Cumberlite 2022 Summer

Alumni Weekend 2022
Alumni Weekend 2022 has come
and gone. The fun, the reconnection, the
worship, the memories shared – are now
behind us. Yet the warmth of renewed
friendship and love lingers.
It was our first in-person Alumni
Weekend since 2019, and it looked a little
different. For one thing, Coach Fox was
not with us. It was the first Alumni Weekend
without him since 1976. Although
by Nancy Gerard
he wasn’t here, we worshipped, visited,
and ate together in the facility that bears
his name.
A great alumni weekend is all about
the people and if you were not here, we
missed you! Honor classes had strong
attendance for the most part, and those
who reconnected with classmates truly
enjoyed their time together. Jonathan
Wurl, ’82, reflected on what the reunion
meant to him. “The 40-year reunion of
the class of ’82 demonstrated to me that
whatever fortune or misery time may
bring, the real wealth we have in our lives
is friendship. Old bonds may wear thin,
but the stories from the past, the prayers
and hugs for the present, and the plans
and hopes for the future strengthen
those ties and renew our love for each
other. Thank you class of ’82 for reminding
me of what is truly important!”
The weekend events began with the
golf tournament, newly renamed the
Wally Fox Memorial Golf Tournament.
There was a full roster of golfers, and
God blessed us with a beautiful day to
be out on the course at Fields Ferry (see
pages 14-15 for golf tournament details).
Nearly $25,000 was raised to help support
students at Georgia-Cumberland
Academy! Thank you to our sponsors
and golfers for making this fundraising
event such a success!
Vespers on Friday evening featured
Cody Paige, ’11 as the speaker along
with many alumni providing music. The
theme of the weekend, “Forward Together,”
was introduced and Pastor Paige
focused on what moving forward looks
like and how we can keep that forward
Camerata and GCA Alumni performing This I Know
2 CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022

motion going toward heaven, our ultimate
destination.
Sabbath morning, alumni began
arriving and gathering in the Wally Fox
Wellness Center. Honor classes met at
their registration tables and enjoyed a
continental breakfast in the original GCA
gym, or Gym 2 as we now call it. Our
thanks to Caryn (Carman) Payne, ’69 who
organized and managed the Welcome
Home Breakfast. Thanks, also, to the
reunion organizers who were on the
front lines of encouraging classmates to
attend and planned activities for them to
enjoy.
Gathering in the new gym, honor
classes and other honored groups were
recognized in the roll call, led by principal,
Greg Gerard and alumni president,
Cheryl McGhee Rogers, ’71. The 50-year
class received special recognition with
a medallion presented to each class
member. The preliminaries also included
the presentation of two Life Legacy
Awards. Richard Wuttke, former choral
and science teacher, was presented with
the award from the Class of ’67 representative,
Mary Lou Rahn. Mary Lou shared
tributes from many whose lives were
deeply influenced by Mr. Wuttke. The
second Life Legacy Award was presented
by Class of ’82 representative, Jonathan
Wurl, who paid tribute to the impact and
service of Greg Gerard, principal of GCA
since 2002.
The church service featured worship
in music, responsive reading, giving,
prayer, and teaching from God’s word.
Pastor Matt Smith, ’02, presented a message
entitled, “Boots with Spurs.” Does
that pique your interest? If so, go to
https://bit.ly/3xFZ4bz so you can watch
the worship service and learn more
about how to “Spur one another on
toward love and good deeds…” Hebrews
10:24.
After a delicious meal provided by
the GCA food service team, honor classes
gathered to renew friendships and share
memories. Eldon Carman, ’72, reflected,
“Alumni Weekend is about memories.
Even though my graduation was 50 years
ago, the memories are still there. It was
great to see classmates and get caught
up on what has happened in their lives.”
Later in the afternoon, a retirement
celebration for Dr. Gerard was held,
giving opportunity for alumni, friends,
and colleagues to pay tribute. A new
fund in his honor was announced. The
Greg Gerard Student Opportunities Fund
will provide financial resources to help
students access enrichment opportunities
at GCA, such as mission trip participation,
and other activities that require
fees above and beyond the basic cost. If
you would like to honor Dr. Gerard in this
way, you can give online at www.gcasda.
org/Gerard.
The final event of the weekend was
the Ride for GCA, a motorcycle event
held Sunday morning to raise money for
students at GCA. Led by Lonnie, ‘81 and
Tammy McGhee Leech, ’82, the group
rode to Cloudland Canyon State Park
where they enjoyed lunch and views of
the Canyon. Marvin Wilson, ’78, rode
with the group this year. “I thoroughly
enjoyed the Ride for GCA this year. The
weather was perfect, the lunch at Cloudland
Canyon was over the top delicious
with the biggest egg salad sandwich
ever! I am looking forward to next year!”
Thank you to all who came – some
from great distances – to be back on the
campus and enjoy time with classmates
and friends. If you weren’t here this year,
please plan on joining us for Alumni
Weekend 2023, March 31-April 2.
Vespers speaker,
Pastor Cody Paige, ’11
Cheryl Rogers, ’71, Alumni
President, and Greg Gerard,
Principal, conducting roll call
during Sabbath worship service
Worship service speaker,
Pastor Matt Smith, ’02
CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022
3

