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BLUE PRINT T H E M A G A Z I N E of G I R L S P R E P A R A T O R Y S C H O O L
TE AC H E RS The Scaffolding for Student Success
PA S S I N G the T O R C H
Q+A with Board Chair-Elect and Past Chair
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LEGENDS of the HALL
Celebrating Two Beloved
Faculty Retirees
a collective of t a l e nt
What GPS Teachers Do in the Off Hours
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Seniors rejoice on May Day 2017 under the Rotunda.
Drafting
Dreams into Reality hether you are a newly-minted GPS alumna or just celebrated your 50th Class Reunion, you may notice GPS Magazine has undergone a makeover. This is not simply a redesign, but a reimagining of a publication produced by an independent all-girls school with a proud heritage and an even brighter future. The new title, Blueprint, seems an apt renaming of GPS Magazine for several reasons. First and most obvious is the nod to our signature school color, GPS blue. More symbolically, though, Blueprint captures the essence of what we do and what we always have done as an institution. Our Founders had a vision to provide college preparatory education for girls in Chattanooga. If our Founders had failed to follow the careful blueprints of strong academics, a focus on the whole girl, and a school founded on timeless values, their dream may have failed — or, worse, may never have materialized.
Here's to the GIRLS! Dr. Autumn A. Graves
Over the course of my time at GPS, I have worked with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, and GPS parents on a comprehensive strategic plan to position GPS for many more years of success. Our commitment to ensuring all constituencies have been heard in the process is the same commitment we hold for Blueprint. We want to represent the broad interests and fascinating stories of our readership. We hope this inaugural issue of Blueprint reflects the best of our heritage and our hopes for GPS. As a member of the GPS Community, you are an integral part of the foundation upon which we build. You are also vital to the future in which we will continue to innovate, strengthen, and grow as a leader in all-girls education.
Table of
TAKE 5 | five must-reads from Blueprint Summer 2017
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FROM FIDDLES TO FARMING
Teachers Got Talent
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It is not too late —ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON
CLASS OF 2017 CELEBRATES COMMENCEMENT. LISTEN IN TO THE CHAPEL TALK AND VALEDICTORY ADDRESS AND READ ABOUT THE CEREMONY. PAGE 32
NOTES OF G R AT I T U D E
A Le g a c y of Le a rning “GPS TAUGHT ME THAT MY VOICE MATTERS.”
“THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME CONFIDENCE TO SPEAK UP…” BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS REFLECT ON EXPERIENCES THAT SHAPED THEIR TIME AT GPS. PAGE 19
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TWO LONGTIME GPS FACULTY AND STAFF — AND THEIR DAUGHTERS — REFLECT ON THEIR TIME HERE. PAGE 8
ROTUNDA
Voices from around campus Bruisers on Blast | Echoes and shouts from social media and beyond ID Those Bruisers | From the archives, can you identify those pictured?
GPS
to seek a newer world.”
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ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Head of School Dr. Autumn A. Graves Head of Upper School Jenise Gordon Assistant Head of School
CONTENTS
GPS faculty bring collective interests and passions to their classrooms. PAGE 22
CORNERSTONES
GPS Community members foundational to our success Legends of the Hall | GPS bids farewell to two beloved faculty members. Mrs. Mac Joins GPS | We welcome the new Middle School Head who has a love of reading. Cadek | Conservatory begins new era at GPS. Q&A | Blueprint sits down with the Chair and Chair-Elect of the Board of Trustees. A Collective of Talent | GPS faculty members pursue interests that enrich their classrooms.
Cadek comes to
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CHATTANOOGA’S
COURTYARD
HISTORIC MUSIC
Alumnae Weekend May Day Class Day Commencement Athletics Around GPS
CONSERVATORY IS MOVING TO THE FORMER
GALLERY
BUSINESS OFFICE ON CAMPUS. On the Cover: Chemistry teacher Keith Sanders assists Tian Stowell ’19 with a graphing calculator.
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Classnotes Weddings Births In Memoriam
COLUMNS
for Advancement Angela Johnson Head of Middle School Lynne Macziewski
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EYES OUT FOR THESE ICONS
C O N N E CT
CONNECT with us on social media
FOUNDERS FOOTNOTE
Live like our FOUNDERS! Stats & facts to empower women
GAME CHANGER
Tips & tricks to be a GAME CHANGER and give back to GPS
CORNERSTONES The building blocks of leadership, commitment, and values
COURTYARD Traditions and happenings around GPS
Elaine Milazzo Technology & Information Systems Daniel Millbank
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Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing Bilda Small Chief Financial Officer Mark Vosskamp Director of Athletics Jay Watts
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Director of Admission Debbie B. Young ’79 EDITORIAL STAFF General Editor Kendra Stanton Lee Writers Anne Exum Callie Hildebrand
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Patricia King Kendra Stanton Lee Laura Jane Walker Design Amy Walters Victoria Carlson
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From the desk of... GPS’s Chief News Gatherer
GALLERY Memorable experiences, recognition, and noteworthy happenings
and Teacher Engagement Director of Educational
Understanding the Blueprint Architecture ROTUNDA A message from our leaders
Director of Learning Innovation
COLUMNS Perspectives on the impact of our school
Blueprint is published
biannually by Girls Preparatory School P.O. Box 4736 Chattanooga, TN 37405 423-634-7600 www.gps.edu
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ON BLAST
STAY IN THE KNOW The best way to keep up with GPS is to follow us on social media. Here are some of the most POPULAR posts of the school year. Be sure to FOLLOW the GPS social media accounts to join the dialogue.
CLICK ICONS to follow @GPSBruisers STORY ABOUT A GPS ALUMNA GOES VIRAL. UT Professor Offers to Watch Student's Daughter >> To read the full story visit the GPS Alumnae Facebook Page June 24, 2017
2017 May Queen & Court April 28, 2017
This week GPS CELEBRATES INNER BEAUTY. >> To watch the video, visit our YouTube Channel and search: Defining Beauty April 24, 2017
Yes, ALL GIRLS deserve an education. GPS students came together to show their support of the #YesAllGirls campaign to advance education for refugee girls September 20, 2016
CONGRATULATIONS to our five NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS: Leah Baxter, Lori Baxter, Isabelle Cornea, Rebecca Torrence, and Phoebe Warren September 14, 2016
The GPS ATHLETIC PROGRAM has been named the TSSAA BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Championship Series Award Winner November 17, 2016
GPS FINE & PERFORMING ARTS Three GPS Students recognized by Congressional Art Contest May 2, 2017
Mr. Kreis is feeling #FriYAY! Video of Jim Kreis dancing to Bruno Mars
March 31, 2017
LOOK OUT FOR BLUEPRINT #s: #GPSSummerMag | #BlueprintSU17 | #GPSMagazine
I.D. THOSE BRUISERS CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE BRUISERS IN THIS PICTURE? Pulled from the GPS archives, this artifact may spark a memory or two for you. Think you can name the girls in this shot as well as tell us where the photo was taken?
WHO STILL HAS A TRENCH COAT? The style varied throughout the years, but references to the jacket appear in American newspapers at least as early as the 1930s.
C O N N E CT SEND YOUR BEST GUESSES TO ALUMNEWS@GPS.EDU. YOU MAY WIN A T-SHIRT FROM THE GPS BOW!
B
r nd e yK
nL to n ta aS
ee
OF
E H T
H STUDY HARD.
WRITE WELL.
VOTE OFTEN. THAT’S
THE LEGACY FOR ALUMNAE THAT TWO BELOVED
FACULTY MEMBERS LEAVE BEHIND UPON THEIR RETIREMENT FROM GPS THIS SUMMER.
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A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his inf luence stops.” — HENRY ADAMS
Anne Exum, hired by former Headmaster Nat Hughes, began teaching English to seventh and eighth graders in 1987, eventually adding a host of other classes. She taught several ninth grade classes, one sophomore class, and even a senior seminar with former English colleague Carol Killebrew ’79 focused on Women in Literature. She well remembers teaching the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology against the din of construction for the Davenport Middle School. Beyond the classroom, Anne was an advisor in the Writing Center, scored Bruiser basketball games (including four state championships) for 20 years, and for six years advised the GPS Honor Council — an extracurricular contribution she considers the most formative of her career.
