All dressed up for last day graduation exercises at Davidson Elementary School were these South Street kids (from left ) Holland Lamb (rising 4th grader) and those moving on to middle school, Tilly Boraks, Zac Churchill, Wesley Neal, and Jackson Lamb.
What a wonderful weekend for Hough High School’s first graduation and for Davidson Alumni to gather for reunion events. Mother Nature is smiling on us all with delightful weekend sunshine so we can leave umbrellas behind for all events, from benefit foot races to Concerts on The Green.
Lots of graduation stories to cover in the next weeks but today we start with a “trifecta” for the Walley family who had three graduating seniors, as well as news from four Woodlawn graduates, Zach Lingle, Camden Griggs, William O’Connell and Paulina Campbell. (Lots more to come in future Around Davidson columns.) In addition, we catch up with former Davidson resident, Charlie Summers, who was in town last weekend for his 40th Davidson College reunion and celebrate a birthday with Tish Kimbrough.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Tish Kimbrough!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TISH
Born and raised in Davidson, the daughter of the late Frontis and Lucy Johnston, Tish Johnston married another Davidsonian, Lawrence Kimbrough. The couple has lived in Davidson ever since and raised two sons, Patrick and Will, and boasts of three wonderful grandchildren. Since today is Tish’s birthday, it is only proper to include her in Around Davidson and extend the very best greetings as her odometer turns over a BIG one. Happy Birthday, Tish, with best wishes for many, many more!
So glad to see Charlie and Marsha Summers at Davidson College reunion weekend
WELCOME BACK, CHARLIE SUMMERS
It seems just a short time ago that Charlie Summers was living on Grey Road in Davidson with his wife, Marsha, and three children, Jessica, Terry and Charles. Charlie graduated from Davidson College in 1972 and was in town this weekend with Marsha as his class celebrated their 40th Reunion. After graduating from Davidson, he earned his Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary. He previously served as pastor of Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church, adjunct professor of religion at Queens University, chaplain at Davidson College, and pastor at Sixth Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C. Charlie received the John W. Kuykendall Award for Community Service from Davidson College in 2002 and currently serves as pastor of First Presbyterian Church (FPC) in Richmond, Va.
This past Sunday Charlie was the guest preacher for Sunday morning worship at the Davidson College Presbyterian Church – familiar territory for him and his wife, Marsha, who sang in the Chancel Choir when they lived in town for most of the 1980’s. Good friends and frequent soloists, Marsha and Elisabeth Davis reconnected once more singing together at the 11 a.m. service. Marsha now teaches music at the First Presbyterian Church preschool in Richmond and also has voice students in her own studio.
Newest grandchild for Charlie and Marsha is Dexter, son of Evan and Jessica Summers Scully.
Charlie caught us up on his Richmond activities writing that he has been the pastor of FPC for 11 years now, still plays tennis, and goes fishing when he can. He also is currently the co-president of the city wide community organizing project called RISC (Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Community). Sound familiar? Charlie was always an advocate for community service.
News from the Summers’ children, we learned that younger daughter, Terry and her husband, Sam Flint, live in Norfolk, Va. They work for the Virginia Stage Co. and have one son, Nathaniel, who is six years old. Older daughter, Jessica, and her husband, Evan Scully, live in Richmond with their son, Dexter, who is seven months old. Jessica is a licensed social worker. Evan works with a financial technology company. Son Charles finished his PhD in Philosophy at University of Melbourne in Australia three years ago and now lives in Reston, Va., working for a Human Resources company there.
Always nice to catch up on the “doings” of former residents.
Congratulations to the Walley grads, from left: Emily (Auburn), Mackenzie (Elon) and Mitchell (Hough)
THE WALLEY FAMILY GRADUATES THREE
It has been a busy few weeks for Anthony and Frances Walley of the New Neighborhood. Their home on Wolfe Street has been buzzing with activity as the graduation flag flies weeks after week from their front porch honoring their three children. Residents of Davidson for the past eight years, their twin daughters, Emily and Mackenzie, graduated from Davidson IB Middle School and North Mecklenburg High School before heading in different directions for college. (As Anthony commented, “They love each other but as identical twins needed some “space” after high school.”) Emily spent the last four years at Auburn University graduating last month with a major in Biomedical Science and now is headed to UNC-Chapel Hill to begin Pharmacy School in August. Mackenzie stayed closer to home for her college years graduating last month from Elon University with an Exercise and Sports Science major. She will continue her education next January pursuing a graduate degree in Physical Therapy at Elon.
