Cumberlite - 2013 Summer

SUMMER 2013 

The Cumberlite 

People in Partnership with God 

When visitors come to Georgia- 

Cumberland Academy they are 

often impressed by the natural 

beauty of the setting and our nicely 

manicured grounds. First impressions 

are often expressed as, “Wow! What a 

beautiful campus!” 

In contrast, when our alumni reflect 

on their experiences at GCA it isn’t the 

beautiful grounds they remember, nor 

is it the buildings or even the 

academics. For most of our 

graduates, the enduring memories 

are the ones involving people 

and relationships. A teacher 

who inspired, a chaplain who 

mentored, a work supervisor who 

befriended, a dean who knew 

how to have fun while providing 

a godly role model, peers who 

became “family”—these are the 

relationships that make for a rich 

GCA experience. 

While we continually work to 

improve our campus to provide 

a safe and pleasant environment 

for staff and students, as well as 

insure those first impressions are 

positive, we know our greatest 

asset is people—people who work to 

create an environment that will nurture 

relationships in classrooms, dorms and 

in the work place; people who will be 

able to inspire students to reach their 

God-given potential. 

If our best asset is the people at 

GCA, what kind of person is best suited 

to do the work of building relationships 

in a boarding school setting where our 

work is 24-hours a day, seven days a 

week? What kind of person can represent Jesus to these young 

people, as well as motivate and inspire a love of learning? 

Greg Gerard, GCA principal, knows what he is looking for 

in a staff person. “When I look at the resume of someone who 

thinks they want to work at GCA, I first try to determine if they 

like being around teenagers. Will this person be able to build 

positive relationships with students? If that looks to be the case, 

then I need to determine if their own personal spiritual life is 

genuine and vibrant so that it will be contagious to our students. 

Creativity, energy and a sense of humor are all good traits, but 

In 2007 Parents in Support of GCA (PSGCA) initiated an “Appreciation of 

Excellence Award” to honor outstanding GCA staff members. The award 

comes with a $1,000 cash gift, along with name recognition on a plaque. 

The first recipients of the award were Doug Nesmith, Wally Fox and Don 

Short, shown here flanked by Doug Mittleider (then PSGCA leader) and 

Greg Gerard, principal. 

if a person doesn’t like kids, or if their passion for Christ is not 

evident, they won’t be a good fit at GCA.” 

Because we are a school and educational instruction is our 

primary purpose we need a great teaching staff. Besides loving 

teenagers and being able to connect with them, as well as 

having a committed relationship with God, our teachers need 

to be well-equipped to create learning environments that will 

inspire and motivate. They need to be able to teach their subject 

matter in a way that will excite students and draw them into the 

learning process. 

continued on page 2

People in Partnership with God continued 

Alumni like Cami Rahn Smith and Angela Rho Yi, both 

class of 1996, developed strong friendships with their 

dean, Janet Naus, during their years in the dormitory 

at GCA. (Shown here enjoying shared memories at a 

recent alumni reunion.) 

As a way of improving student learning and to 

assist our teachers in providing the best learning 

environment possible, “Professional Learning 

Communities” (PLC) were implemented this year. A 

part of our school improvement initiatives, these PLC’s 

will allow us to be very intentional about the teaching/ 

learning process. We anticipate that our teachers, 

who are already doing a great job, will grow even 

stronger in the art and science of teaching. (See the 

inset piece by Melanie DiBiase for further information 

on our Professional Learning Communities and how 

we anticipate improved instruction as a result.) 

So if GCA’s greatest asset is its people, who are 

some of these “assets” and why do they choose to 

work here? A few GCA staff members recently offered 

to share their thoughts on working at GCA. 

Janet Naus, head girls’ dean, has been at GCA 20 

years and is highly regarded for her dorm leadership. 

While still a teenager God “laid on my heart a purpose 

to serve, and God answered a prayer that opened the 

door to deaning that He has yet to shut.” She loves 

seeing the transformation that occurs in girls’ hearts 

when they leave here changed people. Being able to 

be a part of that change “brings such satisfaction and 

joy! There is nothing more important to me than to 

show the love of Jesus and try to make a difference 

for the kingdom.” 