ALUMNI WEEKEND
HIGHLIGHTS 2022

Class of 1967
Front Row (from L to R): Richard Wuttke, Former Staff
Middle Row: Larry Leech, Burton Hall, Ben Tallman,
Lester Littell, III, Mary Lou Rahn
1967 1972
Class of 1972
Front Row: Joy (Rennard) Buccholz, Cindi
(Barrett) Tryon, Kimberly (Welch) Hill,
Donna (Ussery) McGill, Sonia (Thompson)
Ball, Julie (Livingston) Johnson, Beth (Willis)
Smith
Middle Row: Jaquelyn (Maddox) Herron,
Julie Lamson, Susan (Maretich) Davidson,
Sandy Liles, Larkin Fessenden, Bobby Land
Back Row: Mike Hallum, Louella (Graves)
Freeman, Eldon Carman, Duane Anderson,
Donnie Chastain, Mike Holland
6 CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022

Class of 1977
Front Row: Julia Herndon, Fred Land, Kim
(Wygal) Miller, Tina (Crauswell) Curtis, June
(Simpson) York
Middle Row: Glenn Bentjen, Larry Ashcraft,
Harlan “Tuck” Tucker, Tammy (Walker) Barker
Back Row: Greg King, Randy Coble, Doug
Strawn, Dean Snider, Ronnie Dortch
Class of 1982
Front Row: Susie Landess (Former
Staff), Carol (Dickerhoff) Martin,
Caroline (Maretich) Bishop, Regina
(Selfridge) Evelyn, II, Shari (Bergman)
McQuistan, Gina (Bruce) Turner, Cheryl
Bowie-Thomas
1977 1982
Middle Row: Jesse Landess (Former Staff), Steve Martin, Diane
(Bottomley) Coffey, Jeannie (Haugen) Walsh, Evan Davis,
Tammy (McGhee) Leech, Randy Jones, Ellis Staley
Back Row: Sheila Elwin, Chuck Foxx, Henry Cantrell, III, Dennis
Ehlers, Matthew Tinkham, Kim Day, Joey Follette, Jr., Bryan
Braddock, James Harris, Jr.
CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022
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Class of 1987
Kris (Schlapa) Marshall, Mark Pell,
Teri (Fisher) Crowe
Class of 1992
Mike Whalley
1987
1992 1997 2002
Class of 1997
Front Row: Su Nam, Corrie (Ballard) Wutka, Terri
(Holland) Everts, Sarah (Stinson) Tebo
Back Row: Marvin Sheppard, Will Graybeal, Tron
Wilder, Mike Skinner, Steve Shelburne
Class of 2002
Front Row: Matt Smith, Brittany (DeWild) Ryder,
Melissa (Harper) Blackwelder, Katie (Rigsbee) Schnell,
Beth (Daniel) Tucker, Kristi (Cook) West
Back Row: Brad Cornwell, Luis Rivera, Roger Burgoyne,
Tucky Tucker, Josh Tello, Thomas Wentworth
8 CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022

