
We need the Donors of GCA<br />
greatly, there’s a lot of kids<br />
here that are only able to go<br />
to school because of your<br />
help. You mean more to us<br />
than you know.<br />
From a student<br />
Thank you for your<br />
generous support of GCA. In<br />
my 9 years here, I have seen<br />
God answer prayers and<br />
work miracles in so many of<br />
our students’ lives. You are<br />
an answer to prayer. Thank<br />
you for letting God work<br />
through you!<br />
From a teacher<br />
GCA NEWS<br />
GCA ALUMNI GATHER AT ANDREWS UNIVERSITY<br />
Although GCA alums are not<br />
present in huge numbers at Andrews<br />
University, we do have a small group<br />
who enjoy reconnecting with their<br />
Georgia-Cumberland Academy roots.<br />
On September 16, <strong>2016</strong>, Donnie,<br />
’03, and Rachel Keele, opened their<br />
on-campus dean’s apartment for the<br />
gathering. A surprise visit by Litch<br />
and Shelly Litchfield (former GCA<br />
staff members) made the event even<br />
more fun!<br />
Stefanie Elkins-Bates, ’87, was<br />
especially pleased to be able to visit<br />
with the Litchfields. “Both Shelly and<br />
Litch were my teachers when I was a<br />
student at GCA and it is so great to<br />
see them still impacting young lives in<br />
such a positive way in the same manner<br />
they impressed me when I was<br />
a teen.”<br />
Jannai Arellano, ’15, was<br />
“pleasantly surprised when a<br />
small variety of undergrads, a<br />
seminary student, an Andrews<br />
professor, and the week of prayer<br />
speaker and his wife showed up!<br />
It was a lot of fun to sit around<br />
and reminisce about the teachers<br />
I miss so much from GCA. It<br />
helped remind me how grateful<br />
I am to have been able to go to GCA<br />
and make my own imprint on it.”<br />
Caitlin Lopez, ’16, was drawn<br />
in by the Litchfield’s stories. “Even<br />
though I haven’t been gone very<br />
long, it was wonderful to hear stories<br />
about GCA!”<br />
When you’re away from home<br />
and in a new environment it is always<br />
nice to see familiar faces. Katie DeArk,<br />
’16, commented, “It was great to see<br />
the Gerards and to meet the other<br />
alumni at the GCA dinner!”<br />
Thanks to all who were able to<br />
join us for this GCA alumni event!<br />
Please join us for any of the following events.<br />
For more details and information contact Laura Dancek at ldancek@gcasda.org.<br />
December 10: Festival of Carols and Christmas Concert<br />
January 28: Loma Linda, CA Alumni and Friends luncheon<br />
February 18: Orlando, FL Alumni and Friends luncheon<br />
March 31: Alumni Golf Tournament<br />
March 31-April 2: Alumni Weekend<br />
April 2: Ride for GCA – Motorcycle Event<br />
April 2: Run for GCA – 5K Race<br />
Annual Report 23
ALUMNI NEWS<br />
ALUMNI UPDATES<br />
Gary Affolter, former staff, passed<br />
away in Fayetteville, Arkansas on<br />
August 28, <strong>2016</strong>. Gary and Diane<br />
Affolter served at GCA from 1992<br />
to 1999 where Gary filled a variety<br />
of posts including vice-principal,<br />
guidance counselor, teacher, and work<br />
coordinator. Before coming to GCA,<br />
Gary and Diane served as missionaries<br />
in Nigeria, West Africa, and Singapore.<br />
Gary retired from Gravett Middle<br />
School in 2012 and previously was the<br />
owner/operator of Apple Crest Inn<br />
Bed and Breakfast in Gentry, Arkansas.<br />
Don Keele, former GCA Church<br />
pastor, recently released his latest<br />
creative endeavor, a book entitled,<br />
Ed’s Tohlet and Other Stories: The Teen’s<br />
Guide to Spiritual Growth. The book is<br />
available to purchase through TEACH<br />
Services, Inc. at www.teachservices.<br />
com or through Amazon.<br />
Larry Kitchen, former staff, died<br />
peacefully in his home at the age<br />
of 98, surrounded by his family and<br />
friends. He worked as the food<br />
service director at GCA for many<br />
years until he retired. He also served<br />
in the U.S. Army during World<br />
War II. His wife of 69 years, Edna,<br />
preceded him in death in January of<br />
this year.<br />
Joan Spano, former staff, passed<br />
away on May 24, <strong>2016</strong>. At the<br />
time of her death, she was living in<br />
Washington state with her son, John.<br />
Mrs. Spano served as girls’ dean from<br />
1965 to 1968, and her husband, Bill,<br />
who passed away in August 2015,<br />
served as maintenance supervisor from<br />
1964 to 1968. Shortly after school<br />
began in August 1965, the girls’ dean<br />
resigned, and Mrs. Spano was asked to<br />
serve as a temporary dean. Three years<br />
