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6th

Homecoming Heroics

September 28, 2023

Not even a downpour could stop our Chargers from showing up and showing out for Homecoming last week! Through the storms, the Charger spirit prevailed, with large crowds comprised of past and present CA community members cheering both our boys soccer and girls volleyball teams to impressive comeback victories! The weekend concluded with a memorable Homecoming dance this past Saturday. Thank you to everyone who showed up to support, chaperone, and engage in the homecoming festivities!

Written by Jack Swingle, Digital Content Specialist

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Chargers close out a fantastic spring season

May 11, 2023

It has been an incredible Spring season for all of Charger athletics. 

It has been an incredible spring season for all of Charger athletes. We could not be prouder of how our teams performed. Middle School, JV, varsity, and club teams all came together to learn, grow, lead, and improve as the season progressed, with many bringing home some impressive hardware and titles for their efforts. In case you missed it, here is an update on how all of our spring sports teams fared and the playoff schedule for those teams remaining. GO CHARGERS!

Baseball: 

The varsity baseball team finished their season at 15-2, clinching the TISAC conference championship. They were seeded as the #8 team in the state association and earned a “bye” for the first round of the playoffs. Their first game of the playoffs was an offensive explosion, putting up 13 points in a dominant win over Durham Academy. After that strong showing the baseball team exited the tournament following a tightly contested clash with the #1 seeded Wesleyan Christian Academy. We could not be prouder of their effort and growth this season, and we know they will be back to make a deep playoff run next year!

The Middle School baseball team finished their season in heartbreaking fashion this past Friday with a loss at St. David’s with a final score of 11-9.  The rebuilding Chargers improved consistently throughout the season and the team looks good for the future. 

Golf: 

The varsity golf team had a strong season. As a team, the Chargers finished ranked #11 in the state, and had the top 2 golfers within the state association, Bryan Fang and Timmy Kaufman, ranked #1 and #2, respectively! Timmy Kaufman was also awarded the TISAC Player of the Year! 

Boys Lacrosse:

A rejuvenated varsity boys lacrosse team improved dramatically throughout the season. Tuesday, the team traveled to Durham Academy and lost, ending their post-season bid. Regardless, we could not be prouder of how this team banded together and played hard down the stretch. 

The Middle School boys lacrosse team was undefeated in conference play, landing the #1 seed. The team defeated North Raleigh Christian and then Cary Christian in the championship game. Our Chargers are CAMS champions, and we could not be prouder of this team!

Girls Lacrosse: 

With four wins more than last year’s squad, an improving varsity girls lacrosse team’s season ended on Tuesday with an away game against Ravenscroft. We are excited to see the growth continue for this squad! Go Chargers, and congratulations on a strong season. 

The Middle School girl’s lacrosse season has also ended, but kudos to the players who had an outstanding inaugural season! We cannot wait to watch this young program continue to grow and feed talent to the varsity team! 

Soccer: 

The varsity soccer team finished 6-8 on the season and beat Saint Mary’s in their first post-season bout by a score of 5-1. After the impressive playoff debut our Chargers fought hard, but could not beat NRCA in the second round. Although they exited the playoffs earlier than they would have liked, we know they are proud of the season they spent together and the memories that were made during it!

The Middle School soccer team finished as the #7 seed in the conference and had their playoff run cut short in a game against St. Timothy’s on Monday. We are immensely proud of this team and cannot wait to see what they do next year! 

Softball:

The varsity softball team finished with a record of 12-8, placing 2nd in the conference and ranking #8 in the state association. Their first game did not go as planned against a talented Wesleyan Christian Academy team, leading to a first-round playoff exit. Our softball team put up a fight, as they have all season, and never lost faith in each other. We know great things are destined for this group next season!

The Middle School softball team finished as the #5 seed in the conference. Their season came to an end with a loss to North Raleigh Christian Academy. This team played incredibly this season, and we are all looking forward to what they will bring to the field next season! 

Tennis: 

The varsity tennis team finished the season undefeated and is ranked the #1 seed within the state association. They won their first 2 playoff games versus the #8 ranked Ravenscroft School and the #5 ranked Charlotte Latin. this set them up for a NCISAA State Championship clash at home against the #2 ranked Providence Day School. Our boys fought hard after being down 2-1 after doubles to storm back and win 5-3. Our Chargers are NCISAA State Champions!

