CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 11 J erry Ward remembers watching his wife, Mary, sketch cartoons for a theater-based children's book that a colleague was writing. Mary was a visual arts teacher at e Capitol Encore Academy, a public charter school that integrates the arts into its academic curriculum. Brian Adam Kline teaches theater and film at the school in downtown Fayetteville. In 2019, Kline was working on his book about a child who was performing in her first play. Kline, a Fayetteville transplant from West Virginia with a background in acting, asked Mary if she would illustrate his book. Both teachers had dreamed of publishing a book, and they decided to chase that dream together. Mary had never drawn illustrations for a book, her husband says, but she loved art and was eager to help her friend. "She had art experience and loved to create," says Jerry Ward. Mary loved to paint portraits and oen led public "paint night" art classes. She jumped at the chance when Kline asked for her help. "She was excited to do it and considered it an honor to help," says Jerry, adding that Mary was busy writing a book of her own. "She figured helping Brian was a good way to get her foot in the door" as a writer, Jerry says. Jerry watched in amazement as Mary sketched preliminary drawings. "I could never do that," Jerry says. "Not me." Mary sat at a table with the colored pencils she favored, bringing her inspiration to life on paper. Aer making a few sketches, Mary picked one up to show it to Jerry. "Oh, that's cute," Jerry says he told her. "Yeah, I'm gonna use it in the book," Mary said with a grin. Mary would breeze through one sketch and start another one. "It seemed so effortless for her," Jerry says. But Mary would never get to see the book finished. COVID strikes In the fall of 2020, both Mary and Jerry Ward contracted COVID-19. "She was a little mad that I had it," Jerry remembers. "She wanted me to baby her. Which I did." 910.868.5131 | 3200 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303 | www.fayacademy.org Fayetteville Academy Fayetteville Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Now enrolling for the 2023-2024 School Year! Visit www.fayacademy.org for more information. • Pre-K through grade 12 STEAM SmartLabs ® • Chromebook 1:1 program • Grades 4-7 LEGO ® Robotics Team • 71 percent of students who take the AP exams score a 3 or higher. • More than $500,000 in need-based financial aid awarded annually to qualified applicants. • The 26 members of the Class of 2022 were offered more than $3 million in college scholarships and grants. RANKED #1 IN THE NICHE.COM 2022 BEST PRIVATE K-12 SCHOOLS IN THE FAYETTEVILLE AREA by Clayton Britt & Sons 910.868.8319 3703 Bragg Blvd. Fayetteville, NC 28303 customercare@spaandpoolworld.com

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