Alumni and Senior Stories

Robert George - Class of 2023

My name is Robert George. I came to this school from another private school in 9th grade. It was a really big change from what I was used to, but I believe these last few years have been some of the most important of my life. This school and the people in it are really something special that should not be taken for granted. This school cultivates wisdom in every student, and the generous Christian community is something you will not find in any public school. 

Ever since I came here, the way I think has fundamentally changed. This school has taught me to lift up my eyes past just the small details and focus on the bigger, transcendental truths. I have also been taught to reason well. I plan to be an engineer, and although this school doesn’t give as much science as others may, I have been well equipped with the tools to go out and learn for myself. The liberal arts education prepares you for any discipline, and the rigorous classes and caring people push me to improve far beyond what I would ever do on my own.

The generous Christian community at this school is really special. At the annual alumni breakfast after Christmas break, where alumni from the school come to give advice and discuss their college experience with the seniors, a common theme shared was “don’t take this community for granted”. Everyone here is willing and excited to serve others. No one will ever close a door in your face. This may seem like such a simple thing, but it is not guaranteed elsewhere. People are always helping each other to improve, and I have really enjoyed being a part of this community.

I am really glad I came to this school. I have grown very much both intellectually and spiritually, and I have been well equipped with the tools for life. I do not know where I would be without it. 

Kameron Buczko - Class of 2023

For all of my life I had been purposely avoiding people, because I had severe social anxiety. I was homeschooled since fourth grade, and did not have much of a social life except for the Tuesdays that we had met for the homeschool curriculum. When I first came to New Covenant school, I was immediately welcomed by many of the staff members and students. I was also informed about a particular event that I was not very excited about. House camp. House camp is an event towards the beginning of the school year that allows students to make new friends and/or strengthen the friendships that they had before. 

At first I was very hesitant to go to this house camp thing. However, I was quickly convinced by both the teachers and the students to go. They told me that it would be fun, and that I would make some new friends. I had never had any previous bonds with teachers besides second grade, and my mom (of course) during homeschooling where she was my teacher, but the teachers at this school were very welcoming and showed much hospitality towards all the students. Over house camp, I had gotten a lot closer to both the students and teachers. I made some really good friends that I love to talk to all of the time. The welcoming and accepting atmosphere that surrounded the people had helped me to begin to overcome my anxiety. 

The differences between the teachers of public school and New Covenant are incredible. Previously, when I was in public school, the teachers did not care at all about their students. Unlike New Covenant, the teachers did not care if you had an incredible or a disaster of a time at the school events. There were too many kids at one time that they were too worried about trying to maintain control that they could not help each individual student. At New Covenant, the teachers have gone out of their way to not only ensure that the students are having a good time, but also that they are making some connections with others; whether it is their fellow students, or the teachers themselves. The teachers love to get out of their professional environment when they are allowed to. At house camp, they make sure to include everyone, including teachers, in the fun activities. They also enjoy participating in the activities as well in order  to engage with the students. During my time at house camp, I had the opportunity to make good new friends and to actually enjoy talking to the teachers. It was one of the best experiences that I ever had in my life. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and engaging. I wish that I had another year at this school so that I could experience it one more time.

Dominic Obright - Class of 2023

New Covenant School is incredible, I mean that. I’ve been to 11 different schools over the years.  Some were good and some honestly made me not want to ever set foot in a school ever again. With everything I have experienced, I can most definitely say that New Covenant is an amazing school, especially when it comes to Academics. The key things that I have noticed when thinking about their academics are Teachers, class environment, and their Christian teachings.

One thing that I think is very good about New Covenant is the teachers. They just are always there ready to help you and compared to most of the schools I have been to, the teachers are really there to help you understand how to learn. Most other schools I have been to just force the knowledge down your throat. For example, in Mr. Barton's class, he will present you with the different angles on a topic and he will openly say which way he heavily leans towards on a topic, but he will not make you believe his belief. He will let you choose your own. In most other schools you are not able to think freely.

Another key aspect of New Covenant that really helps with their academics is the learning environment. One of the wonderful things that help with this is the smaller class sizes. This helps the students get more time with the teachers one on one. In the other schools I have been to, each class had about 30 students which made it really hard for the teacher to answer every question and help every student as needed. It would also overwhelm the teacher. Making it very stressful and hard to give students proper feedback. At one former school, I remember asking my teacher how many papers he was having to grade for the 11th-grade algebra 2 final exams and he said he was having to grade around 200 papers in a week. I know for a fact I have benefited greatly from these small class sizes.

The last thing that I want to say about New Covenant’s academics are the Christian teachings that make this school what it is. No matter if you’re in music class or math they will be teaching from a Christian perspective. This helped create the best teaching environment and was so much better than the pagan education that public schools taught from. In public schools, you can’t even discuss your beliefs with the teachers. I just don’t see how they can teach some things such as science without Christian teachings. It has also helped me stay in my faith and see the connections across various subjects.

Overall, New Covenant is an amazing school. It isn’t perfect and there will always be things I could say are bad, but that’s every institution run by fallen men. Regardless, it has amazing teachers that are truly passionate about what they do. It is nice and small to help keep a good learning environment, and it is most importantly centered around God. I am very happy to say that I could finish my last year and my first year at New Covenant school.

Eliza Mattox - Class of 2023

My name is Eliza Mattox, and I have been attending New Covenant School since fifth grade. It is difficult to speculate on how things would have turned out should something else have happened, and I won’t begin to do that here, musing on what I would have become should my parents have sent me elsewhere. However, as I look back on all the years of my education here at this school, I can surely see how profoundly it has shaped my mind and heart. New Covenant School stands above others, as it offers priceless wisdom to its students--with the ultimate aim of love.

Wisdom is the art of living well in God’s world. Because all wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, a school cannot simply impart wisdom onto a student--there must be some sort of humility involved. There have of course been times where my heart has been callous and my mind and will have been lazy, but when I have come under the teaching of the Word of God, my teachers in the classroom, and the teachers who have gone before us in Great Conversation, it has been amazing to see how each and every year my mind and heart have been formed and molded. 

What you will receive at New Covenant is no fragmented education--where subjects are studied in isolation with no sense of continuity between them and no transcending light shed upon the chaotic mess of particulars sprawled out in front of us. The Christian worldview put forward in every class brings unity between that strange split of the higher principles and nature around us. We do not walk into Theology class to learn about Theology and leave to study something completely other--theology permeates through every subject and discipline at school. For my education has shown me this: if we know that Christ is Lord and that His Word is true, that affects every nook and cranny of reality--from studying electrons and protons, to exercising in PE, to reading old books, to interacting with your friends in the hallways between classes. Every subject the teachers strive to awaken wonder in us from God’s ordered world--yes, His ordered world. We are not part of a cosmic accident, and nothing is studied as if it is. 

In the mornings we do not begin with an abrupt start to learning, but the whole upper school gathers together to confess sin, read Scripture, sing praises, and pray to God through spoken liturgy as well as silent petition. This reorients ourselves around eternal truths and sets our day within the framework of our pilgrimage. In class, by the help of our teachers, we uncover and “plunder the Egyptians” for Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, which are the three things to be desired in and of themselves. But they are not simply impersonal concepts for intellectuals to jabber about. God is the ultimate expression of these three transcendentals, and He is indeed a person. Just as the higher principles shed light on our studies, our studies also point us up to the higher principles, and ultimately to God, for whom we actually have been  formed. 

Classical Christian education is a tradition furnished with unconquerable truth, and this what its aim is--to have their students  love--to love the True and the Good and the Beautiful, which is to love God. From this springs a love for our neighbor, loves that are ordered.

From the wisdom offered at New Covenant I have seen and experienced the beautiful and clarifying harmony. If chaos at home or in my thought-world muddles my mind, each day I am having my head turned back, and I am bathed in a clarity that only a Christian view of the world brings. I see how all things are connected and brought under God’s big picture. The way of righteousness has been illuminated and starkly presented before every student here, yet we still are not forced to choose it. If wisdom is the art of living well in God’s world, I believe I have been offered up priceless guidelines here and have had it beautifully exemplified by my teachers. And I cannot help but love what I have tasted and seen.

Ian Harmon - Class of 2023

Hello, My name is Ian Harmon, and I have been going to New Cov my whole life. I have had first hand experience with the school and all of its attributes, but what I believe it is best at is its ability to cultivate its students. It is a school’s job to strengthen one’s mind, by teaching them subjects such as Algebra, Chemistry, and World History. New Covenant not only cultivates our minds like all schools do, it cultivates all of us, our mind, bodies, and our souls.

The definition of cultivation is “the process of trying to acquire or develop a quality or skill.” It is a basic principle of schools to teach its students and prepare them for jobs and college after they graduate. This is done through classes. The teachers and methods used by said teachers at New Covenant are astounding, and have truly helped me grow in my knowledge. In classes such as Rhetoric, or Logic we are taught how to use our words and sentences to form something greater, arguments. Being able to defend yourself or your beliefs and persuade others is a skill that has been developed by the students at New Covenant. All schools can teach your kids, but the methods of teaching at New Cov trumps that of other schools. They help us cultivate our minds, in all of their given means.

Extra curricular activities at New Covenant are important, and sometimes even praised. In the Bible we are told that our bodies are God’s Temple. So taking care of our bodies is an easy way to accomplish this, through things such as Theatre and Basketball. Basketball has not been a part of our school for long, but it has become an important medium of instruction for the students. It teaches us how to work well with others, and to make quick decisions. As Forrest Gump says “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” We have to be ready to adapt to our situations, whether it be an unlucky accident, or a sudden change of plans, New Covenant uses its extra curricular activities to help further develop our decision making. It isn’t only saved for the court, it can be used in a workplace or for me, who wants to major in Musical Theatre, a stage. We are also taught  that we can and should use our bodies to praise God in everything we do. I never would have seen myself pursuing theatre, but thanks to New Cov. and its support of extra curriculars I have found something I truly love doing.

The most important aspect that New Covenant cultivates is our soul. Our connection with God is something that is overlooked, even by other Christian establishments. They put the studies over God, but at New Covenant, God is the center of all of our studies. Other schools do not require that you take a separate Bible class, but at New Covenant, they see it as a necessity to further impact its students. We are taught theology, apologetics, church history, and just a basic coverage of the whole Bible. It puts God as the number one importance which is what all Christians should be doing.

Growth is an important aspect of life and there’s no stopping it. New Covenant has done a terrific job using that growth to shape us into Christians, that live to a biblical standard. New Covenant has made a balance of growing every part of us, they have truly done a terrific job making sure that all aspects of us are grown and ready to face a world full of challenges. I’m glad that New Covenant has helped cultivate my mind, my body, and my soul.

Abigail Locke - Class of 2023

When I look back on the years, I see all the time I’ve wasted, the things I could’ve done better, and the things I wish I hadn’t done at all. Especially during the middle school years (those notorious years) before I went to New Covenant School, I lost the motivation to live up to my own standards. Going to NCS set me on a new course—one of determination and clearheadedness. The competition and deadlines motivated me to put in my best effort, but what was more motivating—what inspired me to love learning, to have sound doctrine, and to see the world through the lens of Scripture—was something greater than my own desire to be successful. I found it embedded in the culture of the school: an effort to pursue academic excellence in a way that glorifies God and equips students to radically change our society. It was a culture of temperance, restraining one’s own sinful desires, that I discovered in the glorious year of 2019. 

This temperance can be seen in many aspects of New Covenant, but I particularly see it in two ways: the diligent nature of the faculty and students, and the quality of their work.

For four years now, I have watched teachers and students sacrifice their own pleasure for the sake of pursuing excellence in what God has called them to be. I have been inspired by the teachers who go to work even after a horrible plumbing incident. These teachers go above and beyond to help students answer life’s difficult questions (whether or not it relates to their class). I have been amazed by the willingness of students to lend a hand to a struggling peer. There is a common theme at New Covenant of wanting others to do well, even more than the desire to keep your time for yourself or maintain a higher gpa. The diligence here is contagious; it has prodded me time and time again to persevere and put in my best effort, even when it’s late and I’m tired. 

In my freshman year, I was wrong almost every time I tried to answer a question in Omnibus I (where we had the most discussions). Even so, I have been inspired to push myself to the limit each year by the teachers’ stirring passion for what they teach. I recall the first week of Omnibus III (in 2021), when all the students were a bit skeptical of Mr. VanFossen, who seemed “a little too enthusiastic” about the class. It turns out, enthusiasm is an infectious disease. 