Class of 2007
Front Row: Adria
Nascimento, Katie (Stearns)
Sharp, Jenessa King, Aimee
(Burchard) Pearson
Back Row: David Park, Joe
Sifuentes, Trevor Smith,
Chandler Tello
2007 2012
Class of 2012
Front Row: Chelsea
Thompson, Alyce Hendricks-
Battles, Tess Morgan
Middle Row: Anjila Stewart,
Nereah Aluoch, Kelly Payne,
Shelly (Payne) Maskelony,
Andrea (Paulson) Ellington
Back Row: Dillon Britt,
Mishael Jackson, Jonathan
Hasty, Edison Carrick
CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022
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Class of 2017
Front Row: Julia Johnson, Aubri
Dancek, Krystena Land, Kelly
(Quintiana) Campos, Kylie Burgess
Middle Row: Cassie Freeman, Kayla
Goodman, Kyra Collins, Alexis
Baumann, Caleb Holland, Laurhenz
Saint-Aime, Eduardo Campos,
Andrew Burke
Back Row: BreeAn Adams, Angeline
Harper, Caleb Neal, Dylan Day,
Cameron Reel, Marcos Burgos,
Miles Mitchell, David Nwadike,
Isaac Overfield
2017
FORMER STAFF
Former Staff
Front Row: Barbara Willis,
June (Simpson) York,
Richard Wuttke, Janet
Wood, Charles Zacharias
Back Row: Beth (Smith)
Willis, Joel McQuistan, Don
Livesay, Bill Wood, Jason
Everts
10 CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022

The Power of One Celebrates Generosity with Alumni-Created Artwork
The Power of One, by artist Warren Rood,
’73, was recently installed in celebration
of those whose generosity transformed
Georgia-Cumberland Academy during the
Continuing the Mission campaign. Warren’s
work was inspired by the biblical account
of Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes
shared by a young boy in order to feed a hungry
crowd of people. The Power of One speaks
to how Jesus takes what we joyfully give and
achieves His purposes through each one.
The Power of One is constructed from five
types of wood (cherry, maple, oak, poplar,
and walnut) and eight types of semi-precious
gemstones (amethyst quartz crystals, blue
sheen obsidian, Gary Green jasper, howlite,
Mexican crazy lace, polka dot agate, Rocky
Butte jasper, and sodalite). The basket represents
the little boy’s lunch of two fish and
five loaves that he shared with Jesus. The
additional loaves that hold the donor names,
scripture, and description of the Continuing
the Mission campaign represent the loaves
multiplied by Jesus.
After the pieces of the artwork arrived at
GCA, Warren flew out from his home in Walla
Walla, WA to complete the installation in the
cafeteria. The finished piece is just over 33
feet long and more than 6 feet tall. Assisting
Warren in this installation were our maintenance
crew and several GCA students.
After Warren graduated from GCA, he
went on to receive his commercial art degree
from Pacific Union College. Following graduation
from PUC, Warren worked at the Review
and Herald Publishing Association for nine
years designing Guide and Insight and redesigning
the Adventist Review. He later became
a senior art director and illustrator at a private
firm, Coffey Communications. For the last ten
years, Warren has worked at Walla Walla Community
College as a designer in the marketing
department, as well as teaching ceramics,
sculpture, digital art, and art appreciation
courses.
REGIONAL REUNIONS
After an inspiring worship service at Forest Lake Adventist
Church led by Pastor Matt Smith, ’02, alumni and friends enjoyed
a delicious Mexican lunch in the Upper Youth Fellowship Center.
Guests included alumni ranging from the class of 1969 to the class
of 2016, along with current and former staff. After the meal, Greg
Gerard shared updates about the school and answered questions
from the group. Everyone left thankful for the opportunity to get
together in person after several years apart!
In early March, the Gerards hosted an informal gathering
at Roger’s Bakery in Walla Walla. Alumni enjoyed pastries and
hot drinks while engaging in warm conversations. Megan
Olfert, ’21, said, “It was so heart-warming to see familiar Georgia
faces, reminding me of my three years of growth at GCA.”
Kudzhai Mhondiwa, ’19, also enjoyed attending the event and
reconnecting with former classmates and staff. “No matter
how far away I am from GCA, I always feel a part of the GCA
family. We were able to experience joy and laughter, catch up
with the Gerards, share memories of walking the same halls,
and relive the years of our youth at GCA.”
CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022
11

