CDS Stories

Elizabeth Ertel hosts seniors Sarah Mitchell and Luke Protasewich who share about the ways that CDS prepares students for life beyond high school, starting with the recent College Forum. Listen to hear the seniors' experiences, wisdom, and encouragement regarding high school and the college process.

In this episode, Jackie Haynes hosts Kari Cope, high school Spanish and literature teacher. Cope shares about her college career, her missions work, and her move to Charlotte, NC. Listen in to hear more about the blessings and challenges that come with teaching at CDS.

This episode of CDS Stories covers all of the Varsity Fall Sports teams. Featuring Elizabeth Ertel and Preston Jordan as hosts, they interview players and captains on all of our teams to hear mid-season updates. Hopefully, this provides some insight into Covenant Day athletics from the eyes of the players.

CDS Stories is so excited to introduce our podcast team for 2019-2020! We cannot wait for you to meet the members of the committee. Tune in to learn more!

Members of Covenant Day's high school community come together to share advice to rising freshmen for the 2019-2020 school year!

Linda Harling opens up about her life as a missionary, how she came to CDS, and why she loves this community. Listen in to learn more about Mrs. Harling's life and her deep passion for the Lord.

In this episode, Emma Kruger, a senior at CDS, and her mom, Melissa, open up to our community about how the Lord has worked in their lives. In particular, Emma talks about how athletics at CDS have impacted her spiritually and relationally. Next, Melissa shares about how she has fallen into her various roles in ministry, and she divulges the impact motherhood has had on her prayer life. Together, these women inspire us to pursue to Lord deeper and live in light of what He is doing in our lives.

In this episode, Jackie interviews a valued member of our athletic community, Hannah Hertel, who shares about her life growing up, how she came to CDS, and how mental health plays a key role in athletics. Listen in to hear about why Hertel is a special member of our community.

In this episode, Emerson Rogers joins us in the studio. He has a unique experience from being a student of Covenant Day School since Kindergarten. Listen in to hear about his plans for this year as president, and his attitude throughout his college search. Emerson's perspective on life and love of Christ is truly inspiring.

In this episode, David Johnson, a parent and teacher here at CDS, joins us in the studio. He shares about his past and how the Lord led him to start the nonprofit Silent Images, open Brakeman's Coffee & Supply, and teach here at CDS. It is encouraging to hear about Johnson's passion for the Lord and his experiences. Johnson is truly an important and valued member of our body and a blessing in this community. Listen in to hear how God is using his life in and outside of CDS.

In the final podcast episode of the year, we get to hear from Jackie Haynes! Jackie will be the new host of the CDS Stories podcast and we could not be more excited! Together, we talk about her love for stories, the Haynes' foster daughter, and some of her favorite CDS memories. Thank you, Jackie!

In this special double episode focused on last week’s Celebration of the Arts, we first hear about the worship team from students Luke Protasewich and Tori Winsky. Then we hear from students Georgia Kibler and Dylan Gentner about visual arts. Thank you guys!!

In this episode, I get to talk to three of Mrs. Dennison's first graders! Ellie, Casey, and William tell me about their field trip to "Aw Shucks," their favorite meals, and of course, their favorite playground games! Thanks!

In this episode I sit down with Mr. Foltz (HS history) and Mrs. Foltz (LS music)! They share about what it's been like to watch CDS grow over nineteen years, the lessons they've learned while traveling, and how Mr. Foltz almost hit Mrs. Foltz with his moped. Thank you both so much!!

In this episode, I talk with Mr. Helmer (LS Principal) and his son, Matthew (5th grade at CDS). We talk about what Matthew's cochlear implants are like, the value Mr. Helmer sees in Christian education, and Matthew's DIY project, the "Ram-a-Jeep." Thank you both so much!

This week, I sit down with Mrs. Sharpe and Mr. Sharpe (who is a CDS HS Math teacher) to talk about their lives! Mrs. Sharpe shares her experience doing humanitarian work in the Middle East, Mr. Sharpe explains the meaning of his new title, “Trail Master,” and together, they sing a lovely duet! Thank you both!