FROM THE CLASSROOM TO COMMUNICATIONS Since shifting from the classroom 12 years ago to manage communications for GPS, Anne has built a reputation as chief news gatherer and champion of alumnae updates (see Columns, page 46). Her sister, GPS Director of College Counseling Susan McCarter, says an outing with Anne is always punctuated with pauses for her to say hello to former students that she encounters on even the most simple shopping excursions. On a recent trip to Washington, D.C., to visit
family, Anne spotted GPS alumnae on flights Day Luncheon on campus, leading classes to and from the capital and of course had to to conduct impromptu polls in downtown Chattanooga during election season, and catch up on their lives. encouraging GPS seniors to register to vote. Carol Killebrew praises Exum for her fairness, respect for tradition, and as a “master “The republic only survives with informed of words, both poetic and prophetic.” citizens,” Linda says. “My favorite thing is when alums e-mail me to tell me they brought Anne will continue to serve as an edi- their children with them to vote and told them tor through her freelance practice, Proof how important it was to do so.” Positive. A PART OF GPS HISTORY HISTORY BEYOND THE FOUR WALLS Linda also was recognized this past year by Like Anne, Linda Mines plans to immerse the American Lung Association’s Tennessee herself in passion projects during her retire- Chapter as a Woman of Distinction. Named a ment, as she has throughout her career. Tennessee Teacher of the Year for American History in 2009, Linda has also been awardLinda’s GPS story began in 1990 when she ed the Thatcher Award for Outstanding was hired the same day she interviewed with Educational Leadership and the Daughters then-Headmaster Randy Tucker. Linda has of the A merican Revolution Historical chaired the history and social sciences de- Preservation Medal. partment since 1995. From AP U.S. History to Modern European History, Linda has covered With fewer academic responsibilities, Linda’s both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. service will surely expand to the already vast number of local organizations she serves, To be sure, though, Linda’s classroom was including Habitat for Humanity, Daughters rarely restricted by four walls. She frequent- of the American Revolution, and Erlanger ly reported back from battlefields and mu- Hospital among others. Linda will continue seums she had visited. She also led students as official historian for Chattanooga and on trips to Washington, D.C., to meet their Hamilton County. government representatives. Prior to their retirement, Anne and Linda “Teaching history is not about textbooks and were inducted into the ranks of GPS Faculty content,” Linda says. “It’s about stories of the Emeriti at a ceremony this past spring. past that help to connect us to the present Head of School Dr. Autumn Graves invoked and help us to think for the future.” the wisdom of historian Henry Adams. “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell Known as the “resident flag-waver” of GPS, where his influence stops," an apt quotation Linda models political participation in word for two teachers who will be, as Graves said, and deed, organizing the annual Veterans “immortal in the history of this school.”
A L ook Back
Like Mother, Like Daughter The Exum and Mines families have enriched GPS for two generations. They have taught and led on Island Avenue for a combined total of nearly 60 years. Perhaps their greatest investments in GPS, though, have been through their daughters, Mary Cady Exum Bolin ’01 and Jessica “Raz” Mines Dumitru ’99. These women attest that the returns on their GPS education are paying forward tenfold. “GPS taught me that my voice matters,” says Mary Cady. “That is a powerful thing to know and believe when you are a woman in a field made up primarily of men.” Mary Cady recently accepted a position as Children's Pastor at the Church of the Redeemer in Nashville. Raz echoes this sentiment, “I believe that GPS fosters a desire for self-awareness and independence like no other school in the area does. But, I feel it is so much more than that. It is a quality, well-rounded education.” Raz is the Chief Officer of Operations
ANNE EXUM
for Art Creations Stores in Chattanooga and has also been an active leader with the Daughters of the American Revolution.
CARRYING ON THE LEGACY Both alumnae concede they enjoyed having a Teacher Mom on campus. From sharing drive time to consulting their mothers about homework, the advantages were high. Now that both Mary Cady and Raz are mothers themselves, their hopes for their own daughters to experience an all-girls education continue. Mary Cady and her husband, Brian, already have enrolled one of their daughters, Caroline, in all-girls Harpeth Hall in Nashville. “At all-girls schools, there is a place for every girl, and every girl is fully valued: artist, athlete, academic, dreamer, schemer,” says Mary Cady. Raz also hopes to send her daughter, Rory, to GPS one day. Raz says, “I want her to experience all that I shared and every other relationship that was and will continue to be fostered by a GPS education.”
GAME CHANGER
Volunteer as a Class News Agent on the Alumnae Council and help us to stay connected to your classmates!
Most memorable lesson learned at GPS: Like a family, everyone — faculty, staff, student, parent, and alumnae — can ensure the continuing success of this school when we work together and support one another. What I’ll miss most: I will miss Cum Laude, sitting in the back of the theatre, hearing faculty members’ metaphors and words of praise that characterize the inductees, and hoping that their words motivate Middle School girls to reach for that honor for themselves.
LINDA MOSS MINES Most memorable lesson learned at GPS: That the future of our nation will be in good hands with our GPS women in leadership positions. What I’ll miss most: Commemorating GPS family veterans on Veterans Day. I love honoring them and helping our young women understand the debt of gratitude owed to those who have stood on the line in the fight for freedom and justice.
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THE FACES OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
Patricia “Trish” King teaches Middle School Global Cultures. Trish served on the search committee for the Head of Middle School and is an advisor for GPS’s Partnership in Community service organization.
A MIDDLE SCHOOLER AT HEART
Mrs. Mac Joins GPS BY PATRICIA KING
The mission and vision of GPS — nurturing self-confidence and respect along with developing a sense of integrity — align closely with my
Lynne Macziewski, or “Mrs. Mac” for short, may be unacquainted with Chattanooga’s mild winters, but the Head of Middle School at GPS is already well acclimated to life in an independent school.
In her 15 years at The Blake School in Minnesota, Lynne served as a science teacher, advisor, mentor, department chair, and Middle School Assistant Director. “I know what it’s like to have boots on the ground in the classroom but also to have experience leading a division,” she says. One of her chief endeavors at Blake was co-developing a middle school advisory program, focusing on the social and emotional growth of her students. Her interest in supporting young people bore out in her graduate work as well. Lynne holds two master’s degrees, one in curriculum and instruction and one in educational leadership. As a part of the latter master’s program, she focused on the early factors that support or inhibit women leaders — an area of interest that she says drew her to GPS.
“The mission and vision of GPS — nurturing self-confidence and respect along with developing a sense of integrity — align closely with my philosophy as an educator and leader,” Lynne says. Further, the Middle School’s specific emphasis on joyful learning seemed to Lynne to be an ideal place where she could work and grow, she says.
ON BRUISER GROUNDS Lynne has already invested significant time in getting to know the culture of GPS. During a visit to campus this past spring, Lynne served on the review panel for sixth graders presenting their global science projects. She met newly accepted students at the New Bruisers Event, and she even attended the GPS/McCallie prom. Matt Patterakis, long-time Blake colleague, says Lynne has “high expectations for students, faculty, and herself. (She) never oversimplifies or underestimates kids or adults.”
philosophy as an educator and leader.” — LYNNE “MAC,” HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
"Her strong interpersonal skills make her an approachable leader," says Matt. “She develops wonderful candid relationships. She keeps it real and has taught others to do that, too.” GPS Head of School Autumn Graves echoes this about Lynne. “She is a master 21st-century teacher known for her ability to mentor and coach faculty and is highly regarded for her relationship-building skills.”
MIDDLE SCHOOL HEAD — AND HEART Lynne says she is “a middle schooler at heart” in that she loves to dance, waterski, and wakeboard. She also looks to connecting with students in the cafeteria — she considers mealtimes her favorite parts of the day (sushi and Thai are some of her favorite foods). Lynne is passionate about making GPS a place where Middle School girls can continue to be themselves while trying new things. “As a
scientist, I am a data seeker,” she says, and she prefers to gather data through experiences that are at turns physical and fun. “While not every moment of learning can be fun, girls’ overall educational experiences should be. Students should be excited about what they have learned and comfortable seeking out problems and questions to be solved,” Lynne says. Lynne’s chief priorities for the coming school year include getting to know the Middle School faculty and spending as much time as possible in classrooms at the beginning of the year. “Only by being in the classroom, observing, will I be able to get a sense of what it is like to be in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade at GPS,” she says. To create the best opportunities for our girls, says Lynne, “we need to better understand their daily experience at GPS.”
MRS. MAC JOINS GPS
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Smile for the #SHELFIE MRS. MAC'S MUST-HAVE READS
GROWING THROUGH BOOKS Lynne believes expanding the scope of literacy for a young person helps in raising global citizens. Students need to explore “books that are written in a way that connects with kids but also leave them walking away thinking about the lived experience of others,” she says. Lynne and her husband, Nathan, are avid readers and hope their two children, Gracie (10) and Jack (8), identify similarly. The Macziewskis are weekly library patrons and look forward to exploring the Chattanooga Public Library. In addition to reading the Little House on the Prairie series with their children, the Macziewskis ventured to De Smet and Lake Pepin this past summer to experience the setting for parts of the literary series.
