Carrie Ryan '96: Lots of Buzz for Her First Novel

Transcription

1 C h r i s t C h u r c h E p i s c o p a l S c h o o l G r e e n v i l l e, S C Highlights Carrie Ryan '96: Lots of Buzz for Her First Novel May 2009 In this Issue: Following Your Passion Finding Opportunities in a Challenging Economy Appy Apperson '79 on Being #2 Edward Toledano '83 Talks About His "Ten-Year Plan" Wayne Hopkins '91 Trades Hollywood for the Ministry Conor Sullivan '99 Opens His Own Law Practice Jonathan Kovach '05 Follows His Passion for Open Waters Frances DeLoache Ellison '68 on Clarifying Your Philanthropic Priorities Spring A Cavalier Evening The Power of Purpose, People, and Philanthropy Much more...

2 Highlights May 2009 Published by the Advancement Office Connie Lanzl, Vice President for Advancement Alice Baird, Editor Contributing Writers Class Agents Appy Apperson 79 Alice Baird Caroline Cheves 95 Kathryn Cheves 90 Langdon Cheves 89 Rebecca Ellen Clay 77 Lee Cox Bentley DeGarmo 97 Frances Ellison Donna Pazdan Friedman 82 Ron Gregory Wayne Hopkins 91 Jonathan Kovach 05 Connie Lanzl Virginia Phillippi 82 Craig Ragsdale 99 Viviane Till Courtney Tollison 95 Michael West 05 With special thanks to Cynthia Willis for her assistance with Class Notes. A Note from the Editor Lately, everywhere we turn there are dispiriting stories about the current economic downturn and its effect on people in all walks of life. It occurred to me that CCES prepares its graduates to thrive in precisely this kind of challenging environment. So, in this issue we present stories of our graduates resiliency and resourcefulness in defining success on their own terms. What we discovered is that the current climate is ripe for people who wish to change direction from following the money to following their passions. In many ways, the foundation laid at CCES helps graduates find and cultivate their passions. In the classroom and beyond we expose students to a broad range of knowledge and experiences. But perhaps even more important, our faculty work one on one with students, helping them to cultivate their unique talents through such assignments as the Tenth Grade Personal Project, the Senior Thesis, and the IB Extended Essay. Students emerge from these experiences with more than mere knowledge. They emerge with self-confidence, a sense that their personal interests have been validated and that their contributions are valued and meaningful. It is no wonder that CCES graduates are able to adapt and prosper even in a difficult economy. Graphic Designer Brandy Lindsey, The Graphics House, Inc. Alice Baird Director of Publications & Marketing Cover photo: Carrie Ryan 96 Read more on page Highlights

3 Finding Opportunities in a Challenging Economy Table of Contents From the President s Desk, by Dr. Leland H. Cox, Jr... 5 Opportunities for Students and Alumni... 6 The Power of Alumni Networking, by Viviane Till... 6 Appy Apperson 79: Advice to CCES Students (Alumni Career Program Keynote Address)... 8 The Luxury of Choice: Academic Success and Opportunity, by Courtney Tollison Following Your Passion Edward Toledano 83: Finding Your Hole-in-One, by Rebecca Ellen Clay Goodbye to $50 Lunches and All That, by Wayne Hopkins Carrie Ryan 96: The Forest of Hands and Teeth, by Alice Baird An Excerpt from the Book Conor Sullivan 99: What to Do With a Law Degree When Law Firms Aren t Hiring, by Craig Ragsdale Boats and the Sea: The Passion Remains, by Jonathan Kovach The Luxury of Choice, page 10. The Opportunity to Make a Difference Clarifying Your Philanthropic Priorities in a Difficult Economy, by Frances Ellison Ask Ron Gregory: Why Planned Giving Makes Sense Now Profile in Philanthropy: A Cavalier Evening The Power of Philanthropy, People, and Purpose, by Connie Lanzl Profiles National Fashion Publications Take Note of Stacy Smallwood s Sense of Style, by Bentley DeGarmo A New China for a New Generation, by Michael West In Memoriam...34 Mr. O : An Affectionate Remembrance of Edward Olechovsky, by Langdon Cheves 89, Kathryn Cheves 90, and Caroline Cheves Angela Gullatt Lykes 82: by Virginia Phillippi 82 and Donna Pazdan Friedman Spring

4 It All Starts Here. CCES Legacy, page 41. Alumni Events Note: Class Reunions will be covered in the Fall 2009 Highlights Sports Hall of Fame: A Celebration of Volleyball Alumni Awards VIP Dinner Ready, Aim, Fire: Alumni Take Aim at Sporting Clay Tournament Legacy Breakfast Alumni Career Program: Being #2 Can Be a Good Thing Alumnae Field Hockey Game Oyster Roast Class News Marriages Births Deaths Class News CCES Mission Statement Christ Church Episcopal School is a coeducational college preparatory school in the Episcopal tradition for Primer through Grade Twelve that nurtures each student s intellectual and spiritual development, personal integrity, sense of community and self-worth, and promotes international understanding and an appreciation of the diversity of persons and cultures through strong academic programs, comprehensive athletics, and vibrant arts. Cces Core Values Character Community Excellence Service 4 Highlights

