KERR-VANCE ACADEMY Spring 2020

KERR-VANCE ACADEMY
Spartan Newsletter   Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow       Spring 2020

                                                        In this Issue:

                                                            Teachers’ tributes
                                                             to the Seniors

                                                            Seniors’ fondest
                                                             KVA memories

                                                            Book Buddy quotes
                                                             to the seniors

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Introduction
Dear Seniors, Parents, Students, Staff, and KVA Alumni,

Celebrating our Seniors is always a priority. However, COVID 19
threw us for a loop, delayed Yearbooks, no last Spring Break, no
Senior Lunch. We have tried to create some new traditions - The
Senior Drive-Bye was so much fun. Getting to deliver goodies to
each and every graduate, the KVA bus and fourteen cars honking
and waving, blinkers flashing, made quite a spectacle. Usually get-
ting your “name on the wall” is not an honor, but this year, every
Senior name is displayed with pride on the wall from the parking
lot. The KVA family has rallied around our Seniors. We could not
be more proud of a group of students. They will take this unique
end to their KVA experience and, hopefully, remember it as a time
we came together to make the most of a difficult situation. We
have, with love and admiration, put together this last Newsletter of
the year dedicated to our Class of 2020.
B. Spencer - Co-Advisor

Message to the Seniors
Dearest Class of 2020,
It is with great pride and love that I send this letter of congratulations. I am hon-
ored to have the opportunity to express my excitement for each of you as you
move forward on your journey.
At an early age, you are learning that your journey will not always be easy or
exactly as you planned. This is a sad fact, but I can assure you that you will be
fine. Even though I taught you as young second graders, I could already see that
you were a determined, bright class. You formed bonds of friendship that al-
lowed you to count on each other. You were a kind and caring group, which al-
lowed you to welcome newcomers into your class. You had already learned that
new friends were a gift that helped you roll with the punches life can throw at
you.
As you look back on your time in Second Grade, I hope you will remember our
project: collecting pop tops for Ronald McDonald House. Your friends and fam-
ily joined in to help you save bags full of these pop tops. This was a simple but
very important project and life lesson. A simple pop top from an empty can is a
small piece of trash to most, but for sick children this is a small piece of hope.
In May, we gathered all our pop tops together and traveled to Durham to visit
the Ronald McDonald House. Once there, we loaded the wagon and proudly
added our collection. We toured the house that was home to so many sick chil-
dren and their families. We learned that those pop tops help pay for needed
items, such as paper towels for a year, and overnight stays for families who
could not afford to stay otherwise.
It is my prayer that as you go forward in life you will remember that simple pop
top. The pop top is a reminder that seemingly small acts can have a huge im-
pact. I hope that you will remember how you and your classmates united on a
project to change the lives of those in need. Individually and collectively, you
are powerful.
You are leaving KVA better than you found it. As you continue on your separate
journeys carry the love of your classmates, the KVA faculty and staff, and your
families with you. Keep the memory of that simple pop top in your heart and
know that you have the power to make this world a better place.
Love,
Mary Lou Bowen