Life
Legacy
Awards
RICHARD WUTTKE,
Nominated by the Class of 1967
Richard Wuttke was born and raised
in Toledo, Ohio, and attended Mount
Vernon Academy. He spent his college
years at Southern Missionary College and
Atlantic Union College. He began his
teaching career at South Lancaster Academy,
where he taught history, biology,
and voice and was the choral instructor.
In 1959, he married Joyce Kneller,
and to this union, the Lord brought three
children: Joya, Chip, and Fritz. He had
seven years of teaching experience at
South Lancaster Academy before coming
to Georgia-Cumberland Academy
in 1965. Upon arriving, he took on the
challenge of collaborating with a brandnew
group of faculty and staff opening
a brand-new school. He stepped up
to teach whatever the subject matter
required. In addition to teaching biology,
Mr. Wuttke started the music program at
GCA.
In 1968, Mr. Wuttke accepted a call
to Blue Mountain Academy. In 1971, he
moved from the music department to
the Bible department and was ordained
to gospel ministry in 1975. In 1979, the
family moved to Cedar Lake Academy
(later Great Lakes Adventist Academy)
and remained there for 21 years, working
as Bible teacher and chaplain. He retired
in 2000 and moved to Southwest Virginia
to be near his daughter, Joya Cleveland.
Fred Tolhurst, ’66, recalls, “Richard
Wuttke, though small in stature, made
a very big impression on my young life
during GCA’s first year. He took a motley,
occasionally rowdy, crew of teenagers
and somehow transformed us into a firstrate
chorale. Mr. Wuttke’s demeanor was
always quiet and unassuming, but with
an underlying forcefulness which kept
us focused. He had no qualms about
challenging us to learn and present some
of the world’s great choral literature.
My clearest memory of him is also an
example of his kindness. Frequently we
struggled, sometimes with limited success,
to master a new piece. Mr. Wuttke,
instead of chiding us for being slow to
catch on, would take the opportunity to
encourage us at the first sign of progress,
no matter how small. I’m sure that I am
not alone in having, to this day, a vivid,
mental image of him, with an earnest
expression, intoning barely audibly, just
above a whisper, ‘It’s coming.’” Kathryn
(Ippisch) Irizarry, ’67, also remembers
that Mr. Wuttke “had good control as a
choir leader, but it wasn’t because he
raised his voice. To the contrary, I think
we all wanted to follow and learn from
him well.”
Randy Russell, ’69, reflecting on his
high school years stated, “One of the
greatest assets that
the Seventhday
Adventist
church has is
high school
and college
staff that
mentor
young
12 CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022

people into solid, directed, courageous,
and empowered servants of God.
Richard Wuttke is a living example of
this type of leader, mentor, guide, and
model.”
Elder Wuttke has expressed deep
appreciation for the way the Lord has
blessed him and his family in their
teaching ministry. He states, “My life
has been so enriched by all the students
and fellow workers who have touched
my life with encouragement and blessing.
God has been so good!”
DR. GREGORY GERARD,
Nominated by the Class of 1982
Gregory Gerard married Nancy
Mauro on August 7, 1977, and one week
later, began his career in education as a
religion teacher at Shenandoah Valley
Academy. It wasn’t long before his gifts
of leadership led him to pursue graduate
education that would prepare him for the
principalship.
After completing a doctoral degree
from Western Michigan University in 1984,
Greg accepted his first principalship at
Midland Adventist School in Shawnee,
Kansas. From there, Greg was principal
at Great Lakes Adventist Academy, where
he oversaw the merger of two Michigan
boarding academies. It was during this
time that two children, Andrew and
Allison, were born into their family.
For the next 13 years, Greg worked
as a director of development for Andrews
University, and vice-president for
advancement at La Sierra University and
Olivet College. The skills and knowledge
he gained while in higher education
gave him a perspective and skill set
that uniquely prepared him for the next
phase of his career.
In 2002, when Georgia-Cumberland
Academy was looking for a principal,
the Lord was tugging on Greg’s heart to
return to his original calling. The family
moved from Battle Creek, Michigan, to
Calhoun in July.
Jenessa King, ’07, when considering
the impact of Greg’s career at GCA shares,
“Dr. Greg Gerard upheld a standard of
excellence for all who stepped foot onto
GCA’s campus. He was a terrific example
of servant leadership for both staff and
students. I will forever be grateful for the
Jesus-centered environment he helped
to cultivate at GCA. Thank you, Dr. Gerard,
for your dedication to
preparing young people for
success.”
Kaleb Leeper, ’08, observes,
“Greg is a principal for
the students. While I was a
student, you knew that ‘Dr.
G’ was working to better the
school for you. You could
interact with him, and he
would quickly respond with
some witty quip. He was the face of GCA
and as a student, I felt comfortable and
proud that he was the leader at GCA.
Later, when I became a colleague, little
changed. I saw with even greater detail
the efforts that he put into empowering
the faculty and staff to create the best
programs for the students. He has always
been about the students at GCA. I feel
very privileged to have been able to witness
great leadership and learn from Dr.
Gerard.”
The Class of 1982 nominated Greg
for the Life Legacy Award after considering
how Greg’s leadership and vision
have transformed GCA into a premier
Seventh-day Adventist boarding school
since their time on campus as students.
For the past 20 years, the Gerard family
has been blessed to be a part of Georgia-
Cumberland Academy. Greg says, “These
past 20 years at GCA have been the best
years of my life!”
CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022
13

