Alumni Spotlight: Evan Gilles
The confidence to express who I am as a Christian started at Perimeter School.
By: Evan Gilles, PERIMETER SCHOOL alum
We recently caught up with several of our Perimeter School alumni, and we are excited to share with you how Perimeter School has influenced their stories and how God is using them for kingdom impact.
Our next alumni spotlight is Evan Gilles, Perimeter School Class of 2003.
What do you do? Where do you live?
I’m the Manager of Premium Sales & Corporate Partnerships for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, and I’ve been in my current role for almost two years. While I grew up in Suwanee, I currently live with my wife and 5 month old daughter in the Acworth/Kennesaw area.
How Did your time at Perimeter School influencE who you are and what you do today?
When I reflect on my time at Perimeter School, I’m so thankful to my parents for putting me in a position to experience the environment that Perimeter School offers. While I didn’t know it at the time, looking back, everyone from the teachers to the coaches to the principals all put me in a position to succeed.
When I graduated eighth grade at Perimeter School and took the plunge into public high school, naturally, there was some culture shock … but overall it was a seamless transition. Not only was I armed academically, but I was spiritually armed with the Word.
My foundation in Christ was solid, and I have Perimeter School to thank for that. Had I begun my grade school years in a public school (or any other school for that matter), I don’t think I would have had the firm foundation that was instilled in me from such a young age.
Perimeter School opened so many doors for me, such as affiliations with Camp All-American, Perimeter Church, and discipleship groups - all of which have led to countless friendships.
Wherever life takes me and through any career moves I might make, my faith comes with me. The confidence to express who I am as a Christian started at Perimeter School.
"If it weren't for Perimeter School, I wouldn't know . . .”
The best answer would be that I wouldn’t know … “everything that I know”… about myself. Without the leadership of Perimeter School consistently pouring into me, I wouldn’t have developed into the person I am today. I wouldn’t have matured the way I did, and I wouldn’t have learned the things about myself that I did.
We all know that there’s a lot of growing up to do in our adolescent years - many ups and downs and challenges. It’s only when you surround yourself with great mentors that you learn valuable lessons from those challenges. There’s a certain level of accountability that students are held to at Perimeter School, and that accountability as a kid turned me into an accountable adult.
In what ways is the work you are doing now spiritually and culturally Significant?
While I don’t necessarily work in a ministry-related industry, that doesn’t mean that I leave the ministry out of my work. I work in an environment mixed with believers and non-believers. That being said, leading by example is the best policy in my opinion. Whether it’s inviting co-workers to church, going through a small group with fellow employees, or simply setting a Christ-like example throughout my daily regimen, there are several ways I try to make an impact both culturally and spiritually.
God shows up in our messy places and transforms ordinary moments into holy ones.