5 Finding Opportunities in a Challenging Economy From the President s Desk President Lee Cox addresses alumni panelists at the CCES Alumni Career Program on March 19. Several years ago, before coming to Greenville, I came upon a note written by my father. It had a profound effect on me and continues to be a guiding force in my life. Written in his hand, on a yellowed note card, was a single question: What are the essentials of a full life? To this question he enumerated four short answers: (1) a faith fit to live by; (2) a self fit to live with; (3) work fit to live for; (4) someone to love and be loved by. I don t know when he wrote these words, what his frame of mind was at the time, or even if the words were actually his. What mattered, and what had the strongest effect on me, was that here was a set of principles without which, however articulated, no life endeavor could be fully realized. The theme for this issue of Highlights is finding opportunities, a quest made all the more complex in a challenging economy. Among others, you will read about Wayne Hopkins 91, who moved from Hollywood to the ministry; about Carrie Ryan 96, who transitioned from law to writing; and about Connor Sullivan 99, who created his own law firm to meet his own needs and dreams. In these and other examples you will read of people following their passion, not simply looking for a job. Beyond that, however, I will venture that there are even deeper needs that motivated the people you will read about; and if pressed, they would affirm that the fundamental bedrock of satisfaction rests upon qualities very similar to those listed by my father. There is no doubt something deep in our human nature that causes these needs to resonate so strongly. How they are nurtured and developed, though, depends largely on the environments in which we find ourselves or which we seek. And to be sure, the environment at CCES encourages all of our students, at every grade level, to search for meaning, to grow their faith, to think independently and critically, to take risks (which sometimes means learning valuable lessons from failure), to be of service to the community, and to be a positive force in the world. Maturing in faith, the development of a fully realized self, preparation for a life of worthy endeavor all of these are a central part of the CCES experience. Lee Cox President Spring

6 Opportunities for Students and Alumni The Power of Alumni Networking by Viviane Varin Till Chances are that if you are one of our 2,700-plus CCES alumni, you feel strongly, as we do, that you received a top-notch education, possibly the best that South Carolina has to offer, and were prepared for the rigors of college. That is, after all, the mission of Christ Church Episcopal School. But, in today s world of layoffs, stimulus packages, and bailouts is that enough? If you are looking for a job, a summer internship, or for networking opportunities, put CCES alumni events on your list of social engagements. The CCES Alumni Network is Strong The Alumni Office is well aware that in this economic climate it s not only what you know but also who you know that will help you succeed. The CCES alumni network is strong and available to all members of the CCES family. If you are looking for a job, a summer internship, or for networking opportunities, you would do well to put our CCES alumni events high on your list of social engagements. Attend our Oyster Roast, Christmas parties, reunions, and other events and you will not only enjoy catching up with your old classmates and teachers you might also make a valuable professional connection, set up a job interview, or spend some time talking with other alumni about potential business opportunities, not only here in Greenville, but anywhere around the world. The CCES connection is evident in many business relationships in town, for example, the Nachman Norwood & Parrott Investment Group, with partners Bob Nachman 82, Ben Norwood 83, and John Parrott 65. Similarly, when Stacy Smallwood 97 opened her stores (see article, p.28), she turned to Linning Smoak Crawford for publicity, where she knew she could count on CCES alumnae Katherine Wood Smoak 88 and Marion Rose Crawford 85 to deliver. New Senior Internships When Ingram Carpenter 06 was looking for a summer internship following her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania, the Alumni Office helped arrange one with Tucker Eskew 79 in Washington, DC. Now two current alumni programs are in place to help our students begin networking while they are still at CCES. This spring the Upper School launched a new senior internship program. Government and economics teacher Melanie Carmichael, other faculty members, volunteer parents, and the Alumni Office have teamed together to place eligible seniors in intern positions with firms in the community that match the student s career ambitions. This pilot program will provide students with real-life, hands-on experience that can t be taught in a classroom. After their internship, a report will be given to the junior class in hopes of inspiring them to take advantage of similar internship opportunities next year. Among the CCES graduates and current parents participating in the internship program are Stephen Geary (Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas), Marie Clay Hall 75 and Cindy Carrigan (Novartis), Tim Hughes (orthodondist), Linda Pentaleri (Greenville County Children s Museum), and Courtney Tollison 95 (Upcountry History Museum). 6 Highlights