Record
Participation
DRIVES SPRING GOLF
TOURNAMENT SUCCESS
FIRST PRIZE, FIRST FLIGHT
Madden Baldwin, Brent Baldwin,
Ken Shaw, Morgan Baldwin
The sun shone brightly on the morning
of April 1, 2022, as golf participants
arrived for the newly named Wally Fox
Memorial Golf Tournament at Fields Ferry
Golf Course in Calhoun. With a roster of
over 30 teams, this was one of our largest
golf tournaments ever. We are especially
thankful to the title sponsors, Mark, ’75,
and Brenda (Brown), ’76, Richardson,
promotional sponsor AdventHealth, and
lunch sponsors Danny, ’75, and Jackie Harris
and Johnny and Georgia (Butterfield),
’83, O’Brien.
Winners of the first prize, first flight were:
Brent Baldwin, Madden Baldwin, Morgan
Baldwin, and Ken Shaw. Winners of the
first prize, second flight were: Doug Frood,
Marty Hamilton, Bill McGhinnis, and Kenny
Turpen. First prize, third flight winners
were: Herby Dixon, Greg Hudson, ’91, Jim
Lewellen, and Louis Licht, ’99. The class
of ’90 team featuring Jeff Brought, Kelly
Follett, Scott Pritchett, and Keith Wahlbon
reclaimed the Alumni Cup for their fifth
win.
ALUMNI CUP WINNERS
Class of 1990 Alumni Cup Winners: Kelly Follett, Keith
Wahlbon, Scott Pritchett, Jeff Brought
Thanks
to our generous sponsors and golfers,
THE TOURNAMENT RAISED NEARLY
$25,000 FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS.
We look forward to seeing you for our next
tournament on Friday, March 31, 2023!
14 CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022

Thank You
TO OUR SPONSORS
Title Sponsor - $3,000
Mark, ’75, and Brenda (Brown), ’76, Richardson
in memory of Coach Fox
Promotional Sponsor
AdventHealth
Lunch Sponsors - $2,000
Danny, ’75, and Jackie Harris
Johnny and Georgia, ’83, O’Brien
Gold Sponsors - $1,000
AdventHealth
Collegedale Community Adventist Church
Georgia-Cumberland Conference
Momon Construction
North Georgia National Bank
Southern Adventist University
US Foods
Don Wilson, ’69
Silver Sponsors - $500
Dalton Plastic Surgery,
Reginald Sherrill, MD
Fox Systems, Inc.
Greater Community Bank
Mrs. Kirk’s Favorites – ’84
Southern Union Office of Education
FIRST PRIZE, SECOND FLIGHT
Kenny Turpen, Bill McGhinnis, Doug
Frood, and Marty Hamilton
FIRST PRIZE, THIRD FLIGHT
Greg Hudson, ‘91, Herby Dixon, Louis
Licht, ‘99, Jim Lewellen
HOLE SPONSORS - $250
AdventHealth Medical Group Ophthalmology
at Calhoun, Daniel Ahn, MD
Chase Farms
David Bishop Construction, David Bishop, ’79
GCA Adventist Church
Learning Labs
Brian Martin, ’75
David, ’75, and Tami (Baker), ’76, Richardson
Taco House
CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022
15