In this podcast episode, Mrs. Frances Ashley (AP Physics teacher) and I sit down for a chat! We talk about what it’s like to send kids to college, her experience as one of the first women in Clemson’s engineering program, and how she balances her career and motherhood. Thank you, Mrs. Ashley!

In this podcast episode, Sophie Linder (CDS Senior) and I sit down for a chat! We talk about her competitive swimming journey, how the CDS community has supported her, and what she does for fun when she's not in the pool! Thanks, Sophie!

Ellie (11th) and Emery (9th) are our guests this week! They started their own nonprofit, KangarooKids to help families dealing with chronic disabilities stay organized throughout their hospital process. Together we talk about how the organization works, what it's like to be new to CDS this year, and some of their favorite KangarooKids stories.

Officer George Ortiz is Covenant Day's Guard One officer who helps us with traffic flow, parking, campus safety, and everything in between! In this interview, Officer Ortiz and I talk about why he loves his job, what he does in his free time, and his 23 years serving in the U.S. Navy. Thank you, Officer George!

Paul Wylie is a CDS parent of three kids (Hannah, Emma, and Caleb)and won a silver medal for figure skating in the 1992 Olympics. In this interview, he shares about the atmosphere of the Olympic Village, recovering from a serious health scare, and what advice he would give to aspiring young athletes. Thank you, Mr. Wylie!

In this interview, I sit down with Coach O'Quinn, Anna Haynes, and Sarah Dahlberg to chat about our Cross Country season. We talk about the atmosphere at races, being seniors on the team, and winning the state championship!

In this interview, I sit down with Hannah Wylie, Ben Collins, and Charlotte Kornegay, three actors in the middle school production of Lion King Junior! They talk me through the process of creating the show and share funny stories, comical stage mishaps, and what the Lion King story means to them. Thank you guys!

Darla Ellington is a CDS parent and the Food Services Manager at Convent Day. Together, we talk about a day in the life of her job, how her two sons transitioned into CDS, and why she calls CDS “the best kept secret in Charlotte.” Thank you, Mrs. Ellington!

Dr. Paul J. Maurer is the president of Montreat college and has decades of experience in research, speaking on numerous topics, and higher education leadership. Dr. Maurer is our keynote speaker for this year’s speaker symposium, titled, “The Power of Privilege.” Together, we discuss his powerful presentation the the student body, his journey to become the president of Montreat, and how he navigated the college search process with his own four children.

Hannah and Abby Olive attended CDS for four years and graduated in the class of 2016. In this interview, we talk about their life as twins, the transition from CDS to college, and how we processed being in London during terrorist attacks. Thank you, Abby and Hannah!

Jeff Dennsion(HS teacher) and Stephanie Dennison (1st grade teacher) have three kids at CDS and hosted CDS international student, Joyce Liu (also pictured), for 2 years. In this podcast, we talk about our appreciation for Mr. Tapp, the CDS community, and the very complex story of how the two met!

In this final podcast of the year, Sara Kate is our guest! Sara Kate is a rising senior and will be handling the podcast for the upcoming year! In this episode we discuss our love for stories and how the podcast came to fruition.

Baccalaureate Service 2017

to quote this week's podcast guest, "our interview was awesome!" Nate Davis was born with a cognitive disability, but despite this obstacle, Nate does not feel limited. Currently, he works part-time with operations at CDS and for Chik-fil-a. He also helps out the varsity baseball team during the spring season. In addition to these roles, we discuss Nate's love for dogs and sports. Thanks for being on the podcast, Nate!

Kayla (Class of 2010) is getting married! In this Podcast, she discusses her love for sports as well as how she met her husband-to-be! Congratulations Kayla!!!

Catherine, Mark and Haven are on the brink of their respective transition years! Catherine (12th grade) will be headed to Appalacian State next year. Mark (8th grade) will be looking forward to his freshmen year in the CDS high school. Haven (5th grade) will be anticipating the start of middle school! All three reflect, share favorite memories, and offer advice to those that are coming up behind them.

