GPS Magazine | Summer 2013

S u m m e r ’13 Volume 26, No. 2

GPS FAMILY BIDS FAREWELL TO THE

TUCKERS Also In This Issue: • Alumnae Active in Service to Others • Interim Head of School, Dr. Sue Groesbeck

t he headmaster ’s desk

Reminiscing So where do I start with a final “Thank You”?

How can I possibly cover 26 years of memories and friends and intangible gifts? Well, I guess I can’t because someone or something will be left out, and I don’t want that to happen. Perhaps it is better just to reminisce for a minute.

“

We are always educating the next generation, and our challenge will always be to understand what their lives will demand of them.

”

I was hired to be the new GPS Headmaster the year after Baylor went coed. When I arrived, I found it interesting that there was no panic in the streets of GPS. Instead of panic there was a sense of resolve to answer the challenge Baylor presented. And answer we did! We examined every corner of our campus and our program, searching for all the opportunities we could utilize to make us stronger for the challenges we faced. There was a sense of deep purpose and unity as well as a healthy measure of anxiety. Out of all the study and conversation rose a new and stronger GPS that would boldly and successfully address every challenge we would face over the next 25 years.

Yes, there were new buildings and new programs, but I believe throughout it all, the heart of the school remained much the same. GPS was a school full of teenage girls, and nothing the outside world would throw at us could change that simple/complex reality. Everyone understood that what we did best was to educate and prepare young women for college and life. And that is what we continue to do today.

But we are a very different place today than what we were in 1987.

It’s interesting that I can’t remember what the plant looked like all those years ago. The new campus buildings seem as if they’ve always been here. They aren’t particularly a source of pride to me because we have only built what we needed to build! We simply added what we needed to give the girls the experiences a modern GPS education requires. And that is something I have always reminded myself. We have to look forward. I know we have glanced back at times just to be sure we remember where we came from, but we have worked hard to lean forward into the years in which our girls will become adults. We aren’t educating their parents or their teachers. We are always educating the next generation, and our challenge will always be to understand what their lives will demand of them. The answers to that challenge will give us a better understanding of what our daily objectives must be.

I can only hope we have been good fortune tellers.

Now as I leave GPS I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity my family and I were given and for the fellow travelers who walked with us on this incredible journey. Those teachers and trustees and parents could have abandoned me on the trail, but the overwhelming majority stayed with me and helped GPS flourish. I will always be grateful for those loyal friends.

And so with these final words I say goodbye to my girls and to this place I love so dearly.

While I am no longer the GPS headmaster, I will always be the school’s servant.

Randy Tucker

GPS

GPS Magazine is published by Girls Preparatory School P.O. Box 4736 • Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 634-7600 • www.gps.edu Headmaster

Stanley R. Tucker, Jr. Assistant Head, Upper School Principal

Jessica Good Assistant Head, Middle School Principal

Elaine Milazzo Assistant Headmaster/ Institutional Advancement

Thomas P. Hudgins Jr.

pg. 2

pg. 27

Chief Financial Officer

Liz Thompson Admissions Alumnae/Events Annual Giving Capital Campaigns Communications

pg. 18

Debbie B. Young ’79 Katherine Betts ’76 Bess Steverson Maria K. Matthews ’75 Anne N. Exum

Girls Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in any of its policies, practices or procedures.

Editorial Staff

General Editor

Anne N. Exum Writers:

Anne N. Exum Lizzer Bright Graham ’77 Jane Henegar Maria Kain Matthews ’75

Photography:

Jimmy Burgess

Anne N. Exum

Robin Hood

David Humber

Kendall Jacobs ’04

Lifetouch Photography

Gina Wells

pg. 22

features

departments

2 FAREWELL TO THE TUCKERS

8 Alum News

Former students and faculty offer fond memories of Randy and Terri Tucker.

14 VOLUNTEERS MATTER Alumnae play a role in the daily life of Metropolitan Ministries.

21 DR. SUE GROESBECK

GPS welcomes an interim Head of School.

18 Commencement 22

May Day

24 Athletics 26 Class Day 27 Around School 32 Weddings 34 Babies

Cover: Retiring Headmaster Randy Tucker and his wife Terri have been a part of the GPS experience for the past 26 years. (Cover photo by David Humber)

c over story I randy tucker

by Maria Kain Matthews ’75

Words of

Farewell to the

Tuckers “

I can never adequately express my appreciation for having been given this incredible opportunity to serve as Headmaster of GPS. I would hope that my legacy is that I helped GPS evolve from a school of traditional classrooms to a school of engaging and active learning experiences.

2

S u m m e r 2 0 13

”

– Randy Tucker

I

n the whirlwind of events this past spring surrounding the retirement of Randy and Terri Tucker, much has been said of Randy’s transformative vision that drove GPS to push the educational boundaries in technology and global/environmental awareness.

Yet along with all of the accolades that have already been credited to him, there’s another side to Randy’s story. One message from the GPS family that has come through strong and clear is that the impact that Randy has made on GPS is not his alone. For 26 years, the Tuckers – Randy and Terri – have been a package deal.

As notes of appreciation filled our in-boxes, example after example told of the compassion that both Randy and Terri have shown so many girls and their families. It is striking just how many times the word caring has been used to describe both of the Tuckers. Many of the stories describe challenges or difficult times when a phone call was made or a personal note was written by either Randy or Terri that focused on a student’s accomplishments and offered encouragement to help the girl and her family get through a rough patch. Parents tell of character strengths seen in their now adult daughters that they can trace directly back to a lesson learned or advice given by Randy or Terri.

(Photo: Robin Hood)

c over story I randy tucker

In her thanks to Terri Tucker, Lauren Montagno Berkow ’98 paints a beautiful word picture of the Tucker’s relationship and its inspiration for her while at GPS. “As a mentor and friend, you were exactly what I needed. Now I’m 32 years old with a husband and sweet little boy. I am able to respect and appreciate the support, loyalty, and love that is obviously in your marriage. Your husband is a great man who is very respected, but I hope you know that he’s lucky to have you.” She went on to say, “Knowing you took interest in me boosted my confidence and let me know that everyone’s experience would be different but none less important than another...you taught me that I was important enough and capable to decide my own path. For that, I will be eternally grateful.”