“Literature gives our students opportunity.”
C ONNECT
WHAT’S ON YOUR BOOKSHELF? TWEET US A PICTURE OF YOUR #SHELFIE AND TAG @GPSBRUISERS OR E-MAIL ALUMNEWS@GPS.EDU. ALUMNEWS@GPS.EDU
1. Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling 2. What If?, Randall Munroe 3. The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory 4. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver 5. Your Inner Fish, Neil Shubin 6. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot 7. The Martian, Andy Weir 8. Summerland, Michael Chabon 9. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen 10. The Help, Kathryn Stockett
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Conservatory of Music GPS WELCOMES CADEK Conservatory of Music
nyone who grew up in Chattanooga has probably heard of Cadek Conservatory of Music or maybe even taken lessons at their University of Tennessee Chattanooga campus home. Or prior to this, lessons offered in Cadek director Harold Cadek's own residence. The Conservatory has a long tradition of training individuals in the fine arts and fostering musical awareness in the entire community. Beginning in July, Cadek welcomed music faculty and students to its new home on the GPS campus. With the renovation of what was the GPS Business Office — a building that was designed and built by noted modernist architect Mario Bianculli for use as his own residence,
and once served as headquarters for the Junior League of Chattanooga — Cadek's new location takes advantage of the light-filled spaces and unique design complemented by inspiring views of the Tennessee River.
A SHARED DEVOTION TO EDUCATION Through this new partnership with GPS, Cadek will continue to offer a robust program of musical instruction. Founder Joseph Cadek’s vision preceded the 1906 establishment of GPS by two years, but the founders of both the conservatory and GPS shared a devotion to the education of Chattanoogans. “Since being approached by UTC about partnering in a transition of the Cadek Conservatory to the GPS campus, our goal has been to honor the conservatory’s historic
TO REGISTER FOR THE FALL TERM, VISIT WWW.CADEK.ORG
significance and tradition of excellence while increasing its value to the community,” says Dr. Autumn Graves. “The alignment of Cadek with GPS will allow a broader range of families in the community to take advantage of Cadek’s services and for the Cadek legacy to continue and thrive in Chattanooga.” Partnering with Cadek and their talented music faculty, GPS is proud to be the home of high-caliber music teachers and classes for students of all ages.
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BLUEPRINT SAT DOWN WITH DR. CHRIS SMITH ’72 TO REFLECT ON HER CHAIRSHIP OF THE GPS BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND WITH HOLLY HARWELL ’84 TO WELCOME HER TO HER NEW ROLE. BLUEPRINT: COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING CHAIR? CHRIS: The Chair is charged with leading the Board as we make decisions that benefit the school. The Chair ensures the charge of the school is carried out. In our case, it is to make sure that our girls know how to lead a life of integrity and purpose. That is a lot of responsibility. HOLLY: The decisions you make in a Board meeting are going to affect things that happen on campus, and you want to make sure you’re making the right decisions — each decision affects the girls and we want to do right by them. BP : THE USUAL TERM FOR CHAIR IS TWO YEARS. CHRIS, YOU STAYED ON FOR THREE YEARS. WHY WAS THAT? CS: I stayed on because I felt strongly about Holly having the time to learn what she needed to be the next Board Chair. She had also committed to chairing the Development Committee, and she didn't want to back out of that obligation. I respect that, so I was happy to stay another year to have the continuity of leadership. BP: ARE YOU PLEASED WITH WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED ON THE BOARD SO FAR, HOLLY? HH: Yes. Of all the things I’ve been involved with, this has been the steepest learning curve for me. I’m not a parent, so I’ve not been re-immersed in educational institutions. I’ve been getting acclimated back to the campus and all of its changes. It’s a huge responsibility and I recognize the weight of it — because these girls are our responsibility. I’m grateful for the extra year of learning.
with Holly Lynch Harwell ’84 & Chris Benz Smith ’72 Interview by Kendra Stanton Lee
Chris & Holly toast HERE'S TO THE GIRLS!
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT GPS OVERSEES THE GOVERNANCE OF THE SCHOOL, WHILE DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT DRIVES ITS EDUCATIONAL MISSION AND CULTURAL INTEGRITY.
In addition to their service at GPS, Chris is the Director of the School of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and Holly is an affiliate broker with Real Estate Partners. (Read more about their recognition in Class Notes, pages 39-41.)
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BP : CHRIS, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PROUD OF ACCOMPLISHING DURING YOUR SERVICE AS CHAIR? CS: I’ve been in academics managing a faculty for 10 years, so I understand faculty concerns and faculty governance. I’ve enjoyed my role as sounding board for [Dr. Graves] and I hope I have been able to provide a different perspective. Her concerns are the same ones I have had, but with a different age group of students. If I’ve learned anything, it’s a different way to look at strategic planning and the process.
BP : HOLLY, AS A CURRENT TRUSTEE, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PROUD OF ACCOMPLISHING ON THE BOARD? HH: Just the fact that we were able to recruit Dr. Graves to serve as our head of school. For a very long time as an alum, I’ve felt very strongly about having a female head of school. It sends a message to girls that you can have a high-level job and do all these other things, too. She’s a great role model. She’s phenomenal. A lot of the ideas and plans she has are going to be great for the school. The strategic planning process has really helped us all focus on taking GPS to the next level. In particular, we're looking at mid- to long-range planning. We need to know where we are going so we can plan and execute more effectively. She has brought this thought process to campus, and I think we are going to see some incredibly positive outcomes over the next three to five years.
BP : IS THERE A MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER WHEN YOU AWAKENED TO HOW IMPORTANT GPS IS AS AN INSTITUTION IN THE EDUCATION OF GIRLS? CS: I think that happened for me in college. You see your classmates who do not understand how to be successful, and how your definition of success differs from theirs. I’ve seen it in my own daughters. When they went off to college, they were not afraid to go to professors to seek help if they didn’t understand something. GPS girls are used to having to be self-advocates. They’re confident that they can succeed and ask for help when needed. HH: There is one particular thing that I’ve realized after being in business for almost 30 years. At GPS, we were taught effective communication skills. When I need to compose business letters and communicate with multiple stakeholders, I continue to be grateful for the education I’ve received.
Notes of THANK-YOU NOTES ARE ONE WAY TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCES THAT SHAPED YOUR TIME AT GPS. HERE’S WHAT CHRIS AND HOLLY WANTED TO SHARE.
Gratitude DEAR STARLET SPEAKMAN,
Thank you for working with me in Help Class every Thursday afternoon for my entire seventh grade year because I was not strong in English. And now, I can diagram a sentence and have high expectations of my students when they have to write a paper. And, I want you to know, I don't end my sentences with prepositions. Love, Chris Benz Smith ’72 P.S. Starlet is the representation of what all GPS faculty do for our students...so I send my thanks to all faculty for what you have done for every GPS student.
TO ALL THE FACULTY,
Thank you for giving me the confidence to speak up even when it was uncomfortable. I was once very shy. The faculty bring a sense of purpose and confidence out of every girl who leaves here. GPS girls are not afraid to raise their hands in college in front of boys, and they don‘t apologize for it. For that, I am forever grateful. Love, Holly Lynch Harwell ’84
C ON N E CT
WANT TO SHARE YOUR GRATITUDE FOR A GPS FACULTY OR STAFF MEMBER, PAST OR PRESENT? SEND YOUR OPEN THANK YOU NOTE TO ALUMNEWS@ GPS.EDU AND WE MAY PUBLISH IT IN A FUTURE ISSUE OF BLUEPRINT.
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Color Your Memories AROUND THE ROTUNDA
UNWIND AND TUNE IN. Go beyond Bruiser Blue to color the landscapes and icons of GPS. Consider it a mindfulness check-in, where your only focus is creating just what you want, be it patterns, random colors, or going outside the lines.
The rotunda is an iconic symbol of our enduring legacy as an institution. From its vantage, you glimpse the beauty that surrounds GPS as well as the spirit and life of the girls who call it home.
C ON N E CT
COLOR THE ROTUNDA AND POST YOUR RENDITION ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TAG #GPSSUMMERMAG #BLUEPRINTSU17 #GPSMAGAZINE
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Talent {at GPS}
By
Cal lie H ilde bra nd
Pictured from left to right are Kristi Bryson (science teacher), Bryant Haynes (science teacher), Jenny Bullard (English teacher), Courtney Alexander Tallant ’08 (math teacher), and Jeff Gaither (English teacher).