Tom Sterndale, our hardworking maintenance 

director at GCA, sensed God’s leading when He 

opened the door for Tom and his family to move to 

campus in 1992. Tom loves his work at GCA because 

he knows that what he does is a service which makes 

life better for people. 

Deborah Theus, GCA treasurer, has set this school 

on strong financial footing for seven years. By her 

financial leadership we operate in the black and 

have been able to put away reserves in a way that 

is unheard of in denominational boarding schools. 

Deborah feels strongly that God placed her in this 

job for a reason and loves being part of a community 

that works together toward eternal goals, rather than 

just corporate success. 

Bruce Boggess, teacher and gymnastics coach, 

joined the GCA staff in 2007. Bruce works at GCA 

because it a “wonderful place with a great mission.” 

He knows what a difference a faculty member can 

make in the life of a young person and he wants to 

be able to make that difference in the lives of his 

students. One of his favorite things about working 

here is seeing students mature and grow into their 

God-given potential. 

Melanie DiBiase, science teacher since 2007 and 

GCA alumnus (class of 1979), is passionate about 

her work with young people. She says she works at 

GCA “because I get to interact with incredible young 

minds. When I see my students grow and learn, I am 

reminded that only God could use a mass of white 

and gray matter to come up with brilliant new ideas, 

register empathy, ask thoughtful questions and see 

humor in the experiences that make up a classroom 

at GCA. It humbles me to think that God would allow 

me the opportunity to watch Him in action in this 

environment each day.” 

Mark Torsney, instrumental music instructor, has 

just finished his fifth year at GCA. Mark says he is 

Pastor Don Keele works closely with a GCA student 

during one of our community service days. 

2 The Cumberlite Summer 2013

GCA is strengthened by the outstanding service and 

longevity of staff members like Patti Speer, who has 

served as registrar since 1990. 

at GCA because God “saved me from the depths of 

sin and in return I have dedicated myself to follow 

wherever he wants, whatever he wants.” Coming 

from an abusive and violent home environment, 

Mark believes he has been given the ability to relate 

to hurting students. His desire is to interact with 

students in such a way as to “show them that God 

is faithful and loyal and true.” 

People. Dedicated, spiritual, talented, bright, 

hardworking, loving people are GCA’s greatest asset. 

We are blessed to have an extraordinary staff working 

at Georgia-Cumberland Academy. Their calling goes 

beyond the classroom, the dorm, or the work setting. 

The mission is bigger than the measurable outcomes 

of a great educational institution. The mission of this 

dedicated group of adults is to work in partnership 

with Jesus Christ for the eternal salvation of each 

of our students. 

What is a PLC? 

What is the Fundamental Belief Behind a PLC? 

GCA’s PLC Goals 

Summer 2013 The Cumberlite 3

Our Newest 

Alumni 

Erika Alcantara 

Jasmine Arellano 

Marina Avendano Brian Bates Alec Best Alexander Brady 

Benjamin Brooks 

Andrew Brown Courtney Buckhanon Kevin Candamil 

Laura Chase 

Rachel Clark 

Shelby Cohen 

Nicole Davis 


Congratulations, 

Class of 2013! 

Nathan DiBiase 

Ashli Dublin 

Martha Freire 

Nicolas Hayward Bence Ho Elizabeth Hooker 

Madison Johnston 

Darby Jones 

Joshua Kim 

Jonathan Lee 

Phillippe Lemaitre 

Katherine Melgar 

Matthew Melton 

Steven Metott 


Our Newest 

Alumni 

Ramey Miller 

Brianna Paradis 

Justice Peltier Jasmin Ponce Julia Pottle Christopher Pubillones 

Steven Pubillones 

Karissa Ramsay Abby Robbins Elena Sandy 

Brittany Sifuentes 

Jeffery Simmons 

Ashlee Speer 

Kelli Stickney 


Congratulations, 

Class of 2013! 

Brandi Taylor 

Leah Teague 

Samuel Voegele 

Kailey Wales Kalli Wilkens David Williams 

Class of 2013 Officers 

President:. .................Courtney Buckhanon 

Vice President: .................. Laura Chase 

Secretary: . .................. 

Treasurer: . .................. 

Marina Avendano 

Abigayle Robbins 

Pastor: ......................Alexander Brady 

Parliamentarian: .................Martha Freire 

J. Asher Wilson 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Romans 12:10-12 


Voices from the Class of 2013 

Each year at graduation we hear from students who have asked for the 

privilege of sharing their “GCA Experience.” What follows are selected excerpts 

from two of this year’s speakers. 

