Darlington Magazine Winter 2017

Community News

W I NT E R

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M A G A Z I N E Winter 2017

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Community News

Brent Bell Head of School Stefan Eady Assistant Head of School for Academic Resources Joe Montgomery Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives Beth Pollard Assistant Head of School for Business & Operations Hope Jones Director of Pre-K to 8 Matthew Peer Director of Upper School Julie (Wilson) Lucas (‘97) Cheif Advancement Officer Derek Perkins Director of Admission Vicki Vincent Director of Alumni Relations Tannika Wester Director of Communications Editor, Darlington Magazine Jennifer Collins Content Manager Paige Hamil Marketing Coordinator RuthAnne Anderson Kelly Moore (‘95) Paul O'Mara Photographic Contributors Darlington Magazine is published two times a year by the Communication Office of Darlington School, and is distributed to those who have shown a continued interest in Darlington.

Darlington School, a nonprofit organization, does not discriminate in admission because of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, and maintains non-discriminatory policies throughout its operation.

1014 Cave Spring Road Rome, Georgia 30161 706-235-6051 (phone) 706-232-3600 (fax) alumni@darlingtonschool.org www.darlingtonschool.org

On the Cover: Bella Wardlaw (’30) practices letter formation using the Touch Write app on an iPad.

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Darlington Magazine

C oWmI NmT EuRn2i 0t 1y7 N e w s

Contents 2 Community News 22 Class Notes 36 In Memoriam Billy DuPre III (’51)

Campus Features 7 Embracing Opportunity

Merit scholars make the most of the Darlington experience

12 Ask Julie Lucas

Q&A with the chief advancement officer

16 Solar Farm

A bright idea becomes reality

18 Inquiring Minds Want to Know

New schedule provides time for inquiry and exploration

Campus Views 14 Technology 20 Alumni Weekend Alumni Profiles 24 Billy Morris (’52) Paying it forward

27 Dr. Dan Hanks (’61, LD ’12) Distinguished Alumnus

29 Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer (’66T, LD ’12) Distinguished Alumna

32 Brett Henson (’07)

Scholarship inspires life of service

Winter 2017

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Community News

FROM THE

Blood Drive honors mother of senior

I never cease to be amazed, inspired, and gratified when a parent or alum shares with me the transformative nature of a Darlington experience.

Whether I am hearing a story from a member of the Class of 1966 or the Class of 2006, the parent of a recent graduate or the parent of a student who came for only one year, the chorus of each conversation is similar.

Darlington gave each an opportunity to be the best they could be. They were asked to stretch themselves, to take on a challenge, and to look toward the future without dwelling on the past. As a result, they have prospered and lead fulfilling lives.

Thirty people participated in an October blood drive held in honor of Joan Jones, mother of Nicholas Jones (’17), who was diagnosed with cancer in July.

“It is always so meaningful when an event such as this one is held in honor of one of our own,” said Reba Barnes, director of servant leadership. “As a school community, we want to support the Jones family not only with kind words and gestures, but also through events such as this one that raise awareness. Joan is such an upbeat and gracious person. She is confident she is going to beat this.”

Initially misdiagnosed with endometrial cancer, Joan had a complete hysterectomy before post-surgery biopsies revealed that she actually had uterine cancer. She began chemotherapy in October.

“Although my family was the one put in the spotlight for this blood drive, I know of other families at Darlington who are dealing with cancer-related serious medical issues,” said Nicholas.

“So while I am very honored that everyone has gone out of their way for us, there are others who are fighting quietly.”

Darlington typically hosts two Blood Assurance blood drives per year in honor of members of the school community.

Head of School

Many of these proud parents and alumni have chosen to pay it forward by providing financial aid opportunities for worthy students.

Several of these merit scholarships are featured throughout the pages of this magazine. I know you will enjoy meeting some of our students and reading about how they now enjoy the transformative Darlington experience.

As we define the strategic priorities of the school, we are reminded of a guiding principle of Mr. John Paul Cooper, “to provide the best possible educational opportunity at the lowest possible cost.” With that charge in mind, we have identified Objective 1 of our strategic agenda as follows, “To enhance the financial vitality of the school while becoming less tuition dependent.” The continued growth of our endowment is a primary goal of this objective.

We are grateful for all of those who support the school for the purpose of making it accessible to as many mission-appropriate students as possible. This commitment to the school’s endowment for financial aid allows the school to provide the best opportunities possible at the greatest value.

If you haven’t been to campus lately, we welcome you to visit anytime and experience (or re-experience) the Darlington difference.

84 earn AP Scholar designation During the 2015-16 school year, 84 Darlington students earned the designation of AP Scholar by The College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the collegelevel Advanced Placement Exams.

“The AP Exams are an excellent measure of readiness for college study,” said Matt Peer, director of Upper School. “In 2016, 208 Darlington students took a total of 462 AP Exams, and 89% of these exams scored 3 or higher. We applaud our students for

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attaining the status of AP Scholar as they prepare for a rigorous college curriculum.”

Recent graduates Will Crawford (’15), Dawson Horah (’16), Carl Schriever (’16), Adam Tarrant (’16) and Haojun Xu (’16) qualified for the National AP Scholar Award, the highest designation, by earning an average grade of 4 or higher on a 5-point scale on all AP Exams taken during their high school career, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

Nicholas (’17) and Joan Jones

Darlington Magazine

Community News

GSPA names Jabberwokk best yearbook in the state Vol. 90 of Darlington’s Jabberwokk yearbook, published last spring, received the All-Georgia “Best in State” Award, the state’s highest honor, at the Georgia Scholastic Press Association convention in October.

“This yearbook that I had the privilege of analyzing is, to me, the most successful yearbook publication I have ever laid my eyes on,” wrote one of the GSPA judges. “No words can be said about this publication; it left me completely speechless. Those that created this yearbook should be immensely proud of what you all have accomplished.”

The first comprehensive yearbook in school history, representing prekindergarten through grade 12, the 2016 Jabberwokk was themed “You Know What.”

“We consider yearbook a varsity sport and strive to exceed national standards in our creation of it,” said Media Arts Director Adrienne Forgette. “My role was that of coach — our captain, Ethan Pender (’16), led his team of players in the creation of every page of this book.

Selena Chen (’16), managing editor of design, led the visual voice of the

publication and became an InDesign master faster than any student I’ve ever taught. National standards dictate that students make all content decisions and that's what this team did — they combined their talents and worked tirelessly to create the best book possible.”

In addition, the National Scholastic Press Association gave the Jabberwokk an All-American rating, the highest given, with four marks of distinction for essentials, coverage, writing and editing, and design. The book was also named a Crown Finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

The 2015-16 Jabberwokk staff

Jabberwokk staffers get feedback from consultant Bruce Watterson.

School hosts U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team Helena Izmirlian (’16) flips through the Jabberwokk at the Senior Picnic.

Alumni Council secures school archivist Thanks to the generosity of the Alumni Council, Darlington now employs a part-time archivist in the Hanks Archives.

“The Alumni Council, as the governing body of the Alumni Association, feels it is our responsibility to ensure that Darlington’s history be preserved for future generations,” said Luke Lester (’84, LD ’13), president of the Alumni Council. “We are proud to have this opportunity and excited to see this three-phase school archive project move forward.”

Archivist Megan McDonald, a Rome resident currently pursuing her Ph.D. in 19th and 20th Century U.S. History at Georgia State University, spent the summer and the first half of the school year organizing publications and documents, photographs and slides,

Winter 2017

and other mementos that represent the history of Darlington.

“Not only is our history being preserved, but in phase three of the project our plan is to digitize many of the items in the archives and give access to our entire community,” said Vicki Vincent, director of alumni relations.

“Faculty, students and alumni will be able to research Darlington’s rich history and see how much the school has changed and yet stayed the same.

We are grateful to the Alumni Council for their leadership in this project and thankful for Megan. Her passion for history and preservation is infectious and we are lucky to have her here.”

Alumni and friends interested in donating an item to Darlington’s Hanks Archives should contact archives@ darlingtonschool.org.

The U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team takes a group photo on Darlington’s Neville Soccer Fields during their first week of training on campus this summer. The school and Soccer Academy hosted the team for two different weeks in July and August as they prepared to compete in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in September. During their time here, they shot the footage for an inspiring promotional video about the team, which prominently features several of Darlington’s facilities.

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Community News

Darlington falls for the arts

Stephen Gamble (’17) and Mohammed Al-Asfour (’17) model their advisory group’s creations in Darlington’s first-ever Project Renaissance Fashion Show. This fun, collaborative activity was part of the school’s annual Fall for the Arts celebration, which had a Renaissance theme this year. Each advisory group was provided recyclable materials to use in creating a Renaissance-themed garment. Gamble finished the contest in the top three. Other highlights of Fall for the Arts included performances by the Rome Shakespeare Festival, a maypole, a variety of fun activity stations, live student performances, tasty treats and more.

Honor Speaker Series features blind mountain climber Erik Weihenmayer, an American athlete, adventurer, author, activist and motivational speaker, visited Darlington in November as a guest lecturer in the school's Honor Speaker Series.

Blind by the age of 13, Weihenmayer is the only blind person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. He has since completed the Seven Summits. He is also co-founder of No Barriers, which helps those with special challenges to live active and purposeful lives.

“When you’re looking at barriers in your life and you attack them in the right way, you release tremendous energy,” he told students in grades 4-12.

“Become a modern alchemist. Figure out how to harness bad situations and turn them into gold … Believe yourself forward.”

Weihenmayer is the author of “Touch the Top of the World: A Blind Man’s Journey to Climb Farther Than the Eye Can See,” his memoir, and “The Adversity Advantage, Turning Everyday Struggles into Everyday Greatness.”

His newest book, “No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon,” will be released in February.

“There’s a difference between crazy, reckless risks and calculated risks that can help you grow,” he said. “When you’re pioneering possibilities, you have a chance to make amazing connections with others.”

Darlington’s Honor Speaker Series was founded to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the school’s Honor Code by students in 1915. The series aims to engage speakers who have demonstrated “Honor Above Everything” in both their personal and professional lives. This year’s speakers have included Dr. Bud Peterson, president of Georgia Tech; Garland Tucker (’65), noted author and businessman; William Ball, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy; and World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Julie Foudy.

Weihenmayer’s visit was sponsored by Darlington’s Parents Council.

Erik Weihenmayer pictured with Rainey and Anabelle Scarborough

ACCIS honors Moss (’63) for excellence in college counseling Dean of College Guidance Sam Moss received the Association of College Counselors for Independent Schools’ 2016 Marty Elkins Award for Excellence in College Counseling at the National Association for College Admission Counseling annual conference in September.

“The story of Sam Moss’ life is one of giving, and I know many of us in the room are better counselors and people because of gifts Sam has given us, or because of the gift of having worked with Sam, or because of the

Sam Moss

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gift of simply knowing Sam,” said Ari Worthman, ACCIS Board chair.

Moss has served as past chairman of the ACCIS Board of Trustees, past member of the NACAC Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and past president and Board advisor of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC). He has also served on the National Merit Scholarship Selection Committee, The College Board Southern Regional Council, and on admissions advisory boards of Georgia College, Oglethorpe University, Auburn University,

the University of Georgia, and the University of Miami.

The Darlington alumnus holds a B.A. from Sewanee: the University of the South and an M.A. from Jacksonville University. He completed additional studies at Oxford University.

Established in honor of the first executive director of ACCIS, the Marty Elkins Award recognizes those whose work enriches the profession of college counseling and who best embody the principles of the organization’s mission statement.

Darlington Magazine

Community News

Darlington recognized by Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program After eight years of partnership, the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program recognized Darlington School with the GOAL Appreciation Award in August.