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TEACHERS BRING THE WORLD TO THEIR STUDENTS AND PREPARE THEIR STUDENTS FOR THE WORLD. IN ESSENCE, EVERY TEACHER ARRIVES TO THE CLASSROOM, TAPPING INTO PERSONAL INTERESTS TO INFLUENCE LESSONS. FROM MUSIC AND GARDENING TO ACROBATICS, YOGA, AND DIVING, THESE TALENTS OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM ARE WOVEN TOGETHER TO CREATE A COLORFUL COLLECTIVE OF TALENTS.
Underwater objects appear 25% LARGER AND CLOSER than they actually are.
A DEEP DIVE
STRINGING TOGETHER A TUNE
FINDING QUIET IN MOVEMENT
TAKING FLIGHT
IMMERSED IN MUSIC AND PLANTS
Jenny Bullard, Middle School English teacher, is sinking to the depths — with agility and determination.
On any given Wednesday evening, Jeff Gaither and Bryant Haynes may be found strumming on their respective mandolin and fiddle at Slick’s on Main Street. The duo — Jeff in English and Bryant in physics — captivate an audience at the local Chattanooga burger joint with their weekly “Old Time” jam sessions.
Middle School science teacher Kristi Bryson shares her passion for yoga with students. Kristi had never tried yoga before attending the afterschool GPS faculty/staff class four years ago. The quiet practice of yoga appealed to Kristi, who also directs GPS Summer Camp Kaleidoscope.
Middle School math teacher Courtney Alexander Tallant ’08 is also a yogi — more specifically, an acroyogi. A mixture of acrobatics and yoga, acroyoga appeals to Courtney, who was a gymnast in her youth. She now practices at least twice a week.
Kristi earned her 500-hour certification to teach and has assumed the role of oncampus faculty/staff yoga teacher. She also enjoys introducing new workshops, classes, and clubs to campus, including the GPS Meditation Club.
“It’s a great way to exercise and play,” says Tallant. Since earning her instructor’s certification six months ago, Tallant has founded and led the GPS Acroyoga Club, and she teaches an acroyoga class at a local circus performing arts center.
Upper School physics teacher Bryant Haynes dabbles with the fiddle and mandolin in addition to being immersed in agriculture throughout the year. Since 1998, Bryant and his wife have owned and operated a farm in Chattanooga. They cultivate a quarter acre “garden,” manage an irrigation infrastructure, and raise a variety of farm animals.
Jenny, who also coaches bowling and golf for GPS, began snorkeling at a young age. It wasn’t until two years ago, however, when she was in Turks and Caicos, that she first went scuba diving. She has since been scuba diving in Destin and Key West. For Jenny, acquiring a scuba diving certification was a three-month process that helped her advance toward new goals. She aspires to be a volunteer diver at the Tennessee Aquarium and to take a diving trip to Belize. Bullard hopes the trip to Belize could potentially be fulfilled through a future GPS Winterim trip. Chances are, she’ll have some takers among the students of GPS.
CLICK HERE to watch a video of GPS Irregular Strings
The pair have also made appearances in the GPS Faculty/Staff Talent Show and recently formed a trio known as “GPS Irregular Strings” with Mary Margaret Arrowsmith ’18. Jeff, who teaches Upper School English, is the epitome of a Renaissance man. He has thrice run the Boston Marathon and coaches cross-country and track.
In the same vein, she appreciates how yoga isn’t restrictive. “Everyone has her own look for a movement or pose. The teacher is simply there to keep you safe and make sure the fundamentals are intact,” she says.
Bryant brings his classes to the farm every school year. “The girls love it!” he says. Haynes and his wife also presented a gardening workshop for GPS friends and family members who attended a mini extended learning class several years ago.
GAME CHANGER
His passion for outdoor activity and music blends with his extracurricular activities — with Upper School English teacher Todd Wells, Jeff leads Winterim hiking trips and still makes time to pursue a love of music.
Kristi strikes a WARRIOR POSE FIT TIP Find a type of exercise that feels like play in order to sustain lifelong fitness
In addition to their hobbies, 100% of faculty and staff pledged their support to the GPS Impact Fund in the 2016-17 school year.
GOOD EATS Bryant provides farm fresh eggs to many of the GPS faculty and staff
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GIRLS + SCHOOL + EACH OTHER + LOVE =
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1 1 | The Class of 1957 celebrated their 60th reunion. From left are Cynthia Finley Anderson, Dee Dee Drosten Halleck, Dee Dee’s sister, Betsy Drosten Rivard ’63; Nancy Armstrong Perry, Jonette Galt Terrell, and Graham Walker Burns.
2 | Attending the Faculty Emeriti Inductions gave these members of the Class of 1997 a chance to catch up with Cathy Barker, a favorite former English teacher. From left are Kim Pettyjohn, Mrs. Barker, Chelsey Hunter Tate, Sayle Milne, Sarah Moore, Maggie Kopp Barrie, and Carrie Smith Burns.
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Alumnae Weekend MAY 2017
Alumnae Honorees 3 | The luncheon was a time for members of the Class of 1962 to gather. From left are Judy Kayler Haynes, Bootsie Isbell Rusher, and Karen Paul Stone.
4 | A large crowd from the Class of 1967 celebrated their 50th reunion. Seated from left are Margaret Fowler Knowlton, Terry Griffith, Karen Wagner Buckner, Susan Gunnell Collins, Barbara Gott Bush, Jill McNew Ruane, and Martha Chalkley Whitmire. Standing are Happy Yates Baker, Betsy Bellah Holder, Patty Bullard Thomas, Barbara Simmons Eustis, Susan Troy Chandler, Becky Miller Bowers, Martha McCravey, Robin Nash Tauer, Libba McNeill Shumard, Barbara Toms Craig, and Janelle Roberts Walker.
Distinguished Alumna + Kay Kendall ’62 Margaret Rawlings Lupton Award of Excellence + Virginia Anne Summitt Sharber ’77
FOUNDERS FOOTNOTE
Embracing the 2016-2017 academic year's theme, “Year of Love,” Alumnae Weekend raised high the banner of “Love for Girls, Love for School, Love for Each Other.” Kicking off the weekend was “Real Talk 2.0,” a forum where alumnae shared life and career lessons with GPS students, and an event that has quickly become a cherished tradition. Other traditions included cocktail receptions, luncheons, and awards. A special addition to Alumnae Weekend was the 30th Anniversary Concert of the GPS Orchestra. The weekend concluded with class parties, as organized by reunion classes ’2s and ’7s, at venues around greater Chattanooga.
NOTABLE + RISING NOTABLE ALUMNAE Dr. Martha McCravey, Class of 1967 — 50th Reunion Patricia Ochs, Class of 1972 — 45th Reunion Ann Dickerson Zack, Class of 1982 — 35th Reunion Molly Bishop Shadel, Class of 1987 — 30th Reunion Brooke Good Bowles, Class of 1992 — 25th Reunion Caroline Puri Mitchell, Class of 1997 — 20th Reunion Maithilee Kunda, Class of 2002 — 15th Reunion Katherine Cherry, Class of 2007 — 10th Reunion Raewyn Duvall, Class of 2012 — 5th Reunion
2017 GPS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE Carly Morrow Moss ’07
Here is just a sampling of the industries represented by GPS NOTABLE ALUMNAE 2017: academia, aerospace, arts, computer science, food and dining, law, medicine, media and public relations, real estate, social services.
30TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT “Let’s not wait another 30 years,” says Mary Baxter, GPS Orchestra Director, of the Anniversary Concert held during Friday evening of Alumnae Weekend. Floy Wang, former director of the Orchestra from 1986-2000, joined Mary in conducting the anniversary program. The program included ensemble and orchestra performances by close to 100 current GPS students, the McCallie Band, as well as 18 alumnae musicians. They performed a variety of old favorites and even a newer composition, the commissioned four-movement piece, the "GPS Suite" by Christopher Tew, which celebrated GPS's centennial. CLICK HERE to watch highlights from Alum Weekend 2017, including clips from the 30th Anniversary Concert.