Jasmine Arellano – 

Unforgettable 

Friends 

I 

did 

NOT want to 

come to GCA. But 

since my dad, my 

aunts and uncles, and 

my brother and sister 

were here before me, 

I’ve always known 

that I, too, would join 

the ranks of Arellanos who graduated from GCA. 

Just to give you an idea of how reluctant I 

really was to come, imagine a little, naïve (very 

naïve) freshman girl sitting and sobbing in her 

nice, warm, comfortable, familiar minivan. That’s 

right. For two hours I refused to get out of the 

car and, if it hadn’t been for a phone call from my 

brother, I might still be sitting in that car today. 

But I am so thankful I summoned up the 

courage to step into the unknown lands of GCA 

because I have had the time of my life! And even 

though I feel ready to get out of here, I know 

I’ll miss it. 

I’ll miss the faculty, the classes and even the 

café food. But most of all I’ll miss the close-knit 

family that I have joined since being here. I have 

developed many close friendships over my four 

years here, and in many ways I will always be 

able to depend on my friends from GCA. 

God was truly leading when he nudged me 

out of the car four years ago. He brought me 

into contact with people who have helped me 

grow and develop in Him. He forced me into an 

uncomfortable situation, but then gave me friends 

who were as uncomfortable, if not more, than me, 

to help me mature in my relationship with Him. 

So that’s what I’ve learned from coming to 

GCA. God purposely puts you into tight and 

uncomfortable spots in order for you to trust 

Him more. And while God has given me many 

unforgettable friends, He has become my closest 

friend. 

Nathan DiBiase – 

Remember the Good 

For those of you who 

know me, you know 

I like to draw almost 

unceasingly. Just think of 

the first thing that comes to 

your mind and I’ve probably 

drawn it. For example, if 

you think of an elephant 

playing a trumpet while 

riding a unicycle, I have 

already drawn it. 

Unfortunately my love of drawing really didn’t help 

when I would try to do my homework. I would be 

sitting at my desk working on math and expecting 

to see problems 6-10 and 14-48 done. Instead in my 

notebook, I would see pictures from my overactive 

imagination. When I was supposedly taking notes, I was 

usually in the deep recesses of my mind imagining and 

drawing what it would look like if George Washington 

and Alexander Hamilton got in a fist fight. I eventually 

wound up with something like 12 notebooks that 

were supposed to be filled with notes and intellectual 

calculations; instead they are filled with my doodles. 

I love going back to my drawings and remembering 

what I was doing when I drew it. Each one is like a 

little time capsule with memories of my friends in each 

of my sketches. 

I’m a second generation student at GCA but, not 

only is my mom an alumnus, but so is my aunt, my 

uncle and several of their cousins, as well my brother. 

So imagine growing up listening to my family in which 

most had some tie to GCA. Imagine them gathered 

around and talking about the glory days and all the 

mishaps they created. Imagine my excitement when 

I get to come to GCA, little 14 year-old me with 

my giant Afro. However, over these past four years 

I unfortunately learned something about my family. 

They choose to leave a few details out of their GCA 

stories. They like to leave out all the disappointments, 

struggles and heartbreaks that go along with being a 

teenager. They like to leave out the fear of failing and 

the loneliness that I’m sure everyone in this room has 


felt at one point or another. I started to think “why 

would they do that? Why would they leave out some 

of the largest moments of their lives from the stories 

they would repeat over and over again?” Then it hit 

me. They left all of that behind. They held on to the 

joy and the laughter, and chose to leave all of the 

grudges and pain behind when they graduated. 

In the years to come, our time spent here is not 

defined by what we did, but by what we remember. 

We don’t have to carry all of our ‘luggage’ with us 

when we leave. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:4, “I 

thank God every time I remember you.” He saw 

the relationships in his life as a gift from God. And 

that’s what GCA is to me. It’s the relationships with 

those I love. The same way, I’m taking my drawings 

with me that remind me of all the joy and laughter I 

shared with my friends. I leave, remembering what 

truly deserves to be remembered. 