7 Opportunities for Students and Alumni Alumni Career Program The second alumni networking program began five years ago when CCES held its first Alumni Career Program for Upper School students. Designed to expose juniors and seniors to successful practitioners in fields ranging from medicine and law to education and public service, the program brings reunion-year alumni face to face with our students to offer advice, answer questions, and make connections. A secondary benefit of the program has been the professional networking opportunities the participating alumni discover by talking to each other on that day. Keynote speakers have included businessman and former Clinton White House staffer Billy Webster 75, Hollywood producer Wayne Hopkins 91, international security expert Ann Hayes 77, TV executive Billy Campbell 78, and agricultural commodities consultant Appy Apperson 79 (read an excerpt from his keynote address, p. 8). Along with these keynote speakers, scores of accomplished alumni have volunteered to sit on career panels and interact with students. From retired family court judge Amy Sutherland 72, to freelance sports journalist David Hamilton 99, United States Secret Service agent Scott Summers 91, cardiologist Tommy Siachos 89, and many others, our alumni have proven generous of their time with our students. As our graduates move through college, internships, and careers, these alumni connections will undoubtedly appreciate in value. All along, you ve known that CCES has been a powerful force in your life. Through this school you have made lifelong friends and shared many wonderful experiences. But the benefits of a CCES education don t end abruptly with Commencement. For many pursuing jobs, careers, and new opportunities, this school continues to yield valuable dividends, especially in the area of alumni networking. Viviane Varin Till is Director of CCES Alumni Programs. The annual Alumni Career Program allowed Appy Apperson '79, Scottie Echols Fowler 79, Emily Collins Rackley 79, Greg Kintz 79, and Pam Sheftall Huffman 79 to network over a delicious lunch. Spring

8 Opportunities for Students and Alumni Appy Apperson 79: Advice to CCES Students On March 19, Appy Apperson 79 delivered the keynote address at the Alumni Career Program. Below are excerpts from his remarks to Upper School students. Barbara Carter introduced him as an astute businessman, an entrepreneur, a financial consultant, a world-traveler, and an adventurer. A student at CCES since Primer, Appy graduated in He was co-captain of the soccer team, a member of the tennis and baseball teams, an editor on the Cavalier Express, and an enthusiastic officer of the Outdoor Club. After earning his B.A. in economics at Sewanee in 1983, he struck out for New York, starting as a clerk with the New York Cotton Exchange. This eventually led him to a position as a broker in Dallas, Texas, with Drexel, Burnham Lambert, where he serviced commercial firms in the US, Mexico, and Australia, working especially in the cotton market. When Appy decided to pursue an MBA degree, he chose the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His dissertation not only earned him the Walter Scott Foundation Prize for best finance dissertation but also a market researcher position with the London International Financial Futures Exchange. Then he moved half a world away. His financial expertise and knowledge of agricultural commodities, especially cotton, led him to several positions in both rural and urban areas of Australia, including the establishment in 1990 of his own firm, Apperson Management, an agricultural commodity risk management advisory firm. His life Down Under led to his becoming a naturalized Australian citizen in Appy returned to the US in 2004 and lived in Virginia before completing the circle and moving back to Greenville in 2008, where he opened another branch of Apperson Management. But his adventurous, roaming spirit continues no matter where is. I am very humbled to stand before you today and be asked to be the keynote speaker for this Program. I was even more humbled when Viviane Till informed me that I was the second choice and not the first. Be thankful your education at CCES will help you handle obstacles an seize opportunities [for] the rest of your life. Being Second Can Lead to Being First Let me emphasize to you this morning that being second choice is not to be frowned upon, but is an honor and most of all an opportunity. Though we usually do not remember who came in second for last year s World Series, or who won silver in a particular Olympic event, or who was Harry Truman s Vice President, not being first can still lead to many wonderful opportunities in life, and eventually to being first in the eyes of your peers. 8 Highlights

9 Opportunities for Students and Alumni I will never forget Sam Wyche, former Furman football player, professional football player, sports shop owner, and NFL head coach, who spoke to us at the former Lower School downtown sometime in the 1970s. He was always second-string quarterback in college, second string in pro football, second to open a sporting goods store in Greenville, and always assistant coach in the NFL. Then, when someone retired, he got to be first: head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. You never know when your chance will come and you never know when you will receive recognition for your efforts. Though I will speak today of my career and experiences with some words of wisdom thrown in, this occasion has given me an excellent opportunity to reflect on my career, my strengths, my weaknesses, and, most of all, my passions. For after having a fantastic thirty years after graduating form CCES, my life has changed; and I am having to re-establish my career for the next thirty years. Life will constantly throw opportunities and threats at you, many times beyond your control; but be thankful your education here at CCES is part of an enlightenment and social foundation that will help you handle those obstacles and seize those opportunities the rest of your life, especially in your career. I am not going to try and compete with the wonderful careers and presentations of those alumni who have addressed this forum previously, but I will attempt to give you some insight and encouragement about someone who was not first in his class, but did study hard and maintain above-average grades; who was never most valuable player on the soccer or tennis team, but always won the sportsmanship award; who began playing a very different musical instrument bagpipes when his friends were learning the guitar, piano, or drums; who did not go to an Ivy League school, but did attend Sewanee, the Harvard of the South; who took the first job he could land out of college in New York at the bottom of the totem pole, and ended up working in Dallas, Texas, soon after with continued on page 19 English teacher Barbara Carter introducing keynote speaker Appy Apperson '79. After he expressed amazement that she, his former teacher, is still alive, and she that he graduated, Mrs. Carter teared up with pride at how Appy turned out. Spring