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May Day 17
UNABLE TO ATTEND or catch the livestream of May Day 2017? Allow us to paint you a picture of the Smith Courtyard on April 26. With sunny skies overhead, every GPS girl was dressed to promenade or perform, and the Maypoles, as usual, bore witness to the traditional event. The theme of “Radio Air Waves” was evident in the musical selections from across several decades and genres. Before the seniors’ names were called and they descended the
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stairs to take their places on the lawn, Upper School Principal Jenise Gordon noted, “This senior class has represented a series of constructive waves, each girl contributing to this school and her broader community. Even when tasked to determine the young women to represent them on the May Court, they ‘dialed in’ the frequencies of our Founders…choosing young women that embody the ideals of GPS.”
The legacy seniors and
the second row is Lea Mulligan and her
their families are pic-
mother Lynne Pierce
tured in groups after the
Mulligan ’84, Risa Callaway
May Day ceremonies. In the front from left are Effie
Miller ’90 and her daughter
Rustand with her mother Peg
Tori King; Emmaline Cobb
Brock Rustand ’88 and grandmother Dottie Goree
’72, and great-grandmother Frances Street Smith ’48.
and her mother Courtney Bowers Cobb ’87; and Mary
Brock ’65; Margaret Martin with her mother Carol
Behind the Brock/Rustands are Mary Jane Clower, her
Groves Brooks ’60 with her granddaughter Callie
Strahley Martin ’87 and grandmother Susan Elder
mother Anna Glass Clower ’91, and her grandmother
Nevans. On the upper right is Abby Glass and mother
Martin ’52; Lucy Newbold and mother Beth Steele
Janie Willingham McNabb ’63. Behind the Smiths on
Patrice Hobbs Glass ’88. Standing at the top are Katie
Newbold ’84; Lauren Wright with her mother Jenny
the right are Carol Burns Stoney ’85, Bennett Burns,
Brandao and mother Julie Betts Brandao ’84; and
Smith Wright ’97, grandmother Chris Benz Smith
and grandmother Graham Walker Burns ’57. On
Claire Hunt McVay ’87 and her daughter Kate McVay.
Sister of the May Queen, Amal Ali ’19 wraps the Maypole with a smile
Noor Azhar ’17 looks out among the vast crowd
Hannah Brotton ’17 and Abby Glass ’17 link arms after getting ready
Catherine Cobb ’17 gives a glance to the May Queen
Claire Badgley ’17 joyfully watches the class dances
Scottie Sandlin ’17 is excited to lead the procession of seniors
Senior Iman Ali, above, president of the Student Council, reigned as May Queen. (Left photo) Leah Baxter, Scepter Bearer; Tia Kemp, Maid of Honor; Iman Ali, May Queen; Elisabeth Hale, Left Trainbearer; Mimi Vance, Right Trainbearer; and Lori Baxter, Crown Bearer
C ON N E CT
WHAT SONGS COME TO MIND WHEN YOU REMEMBER MAY DAY? WHY? TWEET US @GPSBRUISERS OR E-MAIL ALUMNEWS@GPS.EDU #GPSBRUISERS
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5
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Mary Margaret Arrowsmith, left, and Hollis Gaffney were two junior award winners.
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Sophomores honored with Class Day awards include Olivia Combs and Olivia Fannon.
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Freshman award recipients include Eva Goldbach, Meg Priest, and Jadyn Matthews.
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Chapel Cunningham and Astha Sinha received two eighth grade awards.
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Seventh grade awards went to Julia Combs and Mary Elizabeth Sprouse.
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Sophia McGee and Meghan Boehm were sixth grade award winners.
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Special athletic awards went to, from left, Carley Braman, Lucy Newbold, Scottie Sandlin, Kate McVay, and Myra Brock.
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Unable to attend Class Day, Anna-Blair Self ’18 had the Christian Bryant Award delivered to her house by Bailey Bryant ’17
A TIME OF RECOGNITION, Class Day means more than awards for academics, character, the arts, and athletics, although that’s a significant part of the annual event. In addition to the opportunity for each grade to sing the “Where O’ Wheres” and loudly express their enthusiasm for moving to another grade, this year’s Class Day also featured a very creative song and dance from the sixth grade Rats, dedicated to their senior Cats. Their rewritten lyrics for “My Shot,” from the musical Hamilton, imagined what college life and the seniors’ futures would be, lyrics that the seniors thoroughly enjoyed!
Academic&Character Awards Founders Award Phoebe Warren Mary Hannah Tucker Faculty Award Iman Ali SENIORS Pete Wood Award Abby Glass Patsy Williams Scott Service Award Hannah Brotton Jane Henegar Noble Christian Character Award Bailey Bryant
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Senior award winners are, front row from left, Phoebe Warren, Tia Kemp, Sarah McDougal, and Mimi Vance. Standing are Isabella Cornea, Katie Brandao, Abby Glass, Iman Ali, Bailey Bryant, and Hannah Brotton.
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Betsy Chisolm Silberman Award Mimi Vance Laura Handly Award Sarah McDougal Roberta Moore Award Tia Kemp Barbara Johnson Prickett Award Isabella Cornea Daughters of the American Revolution Award Katie Brandao
JUNIORS Battle Award Mary Margaret Arrowsmith Palmer Griffin Award Hollis Gaffney Christian Bryant Award Anna-Blair Self SOPHOMORES Dorris Chapin Wells Award Olivia Fannon Sophomore Bowl Olivia Combs
FRESHMEN Marilyn Sherman Center Award Eva Goldbach Dora Maclellan Brown Award Meg Priest Frances Wheeler Freshman Cup Jadyn Matthews EIGHTH GRADE Janet Campbell Jackson Award Chapel Cunningham
DAR Citizenship Award Astha Sinha SEVENTH GRADE Ruth Schmidt Award Julia Combs Thedford Award Mary Elizabeth Sprouse SIXTH GRADE Margaret Wheland Cate Award Sophia McGee Joan Haley Frierson Award Meghan Boehm
ARTS The Greene-Hanlin Award Silvey McGregor Terpsichord Award Lilyanna Everett The Award for Excellence in Visual Art Bailey Bryant The National Orchestra Award Lori Baxter The National Band Award Jennifer Brockman
Excellence in Dramatic Arts Bennett Burns ATHLETICS Robinson Sportsmanship Cup Lucy Newbold Mary Alice Hood Chambers Award Chapel Cunningham Elizabeth Collier Farmer Award Myra Brock Laura Holt Outstanding
Athlete Award Carley Braman Sandra Martin Award Scottie Sandlin Peggy Thomas 100% Award Kate McVay SENIOR ACADEMIC AWARDS Ethel B. Poston Valedictorian Leah Baxter Rickie Pierce Salutatorian Phoebe Warren
Mildred Peters Award for English Rebecca Torrence Eula Lea Jarnagin Love of Language Leah Baxter and Rebecca Torrence John Locke History Award for Excellence Phoebe Warren Lois Moyer Award for Mathematics Sarah McDougal
Lucy Ann Adams Science Cup Sarah Goodrich Computer Science and Engineering Abby Glass Physical Education/SHAPE Scottie Sandlin
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It is not too late to seek a newer world”
Commencement ON FRIDAY, MAY 19, the Class of 2017 sang the alma mater for the first time as GPS graduates. At Wednesday evening’s Senior Banquet, Dr. Graves gave each senior a copy of the GPS Chapel Talk Book, a compilation of their talks given throughout the year. In her Commencement address, she used words and excerpts from those talks to illustrate their wisdom, thoughtfulness, thankfulness, and realizations about life. Of the two student addresses, Rebecca Torrence reprised her own chapel talk, and Leah Baxter, the Ethel B. Poston Valedictorian, quoted poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson — “it is not too late to seek a newer world.” She reminded her classmates, “We are moving on from life here, in favor of something bigger, or, at least, something else. A newer world, one that we can join and experience and remake in whatever way we want.”
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Class officers, Julie Kim and Rebecca Torrence head to Commencement
CONNECT
—ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON
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Salutatorian Phoebe Warren with Valedictorian Leah Baxter
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Seniors link arms in front of the Rotunda before officially becoming GPS Alumnae
Lauren Wright smiles with her grandmother, Chris Smith ’72, GPS Board Chair; Lauren is a fourth generation legacy graduate of GPS
Mimi Vance takes a selfie with her classmates before putting on their robes
CLICK HERE to Read Leah Baxter’s Valedictory Address and Rebecca Torrence’s Chapel Talk
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU GRADUATED FROM GPS? TWEET US @GPSBRUISERS OR E-MAIL ALUMNEWS@GPS.EDU
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HOLLIS GAFFNEY ’18
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LACROSSE
ROWING
Great leadership drives a team. This past spring, the FOUR SENIORS on lacrosse, Ella Marie Melton, Lindsay Lail, Lucy Newbold, and Effie Rustand, emerged as strong leaders. Hollis Gaffney, Lindsay Lail, and Lucy Newbold were all named Tennessee Girls Lacrosse Association Southeast All-Region players.