Every year I have grown to love learning more, and I accredit this to the Lord, who has blessed New Covenant with this ability to set aside selfish desires and pursue excellence in all that they do. I have been equipped not only with knowledge and a strong academic and theological foundation, but with the temperance to continue this pursuit of knowledge for the rest of my life.

Nathan Dilday - Class of 2023

It’s a very healthy thing, from time to time, to just sit and ponder how God has, is, and will provide for you. It helps you realize how much you have to be thankful for. 

Here at New Covenant we have a lot to be thankful for. We have a tight-knit community and a rich heritage. These things have impacted me on a very deep level. But the thing about New Covenant that has been the most impactful has been the hospitality of the community around me. They have been hospitable to me by freely giving their time, and opening their homes to me. 

A lot of people have given their time to invest in me while I’ve been at New Covenant. If I took the time to name all the names this wouldn’t be a paper, but a laundry list. Accordingly, all of my teachers have invested in me, but two in particular come to mind: Mr. Barton and Mr. VanFossen. Mr. Barton has given his time to me by having many conversations with me. Conversations about anything from eschatology to my college plans. I’ve appreciated his willingness to interact with me even though he wasn’t obligated to. Mr. VanFossen has freely given me his time, too. He’s talked to me about my life and my career goals. He even gave me the opportunity to teach his class to see if teaching was right for me. Because of his hospitality I feel more confident in my chosen career path.

Moreover, whenever families have invited me to their homes for dinner I’ve always leapt at the chance, and not just because there was food involved. There’s something uncommonly wholesome about sitting down with other people in their home and having a meal with them. The hospitality shown in including someone at your table who can’t repay you, i.e. myself, is truly admirable. Multiple families have extended such a kindness to me in my time at New Covenant, for which I’m very thankful. But one particular occasion with the Drago’s has really stuck with me. I was dropping Marlee off after spending some time with her, and I dropped in to say “hi” to her family, who was on the back porch where Mr. Drago was grilling dinner. They generously offered me a plate, which I initially refused, not wanting to intrude on their family time. But they insisted and so I gladly accepted. It’s a seemingly simple and mundane thing, but this simple act of kindness and hospitality meant the world to me.

The hospitality of the people at this school has had a great positive effect on me. First of all, it feels good when other people take notice of you and do kind things for you. Enjoying other people’s hospitality is revitalizing and refreshing. Second, it’s been a really positive example for me. Because of the kindness that these people have shown me, I’m determined to treat those around me in a like manner. The hospitality of these people has genuinely given me a lot of strength in times of intense hardship.

Zhenya Truman - Class of 2023

I’ve been at New Covenant School since 8th grade. And let me tell you that you will see so much community at New Covenant school just from different things like fundraisers, dances, service day, and the list could go on. 

At my old school I didn’t have a lot of friends. I didn't see the community like I do at New Covenant school. I come from a public school. I’m gonna miss NCS when I leave. 

Generosity is my main point that I’ll be talking about just from what I’ve seen at New Covenant school. 

One way that I’ve seen generosity is when we have done service projects. Students at New Covenant are being so generous to give up their time to service in the community and they are also using their gifts that God has given them. Service projects are another way to another way to enjoy time being with one another talking, laughing, and enjoying God’s creation. 

I will never forget the generosity I experienced at New Covenant in 2019, when we participated in a Feed the Need project. I got to serve alongside my brother that day. That was an amazing experience because instead of sitting in class doing work, we got to go serve some elderly people. We made food for them. I also got to fellowship with everyone that day. I also got to spend time with my brother and his best friend Zoe who’s also my best friend to this day. 

When I leave New Covenant School, I will take and nurture the spirit of generosity that has been planted in me into the next stage of my life and I pray it will help me honor the fine school that has been so generous to me.

Felicity Shaw - Class of 2023

Over the years at this school, I have come to realize how blessed I am to be here, as well as the amazing impact it has had on my life. Not only is the classical Christian education extremely helpful and enlightening, but the community is filled with great compassion and stability. I have been going to New Covenant School since 6th grade, and was incredibly shy when I first came here. However, I have since become much more open and close with my fellow students, and am grateful to be a part of this community. What I am most grateful for from this school is the ability to bond with other students, the compassion shown from everyone, and the stable environment it provides.

Thanks to the wonderful community of this school, I’ve been able to bond with many of my classmates and other students. Some of these classmates have been close friends since I first came here, and that friendship circle has only grown. With every year, every service day, and every house retreat, I’ve come to know them better. My favorite experience with my school was attending House Retreats. I’m not one for physical activity, and was honestly expecting to be miserable on the trip. However, I was surprised to find myself laughing alongside people I’ve only spoken to a few times. I bonded with both my classmates, teachers, and fellow Thames House members. Not only were we teammates in games, but also comrades in traveling the lengthy hill every day for a meal. Although they were extremely tiring, the House Retreats are something I will miss when I’m gone, and I’ll always treasure the experiences and inside jokes I had with friends there.

Even before getting to know them, my classmates, teachers, and other students have all been immensely supportive and compassionate to me. When I first started going to New Covenant, I was painfully shy and would hardly speak unless I had gotten used to the person first. However, students and teachers were understanding and were patient with me, and over time I was coaxed out of my shell. 

I believe the thing that has helped me grow the most at New Covenant is its stability. The school has provided me with a Christ focused environment that helped me not only grow closer to Him, but also to the people around me. The kindness and compassion of this community has not wavered, and the small classroom environment I’m in has helped me become comfortable speaking in classes.

After I graduate, I plan on attending Winthrop University to pursue psychology. Even though I’m sad to leave this school, I trust the Lord will help me in my new journey, and am especially grateful for the blessings this school has given me. The compassion and genuine kindness I’ve experienced in this community is something I hope to carry with me to college.

Charlie Simpson - Class of 2023

I believe that New Covenant has the capability to teach children in a way that no other schools in my knowledge can. It can teach you different subjects, which are more important life lessons than just academic things to get you through to your diploma and college. This isn’t achieved through another class that any student can breeze through with little participation, the mere nature of our service days require students to employ other types of effort than the skills learned from a private and classical education.

Through our service days (and senior projects), students are exposed to and learn the practical use of generosity, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness. 

The most obvious of the three attained is generosity, because we are doing these projects by our own will, no government requirement is forcing us to serve elders and people less fortunate than us. More specifically, we are giving up our own time for others’ gain. Also we are in some ways risking our health, we could be injured in the process. And most clearly we are exerting physical effort, and the teachers involved do not let any students slack off. As you know the phrase: “Actions speak louder than words”, our actions show that our hearts are inclined to assist and give to others, and our physical application and work accomplished is the proof. 

The second virtue learned is Enthusiasm. At a private school, it would be safe to assume that most students' families are somewhat wealthy. Physical labor is probably not a strong suit or common thing for most students attending the school. But they need to learn that real life is slam full of it, and as a young person it is expected of them in the real world. At service days they can learn a good work ethic. Students are also seeing the satisfaction gained from giving and service. It feels so good to see how happy old ladies are after you have done a bunch of yard work or stocked bunches of food, or whatever you did. During that process, students learn how to work as a team, and cooperation with others either physically or through mental work is an inevitable thing in all life.

The third thing we take from service days is thoughtfulness. It is tempting to live inside our own small worlds and never consider others. Through assisting elders and the less fortunate, we are resisting the urge to be selfish and think the world revolves around us. An environment that cares to nurture and implement these virtues is an environment that I wish was more common.

Luke Simpson - Class of 2023

It is easy to forget that I was once a different person. For better or worse, who is to say? New Covenant nonetheless has changed me. I know for sure that I am better off, and would not change any memories, though it is not the fun that I had that has shaped me. 

We all know and hate the trivial struggles of middle and high school. Every student has some element of nihilism in them. It is not the particular content of a class that teaches students, but rather the broad themes that emphasize the tragedy of life. Tragedy, it seems, is a given. Even without particular trauma, tragedy manifests itself in the mundane and melancholy, and it is the school’s responsibility to show students the correct ways to interpret it. 

I am yet to understand how blessed I am by New Covenant School. It is an excellent balance of hospitable community and rigorous academics. Recognizing it or not, the school is an example of using community to cope with the universal tragedy of student life seen through loneliness, busyness and tiredness. Our leadership frequently mentions the importance of community by, dare I say incessantly, hosting events, sitting and eating together, and the interaction between staff and students outside the classroom. For instance, teachers give their time to be chaperones during the annual school retreat, speak with students individually, participate in recess games, and act in school plays.

I have also gleaned much through the Omnibus and Rhetoric curriculum New Covenant teaches for high schoolers. These classes are an excellent introduction to the great conversation of philosophy, ethics, and what went wrong in history. Here through the reading of mostly well-known classics, the past is analyzed through literature and students are challenged to see man’s sin nature in others and themselves, guided by the pages. This allows students to reflect on the human condition and the world’s journey through Christianity, paganism, and secularism in a safe environment where they might otherwise occupy themselves with time wasting. Today, I am more informed and serious about life than I ever was. I ponder more carefully. My vocabulary has improved. I am more productive, open-minded, and less dismissive toward ideas that stretch the norms. I am no longer bound to unthinking, political loyalty. I am closer to Christ. I must thank and praise New Covenant for leading me through the maturation, which I am sure will never end until I am sanctified in heaven. 

Emma Jordan - Class of 2023

I have always been an observant person. I like seeing the people around me and how they interact with one another because, after a little while, I can start to grasp an understanding of the kind of environment I am in. After a year of attending public school, I could tell that it was not the right environment for me, so, I retreated back to New Covenant School and have been here ever since. New Covenant has shown me something unique. It has equipped me with strong relationships that I cherish and those relationships have overlapped into the school’s environment and the classroom. 

As I have walked through the halls of the school building, I have seen a helpful and caring student body. There have been many occasions where students have dropped a bunch of their papers on the floor and immediately have another student willingly pick them up for them. Whenever I notice someone who looks sad or is crying, they are never alone. Someone is always beside them and asking them if they are alright. These qualities do not stop at the students but can also be seen radiating from the teachers. They not only are well versed in their subject but also possess a great passion and enthusiasm for it. They genuinely care about their students and are willing to help them, answer any questions they may have, and give them advice. The combination of these qualities in the students and teachers overlaps into the classroom and makes for a journey towards finding truth together. The education that comes from these bonds allows for a deeper understanding of the subject matter that enables us to think critically about ourselves, the world, and God. This was seen the best in my omnibus classes, where we read books like Henry V and Frankenstein. Shakespeare’s Henry V gave me a deeper understanding of who Henry V was and what his situation was with his kingdom, due to his father being a usurper. Frankenstein sparked a love for gothic fiction with its eerie descriptions and psychological aspects but in class we were able to go even deeper and find the author's worldview. She believed that the most important things in life were the sublime and relationships. After finishing the book we found that, although these are good, they are finite things that will not satisfy us in life.

This comradery in the classroom leads to an amazing class experience and a memorable journey through literary classics. Without the close bond I have between my classmates and the amazing teachers with a passion for their subjects, this kind of liveliness in the classroom would not be possible. Students would not interact with the subject matter and the material being taught would not stick. It would just be another boring lecture class that I need to pass. This rare bond is what makes for lifelong friendships and models what a true classroom should look like in the educational system. I am confident that I will continue to treasure the relationships I have made here and look for the deeper meanings behind great literary works and even how God is working in my own life.

Mitch Galyean - Class of 2023

New Covenant School has many programs and opportunities, but the one thing that stood out to me was New Covenant Service Days, these are events in which New Covenant students and teachers alike spend a day serving members of the community through various nonprofits and local outreach programs. New Covenant students and teachers participate in many programs, I myself have only participated in two, Widow’s Watchman Ministries and The Lot Project. And while my time spent in Service days is comparatively small, I can most certainly speak to their merit. The New Covenant Service Days have helped me, and others, breed a sense of Community, to nurture our untrained Liberality, and foster Perspective within the school.

New Covenant Service Days bolster the sense of Community by involving everyone in a shared goal, while I was sawing my way through sheet metal Mr. Barton was right there next to me keeping everything stable. Service Days bring everyone to the same level in service to the Community and to the Lord. This improves trust and camaraderie between teacher and student. Last year Roundtree House helped a widow clean her garage, I met people in the house who I had never met before and strengthened my friendship with Zane Fulmer through the discovery of bed bug infested sheets, as well as the resurrection of Legos from the depths of a corner. There can be no disputing the positive implications of Service Days in terms of Community.