Ride for GCA
Despite the chilly morning temperatures,
riders were excited to participate
in the Ride for GCA after a two-year
hiatus. Participants enjoyed a continental
breakfast spread while visiting with
alumni and friends of GCA. After checking
in and receiving their T-shirt (customdesigned
by Heather Leech, ’12), Lonnie
Leech, ’81, explained the route the group
would take. Greg Gerard, principal, offered
a prayer of protection before the
drivers and passengers headed toward
Cloudland Canyon.
Upon arriving at Cloudland Canyon,
the group enjoyed lunch and fellowship
before heading back to GCA by a different
route. Thank you to all who participated
in this year’s ride. Make plans now
to join us for next year’s ride on April 2,
2023!
PARTICIPANTS GEAR UP AS THEY
PREPARE TO LEAVE
LONNIE LEECH, ’81, EXPLAINS THE DAY’S ROUTE
RIDERS ENJOYED SCENIC VIEWS AND LUNCH AT CLOUDLAND CANYON
HEATHER LEECH, ’12, DESIGNED
THIS YEAR’S RIDE LOGO
Student
Opportunities Fund
ESTABLISHED IN HONOR OF
Greg Gerard
BY SERGE GARIEPY
This year marks Dr. Greg Gerard’s 20th
year as principal of GCA. His leadership
and vision have been key to inspiring a
culture of faith, generosity, strong academics,
and facility enhancements.
As Dr.
Gerard will
be retiring
at the end of
this school
year, his
service was
honored and
celebrated
at Alumni
Weekend. In
addition, the Greg Gerard Student Opportunities
Fund was launched for you to
have a chance to ensure that Dr. Gerard’s
spirit will continue to impact GCA into
the future. At Dr. Gerard’s request, gifts
to this fund will help students participate
in enrichment opportunities during their
time at GCA. This includes joining in on
mission trips, participating in sports and
musical groups, and going on the European
study tour. These extra activities
can truly transform lives! They broaden
students’ perspectives, build confidence,
develop talents, and provide leadership
opportunities. And yet, we have seen
families struggle to afford these extras
for their children. When some kids are
left out, those who are participating miss
their friends.
Students of all income levels benefit
from these extra experiences. Your gift
to the Greg Gerard Student Opportunities
Fund will be used in part to help
students now AND will also be joined
with others over time to provide a lasting
endowment tribute to the dynamic
leadership and big vision of Dr. Gerard.
You can make your gift online at gcasda.
org/gerard. Your consideration to honor
Greg’s legacy and contribute to the transformation
of our students’ lives is deeply
appreciated.
16 CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022

