Top ScholarS

2020

Th u r S day, J u n e 4, 2020S e v e n o’c l o c k i n T h e e v e n i n g

eva n g e l i c a l ch r i S T i a n S c h o o l

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not

faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 ECS School Verse

ECS MiSSion StatEMEnt

The mission of Evangelical Christian School

is to provide the Christian family a

Christ-centered, biblically directed

education that challenges students

to know the Lord Jesus Christ

and to develop the vision and practice

of excellence in academics, character,

leadership, and service to others.

aCadEMiC MiSSion StatEMEnt

The Academic Mission

of Evangelical Christian School

is to create a vigorous academic culture

that kindles a passion for learning,

develops intellectual gifts and cultivates

a Christian worldview, so students

are prepared for collegiate success

and equipped to lead lives of integrity

and influence for Christ.

Evangelical Christian School’s Top Scholars program results from the convergence of two streams. This confluence involves our efforts to define the Academic

Mission more clearly and to implement it more faithfully in concert with our Institutional Mission to provide a “Christ-centered, biblically directed education. . . which develops the vision and practice of excellence in academics, character, leadership, and service to others.”

The Top Scholars program recognizes outstanding academic workmanship. We are honoring the top ten percent of the graduating class of 2020. This special evening is designed to honor Christ while celebrating these students’ academic achievements.

In a chapter from Piety and Philosophy entitled “Can Christian Education Be Too Academic?” Richard Riesen declares passion for academic rigor.

Can a sprinter run too fast or a preacher exhort too persuasively? The purpose of education is precisely to be academic. The curriculum is the expression of that purpose. What else can the study of history be but academic? Or literature? Or the rest of the subjects?

Our Top Scholars should reflect a phrase first expressed by the valedictorian of the class of 1981: “the pursuit of excellence for the glory of God.” The Christ of Christian education motivates and animates us to enflesh this noble dream.

The second stream recognizes the contribution of those God has used to dig wells in our school’s history. The late E. Brady Bartusch served as Board Chairman of ECS at a critical juncture in our history. The E. Brady Bartusch Scholarship/Leadership Award will be given to the student who best embodies the mission of Evangelical Christian School.

As we celebrate the exemplary academic accomplishments of our Top Scholars, may we magnify the One Who provides living water, “. . . indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14b NIV).

E. Brady BartuSCh award rECipiEntS

2004 Brad Washam

2005 Doug Williams

2006 David Finfrock

2007 Kyle Cummins

2008 Katie Short

2009 Jordan Ross

2010 Meredith Hawkins

2011 Anna Irvine

2012 Will Scott

2013 Anna Rodell

2014 Alexander Spanopoulos

2015 Joshua Tonkel

2016 Michael Agapos

2017 Atalie McGillivray

2018 Virginia Stanley

2019 Stephen Morris

StEvE ColluMS diStinguiShEd FaCulty award rECipiEntS

2010 Mark Brink

2011 John Roelofs

2012 Peggy Selph

2013 Paul Vander Zwaag

2014 Barbara Yelverton

2015 Gay Edge

2016 Stephanie Eubank

2017 Ashley Colley

2018 Jenny Shorten

2019 Jack Webb

top SCholarS prograM

Invocation and Welcome Braxton Brady

Recognition of Top Scholars Jennifer Fratesi Instructor, English

Robert Jones Instructor, Bible

Seth Holler, Ph.D. Instructor, English

Jenny Shorten Assistant Head of School and Academic Dean

Dawn Shute World Languages Department Chair

Kyle Story Upper School Dean of Students/ Instructor, Social Studies

Shanan Stevens, Ph.D. Math/Engineering Department Chair

Kim Arnwine Instructor, World Languages

Ben Todd

Assistant Football Coach/Alumni Relations

E. Brady Bartusch Award Presentation Braxton Brady

Closing Prayer Braxton Brady

[6]

ainSlEE allEn BErry

Ainslee led in our community as chaplain of the National Honor Society. She was a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa Honor Society, and was consistently named to the Principal’s List. She served as vice-president and as president of the ECS Chapter of Best Buddies and as vice-president of the Streets Ministries Urban Tutoring Program. She served as Senior Class Committee secretary and was selected by her peers to be a member of the Homecoming Spirit Court. Ainslee had the opportunity to travel to Belize to serve a local school by working with students, and she traveled to Ethiopia twice to work with the NGO serving children. She enjoys watercolor, calligraphy, and digital design and has launched her own business online and through social media.

Parents Veronica and Shad Berry

Siblings Abbie (2021), Claire, and Jack

Church Affiliation Fellowship Germantown

 Attended ECS

Seventh-Twelfth

College Plans University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

 Career Goals    Social Work

 Acceptances/Scholarships

University of Arkansas University of Memphis

University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9 ESV).