Message to the Seniors
The KVA Class of 2020 will always be dear to me. Of course it is my last group of eight
graders, but in teaching them, a professional bucket-list was achieved. All of my teaching
career I wanted to have students for two years of instruction in both composition and litera-
ture. With this group I received my wish. To me, the two years melded together, and rela-
tionships blended and grew. This group truly became the most special of special classes.
Highlights in my memories include George telling his mother that Miss Clark believed in
stream-of-consciousness writing. I had never thought about it, but he is right. I do not need
to say anything about Jake; his senior walk is true to Middle School. Brian still has his cap
at the ready and remains quiet and steady. Chessie and Maya are still inseparable and will
remain so in their careers. Lauren as an animal scientist and Austyn as a nurse will certainly
become good caretakers; their quiet manner and attention to detail make them naturals. Zoey
and I discussed her decision, and I am so proud of her. I will always remember her determi-
nation and courage to be a middle school student and achieve beyond her vision impair-
ment. I remember how excited she and Wyatt were when I asked them to be May Court rep-
resentatives. Wyatt’s care is Wyatt - one-of-a-kind and wonderful. He will do well in his
agricultural studies. Emily, my heart and member of one of my favorite KVA families, had
to find volleyball before she could look forward to school. Natalie’s love of individualism
will always be evident, as it is in her senior walk ride. The rest of her class learned a lot of
vocabulary from her. On my last Awards Day, Edie and I were shocked by Mr. V when he
took her citizenship award back and shocked again when he gave her one that honored both
of us. She is the most selfless student I ever taught. Myles was such a joy to watch as he
strived for excellence in his work and as he showed true friendship and support to oth-
ers. Andrew’s many memorable moments are too extensive to detail. I am sure each of his
classmates can bring several to mind. I will remember how he always took my scolding's
without anger or change. I remember David’s habit of perching and being deep in thought
before giving insightful responses. Chris’s senior fishing video represents his personality,
waiting for an opportunity to take hold. I see a bright military career for him. Now to the
four who paid the most attention to the most important lesson - the value of a UNCCH edu-
cation. Ira and I knocked heads often, but both of us knew great adventures and achieve-
ments lay ahead. Lorena impressed me when she chose Rafael’s seat on the first day of
school and with her b to organize and lead her peers. Caroline was a quiet, but knowledgea-
ble force in class and a giver of wonderful blue-themed gifts. Then there is Colby. I looked
at him for two years and never knew what he was thinking. I will say that he is headed in the
right direction. I am a sports addict who has seen games in Yankee Stadium and Busch Sta-
dium by teams that played in the World Series. Colby made the best baseball play I have
ever seen.
All of you hold a special place in my heart and memories. We had fun, laughs, tears, highs,
and lows during our time together. I wish Godspeed to each of you in all that you do. I will
continue to visit KVA, but it will not be with the same anticipation after the Class of 2020
has moved on to other pursuits.
Vella Betsy Clark

Message to the Seniors
The first day of school, I told you to savor every moment and not to wish
the year away because it was going to go by in a blink of an eye. Well, ob-
viously, I had no idea what was to come and that the past eight weeks have
seemed like an eternity. I know it has been hard and I know you can’t help
but focus on the things that you missed, but if you take a moment and real-
ize that you have experienced more than you have lost, you will see just
how blessed you are. Over the years, you all have shared so much, some
of you have been together for 13 years, some only one, but no matter the
amount of time you shared, it is that you did it together and more im-
portantly, you all have shared it in a very unique and special
place….KVA. Kerr Vance Academy will forever be a part of who you
are. It will always be home! Within these walls you have shared your
dreams, your fears, your joys, your sorrows, your victories, and your de-
feats. Most especially, you have shared in being a part of something good,
something special, something rare...knowing the warmth, the comfort, the
security, and the love of the KVA family. The 24 of you have made memo-
ries that you will carry with you beyond KVA, and nothing can ever take
that away. My hope for you is that you will grow from this situation and
rise above it and become stronger, and grow into the amazing young adults
you are destined to be. I can see much success, much happiness, and much
love in your future. And knowing that some day each of you will be out in
the world making a difference, gives me great comfort and joy. I am so
proud of you! I am honored to be your teacher, your “school mom”, and
most importantly, your friend. I wish you all the best and good luck on
your continued journey.

Lots of Love,

P. Hill

Senior Memories of KVA

My fondest memory that I can recall in my time at KVA was winning the State Championship for
tennis in 2018. At the time I was a junior and my fellow teammates and I worked extremely hard
to win the title. It was a huge deal for us as we made KVA history being the first women’s tennis
team to win a state championship title. I vividly remember finishing my singles match, which hap-
pened to be the fifth and final match needed for victory and hearing all the parents shouting. I
recall my teammates running together to hug and celebrate and it was generally one of the best
moments of my life and one that I will never forget. I also won't forget the victory dinner at Texas
Roadhouse afterward either. :)
        Senior Austyn Abbott

My fondest memory of KVA was going on the senior trip to Disney World. The trip was destined
to be a good time, simply from the fact that we were going to the happiest place on earth, but it
was much more than that for me. Through our trip, I was able to bond with my friends and
teachers more than ever, and it made me realize that KVA is and will always be my home.
        Senior Myles Ball

My greatest memory from KVA is making great connections with friends and having George
Hoyle as my older brother and mentor and playing soccer with my great friends!
       Senior Christian Bolton

My most memorable moment at KVA was winning my first State Championship game for volley-
ball. I will never forget the feeling of excitement as we scored the last point and feeling of know-
ing I will remember this senior year State Championship forever. I will never be more thankful
to be a part of that exciting day!
        Senior Bailee Branch

My fondest memory of KVA is winning back to back State Championships. I have enjoyed all of
the bonds I have made with teammates, and I’m going to miss them so much next year!
       Senior Emily Carr