Thoughts from many other alumnae reflect the Tuckers’ steady underpinning of care and concern for “their girls.” Some examples follow:

Lauren Smith ’03

“

The Tuckers

have believed in me, they have pushed me, and they have been there for me.

”

Always.

Michal Howick ‘03

4

S u m m e r 2 0 13

“It is hard to think about GPS without you or your family as part of it. From your encouraging words to us all during chapel or warming up for a soccer game or Terri leading our cheerleaders to so many championship meets. In other words, GPS would not be what it is or inspire so many women if not for all that you have done for this amazing school.”

Michal Howick ’03 “A few weeks ago, Randy and Terri and I were talking and Randy said, ‘I’ve always believed in you,’ and Terri added, ‘Yes, we’ve always believed in you.’ My heart melted. I realized that I have known them for over half of my life. For the past 17 years, they have been incredible mentors, my biggest cheerleaders, and most importantly, my family. From my days as a GPS student and Blue Crew cheerleader with Randy as my Headmaster and Terri as my coach, to the continued friendship throughout my college years, and now as colleagues, one thing has never changed: their undying love and support. They have believed in me, they have pushed me, and they have been there for me. Always. And while I am overwhelmed with sadness to watch them go, I am comforted by the fact that I know our friendship will continue for many more years to come. I am forever grateful for and forever indebted to Randy and Terri. And my only hope is that I can have as much of an impact on someone else’s life as they have had on mine.”

Emily Nagle Thrasher ‘04 “(I remember when my dad and I) were rear-ended in the curve before the Spaceship House on Signal. My dad made me get out of the car with my backpack and laptop case and wait for someone to drive by and hopefully notice a tiny GPS student and pick her up for school. I only had to wait a few minutes and who would pull over but Randy Tucker!”

Spending over 26 years in a community like Chattanooga has given the Tuckers the opportunity to partner with more than two generations of many individual families as their daughters and granddaughters experienced GPS. I recently witnessed a member of the Class of 1988, Randy’s first graduating Class, thank him with a big hug on the acceptance of her daughter to the GPS Class of 2020. There are many other personal accounts of Randy’s impact through the years.

Lee Harris Ballenger ‘81 “My daughter Molly finally gets to GPS, and it ends up being your last. Molly has loved you and has been so sad that you are leaving this year. I am also extremely thankful that you took a risk by hiring a young alum fresh out of graduate school to be the school’s guidance counselor in the fall of 1988. Working at GPS changed my life and was an incredible opportunity. I appreciate your guiding me, supporting me, and investing in my professional development. I treasure the relationships with all the amazing faculty members at GPS and love that so many of the people I worked with are still employed at our unique school. Now I get to experience GPS as a parent.”

Glen Vey, History teacher (1988 – present) “Twenty-five years ago, Randy Tucker took a chance on a young lawyer who wanted to teach history, and I am the result of that decision. As the years went on, Randy moved the school in various directions, especially in the area of technology. Randy Tucker saw the future and a place for the iPad in that future. Randy moved forward and encouraged many of us to try the iPad. The result has been phenomenal. The Middle School uses no paper textbooks today, and our girls are using the iPad in amazing ways that none of us even thought of when we started.

Randy not only encouraged my use of the iPad but also my idea about writing my own textbook.

Over the past three years, I have done so, and my students are now benefitting from that decision.

Randy has actively encouraged other teachers as well, and I believe that within a few years, many teachers will have their own textbooks, ideally suited for their courses and their students.”

No Limits I Prepared for Life

5

c over story I randy tucker

Charlotte Freeman, Science Department Chair (1988-2000)

“

Randy Tucker is a

quintessential leader, and we have been blessed to have had him as Headmaster for

“When I look back at memories of working under the leadership of Randy, there are immediately three areas that stand out. First, he was committed to keeping GPS on the forefront of changing educational horizons. Second, he was unafraid to administer punishment to students deserving it, but he was fair in his assessment of what fit the occasion. Third, he showed great compassion for us as individuals.

My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. There were dreams unfulfilled and family to visit, and I needed to be free to make those things happen. Randy granted me a medical year off, and we were able to enjoy one last year before the ravages of that disease ended the chance. I will be forever grateful to him for enriching my life but most of all allowing me to make some dreams happen for my husband. It was that caring nature of Randy’s that truly set him apart from a typical administrator. I saw his compassion for others manifest itself several times, but for me that year was a gift beyond any I could imagine.”

27 years. He leaves our school in good stead and poised for future growth under new leadership. The GPS Board of Trustees expresses our appreciation and wishes both Mr. and Mrs. Tucker good fortune

”

in the years ahead.

William Pat Conroy, Jr.

Chairman, GPS Board of Trustees 2010-2012

The cast and crew of the spring musical surprised the Tucker family with a cookie cake (“Mr. Tucker is now Footloose”), an oversized box of Kleenex, and a bouquet of flowers at the conclusion of the Sunday matinee. The Tuckers’ children, Taylor ’02 and Trey, are standing left and right.

On a personal note, I appreciate Randy’s commitment to professional education for all of his faculty and staff. Not only has he supported the training and resources for his teachers, but he has also invested in his staff. As a member of the development team, I have had countless opportunities to network with other development offices at annual conferences and to get to know other fund raisers in local organizations – important experiences that have helped me throughout my career.

Randy and Terri have been far more than an innovative Headmaster with a gift for teaching and his gracious spouse who coached award-winning cheerleading teams. They have been mentors and friends for hundreds of GPS girls and their families. They have modeled the components of a good relationship, and most important, they have cared about the girls.

6

S u m m e r 2 0 13

The Tucker Locomotive

The construction of the C. G. Mills Complex and the Elizabeth Lupton Davenport Middle School were monumental additions to the GPS campus under Randy Tucker’s administration.

Randy Tucker’s drive and determination became known as the Tucker Locomotive among his GPS colleagues.

You needed to get on board quickly because the Tucker Locomotive was rolling full-speed down the track.