Fast Facts about the Class of 2013 

Of the 49 members in the class of 2013: 

35 graduated with college prep diplomas 

14 graduated with standard diplomas 

21 graduated with high honors (GPA of 3.5 or above) 

33 were 4-year seniors 

2 were second generation GCA students 

1 was a National Merit Commended scholar 

Nearly $500,000 in scholarships were awarded to this outstanding class, with some full tuition 

scholarships awarded to students attending Georgia Tech and Converse College. 


GCA Students and Staff Partner 

with ADRA in Cambodia 

During spring break this past February, a 

group of seventeen students and six adults 

traveled to Cambodia to work with ADRA 

(Adventist Development and Relief Agency) on 

a sanitation project. The work they did was part 

of a large project to bring 1,000 latrines to the 

province of Kampong Thom. In an area of the 

country where many do not have access to clean 

water or sanitary means for dealing with human 

waste, this project provided an opportunity to be 

of real service to people in need. 

Each year Georgia-Cumberland Academy 

students have many opportunities for service. 

Most years, students can choose between two 

international mission trips. One trip, led by viceprincipal 

Donald Short, usually combines church 

building, medical clinic work and vacation Bible 

school outreach in Central America. For the past 

few years, students have also had the opportunity 

to participate in mission trips partnering with 

ADRA in China, Cambodia 

and other parts of Asia, 

led by GCA math teacher 

and vice-principal for 

academics, Serge Gariepy. 

During the eight days 

of hard work in several 

villages of the Kampong 

Thom region, the GCA 

group completed eleven 

latrines and nearly 

completed another three. 

Each day the group was 

bused to the villages where 

they dug holes for septic 

tanks, mixed concrete to 

form latrine floors, walls 

and roofs then put the 

Micah Scott works hard 

digging while Kalli Wilkens and 

Jocelyn Mercado assist as the 

trio work to prepare a septic 

tank hole. 

latrines together. It was hard work, but very 

rewarding! Madison Johnston, class of 2013, 

reflected on her experience with the ADRA project 

recently. “Working on the jobsites was probably 

one of the most fun and straightforward things 

I have done in a long time. There is something 

special about simply getting up in the morning, eating, 

working at building latrines all day, then going to bed. 

Seeing the smiles of the families we built latrines for 

was a huge blessing.” Besides installing the latrines, 

the students raised enough money to provide for the 

sanitation needs of 50 families. 

A local ADRA worker assists Kalli Wilkens and Bruce 

Boggess as they strain to lift and place a heavy 

concrete section of the latrine. 

The trip wasn’t 

all work and no play. 

Evenings found the 

students playing 

games with children 

in the villages and the 

group was also able 

to spend three days 

siteseeing. On their 

Tucker Sutton laughs as the interpretor explains 

the rules of the game he is playing with the 

children, as given by the local village women. 


first day in Cambodia the group visited one of the 

“Killing Fields” and a holocaust museum where 

they learned about the rule of the Khmer Rouge 

and the genocide that occurred during the 1970’s. 

It was a sobering and enlightening experience for 

our students and adults. The trip also included a 

Campbell Wurl, far right, joins the little village boys 

as they play a Cambodian game which is similar 

to our game of “Duck, duck, goose.” 

Built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is the 

largest temple complex in the world and has been 

named a World Heritage Site. The group visited this 

historic site during one of their excursion days. 

A highlight for many of the GCA students was getting 

to play with the children in the villages where they were 

working. Back row: Madison Johnston, Jillian Cheever, 

Marina Avendano, Kailey Wales, Micah Scott. 

While some of 

the GCA students 

organized a soccer 

game with the older 

kids, Nathan DiBiase 

brought smiles 

and laughter to a 

group of younger 

boys at the I.C.C. 

orphanage visited 

by the GCA group 

while in Cambodia. 

visit to Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples, 

as well as visits to two orphanages. One of those 

orphanages, run by International Children’s 

Care, educates and serves the needs of over 300 

children. Visiting these orphanages was the best 

part of the trip for many of our students. 

Serge Gariepy, trip organizer and leader, 

believes international service trips like this year’s 

ADRA trip to Cambodia serve a very important 

purpose. “Projects like this one give our students 

a chance to see what ADRA does at the local 

level. We raise money, travel and see new 

cultures, help in a meaningful way and come 

back with great memories—memories that will 

stay with them forever. Perhaps some of these 

students will become missionaries or contribute to 

organizations like ADRA because of these mission 

trips. Most importantly, I hope these experiences 

will lead them to a closer relationship with God.” 

