Cumberlite 2021 Winter

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ALUMNI UPDATES We love hearing from you! Please send us updates about educational accomplishments, new career opportunities, additions to your family (whether through marriage or birth), or any other news you would like to share. Email Beth Zeiss at bzeiss@gcasda.org. Randy McGaha, ’68, passed away on October 22, 2020 after a brief illness. After graduating from GCA, he served in the Vietnam War for four years on the Aircraft Carrier USS Ranger. As an accomplished artist, he was known for designing and sewing clothing, crocheting, quilting, participating in the Angel Gown program, and designing floral arrangements. He is survived by his brother Michael (Linda) McGaha and sisters Andi Erwin, ’68, and Joyce (Merle) Sensenig. Congratulations to Rhondda (Robinson) Thomas, ’78, on the release of her third book, Call My Name, Clemson: Documenting the Black Experience in an American University Community. A review of the book by Leslie Harris states that “through a compelling blend of history, contemporary experiences, observation, and personal honesty, Thomas reveals how the nation’s institutions continue to rely on a small group of people to make change in the area of race and racism, not to mention other forms of diversity. Call My Name, Clemson is a fascinating, thoughtprovoking read for anyone interested in how political change happens.” On September 13, 2020, the Dakota Conference Executive Committee met with the purpose of electing a new president. Congratulations to Mark Weir, ’79, who was elected by the committee as the new Dakota Conference president for a fouryear term. Lowell Jenks (former staff from 1981- 1994), and his wife Mary, recently returned to the US, after serving as a vocational teacher in Egypt. He officially retired on August 31, 2020 and is enjoying the time he spends volunteering with the organic gardening program at Milo Adventist Academy in Oregon. Cyril Connelly, former principal at GCA between 1982 and 1988, passed away on August 2, 2020. He devoted his career to Adventist education, spending over 40 years in the system as an administrator and teacher. The Cyril Connelly Memorial Scholarship Fund has been set up in his memory. More information can be found on the GCA Alumni Facebook page. He is survived by his wife Lyn, daughter Cathy, ’88 (David), son Alan, ’88 (Diane, ’88), and three grandchildren. Melvin Woodruff, former math teacher between 1988 and 1999, passed away on October 19, 2020 in Yreka, California. He is survived by Gini, his wife of 47 years, as well as his three children, Benjamin (Caitlin) of Yreka, Bradley (Asheley) of Lincoln, NE, and Bonnie (Kevin) of Boise, ID, and 10 grandchildren. Benjamin, Bradley, and Bonnie graduated or attended GCA during the years of Mr. Woodruff ’s service. For more information about Mr. Woodruff ’s life and career in Adventist education visit the Georgia-Cumberland Academy Alumni Facebook page. Clarence Magee, ’91, was appointed as interim superintendent of Barbour County School District in Alabama on July 29, 2020. Clarence has 24 years of experience in education, working as an elementary teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of support services, and assistant superintendent. He is an active member of Outreach Seventh-day Adventist Church in Opelika, where he has served as an elder for the past 14 years. Quantrilla (Carter) Ard, ’98, has accepted a publishing contract with Embolden Media Group. Quanny writes on topics of personal and spiritual development. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband Donny, and their three children. Grant Graves, ’01, published his first book in October 2020 titled, Fearless: Finding Courage in the Character of God. Rated as the #1 new release in Seventh-day Adventist literature on Amazon, Grant provides insight into God’s character and the joy that comes from following Christ. Andrea Keele, ’01, recently accepted a position at Walla Walla University, as the Associate Chaplain for Missions. Keith Bowman, ’03, accepted a call to be an associate pastor at the Hamilton Community Adventist Church in Chattanooga. He is looking forward to increasing his engagement with local church ministry. Congratulations to Nate Dubs, ’04, and his wife Kristina on the birth of Emma Avrielle. Emma, born on September 12, 2020, weighed 8 lbs., 12 oz., and was 20 ¾ inches long. Denise Flores, ’04, recently accepted a position at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare as a clinical nurse educator. Congratulations to Ada (Anderson) Gardner, ’04, and her husband Stevon, on the birth of their daughter, London Simone, August 26, 2020. On November 7, 2020, Coty Malone married Jerica (Moore) Malone, ’04. The couple resides in Chattanooga, where Jerica is employed as a nurse. John Whetmore, ’04, is currently teaching elementary school. Shayiree (Hickman) Ferguson, ’05, married her sweetheart, Preston, earlier this year. She currently works as an Allstate insurance agent in the Huntsville area. Seth, ’05, and Tina Sheldon, welcomed their daughter, Mazie Grace Elaine, on June 4, 2020. She weighed 6 lbs., 5 oz. at birth. Brittany (Gimbel) Stokes, ’05, and her husband Phil celebrated the birth of their daughter, Emery Adelaide, on September 8, 2020. Emery came into the world weighing 6 lbs., 14 oz. and measuring 19.5 inches. Adam, ’06, and Marilee (Chase) Rego, ’06, welcomed sons Asher Phillip and Brendon Donald on May 1, 2020. Big brother Jackson, who turned 4 in August, is excited to have twin brothers. Lauren (Dickerson) Barnett, ’07, and her husband Andrew, welcomed Liam Kel Barnett to their family on May 24, 2020. Liam weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz., and was 21 inches long at birth. Allison (Gerard) Handal, ’07, and her husband Albert, welcomed Dalia Jenin on October 10, 2020. Born weighing 7 lbs., and 7