As I am about to start my last week of high school I have been having many nostalgic thoughts.
Unfortunately, I am not able to spend my last week with the people that I have grown up with. It
is very very difficult to pick my fondest KVA memory because so many memories come to my
mind when I think about this question. The Senior Class trip to Disney World would have to be
my favorite. As crazyyyy as it sounds, I enjoyed the bus ride down to Florida. This was because I
was traveling with my “family” and I knew that we were going to have a memorable week. My
second favorite memory was Homecoming 2019. I loved having my family and friends from War-
renton combined with my school family to celebrate our Senior Year Homecoming. Then we all
went to our last homecoming dance. At the time it did not seem real that this was it, but now as I
look back, I am realizing that I had it pretty good through my high school years. I will always
love KVA.
        Senior Edie Echols

Senior Memories of KVA

My fondest memory of KVA is every day I would go off campus to eat lunch with my friends. The
wind coming in through the windows, the music blasting on the way to Chick-Fil-A or wherever
our cravings would take us. Lorena working the AUX, Edie driving somewhat erratically. Any
moment I spent with friends was a moment well cherished.
       Senior David Folger

 My favorite KVA memory was always feeling like I was part of a family. Everyone at KVA is al-
ways nice to one another and the faculty and students always make you feel like you are a part of
something and you never feel left out.
       Senior Chessie Foster

 My best memory at Kerr Vance academy was when I was very young and I stepped into our gym.
I noticed we had two gyms, a skybox, and a weight room. I then realized how much fun it would
be there. Pe was like my favorite class and I had so much fun in that gym especially with basket-
ball. Everyone in the gym was so nice and caring and I felt at home.
        Senior Andrew Hight

 One of my fond KVA memories was participating in the Battle of the Books during elementary
and middle school. I remember enjoying the meetings in the library led by Mrs. Averett during the
morning and traveling to participate in the competition together.
      Senior Faith Himmel

 Following so many great years at KVA, it is difficult to choose one moment as the best, with so
many great experiences, laughs, and good times, there's too many to name. Out of all the memo-
ries, one captures the true individualism of the school better than any. It all began on a nice
spring afternoon before lacrosse practice; me and my life long best friend Jake Watts decided we
needed some extra nutrition, so what better to eat than some wild onions. The onions were great,
but we failed to notice the teacher meeting going on inside what we thought was an empty room;
Mrs. Hillery promptly informed us by opening her window and asking “What on earth are you
doing,” to which we replied “Eating wild onions, Ms. Hillery!” She was not amused, to say the
least, and told us to skedaddle and stop entertaining the whole staff. This is one of the many many
great stories I will carry with me throughout my life, reminding of the place that made me who I
am today.
        Senior George Hughes

 My fondest memory was when my brother, Lane and my two cousins Daniel and Colby and
I played on the same KVA baseball team with my Uncle Todd and Uncle Ricky coaching
us. Those were fun times. Winning three consecutive State Championships in Baseball wasn’t
bad either.
       Senior Wyatt Humphries

Senior Memories of KVA

It's so crazy to think our time at KVA is coming to a close. We’ve made so many memories, so it's
really hard to choose just one, but if I had to, I would say my favorite memory is our Disney Trip.
It was my first time going that far from home, and my first time going to Disney, and I’m so glad
I got to spend it with the people I grew up with. Thank you KVA for all the memories over the
past ten years, I’m really going to miss it!
         Senior Zoey Ivey

 My fondest memories of KVA involve waiting for home basketball games to start in my car with
my best friend, Hallie Ruth. We'd sit in the parking lot for hours, talking, laughing, and boppin to
some good ole toons. Sometimes we'd have another guest to the party in the backseat; one time a
shampoo bottle was stepped on and my leather jacket was ruined!
       Senior Briana Lamb

 Over the last 13 years, I have made many fond memories at Kerr Vance
Academy. My favorite memories that were made would have to be on the
senior trip to Disney World. We stayed at Disney for a week and all be-
came closer as a class.
        Senior Maya Lopez

 I have had a wonderful 13 years at this school, and every moment has been precious, especially
when the tennis team and I won the state championship two years in a row. However, my fondest
memory occurred when we took our trip to Disney World in Florida. This was a week-long, magi-
cal trip, where my friends, teachers, and I were able to get closer as we visited the parks, rode
rides, lounged by the pool, and ate a little too much food. We even were able to watch firework
shows at Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom. Throughout the whole trip, my favorite
rides were The Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster as we probably rode each seven times,
and Pandora at Animal Kingdom. I hated to leave Disney World as it truly was the most magical
place on Earth, but I know that I will keep the memories created there and at Universal Studios
forever.
        Journalism Art and Layout Editor,
        Senior Lauren Moseley