By Nancy Gerard and Serge Gariepy 


GCA Friends Reconnect 

at Campmeeting 

There’s an old children’s song called, “The More 

We Get Together,” I remember singing as a child. 

The words are: 

The more we get together, together, together 

Oh, the more we get together the happier we’ll be 

For your friends are my friends and my friends are 

your friends 

Oh, the more we get together the happier we’ll be. 

Whenever we hold a GCA alumni and friends 

event we experience the joy of connection expressed 

in this old childhood song. Getting together with 

GCA people does 

generates happiness 

for most who attend. 

On May 25 a 

group of nearly 

60 enjoyed great 

food and a time to 

reconnect during the 

Georgia-Cumberland 

C o n f e r e n c e 

Collegedale 

campmeeting. This 

event draws some 

locals, as well as 

people attending 

the campmeeting 

Nearly 60 alumni, current and 

former staff, along with spouses 

and friends joined us for the 

2013 campmeeting event. 

festivities. We almost always have a large group of new 

alumni at this event, many of whom are camp employees 

at Cohutta Springs, and this year was no exception. 

A group of our most recent grads enjoyed their first 

GCA alumni event. 

If you missed out on this year’s alumni supper at 

campmeeting, we hope you will join us next year! 

Shelly and Kelly Payne, class of 2012, paused from 

their visit with Albert Hernandez, 2008, to smile for the 

camera. 

Early GCA staff members, Mr. and Mrs. Rolland 

McKibbin enjoyed the tasty food, as well as the 

opportunity to visit with a few of their former students. 

Thanks to all who made time in their evening to join 

us for this yearly alumni event! 


Whitman Scholarships 

Make a Difference 

Jesus taught, “It is more blessed 

to give than to receive.” If 

you are a giver, you know this 

teaching to be true and have no 

doubt experienced the blessings of 

generosity. 

Georgia-Cumberland Academy 

is grateful to be on the receiving 

end of the generosity of many 

people. We try to regularly remind 

our students that it is only through 

the generosity and sacrifices of 

our alumni, friends, parents, staff 

and the people of the Georgia- 

Cumberland Conference that this 

school exists and they are able to 

have the GCA experience. 

In 2012 an alumnus who knows 

the joys of giving, George Whitman, 

Class of 1968, initiated the Whitman 

Scholarship that would benefit ten 

students each year with a $1,000 scholarship. George 

has experienced the joy of knowing his gifts make a 

tangible difference in the life of a young person. He 

has seen the smiles and felt the hugs 

when the students say, “thank you!” He 

gives because, as he says, “My years at 

GCA were some of the best years of my 

life. I want to help students be able to 

experience that same feeling. I have 

been blessed and want to pass along 

the blessings to others.” 

On May 2, during our regular 

Thursday morning chapel, the 2013 

Whitman Scholarships were presented to 

ten unsuspecting GCA students. As their 

names were read and they came forward 

to receive scholarship certificates from 

Mr. Whitman, their faces were beaming 

and their friends cheered them on. For 

many, the prayers about finances and 

the questions about how their family 

was going to be able to finish the year 

were answered. 

Alec Best, class of 2013, told Mr. 

Whitman, “Your gift was an answer to 

Lucy Casas, class of 2014, poses with 

George Whitman, class of 1968, during 

the presentation of the Whitman 

Scholarships on May 2. 

prayer because my parents 

didn’t know how we were 

going to make it.” Another 

scholarship recipient, 

Cheyenne Pearson, class of 

2014, was very grateful, as 

well, “Mr. Whitman, you have 

no idea what a wonderful 

blessing the scholarship was to 

my family and me. Thank you 

for all you do for our school!” 

George Whitman’s desire 

to share the joys of the 

GCA experience with our 

students is being fulfilled. 

The scholarships are helping 

students make those very 

special memories that we 

hope will always go with them. 

Nicole Davis, class of 2013, 

told Mr. Whitman, “My time at 

GCA holds some of my favorite memories that I will 

never forget! Your support makes such a difference 

for my family and me. Thank you!” 