later when the family moved, she was<br />
still “temporary dean.” All told, she<br />
spent seven years working as a girls’<br />
dean in Adventist education.<br />
Marilyn (McKee) Lee, (attended),<br />
passed away on March 9, <strong>2016</strong>. A<br />
registered nurse and dedicated<br />
mother of four children, Marilyn<br />
lived in McDonald, Tennessee.<br />
Brenda Walsh’s, ’71 (attended),<br />
most recent publication, Moments<br />
with God, has been chosen as the<br />
2017 Devotional Book of the Year and<br />
is available at www.brendawalsh.com<br />
and through your local Adventist<br />
Book Center.<br />
Susan (Maretich) Davidson,<br />
’72, is a full tenured professor of<br />
nursing at the University of TN<br />
at Chattanooga and was recently<br />
appointed to the University of TN<br />
Board of Trustees by Governor Bill<br />
Haslam for a 2-year term. She has<br />
two beautiful daughters and two<br />
grandsons.<br />
Denise Veazey, ’74 (attended),<br />
passed away on July 4, <strong>2016</strong>, at her<br />
home in Hopkinsville, Kentucky,<br />
after a courageous battle with cancer.<br />
In spite of her health challenges,<br />
which included multiple sclerosis, she<br />
volunteered at Jennie Stuart Medical<br />
Center, served as a motivational<br />
speaker, was a member and exhibitor<br />
of the Hopkinsville Art Guild, and<br />
served on the board of directors of the<br />
Hopkinsville YMCA<br />
Jessie (Clark) Wright, ’99, passed<br />
away in August after a long-term<br />
illness.<br />
Kenny Fuller, ’00, died suddenly as<br />
the result of a motorcycle accident<br />
on September 25, <strong>2016</strong> in Orlando,<br />
Florida. Kenny’s funeral was held at<br />
the Forest Lake Church on September<br />
30, <strong>2016</strong>. Kenny’s parents, Ken Fuller<br />
and Glenda Fuller were staff members<br />
at GCA from 1999-2002.<br />
Jeanette Illidge, ’00, has been<br />
pursuing a career in musical theater<br />
in the Atlanta area over the past few<br />
years. She was recently cast in the<br />
starring role as Sister Delores in Sister<br />
Act at the Springer Opera House in<br />
Columbus, Ga. Jeanette was recently<br />
featured in an article in the Ledger-<br />
Enquirer. Jeanette has starred in<br />
performances in the Alliance Theater<br />
in Atlanta, with the Atlanta Opera, and<br />
has toured in Europe with the Atlanta<br />
Opera and the Opera-Comique.<br />
Keith Bowman, ’03, and his wife,<br />
Shayna, are excited to announce the<br />
birth of their second child, Kenna<br />
Lee Bowman. Born at 5:55pm on<br />
August 8, Kenna weighed 6 lbs. 13<br />
oz. and was 20.5 inches long. Little<br />
Keith is having fun being the big<br />
brother.<br />
Jessica (Johnston) Harrington,<br />
’03, and husband, Wes, welcomed a<br />
little girl into their family on August<br />
29. Ellen Kate was born weighing<br />
8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 inches long.<br />
Big brother Will is excited to have a<br />
baby sister!<br />
Shaunda (Heim) McNeill, ’04, and<br />
husband, David, are understandably<br />
quite proud of their new son, Caleb<br />
Ryan, who came into their lives<br />
on October 16, weighing in at 7<br />
pounds, 3.8 oz and was 19 inches in<br />
length.<br />
Eyren Rebeca Yepez, ’04, married<br />
Ferlyn Reyes on June 12, <strong>2016</strong>,<br />
in Nashville, Tennessee. The new<br />
couple will also be residing in the<br />
Nashville area.<br />
Jennifer (Henderson) Smith,<br />
’05, and husband, Jonathan Smith,<br />
welcomed Hudson Stephen Smith<br />
to their family on September 23,<br />
<strong>2016</strong>. Hudson was born weighing<br />
in at 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was 20 ¼<br />
inches.<br />
24 Annual Report
ALUMNI UPDATES<br />
Ashleigh Walton, ’09 is a licensed<br />
architect and recognized as an<br />
architect by the American Institute<br />
of Architects (AIA). She is a member<br />
of the Congress for New Urbanism<br />
(CNU), and she just passed the<br />
examination to be a LEED Green<br />
Associate (Leadership in Energy and<br />
Environmental Design), which is<br />
the first step in a highly recognized<br />
sustainability program. Ashleigh<br />
recently accepted a job with Urban<br />
Design Associates in Pittsburgh, Pa.<br />
Jennifer Camp, ’10, married Dean<br />
Jones on May 15, <strong>2016</strong>, at Cross<br />
Link Meadows in Forsythe, Georgia.<br />
Jennifer and Dean work as registered<br />
nurses at Medical Center Navicent<br />
Health—Jennifer on the oncology<br />
unit and Dean on the cardiovascular<br />
intensive care unit.<br />
Veronica Guisinger, ’11, is serving<br />