10 Opportunities for Students and Alumni The Luxury of Choice: Academic Success & Opportunity by Courtney L. Tollison, Ph.D., CCES Class of 1995 Dr. Tollison offered this address to Upper School students at the Academic Honors Assembly held on February 5, I always enjoy coming back to this very special place that was so formative in my development. As someone who has entered the field of education, I now have an even greater appreciation for the powerful commitment that CCES faculty have towards their students. I ve observed a high correlation between a record of academic success and an abundance of opportunities after college. A former student who graduated from Furman last year is now volunteering in a program to assist high school juniors and seniors in San Antonio public schools with writing samples and college applications. She frequently laments the quality of the students writing and told me that homework is a virtually unknown concept to the students with whom she works. According to her, many teachers consider it a futile exercise and have completely done away with it. Now, I remember my time at CCES, and the concept of homework was one that I was intimately, intimately familiar with, as I m sure you all are. While there may be a small part of you that envies the fact that your peers in some schools across the country do not go home on a daily basis with hours more work to do, you are in fact extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to become educated in such an academically rigorous institution. The Habit of Excellence From your experiences here you understand that as a CCES student you are expected to be fully engaged in the classroom. I believe that engagement in your classes, activities, or endeavors is a first step towards establishing a pattern of excellence in your life. I am fond of this quote from Aristotle, and when I seek rejuvenation, this quote sustains me: We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit. Aristotle As an educator who is a close observer of students as they transition from college to graduate school or the workplace, I am privy to the options available to students and spend significant amounts of time weighing those options with them. I ve observed a high correlation between a record of academic success and an abundance of opportunities after college. The Luxury of Choice One of the greatest benefits of academic success is that it provides the luxury of choice as one proceeds through life. Those of you who do well in high school will have more choices as to where you would like to attend college than those who don t. Those of you who excel in college will have greater opportunities for graduate school and career options than those who don t. Those of you who do well in your careers will have opportunities to become leaders in your chosen fields and will earn the respect and admiration of your peers in ways that those not committed to excellence will not. Those of you who are being recognized today already understand the importance of that commitment to excellence. Congratulations! Those of you who commit yourselves to excellence at this stage in your lives put yourselves in a position to be able to decide to go to Harvard Law School and/or join Americorps, a public service program that 10 Highlights

11 Opportunities for Students and Alumni attracts the nation s top recent college graduates. You can decide to become a kindergarten teacher or matriculate in medical school and conduct ground-breaking research in the field of pediatric cancer. You can enroll in a graduate program in art history at the Sorbonne in Paris or teach finger painting at a school you helped build in Nairobi. All are valuable and honorable pursuits, and the point of academic success is that it enables you to choose to do what brings a sense of happiness and fulfillment to your life. Recently I had a conversation with Page and Emily Bridges father. Some of you may not remember Page but probably remember Emily, who graduated from CCES last year. Both of these young women chose to attend Furman, and Page is now enrolled in a joint M.D./Ph.D. program at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Page Bridges is giving herself options. My understanding is that Emily Bridges, with her strong history of academic success, will continue to work hard to ensure that she too has the option to become whatever she puts her mind to. Success, to me, is being able to spend your life doing what makes you happy. Life is more fun when you are in the driver s seat when you are able to do what is it you want to do, where you want to do it. Too many people in this world do not have the luxury of that choice. Congratulations to those of you who are being honored today. My wish for you is that as you navigate the next several years of your life, you will stay focused, work hard, and understand that the time and energy you dedicate to your studies now will yield important benefits later in life. Now is the time to create a foundation for future success, Continued and CCES is an ideal community to support you in that preparation. So make excellence in your life a habit; you will certainly thank yourself for it later. Courtney Tollison 95 is Assistant Professor of History at Furman University and Museum Historian at the Upcountry History Museum. She earned undergraduate degrees in history and women s studies from Furman University and her master s and Ph.D. in history from the University of South Carolina. In 2006 she was honored by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce as Young Professional of the Year and by the Association for Women in Communications as Communicator of the Year. Courtney Tollison 95 addresses Upper School students during the Cum Laude Assembly in February. Spring