Like the senior team, the Middle School tennis team finished conference play undefeated and ranked as the top seed in the conference. These young Chargers won matches against both Franklin Academy and North Raleigh Christian Academy in the playoffs before defeating St. Timothy’s School in the conference Championship, securing the 2023 CAMS Conference Championship. Way to go Chargers!

Track & Field: 

The varsity track and field season ended with the annual NCISAA meet. Our charger competed admirably, and many earned high individual finishes!  

Both the boys and girls MS Track & Field teams won the Capital Area Middle School Conference Championship! The girls have won all 6 championships and the boys are 5 for 6 since the meet’s inception in 2017! In addition to the team title, the following Chargers also set conference records:

Boys
Miles Cash (’27) – 200m, 400m (conference record)
Sose Arhuidese (’27) – 100m, 100mH (conference record)
Derek Qi (’28) – 50m (conference record)

Girls
Jasmine Phillips (’27) – 400m (conference record)

Find full meet results HERE! Congratulations Chargers!

Volleyball:

In its inaugural season Club Volleyball proved to be a success, both in popularity and competition. This team has consistently improved throughout the season, and we are excited to watch the program grow—not  only in our school but across all of North Carolina! 

Written by Jack Swingle

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Sports Round-up: Fall ’22 Season

December 15, 2022

With the conclusion of the Fall 2022 season, Cary Academy Athletics can proudly report that its seven Varsity teams produced Conference Champions, All-State Athletes, and lasting memories.

Starting on the pitch, Varsity Boys Soccer put together an impressive season, concluding with their deepest playoff run in recent school history. The team fell to heavily favored #3 seed Wesleyan Christian in the quarter finals- but not before a thrilling win over higher seeded Charlotte Latin in double overtime on a “Golden Goal,” (the first goal scored in sudden-death extra time) by Eric Ye (’24), assisted by Ibrahim Elbeck (’23). The Chargers proudly had three 2nd Team All-Conference players, (Chris Kelly (’24), Eric Ye (’24), Ryan Newnam (’23), two 1st Team All-Conference players (Ibrahim Elbeck (’23), Kainoa Kaliebe (’23)), and one All-State player, Elbeck (’23), who broke the school record for goals in a season with 22.

Shifting gears, Varsity Girls Golf finished off their season with a strong performance in the NCISAA State Meet, coming in 4th place- the best team finish to date for the program. In the NCISAA Individual Rankings, Aviva Wang (’26) placed 15th overall, Angelika Wang (’24) came in two spots after her at 17th, and EJ Jo (’23) placed 21st out of 90. Along with her ranking, Aviva Wang (’26) made the All-Conference team.

Travelling back to the Stadium Field, Varsity Field Hockey ended their season with some hardware, earning the honors of being Conference Champions- a feat that they have now accomplished in back-to-back seasons. The team proudly had two All-State representatives, Alessia Cicuto (’24) and Tanya Sachdev (’24). When asked what stood out about this season, Caroline Parker (’23) highlighted how unified, driven, and supportive the team was. “It made each win so much more exciting seeing all the hard work of every single person to get that win, and the fact that we could celebrate together afterwards and enjoy it after all that effort. Everyone worked for each other, as a team, and was unstoppable when we were all connected to one another.”

Back in the gym, Varsity Volleyball started their season off with a bang by winning the bronze division in the Charlotte Tournament in August and ended their season with a bye in the first round of the State Tournament before hosting the second round. The team sent two representatives to the All-Conference team, Sydney Ross (’23) and Addie Canady (’25). Looking back on the season, Mia Nesbeth (’23) remembers fondly the tearful hugs after the last match, citing the lasting friendships that went well beyond the painted lines of the court as her favorite souvenir from her time with the Varsity Volleyball program.

Moving over to the Tennis Courts, members of the Varsity Girls Tennis team highlighted two particularly memorable matches. The first was a dominant Senior Night performance, with the team’s seven seniors enjoying both a tribute to their times with the program and a resounding 9-0 victory. The second was when the team played spoiler on rival school Saint Mary’s Senior Night. All-State team member Nousha Tehrani (’23) warmly recalls how the team came together, came prepared, and came armed with a vengeance after losing to Saint Mary’s at Cary Academy earlier in the season.