Get to Know
YOUR NEW ALUMNI PRESIDENT,
RHONDDA (ROBINSON) THOMAS, ’78
NANCY: What are some things you
would like to accomplish as GCA’s next
alumni president?
We are delighted to introduce Rhondda
Robinson Thomas, class of 1978, as the
next GCA alumni president.
Dr. Rhondda Thomas is the Calhoun
Lemon Professor of Literature at Clemson
University, teaching and researching
early African American literature and culture.
She authored the award-winning
book, Call My Name, Clemson: Documenting
the Black Experience in an American
University Community. Her many awards
and grants speak to her passion and calling
to share stories of African Americans
at Clemson University from the antebellum
period to the present. These stories
and narratives are documented in her
Call My Name Project
(www.callmyname.org).
Rhondda is married to William L. Thomas,
Jr., an IT professional, and is the sister
to three siblings - Donald Robinson,
’77, Carlton Robinson, ’81, and Monika
Robinson. Rhondda and William are
active members of the Maranatha Fellowship
Adventist Church in Greenville,
SC. In addition to her academic pursuits,
Rhondda enjoys vegan cooking, hiking,
and traveling.
Here, Rhondda shares some thoughts
about her ties to GCA, her career, and
her goals for the alumni presidency
with Alumni and Development Director,
Nancy Gerard.
NANCY: Please tell us a little about
your family of origin and how you and
your siblings ended up at Georgia-Cumberland
Academy.
RHONDDA: My family is originally
from South Carolina. By 1970, we were
living in Atlanta, Georgia. When my older
brother Donald needed an Adventist
high school option after completing
eighth grade at Berean Junior Academy
in Atlanta, my parents chose GCA. I took
the same route when I finished eighth
grade. My younger brother came to GCA
in his sophomore year after my family
had moved to Charlotte, NC. My younger
sister stayed home and completed high
school at Atlanta Adventist Academy.
NANCY: How did GCA shape your
teenage years?
RHONDDA: GCA helped me to
become more independent, having to
stick with a schedule and work to help
defray the cost of my education. I also
grew spiritually through various worship
opportunities. But GCA was also the
first time I had the experience of being a
minority. So, I gained some experience
in relating to white students and staff
whose lived experience was often quite
different from mine.
NANCY: Who were the influential
people in your life at GCA?
RHONDDA: English teacher Mr.
Jan Haluska had the most profound
effect on me. His classes provided
a challenging intellectual environment
where I thrived, and he
included devotions before each
class that nurtured my soul. He
is my primary inspiration for
becoming an English professor.
Mr. Ray Cornforth taught
religion courses that helped
me to grow spiritually and
learn to love singing to
enrich my spiritual life.
RHONDDA: As GCA’s next alumni
president I would like to establish a mentoring
program that matches alumni with
students, reconnect with alumni who feel
disconnected from GCA for a variety of
reasons, create volunteer opportunities
for alumni to support GCA, and spend
time getting to know students and staff.
CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022
17

ALUMNI & FORMER STAFF 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.
Congratulations to BEN TALLMAN, ’67,
on passing the bar exam at the age of 65.
He enjoys operating a tax practice and
representing taxpayers in the United States
tax court system.
DONNA (USSERY) MCGILL, ’72,
lives in North Georgia and enjoys spending
time with her 13 grandchildren and 5
great-grandchildren.
KATHY (MCGHEE) SCHLEIER, ’75,
and her husband John were recently
recognized in the Dalton Daily Citizen
for completing a 6,000-mile boating
expedition. Kathy and John are members
of America’s Great Loop Cruisers’
Association and completed “America’s
Great Loop,” a water pathway that covers
the eastern half of the contiguous United
States. They began the journey in April
2021 in Fort Myers, Florida, and returned
in December 2021. The pathway went
through the Chesapeake Bay, Hudson
River, and the Erie Canal.
DIANE (BOTTOMLEY) COFFEY, ’82,
is a doctor of physical therapy and owns an
outpatient physical therapy clinic. A new
location opened in May 2022.
CHERYL BOWIE-THOMAS, ’82,
has worked for Emory University in the
research administrative field for 25 years.
She also owns a women’s retreat business
called Relax, Release, Renew, Inc.
DAVID DENTON, ’83, recently
accepted a position as the Executive
Director at Harmony Senior Services, a
senior living community.
QUANTRILLA ARD, ’98, contributed
a chapter on allegorical literature in the
recently published book Wild Things and
Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the
Best Books for Children.
MINDY (SMITH) SALYERS, ’99, serves
as the head school counselor for the Illinois
Conference. The program creation and
funding for schools to have access to a
school psychologist were designed around
the “Care and Climate Connectedness”
proposal that is funded by a grant from
La Sierra’s Center for Conflict Resolution
and the Versacare Foundation. The grant
allows all Illinois Conference schools access
to a school counselor, as well as teacher
support. The program started in the fall of
2020. This spring, Versacare Foundation
awarded an additional $25,000 to the
Illinois Conference to expand the project
into all Lake Union Schools.
EDELY (YEPEZ) SÁNCHEZ, ’05,
and her husband Abner welcomed their
daughter Meang Abigaíl on March 4,
2022. At birth, Meang was 6 pounds, 9
ounces. Edely and Abner currently serve as
missionaries in Palau. They were honored
to have Meang receive her name from the
President and the First Lady of Palau. The
naming is viewed as an important step
in fostering relationships with the local
people of the island. Big sister Riaur is also
excited to have a new baby join the family!
ERIK BUSH, ’06, is a program manager
for the fraud department at Robinhood.
Robinhood is a free, stock-trading app.
KYLE, ’06 and EDEN LEEPER welcomed
their son Greyson Isaiah on April 4, 2022.
Greyson weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces at
birth.
18 CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022