Below are some of the highlights of his many accomplishments at GPS: 1987-1990

Tucker Locomotive starts running on Track GPS New winter uniforms instituted Retirement plan upgraded with move to TIAA-CREF Indoor Tennis Center and Track dedicated Administrators and offices move into the world of technology with desktop computers $22 million Capital Campaign launched Educational Learning Styles implemented Annual Fund commits to begin quest to reach top quartile in faculty salaries

1990-1995

Groundbreaking for the CG Mills Complex: Frierson Theatre, Gymnasium and Pool Named National School of Excellence Honored nationally for Excellence in Fine Arts Crew begins at GPS

1995-2000

T. A. Lupton Softball Field dedicated $17 million Capital Campaign launched Ground broken for Middle School Portrait of the Graduate developed Learning Center introduced to campus Pilot Laptop Program; school goes wireless throughout campus Annual Fund reaches goal of top quartile for faculty salaries Soccer fields added on Lupton Drive Elizabeth Lupton Davenport Middle School opened and dedicated

2000-2005

Climbing Tower added to campus VISIONS Leadership Center built; Leadership and Community Service efforts initiated Third Capital Campaign begins: Pursuing Greatness: The Second Hundred Years

2005-2013

GPS celebrates school Centennial with walk to Memorial Auditorium GPS goes Green The Ben Student Center and Dining Room open Environmental Garden begins Eight-Day rotation of classes begins: first schedule change in 25 years Middle School students use iPads Greenhouse built

No Limits I Prepared for Life

7

a lum news Stay informed about what’s going on at your alma mater by being among the growing numbers of GPS alumnae who use social media to stay in touch. Join our 2,300 fans on Facebook, our 800 followers on Twitter (@GPSBruisers), or our 320 followers on Instagram (GPSBruisers) to read all the latest news, find out what’s happening, and enjoy our photos!

Stay in touch with your classmates and GPS friends by using our NEW alumnae directory, found in the Alumnae Portal of our website (www.gps.edu). Click on the “Alumnae” link on the home page, then enter your user name and password. You’ll find the directory on the left-hand side of the page. Search by class year or key word.

(Note: User names and passwords were sent in an email from GPS Communications on 9/27/2012. If you need a username and password, please email deanna@gps.edu).

You can also use the directory from our iPhone app, now available from the iTunes Store. Just search for “Girls Preparatory School.” The app is free to download.

Stay connected with GPS. Email anexum@gps.edu to share your latest news and photos.

50s-70s

M arty Slatery Erickson ‘50 and her husband Gene were each presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Rockland County Historical Association. Marty has also been inducted into the Augusta Evans Wilson Literary Society of the Phi Mu Foundation in Peachtree City, GA.

VISIONS auction that raises funds for the Guest Artist program to bring professional artists, dancers, and musicians to the campus.

Franklin’s “No One in Sight,” an oil and mixed multimedia, is displayed on the wall behind them. Corey is holding her oil, “One Bad Apple.”

A special edition in the local newspaper featured a story on Janna Jahn ’76, who is the chairwoman of the Engel Foundation, with a goal of saving Chattanooga’s landmark baseball stadium. As quoted in the special report, she sees the stadium, which was a set for the Jackie Robinson movie “42,” as having future kids’ pickup games, college ballgames, and/or Major League clinics.

3

1 1. Anne Marie Lindsey Garland ’54 and husband Pete celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Chattanooga Golf & Country Club in June. From left are family members Camille Jones, Lindsey Garland, Teresa Garland, the honored couple, Caroline and Michaels Jones, Lisa Garland Jones ’84, Mike Jones, and Pete Garland III. Dr. Leoma Gilley ’68, a linguistic consultant on the Shilluk Bible translation project, was present at an April dedication and grand celebration of the new Shilluk Bible at the Malakal Football Stadium in South Sudan before 6,000 people. The World Missions program at First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga invested in her translation work Chris Benz Smith ’72 has been serving as the Interim Director of the School of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga until a permanent director is installed this summer. Chris has been a faculty member in the School of Nursing for 11 years and has been a leader in several positions within the school.

2 8

S u m m e r 2 0 13

3. Teresa Lawrence Phillips ’76 has received yet another honor from Tennessee State University. At halftime of a women’s basketball game this past winter, as part of a celebration of the anniversary of Title IX, she was recognized for her contributions to women’s sports. A surprise pre-game reception included Teresa’s parents, family, Peggy Thomas, shown hugging Teresa, and classmate Mary Jane Thomas Ruch.

2. Two GPS alumnae from the Class of ’75, Ellen Marsh Franklin and Maddin James Corey, were participating artists for ArtStart, a component of the

(photo courtesy of Tennessee State University)

4. Ferris Kelly Robinson ’76 is the ‘doer’ behind a reprinted cookbook, Never Trust a Hungry Cook. When first published in the 70’s, Ferris did the writing, which she claims was really just using a manual typewriter to record the yummy recipes from the neighbors. Her dad helped collate the pages. “The best thing about this cookbook,” according to Ferris, “is the artwork – scowling cooks and menacing butchers – by Laura Evans ’76.”

New copies of the book will be available at Sophies on North Market St. or through www.createspace.com/4153500 Ferris also wrote and published this past March a collection of stories titled Dogs and Love: Stories of Fidelity. The book is out in paperback and is available for Kindle on Amazon. www.createspace.com/4172366.

80s

Kathy McCallie Gardner ’80 was installed in January as President of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association for 2013. Kathy is a career law clerk and works for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

Glynn Key ’82 has been elected to the board of trustees of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, a private non-profit that owns and operates Jefferson’s home, Monticello. Glynn served on the UVA Board of Visitors until 2012 and currently serves on the university’s Miller Center Governing Council.

5. Caroline Caulkins Bentley ’83 was inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame in February for her contributions to swimming. Currently the Director of Swimming and a coach at Fairyland Club, Bentley also coaches for the McCallie/ GPS Aquatics USA swim team. Swim team captain in her junior and seniors years at GPS, she was a high school state champion and All-American, qualifying for NAIA Nationals in her freshman year in college.

5

The Hutton Company, a development, and real estate firm with projects in Tennessee and 34 other states, has added Stacey Yount ’84 to the legal team. Stacey graduated Summa Cum Laude from South College with a degree in paralegal studies.