And finally concluding on the running paths winding around campus, Varsity Cross Country completed yet another remarkable season with the Girls team finishing second in their conference and the Boys team finishing first. The Boys team went on to finish as State Runners-Up at the NCISAA meet. Kavi Gibson (’26) landed on the front page of NC Runners, with the 3rd fastest time in NC ever for a freshman, (just two seconds behind CA alum, Thomas Graham). Each team had four All-Conference runners, and combined, the two teams had four All-State Runners:  Elise Boyse (’23), Kavi Gibson (’26), Arran Swift (’23) and Thomas George (’24). Gibson also took home the honors for Conference Runner of the Year. When asked about his time in the Varsity XC program, Will Capps (’23) thoughtfully shared his favorite memories of sprinting through early-morning practices, laughing during Coach Hall’s sermons, and especially, finding an amazing community that supports him both on and off the cross-country course.

Congratulations to our fall teams, athletes, and everyone who contributed to their successes!

Written by Amy Snively, Senior Class President

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Super Charging Athletics

December 1, 2022

The last 25 years have seen the Chargers rise from a nascent athletics program to conference-conquering champions, a story told by the trophy case, photos, and plaques that line the lobby of the Fitness Center. Now, a new fund—the Charge Ahead Fund—is helping ensure that all scholar-athletes and teams have the resources and support to dream big about the future.

Athletics have always been a cornerstone of the CA experience. It is why the Fitness Center was designed to sit across from the library, a choice signifying CA’s commitment to balancing body and mind wellness and pursuits both physical and intellectual. Aside from the physical benefits of athletics, the Chargers that coach, teach, and support our students impart crucial wellness lessons and life skills that go far beyond the gym, field, or court: school-life balance, teamwork, stress management, resiliency, and leadership.

In the spring of 2020, after the varsity baseball team completed an undefeated regular season that culminated with a heartbreaking loss in the playoffs, a group of Charger parents approached the Development department. They shared how baseball had been an important and necessary outlet for their students after such a challenging pandemic-influenced year, how Coach Pope had led his players through the wins, but also through the devastating loss, imparting life lessons along the way that would be well remembered long after his players hung up their cleats.

Grateful, the parents wanted to express their thanks by preserving Coach Pope’s legacy in a way that honored his vast impact on the broader student body and on CA athletics, not only as a coach, but as a teacher and mentor as well. Working closely with the Athletics and Development departments, they helped to create a new fund, the Charge Ahead Fund.

Designed to support all CA athletes and sports, the Charge Ahead Fund recognizes formally the monumental role that CA athletics play in overall student wellness. Any student, parent, coach, or employee may submit a Charge Ahead Fund grant request to enhance any aspect of CA’s athletic program.
Charger baseball athletes at the October 2021 dedication ceremony of the baseball field to be named in honor of Coach Pope.

“Ultimately, this fund will continue to build upon the strong foundation that has been laid by so many, including Coach Pope,” shares Ali Page, Director of

Development. “It allows our community to come together and make a cumulative impact on CA athletics by giving a voice to our student-athletes, parents, and coaches about their needs and desires.”

Requests can be specific to one sport (new equipment for practice) or something to benefit multiple sports (misting tents to be used on the fields). Thanks to the initiative of our baseball parents and the support of the entire CA community, more than $50,000 has already been raised to help meet our athletes’ needs, as determined by our Charger community.

“This fund underscores just how vital CA’s athletics program is to our community. And, in just its first year, the fund is already making an impact,” offers Athletics Director Kevin Jones. “We have installed a much- needed practice lacrosse wall and a batting cage turtle (a portable batting cage backstop), and we are looking at ways to improve the viewing area at the tennis courts. The prospects—and what they mean for our athletes and programs—are exciting; we are so grateful for the community support.”

“So many at CA worked diligently to establish this fund and provide our families a way to support our remarkable scholar-athletes, coaches, and Charger teams,” offers Charger parent Ashley Techet, who submitted the funded lacrosse grant proposal. “Funding matters; it helps our scholar-athletes blaze trails!”

Questions?
Visit bit.ly/chargeahead

Written by Mandy Dailey, Director of Communications

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Meet the New Faces of CA

November 10, 2022

This fall, CA welcomed many new faces to campus! New faculty and staff have joined us in nearly every corner of campus, and we are so pleased to introduce them to you. Below you will find some fun facts about each unique individual, and we hope you get the chance to say hello if you run into them in your daily lives.

Maria Arias
Operations Technician

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
The Happiest Woman Alive

What is your secret superpower?
I am hard working!