this year as an intern at Hawaiian<br />
Mission Academy in Honolulu,<br />
Hawaii.Veronica is working as the<br />
assistant girls’ dean for this school year.<br />
Joel Greve and Kenyon (Findley),<br />
both ’11, were married on June 17<br />
of this year and have relocated to<br />
Kettering, OH to continue their<br />
education and training.<br />
Tatiana Monteagudo, ’11 (attended),<br />
graduated from the University of<br />
Florida on August 7, <strong>2016</strong>. She<br />
completed a bachelor’s degree in<br />
health science.<br />
Isaac Nwadike, ’11, is a first year<br />
student at the Adventist Theological<br />
Seminary at Andrews University.<br />
Steven and Danielle (Pitterson-<br />
Hall) Ormes, ’11, and their son<br />
Greyson welcomed twins—James<br />
Samuel and Arabella Stephanie<br />
May—to their family on May<br />
19, <strong>2016</strong>. Steven is working in<br />
the IT department at Hargray<br />
Communication, and Danielle is a<br />
stay-at-home mom who is working<br />
toward a degree in psychology.<br />
Melissa (O’Connell) Smith, ’11,<br />
married Jake Ryan Smith in December<br />
2014. She graduated from Dalton<br />
State College in December of 2015<br />
and works as a licensed practical nurse.<br />
The Smiths reside in Calhoun, GA.<br />
Alex Brady, ’13, is serving as an IT<br />
intern at Shenandoah Valley Academy<br />
for the <strong>2016</strong>-2017 school year.<br />
Courtney Buckhanon, ’13, was<br />
recently featured in an interview in<br />
71.5, a new publication for young<br />
adults by the Adventist Church.<br />
Courtney was chosen as “ Miss<br />
Oakwood University” for this<br />
current school year and has shown<br />
her leadership abilities in many<br />
facets of her college experience. In<br />
the interview, Courtney credits her<br />
leadership skills to what she learned<br />
while at Georgia-Cumberland<br />
Academy.<br />
Rachel Clark, ’13, is serving in<br />
Peru for Amor Projects as a student<br />
missionary this year. Rachel is there<br />
to assist with medical and Bible work.<br />
Ashley Hollenbeck, ’13, is serving<br />
in Peru as a student missionary this<br />
year. She is assisting with nursing in<br />
their medical clinic.<br />
Kelli Stickney, ’13, is serving as a<br />
student intern in the business office<br />
at Shenandoah Valley Academy for<br />
the <strong>2016</strong>-2017 school year. Kelli is<br />
the assistant accountant for SVA.<br />
Kalli Wilkens, ’13, is spending the<br />
year as a student missionary in Peru.<br />
She is taking a year to serve before<br />
going to Loma Linda to complete<br />
her degree in physical therapy.<br />
Sam Cardona, ’14, is serving for the<br />
<strong>2016</strong>-2017 as an intern at Monterey<br />
Bay Academy. Sam is working with<br />
the young men of MBA as the<br />
assistant boys’ dean.<br />
Tyler Hamilton, ’14, is spending<br />
the year as an intern boys’ dean at<br />
Shenandoah Valley Academy. Tyler is<br />
taking the year off from his studies<br />
as a pre-dental major at Southern<br />
Adventist University.<br />
ALUMNI NEWS<br />
ALUMNI PRESIDENT<br />
Kimberly Wygal Miller, ’77, has accepted the position of Alumni President for the <strong>2016</strong>-2017 year. Kimberly<br />
will represent alumni as a GCA board member, an ambassador for the school, a connecting link between<br />
GCA and alumni, and as chairperson for the Alumni Advisory Council. Kimberly comes with a wealth of<br />
skills and experiences that will make her a perfect fit for this position. Kim is also wonderfully connected<br />
to many alumni from all eras of GCA history. Kimberly currently serves as the director for the ASSIST,<br />
PFE and Promise grant programs at Southern Adventist University and has held that position since 2014.<br />
Under Kimberly’s leadership the number of schools receiving grant monies through these programs has<br />
grown from 32 schools to nearly 200. Prior to her current duties, Kimberly served at SAU as an accounting<br />
professor in the School of Business and also worked in the development office as Corporate and Foundation Relations<br />
Officer. Prior to working at Southern Adventist University, Kimberly worked at LexisNexis as an account executive. Kimberly<br />
is married to Harry Miller and they have three daughters.<br />
Annual Report 25
Georgia-Cumberland Academy<br />
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Save the Date<br />
Alumni Weekend, March 31- April 2, 2017<br />
1967<br />
1972<br />
Honor Classes<br />
1977<br />
1982<br />
1987<br />
1992<br />
1997<br />
2002<br />
2007<br />
2012
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