“We wanted to recognize and thank a school community that has been a strong partner over the years, diligently working all aspects of the program, including excellent and widespread fundraising, outstanding stewardship of scholarship funds, and consistent attention to educating and engaging school leadership and board members on the legislative process,” said Lisa Kelly, executive director of the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program.

Approved by the Georgia General Assembly in 2008, GOAL allows

Georgia taxpayers to redirect a portion of their state income tax dollars to help provide tuition assistance to public school students choosing to attend independent schools. Taxpayers who do so receive a tax credit from GOAL for the amount of the contribution and a charitable deduction for federal tax purposes, provided they itemize.

Since 2008, more than 120 qualified students have had the opportunity to attend Darlington thanks, in part, to this program.

“Our generous supporters have redirected over $3.4 million in support of the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program since 2008,” said DeLean Brandon, Darlington's program

coordinator and director of financial aid. “Currently, 56 of our students receive financial assistance that is made possible by GOAL; the best part is, the award stays with the student for the entirety of his or her Darlington career, provided the family has a need.”

Last year, Darlington raised over $334,000 through Georgia GOAL with faculty and staff redirecting more than $100,000 annually.

“This program is a win-win for all parties involved,” added Brandon.

“Besides providing Georgia students with more choice in education, it frees up some of Darlington’s budgeted financial aid dollars to help current families.”

Community hears from reading program’s featured author Modeled after similar initiatives throughout the nation, Floyd County’s One Book, Many Voices is designed to encourage reading, spark discussion and bring the community together through one great book. This year, schools, book clubs, and other local organizations have built programs around Raymond L. Atkins’ novel “Sweetwater Blues.”

“We are very fortunate to have an author of Raymond’s caliber right here in Rome,” said Melinda Holmes, director of library services at Darlington and member of the One Book, Many

Voices Steering Committee. “We have tried to make sure that the authors we choose appeal to a variety of audiences in our community, and I think this book was especially appealing for students in the upper grades.”

Set in fictional Sweetwater, Ga., the story chronicles 10 years in the life of Palmer Cray, a young man who in the aftermath of his one great mistake confronts regret at his own fallibility, endures punishment for his actions, finds unexpected redemption, and is

given a second chance to try to make it all right.

As part of One Book, Many Voices, Atkins spoke to Darlington’s Upper School community and gave a community address at the DeSoto Theatre in October. Sponsored by several organizations, including Darlington, this reading initiative has brought Maya Angelou, Sherman Alexie, Paul Rusesabagina, Jay Asher, Kristin Kimball, Kelsey Timmerman, Clyde Edgerton and George Ella Lyon to Rome in previous years.

Lisa Kelly presents the GOAL Appreciation Award to Darlington’s DeLean Brandon.

Raymond L. Atkins

Alumna’s artwork included in Harvard exhibit Photography from Savannah Sands’ (’16) “Learning from Other Generations” collection was on display at Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Gutman Library in October as part of the Out of Eden Learn initiative. In Darlington’s media arts program last year, Sands participated in Out of Eden Learn, an online learning community that invites young people from around the world to slow down and observe the world carefully, share their stories and perspectives, and explore how their lives connect to bigger human stories.

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Community News

Commencement honors Class of 2016

Head of School Brent Bell presents the Thornwood Bracelet for General Excellence to Mary Margaret Wright (’16) during Commencement in May. Wright and her peers from the Class of 2016 hail from 12 countries and 13 states. Twelve were four-year resident students, and 16 were enrolled since pre-K or kindergarten. Fortysix have one or more family members who also graduated from Darlington, and one is fifth generation. Collectively, they gave more than 13,000 hours of service to their community and earned $10.6 million in merit scholarships. These 114 new alumni now attend 70 different colleges in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

2 join Board of Trustees, 2 named life trustees During the May meeting of the Board of Trustees, Clemontene Slack and Ed Watters (’83) joined the governing body, and Jere Drummond (’57) and Joyce (Riddle) Neely (’62T) were named life trustees.

Slack, a longtime educator in Rome, has served as a guidance counselor and graduation coach at Rome High School and as associate professor of education at Shorter University, where she spent time as chair of the institution’s School of Education. She is married to Rome City Commissioner Milton Slack.

Watters, president of Watters & Associates Landscape in Rome, returns after serving multiple past terms. He is an active volunteer for Darlington, helping with the Annual Fund and serving previously as member of the Northwest Georgia-Area Second Century Campaign Cabinet and the Alumni Leadership Board. Watters is also a member of the J.J. Darlington Society and the J. Daniel Hanks (’27) Heritage Society. He and his wife, County Commissioner Allison Watters,

are the parents of Grace (’20) and Ivy (’21).

Drummond, retired vice chairman of BellSouth Corp., is past chairman of the Board and served as co-chairman of the Second Century Campaign. He is also a member of the J.J. Darlington Society. When he was named Distinguished Alumnus in 2007, his family announced the endowment of the Jere A. Drummond Leadership Potential Scholarship in his honor.

Drummond also served as keynote speaker at the school’s Commencement on two occasions and as honorary chair of Leadership Darlington for four years. He and his wife, Patsy, live in Charlotte, N.C. Neely is an attorney and the owner of RayLen Vineyards. She is a former class agent for the Thornwood School Class of 1962 and a member of both the J.J. Darlington Society and the J. Daniel Hanks (’27) Heritage Society. She was also named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2005. She and her husband, Joe, live in Winston Salem, N.C.

Slack

Drummond

Watters

Neely

Purple Tie exceeds fundraising goal, promotes community

Lou Dempsey (’87) serves as auctioneer.

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Held in and around Thatcher Hall this year, the Purple Tie Affair: Tigers & ’Tails was a huge success, selling out at 480 attendees and grossing more than $171,000.

“This event is an incredible opportunity for the Darlington Community to come together at the start of the school year, and we couldn't be happier with this year's turnout,” said Andrea Bell, event chair. “It was wonderful to see parents, alumni, faculty and friends of the school enjoying the evening together.”

As usual, the reverse raffle was a highlight of the evening with the final

two ticketholders, current parents Pam Givens and Jessica and Brooke Brinson (’88), choosing to split the grand prize of $10,000. It was the Brinsons’ lucky night as they also won the second-place prize of $2,000.

Throughout the evening, attendees had the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent and live auction items, which included several one-of-a-kind Darlington experiences.

“Our donors were very generous,” said Bell. “In addition, we had an incredible amount of support at the patron level, with 32 patron tables this year. We also

had more resident parents attend than ever before, which was very exciting.

“I want to thank my co-chairs, Megan Watters (’97) and Tashia Twyman, and everyone who worked tirelessly to make this such a special evening for our community,” Bell continued. “From our parent volunteers, to the facilities and dining services staffs, to all of our generous patrons and auction donors, we couldn't have done this without each and every one of you.”

Net proceeds were split between ELA-8 Tiger Pride, Upper School Tiger PRIDE, the Athletic Booster Club and the Fine Arts Booster Club.

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EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY Community News

Merit Scholars make the most of the Darlington experience Smith Wheeler (’19)

Griffin Wheeler (’17)

Cornwell Scholar Fayetteville, N.C.

Robert P. Holding Scholar Fayetteville, N.C.

Smith (’19) and Griffin Wheeler (’17) were looking for a change when they discovered Darlington. Born and raised in Fayetteville, N.C., the then-rising freshman and junior were open to venturing further from home for the next phase of their educational journeys.

An avid soccer player, Smith was interested in the level of competition and academic rigor he would get Winter 2017

to experience as a member of Darlington’s year-round Soccer Academy. Griffin, a lover of math and science, sought an environment that would put him one step closer to his dream of becoming a doctor. Now in their second year as boarding students, the Wheeler brothers agree that regardless of how different they are, Darlington was the right move for them both.

Smith and Griffin are just two of the many students who attend Darlington thanks, in part, to the school’s merit scholarship program, which is funded through the generosity of alumni and friends. We hope you enjoy meeting a few of our merit scholars in the pages that follow, and we invite you to share these opportunities with friends and family who might be interested in Darlington.

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C a mCpoums mVui en w ity News "I love how diverse the campus is and the opportunities to get to know many different types

“ Darlington has changed my life and given me

of people ... I have made

better opportunities to

connections with people

expand my knowledge

from all over the world that

and learning. I have

I will never forget."

made lifelong connections here.”

Aisling Fields (’18)

Ellie Flynn (’19)

Brie Bishop (’18)

Kelsey Garrett (’17)

James Ross McCain Scholar Cordele, Ga.

Morris Scholar Worth Moser Scholar Marietta, Ga.

Thornwood Scholar Rome, Ga.

Elson S. Floyd Scholar Vernon & Gaynelle Grizzard Scholar Rome, Ga.

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EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY

“ The wholistic approach that Darlington has to academics,

" If I could talk to my scholarship donors, I

athletics, arts and student

would say, 'Thank you so

experience really appealed to

much for your contribution

me. When I enrolled, I knew

toward my education

that I would be challenged in

here. It has been a blessing

all areas of my life.”

getting to know this community and growing with my friends. I can't wait for my senior year!'" " I am so thankful to my scholarship donors for all they have done to help me have this wonderful education."

Stacy Chen (’18)

Micah Lloyd (’20)

David Hagler (’18)

Savannah Corbin (’20)

Huffman Scholar Rome, Ga.

Goizueta Foundation Scholar Plano, Texas

Drummond Leadership Scholar Rome, Ga.

Amanda Hubbard de Costerd Scholar Rome, Ga.

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“ I love the atmosphere of opportunity at Darlington. “ If I met my scholarship donors,

You have the opportunity to be anything you want to be

I would thank them for probably

and here we all have access

the best opportunity I have ever

to anything we need to

had in my life. If not for their

achieve our goals. “

generosity, I would not be able to call Darlington my home.”

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Mamie Johnson (’17)

Ben Doig (’18)

Amanda Hubbard de Costerd Scholar Frank & Ann Wilson Merit Scholar Rome, Ga.

Wesley N. Coleman Memorial Scholar Worth S. Moser Scholar Gainesville, Ga.

EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY

Community News

EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY " If I could talk to my scholarship donors, I would tell them that I'm truly grateful to be the recipient ... Darlington has helped me learn things about myself that I didn't know before, like my drive to succeed." “ There are no words to describe how thankful I am

“ Thanks to Darlington,

to be at Darlington. I will

I’ve realized my

forever and always be a

potential as a leader and

Darlington Tiger. This place

as a student.”

is home, and it has shaped my character like no other school could have.”

Chandler Edge (’17)

Ivan Tran (’19)

Palesa Molapo (’17)

Yurke Family Fund Scholar Taylorsville, Ga.

Elson S. Floyd Scholar Rome, Ga.

Morris Scholar Worth Moser Scholar Dacula, Ga.

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Community News Julie (Wilson) Lucas (’97) joined Darlington's Advancement Office in 2007 and was named chief advancement officer in 2016. As such, she oversees development, alumni relations and admissions. Previously, she has served as director of development, director of giving programs and campaign director for Darlington's Second Century Campaign. Lucas holds a B.A. in Communication from Loyola University New Orleans. She and her husband, Sam (’97, LD '13), have two children, Wilson ('28) and Hudson.

Q&A with Brent Bell

Julie Lucas '97

How did you first come to attend Darlington?

My grandfather graduated in 1948, so I had grown up hearing about Darlington. It wasn’t until my brother, Jamey (’94), came that I actually thought I might go, too. He started his freshman year and I loved meeting his friends.

They were always so nice to me, and Darlington seemed to be such a magical place! When I was in eighth grade, I came to a Discover Darlington and spend the night in the dorms. While we were here for the visit, we dissected a pig. While that didn’t at all sell me on Darlington, the people did! Everyone was so welcoming and made me feel at home as soon as I stepped foot on campus. My mom and dad will tell you to this day that they didn’t want me to come to Darlington but are so happy that I did.