Gavin Barrentine
Education & Technology Support Specialist

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I grew up in Delaware and have only been in North Carolina for about 5 months.

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
My favorite hobby is watching movies. I spend most weekends watching at least a movie or two.

Nancy Barrientos
US Admin Assistant

What’s something that most people don’t know about you? 
Most people don’t know how much I actually love the fall because with all its beauty. It also means the return of Football! Sundays are a full-family event of fantasy football, snacking, and cheering for my SF 49ers!

What is something you have done in the last couple of years that makes you proud? 
I have held many titles in my roles in education, but by far my favorite was having the ability to give back to my community by going into the classroom during the pandemic – when we experienced one of the biggest teacher shortages to date. The privilege to support the special services department, co-teach grades 6-8, but most importantly serve as an advocate for my students and their families is an experience that I will always hold dear to my heart. Saying goodbye to my team and students was probably one of the hardest things to do when leaving NJ. 

Margaret Chidwick
US English Teacher

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
My favorite hobby is cooking. I especially like any recipe that requires chopping vegetables, as I find the whole process quite meditative. I lean toward simple recipes to let the food speak for itself. My favorite vegetable recipe is sauteed broccoli rabe, which requires just several ingredients. Some people say bacon makes everything better; and while I agree with them, I also believe that broccoli rabe compliments many food favorites of mine and even put it on fried eggs. Vegetables aside, I love making a good cheesecake and strawberry pie too.

If your life was a book, what would the title be and why?
The title would be Dig In because I am never more content than when I am actively committed and focused upon whatever is happening in the present moment.

Caroline Damitog
Athletic Trainer

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
Murphy’s Law

What is something you have done in the last couple of years that makes you proud?
I have climbed two 14ers in Colorado (Mt. Antero and Pikes Peak). One of them I sprained my ankle at the very top then had to hike down 7 miles on it to my car.

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
I like to crochet. But my favorite hobby is starting a new hobby/project and then never finishing it.

April Ellerbe
Special Events and Engagement Coordinator

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I am an introvert and extrovert.

If your life was a book, what would the title be and why?
I Don’t Look Like What I Am Going Through 

Treston Ellerbe
Logistics Coordinator

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I used to want to be a puppeteer.

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
I love to produce and make music.

Lou Farone
Operations Technician

What is something you have done in the last couple of years that makes you proud?
I’ve helped elderly people in my neighborhood.

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
My favorite is working around the house and yard creating different things.

Rickie Hashagen Operations Technician

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I’m originally from Charlotte, NC.

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
I like playing pool and watching TV, especially kickboxing and professional wrestling.

Becca Haque
Admin Assistant, College Counseling

What is something you have done in the last couple of years that makes you proud?
Running a 5K and also the Tarheel 4 miler!

What is your secret superpower?
I can recognize really obscure/random actors. And I’m a pantry-organizing queen!

Kevin Hogue
Lead Operations Technician

What is something you have done in the last couple of years that makes you proud?
Donated blood to help others.

What is your secret superpower?
Communication!

Ahnie Ingram:
US ScienceTeacher

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I’m from Louisiana. I lived there all my life and all my extended family still lives there. My husband and our kids relocated to North Carolina in 2015.

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
My favorite hobby is cooking! I love to cook comfort foods for my family, especially Cajun dishes like red beans and rice and jambalaya on Saturdays in the fall when my LSU Tigers are playing!

Soo Mee Kaas
MS Math Teacher

If your life was a book, what would the title be and why? 
Corny Jokes…WHY?!!  My family loves to tell these tremendously corny jokes that they find hilarious.  I am the only sane one.

Tell us about your favorite hobby. 
I love to read and play volleyball.  I could spend all day playing grass doubles volleyball while hanging out with friends and family.

David Kaufmann
MS Math Teacher

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
I love to run! I have been running ever since middle school and have run one marathon and numerous half-marathons. Running is a great way to explore new places and enjoy some fresh air – especially in this amazing fall weather!

Nazim Pasha
Lead Operations Tech

If your life was a book, what would the title be and why?
Lead By Example! At the end of life we either fail or succeed because of leadership.

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
Reading and writing anything thought-provoking and universal in its application.

Kristen Thompson
Technical Assistant

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
At home, I have a cream-colored tabby named Remus – a reference to my favorite character from the Harry Potter series. Unfortunately, I realized much too late how ironic it was to name a cat after a character who *spoiler alert* turns into a glorified dog.