We are grateful for the time and energy the seniors have put into this program, and they will not soon be forgotten,”
The rowing team made waves this spring! This was the first GPS rowing team since 1999 to place at the SRAA National Championship Regatta. GPS’s Junior 4+ boat brought home a bronze medal from the nationals regatta in New Jersey, signifying their third-place finish. THE 4+ TEAM included Rebecca Guhde, Larkin Brown, Anna Oglesby, Allison Smith, and Mary Louise Whitfield (pictured from left to right).
SOFTBALL
TENNIS
The softball team racked up some more hardware this season! The Bruisers won the Brentwood Invitational, the region championship, and second place at the Spring Fling state tournament. Haley Smith, Shelby Walters, and Elizabeth Warwick were all named to the Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps list.
During an exciting spring for the tennis team, the Bruisers clinched a state runner-up title with a sweet victory over Hutchison in the semifinals. MADDOX BANDY was the region champion for the individuals tournament.
LOUISA BOHNER, AND AVA SCOTCHIE
LACROSSE HUDDLE #SISTERHOOD
EMMA HAMILTON
TRACK & FIELD The GPS Track & Field team finished their season with an 8th place finish at the TSSAA Spring Fling. During the state meet, Murfee Jones tied the school record for pole vault with her jump that cleared 10 feet, and EMILY MORRISON made her first appearance in the state pentathlon championship. The team also earned second-place finishes at the region meet as well as at the CCS Fast Break Invitational.
—CAROLINE CARLIN, HEAD COACH
CLICK ICONS to follow GPS Athletics on social media
GOLFERS OLIVIA SCOTCHIE,
TRACK & FIELD RUNNER,
The Bruisers also claimed their 8th straight Carney Cup victory over Baylor this spring, with the 8+ team finishing almost 35 seconds faster than their rival.
ATHLETICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL
“The girls worked hard all season and pulled together in a very positive way! —SUSAN CROWNOVER, HEAD COACH
“The six senior leaders gave so much to the team; they were all instrumental in making the season a success. — J EFF GAITHER, HEAD COACH
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Around +
GPS
Senior Receives The Bright School’s Citizenship Award Kudos to Mimi Vance ’17, recipient of The Bright School’s first Citizen of the World Award. Recognized for her “wise and compassionate” citizenship, Mimi’s broad involvement in community service as president of GPS Partnerships in the Community impressed the award selection committee. An after-school tutor at the Glenwood Community Center, Mimi helped to raise over $25,000 a year for nonprofits working to end childhood cancer. A volunteer at the Chambliss Children’s Home, she was appointed youth advisor on their Board of Directors. This summer, Mimi is interning with HEAL Ministries in Jinja, Uganda, in support of family preservation programs. Other nominees for the award included Alizeh Ahmad ’10, now at Harvard University Divinity School; Meg Austin ’10, a student at University of Tennessee School of Law; and Tia Kemp ’17, who will be a freshman at the University of Southern California in the fall and who served as Senior Class President at GPS.
JENNA NAIK, a soon-to-be 6th grader at GPS presented the award to MIMI VANCE ’17
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Sharing Leadership Skills at Girls State
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CUM LAUDE: On the front row from left are Sarah McDougal, Leah Baxter, and Delaney Swann. In the middle are Anna Shaw, Lori Baxter, Phoebe Warren, Rebecca Torrence, and Emily Ballentine. In the back are Isabella Cornea, Kate McVay, and Katie Brandao.
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Four rising seniors attended the 71st annual session of Volunteer Girls State in May in Nashville. Pierson Brown, Meg Marshall, Meher Memon, and Hannah Prescott were among the over 500 students at the weeklong leadership and citizenship training program. GPS alumnae who attended Girls State in the past served as volunteers and counselors at this year’s session: Katie Brandao ’17, Emily You ’14, Rachel Raisin ’16, Allyce Buniak ’16, Delaney Swann ’17, Caroline West ’16, Nisha Boyington ’11, Emma McCallie ’13, Laura Laughlin ’10, Mary Chandler Gwin ’14, and Kate Commander Poehlman ’04.
Middle School Reaps Honors in State STEM Contest Seventh and eighth grade teams received state recognition in the eCYBERMISSION competition that promotes real-life applications in STEM disciplines. Seventh grade teammates Olivia Burns, Merritt Kelley, Lily Marshall, and Ava Scotchie worked together on “Louisiana Water Thrush Geolocation,” a first-place project to create a more comfortable bird harness design.
Three Place Art in Showcase Tia Kemp ’17, Abbey Hegwood ’18, and Reagan Long ’19, students of GPS art instructor Julie Deavers, received recognition in the 2017 Congressional Artistic Discovery competition. Long’s close-up oil painting of a French horn will hang in the Third District Chattanooga office for one year. Kemp’s and Hegwood’s pieces received Honorable Mention. Of the six awards given, GPS students received three.
A second seventh grade team consisting of Graci Felker, Shalizeh Rizvi, Emma Hamilton, and Emmy Richey received an Honorable Mention for a project that designed a specially-equipped car seat to prevent babies from overheating in a hot car. Eighth grade teammates Mia Iannios, Lila Fritschen, Jamiah Flanagan, and Molly Hathorne earned a second-place win for a project studying the hidden sugars in creamers, and Ellie Paty, Annsley Kelley, Maddison Hanzelik, and Katherine Lockwood received an Honorable Mention for a project titled “Helping Sea Turtles Find Their Way.” The students are taught by Katye Adams Couch ’92 and Kristi Bryson.
Pictured from left are MEG MARSHALL, MEHER MEMON, PIERSON BROWN, HANNAH PRESCOTT, and Head of Upper School, Jenise Gordon.
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Eleven Inducted into Cum Laude Linda Mines, faculty president of Cum Laude, welcomed the student body and families of this year's eleven inductees, noting that the girls thrived in an environment that encourages independent thinking and were aided by their cheering families and nurturing teachers.
GPS and McCallie Presented “Pippin” Pippin is a unique musical, known as a performance that breaks the “fourth wall” of the stage, meaning it engages the audience. GPS drama teacher Erin Schmidt directed an ensemble cast of GPS and McCallie performers and challenged them to extend that invitation of interaction to the audience.
The students were introduced by faculty members with whom they have developed a bond of friendship and respect. Chosen for what is one of the highest honors for a GPS teacher were Jennifer Williams, Dr. Ralph Covino, Katy Berotti, Jenise Gordon, Erin Schmidt, Bryant Haynes, Chris Zeller, Susan McCarter, Dr. Andrea Becksvoort, Todd Wells, and Cathie Ault Kasch ’72. The inductees will attend Northeastern University, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Princeton, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, Boston University, Clemson, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, and Georgia Tech.
Horn Adaption by REAGAN LONG ’19
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MARY KATHERINE OWEN ’17 plays the part of Berthe alongside Michael Maloney (McCallie) in Pippin. In this re-imagining of the 1972 Broadway musical from the creator of Wicked and Godspell, Pippin told the story of Prince Pippin and his struggle to find his “Corner of the Sky." This year’s musical brought a post-apocalyptic twist to the stage performance in Frierson Theatre, drawing from scenes and themes in contemporary literature while preserving the spirit and liveliness of Pippin’s time-tested “Magic to Do.”
AROUND GPS
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Calliope
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In May, the GPS Creative Writing club released the second annual literary and art magazine, Calliope, a compendium of student creativity. The digital publication showcases 11 ARTISTS and 16 WRITERS from the Upper and Middle Schools.
C ONNE CT
VISIT GPS.EDU/CALLIOPE TO VIEW THE ENTIRE EDITION OF CALLIOPE 2017
ClassNotes 1970S
ANNE CLARKE SANDERS ’70 is the author of a legal mystery series. Writing as Adair Sanders, Anne has published As Sick As Our Secrets, an Allison Parker Mystery; What Comes Around, an Allison Parker Mystery; and Ashes to Ashes, an Allison Parker Mystery. Book four in the series is due out late 2017. The books are available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle and Audible formats. DR. CHRIS BENZ SMITH ’72 received the 2017 President’s Award for CONNECT from the University of Tennessee for her outreach, engagement, service efforts and programs as director of the UTC School of Nursing and Student Health Services Clinic. Dr. Smith was selected from nominees representing every campus and institute in the University of Tennessee. The President’s Awards were created to honor and celebrate UT employees’ contributions and achievements. In addition to her demanding administrative position, Dr. Smith developed and received a $1.2 million Health Resources and Services Administration grant to explore obesity across the lifespan. Through this grant, the UTC School of Nursing and the UTC Department of Health and Human Performance successfully partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Girls’ Leadership Academy, the Childhood Healthy Eating Active Living program at Erlanger Health Systems, and the Chattanooga Downtown YMCA.