12 Following Your Passion Edward Toledano 83: Finding Your "Hole-in-One," by Rebecca Ellen Clay 77 Sometimes it takes a few too many bogies and double bogies ever to have an eagle or a hole-in-one. Where can I make my next hole in one? was a question that Edward Toledano, Class of 1983, began to consider seriously after We have all learned that if we put money first, it takes over our lives and steals our dreams. Edward was not going to let that happen. He decided to follow his dream. Richness is measured by the friends we have. And by doing whatever you have a passion for. After graduating from the University of Georgia, marrying his college sweetheart, and working in a variety of industries, from the lumber business to financial services, public relations, marketing, and the tech world, Edward set a new path for himself to follow his dream. On September 11, 2001, Edward was attending a training session for a new employer in Washington, DC. My friend next to me pointed to the screen on his laptop showing the video of the first plane hitting the twin towers. Right after that, someone came into our conference room to tell us to take a break. Then we learned of the Pentagon plane. We were three miles from the Pentagon, on the sixth floor at the top of our building, and we could see the smoke rising in the distance, Edward remembered. Deeply affected, he called his family to let them know he was safe. Two of us rented a car for the next day to drive back to Atlanta. We drove 100 mph to get home. It was a long drive, and I wanted to be with my wife and my daughter. The experience had a lasting impact, and set Edward thinking about following his passion. A year later I left the company. It had been the fourth technology company I had worked with though the dot-com era. I was burnt, just did not know it. It had really started the year prior on that day in Washington. My wife, Jena, and I had both been working hours a week. It kept us away from family time and away from each other. We had to get the balance back. So, with Jena s encouragement, he said goodbye to the dot-com world, and hello to golf and being Mr. Mom. Conducting a financial assessment was his first order of business. He planned for a ten-year period with no income from him. Switching roles with his wife, he became Mr. Mom, a stay-at-home dad for his daughter, Ansley, and his wife became the family breadwinner. While it took some ego adjustment time, my time with Ansley and our quality of life has been fantastic. Now he spends his days devoted to family and to his passion for the game of golf. Now in the seventh year of his ten-year plan, Edward has made the most of this opportunity. He is President of the Board of Atlanta Jr. Golf, which serves 1,200 junior golfers; Foundation President of the Wayne Reynolds Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to Jr. Golfers of Georgia; President of the Dogwood Foundation, which hosts The Dogwood Invitational; Board member for the Druid Hills Golf Club; member of the Royal Dornoch Golf Club in Scotland (where he makes a yearly pilgrimage); and an active member of the Donald Ross Society, which 12 Highlights

13 Following Your Passion is dedicated to preserving the classic golf courses designed by Donald Ross. Over the years golf has also become the tie that binds him to his CCES classmates. For 16 years, Edward and many of his CCES friends gather for the Henry Hudgins Memorial Invitational (named after Henry CCES Upper School custodian and friend to all in the 70s). Often participating in this reunion are Byron Berry 83, Pete McKenna 83, Ben Norwood 83, Scott Odom 83, Bob Shaw 83, Charles Smith 83, Keith Strausbaugh 83, Clarkson Williams 83, Allen Ivester 84, CCES parent and coach Park Owings and CCES parent Scott Millwood. Edward agrees that his friendships with CCES classmates are invaluable. Richness is measured by the friends we have. And by doing whatever we have a passion for. Rebecca Ellen Clay 77 also throws herself into her endeavors with passion. In addition to her Greenville interior decorating business, Rebecca s Interiors, she has established the Bracketbook Foundation to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation. The foundation recycles and redecorates bras, giving them new life as what one reviewer called adorable clutch-sized purses that are now featured in 70 boutiques, five of them in Greenville. With a Just Do It! mindset, Rebecca was also a champion water skier and black diamond snow skier. Golf is the tie that binds these CCES alumni, who annually hold a Henry Hudgins Memorial Invitational. Front row, left to right: Michael Elliott, Allen Ivester 84, Clarkson Williams 83, Pete McKenna 83, Edward Toledano 83, Keith Schemm; back row, left to right: Charles Smith 83, Keith Strausbaugh 83, Scott Odom 83, Ben Norwood 83, and Scott Millwood. Spring

14 Following Your Passion Goodbye to $50 Lunches and All That by Wayne Hopkins 91 My career change began in 2005 after a period of spiritual development and professional curiosity. Having lived in Los Angeles for some 11 years at the time, I had experienced economic downturns intermittently as a result of working as a freelance television producer. Yes, the money was great, but there had been many times when I was between projects, and I d had to learn to live efficiently and be quick on my feet. I had to make the tough decisions on what to keep and what to set aside in order to afford a more serviceoriented life. While I was not ready to completely ditch the entertainment industry, I realized that my better purpose at the time would be to study God s word and become more involved in helping people to improve their lives. Of course, this sounds great until all this study has to be paid for! Thankfully, I had developed relationships with many people in the greater Los Angeles area who understood the variables of The Biz (aka Show Business ). They offered me opportunities to work while returning to school to pursue my divinity degree as a part-time student. The difficulty of this lifestyle change was very much noticeable in terms of finances. Los Angeles is an expensive place to live, even if one chooses not to flaunt real or artificial wealth. I had to make the tough decisions on what to keep and what to set aside in order to afford a more serviceoriented life. The tally: I kept my modest apartment in a great neighborhood rather than purchasing an overpriced tiny house in a bad area. I also kept my luxury car, since most of my time is spent sitting in traffic. Alas, I had to bid farewell to my daily 50 dollar lunches and monthly weekend vacations to Las Vegas. To quote former CCES teacher Monty Ball, Oh, darn! Personal Economic Downturns Ultimately, as personal economic downturns like mine have become an issue for more and more Americans, I realized that my experience in freelance employment, change of career, and adjustment of lifestyle were all great builders of character and marketability. My current employers were excited about the fact that I had learned to survive in various professional environments. Many of my sermons have been helpful to people who are hitting hard times for the first time. Even my family has come to understand the great value I have gained simply by being flexible enough to make the best out of my work rather than be tied to a title. In my early years as a producer, I mused that one of my long days on set was still better than sitting in a cubicle. Now as a cube-dweller, I miss some of the glitz of the cameras, but I also have been able to travel freely and stay out of debt because of my steady diet of daily work. My days are usually quite long. I leave home at 6:30 a.m. for an hour-long commute. After working until about 6 p.m., most days I head to my church where I serve as youth minister and staff organist. I conduct either a Bible study or choir rehearsal. My weekends consist 14 Highlights