90s

I f you’re traveling near Carmel, California, make reservations to eat at La Balena, a new restaurant opened

by Anna Abney Bartolini ’91 and her husband. The restaurant features artisanal rustic Italian cuisine using fresh, local ingredients. Anna’s relative, Lady Mae Butler Everett ’33, lived in Carmel and was her inspiration for moving there. “I used to visit her with my mother, Ann Walker Abney ’54,” she says. Travelers to California’s Monterey Bay area should check out www.labalenacarmel.com.

7

7. Kathryn Berman ’91 was cast in the performance of Les Misérables at the Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, TN.

8. Meg Michaels Word ‘91 joined with GPS Summer Camp Director and PE teacher Kim Leffew to raise money for a cure for multiple sclerosis. The t-shirts they wore at the end of the event said it all: “3 days and 50 miles with 260 walkers and 100 volunteers.” The event in and around Charleston, South Carolina, raised over half a million to find a cure!

8

In the words of Lisa Fleissner Thom ’87, she has a vocation and an avocation. As Managing Director of Asia CEO Network in Bangkok, Thailand, Lisa works with global consulting firms and hedge funds. As head designer of Emerald Couture, she collaborates with designers and artists on “clothing and mounting spectacles with live music.” Lisa’s design work has been shown in Sydney, Australia, as well as in New York at the art gallery The Hole NYC. In April 2012, Elizabeth Davis ’92 was named the editor of Tennessee Alumnus, the alumni magazine for the University of Tennessee system.

6. Several GPS alumnae were honored by the American Lung Association as the 2013 Women of Distinction.

From left are Holly Lynch Harwell ’84, Julie Betts Brandao ’84, Maxine Block Alper ’42, and Mary Stewart Glendenning Lewis ’88. Former GPS trustee Jo Ann Yates was named a Diamond of Distinction along with Alper.

The GPS Class of 1993 has made a gift in support of a Chattanooga chapter of GRASP, Grief Recovery after a Substance Passing, in memory of their classmate Katie Templeton. Sisters Emily Templeton Webb ’96 and Maggie Templeton Shutters ’99 have started the local chapter to support families and individuals who have lost a loved one to a substance misuse death. Emily says, “Grieving the death of anyone is difficult; however, the nature of substance deaths is often very difficult for surviving friends and families. There is often a stigma associated with addiction, and this leaves loved ones with nowhere to turn as they try to make sense of these tragic deaths.” The long-term goal of the chapter is to provide financial support to families that face the same heartbreak that the Templeton family faced. As the Class of 1993 says, “Katie was one of us. She is the first of us to leave this earth. Let’s keep her spirit alive.”

Anna Joujan ’97 Anna Joujan ’97 is, in her words, “used to wandering the world.”

As a Christian missionary/teacher/ librarian with Oasis International Schools, her posts have taken her from the School of Leadership in Afghanistan (SOLA), to China.

“What I learned at GPS has prepared me for everything I do now,” she says.

In Kabul, she made the library a fun place, taught the students how to check out books, and read with them. The school enrolled President Karzai’s nieces and nephews. “The kids lit up when they talked about learning, and I encouraged the girls to participate in sports,” said Anna on a visit to GPS. Teaching in Kabul required getting used to things as they came. She learned to manage her kerosene supply for heating as well as deal with sanitation, medical care, and transportation issues. She attended a community church, but there wasn’t a pattern to their meeting times and days for security reasons.

This past spring, Oasis contacted Anna about a school in China with an “immediate need.”

She’s now a 4th grade teacher at KIA [Kunming International Academy] and will transition into the position of librarian next year. “My role in Kabul now is as a mentor to a student,” she explains. “I emailed and had Skype dates and helped her prepare for interviews. Recently, the Afghan student was accepted at a boarding school in Maryland and will soon be heading to the US for summer school before beginning her four years there. I’m going to meet her there this summer.”

No Limits I Prepared for Life

9

a lum news

(Photo courtesy of Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities.)

Brooke Good Stephens ’92 Triumph is the perfect word to describe not just the program begun in 2007 by Brooke Good Stephens ’92 to serve developmentally disabled individuals. It’s also the word to describe what she has done with a dream. When 16 mentally disabled adults were left without help after UAB’s Lifelong Coordination Clinic shut down, Brooke “imagined a place where an entire team could work together to help adults reach their goals” to work, be mentored, and receive therapy. Triumph Services of Birmingham was born.

Brooke’s organization was profiled in a recent newsletter of the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities. “We want individuals to be successful in their home lives, in their work lives, and in their relationships,” she told the ACDD. She reports that Triumph, which is supported by service fees, donations, and fundraisers, works with families in other states as well as Alabama and has an 80% job placement rate and a 95% job retention rate.

Allison Holder Darras ’93 has followed her entrepreneurial spirit and opened Baked in Chattanooga, a new restaurant on the Northshore in the Coolidge Park area. Allison’s restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. With a culinary degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta and experience as a business manager for an 18-unit fast food franchise, she specializes in fresh baked goods such as cupcakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls, but also offers stuffed baked potatoes, casseroles, lasagna, and pot pies among her daily specials, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Getting the “more” out of life is the goal of Stephanie Beard ’94.

With degrees in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, Stephanie has set up a website, www.viaultra.com, in which she addresses the barriers people create and the ways in which they can dismantle the blocks to gain more peace of mind, satisfaction, fulfillment, clarity, and excitement. Now living again in Chattanooga, Stephanie reports that she’s in “the start-up phase” of a professional plan to translate vision into actual services.

Alethea Johns Allen ’95 was featured in a Washington Post article on seminary graduates who choose to practice their ministry in other professions. Alethea, who is quoted several times in the article, graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in May and sees her seminary training as an additional benefit in her career as a pediatrician. “I see what I’m doing as a form of ministry,” she told the paper, “Particularly with parents whose children are dying. I approach the situations more with my spiritual eyes open.”

Sarah Unruh ’95 sent the GPS Alumnae Affairs office an update on her family and career. Sarah is married to Dakkan Abbe, and they have a new daughter, Sable Unruh Abbe. You can see a cute photo of this girl on the Babies page of the magazine. Sarah is continuing as a freelance furniture and textile designer and was working with Martha Stewart when she sent her news.