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
Although I was unable to partake in this activity throughout the pandemic, I’ve been regularly attending concerts since I was in the 6th grade. I constantly listen to music – to the point that I feel uncomfortable in its absence.

Fernando Valera
Operations Supervisor

What is something you have done in the last couple of years that makes you proud?
I am about to get my associate’s degree in applied science with a specialty in H.V.A.C.

What is your secret superpower?
I don’t shy away from hard work.

Alexa Velez
MS Dance Teacher

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I enjoy playing the piano and composing my own music. 

What is something you have done in the last couple of years that makes you proud?
This year, I was a recipient of the Frankenthaler Climate Art Award for my video work addressing climate change.

Willie Warren
Speech & Debate Teacher

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I played the piano, cello, trumpet, trombone, snare and bass drum

If your life was a book, what would the title be and why?
Woah!!! What was that?: A diary of a man who believes too much in hyperbole and onomatopoeia

Tell us about your favorite hobby.
During the holidays, I work on Lego architecture sets to keep.

Written by Ellie Sammons

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Varsity boys’ track and field takes TISAC championship

May 26, 2022

Congratulations to the varsity boys’ track and field team for winning the TISAC conference championship for the second straight year last week, overtaking North Raleigh Christian Academy with a dramatic victory in the last event of the meet, the 4 x 400m Relay. The varsity girls’ team placed third place.

TISAC Conference Championship

Podium Scorers:

Tanya Sachdev
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 400m
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 800m

Sean Sheridan
Gold Medal / All-Conference – High Jump

Ryan Newnam
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 200m
Bronze Medal – 400m

Elise Boyse
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 1600m
Silver Medal – 800m

Josh Baird
Silver Medal – 200m
Silver Medal – 110m Hurdles
Bronze Medal – 300m Hurdles

Danica McCarron
Silver Medal – Pole Vault

Isaiah Short
Silver Medal – 400m

Colin Troan
Silver Medal – Pole Vault

Arran Swift
Silver Medal – 1600m
Silver Medal – 3200m

Cole Fekete
Silver Medal – 300m Hurdles
Bronze Medal – Pole Vault

Jenna Pullen
Bronze Medal – 3200m

Rebecca Liu
Bronze Medal – Pole Vault

Sydney O’Rourke
Bronze Medal – 100m Hurdles

Gabby Matejowsky
Bronze Medal – 300m Hurdles

KeShawn Brown
Bronze Medal – Long Jump

Eric Bright
Bronze Medal – High Jump

Max Li
Bronze Medal – Discus

Jacqueline Johnson, Anna-Sophia Polge, Elise Boyse, Tanya Sachdev
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 4x800m Relay

Andrew Epperson, Sean Sheridan, Ryan Newnam, Isaiah Short
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 4x400m Relay

Charlie Eheman, Alex Yohn, Ian Chen, Ryan Newnam
Silver Medal – 4x800m Relay

Will Coley, Thuy Dzu, Sean Sheridan, Eric Bright
Bronze Medal – 4x200m Relay

Scorers:

Gabby Matejowsky
4th – 100m Hurdles

Ijeoma Modilim
4th – Pole Vault
5th – Shot Put

Aarav Gupta
4th – Shot Put
4th – Discus

Thomas George
4th – 3200m

Isaiah Short
4th – Long Jump

Anna-Sophia Polge
5th – 800m
6th – 3200m

Rebecca Liu
5th – Long Jump
5th – Triple Jump

Matthew Schricker
5th – 3200m

Paloma Pulido
6th – Discus

Gabby Matejowsky, Annalise Davies, Maggie Su, Sydney O’Rourke
4th – 4x200m Relay

Anna-Sophia Polge, Mehitabel Surafeal, Molly Acton, Elise Boyse
4th – 4x400m Relay

Gabby Matejowsky, Maggie Su, Annalise Davies, Sydney O’Rourke
5th – 4x100m Relay

Written by Mandy Dailey, Director of Communications

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Trey Murphy (’18) reveals the formula for his leap to the NBA

September 16, 2021

After an explosive debut in the NBA Summer League that has already led to rookie of the year whispers, Cary Academy’s first alum to be selected as an NBA draft pick – Kenneth ‘Trey’ Murphy, III (’18) – recently sat down with Sports Illustrated’s Priya Desai for an interview hosted in CA’s Fitness Center gym.