What are a few of the ways your boarding experience at Darlington impacted your life?

This is tough to answer because it impacted my life in every way possible. I guess I’ll start with the most important, which is how it has impacted the relationships in my life. Family, friends and faculty are what make up my entire Darlington family.

My family is supportive, loving and strong. The fact that they made sacrifices to allow me to go away to school and experience a different kind of education is something that I’ll never be able to properly thank them for. We have always been close, but being away at a young age made me appreciate my family even more. Even though I was a dorm student, I was still able to see them often. They would come to visit me in Rome and then I would always take a car full of friends to Tucker, Ga., with me. Also, I met my husband, Sam, at Darlington, and as of next year, both my children will be here as well!

The friendships I made at Darlington are truly magical. I’m sure most people say this about their high school friends, but there’s something different about living in the dorms with your friends at such a young age. You help each other with homework, break-ups, laundry and cleaning up your room. You also make sure your friends

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are awake in time to sign in to breakfast and know when to hold their Purple Points to watch the season finale of the latest show. The bond you have from a shared dorm experience stays with you forever. In college, you typically live in a dorm for a year and then move on to a sorority house, apartment or house. At Darlington, you sometimes share the same dorm for three or more years! Every single girl, now woman, who I lived in the dorms with at Darlington shares an amazing experience that can never be replaced or forgotten. My friends became part of my family.

The faculty are the ones who led us to success.

They taught us in the classroom, coached us on the field, and made us laugh (or gave us a tissue when we cried!) during study hall. They were also the ones who made us sign out every time we wanted to leave campus and made us walk around the lake when we didn’t do it correctly!

They were always there. They didn’t replace our parents; they were just another set of amazing adults who we lived with, trusted, and were there for us whenever we needed them. They became this wonderful set of extra aunts and uncles. My teachers, coaches and dorm parents also became part of my family.

What drew you to working in the field of advancement?

Interesting question because the first time I met with Joe Montgomery, I was scared to death of what he described as advancement. Raising money? No thank you! Fortunately, it didn’t take long for me to understand the exciting things going on at Darlington and the generous people who have supported the school for a very long time.

Advancement is about building relationships and making connections. It’s about the people who love Darlington and want to help make it a better place. My role in advancement has been a very small piece of helping connect these truly amazing alumni, parents, students, grandparents, parents of alumni, and friends of Darlington to opportunities to make a difference in the life of the school for our students and teachers.

Which of the school's accomplishments since your time here have meant the most to you personally and why?

This is a tough one! So many great things have gone on in the last 10 years. In the time that I’ve been back, Darlington has completed a $90 million campaign, which built Thatcher Hall, renovated the boys’ dorms (including the rooms both my brother and grandfather lived in!), and raised money for endowment to provide faculty professional development as well as student scholarships and financial aid.

We’ve created a true “one school” atmosphere by bringing our former lower school over to create one PK-8 program. We’ve recruited and hired wonderful faculty, a new head of school and, most importantly, filled our school with truly amazing students.

All that being said, I’m very proud of our alumni, families’ and friends’ support of the Annual Fund. We have a very strong Annual Fund that has raised over $1 million for the past 21 years. During the recession, it took a little bit of a hit, but our strong supporters have continued to stay dedicated to Darlington. It has since stepped up and bounced back. We have an aggressive goal to meet this year, but I know our supporters will get us there. We say it all the time, but it couldn’t be more true. Every gift, no matter the size, supports our faculty and students right away. And for that, I want to say thank you!

Describe your current role at Darlington and what you enjoy most about it.

As chief advancement officer, I oversee annual fundraising and student recruitment. I work with the admissions and advancement teams to engage alumni, parents and friends with the school. What I enjoy the most about my job is all of the people I get to meet and know through Darlington. Whether it’s catching up with my freshman roommate at an alumnihosted luncheon in Atlanta, treating an Annual Fund volunteer to lunch to say thank you, or representing Darlington at a school fair in

Darlington Magazine

Campus Feature Grand Cayman and meeting parents of alums, I am constantly presented with opportunities to meet and engage with the best people – Darlington people!

How have your experiences as a student, employee and parent impacted your work here?

A quote from Confucius is about as close as I can get to an answer for this one. For the record, I had to Google who really said it because Julius Shaw (’72) always reminds me, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Darlington has made me who I am in so many ways. It made me a better student and more independent person while I was in school here.

It’s made me a better, more patient employee while I’ve worked here. And the support I get as Wilson’s mom is making me a better parent every day. Therefore, I want to work hard every day to do whatever I can to make sure Darlington stays true to heart of what she is.

What do you see as Darlington's greatest challenges related to your work?

The No. 1 challenge we face is our domestic boarding enrollment, particularly with female boarding students. Boarding schools as a whole are facing the same challenges, which can primarily be attributed to increased educational choice and difficult economic conditions. With a goal of significantly increasing boarding school enrollment in the United States and Canada over the next four years, The Association of Boarding Schools has created the North American Boarding Initiative, a coalition of boarding schools of which Darlington is proud to be part.

I would say the second greatest challenge for Darlington is in fundraising. Boarding schools will forever rely on donors for philanthropic gifts to both Annual Funds and endowment.

These two things help offset cost and keep tuition as low as possible for families. Over the years, donors have changed in that they desire more opportunities to designate their gifts; unfortunately, the chance to do so is more limited when it comes to Annual Funds and endowments.

As I mentioned earlier, Darlington’s Annual Fund still has a way to go to be where we need it to be. The same goes for our endowment, which we are working hard to grow because it currently falls short when compared with our peer schools. Many donors designate their endowment gifts to support scholarships and financial aid, which can result in a truly transformational experience for a student.

Earlier in this issue, you met some of the merit scholars who are benefiting from this generosity

Winter 2017

and, in return, contributing impressive things to our school community!

How can alumni get involved?

Our alumni are our most powerful group of cheerleaders and supporters. Our Alumni Office often shares the many ways to get involved and if you haven’t yet, I hope you will consider doing so!

1. Make sure we have your correct email address. This is the No. 1 way we communicate with our alumni and keep you up to date with everything going on at the Lakeside.

2. Show your pride in Darlington. Make sure your friends, colleagues and peers know about your alma mater! They need to know you bleed purple. Need something from the bookstore? Call me!

3. Refer students to Darlington. There is no better person to share the Darlington story with a prospective student than someone who lived it. (Not to mention, data tells us that students who are referred by alumni and friends are more likely to enroll!)

4. Make a gift to the Annual Fund. Any amount will go directly to our programs today, and I promise it will help make a difference in the lives of students and teachers.

5. Attend an admission or alumni event in your area. They are a great way to connect with alumni from other classes. Some of my closest Darlington friends are graduates from 1948, 1957 and 2005!

What are three things you want all alumni to know about Darlington today?

The No. 1 thing I want Darlington alumni to know is that they should be very proud of the students who join their rank of alumni each year. Darlington students amaze me every day.

So much so, it’s hard to keep up with all of their accomplishments! They study harder, have more interesting opportunities and, most importantly, seem to have more fun! I didn’t think that last part was possible, but just watch the RUMPUS Lip Sync videos every year on our website. Our students are the best!

Next, I want you to know that Darlington teachers are still the selfless, dedicated, “aunts and uncles” they were when you were here.

Many of those who taught you have retired (don’t worry, Mr. Moss is still here!) or moved to different schools, but that doesn’t change the fact that Darlington attracts great teachers who love our students. They are guiding them toward graduation and beyond through many of the same standards and traditions set by Darlington teachers long before our time here, while also innovating and creating new ones.

Lastly, the Darlington family is still the one you’ve always known. Even if you’ve lost touch with classmates or haven’t visited campus in 30 years, please know you can always come home and your Darlington family is here for you.

What are your biggest hopes for the future of the school?

I have huge dreams for Darlington! For the immediate future, I want next year to be the best year yet. My oldest son, Wilson, will be in second grade and my youngest son, Hudson, was just accepted to be in next year’s pre-K class. It’s also Sam’s and my 20th reunion, so I want to fill the school with great, new students and for the 2017 Alumni Weekend to be overflowing with alumni! Be sure and mark your calendars for Oct. 13-15, 2017.

Thinking longer term, my biggest hope for Darlington is to grow our boarding program.

Even though I’m married to a day student and my children are day students, I will forever be a boarding student and have a passion to support and do whatever I can to continue Darlington’s boarding traditions. In order to do this, we need help finding the best boarding students possible and growing our endowment to a point where we can offer the most competitive scholarships and financial aid. I want my children to have the same amazing Darlington experience that I did, and I know they will!

Please know that Darlington is doing great things because of the support that you, our alumni, give us. If you would like to get reconnected or more involved with the school, please call or email me anytime at 706-802-4390 or jlucas@darlingtonschool.org.

Julie (Wilson) Lucas ('97) and Lyons Heyman ('44)

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C a mCpoums mVui en w ity News

TECHNOLOGY Parker Scott (’23) works on code for a video game he designed during the Creative Technologies enrichment class.

Davis Graham (’20) shares an animation video about a digital game he is creating with Tech Fair judge Cameron Jordan.

Darlington’s teacher-led move to integrate technology throughout the curriculum in 2011 has paid off in a big way – not only for the new generation of learners that are benefiting from initiatives like the school’s 1:1 program, digital textbooks, MakerSpaces, and focus on design thinking in all subject areas, but also for the school as a whole. Just this year, Darlington has been lauded one of only five Apple Distinguished Schools in the State of Georgia and winner of the STEM Education Award for Georgia high schools, given by the Technology Association of Georgia and the TAG Education Collaborative. Today’s Darlington students now confidently create projects, collaborate with others in and out of school, and communicate effectively and responsibly across a variety of media. The ubiquity of technology is a normal part of Darlington life, embraced by the community and respected by visitors.

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Kathryn Chunn (’19) uses the 3D printer to print a prosthetic hand for a child, facilitated through the nonprofit organization e-NABLE.

Ava Ann Woods (’26) shares her multimedia book presentation with Tech Fair judge Sarah Tebo.

Brysen Jones (’26) shows Tech Fair judges an animation video he created using Toontastic.

Cal Fuller (’17) uses a laser cutter to burn images on a large Jenga game he is creating to donate to the Boys & Girls Club. When placed together, the blocks will form images, adding more excitement to the game.

Rhett McDurmon (’18) works on his bubble gum machine project in the Upper School MakerSpace.

Programmed with Raspberry Pi, the machine allows the user to receive a piece of gum only when using a specified knock.

Caroline Schrum (’17), Emily Orr (’17), Mamie Johnson (’17) and Anna Kate Cagle (’17) pitch a prototype they developed during an AP Literature design thinking activity connected to the novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley.

Darlington Magazine

Campus View

Stefan Eady, assistant head of school for academic resources, tells students in grades 3-8 that Darlington has been named an Apple Distinguished School.

Walker Kines (’29) uses the interactive gaming accessory Osmo and the app Osmo Tangram to create different shapes on an iPad.

Jack Druckenmiller (’18) and Nolan Wilson (’18) work on a prototype of a gate to be placed at the entrance of the Darlington campus.

Rostam Zafari (’14) and Darlington staff members Jennifer Sikes, Rebekah Kinney, Beth Wardlaw, Stefan Eady, and Barton Lowrey (’05, LD ’14) celebrate Darlington’s STEM Education Award, given by the Technology Association of Georgia and TAG Education Collaborative. Darlington was named winner of the high school category.

Emma Frances Cromartie (’26) and Reese Bell (‘26) find unique spaces to use their iPads and the web 2.0 tool Kahoot to take a spelling test.

Neal Yin (’20) shares his digital music composition with Tech Fair judge Nathan Flood.

