Commencement Ceremony
Commencement Speaker
CDS is pleased to announce Dr. Gary Chapman as this year's Commencement speaker. Dr. Chapman is an experienced and well-respected family counselor, and a well-known author, having written more than 50 books. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, A Love Language Minute, and a Saturday morning program, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, that air on more than 400 stations. Click here to read more about Dr. Chapman.
Calvary Day School’s Valedictorian for the Class of 2023 is Anna Reece McPherson. Anna is the daughter of Dr. Ed and Dr. Holly McPherson. Anna has attended CDS for thirteen years.
During high school, Anna founded one of the first female Boy Scout troops and became one of the first female Eagle Scouts in the United States. She also first authored and published a manuscript in the American Diabetes Association journal after receiving the National Institute of Health’s STEP-UP research grant. Through her involvement in Youth and Government, Anna was selected as a National Youth Advocate for the YMCA.
At CDS, Anna served as the president of the Ethics Club, the president of the Youth and Government delegation, and a team captain for Varsity Cross Country and Varsity Track and Field. Anna is an All-State Cross Country runner and was a Presiding Officer at the North Carolina Youth and Government Conference. Additionally, she has been involved with Mock Trial, Student Council, and the Calvary Ambassadors.
Anna is a member of the National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, and she is the president of Calvary’s Mu Alpha Theta chapter. Anna is also an AP Scholar with Distinction and a President’s Volunteer Service Award recipient, and she was a Chief Marshal for the Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony.
Anna has received the Robertson Scholarship, a full-ride merit scholarship to Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has also received the Coca-Cola Scholarship, the National Merit Scholarship, the National Honor Society Semifinalist Scholarship, the Steiner Family Scholarship, the Ben Carson Foundation Scholarship, and the Lewisville Civic Club Scholarship.
Anna attends Mount Tabor United Methodist Church, where she is a worship leader, and her life verse in Proverbs 27:19, “As waters reflect the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”
In the fall, Anna will attend Duke University through the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program to study Biology and Global Health on a pre-medical track.
Congratulations Anna! We celebrate you and all of your accomplishments at CDS!
The Salutatorian for Calvary Day School’s Class of 2023 is Nora Anne Taylor. Nora is the daughter of Scott and Jennifer Taylor. Nora has attended CDS for three years. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the National Science Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society, the National Thespian Honor Society, and the Rho Kappa National Spanish Honor Society. She also received the Speech and Debate Award, was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, and served as a Chief Marshal for the Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony.
In addition to her academic achievements, Nora has served as a Youth and Government officer, Ethics Club co-captain, and Senior Student Council representative. During her three years, she has also performed in numerous plays and musicals with Calvary Day School Theatre. Outside of school, she participates in dance classes and is a violinist for the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony.
Nora attends River Oaks Community Church, and her life verse is John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
In the fall, Nora plans to attend Duke University.
Congratulations Nora! We celebrate you and all of your accomplishments at CDS!