Murphy returned to his “home gym” to discuss his path from Cary Academy to a career in basketball, the impact of COVID on his collegiate career, and the role that his love for psychology plays in his approach to the game. 

Afterwards, Trey showed off his skills in the FC gym, while the cameras rolled. 

Trey Murphy practicing in Cary Academy's FC gym

Before standout performances at Rice University and the University of Virginia, Murphy, from Durham, played varsity basketball at CA. His father, Kenneth, played at East Carolina University from 1986-88.

During his Cary Academy career, Murphy averaged 22 points, while shooting 53% from the floor, 45% from three, and 93% from the free-throw line. He is Cary Academy’s all-time leader in field goals made, three-pointers made, and free throws made. During his senior year at CA, Murphy the Chargers to a 14-8 record, averaged 24.7 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting on 49.4% from the floor, 43.6% from 3-point range, and 85.8% from the free-throw line. He was named All-Metro by the News & Observer. As a junior, he averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting on 54% from the floor, 47% from three, and 93% from the free-throw line. He earned Triangle Independent School Athletic Conference (TISAC) All-Conference honors.

Written by Dan Smith, Digital Content Producer and Social Media Manager

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The power of purpose

September 2, 2021

Coach Pullen is a genius.

We had been watching our 65 middle school cross country students struggle through an early-season workout. A few students dutifully completed the warm-up jog. Still, most had quickly defaulted to walking — all the while grumbling about the heat, sore ankles, and assorted other tribulations associated with physical activity. 

“OK, runners,” Coach shouted as they came in from the first loop of the field. “Those of you who are one of the top 15 to 20 runners on the team — my best runners — you can go out for another loop. The rest of you, go ahead and stop for a water break.” 

I watched in amazement as at least half the team looked at one another, trying to assess the situation, themselves, and their friends… and then headed back out for a second loop. This time, at a full run. 

Coach Pullen’s motivational technique got me rethinking about something I shared with Upper School students at their opening convocation this year. 

There is a growing body of research on the positive impacts of having purpose in life. As Cornell University psychologist Anthony Burrow recently explained on an NPR podcast: “There seems to be accumulating evidence that one of the benefits of feeling a sense of purpose is that it can help us remain even keel in moments of stress or challenge, and sometimes even uplifting experiences.”

The challenge for all of us — but especially young people — is how to “find” that purpose. 

Professor Burrow would be quick to point out that this might be the wrong way to look at it. 

Purpose, he would say, is “cultivated,” not found. This happens by creating an environment where you establish a sense of identity and self-understanding, are exposed to new things, interesting questions, and challenging ideas, and then have some self-determination in where you go in life. 

Fortunately, as I told the students in August, research shows us three potential ways to cultivate purpose. 

  1. Proactive: A gradual, sustained attempt to engage in a topic or opportunity. Think of a hobby that morphs into something more, sometimes without even realizing when the transition happened. 
  2. Reactive: Responding to something that happens in life, which can often be negative, that nonetheless gives somebody a newfound sense of purpose or direction.  
  3. Pro-Social: Cultivating a sense of purpose through interacting and learning from other people and their passions or purposes. Like a hobby, this type of purpose acquisition may grow gradually over time — but it comes from our natural desire to share experiences with others. 

We can see opportunities to cultivate purpose in all three ways here at Cary Academy, but certainly more clearly in ways 1 and 3. As we move further down the path of our strategic plan, we seek to build more opportunities to grow student interests and passions through coursework, extracurricular programs, and new experiential learning pathways embedded in X Days. 

Which brings me back to Coach Pullen and seeing first-hand the power of pro-social motivation. None of our new runners are really experienced enough to know if the sport will be for them or if it will lead to a life-long association with running or fitness. For now, though, the experience of being together and of trying on the identity of “top runner,” is a powerful motivator and a positive experience. 

That’s ultimately how the race is won—one step at a time.

Written by Mike Ehrhardt, Head of School

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Charger earns a spot on national table tennis team

August 19, 2021

Congratulations to Isabella Xu (‘25) for making the 2021 girls’ U17 U.S. national table tennis team! USA Table Tennis, the sport’s governing body named Xu to the eight-member team following the 2021 US National Team Youth Trials, held in Milpitas, California and Pleasantville, New York.

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