Women Chefs & Restaurateurs, a national organization that helps advance the careers of women across the culinary industry, has named MELANIE YOUNG ’77 as its executive director. Melanie has a long history of accomplishments in the food and beverage industry and a special interest in supporting women in business.
1980S
LISA FLEISSNER THOM ’87 was featured in National Interiors magazine for her e-commerce site, Fermosura, which sells designer pillows fashioned of Thai silks and Southeast Asian fabrics. Lisa and her husband reside in Thailand.
1990S
While JENNIFER HALENAR ’92 was on campus during Alumnae Weekend for Real Talk, the orchestra concert, and her class’s 25th reunion, she missed being present for a competition she entered through the Southern Violin Association. She placed in two of the categories — third in Workmanship and honorable mention in Tone — and was awarded the Southern Maker Award, the top scoring maker in tone and workmanship in the Southeast Region.
A NUMBER OF ALUMNAE WHO RETURNED TO GPS FOR THE REUNION LUNCHEON PASSED ON INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR ACTIVE LIVES. BELOW IS A SAMPLING OF THE NEWS GPS RECEIVED TO ADD TO ITS RECORDS: DEE DEE DROSTEN HALLECK ’57, a producer for Paper Tiger Television, is on the Board of Directors at Deep Dish Television Network and the HoltSmithson Foundation. JANE DELOACH WOOLLEY ’62 is certified as a group exercise instructor by the American College of Sports Medicine. MARY “BOOTSIE” ISBELL RUSHER ’62 is the business/finance manager of a charter school in Wilmington, NC. JUDY KAYLER HAYNES ’62 is enjoying retirement but staying busy as a volunteer with refugees and with annual travel to Italy with her husband to assist in mission activities. KAREN PAUL STONE ’62 is publisher and editor-in-chief of Waldenhouse Publishers, Inc. SUSAN GUNNELL COLLINS ’67 is celebrating 29 years as the assistant to the headmaster at Baylor School. MARY HELEN BAILEY BONDURANT ’87, who describes herself as a shutterbug and Memphis Belle, works at International Paper as a supply chain analyst. ANGELA HOLLAND MILLS ’87 is the owner of M&M Meetings & More, an event planning service in Franklin, TN. KELLY GOOD MCDOUGAL ’91 is pursuing her master’s in education while raising her family in Kingsport, TN. SUZY BASLER CORRIERE ’92 works as a physical therapist for Johns Hopkins Homecare Group and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland PT program.
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CLASS NOTES
REBECCA NELSON EDWARDS ’97 is an Episcopal priest in San Francisco, where she founded a nonprofit, Braid Mission, that serves youth in foster care. CHELSEY HUNTER TATE ’97 is the clinical program manager and oversees 30+ pharmacists at CIGNA Specialty Pharmacy in Phoenix, AZ. She and her husband have two daughters, Mykah and Maryssa.
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2000S
CHARLOTTE CALDWELL ’01 has purchased the building that her grandfather and great-grandfather once owned for their company, Tennessee Stove Works and Modern Maid. An artist facilitator, Charlotte plans for the building at the corner of 14th St. and Holtzclaw Ave. to be a home for a new art nonprofit, Stove Works, with room for artist workspaces, exhibition spaces, and education classrooms. Another two-thirds of the industrial complex will be available for retail, restaurants, or creative businesses. "Figureheads," an essay by JENNIFER GOLDSMITH CLEMENTS ’01, was named the winner of the inaugural Brian Turner Literary Arts Prize in creative nonfiction and appeared in an issue of the Sierra Nevada Review.
AMY WHITTIMORE MAHONE ’92 attended a National Investment Center for Senior Housing & Care (NIC) conference in San Diego this year. Pictured are (L-R): Former Senator Tom Daschle, NIC CEO Robert Kramer, Amy, and Former Senator Bill Frist. Amy, with the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, a sponsor of the conference luncheon keynote speakers, was invited to join NIC executives at the VIP table.
GINGER LATHAM MAYFIELD ’01 and her husband have launched the mobile app Wyndy. The app connects parents and local college sitters in Birmingham, and they hope to expand across the Southeast.
BRANDI ANDREWS ’07 is working for Shell Oil Company in Houston, TX, as a business development manager selling marine lubricants.
LAURA GORDON MOBLEY ’01 is in a new professional role as attorney advisor for the Knoxville Social Security Administration office on Disability Adjudication.
2010S
Last September, JULIA SCHAFFELD ’02 started a new role at Lumber Liquidators as director and in charge of merchandise promotions. She is now calling Richmond, VA, her home.
WH ERE ARE
KINNA PATEL CROCKER ’95 shared this photo of her twin girls dressed in Bruiser shirts and immersed in the Harry Potter series. Kinna has opened her own law firm, Crocker Law, where she practices family law, handling family formation legal issues, adoptions, and surrogacy cases. Kinna was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers by the National LGBT Bar Association.
KEELEE WRENN ’04 recently accepted a new position as the director of marketing and communications at the French American International School in San Francisco, a PK-12 independent bilingual immersion school. “I've worked primarily in the nonprofit sector for nearly 10 years now and could not be happier in my new role in academia,” said Keelee in an e-mail to GPS. “The return to the school environment has been wonderful, and being around such talented and independent students (and teachers) brings back a lot of memories from my days at GPS!” As if a new job weren’t enough, Keelee’s planning her wedding in October.
YO U
GO
ING?
JORDAN LEVESQUE ’11 has graduated from Auburn as an industrial engineer. Jordan will be moving to Southern California for a job at Amazon. TIANA MILLS ’13 graduated from Carson Newman University with a BA in Communications. She plans to earn a master’s in criminal justice at Rutgers University. Tiana currently has an internship with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Current GPS biology teacher ERIN DAVIS SIZEMORE ’98 probably got more information than she thought she would when she posted a message on Facebook. She asked her former students to let her know if they were pursuing degrees and or jobs in healthcare or science-related fields. She heard from dozens of alumnae at various steps on their paths to nursing, doctor, or physical therapy degrees, and many added that Sizemore’s human biology class was the inspiration for their career choices. Here are just a few of the responses she received: KRISTIN HOLLOWAY PHILLIPS ’07 received her BS in health sciences and M. Ed in education. She’s in Nashville “teaching little middle schoolers to love this wonderful world we live in…and hoping to encourage the next generation to cure and save ours and theirs one day.” MICHELE DONIHE ’09 is finishing her master’s thesis on southern stingray movement in the US Virgin Islands at the University of the Virgin Islands. She has also started a nonprofit called Zing Ocean Conservancy that, in a sailing trip across the Atlantic, will have beach clean-ups in several ports along the way, raising awareness of marine debris.
RACHEL SMITH ’09 is pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering. Her research focus is computational neuroscience. “We’re trying to measure differences in the brain networks” of healthy babies and those with epilepsy. ALYSSA MATULICH ’10 is working as a registered nurse in the pediatric clinic at the Hamilton County Health Department and is working on her master’s to become a family nurse practitioner.
ARCHER BROCK ’11 has her master’s in social work and is living in St. Louis and working as a therapist for children and adolescents. LOUISE MCCALLIE ’11 received her bachelor’s in biology in 2014 and will graduate this December with her master’s. She reports that she’s doing organismal biology work and hopes to work for one of the National Park Services or in environmental consulting.
ELLE WIGGINS ’10 is pursuing her doctorate in clinical neuropsychology at the University of Florida and plans on specializing in neurodegenerative diseases.
ALLISON RHODES ’07 graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and began her residency in Internal Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania this summer. As a member of the UTC Honors College, HANNAH FAGER ’14 was required to spend at least a semester studying abroad. She chose to participate in the National Student Exchange, and with an Odyssey grant and additional funds from UTC, she traveled to Alaska for her entire junior year. “My year in Alaska was a time focused on personal development,” she says. “I was able to take classes…like Backpack Alaska and Beginning Sea Kayaking” and other classes that counted toward her major in psychology and minor in child and family studies. “I got involved with CRU, a campus ministry, and I found an off-campus apartment and purchased a car that I shared with a roommate. I constantly did things that terrified me, but I learned so much about myself, my faith, and the world around me,” says Hannah. Through it all, she maintained her 4.0 GPA!