The Service Days also allow for students to train the admittedly difficult virtue of Liberality. Liberality simply defined is freely giving one’s time or resources for the benefit of others. And spending your whole day in a musty garage is not necessarily a super exhilarating activity. Speaking from personal experience, I REALLY did not want to help during the most recent Service Day, but by the end of the day I had fun and took part in an edifying activity. Over the course of the day Robert and I had precisely cut many pieces of lumber and constructed the doors for the food bank. Throughout that day, I did not think much else except how to complete the task at hand, but after the fact, my contemplation of why I was there, and the sacrifice of my time, most certainly benefited my character as a whole. Liberality is something that is trained, in a material world it is very hard not to be a material girl. But giving wisely is something we as Christians are called to do.

Service Days also supply us with Perspective, New Covenant is not about a perpetual and ravenous learning system in which we cram information in our brains with no context whatsoever. Instead, New Covenant is a community of generous, and driven people. When participating in Service Days the students and teachers are reminded of our purpose as Christians, the knowledge and experience we derive from schooling is to be used for and by God, as a means to further glorify and enjoy him. When New Covenant students and teachers take part in the varying ways we can serve, it enriches our Community, trains our Liberality, and grants us Perspective.

Carley Shore - Class of 2023

The summer after sixth grade, my family and I started searching for a new school that I could call home. After weeks and weeks of searching, we came across New Covenant and we instantly fell in love with it. The thing we were drawn to the most was not the small class sizes or the rigorous courses that were offered, rather it was their mission statement. New Covenant seeks to present every student complete in Christ which has a direct correlation to Colossian 1:28, which states, “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.” It was because of this verse that my family and I chose New Covenant to be my home and five years later I can attest that our decision was the best one we could have made.

The word complete has many different connotations. Many believe complete means finished or finalized, and though this is an accurate definition in certain scenarios, the definition being utilized in Colossians 1:28 and New Covenant School’s mission statement is, “having all the necessary and appropriate tools needed to fulfill a set purpose.” When New Covenant states that they are seeking to present every student complete in Christ, they mean they are striving to provide every student with the necessary tools that will aid them in their journey through life. With this in mind, New Covenant School has equipped me with the necessary spiritual, academic, and relational tools I need to be successful in school and my walk with Christ.

New Covenant places a great emphasis on the spiritual lives of every student. Each subject, and even extracurriculars, integrates biblical truths into their courses. Every course taught, even those separate from pure Bible classes, such as systematic theology, seeks to cultivate a student's spiritual life by incorporating biblical truths and applications into their curriculums. For example, I have been involved with the NCS Drama production for 5 years. Though theater may not directly correspond with the things I learn in bible class, Mrs. Harmon instills the truth that theater is a tool for glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. My spiritual life exceeds all other things and since New Covenant has prioritized my spiritual growth, I can enter my next chapter knowing my faith will remain unchanged.

Another way in which New Covenant seeks to present every student complete in Christ is through academics. A snippet of wisdom I have gained from New Covenant is the ability to learn in any situation. Many schools today just teach subjects and formulas, but New Covenant teaches every student HOW to learn. This will prove beneficial as I continue on to Anderson University next year to pursue a degree in Nursing because I will be able to learn things even beyond the 4 walls of my classroom. 

Finally, New Covenant teaches students the importance of relationships. I have not only learned to prioritize my relationships with others, but I have also been taught to value my relationships with myself and my community. For example, every year New Covenant holds at least two service days. During these days, students throughout the school are assigned certain organizations throughout Anderson County to go and serve. Whether serving breakfast to the homeless with Hope Missions, encouraging the community through sidewalk chalk with Joy Comes, or even visiting widows within their homes with Widows Watchmen, I always look forward to the days I get to live out the second greatest commandment to love my neighbors like myself

New Covenant will forever hold a special place in my heart. This is not because it is where I will soon get my diploma or it is where I met my lifelong friends, it is because I was taught how to truly become complete in Christ.

Lily Wickiser - Class of 2022

I have not always been a very dedicated student. To be precise I became a dedicated student my junior year of high school (a little late, I know.) I went from hating reading, to thoroughly reading every Omni book assigned and constantly reading on my own. I actually started doing all my science and math homework. (Crazy how when I tried, I did well.) This change in me occurred when I realized I did not only attend New Covenant for a grade or because I had to according to the government. I came to the realization that all of life is a process of learning about God’s creation and revelation, and the part of the process that I am currently in I just happen to be graded on. New Covenant has given me an incredible foundation of knowledge. I have enjoyed all of the classical Christian courses that I have taken at New Covenant. I want to specifically highlight The Omnibus Curriculum, which covers theology, western thought, and history, and Rhetoric, which is a class that studies how to be a well spoken virtuous man. Both Omni and Rhetoric have given me wisdom that I feel has prepared me for walking through life after graduation in a prudent manner.

One of my biggest regrets looking back is not putting my best effort into Omni when I was a Freshman and Sophomore. I occasionally read the books I wanted to, I definitely did not read them all. I paid good attention during the discussions so I got by, but I could have squeezed more out of it if I had read. Omni III however, I decided I was going to be dedicated to the reading because of my shift of perspective I already spoke on. I am so thankful that I read all of the Omni III books. I gained so much wisdom that I know will serve me well in life. I think I learned the most valuable content while going through How Should We Then Live, A Tale of Two Cities, and  Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl. In How Should We Then Live, Francis Schaeffer traced the rise and fall of western thought and culture. He began in Rome and traced Rome’s thought and culture to the western postmodern thought and culture. I know I will be more prepared to live my life as a Christian in the culture today because of reading How Should We Then Live, and I also feel much more well versed in western history and thought. My takeaway from reading A Tale of Two Cities is that love is what gives life a purpose. I do not want to comment too much on the context of my takeaway in fear of spoiling the book for others. Finally I learned while reading Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl that God made everyone for a specific story, and that you are always standing on the edge of a decision that could change the trajectory of life. That book specifically gave me a good perspective on life that I constantly think back to. 

In regards to Rhetoric, I have enjoyed this class. I am not known for my communication skills. It is a common joke between my peers and classmates that I just fumble around for words until someone understands my mumbling and hand gestures. That is true to an extent. I have always been intimidated by communication. I did not think I was good at formulating my thoughts and then saying the thoughts I formulated. Rhetoric has greatly helped me work through this fear. Three big things I learned in Rhetoric that have helped me defeat my fear of communication is that Rhetoric is not some fancy use of language only for the context of courtrooms, one must know the social setting to communicate effectively, and a rhetorician must always be striving to move others towards goodness. All three of these takeaways I know will aid me as I transition out of highschool. 

I believe that Omnibus and Rhetoric have given me a lot of wisdom that will aid me in making prudent decisions in life after New Covenant. I know I will be able to prudently evaluate culture, love others, and make decisions after I graduate. I also feel confident in my ability to communicate with others. I am thankful for the foundation of knowledge that New Covenant has given me. I know that all of life is a learning process, and I feel very prepared for that process with the groundwork New Covenant has laid. 

Ethan Varghese - Class of 2022

I got in a lot of trouble in 5th grade at Midway Elementary, I was very disobedient, I was more focused on my social status, and how popular I was than taking school seriously. My parents were getting calls from the school nearly every week. They grew tired of my behavior and sent me to New Covenant all through Middle school. I cried for days when my mom told me. My parents told me I had to go all of middle school, after that, I could either stay, or go to Hanna for highschool. I was too stuck up to try and make friends in middle school because I believed I was better than everyone. So I ended up annoying my classmates and provoking them to anger. It was a long treacherous journey for me and my poor classmates. But 9th grade rolled around and I inevitably chose to leave New Covenant for Hanna. My time at Hanna was fun, but damaging. I fell into the wrong crowd, became consumed with the wrong things, my grades were awful, so I transferred in October of 2020. I struggled a little bit at first to be nice and make friends. Shortly after I transferred, Braden transferred, and our friendship made school enjoyable. I've grown a lot since I transferred. I never enjoyed going to school, I hated every part of it and had no motivation to excel or learn. When I came to New Covenant for the second time, I realized it was not school or learning that I hated, it was the structure in which it was done. My experience at a large public school has allowed me to reap the benefits of learning in a small classroom, the small classroom leading to gentleness and kindness among my classmates, and the close relationship many of us have with teachers.

The community at New Covenant is very small, with 8 people in the senior class. A small classroom forces us all to be close to one another. We all have known each other for a long time, making  the classroom feel like a little family. Having a small classroom also allows teachers to focus on each individual, whereas in a larger school, the teacher has no idea who she/he is teaching. At New Covenant, there’s more time for each student to ask  questions, everyone gets a chance to share their opinion.This has caused learning and comprehension to be easier for me.

The small, close community at New Covenant creates a gentle and kind classroom environment. We all accept each other, we know where our classmates stand out and where our classmates are weak. I feel like we praise the strengths of one another and the weaknesses are understood, but not made fun of. It also doesn’t take courage to ask a question everyone else in the classroom might know the answer to, like it would in a classroom of 25 at Public school. I feel comfortable asking questions to help me better understand and my classmates in fact even help answer the question at times. This makes for a better education all around. If someone makes fun of another in our class, no one has ever been offended, we all just laugh and that's because we're all so close. This all comes back to the gentleness and kindness the small community at New Covenant provides, and another reason I value it so much.

Another thing I really value is the history most of us have with the teachers and staff. A couple of our teachers  have literally held some of us as babies, or knew us when we were much younger, through the church or our parents. So there are personal relationships some of us have with teachers and staff. This is a very important factor because many of the teachers at New Covenant genuinely care about where we are headed, they want us to learn and they care about our futures.

I value the community of New Covenant the most, as the gentleness and kindness we have for one another has allowed me to appreciate my education and create the possibility of life long friendships.

Jonah Van Wieren - Class of 2022

Hola, me llamo Inigo Montayo. Whoops, sorry wrong class. Hi, my name is Jonah Van Wieren and I started going to New Covenant in the late fall of 4th grade. Overall, the loving community and liberal environment at NCS has helped give me one of the best educational experiences I could have, and although it wasn’t perfect, it has led me to feel prepared for life past high school. 

I always had trouble handling school as a kid since my dad died when I was three, right before I was supposed to start preschool. I was never able to fit in at most schools early on and even got kicked out of one but I won’t go into that. I eventually went to a private Catholic school where I was able to make good friends but the big difference from NCS was the community between teachers and students. Having been at New Covenant for the past 9 years I can tell you that most of the teachers really care about their students, like parents would. Most teachers don’t just care about whether students can pass a test but instead they care more about whether students actually understand what they are learning. From my experience, most of the teachers and students, especially the ones in my class, were more like a second family. This helped build up my courage enough to not be nearly as stressed out about school. I remember one day in middle school I was too anxious to walk into school because of a presentation I had to make for my geography project. Looking back, it was just a simple presentation that wouldn’t stress out any normal person who had done the work. But when everything seemed hopeless, Mrs. Harmon, my geography teacher, walked all the way from her upstairs classroom to my car in the parking lot to ease my nerves about presenting. If it weren’t for Mrs. Harmon and my class being supportive, I likely would’ve never gotten the courage I needed to even walk into class, let alone make my presentation. Early examples such as this helped me to eventually get the courage I needed to make memorized five minute speeches in Spanish, which sounds far more stressful and trust me, they were. But looking back I’m appreciative of all the support I had getting to that point, because without it I would likely still be getting overly stressed out about every time I have to make some sort of presentation. 

On top of the community, the liberal environment was ideal for me since it wasn’t too strict or too informal. And I know what you’re thinking, no, I do not mean politically liberal. The easygoing school environment helped make school feel less like school, which also helped build up my courage and made me feel less anxious about going to school. I had been used to strict school uniforms so having a bit more leeway with a dress code was a big step up. I feel like the dress code at NCS has done the best job from my experience in giving enough freedom when it comes to the dress code. It gives a sense of professionalism without being too strict with a school uniform or too informal by having no dress code. The spirit weeks and T-shirt Tuesdays also helped make the dress code feel less strict. I actually visited New Covenant three days in a row and decided that I was going to school here because of how different the environment was compared to other schools. Another example of the liberal environment I experienced when first going to New Covenant was the free responsible use of technology. I think that this made the learning environment feel less like a “prison”, which is the stereotypical view for most highschoolers. NCS allowing the use of technology helped me become more responsible with technology and it had multiple practical benefits. Some of the practical benefits include being able to contact family members easily and being able to use convenient things like google docs. I truly feel like NCS gives a good balance of freedom when it comes to learning in a comfortable environment. I hope that New Covenant continues to keep a good balance of freedom going forward.

