ACS is pleased to periodically recognize and congratulate several of its alumni who are making their mark in college, in the working world, and in other endeavors, building on the strong educational and spiritual foundation they received during their years at ACS. The alumni spotlighted this month are: Kristine Cassell (’85), Kim Clark Eaves (’87), Jonathan Cassell (1996-8th), Ian Wallace (’04), Taylor Hadley (’07), Sterling Breunig (’09), Byron Nelson (’09), Amy Vogel Nelson (’09), Alexa Weintraub Byrd (’09), Ani Karabashian (’12), Dakota Hitchner (’17), Jacob O’Brien (’19), and Ben Noble (’20). Profiles of these and many more ACS alumni can be found on the “Alumni News” page of the ACS website under the “News and Events” category.
Kristine Cassell (’85) is an elementary teacher at Pilgrim Academy in Egg Harbor City, where she has taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classes since 1994. She earned her BA in elementary education and Bible from Clarks Summit University in 1989. While a senior in college, she did student teaching at ACS and in the fall of 1989 returned to teach 4th grade for one year. Kris then taught 3rd grade for two years at Seaford Christian Academy in Delaware. The following year, she traveled to Santiago, Chile, where she taught 3rd grade at Santiago Christian Academy. Kris returned to the states and taught again for one year at ACS before putting down long-term roots at Pilgrim Academy. For many years, Kris has sung and led children’s church at Chelsea Baptist Church in Atlantic City, where her late father, Rev. Daniel Cassell, served as pastor for 36 years. Kris resides in Galloway with her mother, Pat Cassell, who retired from ACS in 2007 after 29 years of distinguished service as an ACS kindergarten teacher and principal.
Kim Clark Eaves (’87) returned to ACS as a school parent in September 2020 to enroll four of her five children, and in November 2020 was a featured speaker at the 50th anniversary Elementary Chapel. She talked about her passion for helping and serving others, and how that passion led her to become a foster parent. She adopted three of her children after fostering them. Over the past 30 years, Kim has held a variety of positions in the medical field, from working as a radiology tech to practicing and teaching massage therapy. Currently, Kim is working as an entrepreneur in a health and wellness social retail network marketing business. She resides in Egg Harbor Township and her family worships at Gospel of Grace Ministries.
Jonathan Cassell (1996-8th grade) is a certified public accountant and works at Fitzpatrick, Bongiovanni and Kelly in Linwood, a position he has held since 2015. After graduating from ACS in the 8th grade, he attended high school at Pilgrim Academy. He went on to earn a BS in criminal justice from Cedarville University and a BA in business administration from Stockton University. Jonathan and his wife, Amanda, reside in Egg Harbor Township and have two sons, Mason and Noah. They attend Lakewood Chapel in Mays Landing, where Jonathan’s ACS classmate, Ryan Atkinson, is the lead pastor. Jonathan is also the church treasurer.
Ian Wallace (’04) is the operations manager at Shoemaker Lumber Co. in Ocean City, NJ, a position he has held since 2011. Ian earned a BA in history from Eastern University. He was in the first ACS graduating class to graduate at the new campus in Egg Harbor Township in June 2004. He returned to ACS to serve as the Varsity Boys’ Baseball Coach from 2009-2013. Ian is a deacon at Ocean City Baptist Church and has overseen their adult basketball outreach on Tuesday nights in the winter and spring. One of his favorite life verses is Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Taylor Hadley (’07) is a Physician’s Assistant in Cape May County, NJ, affiliated with Cape Regional Medical Center. After graduating as the valedictorian of the Class of 2007, Taylor continued to excel academically and earned his undergraduate degree from Grove City College. He then attended PA school, where he graduated with Honors in 2017. Taylor and his wife, Kristen, were married in March 2019.
Sterling Breunig (’09) graduated from Liberty University in 2013 and is a manager at Sterling Tackle in Marmora, NJ. He lives in Beesley’s Point and is active at Greentree Church where he is a high school youth leader and youth event planner for students in the 7th-12th grades. He also leads a 5th-6th grade boys’ small group at Greentree. Sterling enjoys playing volleyball and pickleball with friends.
Byron Nelson (’09) became the Boys’ Basketball Head Coach at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Mays Landing in 2020 and also teaches health and PE. He graduated from Kean University in 2016 with a BS in communication recreation administration. Prior to working at ACIT, Byron worked at Winslow Township High School and at ACS, as a fitness trainer and running basketball clinics. In 2019, Byron married ACS classmate Amy Vogel Nelson (’09). Amy earned her BA in elementary education from Stockton University in 2013. She returned to ACS in 2015 to serve as the Extended Care Director and then became an elementary teacher. Amy and Byron reside in Northfield and have one son, Cameron.
Alexa Weintraub Byrd (’09) earned a BA in interdisciplinary studies from Coastal Carolina University, with a concentration in education and social work. After college, she and her husband, Torren, put down roots in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since 2018, Alexa has worked at Bridgewater Academy, a charter elementary school in Horry County, and at Bridge Builders Family and Youth Services as a counselor. Alexa and Torren are active at Ekklesia Christian Church and have two girls, Victoria and Ava.
Ani Karabashian (’12) became a full-time student in the fall of 2020 to pursue a Master’s degree in urban planning from Rutgers University. She is looking to pursue a career in urban planning that focuses on food access and creating healthier communities. She earned her BA in social work from Gordon College in 2016. After graduation, she took a position with Food Corps NJ and worked as a nutrition educator with K-8 students in the Atlantic City public schools and at the Salvation Army. In 2018, Ani took a new position as a SNAP-ED nutrition educator with the Community FoodBank of NJ, Southern Branch, teaching nutrition classes to adults and children, which included cooking demos. Ani is active with the women’s Bible study group at Beacon Evangelical Free Church and has served as a leader with the middle school youth group. She enjoys gardening, exploring the outdoors, and cooking, and in the winter of 2020-2021 baked and sold Armenian pastries to raise funds for the Armenian Soldier’s Fund in Armenia. She resides in Ventnor.
Dakota (DJ) Hitchner (’17), Jacob O’Brien (’19), and Ben Noble (’20), who are attending Cairn University, were named to the All-Academic Soccer Team of the Colonial States Athletic Conference for the fall 2020 season. Jacob and Ben were strong contributors to Cairn’s Men’s Soccer Team and DJ has been a leader on the Women’s Soccer Team. All three were also named to the Dean’s List at Cairn. DJ, a senior, and Ben, who is a freshman, are majoring in health and PE, and Jacob is majoring in criminal justice.