 KVA has given me countless joyful memories, but one of my fondest is when we won the 2017
Soccer State Championship. After two seasons of hard work, we faced our conference rivals,
Halifax, in the state championship. From the morning breakfast at Cracker Barrel to the bus
ride to the Campbell University locker room, I and the team were a bundle of nerves and excite-
ment. After playing in ninety-degree heat with the sun beating down on us, nothing felt better
than the buzzer going off, and us winning 1-0. This memory is special because not only was this
state championship one of the first (along with baseball) after a seven-year dry spell for Kerr-
Vance Academy, the team that accomplished it was a family.
        Senior Lorena Negron

Senior Memories of KVA

My fondest memory at KVA is when we would all play with legos in Mrs. Bowen’s class and we
would fight over the few LEGO pieces that had wheels on it. We would build cars and planes and
forts-everything.
        Senior Natalie Stone

  After attending Kerr Vance for thirteen years, it is hard for me to pick only one fond memory,
for I have had hundreds over the years. If I had to pick one I would say that going to school eve-
ry day just to see my friends and teachers-or family- would be a big one. Not just that, but play-
ing sports like basketball, lacrosse, and golf would be memories I’ll remember forever because it
brought my friends and me closer together. There is nothing that compares to playing a sport you
love alongside, and in front of, people you call your family.
        Senior Brian Teiser

  My fondest memory at KVA occurred when I was in the eighth grade. My best buddy George
Hughes and I were running around in the woods before lacrosse practice. When suddenly, we
got the bright idea to jump the fence and try to ride one of the Boyds’ horses. Well, this memory
in itself would have been fond enough. However, what made it even better, was that our English
teacher, Miss Clark, was watching from her window the entire time we were attempting to carry
out these preposterous acts. The next day in class, she called us out on our foolish antics, pro-
voking tremendous laughter and creating a very fond memory amongst the grade.
         Senior Jake Watts

  I have had quite a few fond memories at KVA, but one stands out above the others, and it oc-
curred just this year. Anyone who has walked the high school halls is familiar with the seemingly
endless walls of past senior portraits. Yet, only a certain few have noticed the missing portrait of
one Joell Davis. One afternoon, my OCD-charged frustration with the missing portrait caused me
to question resident senior historian Patricia Hillery about it. She believed that the picture had
just fallen into the back of the frame, but upon inspection of the frame, no picture was present.
The only traces of Joell Davis’s likeness were to be found in a class picture on Miss Hillery’s
shelf. No yearbooks or file cabinets could reveal any information about this mysterious Joell.
This search for information went on for months. Eventually, P. Hill and I gave up the search,
until I found Joell in a yearbook inconspicuously while doing some unrelated journalism re-
search. Joell was in a class’s yearbook different from the one on the portrait wall. But get this,
there was no picture in his spot there either. To this day, the legend of Joell Davis haunts my
mind. So, Joell if you’re out there, please email me and clear the air.
        Senior Ira Wilder

My fondest memories were back in the day when Paul Villatico was headmaster. Daniel and
Lane were still there and those were fun times.
      Senior Colby Wilkerson

Senior Memories of KVA

My fondest memory from Kerr-Vance Academy would be winning the state championship for ten-
nis two years in a row. Tennis is the only sport that I play and after much dedication to practice,
both individually and as a team, we achieved our goal. I will never forget the feeling of rushing
the court when we realized that we had won our first state championship. Although we were even
more excited when we won our second championship, I was sad that my tennis journey at KVA
had ended. I remember standing on the court during my last point of the match, wishing it didn’t
have to end, but excited that we had achieved our goal and were off to Disney World soon after. I
will forever be grateful for the memories I made with my team and the success that we achieved.
        Senior Caroline Williams

My favorite memory of KVA has to be field day last year. I remember going to pizza inn with my
whole class and eating so much pizza I was sick by the time we got to field day and had to run.
       Senior Garrett Wood