Juliette Forgette (’23) uses Facetime to communicate via iPod touch with a LEGO Mindstorms robot after programming where it should go to sniff out a “bomb.”

Charlotte Dillmon (’25) and Mia Curlee (’25) celebrate after using code to program their Dash robot to complete an obstacle course.

Grant Hannah (’26) shows Tech Fair judges a video game he coded using Tynker, complete with a Makey Makey game controller.

Noah Woford (’17) works on a 3D prototype of a room he and his Creative Technologies classmates are redesigning in the McCallie-Kennedy Library.

Their goal is to create a more student-friendly learning space.

Frank Hu (’20), Robert Chen (’18) and Oliver Wang (’18) of the DarBots robotics team tweak their robot design with the help of their coach, Owen Kinney, as they prepare for the next stage of competition.

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muusn Fi teya tNuer w Co amp es

Solar Farm

A bright idea becomes reality Construction is complete on a new, five-acre solar farm located behind the lacrosse field on the Darlington campus. The permanent struc t u r e , de v eloped by Atl a n ta-ba sed Inman Solar, is located in a floodplain not suitable for a traditional school building and provides power to the local grid by way of a 900-kilowatt solar array consisting of 2,813 modules on tilted panels.

A bright idea Middle grades science teacher Randy Smith began to research the alternative energy source after winning a Carla and Leonard Wood Distinguished Faculty Fellowship grant in 2015 to help develop a PK-12 horticulture program with Upper School science teacher Mike Hudson (’94). Their new undertaking

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encouraged Smith to think about other ways to power the school’s greenhouse and make it more energy efficient after it was renovated. As a result, he became immersed in studying energy usage on campus.

“I wanted to think outside the box about ways we could incorporate some different facets into the horticulture project,” said Smith. “I’ve been interested in solar energy since I was in elementary school making my own solar panel projects in class.”

In a week’s time, he discovered and quickly registered for an energy conference in Atlanta sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. There, he met with different companies well versed in implementing solar projects for third-party organizations.

Upon digging in and doing further research, Smith connected with Inman Solar. Thanks to Georgia Power’s Advanced Solar Initiative, his original idea was able to grow beyond the

confines of the greenhouse to capture solar on an even larger scale.

Through Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) projects chosen on a lottery basis, Georgia Power offers different developers the opportunity to bring solar arrays to the market through a utility-scale request for proposal. At this time, it is not yet an open market and Georgia Power allows certain amounts of solar ventures at any given moment.

This afforded Darlington the opportunity to lease land back to the developer, while also getting to use a portion of the energy as a stop on the grid in South Rome. Inman Solar’s excess of more than 100 different successful projects, encompassing work for airport authorities, government, and military entities, spans 11 states and includes a similar initiative at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. Once additional investigation and initial site visits were completed, the idea to bring a solar farm to Darlington gained even more momentum.

Darlington Magazine

CCoam mm pun s i Ft ey aNt ue rwes Smith presented his proposal to school administrators, pointing out the educational opportunities that would exist for students.

“The solar farm is a model of the changing world that our students will lead into the future,” said Head of School Brent Bell. “Thinking creatively and working collaboratively to solve problems are aspects of the Darlington experience that will never change. Specifically, an exposure and understanding of the finite resources of our planet serves students well.”

After this first phase of approval, the proposal was brought to the Board of Trustees for a vote. Again, it was met with praise and support.

But the project would have to move outside the gates of the school – to other spheres of influence and government – before implementation could be solidified.

Once a negotiated agreement was reached between Darlington and Inman Solar, the proposal went to the RomeFloyd County Planning Commission and the Rome City Commission, passing unanimously. A special-use zoning permit was acquired, giving the new solar array the green light. Construction on the project began in August, and the array was connected to the power grid in early November.

“This project faced a few challenges during the construction process and a somewhat extended project timeline, namely due to the requirement of added structural I-beams for each panel for stability during inclement weather,” said Smith. “This requirement also meant a larger financial investment by Inman Solar into the infrastructure, leading to a more sustainable construction.”

Sustainable initiatives lead to new learning opportunities “Speaking specifically for our sixthgrade Earth Science curriculum, this will enable us to have an alternative energy resource that we can monitor on a daily basis, asking and answering different questions,” said Smith.

Students and faculty can access the project’s internet production monitor as

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a living laboratory to learn more about renewable energy and get an in-depth look at how solar works.

The 900-kilowatt array – a 900,000watt installation – will produce over 2 million kilowatt hours per year.

The amount of electricity generated is going to lead to a local reduction of approximately 930 tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is equivalent of removing 160 cars off of the road, conserving 756,000 gallons of water, or saving over 250 trees. It will have the ability to power up to 200 residential properties in the area for an entire year.

There are also options to expand the array in the future.

Inman Solar has signed a 25-year lease on the parcel, with the option to renew for two five-year increments. The array is valued at over $1.2 million and has been erected at no cost to the school.

Inman Solar is selling the energy that is collected back to the Georgia Power network, while paying Darlington for use of the land.

“We’ve constantly looked at alternative energy sources for the school and ways to be greener in our own community,” said Beth Pollard, Darlington’s chief financial officer. “Being able to lease land that provides this kind of energy source creates a curriculum opportunity and an auxiliary income component that helps carry out the mission of the school. It gets our feet wet in the solar power arena.”

Taking the green movement even further The school is no stranger to the green movement. One of Darlington’s most notable existing environmental stewardship initiatives was the construction of the LEED Gold-certified Thatcher Hall, which houses grades 3-8.

“What we originally envisioned became much larger – something that would produce perpetual revenue for up to 35 years, far greater than any kind of savings we could get providing solar energy to the greenhouse,” said Smith.

“There are very few schools that have this opportunity. It leads us into a new

dimension of third-party opportunities to benefit the school for her future.”

“Randy’s engagement and enthusiasm around the idea of alternative sources of energy exemplifies what we want to see in our students and faculty,” added Bell. “He not only saw an opportunity, he also took the time to think, reflect and formulate a positive outcome. I know that his leadership will continue to provide engaging educational opportunities for our students.”

Another welcomed addition to this new opportunity for hands-on learning is its relationship to character education.

“The goal of the school is to educate the student,” said Pollard. “If the students see the school working to become a better global citizen, it will encourage the students to do so as well.”

Just because the project is now off the ground, it does not mean that the sun will be setting any time soon on Randy Smith’s drive to explore more alternatives for powering Darlington’s circuits. His “To Do” list of dream projects includes power conservation initiatives for the concession stand and faculty housing as well as solar lighting options for playing fields.

“I’m not finished with energy conservation yet – this is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

Science teacher Randy Smith reviews online reports detailing the solar farm’s energy production and environmental impact to date.

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Campus Feature “Students need to have the freedom to explore, create, do, build and be active,” said Matt Peer, director of Upper School. “We are training our students to be prepared for jobs that haven’t even been created yet. Changing the school schedule was done in the best interest of the students in preparation for their successful future.”

Raj Patel (’20), Chandler Pittman (’20) and Anish Patel (’20) play a round of golf at Monster Mini Golf in Marietta, Ga.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

New schedule provides time for inquiry and exploration Over the summer, Cooper Brock (’17) and Chase Pittman (’17) set out on a quest. Their goal? To find the best miniature golf course in the metro-Atlanta area. The pair donned matching golf apparel, developed a rubric for scoring each course, gassed up the car, and 13 courses and 243 holes later they had a winner – Monster Mini Golf in Marietta, Ga. But more than that, their golf outing had led to the start of a big idea – to bring a miniature golf course to Darlington. Brock and Pittman brought Pierce Monroe (’18) into the mix as they began to ponder how to make their idea a reality. The answer came in the form of the school’s newly implemented schedule.

Time for a change Two-and-a-half years ago, Darlington administrators began studying the daily schedule and its impact on students.

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First, a group of 18 school leaders, teachers and staff members shadowed students of all ages to gather anecdotal data about a day in the life of a student.

Each shadow spent a day immersed in the same activities as their student “hosts,” asking questions and obtaining personal reflections in the hallway between classes, at lunch, and for some, during after-school activities. Aspects of the day that impacted each student’s unique experience included length of school day, individual classes, use of technology, after-school activities, bus travel, homework and so much more.

“When you are actually engaged in the class as a student, it is a very different perspective than when you go into a classroom as a department chair or administrator for an observation,” said Hope Jones, director of pre-K to 8. “We felt that this was a very important step in our research.”

After deciding that change was in order, the school engaged a consultant from Independent School Management to come to campus and observe day-to-day life, interview members of the community, and make recommendations that would be unique to Darlington’s diverse and complex learning environment.

More time to learn A new rotating block schedule was implemented this fall. Rather than having eight classes packed into the school day, students now take four classes per day on an eight-day rotation.

Classes are taught in 70-minute blocks in grades 9-12 and 60-minute blocks in grades 6-8, providing the time for teachers to incorporate hands-on, design thinking activities into their classrooms more easily.

“With the increased span of teaching time, cooperative learning activities can be completed in one class period.

Projects can be be completed with less disruption,” said Jones. “Students also enjoy time afforded to them during breaks that are scheduled throughout the school day.”

With dedicated time built in for advisory, clubs and other community endeavors, Peer feels the new schedule better supports Darlington’s mission and the needs of students.

“Advisory time has become more meaningful to the students, and we’ve been able to rebuild and grow our club program,” Peer said. “Students are less anxious, and the counselors have reported fewer visits related to workload stress this year in relation to years past.”

Time to explore A clear priority was purposefully building time for exploration into the school day for all students. This was accomplished through exploratory period in pre-K to eighth grade and iPeriod in the Upper School.

“One of the greatest benefits of the flexibility of our schedule is that there are very real connections being made across grades,” said Jones. “Walk down the third- through fifth-grade

Darlington Magazine

Community News hall during exploratory period and you’ll see students in those grades collaborating. Many times, you can’t distinguish between the ages of the students. You simply see them working intently together on a project that interests them.” iPeriod is designed to create time for student reflection, inquiry and ownership of learning. Four days a week, students spend 50 minutes in iPeriods of their choosing, giving them the opportunity to explore topics, try new activities and find solutions to problems that interest them. They are enrolled in two iPeriods at a time and have the opportunity to select new ones every seven weeks.

“The idea behind offering this type of class was to give students a chance to take risks and learn about new things with no grade or penalty toward their GPA,” explained Peer.

The iPeriods are as diverse as the student body, ranging from learning Raspberry Pi programming to knitting, wood carving, Zumba, and even working at the DarFarm. During the most recent registration session, students had over 60 different offerings from which to choose.

With the new schedule in place, Brock, Pittman and Monroe saw an opportunity to pursue their idea of designing and building a miniature golf course on campus. They approached Doug Hamil, head of Moser House, to sponsor an iPeriod in which they could work on the project.

“When tasked with putting their plan together, the class had to come up with a budget for the project and connect with resources in the community that have advised them on how to construct it,” Hamil said. “So far, they have developed 3D models of the course and interviewed concrete specialists and experts on turf. They’re now in the process of determining the timeline of the project and look to be under construction during the second semester.”

The course is slated to have an international theme, featuring a mural painted by students that highlights

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the diversity of Darlington’s student body. Each hole will represent country or region, and the group has gained student input from international students on design ideas and themes that would appropriately depict each culture.

“When we first pitched the idea of this iPeriod, we had a somewhat unrealistic idea of how easy it would be to make this happen. We thought we could just put a design together and it would be done,” Brock said. “We are now looking at details such as whether or not Darlington’s maintenance staff will be able to cut grass between each hole, how to attach turf to concrete, how drainage in the area will be affected. It’s been fun to learn about logistics.”

So far, the majority of Darlington’s iPeriod course ideas have come from faculty and staff, so the fact that the miniature golf project is a student idea is what Peer loves most about it.