And how about their younger brother, Mitchell? Mitchell graduated last Saturday as a member of the first graduating class of Hough High School. Following in the footsteps of Mom and Dad and sister, Emily, Mitchell will attend Auburn University this fall with thoughts of a major in restaurant/resort management. He and his sisters will be working locally this summer to add to their bank accounts before resuming academics this fall.
Mom Frances and Dad Anthony are no doubt thinking about a vacation about now but continue with their jobs: Frances works for Bank of America and Anthony owns Landscape Solutions of North Carolina (www.landscapesolutionsofnc.com). They do enjoy time at the lake or the beach when they can fit it in. Congratulations to all the family.
The Class of 2012 from Woodlawn School
WOODLAWN SCHOOL GRADUATES
Last Thursday morning, June 7, Woodlawn School held its graduation exercises for 11 happy seniors. Following the ceremonies, a breakfast celebration for the school was held in the barn. Students from all the grades had an opportunity to have their yearbooks signed while proud families had a chance to congratulate the seniors. That evening parents of Zach Lingle and William O’Connell hosted a party for the graduates and their families with over 200 enjoying fellowship at the homes close by one another in the New Neighborhood and McConnell neighborhoods. Friday, as is tradition, the senior class spent the day at Carowinds. This was the third graduating class from Woodlawn which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Today we have news of three of the graduates and hope to catch up with others soon.
On hand to congratulate graduate Zach Lingle are (l-r) Aunt Judy and Uncle Bill Ryan, Dad John, Mom Nancy, brother, Mike, and Aunt Susan Moeller.
ZACH LINGLE IS HEADED TO CHAPEL HILL
Proud parents John and Nancy Lingle watched their son, Zach, graduate last week from Woodlawn School. Following summer employment at Carolina Cones, Zach will enter the pre-Pharmacy program at UNC-Chapel Hill. In town to congratulate Zach were his aunt and uncle, Judy and Bill Ryan from Nyack, N.Y., his brother, Mike Lingle from New York City and his Aunt Susan Moeller from Cape Cod, Mass.
Paulina Campbell delivers the graduation address (daughter of Malcolm and Susan Campbell)
PAULINA CAMPBELL IS OFF TO GRINNELL
Congratulations to Paulina Campbell, daughter of Susan and Malcolm Campbell, who graduated from Woodlawn with a perfect 4.0 and won the female Athlete of the Year award. Paulina, who gave the graduating address at last week’s commencement, will study German while spending a month this summer with relatives in Augsburg, Germany, before packing her bags for Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.
Enjoying Senior Night at Woodlawn on a golf cart they restored are (l-r) William O'Connell and Camden Griggs
WILLIAM O’CONNELL HEADS DOWN THE ROAD TO WOFFORD
William O’Connell is another graduate of Woodlawn and has been at the school with his best friend, Zach Lingle, since fifth grade. Recognized as the Male Athlete of the Year at the graduation exercises, William has excelled in basketball and will be one of the team managers of the basketball team at Wofford next year. The son of Roger and Elizabeth O’Connell, William is thinking of focusing on computer science in college and will be close enough to Davidson to come home now and then to give advice to his younger brother, John, who is a rising junior at Woodlawn School.
CAMDEN GRIGGS CHOOSES CLEMSON
Camden Griggs, the son of Mitch and English Griggs, adds to the list of Woodlawn School graduates. Camden, who recently received his Eagle Scout award, has chosen Clemson for his college years. Camden, similar to others from Woodlawn, will continue working at Carolina Cones this summer before heading down I-85 for his freshman year at Clemson.
Congratulations to each of these families and their graduating seniors.
SEND US YOUR NEWS
Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbbarger@gmail.com.