15 Following Your Passion Notice how the sun breaks right over Wayne Hopkins shoulder when he s working with his kids. of Saturday morning meetings, Saturday afternoons off, and two morning services each Sunday. Real weekends are rare, but I try to take time off on Mondays and Tuesdays if I do not have a class on those nights. Whenever I have free time, I make myself available to the young people of my church. With about 20 high school and college kids under my watch, I m always receiving a text message or Facebook notice about someone s sports or school activity. Most important, I try to be a liaison between the kids and their parents when necessary. I am on track for ordination at my church, and although I could apply for a full-time pastoral job now, I will not begin that process until later in Wayne s Advice My advice to those contemplating a radical change to follow their passions is simple. First, save cash it s always helpful. Second, don t be embarrassed to let people know when you need help. Many opportunities go to waste because no one claims them. And, most important, Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. Go, Cavs! Wayne Hopkins 91 is currently studying for a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Spring

16 Following Your Passion Carrie Ryan 96: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Alice Baird Four months after she began practicing law, Carrie Ryan 96 decided it was not what she wanted to be doing in 30 years. I loved the law, said the Duke Law School graduate, but I thought, if I woke up one day and all my dreams had come true, I would be a full-time writer. Today Carrie is living her dream. Published this March, her debut novel, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, is causing a sensation in the young adult fiction market. It received two highly coveted starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, and one of Carrie s favorite writers, the award-winning Scott Westerfeld, called it a post-apocalypse romance of the first order, elegantly written from title to last line. Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood s A Handmaid s Tale, Carrie s novel refuses to be neatly categorized. The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a romance novel, a thriller, a horror story but it s also literary, says the author. It is being published in Australia (where Carrie has already had a radio interview) and will be issued in the U.K. in July. A German translation is in the works, and other translations are under negotiation. The first sequel, The Dead-Tossed Waves, is slated for release next spring, and Carrie is under contract for a third book in the series, yet to be written. All this and it s just her first novel. If I only had eight minutes while I was boiling water, I would set a timer and write for eight minutes. It All Started Here. Carrie s first attempt at writing fiction was the short story she wrote for her senior project, Crab Shell Angel, about a woman who goes home to take care of her mother after she has fallen off the roof. Barbara Carter, her project mentor and teacher for two years at CCES, remembers her former student fondly: I always loved her enthusiasm, whether on the soccer field, debating an issue in class, trying to convince Student Council to do something she wanted them to do, or writing an essay in class where she did not want to leave out one single point! Her enthusiasm and joy of living are infectious, and simply being around her and having a conversation with her leaves you feeling invigorated. It absolutely does not surprise me at all that Carrie is having such success in her life. And I am delighted for her. Carrie remained interested in writing during her undergraduate years at Williams College, and during the year she spent working as the assistant technology coordinator at the Foxcroft School in Virginia after graduating, she wrote two romance novels. Recognizing that writing for a living would be a risky proposition, she earned a law degree from Duke and began practicing law. But when she realized that she did not want to devote her 16 Highlights

17 Following Your Passion entire career to lawyering, she decided, like Edward Toledano 83 (see p. 12 ), that she needed a ten-year plan. I made a commitment to myself that I would write and try to sell at least one book a year, she said, and that at the end of ten years, I would evaluate whether writing was going to be a viable career for me. A litigator at the time, she was working many days from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., but she stuck as best she could to her goal of writing 2,000 words a night after work. Of course, there were times when that was not possible. If I only had eight minutes while I was boiling water, I would set a timer and write for eight minutes, she said. Her remarkable discipline has paid off. She started writing The Forest of Hands and Teeth in November 2006 and finished it in April Six months later in October less than two years into her tenyear plan she not only had an agent, she also had her first book contract. Why Zombies? Why, of all things, did she choose to write her first novel about zombies? All my life, she said emphatically, I hated scary movies. But when, early in their relationship, her fiancé talked her into going with him to see the remake of the cult classic movie Dawn of the Dead, she found herself simultaneously terrified by the film s flesh-eating zombies and fascinated with the questions of survival facing the characters. Then my fiancé, as a joke, gave me a copy of The Zombie Survival Guide. This started the pair on a zombie apocalypse phase of movie-viewing and reading. Why zombies? I love fiction that creates a whole new world, she said. Young adult fiction today is pushing the boundaries. Carrie recalled reading a young adult classic about an alternate universe in fifth grade. A few weeks after we had finished A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L Engle, the continued Carrie answers a CCES student s question during the Alumni Career Program. Spring