I cannot thank my class and teachers enough for everything they’ve done for me. I would not be the person I am today without this amazing community. I may not have appreciated everything the school has done for me in the past but looking back, I have truly been blessed to be able to spend the past 9 years with this awesome class. 

Braden Sult - Class of 2022

 My name is Braden Sult and I have been at New Covenant off and on for about 5 years. New Covenant has helped me develop so much in my years here. New Covenant School has created a strong group of friends that I know I can trust at any time of day to better me as a person. The school and church have also helped me with financial problems that have occurred and still do occur in my life.

     I came to New Covenant in the fifth grade and immediately I could tell the difference between public school friends and the friends I made at New Covenant. They are always willing to build you up to be a better Christian and a better person. I left New Covenant in the seventh grade and moved to public school until my 11th grade year. I wish I never left New Covenant because of the strong relationships I've made with the students here. Halfway through 11th grade I was faced with my hardest challenge I have ever faced. My Dad passed away unexpectedly before school one day and my Mom and I weren’t sure how I was going to handle this loss. New Covenant suddenly popped up in a conversation we had and it was like God was calling me back to New Covenant. The church offered to pay for my tuition at New Covenant because of the financial struggle that can come with being at a private school. Another example of the amazing community at New Covenant School is when I had my car accident recently. So many of the players on my basketball team and their moms and dads helped me and comforted me. They made me feel like there were people I could rely on through tough situations in my life. The community at New Covenant School has helped me stay on the right path mentally and physically through the darkest times in my life. 

     New Covenant has helped shape me to the man I am today and I know that after I graduate I will forever be thankful for the many blessings that this school has given me. Thank you New Covenant for providing for me in so many different ways and making me who I am today.

Ella Milford - Class of 2022

I have been at New Covenant all my life and in my experience I have felt that the students and teachers are unified. At New Covenant there are many events and opportunities where the students can become closer. The unity that is shown in the school is something that is valued since most of the students at other schools aren’t close. New Covenant is somewhere where students have built strong relationships with other students. Unity is an important aspect of New Covenant and it should be something that is continued. 

There are many ways that unity is demonstrated throughout the school. An example of this is House Camp. House Camp is a retreat where students and staff can connect outside of school. The house system brings together all the students from 6th-12th grade and it works especially well for those not involved in extracurricular activities. Along with the retreat, unity is felt through extracurricular activities. I have enjoyed being a part of the basketball program for five years. I have built close friendships through basketball and I’m glad I can call my teammates my sisters. I have also seen unity in the drama production that we put on each year. It’s neat to see students work together to create a wonderful show. 

New Covenant has done a great job of unifying the students through many ways. I have enjoyed being a part of a community where it’s normal for a 12th grader to talk with an 8th grader. The students being as close as they are is something special about this culture that the school has created. When we are unified we can enjoy things together. If we are enjoying things together then we can be happy. This type of unity has made me feel accepted among students because I know I can be myself without getting judged. The relationships I have made with some of the students at New Covenant are ones that will last a lifetime. During my time here I've been able to see what a unified community looks like and I hope to find this special community at college. I'm thankful that I’ve been able to experience this kind of unity in my time at New Covenant.

JT Locke - Class of 2022

At the end of my 8th grade year, I made one of the best decisions of my life, to attend New Covenant School. Up to this point, I’d been homeschooled and never experienced public or private school. I felt burnt out from homeschooling because I was unable to get the attention I needed. This was because my mom was having to teach my three younger siblings while juggling other responsibilities at the same time. I had no motivation to do school work and felt really depressed because of this. I desperately needed more structure and a more consistent community in order for me to further develop. It was time for me to move on to something new. 

     Education is held as extremely important by a majority of American society. Despite this, many schools have terrible curriculum, teachers, and divided student bodies. Students are put under an enormous amount of pressure to fit the same mold and, as a result, see school as a prison instead of a place of learning. This heavily affects the culture and stunts the student’s ability to learn. There are three qualities that cause New Covenant School to stand in stark contrast to the prison-like culture of other schools. These qualities are the school’s generosity, magnanimity, and wisdom. 

    Generosity was one of the first things I experienced at New Covenant School. Money was one of my parents’ main concerns about enrolling me at New Covenant. The headmaster, Joe Canney, was able to provide enough scholarship money to make it possible for me to enroll. On top of this, whenever my family needed anything, some family that was a part of the school was there to help us. Whether I needed a ride to basketball, a meal, or even help with a project, someone was willing to spend their money and time to help me and my family. 

     Magnanimity is doing good on a large scale. New Covenant School serves over 40 churches in the Upstate and supports nonprofit organizations by organizing days of service and food drives. I’ve worked with The Lot Project, The Crisis Pregnancy Center, and Joy Comes through these days of service. From building blessing boxes, to feeding the homeless, and buying and packing Christmas presents for children in Central America, the school has been able to heavily impact not only the Upstate, but people in other countries. 

    New Covenant School’s final quality that separates it from other schools is wisdom. When I first started taking classes, I was pleasantly surprised by how purposeful everything was. In Omnibus, which is a class involving Theology, History, and Literature, every book we read was intended to grow our understanding of previous ideas and cultures in order to show us why our world is the way it is today. In science, we learned both the evolutionist and creationist view of various topics. In Bible class, different arguments were presented and discussed in order to discover Biblical truth. This is a wise way of educating students because it exposes them to everything and prepares them for the evil life will throw at them. In addition, my teachers were constantly mentoring me and my class through some of life’s toughest problems. 

     I’ve had the benefit of being a part of a generous and magnanimous community that has instilled wisdom into my life. New Covenant’s community has been like a second family to me and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve made lifelong friends and learned so much from the school that will aid me throughout the rest of my life. New Covenant School has helped me feel secure in my faith and has prepared me for the trials I will face. I encourage any parents to strongly consider New Covenant School. 

Aidan Graves - Class of 2022

My name is Aidan Graves and I am extremely blessed. I have been going to New Covenant for all of my life and it is a home to me. I have to force myself to stop occasionally and not take for granted the opportunities I have been given. What I would consider normal, many kids would dream about having and I am extremely grateful for this wonderful gift God has given me. New Covenant has taught me so many things and I have learned so much both in and out of the classroom. Some of the most important things I've learned are charity, wisdom, and respect.

The charity of the community has been very apparent and loving in all of my years at New Covenant. The best example of this is recently when my family was sick. Over 5 families reached out to me offering me a place to stay, knowing full well there was a chance I could have been contagious. They willingly put themselves at risk of sickness just for me. Then only two weeks later having multiple families organize dinners for my family to ease the stress off of my mother was extremely generous and loving. Also in my personal life, knowing that if I was struggling I could go to the people around me and they would sacrifice their time to help me in a heartbeat is just amazing and something that you would not find anywhere else.

The school has taught me to seek wisdom in my life in and out of school. We are not just given facts to trust blindly but rather we are taught to question things to better seek truth in this fallen world. Having been given the tools to think freely and individually, I am able to learn for myself. Wisdom affects all aspects of life and with it, I feel better prepared to make decisions that will lead me to a more righteous life.

New Covenant has also instilled in me a good Christian perspective of respect that I will carry for my entire life. I have had teachers and coaches who not only taught respect with their words but also with their actions. Being given respect from authorities who were themselves worthy of respect created an environment where I felt comfortable and confident with my education. I am also able to take that respect and apply it to my relationships, strengthening them to better love my neighbor as myself. 

I have learned many of the attributes of God, like charity, wisdom, and respect during my time here at New Covenant and I seek to portray them in my life to the best that I can. Of course, I am not perfect and will inevitably fail… many, many times… but I know that I have people around me who will show forgiveness while still holding accountability. With this solid foundation and love that I have been so graciously given, I feel ready to endure the difficulties that await me in my journey of life. I hope that I can make those who have invested in me proud and I truly thank each and every person at New Covenant. I am blessed. 

Erin Dance - Class of 2022

My outlook on life is focused on my vices, not my virtues; I’ve done a lot of work to have a positive outlook on life. I am a complainer and when I don't like something, everyone around me knows. This is not something I am proud of and it's definitely something that I have put forth an effort to change. My parents decided to send me to New Covenant in the seventh grade. I'll be honest, I wasn't all too thrilled about this. Making new friends in an already stressful environment was not my idea of fun. Even though I complained and did not enjoy going to school, the transition could have been a lot harder given the people I was surrounded with. Just like family, classmates aren't something you get to choose and in seventh grade, I probably would have chosen different classmates. Somewhere along the line, probably just last year, I realized that I can't change some of my circumstances but I can control my response to them. I am delighted to say this today, I would not choose anybody else to be my classmates, these eight kids are my best friends. The community that I have found would not be possible without the work and ministry of New Covenant. The community I've found is committed, it has the ability to conquer culture and has cultivated life long friendships.

The community at New Covenant is committed, the people in my class are the first people I turn to when something goes wrong. I've struggled a lot over my high school years. Many days my classmates would see me cry in class, but never did they make fun of me for they were always the ones to offer comfort. These are the people I turn to when I seek wisdom and understanding. When I'm lost or confused, Lily and Aidan always know how to get me back on track. If I don't know how to do something, I can count on JT or Ella to explain it. And if I find myself stressed or overwhelmed, Olivia and Jonah are there to assure me that they aren't worried, so I shouldn't be. When I'm upset or worried, Braden and Ethan are there to lighten the mood and make me laugh. I genuinely do not know how I would have made it through high school without them.

This community has the ability to conquer culture. God filled the New Testament with “one another” commands. Life is not something that we can do alone, we are called to do life with one another. Unity is vital if you want to thrive in the evil world we live in today.  In Philippians we are called as brothers to be, “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents” My class has provided me with accountability, discernment and encouragement. They hold me accountable when I sin, they help me know where to go from there and they encourage me along the way. This is exactly what a true Christian community should look like, this is what is modeled for us in the Bible.

The community here has cultivated lifelong friendships. My class is very diverse and we are all very different, this has not stopped us from bonding and becoming our own little family. The Bible calls us to a love that covers seemingly insurmountable differences and disagreements. Within my class I don’t have to question who will stand by me and who will turn their back if I mess up or do something wrong. I know I can trust them and their forgiveness and grace is guaranteed. When problems arise or one of us is struggling, we are able to be each other's best advocate. Speaking on behalf of my class, we can rest in the fact that we have an army that is rooting for us and has got our backs.

With this in mind, I am taking my next steps in life, confidently. Going forth I believe that none of us will have a hard time cultivating a new community. I also rest in the fact that all of us will make an effort to preserve the community we have cultivated here at New Covenant. I urge the students at New Covenant to find joy in the here and now, nothing good will ever come from complaining. I promise you that you will regret your years of high school if you don't participate in the community and learn to love your classmates for who they are. To my class I say thank you, my happiest moments over the last six years are accredited to you. New Covenant has blessed me with a committed community full of life long friendships.

Olivia Burdette - Class of 2022

I was never that excited about growing up, but one thing I like about getting older is being able to look back and see the big picture of my life and how God has worked in it. Joining NCS was a defining moment in my life that has shaped me into who I am today, and I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I went somewhere else. After some years of homeschooling and attending co-ops, my parents began to realize that I was much more extroverted than my siblings and I would be happier with the structure, class environment, and variety in teachers that traditional schools offer. When we moved back to Anderson in 2016, it worked out for me to join NCS as a seventh grader. I am thankful that NCS could give me a learning environment that better suited my needs without sacrificing the quality of my education. I am able to say these things honestly thanks to two of NCS’ qualities that I want to highlight: the school’s excellence and sense of fellowship. 

I’m glad to say that after being a NCS student for six years, I feel like I’m academically ahead in many areas because of the school’s excellence. I have been able to learn things there that most schools don’t teach. Since it is a classical Christian school, I have been able to take classes such as Rhetoric, Apologetics, and Omnibus (and get used to those names). This classical style of education has made me feel like I have been educated with excellence. For example, the Omnibus classes combine history, literature, and theology, which allows you to draw connections between subjects easily. Thanks to the three Omnibus courses, I can now say (in a humble tone of course) that I’ve studied literary classics like Herodotus, Augustine’s Confessions, or even the Communist Manifesto: books that a lot of people may not read till college or beyond, if ever. On my own, I struggle with reading because of my short attention span, so I am thankful I had these classes to trick me into reading sometimes. I particularly enjoyed The Screwtape Letters, Robin Hood, and Frankenstein. The Screwtape Letters was a creative piece of fiction that challenged me to imagine my spiritual life from the perspective of God, angels, Satan, or demons, which led to many personal insights and introspection, as crazy as it sounds. Robin Hood was a fun book to experience and write poetry about, and it also brought up class discussions that made me question my standards for justice and honesty. Frankenstein was a novel that had all the elements I like to see in stories, plus it contrasted enlightenment thinking with romanticism, which led to many thought-provoking discussions and discoveries about the western development of human thought. I appreciate that at NCS I have been able to walk away from most classes knowing I learned something meaningful, even if it wasn’t something related to the subject.