“This is exactly what we want to see from future iPeriod offerings,” said Peer. “This project is absolutely studentdriven and will create a feature on campus that will last for a long time.”

“We’re actually surprised at how well administration has taken to our idea,” said Monroe. “Mr. Peer and Mr. Hamil have given us advice on being more detailed and realistic with our budget, timeline, and overall design plan. We feel like we have the support we need to actually make our idea a reality.”

Peer adds that iPeriod seems to be having a positive effect on the Upper School community as a whole. “People are exploring new concepts and hobbies who normally would have never spent any time together,” he said. “Seniors are getting to know freshmen by learning new skills together. Faculty who would normally never have the opportunity to lead a class are interacting with students in very meaningful ways.”

Far-reaching benefits Students aren’t alone in benefiting from the schedule changes.

Now that the school day starts a later on Wednesdays, faculty and staff have dedicated time to participate in

Professional Learning Communities.

This encourages a culture of faculty growth and collaboration.

“Now faculty have protected time in their work day to do things like plan as departments, problem solve in teams across grade levels and work on strategic initiatives for the school like curriculum mapping,” said Stefan Eady, assistant head of school for academic resources.

“This has not only brought our teachers together in more meaningful ways, but given them the support they need to do the work necessary to become the best teachers for our students.”

The families of Darlington students are enjoying the benefits of the new schedule as well.

“I am generally a bit nervous to embrace change, but this new schedule has been a change for the better,” said Lauren Sklar, the mother of Abby (’18) and Emma (’22). “Abby is currently taking five AP classes, and I have actually seen her more this year than I have in the past two. Having study time, clubs and coach time built into the school day means that she has downtime to be with her family and friends after school.

“Emma has really benefited from having study hall built into the middle school schedule,” Sklar continued. “I believe that this is academically one of her best years yet. We are so thankful that Darlington is the kind of school that embraces innovation and makes decisions based on the needs and wellbeing of our children.”

It seems clear that the Darlington Community is benefiting from the schedule shift, and the hope is that it won’t stop there.

“I can see student-driven exploratory and iPeriod offerings reaching beyond Darlington and into our community and region,” said Peer. “The opportunity to create, explore, and help solve problems will ultimately have far-reaching results that are life-changing, and that is very exciting.”

Molly Ledbetter (’27) and Ella Peer (’27) learn to measure, mix and follow directions while baking banana chocolate chip bread during exploratory period.

Palesa Molapo (’17) captures GoPro footage for a video she is making in the social media iPeriod.

Hayden Shinn (’20) fishes in Silver Lake during the fishing iPeriod.

Fourth-graders clear out the garden during exploratory period.

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ity News C a mCpoums mVui en w

ALUMNI WEEKEND

Distinguished Alumni Dan Hanks ('61, LD '12) and Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer ('66T, LD '12) pictured with Luke Lester ('84, LD '13), Alumni Council president; Linda (Grizzard) Owens (’79), chair of the Board of Trustees; and Head of School Brent Bell.

Marlon Worrill ('91, LD '16) roots for the Tigers at the Homecoming game.

Betsy Cash, daughter of Nan Marie and Patrick (’91), meets Darlington's mascot.

More than 400 alumni and friends returned to the Lakeside in October for Darlington’s annual Alumni Weekend celebration. Event highlights included the presentation of Distinguished Alumnus Awards to Dan Hanks (’61, LD ’12) and Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer (’66T, LD ’12), the Fall for the Arts Festival, a big win over Christian Heritage at the Homecoming game, and class reunion parties. Reunion classes had high attendance with the Class of 1996 boa sting the l a rgest n umber of returning alumni. A special thanks goes out from Darlington School to the class agents, event hosts, and all those involved in making this year’s celebration a great success.

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Bill Kelly (’71) introduces his granddaughter, Mary Alston Steeves, to David Muschamp ('68, LD '12) at the Pre-Game Picnic.

Andrey Aprelikov (’17) and Olivia Drake (’17) are crowned Homecoming king and queen.

Sameer Khatib (’28) creates artwork during the Fall for the Arts Festival.

Darlington Magazine

Community News

Kim McCoy ('88, LD '15), Jill (McCoy) Smith (’87) and Stephanie (Dodson) Hart (’88) pose in the Instagram photobooth.

Saturday’s Lunch on the Lawn included bounce houses and a hayride.

Kathy (Woodruff) Slaton (’66T) and Nancy Griffin (’66T) celebrate their 50th reunion.

Thom De Buys (’66) and his wife, Mary, are greeted by Joe Montgomery, assistant head of school for strategic initiatives.

Head of School Brent Bell toasts Darlington and Thornwood alumni celebrating their 50th reunion or greater.

Zane Anderson (’17) performs with the Orchestra during Darlington Celebration.

An alumnus shows his children Darlington’s Silver Lake.

John Shackelford (’66) looks through his senior yearbook at the Golden Tigers reception.

Winter 2017

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Community News

Pete Peterson (’51) attends the Golden Tigers reception.

Class of 1951 1947

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agent: Gardner Wright

Class of 1961

Parnick Jennings shared the following memories with his granddaughter, Tara Inman, who is Darlington’s dean of students for global education: “… I would like for someone on staff who is interested in Darlington history to know we graduated outside under willow trees beside the lake, and our speaker was the commissioner of Major League Baseball and longtime senator from Kentucky A.B. ‘Happy’ Chandler.

His son was in our class and we called him ‘mule’ because he moved like a mule. We also were the only class ever to wear military uniforms – 1944 and 1945. Dr. E.L. Wright, headmaster, was in the Marine Corps in WWI and wore his uniform, overseeing our drills each day. All of the other schools in the Mid-South Conference were military schools and wore uniforms every day. Dr. Wright was the best teacher I had from grade 1 to graduation. He taught English Lit and could comprise a poem of tribute in less than five minutes … Dr. Wright was a true southern gentleman!”

1962

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agents: Adeline (Wright) Hanks, Fred Neely, John Shearer

Head of School Brent Bell talks with Horace Stewart (’60) during Alumni Weekend.

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Gary Hill competed in the Georgia State Open Championship for Tennis at the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center in

Atlanta. The event is held annually, and Gary has won the 70 & Over championship for three consecutive years. Congratulations, Gary!

1966

(next reunion 2021)

Class Agents: Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer, Frank Virgin

Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer and her classmates from the Thornwood Class of 1966 had a pre-union gathering in Rome. Pictured are Sally (Dahlstrom) Rudert (’66T), Scotty Regester (’66T), Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer (’66T), Emily (Hogg) Barba (’66T), Ilene (Miller) Linton (’66T), Alison (Spurlin) Tipton (’66T), and Nancy Griffin (’66T).

1967

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agent: Lee Thuston

Andy Smith is a Cornerstones Professor in Residence in Historic Preservation at UTC. A local architect, he teaches Field Documentation of Historic Structures, Urban History and the Development of Chattanooga and A Survey of Architecture.

Darlington Magazine

Class Notes

Class of 1966 1971

(next reunion 2021)

Class Agent: Elaine (Hackett) Smith

Bill Kelly Jr. was joined by his wife, Mai Mai (Selman) Kelly (’72T, LD ’12), and their children, Molly (Kelly) Steeves (’98, LD ’12), Jack Kelly (’11), and Bess Kelly (’00), for his “last flight” on June 14, 2016.

1972

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agent: Steven Winkler

Mark Arnold writes: “On Aug. 1, 2016, after over 35 years in the legal profession, I have moved on to life's next phase – retirement. While I will still maintain a place in Ponte Vedra, Fla., much of the year will be spent in Whiteside Cove, located between the towns of Highlands and Cashiers, N.C. Looking forward to devoting countless hours pursuing white-tailed deer throughout the

Winter 2017

South and Canada while broadening my horizons in many varied ways. If you are up in the mountains, down in Ponte Vedra or have a deer problem that needs addressing, please don't hesitate to give me a shout!”

1988

Evans Scarborough (’69) visits with classmates at the Pre-Game Picnic.

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agent: Ron Mixon

Trey Lee III writes: “Amy and I are doing well and still live in Nashville, Tenn. Our sons are now in their junior and senior year of high school. Our youngest son attends Montgomery Bell Academy, whose headmaster is Brad Gioia. About eight years ago, I started and continue to manage a telemedicine practice called Real Time Neuromonitoring Associates (RTNA) that employs/ contracts neurologists to provide neurodiagnostic and intraoperative neuromonitoring services across the United States. It is the largest physician practice solely dedicated to the professional provision of the subspecialty of IONM. I am also the president of Allied Managed Processes (AMP), a management company that was started to provide credentialing, medical billing, IT and revenue management services.

A few years ago, I founded and serve as the medical director for Vanderbilt’s neurodiagnostic technologist training program. This May, I will complete my term as the president and chairman of the board for the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring. I look forward to seeing everyone at our next reunion.”

Class of 1966T

Classmates Ed Penn (’66) and Bill Brewster (’66) catch up at Halftime at the Huff.

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Community News

Billy Morris (’52) greets former chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Frank Stegall (’62) before the Class of 1953 Lectureship in 2012; Morris was the featured speaker for the Lectureship.

Billy Morris (’52) Paying it forward

Sometimes the strongest ties to Darlington come from a somewhat reluctant start. Such is the case for life trustee Billy Morris (’52), whose gifts of time, talent, and treasure have had an indelible impact on the school and its students.

“I was not doing well at the school I was attending in Augusta and my parents recognized that and sent me to Darlington,” said Morris. “At the time, I didn’t want to go because I was involved in a number of activities, but as it turned out I needed exactly what Darlington offered. I needed a structured environment with people who cared about me and were not going to let me fail. That’s what Darlington did for me, and I will always remember that and be grateful. Darlington was a real turn-around experience, which was a major, major point in my life.”

A native of Augusta, Ga., Morris attended Darlington his junior and senior years before graduating from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in Journalism.

“I felt I was very well prepared for the University of Georgia,” recalled Morris.

“I finished my degree on time because of the education and structure I received from Darlington.”

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After college, he returned to Augusta to join his father at the helm of the family business, the Augusta Chronicle. With humble beginnings at the Chronicle as a boy, first delivering newspapers by horseback, Morris began his post-college career as assistant to the president. A decade later, he became publisher of the two Augusta newspapers and president of the corporation.

Under his leadership, Morris Communications Co. grew to become a diversified, mid-sized media company that operates across the United States and abroad. The privately held company owns and operates newspapers, radio stations, visitor publications, outdoor advertising, magazine and book publishing businesses, and online services.

“Darlington made a major impact on my personal life, and I don’t believe I would be where I am today were it not for that experience,” said Morris, who was named Distinguished Alumnus in 2002.

Throughout his career, the alumnus has been an advocate of giving back to the communities that his company serves as well as the organizations that have impacted his life and the lives of his family. He has made notable contributions to Darlington over the span of many years, most notably as chairman of the Campaign for Darlington and through the establishment of the Morris Scholarship.

Established in 2000, the Morris Scholarship funds six partial scholarships for resident students at any one time on the basis of character, strength, leadership potential and academic ability. These awards are renewable based on student performance.

“God has blessed my family with success and I have wanted to make an investment into Darlington which would help other young people who perhaps have had some of the same challenges I had but may not otherwise have the financial ability to go to Darlington,” said Morris.

Successfully raising an ambitious $43 million, the Campaign for Darlington inspired in Morris an even deeper connection to the school.

“I recall visiting Billy in Augusta each year for nearly 10 years along with Billy DuPre (’51), who had a relative that worked for Mr. Morris,” said former Darlington President Jim McCallie. “We were driving down for our visit the year that DuPre had become chairman of the Board and decided just as we entered Augusta that Morris would be a great fit as chair of the campaign. And he indeed was. Under his leadership and through his own personal gifts, we were able to exceed our initial goals.”

