Andrew Thompson
Andrew Thompson
Northside Christian Academy
Andrew Thompson is a promising young leader at Northside Christian Academy. As a member of the All-State Chorus, a two-time SCISA award winner in public speaking, and an elected officer for Palmetto Boys’ State, Andrew has already made a mark in the community. Making a difference among his peers, he works as a worship leader at his church, serves as a positive student athlete on the football team, and contributes to the Student Active Leadership Team at his church. He has been awarded the Bison Grant by Harding University where he plans to major in youth ministry and finance. According to Andrew, his growth in his Christian faith has been significant because of Northside Christian Academy. “It is a great environment for student learning and relationships,” states Andrew who has been attending the school since 2014. Andrew says he feels proud to be a graduate of Northside because he believes he has “made an impact on the future of the school and has made lifelong friends.”
NCA is consistent in upholding a Christ-centered and biblically based worldview. Being committed to the highest academic standards possible is not enough. NCA Crusaders understand biblical responsibility for being accountable to God. Andrew embodies what it means to be a Crusader. Consistently, Andrew is described by staff and peers as a young man who has made a tremendous impact through his servant leadership skills and his tendency to encourage other students to use their God-given musical talents and abilities to bring glory and honor to the Lord.
For a fall service project, Andrew joined fellow 12th grade students in showing appreciation to local military personnel from Fort Jackson. The students provided gasoline for the soldiers’ vehicles and covered them in prayer. This allowed him to put his faith into action and taught him a profound lesson in serving. “I had the personal opportunity to show thanks to those who make sacrifices for our freedoms,” says Andrew. He continues, “I’ve had a fantastic experience at Northside. NCA has taught me valuable lessons that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Declan Carroll
Cardinal Newman School
“Declan Carroll is an incredible young man and epitomizes what we want all of our students to strive to be,” says Cardinal Newman School Principal Jacqualine Kasprowski. “He is extremely bright, athletically gifted, grounded in faith, and involved in school and community activities.” Declan is a National Merit Semifinalist, a High School Academic All American, an award-winning wrestler, and a member of the football, soccer, quiz bowl, and chess teams. In addition, he is a school ambassador, civility trainer, and serves in numerous leadership roles for the school. He also has been an altar server and an ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. “I’m so proud to be a Cardinal because of the person that Cardinal Newman has helped me become’” says Declan. ”Fantastic teachers and coaches have guided and challenged me to be my best and imparted wisdom - wisdom that extends far beyond any test or a game - that I will carry forever. I have been encouraged to grow academically, athletically, and spiritually.”
Lottie Folline
Hammond School
You might describe Lottie Folline as homegrown Hammond. A Skyhawk since kindergarten, she has embraced all the school has to offer, and in the process she has discovered that there’s no place like home.
A scholar-athlete, Lottie is a cheerleader who also plays soccer and tennis, and she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Headmaster’s Leadership Council, and chairs the Upper School Honor Council. She serves as Student Body Secretary, and she is involved in community service efforts through the school’s Bake a Difference program and by chairing this year’s Dance Marathon.
What Lottie has loved most about Hammond School is the community, the sense of family. “I’ve grown up at Hammond and it’s like a second home to me. I’ve had so many opportunities to participate in everything from arts to athletics to community service.” Managing rigorous academics with a broad palette of extracurricular activities can be challenging for most, but according to Lottie, she follows her heart. “I’m enrolled in five AP classes this semester. I know I’ll be prepared for whatever college brings. I love being involved, and for now, there’s nowhere I would rather be.”
As Lottie looks to the future, she will leave Hammond having made her mark. Her kind spirit and keen intellect will serve her well.
Julia Lauterbach
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
Julia Lauterbach is “a quiet, but strong leader, a well-rounded scholar, and a person of exceptional integrity,” says Heathwood Hall Episcopal School Upper School Assistant Head Lisa Norman. While she’s done outstanding work through Heathwood’s Honors Science Research program, Julia has also exceled in the arts and played varsity tennis. “Giving people the opportunity to pursue multiple passions is something Heathwood does really well,” says Julia.
Julia’s passion for the outdoors has been nurtured through Heathwood’s PEAK outdoor education program and Winterim experiential learning program, through which she’ll be traveling to Peru this spring. Along the way, she’s honed the leadership skills her teachers describe as hallmarks of her character. “I can remember, as a fourth grader, meeting PEAK Student Leaders and wanting to be that kind of person who could lead someone across the PEAK Odyssey Ropes Course,” she says. “Then when I became as PSL in Upper School, it was even more rewarding than I had imagined helping kids accomplish something they’re so proud of.”
While Julia doesn’t yet know where she’ll attend college, she’s planning to major in environmental science and possibly go on to veterinary school. In that respect, the independent scientific research she’s done throughout her time in the Upper School will serve her in good stead. “I’ve learned my way around a lab much more than most high school students can,” she notes. “And it’s been great to run my own experiments and see the outcomes first-hand.”
Graham Hope
Sandhills School
Graham Hope is looking forward to attending High Point University in North Carolina in the fall, thanks to the confidence he has developed at Sandhills School. While struggling with reading early in his academic career, Graham received research-based Orton-Gillingham instruction from nationally recognized experts on a daily basis. In small, supportive classes, Graham was immersed in a language-rich environment where his teachers all used the same terminology, reinforcing his newfound skills and helping him apply them to reading in all subjects. Once he was given the tools he needed, his innate curiosity and strong intellect soared.
Graham took up wakeboarding and guitar, and he became involved in camping and Boy Scouts, achieving the highest recognition of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, Graham chose to give back to Sandhills. He created a GaGa Ball Pit, a gathering place where students of all athletic abilities from first through 12th grades could spend time together interacting outdoors.
Graham earned the Presidential Scholarship from High Point for his academic excellence, and he attributes much of his success to the Sandhills community for encouraging and investing in him. As an alumnus, Graham plans to remain a champion for Sandhills and its mission of providing an exceptional educational environment for students who learn differently.
Andrew Nguyen
Timmerman School
Andrew Nguyen, an eighth-grader, has been a student at Timmerman School since the second grade. Dean of Students Robert Braciszewski says of Andrew, “As I have taught many a fine math student at Timmerman, Andrew is truly a standout. He attacks math with a vigor seldom seen by any teacher’s measure.”
Andrew is a member of the National Junior Beta Club, National Junior Honor Society, as well as the Quiz Bowl and Math Team. As a member of the Timmerman Middle School Math Team this year, Andrew helped to lead the team to a state championship. Andrew was awarded the individual high point championship for having the highest score of all the students he competed against in the state. He enjoys sharing his love of academics by spending several afternoons each week tutoring students in the afterschool program. “I enjoy peer tutoring. The other students seem to love learning and are very outgoing,” remarks Andrew.
As for the future, Andrew says he is looking forward to high school. He acknowledges the friendships made at Timmerman School over the years as being the most cherished part of his campus life. “Although I will miss my friends tremendously, I look forward to learning more on my path to becoming an engineer.”