18 Following Your Passion Excerpt from The Forest of Hands and Teeth, by Carrie Ryan 96 My mother used to tell me about the ocean. She said there was a place where there was nothing but water as far as you could see and that it was always moving, rushing toward you and then away. She once showed me a picture that she said was my great-great-great-grandmother standing in the ocean as a child. It has been years since, and the picture was lost to fire long ago, but I remember it, faded and worn. A little girl surrounded by nothingness. In my mother s stories, passed down from her many-greats-grandmother, the ocean sounded like the wind through the trees and men used to ride the water. Once, when I was older and our village was suffering through a drought, I asked my mother why, if so much water existed, were there years when our own streams ran almost dry? She told me that the ocean was not for drinking--that the water was filled with salt. That is when I stopped believing her about the ocean. How could there be so much salt in the universe and how could God allow so much water to become useless? But there are times when I stand at the edge of the Forest of Hands and Teeth and look out at the wilderness that stretches on forever and wonder what it would be like if it were all water. I close my eyes and listen to the wind in the trees and imagine a world of nothing but water closing over my head. It would be a world without the Unconsecrated, a world without the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Excerpted from The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. Copyright 2009 by Carrie Ryan. author came to address the school! I don t know of any other school where this would have happened. It Made Me Want to Read. Zombies nothwithstanding, Carrie is proving herself a serious writer. When asked about her goals as a writer, she says simply, More than anything else I want my books to inspire someone to want to read. Young adult fiction is what made me fall in love with reading in the first place, and I want to share that with others. It is a goal that is already in reach. At a school she visited in New York City on a pre-publication book tour, students had already received and read advance copies of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. One student raised her hand and said, I don t like to read and I ve never been a reader. But your book made me want to read. It was the kind of moment writers live for. I wake up, and I just can t believe it. I am living my dream, said Carrie. You can read more about Carrie Ryan 96 at Her blog, which she describes as her favorite procrastinatory outlet, is alive with the enthusiasm that Mrs. Carter remembers from Carrie s years at CCES. The novelist can also be seen talking about her years at CCES on our website at Just click on the CCES Testimonial Videos button. 18 Highlights

19 Following Your Passion Apperson, continued from page 9 a top commodity company; who did not attend a top US business school but did attend one of Europe s best, the University of Edinburgh; who was not flown to New York to interview with a top investment bank on Wall Street, but ended up being flown to Australia for a two-week adventure interview ; who did not work for a top international corporation, but did start his own business oversees and merged that business into one of the world s oldest and most respected banking institutions, Rothschild; who did not stay in the corporate world, but re-started his own business, returning to the United States to diversify the business while Australian agriculture was suffering because of drought; who had to make the tough decision to cut back those businesses due to external factors (such as drought, changing farming practices, and tough economic conditions) and begin looking at other avenues of opportunity. Duty: Character, Friendship, and Faith Recently, I attended the 125 th anniversary of my fraternity at the University of the South. The keynote speaker stressed to the young men present the importance of Character, Friendship, and Faith. But what do the words character, friendship, and faith mean? For that, I will refer to the words of my favorite leader and educator, Robert E. Lee. Lee s infamous biographer, Douglas Southall Freeman, said, Lee the soldier was great, but Lee the man and Christian was greater by far. Here is what Lee had to say about character: in your youth you must be careful to discipline your thoughts, words, and actions. Do your duty in all things.you cannot do more, you should never do less. On friendship: the great duty of life is. the promotion of the happiness and welfare of our fellow men and women. And: You must make friends while you are young, that you may enjoy them when old. And on faith: God helps those who help themselves in his own good time. The common theme here is Duty. Cicero, the Roman philosopher, statesman, and lawyer, suggests that duty can come from four different sources: from being human, from one s particular place in life (your family, your country, your job), from one s character, and from one s own moral expectations for oneself. If you take nothing away from this talk today, I want you to at least remember these words, taking them with you beyond the doors of CCES and wherever your career and life will take you: Follow your passions: Don t be afraid to be different and don t measure success by monetary means alone. Maintain character: Always maintain your integrity; if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Honor friendship: Follow up and follow through; people may forget but they remember. Keep the faith: just as you have been taught and exposed via your Christian preparatory education here at CCES. Good on you, mate! Spring