Before he agreed to chair the Campaign for Darlington, Morris says he had never done anything for the school that he felt was truly important.

“I had given Darlington some money along the way and done a few other things, but I hadn’t been all that active even when my son Will (’79) attended,” he said. “The Morris family has had eight or nine people that have been touched

by Darlington in one way or another, and I have a philosophy that I like to put something back. I think the greatest benefit that the campaign had was not the money, but was the awareness that we brought to the minds of our alumni and the reattachments to the school that occurred in that process.”

In 2001, Morris Chapel was dedicated to honor the contributions of the Morris family.

Darlington Magazine

Class Notes Raquel Reyes has published her first full-length mystery novel. It is fast paced and fun, like the story’s Miami setting. Check out her website, http:// rvreyes.com/blog, for more details, or find her on twitter @writerRVR.

1991

(next reunion 2021)

Class Agent: Stephanie (Denney) Dunton

Alejandro Zorzo visited the Darlington campus this fall during a trip to see his “Rome parents,” Diane and Gene Mathis. A resident of Spain, Alejandro works in navel architecture for a multi-national company and was in the United States on business.

Class of 1971T

1990

(next reunion 2020)

Class Agents: Mary Margaret (Estess) Johnson, Bill Temple

Web Bond III and his wife, Lara, announce the birth of a son, Emile Poindexter Mancini, on March 21, 2016. The family lives in San Francisco, Calif.

Alejandro Zorzo (’91) and Diane Mathis 1994

(next reunion 2019)

Class Agents: Maurie Dugger, Jimmy Smith

Chad Warner IV coaches men’s basketball at Valparaiso University in Indiana.

1995

(next reunion 2020)

Class Agent: Scott Morris

Cameron O’Riley writes: “On May 6, I graduated from the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee) with a Master of Divinity. June 25, I was ordained to the priesthood at St. Philips Cathedral in Atlanta. And July 1, I began a call as the assistant to the rector at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Dublin, Ohio. It’s been a busy summer!”

1996

(next reunion 2021)

Class Agent: Brooke (Walker) Irby

Web Bond (’90) and his son, Emile

Winter 2017

Ballard Betz and his wife, Elizabeth (Bowen) Betz (’95), live in Rome and are homeschooling their five (soon to be six in June) children, August, 10; Catherine, 8; Samantha, 6; Rachel, 5; and John Ballard “JB,” 3. Ballard is a commercial banker with Synovus Bank, and Elizabeth is the founder of Georgia Pelvic PT, the only specialty physical therapy clinic in the region for men and women’s pelvic floor dysfunction and pain.

Retired teachers Barbara Cordle and Diann Kothe attend Alumni Weekend.

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Class Notes specialist at Nickajack Elementary School in Smyrna, Ga. Last year, she helped coach two teams of fifthgraders in Georgia Tech’s Inventure Challenge, which is designed to foster creativity, invention and entrepreneurship. One of these teams, Succulent Solution, placed second in the elementary division and was recognized as the People’s Choice recipient for K-12. The team traveled to Washington, D.C., in May to compete in the STEMIE Coalition National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo, an annual celebration of K-12 inventors and entrepreneurs from across the United States.

1998

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agent: Regan Maki

Class of 1976 Robert Day has affiliated his planning practice, Madison Financial & Associates, with Integrated Financial Group, a consortium of professional advisors headquartered in Atlanta. He says, “This is truly an exciting day for my clients and associates as we align with the services and support of Integrated Financial Group … The ideas, innovation and brain power that come with being part of such a dynamic group will be a substantial resource for my clients.”

1997

Joe Smith and his wife, Clara, announce the birth of a daughter, Clarisse Olivia, on Oct. 7, 2016. Joe recently finished his two-year term as chairman of medicine at Florida Hospital Orlando and has accepted a position as chief medical officer of Florida Hospital Deland and vice president of AHS.

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agents: Julie (Wilson) Lucas, Van Morris, Michael Van Cise

Amanda (Millinor) Wood is an advanced learning program

Nikki (Allen) Maske (’91) introduces her sons, Caleb and Nolan, to Darlington during Alumni Weekend.

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Joe Smith (’98) and his daughter, Clarisse Olivia

Class of 1981

Darlington Magazine

Alumni Profile

Dr. Dan Hanks (’61, LD ’12) Distinguished Alumnus

Dr. Dan Hanks (’61, LD ’12) and his family have had a nearly-90-year relationship with Darlington School, and he’ll tell you himself that he is better for it.

“In my days on this campus, the teachers wanted us to succeed but, as we used to say, they did not ‘cut the students any slack,’” he recalled.

“They taught us the lifetime values that success, or academics, or any other endeavor in life usually occurs after both hard work and good preparation.

They espoused the philosophy of ‘tough love’ long before that term was ever popularized ... At least for me, the Darlington education was well worth the time, the effort, and the money expended by both my parents and me for my years on the Darlington campus.”

His father, the late J. Daniel Hanks Sr. (’27), was the school’s first director of development. The elder Hanks, who went on to be named Distinguished Alumnus and life trustee, authored the book “The Story of Darlington School: The First 80 Years” in 1991. Today, he is the namesake of the school’s J. Daniel Hanks (’27) Heritage Society for planned giving as well as the Hanks Archives, along with his wife.

Dan Hanks is one of three sons of J. Daniel and Dorothy Hanks. As a day student at Darlington, Dan played soccer and was a member of both the Darlingtonian and Jabberwokk staffs.

After graduating, he went on to attend Davidson.

Winter 2017

“There is no doubt in my mind that we Darlington graduates who went on to attend Davidson College that year, and there were several of us, were well positioned at the beginning of our college academic careers,” he said. “We were able to compete well with students from other prep schools and good public high schools. I also believe that many of my fellow Class of ’61 Darlington graduates had similar experiences where they attended other colleges.”

After receiving his B.S. from Davidson, Hanks earned his M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia, where he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his residency at Medical College of Virginia at Richmond and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He then served as a major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps before returning to the Medical College of Georgia as a Fellow in Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology and, later, assistant professor. He spent one year as chief of radiology service at Veterans Administration Hospital in Augusta, Ga., before moving to Rome to join Rome Radiology Group.

“This award from Darlington School … is indeed a major postretirement event for me,” Hanks said upon receiving a 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award in October. “I thank the Alumni Association for this award and I wish to thank all the students for listening. I hope that when you students are my age and you are looking back on your own lives, that you will discover, as I have, how much your years at Darlington will have prepared you for success in your own futures.”

Hanks’ other awards and honors include several Georgia Senate and House Resolutions as well as the 2014

Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Medical College of Georgia Alumni Association and the 2016 Georgia Radiological Society Gold Medal.

The Georgia Radiological Society, of which Hanks is a past president, also established the J. Daniel Hanks Jr. Fellowship in Governmental and Regulatory Affairs in his honor in 2013.

Locally, Hanks is a graduate of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Rome program and past president of the Leadership Rome Alumni Association; past member of the Heart of the Community Board of Governors; past vice chairman of the Rome/Floyd Cancer Initiative Board of Directors; past Board member for the Northwest Georgia Cancer Initiative, Floyd College Foundation, Rome Area History Museum, and Citizens First Bank of Rome; past president of the Georgia Bulldog Club of Rome; and past chairman of the Floyd County Republican Party.

At Darlington, Hanks is a graduate of Leadership Darlington and a member of the J.J. Darlington Society and the J. Daniel Hanks (’27) Heritage Society.

He is a past member of the Board of Visitors, the Planned Gifts Committee and the Centennial Celebration Committee. He and his wife, the former Adeline Wright (’62T, LD ’12), have a grown son, Daniel (’99).

“Darlington graduates have been successful in many different vocations and in many different geographic locations,” said Hanks. “This institution has a history of giving students good foundations for future success in many areas of life if those students are conscientious about academic achievement ...

“The culture of the institution also emphasizes the importance of lifelong values that are stated in the school motto, ‘Wisdom More Than Knowledge, Service Beyond Self, Honor Above Everything,’” he continued. “For in the great scheme of things, what is the true value of academic achievement if it is not used appropriately for the greater good of those people in your community and your profession?”

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Class Notes 2000

(next reunion 2020)

Class Agent: Skye Wellesley

Sarah (McCoy) Chism announces the birth of a daughter, Lucy Grace, on Sept. 25, 2015. She joins big brother Logan. The family lives in Plano, Texas.

Raul Gonzalez has been named to the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s 40 under 40 list for 2016. He completed his residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Emory University, followed by fellowships in surgical and gastrointestinal pathology at Vanderbilt University. Raul is currently an assistant professor at the University of Rochester with research interests in subtypes of colorectal carcinoma, mesenteric tumor deposits in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, and lesions of the appendix and liver. He has

21 peer-reviewed publications and coauthored “Non-Neoplastic Liver Pathology: A Pathologist's Survival Guide,” a textbook due to be published this year.

2001

(next reunion 2021)

Class Agent: Whitney (Keene) Whittington

Nazia (Bandukwala) Bhatia and her husband, Aman, announce the birth of a son, Azaad. The family lives in Atlanta.

2005

(next reunion 2020)

Class Agents: Madison (McRae) Criswell, Kimberly King, Ford Knight, Brad Large

Mary Kate (Watters) Boston and her husband, Brad, announce the birth of a son, Walker Watters, on Sept. 14, 2016. The family lives in Nashville, Tenn.

Stiles Knight and his former roommate, Kris Kim (’01), recently had dinner with Darlington Major Gifts Officer Barton Lowrey (’05, LD ’14) at Ted’s Montana Grill in Norcross, Ga. This was a great opportunity for them to reconnect with Darlington and each other!

Kate (Dennis) Spear and her husband, Chris, announce the birth of a daughter, Louisa June, on June 23, 2016. The family lives in Gulfport, Miss.

Class of 1986 Louisa June Spear, daughter of Kate (Dennis) Spear (’01)

Walker Watters Boston, son of Mary Kate (Watters) Boston (’05) Lauren Bowling, personal finance blogger and financial literacy advocate, has been named to Atlanta’s Power 30 under 30 list.

Brandon Carroll, who is finishing up his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at CalTech, has been published in Science magazine after finding evidence of the first chiral molecule in interstellar space. AltMetrics has given Brandon’s research an exceedingly high rating, and the Washington Post reported on the discovery.

Class of 1991

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Darlington Magazine

Alumni Profile

Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer (’66T, LD ’12) Distinguished Alumna

Upon first meeting Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer (’66T, LD ’12), you might not peg her as a risk-taker.

A successful businesswoman and community leader with a heart for serving others, she is the epitome of southern charm.

But the truth is, Hizer sees great value in taking risks, both personally and professionally. That’s one of the reasons she ventured to the Bonneville Salt Flats in August to race her late husband, Courtney’s, 1987 Buick LeSabre.

“Building the car from scratch with help of his friends, on his first try, [Courtney] … became a member of the 200 MPH Club and went on to break six more records,” she said. “So this year … after being trained with some IndyCar drivers, I drove the race car on the Salt Flats at 156 miles per hour, and next year I will go for the 200 MPH Club.

You’re never too old to go after what you want. It was thrilling.”

Hizer’s journey of self-discovery began at Thornwood School, where she quickly learned the importance of trying new things. There, she was active in sports, Chorus and Drama Club, in addition to

Winter 2017

serving as a photographer for the Little Women yearbook.

“Our Class of 1966 was the largest, the brightest and the wildest, so our schoolmates told us,” she laughed. “I cherish the bonds I formed … Even to this day, we feel a sisterhood and still reminisce about being on the blue or grey team, our favorite or least favorite teachers, and special traditions like dancing around the maypole. These friendships are real.”