2013 Whitman Scholarship recipients paused for a group photo after 

the May 2 scholarship presentations. Back row: Marriah Monette, 

Cheyenne Pearson, Nicole Davis, Leah Teague. Front row: Rashid 

Logan, Jeffrey Simmons, George Whitman, Nancy Gerard (alumni and 

development director), Lucy Casas, Benjamin Brooks. 


A l u m n i 

U p d a t e s 

Tony Shadix, Class of 1978, and Bonnie Shelton Shadix, 

Class of 1980 (Att.), recently relocated to Kailua, Hawaii. 

Tony is vice president for facilities services at Castle Medical 

Center/JLL. Bonnie is director of physician recruitment, 

retention and liaison at Castle Medical Center in Kailua, 

Hawaii. 

Lilly Boles Tryon, Class of 1980, recently finished a 

post-master’s certificate for family nurse practitioner and 

has passed boards to practice medicine. Lilly has been 

hired by Southern Adventist University to teach in the 

nursing department and will also be working at a clinic for 

uninsured in Chattanooga. 

David Cook, Class of 1991, accepted a call to the Carolina 

Conference where he will pastor the Pittsboro/Asheboro 

district. 

Susan Kratzer Reeve, Class of 1992, along with husband, 

Timothy Reeve, welcomed Meredith Joy to their family on 

June 26. Meredith weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. 

Rachel Kirk Simons, Class of 1992, was recently honored 

as one of 10 teachers from Adventist schools across the 

North American Division to receive the 2013 Excellence in 

Teaching Award from the Alumni Awards Foundation. Read 

more about Rachel’s award on p. 15. 

Zane Yi, Class of 1996, successfully defended his Ph.D. 

dissertation at Fordham University this past May. Zane 

serves as stipend pastor in the Canton (GA) Adventist 

Church. 

Jason Belyeu, Class of 1997, was ordained into the 

pastoral ministry on July 1 at the Carolina Conference 

campmeeting. 

Jonathan Sharp, Class of 1998, is the new CTO and Senior 

Engineer at XOEYE Technologies, a company focusing on 

wearable computing solutions for business. Jonathan will 

be heading up hardware and software development for the 

company. 

Adam Clough, Class of 1999, is the proud father of baby 

Oliver Mason, born May 9. 

Emily Flottmann Whitney, Class of 1999, was married 

to Dr. Nathaniel Whitney on May 5 in the Walla Walla 

University Church, in College Place, WA. Emily is the pastor 

for spiritual development (at the WWU Church) and is in 

her last year of the doctor of ministry program at Andrews 

University, with an emphasis in Discipleship and Biblical 

Spirituality. Her husband, Nathaniel, is in his sixth year 

of a seven year neurosurgery residency at Oregon Health 

Science University. 

Tim Knowlton and Niki Moore Knowlton, Class of 2000, 

are the proud parents of twins Avery Lanae and Olivia 

Grace, born on May 17. The twins, weighing in at 5 lbs. 

9 oz. and 5 lbs. 12 oz., are making life exciting for big 

brother, Reid. Tim and Niki have left the Atlanta area 

where they were teaching at Atlanta Adventist Academy and 

Duluth Adventist School and have relocated to Ringgold, 

GA. Tim will be teaching math at a public high school in 

East Ridge, TN and Niki will be staying home to care for their 

busy family. 

Andrea Keele, Class of 2001, has begun a new job as a 

processing assistant and department secretary at the North 

American Division (of Seventh-day Adventists) Office of 

Volunteer Ministries. She will be processing volunteer 

applications, as well as working on some new initiatives 

for supporting volunteers throughout their preparation and 

experience, and especially upon their return from mission 

experiences. 

Laura Perry Byrd, Class of 2003, gave birth to Timothy 

William Laurence Byrd on April 29, 2013. Timothy weighed 

8 lbs. 4 oz. His daddy, Arlen, and big brother, Samuel, 

are also excited about the new addition to the family. The 

Byrds live and work in Collegedale, TN. 

Richard Dickerson, Class of 2004, was married to Julie 

Vieau on July 7. Julie will be teaching math in grades 9-12 

at Fresno Adventist Academy and Ricky is pursuing California 

teaching credentials, as well as looking for a position in 

education. 