[7]

prESton JaCoB daniEl

Preston served in our community this year as Student Council president. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa Honor Society, and was consistently named to the Principal’s List. Throughout high school he was a member of Key Club, serving his junior year as vice-president. This year he served as a Middle School Discipleship leader and during his freshman and sophomore years he served on the Honor Council. He was selected by his peers to be a member of the Homecoming Spirit Court. He was a four-year letterman of the ECS Varsity Lacrosse team, serving this year as captain. He was recognized as All-Region Defender, All-State Defender, and Most Valuable Defensive Player. He was also a three-year letterman of the ECS Varsity Football team and was recognized as an All-Region Linebacker. Preston will be part of the Florida State football team in the fall.

ParentsTerri and Charlie Daniel

Sibling Duncan

Church Affiliation Living Hope

Attended ECS Junior Kindergarten-Twelfth

College Plans Florida State University

Career Goals Business/Finance

Acceptances/Scholarships University of Arkansas

Clemson University University of Denver

Florida State University University of Tennessee-Knoxville  

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” Henry Ford

[8]

BEnJaMin riChard grEEnE Ben was honored as a National Merit Commended Student for his distinguished academic achievement. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa Honor Society, and was consistently named to the Principal’s List. As a freshman he received the Biology award, as a sophomore he received the Spanish and Honors Algebra II awards, and as a junior he received the Honors Pre-Calculus award. He served in our community as an Honor Council representative as a junior, and as a senior he served as president of the Key Club. His junior and senior years he was the manager of the ECS Varsity Girls Soccer team. He was a three-year letterman of the ECS Varsity Boys Soccer team. He was the second leading goal scorer and was second in assists in the team’s undefeated run to the state championship. He also received recognition as a part of the Tennessee Division II-A All-Region team his junior year.

Parents Tina and Rick Greene

Sibling Erin (2018)

Church Affiliation Orchard Church

Attended ECS Kindergarten-Twelfth

College Plans Clemson University

Career Goals Business/Accounting

Acceptances/Scholarships University of Alabama University of Arkansas

Auburn University Christian Brothers University

Clemson University University of Memphis

Mercer University Rhodes College

Southern Methodist University Texas Christian University

Union University

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 ESV).

[9]

Parent Denise Mohler

Sibling Andrew (2015)

Church Affiliation Providence Baptist Church

Attended ECS Kindergarten-Twelfth

College Plans University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Career Goals  Engineering

Acceptances/Scholarships Purdue University

University of Tennessee-Knoxville 

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV).

JaCoB BEnJaMin MohlEr

For his outstanding academic achievement, Jacob received recognition as a National Merit Commended student. He served in our community as president of the National Honor Society. He was a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa Honor Society, and was consistently named to the Principal’s List. He participated in Model United Nations, earning two Outstanding Delegate Awards, and in Youth in Government, serving one year as White House Floor Leader. He was also a member of the ECS Knowledge Bowl team. He was a significant part of the ECS Theatre department throughout high school and was cast in a lead role of Inspector Javert in Les Miserables this spring. He also had the opportunity to serve each year through Mission Memphis and World Changers Missions trips.

[10]

anna graCE MCCarty

Anna Grace served in our community as treasurer of the National Honor Society and was consistently named to the Principal’s List. She was president of the ECS Chapter of Wilson Society and was an active member of Best Buddies, Streets Ministries, and Key Club. She was recognized by the Memphis Business Journal as a recipient of the Girls Who Mean Business Award for exemplifying excellence in school involvement, academics, extracurricular endeavors and community service. She also enjoys working as a YMCA Certified Lifeguard. Anna Grace participated in the Mexico Student Exchange program with ECS’s sister school, Blas Pascal, and has had the opportunity to travel to New Orleans and Baltimore to serve through missions with her church.

Parents Amanda and Patrick McCarty

Sibling  Charlie (2018)

 Church Affiliation

Second Presbyterian Church

Attended ECS Junior Kindergarten-Twelfth

College Plans University of Arkansas

Career Goals Agricultural Engineering/Environmental Sciences

Acceptances/Scholarships University of Arkansas

Auburn University University of Memphis

Mississippi State University

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 ESV).

[11]

Jonathan nathaniEl MorriS

Jonathan served in our community as vice-president of the National Honor Society and was consistently named to the Principal’s List. He participated in Youth in Government, Model United Nations, and served this year as president of the Mock Trial team. As part of the Kemmons Wilson Foundation this year he edited, presented, and was awarded an Impact Grant Proposal that gave two underserved high schools in our area the opportunity to participate in Model United Nations and Youth in Government. He was a member of the ECS Varsity Lacrosse team and was an integral part of the 2017 State Championship team and the 2019 State Runner-Up team.

