Welcome Back Class of 2009! –Summit’s Newest Alums Return for First Reunion

Members of the Class of 2009 gathered just before the beginning of the school year for a yearbook party held in the spectacular new 9^th Grade Lounge in the Upper School. After many exclamations over the transformation of the former art room into the new lounge space, the alums caught up on who did what this past summer and where they were headed to school this fall (See list below). They then headed out to the covered walkway to see their newly installed named bricks.

Afterward, they toured the Arts and Technology building where they stopped to chat with former teachers. They were amazed at the new facility which houses Digital Media and Digital Music studios, a Media Production Studio­– the new home of Summit’s TV-6, the Robotics Studio, two spacious light-filled art studios, band and music practice rooms, the Black Box Theater, and the Design Studio. Many of the graduates were heard wishing they could return to Summit to take advantage of the amazing state-of-the-art facilities included in the new building.

Part of the summer 2009 construction projects included the renovation of the former Upper School art room into a space designed exclusively for 9^th graders. Bright orange lockers with photos of each student ring the perimeter of the room.  There is a sleek sofa and matching chairs for lounging, and a table and chairs– with more pieces on order. Special thanks go to parent Laurie Whitaker for donating the furniture and for her design expertise. Her son, George, a Summit 9^th grader, served on the Interior Decor Committee along with fellow students Benjamin Carson, Olivia Hinson, and Emily Troxell.

George says he enjoyed the process of helping to take the dimensions, working on a floor plan, and scouring catalogs for just the right contemporary pieces to make the room come together. “I think it was a really good idea to turn the dirty, beat-up old room into the new space,” says George. “It was fun to watch it formulate. It is really cool.” George also gave credit to his aunt who had the ingenious idea of making throw pillows out of t-shirts with school logos.

Ninth graders use the room in a variety of ways throughout each day. Advisor Groups meet first thing in the morning to discuss the day’s schedule and students are allowed to eat morning snack in the lounge. A group often gathers there during free time following lunch in the Dining Hall.

If you haven’t seen the new space, make sure and stop by. Stay tuned for upcoming news on 9^th grade activities.

What is Next for the Class of 2009?

Dana Barnhill…………………………West Forsyth High School

Lasley Cash…………………………….Forsyth Country Day School

Caroline Ciener……………………….R.J. Reynolds High School

Austin Conger………………………….Episcopal High School

Imran Cronk……………………………Forsyth Country Day School

Mimi Daniel…………………………….Mt. Tabor High School

Carolyn Ebeling……………………….Forsyth Country Day School

Mariah Edwards………………………Reagan High School

Gray Eller……………………………..…R.J. Reynolds High School

Sam Falken………………………..……Episcopal High School

Zada Gabriel…………………………….Salem Academy

Jordan Hicks……………………………Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts (Opelousas, LA)

Catherine Hinshaw……………………R.J. Reynolds High School

Trent Holmes…………………………….St. Paul’s School

Savannah Jones…………………………R.J. Reynolds High School

Briana Lawrence………………………..Mt. Tabor High School

Maya Lipscomb………………………..…Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy

Miranda Lipscomb………………………Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy

Hannah Lonsinger………………………Salem Academy

John Mann…………………………………Forsyth Country Day School

Bethany Mann…………………………….Reagan High School

Jack McCall…………………………………Forsyth Country Day School

Hayley Moyer………………………………Reagan High School

Mary Thompson Phillips……………….R.J. Reynolds High School

Leslie Rainey……………………………….R.J. Reynolds High School

Evan Sohmer…………………………..….Mt. Tabor High School

Lauren Spencer…………………………..Salem Academy

Annie Wittenberg………………………..Salem Academy

Summit Alum Becca Stevens ‘99 Performs at Montreal Jazz Festival

Singer-songwriter Becca Stevens ’99 recently released an album of her own work entitled “Tea Bye Sea.” Noted jazz vocalist Kate McGarry calls Becca, “…One of the most exciting singers that I’ve heard in a longtime.”

Becca recently performed at the Montreal jazz Festival before a crowd of 25,000 people where she sang the songs of Icelandic pop sensation Bjork.  Becca is the lead vocalist of the Bjorkestra, an 18-piece ensemble that performs the artist’s work.

She is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts in classical guitar and of the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Becca lives in New York and teaches Suzuki guitar in addition to writing and performing.

This summer Becca has toured the southeast—performing songs from her CD which is available on cdbaby.com and itunes.  -Barbara Long

Read the full New York Times article.

Kimani Griffin Plays Carnegie Hall

As part of the NPR program From the Top, former Summit student Kimani Griffin showed off one of his many talents playing classical guitar at Carnegie Hall. Kimani was one of eight teens selected to play at the prestigious concert taped in March. The program is set to air on PBS this summer.

Kimani left Summit to attend the North Carolina School of the Arts. He has studied for the past several years with Patrick Lui in Winston-Salem. Kimani will attend the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Georgia next fall.

Though classical guitar is his current top priority, Kimani is also a talented speed skater. He has competed on the national level as part of the Junior USA Speed Skating Team in 2007. He is a member of the Piedmont Speed Club.

Read more about Kimani on these sites:

Guitarist Shows his Stuff, Winston-Salem Journal

Teenagers Ring Out the Classics in Rochester, NPR

From the Top at Carnegie Hall, PBS

Kimani Wows New York Audience, RollerSports