20 Following Your Passion Conor Sullivan '99: What to Do With a Law Degree When Law Firms Aren't Hiring by Craig Ragsdale '99 A positive attitude is a state of mind well worth developing and strengthening. Having a resilient sense of optimism is one of the qualities that has always made Conor Sullivan '99 stand out in the crowd. Now that he's started his own business in a slow economy, keeping a positive attitude is even more important. The very recession that had prompted Conor to "go solo" had now begun to provide him with an income. Law school was a natural progression, after graduating from Southern Methodist University with a psychology degree. Conor envisioned working in employment or civil law for a firm in Nashville, where he was moving to be with his fiancé. Shortly before graduating from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School, he received a job offer with a firm in Nashville. Now he could focus on two things: passing the bar exam, and getting married less than a week later. Having the critical exam and major life event just three days apart tested his nerves, but the growing economic crisis was about to test him further. As the economic crisis accelerated, law firms nationwide began downsizing. Only two months after receiving an offer, Conor found himself in the office of the firm's main partner, who "sat me down and told me that the firm's caseload had decreased dramatically in the past three months and that the firm likely would not be able to afford me by the time I started. So, the firm had to withdraw its offer." Undaunted, he re-focused on passing the bar and anxiously awaited his results. In late October, just as the economy seemed to implode, he received notification that he had passed the bar and would be eligible to practice law. However, his excitement turned into anxiety as the U.S. jobless rate hit a 14-year high, and he was still looking for a job. Now that he was finally available for hire, the conditions for employment seemed incredibly bleak. "Firms were not hiring, or willing to pay new hires," Sullivan said, "and tenured attorneys were selected first for the jobs that were out there." When an opportunity had not materialized by January, Sullivan came to the conclusion that his destiny was in his own hands. In January of this year, Conor tested his courage and decided to launch the Conor F. Sullivan Law Firm. "I started reading about starting firms and what I had to do to get going. I wanted to start out with little overhead, so I work in my home office. I filed my company with the state, bought some insurance, got business cards printed, and started going to court to pick up appointments for indigent clients." He hit the ground running by networking and making as many connections in the legal community as possible. Court-appointed cases got him started, but referrals soon started to add to his case load. Ironically, the downturn has actually helped fuel his new business in the form of bankruptcy, mortgage modification, and collections cases. The very recession that had prompted him to "go solo" had now begun to provide him with an income. Understandably, the last few months have 20 Highlights

21 Following Your Passion brought immense responsibilities, and Conor has climbed a steep learning curve. He has made a point of finding the positive side to legal situations, rather than dwelling on the negative. Working out payment plans in collections cases has allowed him to help over-leveraged clients get through tough times. And modifying loans to help clients salvage their credit scores and avoid bankruptcy has been rewarding too. Such cases have allowed families to keep their homes ultimately a benefit not only for them, but also for the economy. His hard work is definitely paying off. Recently he was retained by the state of Tennessee for what will be a year-long case. "It will involve representing the State during appeals filed by recipients that have lost their health coverage," noted Conor. "It will give me a lot of experience in health care law, which has been of increasing importance as premiums continue to rise." "Half the battle is having a positive attitude and putting one foot in front of the other," he says. "It has been tough, but the support of family and friends and my drive to succeed in my law career have kept me going." He also attributes his preparation to his time at CCES. "I wouldn't have been prepared for where life has taken me without the foundation I received at CCES. Looking back, I appreciate that now more than ever." While the world around us may be changing rapidly, Conor's entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to persevere are signs that things will eventually change for the better. Craig Ragsdale'99 now works with his family's business, Martin Printing Company. His devotion to CCES has taken many forms, including printing and mailing Highlights and as an alumni representative for the Class of '99. Conor Sullivan '99 and his wife Ally. Spring

22 Following Your Passion Boats & the Sea: The Passion Remains by Captain Jonathan B. Kovach 05 From Primer to graduation from CCES, my passion has always been boats and the sea. A traditional university education was not for me. My college experience at Maine Maritime Academy has given me education, training, and experiences to pursue my passion. With 75 percent of the world covered by water, the school sailing team has taken me from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I was elected team Captain during my junior year. It has been challenging, but with numerous off-shore sailboat racing victories on both oceans, our team has been referred to as the Powerhouse of College Sailing. My summer co-op jobs have been interesting and have provided more training with increased responsibility and leadership roles. I have been placed on large, hi-tech tugboats assisting mammoth container ships and tankers in the port of Charleston, South Carolina. The cruise ship American Star enabled me to visit many ports and meet hundreds of interesting people from many different places. Having become a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain, I have learned that other occupations, such as business, accounting, human resources, sales, marketing, engineering, and others are all important to commanding a ship. About 90 percent of the world s goods and energy products move by ship. Due to the reduced demand for imported products, some container ships are being laid up into mothball fleets, with a skeleton crew. There has been a reduction of the oil drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico as some have moved outside the U.S. for better business contracts. Cruise ships are experiencing a reduction in the number of passengers and a corresponding reduction in the number of crew onboard. Cruise lines, container ships, tankers, and ocean exploration are all being affected by the current world economy. continued on page 33 Jonathan at the helm of Cedar Island, a 120-foot Broward mega-yacht. 22 Highlights