9 9. Ellen Espy Blocker ’68 and Jordan McCarter ’96 were on the GPS campus to share with the graduating seniors what they need to know about sorority recruitment and what it means to join a sorority in college if they make that choice.

“It’s like going into a business with friends,” said McCarter, who worked for the national office of Alpha Omicron Pi. “There are obligations, dues, service requirements, a time commitment, and academic expectations.” Blocker, who works with Chattanooga Alumnae Panhellenic, told the girls that a sorority is like GPS – a like-minded bonding experience – and they will get out of the experience what they put into it.

Other topics covered by the College Guidance office included time management for a very different college schedule and roommate issues. From left are Sarah Cobble, McCarter, India Green, Blocker, and Rachel Durham.

Kim Pettyjohn ‘97 has received a promotion at Unum and is reporting directly to the vice president of benefit services as a block analyst. “Analyzing data for the short term disability and leave management departments is a great opportunity,” says Kim, who hopes to be in management in a few years.

Now living on the West Coast after a few years teaching at GPS, Regan Phillips ’97 is a fourth grade teacher at Ojai Valley School near Santa Barbara, CA.

From the first client meeting, Triumph’s goal is not just to place them in jobs, however, but to help them be involved in “all areas of the community... at jazz concerts, in church, or at one of our weekly social functions.”

With a degree in psychology and a master’s in counseling, being the successful business leader of an organization hasn’t tempered her passion for helping developmentally disabled adults and her goal that they be “integrated into all areas of the community.”

Triumph asks each person, “Where are you now? Where do you want to be?” Those seem to be the questions Brooke asked of herself in 2007, and she has indeed triumphed.

10

S u m m e r 2 0 13

10 10. Sayle Milne ’97 celebrated her birthday with a pajama-party theme and a mini GPS reunion. Virginia Gregory ’01 “was the master cake maker, and her creation was almost too perfect to cut into,” said Sayle. From left are the birthday girl, Cathie Ault Kasch ’72, the master baker, and Faith McCormick ’99.

Crystal Brooks ’98 has joined the faculty at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. She is board certified in dermatology and pediatric dermatology.

Priya Khatri ’98, back at GPS for Alumnae Weekend, shared her job news. She is the manager of Clinical Quality Improvement and Planning at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

Lauren Bolton Benson ’99 owns a graphic design company, Four 13 Designs, which focuses primarily on wedding invitations and other wedding stationery. Although based in Colorado, she works with brides in other locations. Check out her creativity at www.four13designs.com.

Lindsay Meeks ’99 is a registered dance and movement therapist and the Director of Creative Arts Therapies department at the Eleventh Street Family Health Services at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. Several alumnae are selling the popular Stella & Dot jewelry and accessories. One, Emily Meehan Cronander ’99, works at the company in San Francisco as a designer and image retoucher. She and her husband have participated in an Alzheimer’s memory walk and are hoping to donate more time to the research of ending the disease that took her mother’s life. Although they’ve been married for almost two years, they just celebrated their honeymoon last May with a three-week adventure backpacking in Europe.

00s

Mary Lynn Laughter Jones ’00 is juggling being a mother to two girls with working part time in her father’s law office and completing her master’s in secondary education.

As she says, “There is never a dull (or spare) moment.”

Virginia Gregory ’01 is working as an assistant food stylist to a prominent stylist in NYC. They made the cake on the April cover of Better Homes and Gardens and did two TV segments in March for Chef Curtis Stone. “I am learning a lot from her to eventually be a lead stylist myself,” says Virginia.

Adrienne Maloney Nevin ’02, whose wedding photo is on the Brides page, is practicing law in Nashville with the office of the Tennessee Secretary of State.

11. This detailed pen and ink drawing is the work of Laura DuPre Sexton ’03, primary illustrator of A Time to Plant: Southern-Style Garden Living, a beautiful book on gardens and landscapes by James T. Farmer, III. As a staff member of James Farmer Designs, Laura had the opportunity to illustrate the book and create a number of the flower arrangements pictured within the pages. “I really enjoy being involved in different creative and business aspects of design and am very thankful I had the opportunity to do so. GPS was a huge part of developing my freedom and creativity,” says Laura. “An atmosphere like that is so rare, and I am so grateful I was able to share in the GPS experience.” With chapters on perennials, hydrangeas, herbs, harvesting and eating (yes, a few menus are included!), as well as entertaining, the book would make a lovely gift for yourself or to share.

Emily Lilley ’03 is now Director of Communications at Tennessee Charter Schools Association.

Emily Bovine Stanley ’03 is a regional consultant pharmacist for the US Department of Health and Human Services in the San Antonio, TX, area.

Brennan McMahon ’03 is living in Washington, DC, and working for Data Quality Campaign, an advocacy organization that focuses on data use as a component of improving education. Brennan says the upside to her job is that she gets to explore many education policy issues. Along with lots of travel, she also has the opportunity to “interact with state legislators, governors’ aides, and education agency staff – a wonderful learning experience.”

Ginny Harr Webb ’04 graduated a year ago with a master’s in architecture from Virginia Tech and is currently pursuing her license at SHW Group in Charlottesville, VA. The firm designs schools exclusively, and Ginny says, “Somehow I can’t get away from academia!”

After earning her master’s in international tourism, Stephanie Hayes ’04 is the new CEO of Reality Tours and Travel, based in Mumbai, India. One aspect that Stephanie particularly likes is the company’s Reality Gives, a community support network that empowers youth through teaching English, computer, and soft skills; photography workshops, and soccer team development.

Melanie Limerick ’04 is working for the Birmingham office of Gresham Smith, a design, consultation, and engineering firm. Melanie is a civil engineer.

Currently a multimedia reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Mary Helen Miller ’05 was announced this past spring as a regional Edward R. Murrow award winner.

The award was for a radio story she produced for the local NPR station, WUTC. “Just Plumb Gone: A Year After the Tornado in Apison, TN,” allowed the voices of survivors to tell the story about the tornado and what the year of recovery was like.