In this podcast Heather Mills discusses her love for history, an appreciation for her upbringing and what makes a "good college."

Sarah Mitchell (9th grade), Tanner McCammon (6th grade) and Ainsley Padgett (1st grade) are each nearing the end of their first year at each of their respective schools. Now that they are no longer rookies, I get their perspective on how things have gone, what they would have done differently, and what their favorite memories are.

Will has been with Christ Covenant/ Covenant Day for 3 years, and his wife, Patty, recently joined the team as well. They work tirelessly to care for our facilities, and taking care of a school building is serious business. They are some of the highest quality and most kindhearted people that you will ever meet. Check out this podcast to hear Will's story!

Seniors Kristen Seibert and Sarah Billiard discuss the balancing act required to be a student athlete, where they find their identity, their love for art, and the value of trying something new!

JD Brooks is a former collegiate soccer player for the Clemson Tigers, and he runs Iron Tribe Fitness in Charlotte. He and his wife, Brannon, have two children - Barrett and Graham. He is also a recovering alcoholic. In this chapel message JD shares his story of grace and redemption as the Lord used community to save him from addiction.

Katie Spata, High School Art Teacher, has been at CDS for 5 years. In this podcast, she talks about how she met Brian, her husband, at "Taylathon," spent the first 7 years of her career in China, and even the age-old question - "What is beauty?"

Scott Schindler was a member of Covenant Day's first graduating class (2006)! He was recently promoted to the position of director of admissions at Covenant College. He discusses both his memories of being a senior at Covenant Day and the college decision process.

Paster Derwin shares his testimony and desire to see multiethnic churches flourish in America with the CDS high school student body.

Dr. Uecker, CDS High School Principal, and Sherie-Beth Wilson, CDS Fine Arts Director, describe the new schedule coming to upper school students in the 2017-2018 school year. They also introduce several new elective opportunities for students

Grandparents Day is coming up on March 10th! In this interview Jim Dillon reflects on what it has been like having as many as 8 grandchildren all attending Covenant Day at the same time.

Renner Murphy and Joel Thomas, CDS Seniors, discuss ContainIt - a unique class that offers students unique experiential learning opportunities.

Dawn was a personal counselor and Bible teacher at Covenant day for 11 years. She is currently living in Pennsylvania where she is speaking and writing professionally. In this podcast, Dawn reflects on her time at CDS, her work as a server in a restaurant and the idea of being incarnational. Check our her website at www.dawnpoulterer.com.

Jackie Weigel first came to be involved in the CDS community as a parent of two girls whom eventually graduated from Covenant Day. She has coached varsity cheerleading, taught interior design in the high school, produced lower school chapels, and she currently teaches lower school art. Despite all of these tangible contributions, it is her enthusiasm for faith and life that is most impressive!

In this podcast, seniors Carlee Pierce and Brendan Osbourn reflect on their experiences in athletics and the fine arts. They also recall humorous stories from their past as students in Covenant Day's lower and middle school.

Ryan Fuderer has taught math at Covenant Day School for 10 years. In this podcast he shares his love for middle school students and recalls his experience facing a major medical challenge a few years into his career at CDS.

Andy Schuster, Christ Covenant Church's Pastor of Middle School Ministries, shares a message from Hebrews.

Travis Janousek, Family Ministry Pastor at Church at Charlotte, shares a chapel message with Covenant Day School's upper school.

In this interview with Kathy Greenfield, Library Media Specialist, she and Wade Tapp, Student Life Director, talk about her 21 years at Covenant Day School and the importance of libraries in 21st-century education. Kathy's contribution to Covenant Day's community is also esteemed by a special guest at the end of the podcast!

Madeline (Maddy) Rousseaux is a Freshman at Samford University and was a member of Covenant Day School's eleventh graduating class (2016). In this Alumni Spotlight, she sits down with Wade Tapp for a short interview about her memories of her time in Spirit Week and how she got plugged into a Church after heading off to pursue her undergraduate studies.