I also want to highlight NCS’ sense of fellowship.  No community is ever perfect, but the student body at NCS is a gem of a community. It is typical to see people there to be friends even if they are a couple of grades apart. Sometimes I step back and think, “I don’t know how I got to be friends with this person, but it happened–and it's awesome.” This is not just because I’m a people person. I can credit the closeness of the school to its culture and also unique events they plan like the retreat at the beginning of the year, or the Barrier Island field trip. I feel like a lot of my classmates’ first impression of me was seeing me being clueless in general; I would do things like accidentally take a cafeteria cup all the way back to our room during the Barrier Island trip in middle school. I can picture in my head the stack of cups we accumulated after a few nights…. Instead of others bringing me down for these things, we would laugh together and it made for a bonding experience, which is typical of people at NCS. Honestly, if I went to Barrier Island again, I would probably still bring home cafeteria cups without thinking. But now I’m so close with my classmates that they would make fun of me for it like siblings and it would all be in good fun. I also appreciate the teachers at NCS; not only because of how they truly want you to learn, but also the way they can be mentors to you personally. Sometimes the teachers treat students like they are their own kids.

My time at NCS has been rich and a blessing from God in many ways. I am confident that some of the excellent things I have learned and the relationships I have built in the process will matter for the rest of my life. I am excited about graduating and moving on, but I do see myself as being one of those alumni that comes back every once in a while to visit. I will even come back to basketball games (just don’t ask me what’s actually happening in the game). And most of all, I know that, after graduating, I will stay in touch with many people I met at NCS. This is because it's not just a school–it's a family. 

Graycen Watson - Class of 2021

My name is Graycen Watson and this is my second year at New Covenant School. I started attending New Covenant my junior year of high school. I grew up going to public school until my 8th grade year when I transferred to a different private school. 

I decided to switch to a private school my 8th grade year because of the way people in the public school system treated each other. Not only did the students treat other students and teachers poorly, but some of the teachers treated people poorly as well. As a person who wants to make sure everyone is treated respectfully, this really bothered me. 

Ever since I have moved to New Covenant, all of the teachers and students have shown me kindness. My faith has also grown so much during my time here. I have learned so much about myself and what I believe as a Christian. I love how learning about the Lord is not limited to just one specific class. New Covenant has shown me that I am serving the Lord in all I do, whether that’s math or physics, I know I am glorifying Him by learning about the things that He has created. 

Next year I plan on attending Anderson University to get my degree in Elementary Education and become a teacher like my mother and grandmothers. I love being around kids and watching them grow and learn new things. I feel like God is calling me to be an elementary teacher because of the gift He gave me of the love of being around children.

Ethan Wright - Class of 2021

I first began going to New Covenant School in 7th grade. However, I was a part time student and continued to go part time until 9th grade. The six years I have been at New Covenant School have shaped me into the Christian I am today. I have been incredibly blessed to be given the chance to learn in a classical christian setting while being surrounded by a God glorifying community.

Being a previously home schooled student, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved having a steady community. My circle of friends expanded and the relationships I had with those already in the school were instantly strengthened. The community of New Covenant School has encouraged and uplifted me since the moment I arrived. As I grew older I became increasingly inquisitive about the world around me. This curiosity was quenched by the wise teachers and the prudent structures of the classical learning model. I was not only taught, but fully understood how the Greek and Persian wars affected western society. I could comprehend how an electron microscope works. I could finally see what Pythagoras saw. Yet most importantly, I was not simply taught subjects, I was taught how to learn. I have been given the tools to acquire and apprehend knowledge on anything. I am not constrained to only what I have been taught in school. I am not confined by a fixed set of subjects but I have the knowledge to learn an array of subjects, whether it be in school or out in the world. The art of learning is an invaluable skill. 

After graduating from New Covenant School I plan to attend Anderson University and study graphic design. While at New Covenant I have been given the opportunity to make many graphics for the social media pages. I also took many art electives and discovered my favorite art mediums. This helped lead me to make the decision to pursue graphic design. The community, academics, and opportunities of New Covenant School have been a constant blessing in my life and I am incredibly grateful for having the chance to study and graduate from this school.

Wren Sconyers - Class of 2021

I have attended New Covenant school since kindergarten. When I think back on the many hours I have spent studying and learning within the walls of New Covenant, I cannot help but feel sentimental about the ways I have been blessed. 

As a student at New Covenant, I have been pushed to think critically and analyze new ideas and world views. Throughout my many years at New Covenant, I have been taught how to learn rather than just receiving information for a test. This classical education is something I never imagined would impact my life so greatly. Since I have been at New Covenant for such a long time, there were moments I took the gift of a Christian school for granted. As a senior, it is evident to me just how much New Covenant has shaped the woman I am becoming, and for that I am forever thankful. A common favorite characteristic of New Covenant is the community. Some of my most precious memories of growing up at New Covenant are from when older students would take the time to be friends with me. Now, as a senior, I look back and realize just how special that truly was and I strive to make an impact on younger students as my graduation approaches. One of the most significant ways New Covenant has shaped me is through athletics, most especially the basketball program. We often refer to the girls basketball team and program as a sisterhood and the sentiment could not be truer. Coach Canney has cultivated a community of girls that love basketball and love the Lord. The bond we have formed after hours of hard work and lots of devotions together is like no other. Part of a classical education is presenting well rounded students. Basketball served just that purpose in my life. I have been immensely blessed by the New Covenant basketball program. Not only have I learned the skills of basketball, but also skills I will use for the rest of my life such as perseverance, integrity, and doing all things (even layups) for the glory of God. New Covenant has given me not only a superb education, but a second family. I am exceedingly thankful to have called New Covenant my home for the past 13 years.

Lord willing, I plan to attend Clemson University or Furman University in the fall.  Thank you New Covenant for caring for me and teaching me truth for so many years.

Ethan Simpson - Class of 2021

My name is Ethan Simpson. From a young age, I was home-schooled. Yes that was great and all, but eventually I needed more from where I did my schooling.  I wanted to have more community involvement and friendships which aren't as easy to come by when doing school from home. My parents decided to send me to New Covenant School in my junior year of high school and I can definitely say I have genuinely enjoyed my time spent here. I have learned a lot of important life lessons and have grown a significant amount spiritually in the short two years I have spent here. 

Everyone, faculty and students included, were very kind and outgoing to me and loved having me around. My adjustment to the school environment was much easier than I expected it to be and I felt right at home within a few weeks. The schoolwork here is rich and challenging at the same time, which makes me enjoy the work. I have been well prepared for college and the spiritual battles I will most likely face moving on with professors who have differing beliefs from mine, and all the issues that can arise from that. In rhetoric class I have been taught how to argue persuasively, how to spot flaws in other people's arguments, and how to correct them, politely of course, when need be. The people of the school try to implement Christ into everything that we do, making obvious the hand of God working in and through our lives. I am blessed to have been able to spend so much time with my class during the two years I spent here, and to see God's work in their lives. 

After graduation, I plan on going to Tri-County Technical College to take all of the prerequisites that I would need to take at any college I attend in the future. I am not 100% sure what career path I am going to take but I am trusting in the Lord, and I know that He has a path for me to follow and He will guide my steps. I am thankful for everything that New Covenant School has done for me and how much they have taught me, to prepare me for the rest of my life. I want to say thank you to all of my teachers and especially Mr. Canney for always being there for me and doing everything you can to make this school happen. I don't know how you do it all. Thank you.

Miles Miller - Class of 2021

My name is Miles Miller and I am a senior at New Covenant School. I have attended New Covenant since 6th grade but my family has been a part of New Covenant Church for my whole life. Many of the people that I am friends with today are people I grew up with in the church and that’s one thing I love about New Covenant. The lifelong friendships that I have made from people that I’ve grown up with my entire life. 

Throughout my life, I’ve always had a love for sports. Growing up as the youngest of 3 brothers and a sister I always had that competitive spirit and wanted to win at everything. Whether it was basketball, baseball, football, or even who could fall asleep the fastest, I always wanted to show my older siblings that I could beat them in something. Because of this competitive spirit, I’ve been more than grateful to have come to New Covenant right as they started an athletic program, which has blessed me greatly. I’ve also been blessed to have my father coach me throughout my years here and ultimately win 3 championships as a player of the varsity basketball team. 

I plan on going to Anderson University this upcoming fall and I plan on majoring in kinesiology. I feel prepared going into college because the teachers at New Covenant have constantly reminded me that they are preparing us to go out into the world and I truly believe them. My teachers have greatly encouraged and loved me in ways many students don’t get around the world. I think that what makes New Covenant so special is that every teacher wants the best of their students, and we are constantly encouraged to become the best version of ourselves.

Joseph Mortenson - Class of 2021

I have been attending New Covenant School ever since preschool. New Covenant has had a great impact on me and has shaped me into the person I am today. The friends, experience, and knowledge I have gained at this school will stick with me my entire life. 

Graduates from New Covenant School always talk about the community, and for good reason. The community and friendships go far beyond your own class or circle. Being a senior, I have friends that I am able to spend time with and talk to that are in sixth grade. The community reaches further than just the student however. The teachers at New Covenant really care about the individual. If I am struggling with something, I have no problem walking up to a teacher and asking them a question or just striking up a conversation about something that happened that day. The education that I have received at New Covenant is phenomenal. We have been taught how to think for ourselves and defend what we believe. The teachers provide personal education that allows for open discussion to further our understanding of the subject. 

My best memories at New Covenant were acting in all of the drama productions, going to all the basketball games, making Spanish videos, and gaining a Christian worldview along with a wider scope of our society in Mr. Canney’s Omnibus class. 

After graduating from New Covenant I plan on attending Anderson University. I do not yet know what I want to major in, but I am confident that this school has fully equipped me with all the tools necessary to succeed. I think it is fair to say that I am going to miss this school and everything that comes with it, but I am so grateful that I was able to have this wonderful and worthwhile experience at New Covenant. 

Will Hardy - Class of 2021

I have attended New Covenant School ever since I first went to school. From when I was two years old to now, New Covenant has been my second home. Until recently, I did not know how much of a blessing this school has been to my life. I have been given an excellent education and base in Christ and have also made lifelong friends along the way.

The most important thing that New Covenant has taught me is to make Christ my main focus in all things, from sports to even math class. I have also learned to think for myself at this school. I learned not to just believe everything that I am told but to analyze it myself and see if it is true and aligns with the scriptures. Along with a great education, the school also has an outstanding community. I have made an excellent bond with my classmates both in and out of the classroom. It has become a regular occurrence for me to spend time with them outside of school. They are way more than classmates to me. They are family. Athletics has helped tremendously with this. Because of athletics I have bonded with students throughout the upper school, not just in my class.

Next fall I hope to attend Clemson University and major in engineering. I am excited to face the new tasks and challenges ahead of me but I am sad to say goodbye to the many memories that will be left here at New Covenant. Nevertheless, I can confidently say that New Covenant School has thoroughly prepared me for the world ahead.

Ben Mathews - Class of 2021

My name is Ben Mathews. I first attended New Covenant School in ninth grade as a part-time student. In eleventh grade, I decided to go to the school full-time. Ever since I have been attending the school, I have been met with the amazing community and environment that is New Covenant School.

I have grown up having a classical learning experience since the sixth grade. It is challenging, but rewarding. New Covenant is the same; challenging, but rewarding. From reading literature in Mr. Canney’s Omnibus class, to learning how to solve equations in Mrs. Graves’ and Mrs. Locke’s classes, and to exploring science with Mr. Arledge, I have learned so much through this school. I have not only learned these subjects, but have been taught how to learn and reason well with the ultimate goal of defending my beliefs and worldview. Upon coming to this school, I immediately noticed the tightly knit community. I was immediately accepted and woven into that community. I know that I can talk to anyone and be welcomed and accepted by them. This school environment has been a blessing to me as well as to many other students. Additionally, the athletic programs have been a huge part of my high school journey at New Covenant. I have participated in both cross country and basketball for all four years at the school. Each year I learned so much about perseverance, overcoming adversity, having confidence, and much more. The athletics program has also given me an opportunity to be in fellowship with teammates and create bonds with them that won’t be broken. The main thing about this school that I have grown to love is their effort to present students complete in Christ. This goal of the school is evident through the teachers and staff. They are actively wanting us to grow in Christ and glorify Him in our work. It is nice to go to a school that has a chapel every week because it is an encouragement and a time of spiritual growth. I have grown tremendously in my faith and have learned to find peace and rest in Christ in my time at this school. 