ALEX GEORGE ’15 has become a student entrepreneur! Even with 18 hours of classwork during her second semester as a sophomore at Asbury University, she managed to launch her own business, Smart Student Storage. Alex, who gained inspiration at the Mad, Bad, and Dangerous entrepreneurial conference held at GPS, won first place and $500 in a business pitch competition in Lexington, KY, and will now compete in another competition later in the year with a potential cash prize of $5000. “Thank you for building the foundation in Alex that has given her the confidence and perseverance to believe she can ‘lead like a girl’ and go after her dreams,” said her mother, Kim, in an e-mail to GPS.
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Weddings
From GPS RINGS to WEDDING RINGS to TEETHING RINGS, IT ALL HAS A
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NICE RING to IT.
KATY WILLS ’10, to Charles Seabolt REBECCA PONDERS ’99, to Divine Ofori-Amankwah LINDSEY FROST ’05, to Doug Dodson MERRY MADELINE MOORE ’05, to David Calloway Bishop
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Among the GPS girls in attendance when Hannah McEuen ’07 married Greg Bowers last December were, from left, Christian Smith ’08, the new Mrs. Bowers, Evalynn Mann ’23, Abigail Mann ’23, and Katie Weldon Berry ’07.
“ SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE,” GOES THE OLD ADAGE. DID YOU INCORPORATE ANY BRUISER BLUE INTO YOUR WEDDING? TWEET US @GPSBRUISERS OR E-MAIL US AT ALUMNEWS@GPS.EDU #GPSBRUISERS
Memory Lane
ELIZABETH ESTES CYPHERS ’02, a son, Cole Allen
LINDSEY GRUWELL HEADRICK ’07, twin daughters, Jane and Josie HALEY HILL SKIPPER ’07, a daughter, Sawyer
3. Cute and cuddly, Bo Gray is the son of Bethany Scott Gray ’01. 4. Katherine Crews Pitman ’04 sent this photo of her three children, taken after the birth of her third
post on social media and use
#GPSSUMMERMAG
WHAT WAS THE SIGNATURE COCKTAIL AT YOUR WEDDING?
BETHANY SCOTT GRAY ’01, a son, Bo
KATHERINE CREWS PITMAN ’04, a son, Ryan Alan
JESSICA ROGERS ’07, to Kyle Bianco
CON NECT
LARA COUNTS MAGALLANES ’92, a son, Martin Counts
ABBY LOCKERBY MEDLEY ’03, a daughter, Lucy Leigh
ASHLEY BABB ’07, to Kerry Trantham
HANNAH MCEUEN ’07, to Greg Bowers
Births
HOW MANY BRIDESMAIDS DID YOU HAVE? ANY GPS ALUMS?
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED WEDDING PHOTO?
child, Ryan Alan, in April. He 1. Peter Hopkins Rice turns one this summer. Here he is
was welcomed by big brother and
supported by his siblings, children of Lauren Waters
sister, David and Lauren. “All is
Rice ’03, Grantland, Ward, and Mary Cleveland.
going well as a family of five!” she wrote. “Feeling very blessed.”
2. L ucy Leigh, the daughter of Abby Lockerby Medley ’03, was born last December.
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in
R O M E M 2.
M IA
OTHERS NOT PICTURED + MIRIAM LAMOREAUX CHANDLER ’32 + MARY FOWLER GAITHER ’36 + SARAH THOMPSON GILMAN ’36 + MARY BASHIE STEELE EVANS ’36 + MARGARET THATCHER MAUPIN ’36 + MARY BALL CHANDLER ’40 + KATHERINE “KIT” BOWEN HARRA ’46 + ALICE JOINER MORROW ’47 + SHIRLEY JEANELLE THOMISON SPIVEY ’48 + VIRGINIA BOWEN LESTER ’49 + JAN BOYD ROBERTS ’49 + SALLY MCLEOD STRICKLER ’51 + DIANA HARP MARTIN ’52
8.
4.
3.
14.
10.
6.
+ JO ANN F + VI C K I R EEM A F N AD R + CA E AM R O L EM A N BL A S ’53 I NE N + BE N E TO TT W BI LL M N ’61 + AL Y SUE AYE CG IC E + BA VIRGIN RS FAR R ANN ’5 RB A 6 M I R A N A WRIG ER ’58 + KA H EL S TH TW + LIB LEEN “ ON YER ALL AC GAY E G BY D ICKS ” OSB ENS ’62 ’59 + SU O ON SA RN + AM N DONN PAUL S E PEEP ON ’ L ES AND OVIN 83 ’62 AW + CA SUT H RRIE IT TE WOL WORTH R ’87 FM C C O L A F ON E NNE LL ’0 ’96 7
9.
5.
13.
12.
11.
1.
15.
’38 IT T W LE Y ’40 B AG B S T E R E C E 0 N ORE ER W LLE Y ’4 A 1. FL HATCH C 0 T MC N ’4 T T Y GHL AN AWMA 9 E B L 3 2. A CO WE ON ’ NOR AVA LO ON NIX ’43 E L 3. 4. IXS R ED NE H ANAN N ’40 A 5. UCH HISOLM 7 B E LE TC E ’4 AR A GILBER E BOYL 2 6. S R ’6 A RTH L ATIMO BAUGH A M 7. TO TH ABE ILTON S Z I L 8. E UNE M 9. J
10. BETSY JOHNSON FARMER PATTON ’60 11. DAWSON KEISS LAWRIE ’72 12. BARBARA ANN MAYNARD FRIEND ’46 13. DORIS TURESKY FADER ’51 14. A LICE STRANG ANDREWS ’73 15. A LLISON HOLLAND RANDOLPH ’81
7.
FA
ES S TE G U R UN F/ T TAF INER YO RG S / Y T D BE CUL GA R S OL M
RH ET T RE Y OFF ZBERGE RTIN B SON E G + MA AR UL TH S SALLY ORIS PE VELD U R E + + +D R ED V H T + RU
FOUNDERS FOOTNOTE
HERE'S TO THE GIRLS WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US BUT WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF OUR SISTERHOOD AND HISTORY. WE FOREVER HONOR AND CELEBRATE THEIR LIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
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The
BEST JOB
SOME THINGS I’LL NEVER FORGET:
World in the
By Anne Exum
hat headline has been my response every time someone asked me about my job. What a gift that Headmaster Nat Hughes gave to me when he hired me in 1987 to take former Middle School Principal Starlet Speakman’s place in the English classroom.
Having not taught for eight years, and having NEVER taught in a single-gender school, I certainly had a lot to learn. Luckily, however, so did my seventh graders, who were also new to GPS. True confession: I had never taught mythology before and stayed ahead of my students by burning the midnight oil, outlining the chapters in the textbook, and practicing the pronunciation of the names of Roman gods and goddesses! I’m sure my insecurities in the classroom were obvious to some, but GPS gave me time and space to develop a curriculum that I shared with at least five new seventh grade teachers whom I mentored. I was proud to hand off this to others when I moved to the Writing Center and Public Relations position. When asked to take Liz Klinefelter’s place in Communications in 2005, I was again daunted by the task, and I wouldn’t want
Millie Callaway’s Monday morning stories. Receiving a cherry cheesecake as a Christmas gift. Anna Bryant fainting in my arms. Advising the Honor Council for six years. No Two Sentences Start with the Same Word (N2SSWTSW)
anyone to judge my work by the first GPS Magazine I edited. In the course of compiling 12 years’ worth of Alumnae News, I treasure what I know about our alumnae, their professional growth, their families, and their memories of GPS.
My daughter’s friends calling me “Mom” in class. Laura DuPre’s Chapel Talk boards. Presh Killebrew sitting in my lap at the start of class.
The part of my job that has truly been “the best” has been sharing with you and the media the talents, successes, and accomplishments of GPS girls and sharing the innovations the faculty has introduced to their disciplines. With each story and press release, my faith in the value of a GPS education has grown. As I’ve made gifts to GPS through the Impact Fund, the faces and stories of former students have been uppermost in my mind. Some joke that I can spot a GPS alumna across a room simply by the way she expresses herself. The truth is, I know a GPS girl by her impact on the world around her.
Beth Kent’s love of the smell of books. The hug shared by Millie Henry and her basketball coach father after winning a state championship.
GAME CHANGER
Consider putting the spelling skills Ms. Exum taught you in the Bruiser Bee! Form a team, spell it to win, support GPS. Stay tuned for more information at www.bruiserbee.com
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78 Seniors Will Attend 58 Colleges and Universities in 21 States and the District of Columbia