“Working on this piece taught me about what a powerful medium sound can be in telling stories. There’s so much to hear in every voice,” says Mary Helen. She also received a grant to finish a short radio documentary about the Melungeons, a historic mixed race group in the mountains of northeast Tennessee and southeast Virginia.

11

Meredith Morrow ’10 Regardless of what she’s doing THIS summer, Meredith Morrow ’10 had “the experience of a lifetime” in 2012. Meredith, pictured above left with a friend from the University of Georgia, lived on a family farm in Italy as part of a program run

by Worldwide Organization of Organic Farmers.

Meredith says the weeks in Italy added another dimension to her education in diatetics. “On the farm, we were completely dependent on the food that was grown on the land,” she says, adding that the farm had many kinds of fruits and vegetables, olive orchards, and animals.

Meredith describes a typical day of work as one that involved “weeding, picking fruits and vegetables, cleaning and feeding the animals, setting up irrigation systems, cleaning water tanks, and watering gardens.” She was there during the harvest time, so everything was in season.

“It was by far the hardest work I have ever done!” she exclaims.

“I was so sore the first few days I could barely walk. We would eat a huge lunch and then have an afternoon break. Later, we would do simple tasks around the house or farm, such as gathering eggs and food for dinner. Dinner was late, and, like lunch, included only food from the garden.”

With weekends off, Meredith took advantage of being in Italy, going to Rome, Florence, Assisi, and Venice.

“Learning the train system was quite an ordeal, but we eventually figured it out by our third trip!” she laughs. “I loved traveling and seeing Italy. Next time, I hope to stay for longer than a month.”

No Limits I Prepared for Life

11

a lum news Sarah Grebowski ’05 is a research assistant at the Rafik Hariri Middle East Center at the Atlantic Council of the United States.

13

Kelly Johnson ’06 has joined the Hutton Company in Chattanooga as a staff accountant.

Emily Killian ‘06 will be moving to California in September to accept a position as a company member with B Street Theatre.

“I will be performing in 2-3 shows per day among their four different play series and continuing my training with their Company Manager,” according to Emily. “Members of their company go on to do wonderful things on Broadway, film, and TV, so hopefully this will be a foot in the door for me as well.”

In a note to the GPS Alumnae office, Emily said, “Of course I am excited to have this opportunity, but my excitement is matched by my relief to learn that I was not foolish to pursue my passion!

So few people can say they are getting paid to do what they love, and I am so grateful that GPS helped me get here!”

Kendall Stokes Ray ’06 received her master’s in public health with a specialty in hospital administration from UTK, keeping a perfect 4.0 GPA through undergraduate and graduate school.

Currently working at Unum, Kendall is also continuing her passion as a personal fitness trainer at the Rush on evenings and weekends.

Jennifer Laughlin ’07 has moved from her job with Reformed University Fellowship in New Mexico to a catering, marketing, and shift manager position with Noodles Restaurant in Chattanooga. The owner hopes Jenn can help with the opening of more locations in the area.

12. That’s Abby Ellis ’09 third from left in the photo. Following her commissioning, Abby joined the Navy Pilot Training Program.

In Navy flight school, she is being trained to fly jets, cargo planes or helicopters.

Margaret Johnson ’08 is a visiting research specialist at the Institute of Human Genetics and Department of Pediatrics at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Margaret received a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from DePaul University. At UIC, she is “working within a cancer susceptibility lab where she is helping to prepare a mini-gene construct to better understand the interactions of genes and their combined role in cancer progression and development.”

13. Classmates of the late Christian Bryant ’12 were back on campus in May to join students, faculty, the Bryant family, and guests for a dedication of a maple tree on the lower field.

Bob Lewis of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee, which contributed the tree in her memory, said, “The tree will be a lasting reminder of the strength and resolve that embodied Christian in all that she did. It will inspire us to look upward and forward during every part of life.” Retired teacher Jane Henegar contributed opening remarks, a prayer, and a psalm written especially for her former student. Jeff Gaither, Christian’s cross country coach, offered a closing prayer. Members of the current cross country team joined to plant an array of flowering shrubs at the base of the tree. Pictured clockwise from the bottom right are Corbin Cullum, Mary Margaret Taylor, Caroline Novkov, Lauren Glenn, and Kathryn Bryant.

Hannah Shadrick ’08 is the office manager at Tennessee River Gorge Trust in Chattanooga, a group that serves the community” by conservation of ‘Tennessee’s Grand Canyon’ through land protection, education and the promotion of good land stewardship.”

Following graduation from Wofford College, Virginia Konvalinka ’09 has moved to Nashville for a job in the field of finance as a business analyst for A.O. Smith Corp.

Carole Mabry ’09 is working in Washington, DC, this summer as an intern for the Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes, a think tank that focuses on policy research.

Finishing her junior year at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, Hallie Heald ’10 has spent the past semester in New York City in an art program and in an internship with noted designer Nanette Lepore. A studio art major, Hallie didn’t know how to sew until January, but her designs have received attention from fashion bloggers.

12 12

S u m m e r 2 0 13

The famed Lincoln Center in New York City has tapped Laura Laughlin ’10 as one of only two interns hired for a summer opportunity with the center’s Festival of “theater, dance, opera, classical and contemporary music, and interdisciplinary arts from around the world.” As an intern, Laura will have a chance to “learn by doing,” according to the Lincoln Center, “to be

Alumnae athletes competing in their various sports at the college level have made some news this year: Christine Anderson ’09 broke two University of Miami swimming records in her last ACC conference meet. She broke a Hurricanes’ record in the 200 individual medley and in the 200 breaststroke. In addition, she was part of the 800 freestyle relay that recorded the best time in the past seven years.

14 14. College-age alumnae returned to their alma mater in early January to speak to prospective parents about the GPS experience. A large crowd of parents, and some young admissions candidates, were on hand to listen and ask a few questions as the panel spoke about the college transition and the advantages of an all-girls’ high school education as realized during their freshman through senior years in college. In front are Teddie Chastain ’11 and Taylor Brock ’12. Standing from left are Norquata Allen ‘10, Julianne Wilson ’10, Laura Laughlin ’10, Sarah Whitney Anderson ’12, and Raewyn Duvall ’12. Not pictured is Mandi Macaluso ’09.

involved in the hands-on process of producing a diverse, large-scale international festival.”