    In the fall, I plan to attend either Clemson or Anderson University. I am confident that I am well equipped to handle any situation that comes my way using the tools that New Covenant has given me. I feel that I have been presented complete in Christ, and that will be my greatest blessing in the years to come.

Olivia Milford - Class of 2021

I have attended New Covenant for my entire education, from preschool to being a senior, and this school has impacted my life in many ways. New Covenant school has become my second home and I have developed friendships that will last a lifetime. I have been extremely blessed to have attended a school that has not only helped me academically but spiritually. 

Since I have been at New Covenant for a long time, I had the privilege to experience a loving and welcoming community. Whether it was in the classroom, playing basketball, or in drama productions, the community has been an overwhelming blessing in my life. Academically, New Covenant has challenged me to think for myself by using logic and reasoning. Omnibus and Bible class have helped me spiritually to distinguish what is right and wrong. Omnibus class in particular has impacted the way I think about the world, and that will help me immensely as I continue to grow spiritually. The teachers have poured their hearts into me and have equipped me with their knowledge so that I not only have a great education but I can live according to Christ. The teachers have also taught me how to manage my time and how to be diligent, which will benefit me as I go on to my next stage of life. Some of the best times I had at New Covenant have been being a part of the Lady Cavs sisterhood, being props manager for the drama productions, house retreats, serving the community with the house systems, and spending time with my senior classmates. 

After graduating, I plan on attending Anderson University or Tri County Technical College to study early childhood education. New Covenant has greatly prepared me for this next step in life. I can confidently say that New Covenant has benefited me in education and in my faith. I will miss New Covenant and its loving community with all my heart but I know that I will never forget the memories that I made here. 

Ezekiel Gibson - Class of 2021

I began New Covenant in the 9th Grade. If you would have told me in my middle school years that I would be graduating from New Covenant, I would not have believed you. I quickly figured out that what I wanted was not always best. My mama made me switch schools so that I could join my sister. At first, I was reluctant, but I had to trust that this was God's plan and that my mama knows what’s best for me. 

My time at the New Covenant has been a journey to say the least. The very first day I was welcomed and felt like I belonged there. The greatest example of this was my first day in Mr. Wilkes' Omnibus class, I asked Will Hardy if I could sit next to him and he said "Of course". That was my first of many encounters with the loving environment that New Covenant provides. Even though I was raised in a Christian home and went to church with my family, I did not have a deep theology. In Omni class, Mr. Wilkes asked us questions that really made me think about my relationship with the Lord. He always encouraged us to think for ourselves and he truly pushed me to trust God more. Throughout my high school years, I've learned the importance of Community and those whom you surround yourself with. All my four years at New Covenant, I've participated on the boys basketball team. All of the boys on the team have pushed me to become a better player and to have a more intimate relationship with the Lord. The basketball team and the youth group at New Covenant have given me a strong community. This helped me to get through my high school years and taught me to trust the Lord more.

Now for the future I have no idea what's going to happen, as I have figured out that you should not make plans and have high hopes for them. I might not know God's plan for my life but I know that He is in control. New Covenant has given me the tools I need for my future and I've been equipped for all the challenges I might face in daily life. In the fall, I will be attending Tri-County Technical College, pursuing a study in mechatronics. While I've learned a lot in my last four years, what has stuck with me the most would be to live like today is your last. We are not promised tomorrow, so build your community and trust the Lord. I am so grateful for the opportunities that New Covenant has provided me and the lessons it has taught me.

Matthew Harmon - Class of 2021

I have been attending New Covenant since I was in preschool and I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. The thing that makes this school so different from others is that it genuinely feels like one big family. Everyone knows everyone and welcomes them in and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be educated.

The school prepares you to face almost any challenge or trial you may come across once you leave its halls. They teach you the facts about the Bible and about faith, everything you need to be able to do math and science as an adult if it may cross your path and how to extract the most information from reading something. Then they make sure that you can defend your arguments with properly reasoned and structured logic so that we may better those around us. I have never been a fan of public speaking to say the least, but I already feel far more prepared for it thanks to this school’s dedication to preparing its students for life after the school. 

After graduation, I plan to attend Anderson University with a major in criminal justice and a minor in psychology to hopefully either become a behavioral analyst or practice a forensic specialty or CSI. The school has given me an appreciation for serving others and this way I would get to extend that sentiment as an adult. I have been so blessed to call New Covenant my home and I’m going to seriously miss it when I’m gone.

Rachel Lopez - Class of 2021

I have attended New Covenant School since preschool. Throughout these past twelve plus years, New Covenant has had a huge impact on my life. When I was younger I don’t think I realized what a blessing it was to receive a classical Christian education, but as I look back on it now, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity I have been given. 

This school has taught me how to think for myself rather than taking someone’s word for everything, and it has taught me how to detect the lies of the world. But more than this, it has taught me how to learn. This is necessary for anything that we do in life, so I believe this is extremely valuable. This school has not only blessed me academically, but also spiritually and socially. Being able to learn through a Christian worldview is something that I will always be thankful for. I have also been able to develop relationships not only with my peers but also with my teachers due to the small community setting. I am very thankful to my teachers for being truly invested in us and desiring for us to not only learn, but to grow in the truth and to serve the Lord in whatever we do. The community at New Covenant is a defining characteristic of this school that I truly admire. I remember being a sixth grader and several of the high school students would always be willing to talk to me, and that meant so much to me. I hope that now, as a senior, I can have that same impact on the younger students. This school has many opportunities to develop closer relationships in smaller groups. For me, this came through being the statistician for the girls basketball team and also being involved with every drama production since I was in eighth grade. In those activities lie some of my best memories. 

I hope to attend Clemson University in the fall to study Communications. New Covenant School has taught me the importance of community and I want to use that as I move into a new chapter. I believe that this school has given me a firm foundation in my faith and has prepared me to face the challenges of learning and growing in a new place. I will forever be grateful for the love that this school has shown me and the important truths that it has taught me. 

Chloe Curnow - Class of 2020

I have attended New Covenant since I was in the ninth grade. Although four years is a short time, this school has impacted my life. New Covenant has become a second home for me and I am so privileged to have been able to have gone to this school. Not only has it shaped me academically it has shaped me spiritually.

Since coming to New Covenant, I have I have been blessed by the wonderful and welcoming community that flourishes throughout its halls. Many of my friendships have blossomed in the classroom, in sports, or in the drama program that New Covenant provides. I am so blessed that I got to experience this amazing community where everyone feels welcome and loved. Academically, New Covenant not only helped me understand difficult topics but also encouraged me to think for myself. This amazing learning environment does this by teaching students to use logic and reason in classes such as Omnibus and Bible. These classes also helped me spiritually by teaching me the right theology and how to discern poor theology. New Covenant also helped me to get out of my comfort zone by teaching us to write and deliver speeches and teaching us how to argue and speak properly. As a person who struggles with public speaking, this amazing school allowed me to feel assured about speaking in front of others. Now, through New Covenant, I have become more confident in my speaking and reasoning abilities. This extraordinary school has thoroughly prepared me for the world and all of its obstacles.

After high school, I plan on attending Tri-County Technical College to get my associates degree in business. Afterward, I plan on attending cosmetology school to pursue a career in hair and makeup design. The New Covenant drama program, where I was a hair and makeup designer, helped me develop my passion and I am very thankful for it. New Covenant school has done a great job of preparing me for life. New Covenant has been an amazing experience, and I am glad to be an upcoming graduate.

Kaitlin Curnow - Class of 2020

My name is Kaitlin Curnow. I started attending New Covenant School as a part-time student in seventh-grade. Then in ninth grade, my parents decided that I should take the next step in my education and become a full-time student. Since then I have fallen in love with New Covenant School.

This school is like no other in its ability to teach, love, and serve. Academically, New Covenant School has challenged me to think and reason for myself, defend my ideals, and to be diligent. I know these attributes will help me, not only for college, but for life. New Covenant School teaches wonderful classes, but it stands out mainly in its community. Nowhere else have I found such a loving and welcoming atmosphere. I know that I can sit anywhere in the cafeteria, whether that is with middle scholars or high scholars, and have a great time. The staff at New Covenant have encouraged me, excelled my education, and have been true role models on how to serve. The highlights of my time at New Covenant include playing Julia Simmons in the production of “A Murder is Announced”, being a part of the Sisterhood that won a state basketball championship, being in Mr. Canney’s omnibus class, and going to the House Retreat. [1] 

After graduation, I plan to attend Clemson University and major in political science. I know that my education at New Covenant school has equipped me for college and whatever challenges it might bring. I will miss the amazing community and sisterhood that I have had at New Covenant School, but I know that I will never forget the love and lessons that they have shown me.

Gabe Miller - Class of 2020

I joined New Covenant School when I was in the seventh grade. I learned a lot more in my first year at the School, than I ever had at my previous school. What I love about New Covenant is that it challenges you, and makes you have to think for yourself. This school does not allow you to slack off on your subjects, and that will definitely help me succeed in college.

When I came to the school in the seventh grade everyone was so welcoming. Even the seniors would talk to me! Eighth grade year was my second favorite year because my best friends came to the school that year and I met my favorite teacher, Mr. Wilkes. Ninth grade year was my most favorite year because my older brother Reese was a senior at New Covenant, and I played basketball with him and my best friends. We went twenty-two and zero, and won the state championship. Tenth grade year was my favorite year because I had struggled that year with school, trials, and my personality. But I have learned from all of those mistakes, from the school and most importantly from my family, and would not change it if I could. But on the bright side we won our second State Championship with a great group of guys. Eleventh grade was my third favorite year because I had my favorite teacher and youth pastor, Mr. Wilkes, for the last time and he taught me so much. I learned so much about Christ in every classroom, whether it was Omnibus, English, or Grammar. I also got to win a third State Championship with my brother Miles and a great team. I am trying to soak up the memories with my brother Miles because time is precious.

After High School, I plan to attend Tri- County Technical College to major in Computer Science for two years. New Covenant has prepared me these six years for college. I have been prepared by my Omnibus classes to be diligent and to reason well. I cannot wait to graduate with my classmates. New Covenant School is the most welcoming, enjoyable, and loving school I know.

Jacob Valentine - Class of 2020

I started at New Covenant in the 7th grade and never really saw myself still being here as a senior. However, here I am six years later, 18 years old, 5’8, with hair down past my ears. My years here have been interesting but also very fun. While here, I have met the best friends I could've ever asked for. While some of us probably spent more time scheming and trying to get out of trouble, I know we all made memories that none of us will ever forget.

I also feel that I have grown a lot closer to Christ since I started going here. As a student in public school I knew the story of Jesus and his sacrifice, however I did not know what it meant to truly know him. But since I began going here, I have developed a much deeper love and appreciation for God and his Word, and I find peace and comfort through His guidance.

New Covenant has truly blessed me in preparing me for life after high school. With teachers and administrators working tirelessly to educate every student about their faith and the world around them; I know that I will have a better grasp on what it means to be a Christian and an honest member of society. Though my years here are quickly coming to an end, I know that I will never forget them. One of these days I’ll be wandering around the French Quarter in New Orleans with a girl on my arm and some shrimp in my mouth, and I’ll still be reminiscing about my days at New Covenant.

Noah Van Wieren - Class of 2020

I have attended New Covenant School for seven years now and I can say that my time here has definitely shaped and molded me into who I am today. New Covenant has allowed me to have a classical education while being surrounded by incredible friends, classmates, and teachers. I am extremely thankful that New Covenant has allowed me to discover many of my favorite things like music and volleyball, and has opened up and shown me opportunities to participate in those things. I have been able to be involved in the many theater productions, and play music for Chapel and Youth Group. At New Covenant I have learned so much about myself and who I want to become as I grow more in my faith and into adulthood.

        New Covenant’s mission is to present every student complete in Christ, and I can say that it has accomplished that mission and I can see that every day the school is always striving to complete that goal above all else. I can definitely say that the school has shown me not only who I want to be, but how to reach that goal and be that person. It was especially in my Junior and Senior year so far that I have learned so much more about myself and all of that is credit to New Covenant. The one person who has helped me most in my growth as a person and has helped guide me closer to Christ is Mr. Wilkes. He is definitely my favorite teacher at New Covenant, and is also the youth pastor for NCC, and without him I don’t know where I would be today.