Jerica Moore, Class of 2004, has accepted a position at 

Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric 

ICU and is moving to California in July. For the past few 

years, Jerica has been working in Pediatric ICU at T.C. 

Thompson Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. 

Andrew Gerard, Class of 2005, was married to Sarah Nixon 

in a Newport, RI wedding on June 22. Andrew and Sarah 

are living in Washington, D.C. where Andrew works at Global 

Knowledge Initiative and Sarah has just completed a year 

teaching at one of the KIPP Charter Schools. 

Tricia Lucas Lorentzen, Class of 2005, is married to Martin 

Lorentzen and they have a 7-month old little boy, named Noah. 

Tricia served as a student missionary in Denmark for a year in 

2009, while a student at Southern Adventist University. 

Seth Sheldon, Class of 2005, has relocated to Southwest 

Michigan where he is working at Point ‘O Woods Golf and 

Country Club in Benton Harbor, MI. 

Mechele Schmidt Clough, Class of 2006, graduated Cum 

Laude with her doctorate in physical therapy from Loma 

Linda University on June 16. 

Lauren Dickerson Barnett, Class of 2007, is married to 

Andrew Barnett and living in Brooklyn Park, MN. Lauren is 

working as an R.N. at Augustana Care, Chapel View. 

Kaley Greve, Class of 2007, just finished her first year of 

teaching kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades at Knoxville (TN) 

Adventist School. 

Albert Hernandez, Class of 2008, has accepted a position 

at GCA as an assistant boys’ dean. 

Kaleb Leeper and Heather Thames Leeper, Class of 

2008, have accepted positions on the campus of Georgia- 


Cumberland Academy. Kaleb will be teaching religion and 

math and Heather will be serving as the office manager of 

the GCA Church. 

Anthony White, Class of 2008, graduated on June 16 from 

Walla Walla University with a B.A. in Mass Communications. 

Bryan Bankhead, Class of 2009, was recently hired by 

Whirlpool Corporation as a Refrigeration Engineer and is 

working at their Michigan headquarters. Bryan recently 

graduated from Andrews University with a degree in 

Engineering. 

Carissa Lau, Class of 2009, graduated Summa Cum Laude 

from Walla Walla University on June 15 with a degree in 

biochemistry. Carissa will be enrolled at the Loma Linda 

University School of Medicine in August 2013. 

Chelsea Nacker, Class of 2009, recently graduated from 

the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana with a B.A. 

in economics and minors in math and English. She has 

accepted a position as an Analyst at Ocean Tomo, a Chicago 

company that works with intellectual property valuation 

and consulting. 

Trevin Burchard and Dany Drapiza Burchard, Class of 

2010, were married on June 9 at the GCA church. Trevin 

and Dany will be living and working in the Chattanooga, TN 

area where they are both finishing college. 

What is new in your life? If you have news or information to share please contact 

Nancy Gerard at nagerard@gcasda.org or update your information through the GCA 

website: www.gcasda.org/alumni. 

Rachel Kirk Simons, ’92, Honored with Excellence in Teaching Award 

GCA graduate, Rachel Kirk Simon, who 

teaches history and English at Richmond 

Academy (Richmond, VA) was presented with 

a national award on Saturday, June 8. Rachel 

was one of 10 recipients of the Excellence 

in Teaching Award, selected by the Alumni 

Awards Foundation (AAF). The award comes 

with a medallion and a $2,000 cash gift. 

Simons, who began at Richmond Academy as 

an elementary teacher, is well-respected by her 

peers and the principal, Malcolm Hutchinson. 

Rachel is known as a gifted teacher, who not 

only genuinely cares for her students, but also 

holds them accountable. “She gives students 

the tools to see where they currently are, where 

they want to be, and how to get there,” says 

fifth and sixth grade teacher, Angela Morton. 

Simons goes beyond the textbook to 

share the love of Christ and is an example of 

a practical Christian whose words and hands 

cannot help but reveal her love for God, family, 

and students. “Rachel clearly impacts the 

spiritual life of our students. She, in many 

Rachel Simons is congratulated by Keith White, AAF board 

member. 

ways, provides that steady example of a spiritual leader,” Hutchinson adds. 

AAF partners with Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities to honor 10 teachers from the 

Seventh-day Adventist school system across North America. Simons’ award was made possible through 

the generous support of Southern Adventist University, her alma mater. 

