Summit School Dedicates Sculpture Garden to Former Head Sandra Adams

Soothing waters flow over symbolic bronze panels. Fanciful creatures live in harmony on ceramic tiles representing earth, water and sky. Intricate mosaic benches with ribbons of color invite rest and reflection.

Current and former staff, parents, students and friends gathered on May 27 for the dedication of Sandra’s Space, a sculpture garden created to honor Dr. Sandra Adams, who worked at Summit for 41 years and served as Head of the School from 1990 until her retirement last year.

The magnificent space was the result of a year of planning and the extraordinary collaboration and vision of three artists with Summit connections. Alumnus and sculptor Duncan Lewis ‘69, created a cast bas-relief bronze water wall containing an eclectic collection of symbols, which students will be encouraged to research and identify. In honor of Sandra’s many years as a Latin teacher, an inscription reads- “Scientia Pluit- Fluit Sapientia,” in translation, “Knowledge Rains- Wisdom Flows.”

Flanking either side are ceramic tile panels designed by Summit pottery specialist Barbara Eure. Prehistoric creatures share the earth, sea and sky with more familiar animals often spotted on the School campus. Monica Weber, Summit parent and mosaic artist, created two benches with flowing lines and strokes of color. She incorporated 36,000 small tiles using the double-direct method in which individual tiles were applied to fiberglass mesh and then adhered to the surface in sections. Monica’s first mosaic project was the Stinnett River in the playground for young children.

“One of Sandra’s greatest strengths was her ability to bring groups together for collaborative work,” said Tom Moore, immediate Past President of Summit’s Board of Trustees. “This beautiful sculpture garden is an example of collaboration at its best and it will bring people together for conversations, partnership, teamwork, and cooperation in the future. Sandra’s Space also brings the visual arts to the front of the school, highlighting Summit’s constant dedication to the arts.”

Surrounded by her family and friends, Sandra said, “I must be the luckiest person in the world to be in a place that represents what I love best at the School that nurtured me. To think, my grandchildren can come to visit this place that their grandmother loved so dearly.”

In 2008, Governor Mike Easley awarded Sandra The Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of her extraordinary service to the state, the community and to Summit School.

Sandra’s Space is nestled in the space between the TLC and the Main Building near the driveway. If you haven’t seen it, take a moment to stop by. Sit and reflect upon the past and dream of the future.

Read more about the artists’ work and the design process in the summer issue of Summit News. Click here to view photos of the construction and the dedication.

Summit Sunday is Great Success

Everyone agreed that Summit Sunday was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon. Fifteen families gathered in the Athletic Center on May 18 where P.E. staff offered two hours of activities and fun. Children and parents warmed up with hula-hoops, basketball, and jump ropes.

Colorful Nerf balls flew in an energetic game of polo hockey in the Eagles Nest Gym. Children jumped and flipped in the gymnastics studio and ran on the track with their parents.

Summit was the second stop in the Stopyra family’s active afternoon. They came after hiking with friends. “What a wonderful way to keep all of my children entertained at once,” said Caroline Stopyra, who watched her husband Tom and sons Sam, Max and Joel play hockey. Vance and Shaida Horner supervised as daughters Yasmin and Sarina covered every inch of the gymnastics studio. “I hadn’t seen all of the facilities and am very impressed,” said Vance. Rising Senior Kindergartner Sarina declared that “jumping off the big thingie” was her favorite part.

Athletic Director Ryan Mihalko enjoyed watching the students share their love for playing in Summit’s beautiful, new facility. “It was truly a great experience for everyone involved and I look forward to sharing it with more families in the future.”

Julie Williams thought it was a “great use of the fabulous facilities” and encouraged other families to take advantage of the opportunity. Her daughter Abby had the most exuberant testimonial- “It ought to be against the law not to come.”

Fifth Grader Katie M. to be Head of Summit on May 21

When Katie M.’s mom asked her what she wanted from the Summit Auction, her answer was emphatic– to be Head of School for a day. Katie got her wish and was one of two Summit students who will have that exciting opportunity. Katie and first grader Garrett B. were going to have the experience next fall, but Katie wanted to be Head while her brother John, a ninth grader, and sister Betsy, a seventh grader, were still at the school.  “I wanted to do it this year so they could enjoy it too,” says Katie. “A lot of it involves them.”

Katie met with Head Michael Ebeling who asked what she had in mind for the day. She had four specific requests, which represent every child’s dream– no homework that night, extra recess, ice cream at lunch for everyone, and pajama day for all.

While others are comfy in their pj’s, Katie will be wearing “business attire” as she rules the School from Dane Perry’s office in the Main Building. Her first order of the day will be greeting students in morning carpool. Siblings John and Betsy are invited to join her for a hardhat tour of the new buildings and Katie will read a story in Ms. Spry’s SrK class where her Little Friend Hannah B. is a student. Katie will be introduced as Head at the 9:30 band concert and to any prospective families touring that day, and will share thoughts on her favorite Summit activities with some of her former teachers.

As for her time away from school, for Katie it is about sports, sports and more sports. She plays soccer during the fall and spring with a Twin City team, plays basketball at the YMCA during the winter, swims on a club team in summer, is currently finishing her scuba certification and takes tap dancing once a week. Imagine what she will bring to the Head’s position on Thursday with all that energy!

Whether tackling a school project or facing a sports season, Katie is confident in who she is and what she can achieve. “If I don’t start out as strong as I would like,” she says, “I know I will get better.”

Katie M.- Bio

Age- 11, in Ms. Foreman’s 5th Grade Class

Summit History- At School since JrK. Siblings are John ’09 and Betsy ’11. Mom Susan, an active School volunteer, is a member of the Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Learning that Lasts Forever Campaign and a former Auction Chair. Katie’s cousins David Martin ‘90, Peter Martin ‘92, Katherine Mann ’10, Mary Taylor Mann ‘08, Taylor Williams ’02, Eliza Williams ’07 and Laurin Williams ‘07 are alums.

Family- mom Susan, dad John, siblings John and Betsy. Katie enjoys family time at the beach and trips to FL.

Hobbies- Playing sports. Member of Twin City Reds soccer team, she travels around the state to play games on weekends. Basketball at the YMCA. Summer swim team at Forsyth Country Club. Currently working on scuba certification along with her dad and brother. Participated in Girls on the Run (she loves running). Tap dancing.

Pets- Her family has 5 cats, one for each member. Katie’s cat is Cookie.

Favorite Color- Blue, especially Carolina blue. Guess where her parents went to college.

Auction Value of Being Head for a Day- “Educational”
Being Head for a Day- “Priceless”

5th Grade Exchange and Enrichment Trips

Success is defined in many ways, just ask our Enrichment Travelers. Fifth graders have returned home happier and more confident in themselves for meeting the challenges this program offers. Students experienced new people and places that have stretched their minds and enlarged their circles, at the same time developing a deeper appreciation for home, family, friends and community.

Summit students reached new heights from the Top of the World Tower in Baltimore to the breath-taking Multnomah Falls in Portland. They’ve seen Presidents carved in stone in Rapid City, taken the Amtrak’s Piedmont Express to Spencer, slept in hammocks under the sea and eaten hard tack while they walked the plank. They traveled from sea to shining sea by air or bus, lost and found phones, texted when they  should and shouldn’t have, cried together but laughed more – all the while  learning to accept differences and grow from them. They’ve grown as individuals and represented Summit and the Enrichment Program well. We are proud of them. -Martha Thompson

(click here to view a gallery of photos from the trips)