        New Covenant has provided me with the skills and opportunities to succeed and has been with me through all my ups and downs as a high schooler, and I couldn’t be more thankful. I would like to thank Mrs. Lamb for pushing me to always be active in helping out around the school, Mr. Canney for being an excellent leader and example throughout my years here, and Mrs. Lopez for printing my papers for me when I forgot them even though she didn’t have to.

Elliott Wright - Class of 2020

Hello my name is Elliott Wright. I have attended New Covenant School in some form for six years. I have been surrounded by the classical schooling method for most of my life, whether at New Covenant or in my homeschooling. I have had the opportunity to be involved in cross country, basketball, and the drama programs. These different programs in combination with the rigorous curriculum have been incredibly beneficial to character development.

“Who you are determines what you do” is often quoted by one of my first teachers here, Mr. Wilkes. It is a brilliant example of classical thinking. It explores the concepts of the “why”. New Covenant is devoted to the “why” of the world. It teaches students the art of reasoning well and developing your own world view. New Covenant pushes students to be the best they can be. Hard work and responsibility are primary character traits that are supported and rewarded here.

“Who you are determines what you do” describes a priority at New Covenant School that separates this learning community from other area schools. This school values hard work, reasoning and thinking for oneself, loving those around you, and ultimately Christ. These values are actively lived out by the faculty and alumni, and instilled in the students. Those who have gone through New Covenant’s classical, Christian program live out a Christ-like attitude toward life and acquire a quality education that allows them to leave complete in Christ. Being here has shown me what it means to live by the school’s moto, “presenting every student complete in Christ”.

I plan to attend Clemson University to major in engineering. I am confident that New Covenant has prepared me for what is to come and I am excited to use my honed passions and skills in the upcoming challenges.

Caroline Lamb - Class of 2019

I have been blessed to attend New Covenant School since kindergarten and over the years it has become my second home. The teachers and staff have taught me how to lead and serve everyone around me in a God-pleasing manner. I have been equipped with an education that challenges me to understand and express what I believe in.

Due to my long tenure at New Covenant, I have cultivated great friendships with not only the students, but also the teachers and staff. The community of believers I am surrounded by at New Covenant School is rare and wonderful. A few highlights from my years at this school include constructing a castle out of peppermints in Mrs. Wyse’s second grade class, creating an animal tri-fold board in third grade with my mom as my teacher, playing Mrs. Fairfax in the high school production of “The Importance of Being Earnest”, and winning New Covenant’s first women’s basketball state championship with the finest group of girls and coach I’ve ever known.

After graduation, I plan to attend Southern Wesleyan University, Clemson University, or Anderson University and study something involving outdoor leadership and youth ministry. New Covenant School has equipped me to take the necessary steps to get into a college where I can further learn how to serve the Lord in what I do.

Anna Doroshchak - Class of 2019

I joined New Covenant School in the tenth grade. On coming here one of the things that first stood out to me was the friendly and family like atmosphere. All my worries about making friends quickly disappeared. From my three years  at this school a big highlight for me was going to chapel every Friday. Singing hymns together with my fellow students left me with a sense of unity and peace. Going to NCS has benefited me academically as well. Before New Covenant I despised all my mathematical classes but upon my arrival to the school my like and interest in this subject has greatly grown and I even found myself anticipating this class every day. When I graduate I plan to go into the medical field and become a travel nurse. NCS has taught me to work hard for the things I wish to achieve and I feel this will greatly contribute to the success of my future college education and career.

Deacon Shaw - Class of 2019

I have been attending New Covenant School since the tenth grade. I originally came here in search of a place with more Christ-like values than my previous school. Initially, I only expected to have the same old classes, but with more well-mannered classmates. Well, New Covenant exceeded my expectations. I realized that something was definitely different when I went into history class and I wasn’t mindlessly copying notes. I was actually prompted to think and reason things for myself. Academically, New Covenant has taught me how to think for myself. Now, I can make an argument and defend it. Each teacher in New Covenant has not only helped me excel in my education further than I thought I could. I even managed to catch up to the rest of my class in my second year of Spanish after coming to the school barely knowing any of the language. With classes like Omnibus helping me grow academically, they also helped me grow spiritually. When I came here, I wasn’t really sure of who God was, but now I have a better understanding of who He is, and that He is a just, powerful, and loving God who has worked out every detail of our lives to come. I’ve also grown closer with the students here. I had never seen a school that had high and middle school lunch together, but it’s not a bad thing. I’m not just familiar with the people in my class, but with the school as a whole.

My plans after I graduate are to major in Graphic Communications at Clemson, and eventually have my own family. My art class will have helped me tremendously if I do major in this course. Part of Graphic Communications will be doing activities such as screen printing on shirts and making things from other materials we used in art class. This school has also taught me how to be a man of God, so I believe I am capable of leading my future family in the path of Christ.

New Covenant School has been a fulfilling experience, and I am glad to be an upcoming graduate. I feel like I better understand the world around me and how to handle it. I am graduating from New Covenant without any regrets of coming here. I believe that the school has done their part, and I am departing complete in Christ.

JohnMichael O'Neal - Class of 2018

I have been attending New Covenant for four years, and it has been an experience I will never forget. Since I was Catholic and Hispanic I was worried that I would not be accepted by my fellow classmates. Although I was different that did not stop my fellow classmates from going out of their way to make me feel welcomed. This school is amazing; one of the best things this school has to offer is public worship. I am so blessed that I was allowed to come to a school where God is first above all else.

Being at this school has taught me discipline, fellowship, and a love for knowledge. Because this school is smaller, classes are normally composed of a few students. This allows the teachers time to get to know their student’s abilities, personalities, and academic potential. Then the students are pushed to their potential to give the best possible outcome for college. Also, being a smaller school meant that there was no real sports program because there would not be enough active participants but in 2015 New Covenant started a basketball team which a lot of the upper school students participated in. This led to two back-to-back men's state championships as well as spawning a cross country team. Academically the school is unmatched, and in community New Covenant welcomes people with open arms.

After high school I plan on attending either Lander University or Anderson University to pursue a nursing career. From there I will get my bachelor’s in nursing and become a flight nurse. This will all be possible through the superior academics and the loving and helpful community that New Covenant has to offer.

Grayson Hardy - Class of 2018

I have been a student at New Covenant School since K-4. I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity to grow up in a school that puts God first in everything they do. Perhaps the most important aspect of my education from New Covenant was learning how to think for myself and not just take someone’s word for something. This is a very important skill to have as I move on to college next year where not everyone will have the same beliefs as me.

The past three years I have been able to play on the school basketball team. Being on this team has taught me things that could never be learned in a classroom. It has taught me several skills such as the ability to follow and trust somebody else’s leading but it has also taught me how to be a good leader. Also, being able to say that I won back to back state championships in high school is a pretty cool accomplishment.

After I graduate, I plan on attending Clemson University and studying Animal and Veterinary Sciences. The education that I have received at New Covenant will not only help me excel in the classroom but also in almost any other activity that I might choose to do. I am confident that as I prepare to move on from high school, I have received the best possible education as well as a strong rooting in my faith.    

Whitner Cann - Class of 2018

I attended New Covenant School from Kindergarten through 5th grade, then returned my Junior year after 5 years at another private school. When I returned to New Covenant my junior year I made the varsity basketball team and I have enjoyed being part of a State Championship team. I have learned a lot from Coach Miller and it was incredible to have an undefeated season. It was an honor to play with a great team and to go on and win the 1A State Championship. We are having a great season I am looking forward to winning the State Championship again this year.

I have great memories of my years at New Covenant including: hiding in the slide on the first day of K5 from Mrs. Andreasen, performing “Albuquerque, He’s My Turkey” in 2nd grade with Mrs. Wyse’s class, laughing and joking around in Mr. Wilkes class, working on the yearbook staff, and many great year end “field days.” The greatest part of New Covenant is the little things that build lasting memories. Every time I go to sign out, Mrs. Lopez always smiles and tells me to have a good day. Although small instances, they make the New Covenant experience “lit.”

I am looking forward to graduating in May. My plans are to attend Tri-County Technical College in the fall for college transfer classes and then pursue a business degree at Clemson University. I’m thankful for the teachers I have had during my time at New Covenant to prepare me for my future. Go Cavs!

James Curnow - Class of 2018

I first attended New Covenant School in kindergarten and part of first grade and after being homeschooled I returned for my eighth grade year. The past five years at New Covenant have been an amazing opportunity to grow in both my education and my faith. I feel that my classes have instilled the necessary skills for college life both in academics and in the ability to think for myself and be firm in my doctrine and faith. One particular class that I enjoyed taking was Omnibus. This class was a combination of  class discussion and lecture, and it allowed me to debate and defend what I believe. While I did not necessarily enjoy the work load, the Omnibus class gave me life skills that will help me when I am no longer in the Christian environment which I am in right now.

While attending New Covenant I’ve been given the ability to enjoy many extracurricular activities. I was in the dramatic productions Arsenic and Old Lace, Death by Design, Wait until Dark, and Harvey. I was also involved in  sports including a year of Cross Country and  three years of varsity basketball.

I hope to attend Clemson University in the fall. I pray that I will be able to use the knowledge and Biblical teachings which I received while attending New Covenant to further the kingdom of Christ in both my words and actions.​

Will Phillips - Class of 2017

I have been a student at New Covenant School since the sixth grade.  Prior to coming to NCS, I attended Concord Elementary School from kindergarten through fifth grade.  My sister graduated from NCS in 2010, the same year I was a fifth grader.  My parents had talked to me about coming to NCS, but I was pretty sure that I wanted to stay with my friends and go to McCants Middle School.  But, one night we were at a function at NCS with my sister.  There was a slide show playing and it looked like they had so much fun at school that I decided that night that NCS was where I wanted to go in sixth grade.  So, I have been here ever since and feel I have received a much better education than I would have received at any other school.  

I have enjoyed my time here at NCS and have made some very good friends.  I have participated in Cavalier football, both as a player and a coach.  The last several years I have helped backstage with our drama productions.  This year I am a member of the cast of our school play.  I also participated in the school talent show for the first time this year.  New Covenant Church youth group has also been a very important part of my time here. I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in April of 2015.  My Eagle Scout project was constructing bookshelves and a book drive for the NCS Library.

I am very grateful to all of the teachers and faculty here at NCS and to my family for allowing me to get my education here. I am plan to attend Anderson University  and I am considering majoring in Criminal Justice.

Maddie Smith - Class of 2017

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to attend New Covenant School since Kindergarten. Although I do not remember when I did not know Jesus, New Covenant has allowed me to be nourished in my faith. The teachers have enriched my education by being Christ-like examples. They have shown me grace when I haven’t deserved it, allowing me to learn to show grace to others as well. My fellow classmates have also enriched my life. At New Covenant School we hold one another accountable. When one of us stumbles, there is always a friend there to pray with us, encourage us and tell us when we are not glorifying God.

The culture at New Covenant School is like a family, from reading with the younger students, to supporting one another through the school sponsored activities like basketball we all truly love one another. I am confident that I am prepared for the new challenges ahead of me because of my education at New Covenant School. I plan to attend the Dental Hygiene Program at Greenville Technical College in the fall and I feel comfortable being able to express my faith to those who may not have a relationship with Christ. I know what I believe and why I believe because of the classical and Christian education I have received at New Covenant School. My advice to other students at New Covenant is to soak up as much as you can, the classes, the activities and the fellowship with other students. I promise you will not regret it! Psalm 119:31-32 says, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. I hold fast to your statutes, LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I hold fast to your statutes, Lord ; do not let me be put to shame.”

Drew Milford - Class of 2017

At the end of my Sophomore year my parents and I knew that the Lord was leading us in a different direction regarding schools. My brother and I had attended a different Christian school for the past six years so the thought of "starting over" was unsettling. My parents were praying for God to direct them in making the right decision. My mom received a call from Mrs. Julie Miller who encouraged them to consider New Covenant. Reese and I had attended the same school together previously and we were good friends. I was grateful to know that I would be able to attend school again with my friend. I was also glad to know that I would once again get the opportunity to be back on the basketball court playing for Coach Patrick Miller. By far the greatest experience for me during my time at New Covenant was playing basketball and winning the State Championship, definitely a dream come true.

I am still praying about what the Lord has for me in the future. I plan to work through the summer and potentially attend Tri-County Technical College in the fall. I would like to say thank you to my teachers for helping me prepare for the future and best of luck to my fellow classmates. I can't wait to see how we make our mark on the world.