While attending college for a graphic
design degree, IAN BUSH, ’08, is also
completing an internship with marketing
firm Go Fish Digital.
KAYNE, ’10, and MICAH (SCOTT)
LEEPER, ’14, welcomed their daughter,
Cymber Reece Syla to the world on March
27, 2022. At birth, Cymber weighed 10
pounds, 11 ounces, and was 22 inches
long.
COURTNEY (BRACKBILL)
WAMPLER, ’10, and her husband Jeremy
joyfully announced the arrival of their son
Jenson Patrick, born on February 8, 2021.
Jenson weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and
was 19.5 inches long.
AMBER CALLENDER, former staff
’13-’14, is currently working for Orange
County Public School System in Florida as
a certified school counselor. She is also
an adjunct graduate professor at Prescott
College in the school counseling program.
JAMIL and VANESSA
(HERNANDEZ) HAIRSTON, ’14, serve
as pastors in South Florida at Miami Temple
Adventist Church. Vanessa is the worship
pastor and Jamil is a volunteer pastor for
the church’s health and wellness program.
He is also a certified physical trainer and
nutritionist, bodybuilding specialist, and
a group exercise instructor. In May 2022
he began working at Oasis Fitness and
Wellness Center in Miami.
Congratulations to MAX and KRYSTAL
(GREENE) PARK, ’14, who were
married on March 20, 2022. Their wedding
venue was outdoors at Seven Oaks
Country Club in Bakersfield, California.
Congratulations to SYDNEY
MARSHALL, ’16, who passed her dental
board exams and is working as a registered
dental hygienist.
LAURHENZ SAINT-AIME, ’17, is
the head of the soccer department
at Lake Point Sports athletic complex
in Cartersville, Georgia. He is also the
assistant director of Camp Lakepoint, as
well as a soccer coach.
OLIVIA FISHER, ’20, was the recipient of
Southern Adventist University’s History and
Political Science High Achievement Award.
In addition to recognition, she will also
receive a scholarship towards next year’s
studies.
ANNSLIE STATON, ’20, welcomed her
son, Bennett James on December 30, 2021.
At birth, he was 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and
21 inches long.
Congratulations to PEYTON WESSEL,
’20, on graduating from ELITE Lineman
Training Institute. He recently accepted a
position as a Lineman for U-TEC Construction,
Inc. in Adairsville, GA. U-TEC provides
electrical and construction utility services
throughout the southeastern United
States.
CUMBERLITE SUMMER 2022
19

GEORGIA-CUMBERLAND ACADEMY
ALUMNI & DEVELOPMENT
397 Academy Dr. SW
Calhoun, GA 30701
Phone: (706) 629-4591
Fax: (706) 629-1272
bzeiss@gcasda.org
ngerard@gcasda.org
CUMBERLITE STAFF
EDITOR:
BETH ZEISS
ASSISTANT EDITOR:
NANCY GERARD
LAYOUT & DESIGN:
EMMALEE SHALLENBERGER
COPY EDITING:
SUSAN JENKINS
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
CLASSIC IMPRESSIONS PHOTOGRAPHY
NANCY GERARD
K.C. LARSEN
BETH ZEISS
You are an important part
of the GCA family!
You are part of our past, sharing memories of where God has led us.
You are part of our future, envisioning where God is going to take us.
The family photo of Georgia-Cumberland Academy has you in it!
You understand the faith, education, friendships,
stability, and fun that a GCA experience brings to students and
that many families need help to be part of this school.
Would you consider a gift of $50, $500, or more by June 30 to
meet a $150,000 challenge and bring these kids to GCA?
Thank You for giving to meet this Worthy Student Fund matching challenge!
With your help, the family photo of Georgia-Cumberland Academy has you in it AND an amazing 2022-2023 student body!
Make your gift here: https://bit.ly/39GAUnp or mail your gift to GCA Alumni & Development, 397 Academy Dr. SW, Calhoun, GA 30701.