McKenzie Stokes ’10 is majoring in child and family studies at UTK. This past year she was the recipient of the Tennessee Minority Teaching Fellowship based on grades, leadership, and a promise to teach in Tennessee after graduation. This past semester she was recruited by her professor to work on research focused on the Knoxville Head Start programs.

Michelle Bangson ’11 was named to the Dean’s List at Auburn University.

In Memoriam Virginia King Shelton ’39 Katie Dixon ’40 Mary David Houston Street ’42 Henrietta King Sies ’45 Harriett Wise Stern ’51 Kay Scott Marshall ’55 Linda Currin Grissim ’57 Eleanor Jenkins Settles ’57 Susan Sawrie Doubleday ’64 Gail Robinson ’68 Shaaron Jackson Lively ’71 Anne Steward Coffey ’72 Lauren O’Dell Ling ’74 Candice Elkins Freeman ’78 Chappell Brown ’04 Jordan Leigh Julian ’07 Nathaniel “Nat” Hughes, retired Headmaster (1973-1987) David Craft, former faculty

Charity Blair ’09 graduated last December from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in nutrition/ food science and concentration in dietetics. Now working at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, she will complete an internship for a registered dietician certification. Charity made the Sun Belt All-Conference soccer team and received an award from the conference for her academics as well.

15. Jasmine Brown ’09 was the University of Tennessee’s female nominee for the Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. One of 28 SEC finalists for the honor, Brown helped her team earn the American Volleyball Coaches Association Academic Team Award. With a 3.92 GPA, she is a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, the Dean’s List, and on the 2012 SEC Community Service Team. She was a four-year member of the volleyball team that won the SEC championship in 2011 and has appeared in the NCAA Tournament each of her years. (photo courtesy of the University of Tennessee)

15

UTK softball player Whitney Hammond ’09 joined Jasmine Brown as two of only 20 studentathletes who received a citation for academic achievement at the annual Chancellor’s Honors Banquet in Knoxville.

University of Alabama senior soccer player Josie Rix ’09 was also named to the Southeastern Conference Community Service team. Josie dedicated time for non-profits and fundraisers such as Habitat for Humanity, Kids on the Block, the Magnet School’s Magic Festival, Project Angel Tree, and countless other projects.

Jackie Baird ’10 led the softball team in home runs during the season at East Tennessee State University and was named an Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week.

Sarah Mastey ’10 won the lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week honors at Centre College.

While causing turnovers, Mastey also scored numerous goals during the season. She scored three times to help advance her team to the Southern Athletic Association championship against Sewanee, a team on which her younger sister Megan ’12 plays.

Bronte Goodhue ’11, playing tennis for the University of the South, Sewanee team, earned a spot in the the NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Championships. She was named the 2013 Southern Athletic Association Player of the Year and was ranked 4th regionally.

Tory Kemp ’12, a member of the track and field team at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, was second in the Heptathlon at the ACC 2013 Outdoor Championships and was named to the All-ACC team. Kemp scored 5,078 points, “a mark just short of the Carolina record books,” according to a UNC press release, and just 16 points out of first place.

Softball infielder Morgan Lane ’12 earned a spot on the GSAC All-Conference team and also on the All-Freshman team after an outstanding season at Covenant College. She led the team in batting with a .422 average to go along with 18 RBIs and a .453 on-base percentage. She struck out just one time in 90 at-bats and accumulated 13 multi-hit games, with three games of three or more hits.

Mary Portera ’12, a freshman diver at Rhodes College, was named the Women’s Diver of the Year in the Southern Athletic Conference. She won both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events.

No Limits I Prepared for Life

13

p rofiles I alumnae

by Jane Henegar

A Matter of

Service Scratch the surface of any local service organization, or dig down to its depths, and you will probably find an active GPS presence. Here’s a story of one such thriving mission.

You Matter.™ With these true words emblazoned on orange heart pins, volunteers and staff greet their friends each morning in what is known to some as “the ugly gray building” on McCallie Avenue.

This is Metropolitan Ministries, simply known as MetMin. And the beauty is all within.

To keep it simple, one might describe MetMin as the E. R., the Emergency Room.

But there is nothing simple, nothing minimal or just the minimum, about this place so generously staffed with GPS alums and parents. It houses an expansive, open-armed commitment to those in dire circumstances.

This is Chattanooga’s financial Emergency Room, and it’s busier than ever, despite encouraging headlines on the economic home front. The lines begin to form sometime between 2 and 4 a.m. in this neighborhood accustomed to crime. Monumental financial needs bring people out in the winter cold 14

S u m m e r 2 0 13

and the predawn dark, but we are not talking about needs, not even about clients, remember? They are “our friends.” And wouldn’t you know that, as often happens with Chattanooga’s good works, many Bruiser hearts beat beneath the orange ones, pulsing the regular-as-a-heartbeat reminder that “you matter.”

In fact, MetMin’s remarkable executive director, Rebecca Whelchel ’76, said in a speech last spring that “I matter when I get it that YOU matter.” Everything about her enthusiastic leadership exudes this truth as she greets friends on a MetMin Monday morning.

Becky came straight from the university and a career as a musician, with a master’s degree in conducting. She finds her calling at MetMin not that much different. . . there is harmony, and if you listen, there is beautiful music. She confirms that for all who help at MetMin, “it’s soul-stretching, not for the faint of heart.”

When the doors open, here’s the guarantee: all will be greeted with dignity and respect.

GPS volunteers abound. On this particular Monday, Lolly Durant ’72 opens the

door of help and hope to applicants for aid, who wait their turn while enjoying Panera baked goods and fresh fruit.

Monday, and all days, begin with prayer.

Clients are invited to lead in prayer, and volunteer Snooks Holley ’50 describes these prayers as “priceless and wonderful prayers, prayers that can be heartbreaking.”

Then BB Vaughn ’63 and Snooks are ready to sit down and hear Monday morning’s stories, to call the Electric Power Board and intervene so the lights won’t be turned off. . . to offer advice on living within one’s means.