Adam Mortenson - Class of 2017

I have attended New Covenant School ever since kindergarten. I am so thankful that my parents sent me to a school where I can learn through a Christian worldview and be taught by some terrific teachers. I’ve seen my fair share of teachers, and I love how at New Covenant I got to have one on one attention in the classroom, while at the same time developing a relationship with them that extended beyond it. New Covenant has provided me an education that, typically, many people do not get a chance to have.

Above all else, the community at New Covenant is great. I love being able to know everybody’s name and forming strong relationships with other students regardless of age. The education at New Covenant is challenging, teaching about art, literature, music, and historical events through a Christian worldview. I learned that learning what something is or what happened cannot be understood without understanding why it happened or was made.NCS has prepared me to think for myself and hold strong in my faith even when my beliefs are questioned.

I think it says a lot about the school when I say that I’m sad it is my last year. Normally seniors are filled with excitement about leaving for college. But, I can say I will miss the community, the Christ-centered education, and the school I have come to love. As far as plans for next year, I am largely undecided about college, having no clue what to major in, but I will likely be attending Clemson or USC next fall. The one thing I do know is that God will guide me toward the correct path though I may not see that path now.

Anna Milford - Class of 2017

I have attended New Covenant School from kindergarten through senior year. Throughout these 13 years I have made many memories and learned abundantly, but I can summarize my time at New Covenant in two words: foundation and family.

I have received a strong foundation from NCS, a foundation that I can build on for the rest of my life. The teachers at NCS have poured their hearts into me and invested in me so that I can continue to grow. My greatest period of growth occurred during my first three years of high school, when I was taught history and literature through the Omnibus curriculum. Learning through the Omnibus curriculum is a great blessing. Mr. Aubry and Mr. Canney used this curriculum to push my fellow students and I to think for ourselves and come to conclusions about the world through a Christian worldview. This foundation will stay with me forever and I am thankful for all the teachers who have played a part in presenting me complete in Christ.

New Covenant is special because of its community. The students at NCS love and care about one another; we want everyone to feel like they can be the person that God created them to be.  All of us have been given different spiritual gifts and we use those gifts to serve one another.  New Covenant School is a family. Next year it will be so strange to not have any classes with my fellow seniors. I have known some of the people in my class for my entire life, others I have only know for a couple years. Despite the changes each school year brought we continued to build stronger friendships. I know that my friendships at New Covenant will last a lifetime because Christ is at the center of our relationships. I encourage all the students at New Covenant to cherish the moments they have with their friends and recognize the blessing of this wonderful learning environment.

Next year, I plan to attend Anderson University, Clemson University, Covenant College, or Southern Wesleyan University to study biology. I hope to build off this degree and become a physical therapist. New Covenant has taught me to serve others and love as Christ loves and I cannot wait to use what I have learned to fulfill that purpose. I am forever grateful for my parents’ decision to send me to a Christian school as it is the greatest gift I have ever received. New Covenant will always be a part of my life and I am incredibly blessed to be a student.

Rebecca Lamb - Class of 2017

New Covenant School has blessed me in so many ways, but I think one of the biggest blessings is community. From kindergarten all the way to my senior year, I’ve grown up learning with the people I love most. There have been many changes while I have attended, but all along New Covenant School has held onto its original purpose. A big part of that is bringing students and their families into a really wonderful community that desires to present each one of its students complete in Christ.

I think I took much of my education for granted for a long time. I didn’t quite understand the richness of what I was being taught. My mom is a teacher, so as a teacher’s kid I spent a lot of time at NCS. My sister and I used to laugh and say New Covenant is our real home, because we spend more time at the school than we do at our own house! But in all honesty, New Covenant IS my home, and the people there are my family. They’ve educated me, disciplined me, shared the love and mercy of Christ with me, and poured their lives into me because they love the Lord and His children. To be in the presence of God’s people every single day, and be educated with curriculum that is woven with God’s Word, is a priceless gift.

Next year I plan to study elementary education at Anderson, Clemson, Auburn, or Winthrop University. Becoming an elementary school teacher has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and I’m hoping to use teaching in the mission field as well. I’ve always loved learning, and I look forward to ministering to elementary students in the same way my teachers took care to minister to me. I can’t imagine any place that would prepare me better for college and after, and I am extremely grateful that I have had the opportunity to learn at NCS.

Chase Harmon - Class of 2017

I have attended New Covenant since my Kindergarten year, except for my 7th grade year where, under financial issues, I was not able to have the blessing of a New Covenant education. I’ve seen four different headmasters, many different teachers come and go, but one constant goal despite all their differences: To present every student complete in Christ.

Whether Mr. Canney’s or Mr. Aubry’s Omnibus class, teaching us not only Literature and History, but how we can learn Biblical lessons from them, or Rev. Simon’s physics class, learning about the world our Lord has made and how we function in it, or Systematic Theology with Mr. Wilkes, learning all the names and attributes of our Lord, or Mrs. Harmon’s class, about the founding and system of Government our country runs on, or any math class with Mrs. Graves or Mrs. Collins or even Dr. Harmon, no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I’m surrounded by teachers and students who all love Christ and strive to honor him in everything.

From New Covenant, I plan to attend Clemson University with a major in Engineering, though I’m undecided what form presently, and potential minors in Theater and Education. I know that my training in the Lord will not fail me as I advance from here to college, and into the business world.

Before I go, I have one bit of advice for the student reading this, thinking “so what?” Invest your time in this school, in these people. You’ll make so many new friends; have so many stories to tell whoever will listen. So if you’re thinking about joining that club, or playing that sport, or assisting with the drama production, then do it! 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” I can’t wait to see how this school grows, both now and into the future!

Brooke Carver - Class of 2017

I attended New Covenant from first to third grade. I transferred to public school, but in eighth grade, the curriculum finally got to me. I had been learning a lot from New Covenant’s youth group and what I was being taught there was different than at school. I thought it unbeneficial to be taught one thing at school yet know it is not valid at the same time. One day at church, Mr. Canney started to talk to me about my plans for high school. I told him that I really wanted to go to New Covenant, but I didn’t know how because of the cost. He seemed surprised that I directly told him this.

This is my fourth year back at New Covenant and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Even though I knew most of the people from elementary school, it was still scary to start over. I shouldn’t have worried, for the teachers and the students are so welcoming and loving. They truly care for you and all your endeavors.

New Covenant’s education is so rich. Omnibus with Mr. Aubry and Mr. Canney made me think for myself on a lot of hard questions. Although it was not always easy for my family money wise at times, no one has ever pushed me away, but instead blessed me and helped my family. New Covenant has been so gracious and loving to me. When you come to New Covenant it becomes your home, partly because you’re there all the time and because New Covenant is a family.

I plan to continue my Christian education at either AU or Covenant where I’ll study Business and Spanish. I am eternally grateful for all the teachers that have invested in me and sharing the wonderful gospel to me, my mother for allowing me to have a Christian education, and my friends for loving me and making me apart of the family.

Brian Sizemore - Class of 2016

I am a senior in the New Covenant school 2016 graduating class. Ever since I came to NCS in the 7th grade, I have made a second family. Everyone looks out for each other no matter the circumstance. The teachers are always there and happy to help when needed. The Christian environment and education has aided me in my journey of faith. After I graduate, I will be attending Anderson University to major in Commercial Music and minor in Business. Thanks to New Covenant’s chapel leadership and talent shows opportunities, I have been able to gain experience in performing that should help me in my music career. After college I plan to work in the Anderson/ Greenville area and if possible help at chapel for NCS in the future. If I have learned one thing from my time here to pass on to the younger students, it would simply be to take school seriously, do your homework, and make lots of friends.

CJ Parsons - Class of 2016

I am in the 2016 graduating class at New Covenant. It has been a real blessing to be part of such a great school ever since I began attending in 8th grade. The teachers and fellow students have helped me with my walk with The Lord and have helped me in a great way with defending my faith and trying to help others. Being a part of the Cavalier football team was one of my greatest memories with being at New Covenant because it has taught me leadership and helped me develop friendships that will last a lifetime. After I graduate NCS I plan to attend Florence Darlington Tech to get my welding degree. Transferring to NCS was one of the best decisions I ever made and I hope to see it grow and change more lives like it has changed mine.

Adri Cabrales - Class of 2016

Transferring to NCS my 9th grade year was one of the scariest experiences ever. Coming into a class of 8, when I was used to classes of 20-25 students was a bit of a shock for me. I was surprised by the kindness and love that I received on my first day. Everyone was friendly and greeted me with open arms. Until then I had not encountered a group of students, much less high schoolers, so willing to step out of their daily routine to welcome a new face. As my high school years at NCS progressed, I built great relationships with my fellow students. The friendships I have made here have felt so genuine, and I know they will be long lasting. That is probably my favorite thing about this small community. And, it is this small, close-knit, caring, and friendly environment that I have found at NCS, that has me looking forward to attending Lander University in the Fall. At Lander, I hope to attend the Honors College and become involved in ROTC. My ultimate goal is to graduate college with a minor in counseling and become a psychiatric mental health nurse. Given the experiences I went through in middle school and high school I believe that this is the field God has called me to be in. Through a lot of prayer and conversation I have come to realize mental health and the military are two areas that interest me. I’m looking forward to see how God is going to merge them into my career and/or life in the future.

Jillian Burchette - Class of 2016

Hi! My name is Jillian Burchette and I am a senior in the 2016 graduating class at New Covenant School. I have thoroughly loved my time at NCS. The teachers have molded my Christian worldview into a very precious blessing. I am beyond grateful for the time invested into it. After I graduate, I hope to attend one of my three candidate schools—Clemson University, College of Charleston, or Covenant College. I wish to study Business and Marketing with Entrepreneurship. I have been blessed to sign a contract with a modeling agency in NC. I plan to take a trip to New York to find work there over next spring break and summer. I am very thankful to have had my theological and educational foundations formed at New Covenant School. Nothing can compare to being a NCS student. My advice to the lower classmen would be to really DO the reading homework. The class discussions will only reach the incredible potential they hold if you read the books. =)

Rebecca Roth - Class of 2016

I believe my thirteen years at New Covenant School have set the stage for future success. Academically, New Covenant School has shown me how to think critically and logically. Although this has been an emphasis throughout my education, the high school Omnibus literature and history classes cultivated these thinking skills through analyzing original works and discussing them in class. Spiritually, I have learned who I am in relation to God. A family friend once told me, “The most important thing to know about a person is his or her view of God.” I know God to be sovereign, omnipresent, and loving. In relation to God, we’re broken people. The good news is that God executed a plan to redeem His people through His Son. Having these skills and knowing who God is are the foundation for life.

After graduation from New Covenant School, I will attend Anderson University. I am looking forward to continuing my education in a Christian environment. I plan to major in psychology and possibly minor in Spanish and nutrition. One day, I hope to become a therapist.

Ben Hardy - Class of 2016

Hi, my name is Ben Hardy. I am a senior here at NCS and I hope to be accepted into Clemson University next fall. I’ve been at this school my whole life and during my time here I’ve seen firsthand the best qualities about this place. Elementary school introduced me to lifelong friends and taught me the world from a Christian perspective. Middle school taught me how to interact with my friends and put other people first. High school at New Covenant gave me the knowledge to discuss my faith with confidence and the ability to defend why I believe what I do. Teachers always led by example and helped us learn to be compatible with each other. Mr. Canney’s literature and history classes gave me insight that I’ll take with me forever. New Covenant School has prepared me for real life, and I know transitioning to college will be easier thanks to the teaching I’ve received here.

Rebekah Graves - Class of 2016

NCS has been a crucial part of my academic and spiritual growth. I have attended this school since kindergarten, and the core part of what makes our school great has remained untouched. We like to say “Things are different here!” and they really are. Every element of our school is centered on what really matters – Christ. We pray before classes, we treat one another with love, and we give credit to the Creator. This has been most prominent in my science classes. We still learn the evolution theories, but from a biblical standpoint. We marvel in the great power of God, and the beautiful complexity of His creation.

New Covenant’s focus on God in science has fueled my desire to continue my education with a science-based degree. After graduation, I am looking forward to attending AU, Clemson, or Wingate University. My plan is to get my BSN in nursing. I pray this will provide an overwhelming opportunity to not only serve those in need, but also show Christ in my behavior and actions, and New Covenant has prepared me for this next step. NCS students are blessed to experience the value of a godly environment, where we can freely praise and worship the Lord.