Book Buddy Quotes
Iris Hudgins - Bailee- Don’t stop doing what you love
Iris Hudgins - Emily- Don’t forget to have fun
Bryce Jackson - Jake - have fun and talk to the girls
Hallie Gardner - Austyn- eat your veggies and dress like Elsa
Hallie Gardner -Lorena- brush your teeth and be a unicorn
Brady Dickerson - Wyatt- I love you! Drive big trucks and call your mommy.
Clayton White - Colby- Make your bed and brush your teeth
Lexi Frazier - Caroline and Lauren - Don’t put slime in your hair, you will have to
call your mommy to get it out. I know it is really hard to get it out of your hair.
Enrique Hernandez - Garrett- Don’t get sick or you won’t be able to play out-
side.
Lucas Powell - Andrew and Brian- Remember to finish your hard work so you will
be the boss.
Olivia Daniel - Edie and Faith- Wash your hands and stay hydrated.
Alex Greene - Myles, and Ira-Have fun and study hard.
Corbin Steinbach - David- Don’t watch too much TV! Always be nice and don’t
eat too much junk food. Good luck being a grown-up!
George Caudle - Christian- Do your homework good every night and make sure
you don’t get in trouble.
Kenly Shaw - Zoey - Have fun
Kenly Shaw- Briana -Have fun in college.
Kenly Shaw - Natalie- Eat all of your veggies.
Olivia Wiggins - Chessie - Be smart and listen to your teachers. I miss you and I
love you.
Olivia Wiggins - Maya- Eat healthy, not too much sugar. I miss you and love you.
Troy Riggan - George- Don’t forget to do your homework and eat healthy.

Message to the Seniors

Senior Class of 2020,

         As I reflect back on my journey with the senior class of 2020, as a parent, friend, and teach-
er, so many things come to mind. I actually started with some of you in 2003, while working in the
Spartan Day Care. I remember Andrew and Jake, playing on the playground and then trying to get
them to go to sleep at nap time. Boy was that a chore! It is hard to believe that seventeen years
later you little ones, along with the others in P-K where that special bond began, have become high
school graduates. Through the years, new friendships were made when new classmates joined your
class, and were welcomed with open arms. Being with this class for seventeen years, I have devel-
oped a bond with each one of you in some way. Whether in the classroom, field trips, class parties,
birthday parties, our special talks, and laughs or while you were visiting at my home to hang out
with Wyatt, a connection was made with each one that I will treasure for the rest of my life. You
have all brought so much joy to my life and to my son, Wyatt. As you start this new chapter in your
life, please know how proud I am of all your accomplishments. I cannot wait to see you continue to
excel in all that you do.

Tearfully,
       Pamela Humphries
       Teacher, Friend, and Mom
       Journalism Co Advisors

Message to the Seniors
SPARTAN SENIORS ARE THE BEST! Who are the seniors you may ask?

The class of 2020 are scholars: The class of 2020 collectively have been ac-
cepted to 35 different colleges and offered over 1.2 million dollars in scholar-
ships. At the time of this writing, 16% of the seniors were offered Honors Col-
lege as part of their admissions offers and 12% were offered full tuition scholar-
ships. Congratulations seniors!

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James. Our
seniors have been making a difference. Spartan Seniors have volunteered over
2800 hours in service to the community. They have worked tirelessly on our
campus, at their churches, and with civic organizations. They have mentored
youth, participated in fundraisers for the environment and ailing children and
responded to the needs of the community after natural disasters and during
COVID-19.

The Class of 2020 are champions: Seniors have contributed to our recent state
championships:

Women’s Volleyball - NCISAA 1A State Champions 2018 and 2019
Women’s Tennis - NCISAA 1A State Champions 2018 and 2019
Baseball- NCISAA-1A State Champions 2017, 2018, and 2019
Women’s Soccer NCISAA-1A State Champions 2017 and 2018

The Class of 2020 are our Spartan family and we are so proud of you! You have
ventured down so many paths of success and left your imprint on our hearts and
minds. While we will miss each of you, we know you will continue to propel
towards success. In the words of Walt Disney, “We keep moving forward,
opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity
keeps leading us down new paths.” Your new paths lead away from the KVA
doors that we entered together into new directions that you go independent-
ly. Your Spartan family will continue to keep you in our hearts and minds as
you continue life’s journey. Congratulations class of 2020.

Camilla Rogers, Counselor

Seniors

Austyn Abbott   Myles Ball       Christian Bolton

Bailee Branch    Emily Carr        Edie Echols

David Folger    Chessie Foster   Andrew Height

Seniors

Faith Himmel     George Hughes   Wyatt Humphries

 Zoey Ivey       Briana Lamb       Maya Lopez

Lauren Moseley   Lorena Negron    Natalie Stone

Seniors

 Brian Tesier       Jacob Watts        Ira Wilder

Colby Wilkerson   Caroline Williams   Garrett Wood

 Congratulations Class
      of 2020