Graduation 2013

We extend a special invitation to all CDA alumni to this year's graduation and reception. Please join us after the ceremony for our annual alumni photo.

Commencement Exercises will be held on May 17 for the Flower Mound Campus and on May 18 for the Collin County Campus. Please see School Life for more details.

Alumni Come Home to Visit and to Share Wit and Wisdom

January 2013

In early January, we once again celebrated Alumni Day at CDA! A diverse group of five alumni participated in a great panel discussion on college admissions, preparation, and ideas for success at college. They advised students to start early in the college application process and to make sure that they wrote essays that accurately reflect who they are and what they have to offer colleges. They all expressed that CDA had prepared them well for all of their college classes, but found Rhetoric to be the most helpful in setting them apart from their peers in writing, speaking, and presenting in the classroom. They were also grateful for the AP classes at CDA that introduced them to the college style of testing and taught them necessary study skills to succeed in college classes while they still had supportive teachers and parents present in their lives.

Words of advice from them included the following:

·       Apply Early. Not only does it help for admission purposes, it allows you to enjoy your senior year.

·       Go to class. It is important to attend all classes, as the professors know if you are in class and some grade accordingly. Due to the CDA schedule, unlike their peers, they were able to acclimate quickly to the college schedule and coursework.

·       Study. The alumni said CDA classes made them study and they were ahead of others in entering the college environment with their study and time management skills.

·       Get to Know Your Professors.  Attend office hours with the professors to form relationships. It matters if the professor knows who you are and that you care enough to meet with them.

·       Balance.  Keep your social life in perspective with your academic responsibilities.  Too much of either can bring about poor academic performance or a lack of connection with the school.

·       Get Involved.  Investigate campus clubs and organizations to make friends, build relationships, and be a part of college life.

·       Research your Major.  A growing number of students change their major multiple times during their college years because they don’t understand the classes they need to take to get the degree or how the degree will prepare them for a future career.

·       Find a Church.  In today's culture, it is vital to find a church family and create a support network. All of the alumni said to find a church during the first semester and/or join a bible study with the Christians in your dorm or within one of your student activities.

This year’s panel included students attending large, small, public, private, Christian and secular colleges including Parker College of Chiropractic, Ouachita Baptist University, Hillsdale College, Baylor University, and the University of Texas-Austin.

It was very interesting that despite the differences in the type of college they attended, for the most part they all answered the questions the same, and gave the same advice. As parents and teachers we know that their advice was sound; however, it was great for our high school students at CDA to hear it again from the alumni. Special thanks to Blake Graham, Class of 2009, Hannah Bowen, Nick Lewis, and Ashlyn Royall, Class of 2011, and Emily Tally, Class of 2012.

CDA's Annual Alumni Assembly Includes Alumni Panel Q & A for Current High Schoolers

January 2012

Approximately 30 CDA alumni came back to their alma mater on Jan. 6. Greeting each other with grins, hugs, and "How are you!"s, they filled the room with lovely auld lang syne. They sought out their favorite teachers and friends still attending CDA.  

The House Assembly was dedicated to sharing the wisdom of those who had gone before. Alumni panelists included:

Ted Good '05 has just come home after earning his MA in Religion from the University of London and he shared with our high school students important truisms--"Don't live off just Ramen Noodles." and "Every one should study abroad if they can." He heads to the University of Chicago in the fall to seek his PhD in Religion.

Kaitlyn Posey-Works '06 will be attending Texas A&M HSC College of Medicine in  July. She is currently a Medical Assistant for a Family Practice Physician. She encouraged students to get to know their professors, go up to them, talk to them, because they do care and will talk to you. Building relationships with them will help while you are a student and well after; they will be more likely to write letters of recommendation and give sage advice.

Courtney Kotyk '09 is earning her degree in Elementary Education from Texas Tech. Her pearls of wisdom were "go into college knowing who you are on a deep level", "remain teachable", and "seek wise counsel."

Chapin Cavendar '11, last year's Valedictorian, shared his freshman experiences. Currently attending the University of Alabama-Birmingham and seeking his Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Engineering, Chapin encouraged CDA high school students to visit the campuses they are interested in, talk to students, and get to know the school beyond its statistics. He also suggested that everyone should work with faculty on research and not necessarily in their intended field of study. By doing so, he says that he has learned to balance school and work, and how to work in a professional environment.

Karlie Flanagain '11 is pursuing her Degree in Education with focus on Reading/Language Arts and ESL from  Dallas Baptist University. She challenged students to "Find a good church, a way to connect, remember what you're doing this for, it's for Christ." She heartened students, telling them that CDA does prepare its students well for college essays and classes.

Alumni and students came away from the event renewed. Teachers were grateful to see their former
students again and hear of their success. After their luncheon, Mrs. Dwyer gave some alumni a tour of the changes on campus, while others attended Mrs. Schaefer's College 101 elective. There they continued to share their experience and advice. Overall, it was a very good day.