Connect

List of 6 items.

• Courtney Guhl Tyrrell '11 - President

   
  Courtney graduated in 2011 after attending KRCS for eight years. She was heavily involved in Student Government and was President for two years, leading the high school through many "firsts." She was cast in the lead role in the school's first high school musical, Footloose, and was a member of many sports teams, including the first (and only) competitive cheer squad at KRCS.

   

  Following her time at KRCS, Courtney attended Samford University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

   

  Courtney has worked as a pediatric nurse and fitness coach. She is now pursuing her passion for educating people to be proactive with their health as a Nurse Educator for Restore Hyper Wellness - a wellness company with 200+ locations across the United States. Courtney and her husband, Brad, reside in Canton, GA, and are expecting their first child in May 2023.

   

  I am honored and thrilled to serve as the President of the first KRCS Alumni Advisory Board. King's Ridge has had a massive impact on my life and that of my family and many friends, and I'm excited to see what we can do to give back to this incredible community.

• Ben Lewis '16 - Vice President

   
  Ben says he considers himself lucky to have been a student at King's Ridge from 1st grade to graduation and credits a lot of who he is today to the care and intentionality of teachers from Lower School through High School, including Mrs. Sheets, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Rumble, Mr. Watts, and many others. While at KRCS, he played football and soccer and helped the Robotics Team win its first State Championship. 

   

  After graduation, Ben majored in Economics and minored in English Literature at Northwestern University in Illinois, where he met his wife, Stephanie. After graduating from Northwestern, Ben joined ADDO, where he is currently a Senior Consultant. ADDO specializes in helping large, purpose-driven organizations like Chick-fil-A and Coca-Cola develop emerging leaders, improve culture, and enhance their employer brands.
  
  Ben and Stephanie live in Atlanta (near Truist Park), have a dog named Buffett (for Jimmy Buffett), and are members of Christ Covenant in Atlanta, where Ben leads a young men's small group. 

   

  I want to help the Alumni Advisory Board decide on a clear purpose and set of goals for 2023 and regularly check progress toward those goals. I hope that through our work, we will create a thriving alumni organization where volunteers and alumni are excited to return to King's Ridge and celebrate our amazing school and each other.

• Rachel Smoltz VanderPol ‘12 - Secretary/Treasurer

   
  Rachel arrived at King's Ridge in 2001 when the doors opened on that very first day. Her family played a significant role in starting the school, so it's easy to understand why she would continue to have a passion for it. While at King's Ridge, Rachel was involved in Student Government and played volleyball and soccer. After graduating in 2012, she continued her volleyball career at Liberty University, majoring in Health Education.
  
  

  Over the last seven years, Rachel has been a high school teacher and coach, leading her teams to three Volleyball State Championships - one at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy and two at Greater Atlanta Christian School. She was named American Volleyball Coaches Association Thirty Under 30 Coach of the Year for Georgia in 2022. Currently working in staffing and recruiting as an Executive Recruiter,  Rachel lives in Roswell, GA, with her husband, Joel, and their two sons, ages 4 and 2.
  
  

  I'm excited to help connect our alumni as everyone begins their careers, set the groundwork for future boards, and stay involved in King's Ridge Christian School to help ensure its success for future generations.

• Chris Wages ‘14 - Connections Chair

   
  Chris grew up in Alpharetta and graduated from King’s Ridge in 2014, Auburn University in 2017, and Mercer University Law School in 2020. He works out of the Alpharetta and Braselton offices as a residential real estate closing attorney with Campbell and Brannon.

   

  Chris lives in Dawsonville with his wife, Kaitlyn Wages (formerly McIntosh), a KR alumna from the Class of 2015. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, traveling, and watching Auburn football and basketball in his spare time.
  
  I look forward to working with the Alumni Advisory Board as Connections Chair to help foster an environment of connectivity within the KR alumni community as we continue to grow. I am excited to assist in developing new ways for alumni to interact, engage, and get to know one another.

• Caroline Barden ‘17 - Events Chair

   
  Caroline is a member of the Class of 2017 and currently works as a high school biology teacher and coach at King's Ridge. She is uniquely connected to both the current student body and administration and to members of our alumni community. Being a staff member also means she is connected to the current Student Life Prefect, which will be helpful when planning school-wide events such as Homecoming. 
  
  

  As Events Chair, I aim to create events that alumni of all ages would like to attend and create opportunities for them to connect with students and staff. In addition, understanding and experiencing the school's current needs will allow me to provide feedback to the other members of the Board. I have many ideas for future events, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve our alumni community!

• Connor Beecham ‘10 - Fundraising Chair

   
  Connor started at King's Ridge in 2001 and was one of 16 graduates in the Class of 2010. Through his experience, he witnessed first-hand the blessings and challenges of a young and growing school. After graduating high school, Connor attended Samford University as a football walk-on until a shoulder injury prompted his transfer to the University of Georgia. He graduated in 2015 with a degree in Management from the Terry College of Business. 

   

  Connor started his professional career in the employee benefits industry, where a year-long sales training program and subsequent two years of field experience proved invaluable. In 2018, Connor joined his dad at Home Town Mortgage as a Partner and Loan Officer, and he loves his work. He lives in Brookhaven, attends Christ Covenant in Atlanta, and enjoys playing basketball and watching the Dawgs.

   

  King's Ridge offered me opportunities in sports, leadership, and even the fine arts, but most importantly, it's where the seeds of my faith were planted. I'm happy to give back in any way I can to help further the school's mission, and I look forward to serving as Fundraising Chair on the first Alumni Advisory Board.