While the list of teachers who inspired Hizer is a long one, it is Mr. Humphrey who made, perhaps, the greatest impact.

“Mrs. Spurling would spend time telling us what college life would be like.

Mrs. Candler prepared us for science, even though our rocket launch was a dud. Our P.E. teachers, Mrs. Doss and Mrs. Sisley, on rainy days tried their best to guide us to be proper young ladies, teaching us manners,” recalled Hizer. “Mr. Humphrey, though, was my [greatest] influence. He praised a term paper that I’d written and told me how impressed he was. At that point, I realized it was worth the time to study and to work hard, not just coast along. He motivated me and gave me confidence.”

After high school, Hizer attended Converse College before graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in mathematics. She began her career working for a CPA firm and, later, engineering and computer companies in Atlanta. While there, she also completed graduate work at Georgia Tech.

In 1976, she and Courtney moved to Rome to run North Georgia Distributing Co., which they would do for the next 28 years.

“A classmate from UGA offered us this opportunity in my hometown, and it was a big risk,” Hizer said. “We knew nothing about operating a company … and we learned quickly, many times by observing what not to do.”

The couple led the business through a period of rapid growth, winning the coveted Miller Masters Award for outstanding sales and service numerous times.

With her return to Rome, Hizer made it a priority to continue her family’s long legacy of service to the community – something that remains near and dear to her heart to this day.

“Your knowledge, compassion and kindness are gifts you can always afford to give,” she said.

Active in industry and civic organizations, Hizer served on the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Board of Directors for many years and, along with a group of Romans, founded First Rome Bank, now Regions Bank. She has served on the Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors for 33 years, receiving many awards including the Distinguished Service Award, and has been involved with Chieftains Museum for 38 years, serving as treasurer and president.

She has also been involved in Junior Service League (receiving Sustainer of the Year in 1997), the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Rome, Women in Management, American Cancer Society, Summit Quest, Heart of the Community, Rome Area Heritage Foundation, University of Georgia Libraries Board of Visitors, and the Berry College Senior Scholars Advisory Committee.

An active member of the Darlington Community, Hizer is a graduate of Leadership Darlington and a member of the Alumni Council as well as the J.J. Darlington Society and the J. Daniel Hanks (’27) Heritage Society. She also served on the Second Century Campaign’s Thornwood Cabinet and has volunteered with the Annual Fund.

Upon accepting one of Darlington’s 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Awards in October, Hizer encouraged students to take risks as she has throughout her life.

“Challenge yourselves. Stretch outside your comfort zone. Try new things,” she said. “Darlington gives you opportunities to make the most of your life. Take it, embrace it, find your passion, believe in yourself, treasure your friends and you, too, will be forever grateful.”

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Class Notes

Class Class of of 1996 1996

Beau Griffith and his wife, Katherine, stopped by the Darlington campus for a visit with Dean of College Guidance Sam Moss (’63). The couple married in 2012. They are both lieutenants in the Navy and live in Lemoore, Calif. Beau told Sam: “Mr. Paxton’s Calculus AP class was the only reason I was able to parlay a B.A. in Psychology into a master’s in engineering program.”

2007

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agents: C.J. Cypress, Christie Doss

Tyler Barton recently founded Rainbow International Restoration and Carpet Cleaning in North Georgia and Chattanooga, Tenn. His business partner is Easton Farlett, the husband of Caroline (Baker) Farlett (’09). Rainbow International Restoration and Carpet Cleaning provides a variety of services, including fire restoration, water damage and mold remediation as well as residential and commercial carpet cleaning services.

Ben Stoddard has been promoted to associate head soccer coach at Oregon State University after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Beavers.

Katherine and Beau Griffith (’05) with Sam Moss (’63)

Classmates Jennifer (Crews) Davis ('01, LD '14), Kate (Dennis) Spear (’01) and Michelle (Ward) Deanes (’01) visit during Alumni Weekend's Halftime at the Huff.

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Kristin (Kountz) Hill and her husband, Ryan, announce the birth of a son, Gregory Joseph, on Aug. 19, 2016. The family lives in Fredricksburg, Va.

2008

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agents: Mac Gilliland Jr., Kelly O’Mara

Kendall (Brooks) Headley married Covert Lee Headley on April 9, 2016, at Darlington School’s Morris Chapel.

The couple lives in Austin, Texas.

Darlington Magazine

Class Notes Courtney (Stevens) Warren graduated with high honors from Hollins University with an M.F.A. in Children’s Literature. She is now working with agents to publish her middle grades manuscript based on Emmett Till. She continues to work as the senior staff reporter for The Bolivar Commercial in Cleveland, Miss., and as a storytelling instructor for The Delta Arts Alliance.

Jett Wayne Puckett graduated with an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business in May. The following day, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School with a Juris Doctor degree, marking his completion of UPenn’s three-year joint J.D./M.B.A. program. Jett Wayne is now an investment banking associate with the Citibank Global Energy Investment Banking Group in Houston, Texas.

Murat Varol and Arm Napombajara (’08), former roommates, reunited over craft beer in Bangkok, Thailand.

2009

2010

(next reunion 2020

Class Agent: Cole Daniel

Cole Daniel was named chief economist and chief global officer of the Kennesaw State University Student Managed Investment Fund LLC in January 2016. This same student-run fund was named best performing, by growth, during the Quinnipiac G.A.M.E. Forum V, surpassing all other undergraduate student-run funds in the U.S. and around the world. Cole received this promotion after returning from studying abroad at Soka University of Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.

Jennifer Jeong recently stopped by the Darlington campus for a visit and took a quick photo with Head of House Marcus Holmes and teachers Tara and Brian Inman. Jennifer is an artist in Brooklyn, N.Y.

(next reunion 2019)

Class Agent: Bess Kelley

Jin Woo Park recently reconnected with Chang-Sup Lee (’08) and Mack McCann (’10).

Class of 2001

Winter 2017

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Brett Henson (’07) prepares to do a procedure on his mother, Wanda.

Community News

Brett Henson (’07) Scholarship inspires life of service

Now an endodontics resident at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Brett Henson (’07) credits Darlington with igniting a passion for service during his four years as a boarding student.

A native of North Wilkesboro, N.C, Henson attended Darlington as a Cornwell Scholar. Established in 2000, this full-tuition merit award is given to the most qualified incoming resident student, male or female, from the state of North Carolina, regardless of need.

“I am very grateful to have been a recipient of the Cornwell Scholarship,” said Henson. “Without it, I would not have been able to attend Darlington.”

The alumnus certainly made the most of his Darlington experience, jumping head first into life on campus.

At the end of four years, he had served as a prefect in Summerbell House, mentoring first-year boarding students; as president of the House Senate and Discipline Committee; and as captain of the Scholar Bowl and Math Team.

He also ran cross country, worked as a lab assistant in the science department and was recognized as Darlington’s STAR Student.

At Henson’s Commencement ceremony, where he was named valedictorian, he gave the student address and was awarded the Faculty Medal for General Excellence.

Prepared for further education After Darlington, Henson pursued a B.A. in Economics at Emory University.

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“At Darlington, I took a lot of history classes with Mr. Schmidt, and in those classes we’d talk about economics and its force on history,” he said. “But other than that, I had not really had much exposure to the subject. After taking a course at Emory, I was fascinated and changed my major from science to economics.”

Henson enjoyed the global atmosphere at Emory as it reminded him of his days at Darlington.

“As a boarding student, I was attending school with people from all over the world. My first roommate as a freshman was from South Korea,” he said. “Going to Emory, I felt like I continued to stay exposed to thoughts and ideas from all over the world.”

Feeling well prepared for college academically, Henson took the opportunity to explore a variety of extracurriculars.

“Darlington absolutely prepared me for Emory. I actually felt that college was easier than high school because I was so prepared,” he said. “This gave me time to be involved in campus activities. One of the highlights of my college career was being involved with the campaign to elect Barack Obama. Student government was important to me, and I served in the role of treasurer and chief of staff.”

As a senior, Henson became active in the Interreligious Council, an organization made up of students of different faith traditions.

“Being involved in the Interreligious Council reminded me of the global community that I had been a part of at Darlington.” said Henson. “It enriched my world view.”

The alumnus received a D.D.S. at the University of North Carolina’s School of Dentistry in 2015 and is currently in his second year as an endodontics resident at Tufts, pursuing the root canal specialty.

“I do root canals all day long. I think it’s a lot of fun. I get to wear pajamas all day and use power tools,” laughed Henson. “As a health professional, I naturally need to apply science knowledge, but at the end of the day, I also have to be a communicator,

developing trust and rapport rapidly with patients.

“I think my experiences at Darlington with such a diverse group of friends definitely make me a better doctor to my patients,” he reflected. “They’re coming to me with lots of questions and concerns, and I can serve them better because I’m more sensitive to their needs and concerns.”

‘Service Beyond Self’ Nearly 10 years after graduating from high school, Henson continues to build on his personal foundation of “Service Beyond Self,” instilled during his time at the school.

“The Cornwell Scholarship afforded me a special opportunity to be a boarding student at Darlington for four years, and I never wanted to spend a moment wasting that opportunity,” he said. “I often ponder the Darlington motto – wisdom, service and honor.

I feel like those three principles have guided me at different times and in different ways in my life.

“Community service was a major part of my time at Darlington and Emory and now in dental school. I genuinely love serving, yet I always feel like I could do more,” Henson continued. “In my early years at UNC, I was able to focus on service through my involvement with the Student Health Action Coalition, an organization that provides free health services to those in need. This was the first time in my life that I was involved in serving others on a weekly and even daily basis. I loved being a part of that in trying to implement skills and expertise to help people in life-changing ways.”

Now on the cusp of beginning his own practice, Henson says he intends to continue to make service a focus of his career.

“It is a high priority to be able to serve others on a regular basis,” he said.

“Service has made my life so much more rewarding. As a health professional, the days can blur together, and trying to serve others intentionally helps to bring more meaning to what I do, motivates me, gives me energy, and renews my own strength.”

Darlington Magazine

Class Notes 2011

(next reunion 2021

Class Agents: Chandler Holcombe, Charles King

Dani (Baker) Wilson married Kyle Whitfield Wilson on May 21, 2016, at Darlington School’s Morris Chapel. The couple lives in Birmingham, Ala.

2012

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agents: Austin Spooner, John Wilhoite, Kelsey Ann Williams

Keenan Freyberg competed in IRONMAN Canada in Whistler, B.C., on July 24, 2016.

Andrew Safigan married Makiko Jinnouchi on July 2, 2016, at home of the groom. The couple lives in Rome.

2013

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agent: Vacancy

Jane Campbell was named to the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team roster for a series of fall events.

O’Keefe Johnson is a member of the University of Georgia varsity rowing team and recently competed in America’s largest regatta, Boston Head of the Charles.

2014

(next reunion 2019)

Class Agent: Vacancy

Wil Taylor was a recipient of the 2016 Jack Parker Scholarship, given by Synovus. This year, 90 scholarships totaling $104,000 were awarded to children of Synovus team members across the company’s five-state footprint. Wil, a junior at Georgia College and State University, is the son of Director of Commercial Banking Sales and Support Michael Taylor and Darlington art teacher Jennifer Moore.

2015

(next reunion 2020)

Class Agent: Vacancy

Spencer Fields, who attends at Rhodes College, recently won the Southern Athletic Association Conference Championships for cross country.

Marshall McCann is featured in a music video by The Abrams, a Canadian band whose music is a blend of bluegrass, country and folk-rock.

Jane Campbell (’13) takes photos with fans after a Stanford soccer game.

Alumni enjoy catching up at the Homecoming game.