(Adapted from a press release written by Kayce Foote, Alumni Awards Foundation. Photo by Reynolds, 

Technology Coordinator, Richmond Academy) 


Georgia-Cumberland Academy 

397 Academy Drive 

Calhoun, GA 30701 

www.gcasda.org 

NONPROFIT ORG. 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

Chattanooga, TN 

PERMIT NO. 1114 

Cumberlite Staff 

Editor: 

Nancy Gerard 

Layout & Design: 

Frank Strack College Press LLC 

Photography by: 

Greg Gerard, Nancy Gerard, 

Steven Pangkey, Micah Scott, Laura Short 

Georgia- 

Cumberland 

Academy 

397 Academy Drive 

Calhoun, GA 30701 

Phone: (706) 629-4591 

Fax: (706) 629-1272 

Email: nagerard@gcasda.org 

www.gcasda.org 

Check us out on Facebook! 

Find us at: Georgia-Cumberland Academy and send a friend request so you can see photos and receive 

news about GCA. 

SSO Donations for 2014 

The cap for the Georgia Education Expense Credit was reached by early May for 2013 donations. If you are 

interested in maximizing your income tax advantages for the 2014 calendar year consider participating in 

this program as soon as the 2014 year begins. Individuals may participate, as well as LLC’s, Partnerships, S 

Corporations and C Corporations. For more information contact Nancy Gerard, 706.625.7166 or nagerard@ 

gcasda.org 

I wouldn’t say that I’ve been burned by brain cancer or the trials associated with it. If 

I could go back 3.5 years to my first diagnosis/surgery, when the docs said I had about 

a 2% chance of making it 3 years, I wouldn’t change anything. I wouldn’t wish it away 

or somehow undo what has taken place in my life. It has totally changed me, and each 

step in the journey is a lesson to learn. 

It’s been a wake-up call to how short life is, regardless of whether or not you have 

brain cancer. A wake-up call to get my priorities straight, and figure out what I’m really 

living for. A wake-up call to realize whose hands I’m really in. (From “Whose Hand is 

Your Brain In?” September 14, 2010) 

Daniel’s Blog 

...But mainly, my tears were a wellspring of thankfulness for the undeserved LOVE 

that I finally understood my Savior has for me…. I have no idea how this whole journey 

with cancer will all play out. But when I look back on what’s already happened, it’s 

mind-boggling to recognize all the things God has done to get me this far. Mindboggling 

how He could use this nasty disease to totally re-shape my life: to alter my 

apathetic attitude towards Him and His son’s sacrifice made SPECIFICALLY for me, 

to renew my vigor for life, and to awaken a thirst for knowledge and other interests I 

didn’t even know I had... (From “Tears, Fears and Seizures,” November 29, 2010) 

Written by Daniel Harper (class of 2004), this book chronicles his fight 

against an aggressive form of brain cancer during the last 16 months of 

his life. Selections from Daniel’s online blog were compiled late last 

year into a beautiful gift book that is inspiring thousands of readers. 

If you would like to read this book or share a copy with a friend you 

can order copies from the GCA website (www.gcasda.org and click 

on Daniel’s Blog) or contact Nancy Gerard at nagerard@gcasda.org 

or 706.625.7166. Books are $13 per copy (shipping included). 

Daniel Harper did a lot of living in his brief 25 years. Once 

he was diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 

2007 his passion for life only intensified. He continued to 

live life at breakneck speed; snowboarding, wakeboarding, 

mountain boarding, traveling, pouring himself into the 

“Ignite Ministry” at his church, loving and working with 

everything he had. With the love of his life by his side and 

his praying, supportive family and friends cheering him on, 

Daniel took on cancer like he tackled every other challenge 

in his life—with courage, energy, and passion. In the last 

sixteen months of his life Daniel shared his thoughts and 

experiences with the world ISBN: 978-0-9885944-0-1 

through his blog, “Precision Points of a Called 

Christian.” Daniel’s Blog contains 41 of the 72 

blogs Daniel composed while fighting cancer. 

ISBN 978-0-9885944-0-1 

9 780988 594401 

Daniel Harper 

daniel’s blog 

Whose hand 

is your 

brain in? 

daniel’s 

Daniel Harper 

blog

Cumberlite - 2013 Summer

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