Parents Kim and David Morris

Sibling Stephen (2019)

Church AffiliationBellevue Baptist Church

Attended ECS Kindergarten-Twelfth

College Plans University of Colorado Boulder

Career Goals Aerospace Engineering

Acceptances/Scholarships University of Colorado Boulder

Sewanee University of the South University of Tennessee - Knoxville

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV).

[12]

graCiE lin plunk For her exceptional academic performance, Gracie achieved the honor of Valedictorian of the Class of 2020. She was a member of the National Honor Society, serving this year as secretary, Mu Alpha Theta, was vice-president of Rho Kappa Honor Society, and was consistently named to the Principal’s List. She was a three-year recipient of the Latin I-III awards, receiving Maxima Cum Laude silver medal as a freshman and Summa Cum Laude gold medal her sophomore and junior years on the National Latin Exam. She was a three-year recipient of the science subject awards in Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Honors Physics, and AP Biology. She was also a three-year recipient of the Perfect Attendance Award. She was an integral part of the ECS varsity track team, lettering all three years, and was a two-time state meet participant. She served in our community as an ECS Admissions Ambassador, a Key Club member, and as an ECS Middle School Bible study leader. She attended the Student Leadership University. She is a talented dancer, studying dance for the past sixteen years.

Parent Patricia Plunk  

Church Affiliation Bellevue Baptist Church

Attended ECS Junior Kindergarten-Twelfth

College PlansSamford University

Career Goals Accounting/Business

Acceptances/Scholarships Auburn University

Christian Brothers University University of Memphis

University of Mississippi Mississippi State University

Samford University University of Tennessee-Knoxville

“Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” (Psalm 25:4-5 ESV).

[13]

MargarEt ClairE portEr Margaret was a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa Honor Society, and was consistently named to the Principal’s List. Throughout high school she participated in Model United Nations and was a member of the Key Club, Latin Club, and Engineering Club. As a freshman she received Honorable Mention in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition and received Summa Cum Laude gold medal as a sophomore on the National Latin Exam. At her church she serves on the Youth Group Leadership Team and is a member of the youth choir. Since her sophomore year, she has worked at Chick-fil-a, is part of the Chick-fil-a Leadership Academy, and has been selected to receive the Chick-fil-a Leadership Scholarship. As a gifted ECS golfer, she was recognized as a Commercial Appeal All-Metro nominee and a Daily Memphian All-Metro nominee. She was also the Tennessee West Regional Division II-A Individual Champion and the Tennessee Individual State Division II -A Runner-Up. Margaret will be part of the Colorado Christian University golf team this fall.

Parents Emily and Ryan Porter

Siblings Will (2022), Meredith (2025)

Church Affiliation Riveroaks Reformed Presbyterian

Church 

Attended ECS Fifth - Twelfth

College Plans Colorado Christian University

Career Goals Kinesiology/Sports Medicine/Nursing

Acceptances/Scholarships Colorado Christian University

University of Memphis

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 ESV).

[14]

John SaundErS wEBStEr

John’s dedication to academic excellence has earned him the distinction of being named Salutatorian of the Class of 2020. He was a member of the National Honor Society, was president of the Rho Kappa Honor Society, and was consistently named to the Principal’s List. He was president of the Latin Club and received Maxima Cum Laude silver medal as a freshman and sophomore and Summa Cum Laude gold medal as a junior on the National Latin Exam. Throughout high school he was a member of the ECS Knowledge Bowl team, serving this year as team captain. He served in our community as a member of the ECS Chapters of Best Buddies and Wilson Society, and as an ECS Middle School Discipleship Group leader. He was also a member of the ECS Trap Shooting team. He was a three-year letterman on the ECS varsity football team playing both on the defensive and offensive line and was an integral part of the state championship team this year.

Parents Sherry and Adam Webster

Siblings William (2022), Emily Kate (2023)

 Church Affiliation

Christ United Methodist Church 

Attended ECS Seventh-Twelfth

College Plans Rhodes College

 Career Goals

History

Acceptances/Scholarships Hampden-Sydney College

University of Mississippi Randolph-Macon College

Rhodes College Sewanee University of the South

 

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23 ESV).

[15]

2019-2020 Theme

Commit

2019-2020 Theme Verse

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him,

and He will act”

(Psalm 37:5 ESV).

“in whom [Christ] are hidden

all the treasures of

wisdom and knowledge”

(Colossians 2:3 ESV).