Winter 2017

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Class Notes Hanna Jon Lewis was a recipient of the 2016 Jack Parker Scholarship, given by Synovus. This year, 90 scholarships totaling $104,000 were awarded to children of Synovus team members across the company’s five-state footprint. Hanna Jon, a freshman at the University of Georgia, is the daughter of Synovus Group Executive Angie Lewis and her husband, Jon. Vraj Patel visited with Darlington employees Ivy Brewer, Gregg Marshall and Adrienne Forgette during their recent visit to Emory University.

Class Class of of 2006 2006

Noah Teplitzky made history by being the youngest American player by five years to play in the top premier division in Costa Rica.

2016

(next reunion 2021)

Class Agent: Vacancy

Madeline Drummond visited with Ivy Brewer, Darlington’s associate dean of college guidance, during Ivy’s recent visit to University of West Georgia.

Temi Fasoranti visited with Ivy Brewer, Darlington’s associate dean of college guidance, during Ivy’s recent visit to University of West Georgia.

Kyle Wagers recently had the opportunity to visit with former faculty member Kila McCann in Boulder, Co. He is currently studying political science at Colorado University.

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Jay Shadday Jr. was named to Georgia Dugout Preview Magazine’s All-State Team for Class AA. He now plays baseball at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Faculty Notes Josh Hembree writes: “Amber, the girls and I are so blessed to be back in our hometown of Cullman, Ala. Without a doubt, our nine years at Darlington were some of the sweetest times we’ve had as a family. While we are excited for this new opportunity God has placed before us, we also look back on our DAR years with great respect and appreciation for the relationships formed and the memories made. I can't wait to come back for graduation this year! We pray God continues to bless the Darlington Community!”

Clare (Cheney) Sedlacek and her husband, Jim, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Europe. Clare has returned to school, seeking an M.Div. from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Upon graduation, she will be ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran

Darlington Magazine

Class Notes Church in America. Clare and Jim live in Plymouth, Wisc., and have a 15-year-old daughter, Anne. They are currently hosting their seventh AFS foreign exchange student.

Class of 2011

Marcus Holmes, dean of residential life, visits with Abby Cantrell (’16) and Helena Izmirlian (’16) at the Homecoming game.

Tijai Whatley (’17) scores a touchdown at the Homecoming game, helping lead the Tigers to a 42-7 win.

Calling all alumni…

Distinguished Alumnus Nominations Send us your nominations for the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Established by the Alumni Council in 1983, this award recognizes alumni who have achieved prominence in their profession and/or community and who have demonstrated loyalty to Darlington.

Please e-mail your nomination to vvincent@darlingtonschool.org

by March 1, 2017 and include the following information:

Alumni Council Nominations Send us your nomination for the 2018-2020 term. The Darlington School Alumni Council is the governing body of the Alumni Association. Council members serve for a three-year term and are nominated by current Alumni Council members and the Association membership at large. Please e-mail your nomination to vvincent@darlingtonschool.org by March 1, 2017.

Name and class year of nominee Reason(s) for nomination Your name and class year

Winter 2017

35

un ICno m Mm em o ir ti ay mN e w s

Billy DuPre (’51) pictured with his daughter, Lelia (DuPre) Reynolds (’85), and dog, Sam.

Billy DuPre III (’51) Remembering a friend

A humble and faithful servant leader, Billy DuPre III (’51) was a devoted alumnus who believed in Darlington and helped lay the foundation for its continued success.

“Mr. DuPre was a mentor, business partner, hunting partner and, most importantly, a great friend to me,” said Matt Sirmans (’88, LD ’13), president of Garner & Glover Co. “I have never met a person who was more fair to others as Mr. DuPre. He was simple, plain spoken, loved his family dearly and was the most ethical man I have ever encountered.”

Born in Marietta, Ga., DuPre grew up in Rome and graduated from Darlington in 1951. He continued his education at Georgia Tech, earning his B.S. in Industrial Management before going on to serve as a second lieutenant in the Army in post-war Germany. He then returned to Rome to begin his career at Garner & Glover, eventually buying the independent insurance agency and growing it to be one of the most successful agencies in North Georgia.

DuPre’s involvement at Darlington was deep. He and his wife, Tesa, are the parents of four alumni, William DuPre IV (’78), Hollis (DuPre) Linginfelter (’82), Lelia (DuPre) Reynolds (’85) and Virginia DuPre

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(’85). He went on to join the Heritage Society and serve on the Board of Visitors and Board of Trustees before eventually being named a life trustee.

“I have to say that nothing he did was out of vanity or for praise; it was done because he deeply believed in tithing and giving and sticking to his commitments,” said Reynolds. “He believed in making a pledge and keeping it, and taught us that if you were going to devote yourself to something big, whether it was to church or another cause, that it was to be a long-term commitment.”

It was clear that DuPre was committed to Darlington’s long-term success, as was evidenced during his time as chairman of the Board of Trustees. At that time, he worked closely with then-President Jim McCallie to architect the Campaign for Darlington, an ambitious campaign that raised $43 million for the school and saw the construction of the Huffman Athletic Center and McCallie-Kennedy Library.

“The success of the campaign was a huge turning point in Darlington’s history,” McCallie said. “Billy DuPre was really the one that got us thinking beyond survival and toward doing things that would enrich the school and allow it to thrive … Equally as important [to constructing the library and athletic center] was the growth of the endowment. This truly set the school up for future success.”

Reynolds says her father stressed the importance of supporting the school, even after graduation.

“He was always quick to tell us that when attending a private school it was important to help the school grow because our tuition did not cover the cost of running the school,” she said. “Another quality I witnessed through the years was that he had a real knack for spotting talent just from personal interactions.

He recommended teachers and staff that he thought were talented and were committed and well suited for Darlington as well as in his business ventures.”

One such talent was Sirmans, who became DuPre’s successor at Garner & Glover.

“Mr. DuPre encouraged me to switch from marketing to risk management in the business school at the University of Georgia, and that is why I am now a partner in Garner & Glover, an agency he owned for 30 years,” Sirmans said. “I have always said the reason our company made it through the recession without laying anyone off was due to running the company in a manner he had taught us and would approve of.

“I always thought it was great that his signature is on my Darlington diploma since he was the Board chairman at the time,” continued Sirmans. “He never would allow his name to get placed on a plaque or receive recognition, even though he donated a lot of money to Darlington and other charities. There are a lot of people, businesses, and charities that are better off thanks to Mr. DuPre, and I was extremely fortunate to be one of those he inspired.”

The devoted father, husband and friend to many passed away in Rome on May 13, 2016, at the age of 83.

Traces of Billy DuPre’s leadership remain on the Darlington campus, including the Heritage Patio, constructed in 1999 by the Heritage Society in an alcove nestled into the west side of Morris Chapel. The closing words of the plaque seem to fittingly echo DuPre’s wishes for his beloved alma mater: “Our hope is that this tribute will motivate future generations of philanthropists to support Darlington School as it endeavors to stimulate, nurture, teach and advance: Wisdom more than Knowledge, Service beyond Self, Honor above Everything.”

Darlington Magazine

C o m Imn uM n iet m y oNr ei awms

1935

Bill Kelly died Aug. 26, 2016

1940

Hoy Williams died Aug. 13, 2016

Bev Sullivan Jr. died Sept. 17, 2015

1941

Luther Rabun died Oct. 25, 2016

1948

George Blackwelder Jr. died June 6, 2016

1973

Greg Sizemore died Aug. 28, 2008

Everett Porter died Oct. 16, 2016

1945

Glenn Armstrong died May 6, 2016

1946

Hugh Bryan died Aug. 23, 2016

1947

Ben Chandler Jr. died Oct. 22, 2016

Julian Reese died July 8, 2016

Charles Schroeder died March 14, 2016

1953

Dick Wicker Jr. died Aug. 18, 2016

1975

Ben Nelson Jr. died Oct. 12, 2016

Timothy Bentley died Oct. 21, 2015

1980

Jay Morgan died Oct. 5, 2016

Jay Willingham died Sept. 27, 2016

1954

B.B. Sory III died Aug. 19, 2016

Biddy Braden died July 23, 2016

1956

Mike Thompson Jr. died Aug. 20, 2016

Dick Russell III died Oct. 20, 2016

1951

1950

1952

Robert Veal Jr. died Sept. 17, 2016

1943

Roy Harrell Jr. died Oct. 10, 2016

1959

Gaston Hannah died July 23, 2015

Pete Parker died Sept. 10, 2016

1960

John Cooke died Jan. 24, 2016

Joe Stone Jr. died June 19, 2016

Bill DuPre III died May 13, 2016

1971

Gilliam Cheatham Sr. died Aug. 8, 2016

Ed Levy died Nov. 29, 2007

1995

Keith Hopkins died Aug. 13, 2016

Not Pictured – 1941: Bill Browning died April 27, 2016 1949: Billy Howell Jr. died Sept. 4, 2016, Bruce Watters died Sept. 11, 2016 1951: John King Jr. died Sept. 22, 2016 1976: Gardner Moskot died Jan. 20, 2016 Former Faculty: Langdon Huffman died May 11, 2016 Memorials published in this edition were reported to the Advancement Office prior to November 15, 2016. Additional memorials can be found on the alumni web page at www.darlingtonschool.org.

Winter 2017

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Community News

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Rome GA 30161 Permit No. 501

1014 Cave Spring Road • Rome, Georgia 30161-4700

THE ANNUAL FUND IS It is C.J. Cypress’ (’07, LD ’14) transformational experience as a three-year boarding student that has inspired him to seek out as many ways as possible to remain connected to the school.

As a student, Cypress was a member of the lacrosse team, the wrestling team, the Y-Cabinet, The Darlington Players, Jazz Band, and the video yearbook staff. He also served as an admissions liaison.

“My Darlington experience was indescribable,” he said. “I learned so much and gained so much from my time there that I could not possibly put it into words.

It helped me grow mentally, physically and spiritually in ways I could not have imagined.

“The connections and life lessons I learned at Darlington will be with me for the rest of my life,” he continued. “Also, being around so many different people and cultures helped me have a much more open mind in my everyday interactions. I am forever indebted to the school for helping me be where I am today. “ To say that Cypress is proud of his alma mater is an understatement. That’s why he volunteers as a class agent and supports the Annual Fund each year.

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“I feel a strong urge to help the school that helped me so much,” he said. “As a class agent, I enjoy reconnecting with classmates that I may not have been in touch with otherwise. It is awesome to see just how many people from my class feel the same way that I do about our days at dear ol’ Darlington!”

As for his financial support, Cypress says the only inspiration he needs is knowing that his donation helps students like him have an experience that will have as much of an impact on their lives – if not greater – as his did on his.

“The Annual Fund is vital to the growth and integrity of the Darlington experience,” he said. “Without it, we would not be able to provide students the resources they need, both inside the classroom and out, to be among the best of the best in whatever field they go into when they graduate. To sum it up quite simply, the school depends on giving a lot more than people realize, and every little bit helps!”

In 2014, Cypress was selected to participate in the school’s Leadership Darlington program.

“I wanted to know what I could do as a class agent to most benefit Darlington,” he said. “My biggest takeaway was just how

C.J. Cypress (’07) important it is to give back, no matter the amount. Also, I saw how much Darlington is continually doing to provide current students with a world-class experience. The work is never done, and that is what truly makes Darlington special.”

Cypress hopes his fellow alumni will stay connected to Darlington and get involved in ways that interest them.

“Without engaging with the school, you may not see what your donation is doing for students,” he said. “You don’t see that your gift to the Annual Fund, no matter the size, helps fuel the fire of innovation. It is truly awesome to see all that Darlington is doing, and I wish that all alumni would come back to the Lakeside to get a glimpse it for themselves.”

To learn more about the Annual Fund or to make your gift to the 2016-17 campaign online, simply visit www.darlingtonschool. org/give by May 31, 2017.

Darlington Magazine