oz., Dalia is the delight of her mom, dad, and siblings Edward and Rosa! Jamie (Bosecker) Straining, ’07, and her husband Matthew, welcomed their son William John, on May 30, 2020. At birth, he weighed 7.5 lbs., and 19.5 inches. Ali (Concha) Tucker, ’07, and her husband Jordan, welcomed Emrys Calan and Eleri Marie on September 10, 2020. Mom, Dad, and big brothers Lance and Liam are overjoyed by their arrival! Ryan Helm, ’08, accepted a new position as an e-commerce analyst for Surya. Surya is a rug and home accessories company identified as one of the fastest growing, US privately-owned corporations for the last seven years in a row. Congratulations to Jessica (Hunt) McCabe, ’08, who recently started a new position as a physical therapist for BenchMark Physical Therapy in Dalton. She and her husband, Cody, reside in Chattanooga. Matt Durante, ’10, recently accepted a position as an associate pastor at Knoxville First Adventist Church in Tennessee. Kayne, ’10, and Micah (Scott) Leeper, ’14, celebrated the birth of their first child, Blaikley Sora Karena Leeper, on October 28, 2020. Weighing in at 8 lbs., 6 oz., she was 21 inches long. Mom, Dad, and Blaikley are doing well. William Melendez, ’10, married his sweetheart Christelle, on June 6, 2020. Brianna Cheever, ’11, received her MSW from Southern Adventist University in August. She is currently working on an LCSW with the goal of working in equineassisted therapy. Katie (Birge) Harris, ’12, received an MD with honors from the Medical College of Georgia in May, as a member of the Dean’s Clinical Honor Society. Currently, she is completing her residency in the pediatric program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She married her husband, Josh, on May 31, 2020. Karla Aponte, ’14, earned her master’s degree from Lee University in December 2019. She is currently teaching first grade through a virtual platform for Yates Elementary School in Cleveland, TN. Molly (Keizer) Bennett, ’14, married her sweetheart Zachary, on August 23, 2020. Molly and her husband are employed as nurses with AdventHealth in Florida. Adam Turner, ’14, finished an MSW with an emphasis in mental health practice from Southern Adventist University in August. Gregory Birge, ’15, graduated magna cum laude with a BSE in electrical engineering from Walla Walla University this summer. He is attending Stanford University, continuing studies towards a master’s degree. He married his sweetheart, Annalise Harvey, on October 4, 2020. Aaryn Drapiza, ’15, earned a BA in humanities from Lee University in August. Jake Fisher, ’15, graduated with a BA in journalism with a digital broadcasting emphasis from Southern Adventist University in August. Emil Garcia, ’15, earned a BS in biomedical biology from Southern Adventist University in August. Allen McKinney, ’15, graduated from the University of North Georgia, earning a BS in business administration with information systems emphasis. Bradley Wilmoth, ’15, finished a BA degree in physics from Southern Adventist University in August. Carrie Theus, ’15, graduated magna cum laude in December 2019 from Walla Walla University with a BS in engineering. Rebecca Brown, ’16, welcomed her son, Jackson Allen Sellers on May 15, 2020. Jackson weighed 7 lbs., 3 oz. at birth. Katie (Buxton) Kennedy, ’16, married her sweetheart Logan, on August 9, 2020. Phoebe Morgan, ’16, served as a student missionary for SAU during the ’19-’20 school year. As an SM, she helped run the local clinic at Riverside Farm Institute in Zambia, providing free healthcare to the surrounding villages. Sadie (Dixon) Umali, ’16, married her best friend, Nathan on September 13, 2020 at Howe Farms in Georgetown, TN, surrounded by family and friends. Tim Verduzco, ’16, graduated with a BS in business administration from Southern Adventist University in August. Alec and Cassidy (Munson) Williams, ’16, were married on July 5, 2020 in Knoxville, TN. Their wedding was officiated by Pastor Greg Hudson, ’91. Brandon Hudson, ’18, recently completed his training as a fire fighter for Bradley County Fire and Rescue, near Chattanooga, TN. Congratulations to Benjamin Ziesmer, ’20, for earning full tuition to Southern Adventist University, totaling $91,270. He is enrolled as a Southern Scholar and plans on majoring in religious education with chemistry and history minors. Congratulations to Kat Day, ’12, who received a Hometown Heroes award from Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial. The award was given to her in response to her service in COVID, hard-hit areas of New York and Texas. Kat is currently working in a rehab hospital as a floor nurse and serves on the re-opening committee at Shoal Creek Adventist School. Kat, (C), pictured with Danny Nungesser (L), managing partner at Modern Woodmen, and Krista Wolters (R), administrative assistant at Modern Woodmen
Page 2 and 3: A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL You kn
Page 4: CAUCASIAN HISPANIC/LATINO BLACK/AFR
Page 7 and 8: SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS We are grateful t
Page 9 and 10: YOUR SUPPORT IMPACTS OUR STUDENTS F
Page 11 and 12: The Cumberlite Club $500 - $999 Ano
Page 13 and 14: Carla Monday George and Alice Motle
Page 15 and 16: Thank you to our alumni who are rem
Page 17: MEET GCA’S NEW ALUMNI PRESIDENT C

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