The stories are hard to hear as the triage begins. What needs are the most immediate and desperate? Neither the day nor the list of resources is long enough to meet all needs. Still, director Whelchel “can’t wait to get to work every day.” There’s just that much joy to go around. Furthermore, a mighty voice emanates from MetMin’s advocates, who will intercede with vendors 40 times a day. They know how to make things happen.

Snooks says those who come to MetMin are usually “wonderfully grateful. They want to hug you, as if you are paying it all yourself.”

Money may be the subject but not the only object at MetMin. The ministry, like the

At

changes. We continue to grow and expand as other organizations have been downsizing and withering away.”

Sounds like the Met Min staff and volunteers are learning the same lessons as their grateful friends.

our friends in dire circumstances

will be greeted with dignity and respect. ministry’s friends, has to count pennies.

Board vice-chair Jenny Wright ’97, the youngest alum on the team, describes how her GPS life helped her do MetMin. “GPS taught me to think outside the box. With money tight everywhere, we at MetMin have been forced to be creative with the resources we have been given. We need to do more with less, and this has led to some fruitful

Having said that, some MetMin dollars are worth spending. There was rental space in the gray building, says Becky, “but we decided to give up the prospect of income to make room for other services our friends need.” In this adjacent space on any day there might be HIV-AIDS testing, disability or retraining counseling, legal consultation, scholarship advice for going back to school – whatever is needed.

These five GPS alumnae below are among many volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries. They offer prayer, advice, and answers to financial needs to Chattanooga’s neediest citizens, all with the message, “You Matter.” From left are Met Min Board member Jenny Wright ’97, BB Branton ’63, Rebecca Welchel ’76, Snooks Holley ’50, and Lolly Durant ’72.

No Limits I Prepared for Life

15

Jenny Smith Wright ’97 Snooks Mathews Holley ’50

“

GPS taught me to

think outside the box... and be creative with the resources we have been given.

”

Jenny Wright ’97

Lolly Ballard Durant ’72

One hard day an abused woman escaped to the protection of MetMin’s closely guarded doors. “She had made an escape plan, and we became her sanctuary,” says Becky.

Becky continues, “We will always err on the side of generosity.” There are two raised garden beds outside the back door, and their fruit is there for anybody’s picking.

This Monday morning, someone we will call GG sits down with BB Vaughn and shows her a monumental power bill. “What’s your thermostat on?” asks BB. “72,” is the reply. Holding out a pamphlet that details ways to save on energy costs, BB shares, “I’ve gotten my thermostat down to 64. Take it one degree at a time and it’s not so hard.”

As BB explains, “MetMin is filled with spirit-led individuals who know how blessed we are in our own lives and

16

S u m m e r 2 0 13

Becky Whelchel ’76

want to share our love with those who are hurting. There is a special feeling among the volunteers and with Becky that we are where we are supposed to be. Yes, it is exhausting and sad work (especially when we can’t help someone), but the joy of God’s love remains with and among us.”

Snooks, whom Becky calls “our institutional memory, our longest-serving volunteer,” describes the frosting on the Met Min cake. “Why, we even take care of their pets! We have a veterinary clinic several times a year.”

And in this service, surely to be followed by others as the need becomes apparent, we can see how MetMin warms and brightens not just homes but hearts.

Snooks says it’s very humbling work, noting that “Becky has done wonders,” and board member Peggy Trotter Lane ’50 affirms that “we are the ones who get the blessing.”

Instilled integrity from Miss Duffy and Miss Jarnagin A pair of ornate wooden chairs, upholstered in gold velvet, stand (or should I say SIT?) as a memorial to the mighty founders of GPS. Peggy Trotter Lane and Snooks Holley were GPS classmates on Palmetto Street 63 years ago when Miss Duffy and Miss Jarnagin were still holding forth in those very chairs. The two classmates are now connected by their commitment to Metropolitan Ministries.

Did Miss Duffy and Miss Jarnagin teach them volunteerism?

“Oh, my goodness no! This was an academic institution!” declares Peggy. “Mai Bell Hurley ’46 and I were driving past GPS’s busy playing fields this week, and we laughed out loud. Miss Duffy would have said to those girls, ‘Stop that right now! You girls get home and get to work!’”

BB Bryan Vaughn ’63

Peggy remembers the formidable presence of Miss Duffy, who taught her class once “when I was an eighth grader interested in nothing but silliness. I will never forget that day. She was one sharp female.” Snooks recalls the style of “wearing tiny combs in the backs of our hair, and if you took one of those flat combs and absentmindedly combed your hair in study hall. . . there was the dread of having Miss Duffy’s hand on your shoulder with this invitation: ‘Come to my office.’”

The venues increase, but the spirit has stayed the same.

On behalf of the Chattanooga community, we say a GPS thanks to alums Peggy Trotter Lane ’50, BB Bryan Vaughn ’63, Lolly Ballard Durant ’72, Jenny Smith Wright ’97, Margy Davenport Oehmig ’72, Snooks Mathews Holley ’50, Linda Ricketts Knobler ’61 and Becky Whelchel ’76. And to GPS parents, past and present: volunteers Sally Durand, David Unruh and Rob Paden, along with Durant, Wright, Holley and Whelchel.

You are living out your philosophy that every person matters. You are serving proof that those who have been given much won’t matter much until they have figured out that others matter.

And that is no small matter.

Then, school work was purely academic – “well, a basketball team of the taller girls, with pink uniforms. And for exercise we walked around the block.” Then, training for good works began at home, as it continues today among GPS families.

But the GPS charter, signed in 1945 by Peggy Lane’s father, among others, declared this mission that the school has grown into, foresaw what would come. The school was “founded on Christian principles, to prepare girls for college by thorough academic training, and to fit them for useful lives in the home and in the affairs of the communities in which they live by instilling in them high principles of honesty, integrity and consideration for others.”

Useful lives built on integrity. . . for others. From its 1906 founding, to this charter and beyond to 2013, here is the common thread.

A well-trained mind, then and now, fits one for a useful life. Today it’s more likely a 5K around many blocks, not a walk around one. . . and a commitment to community service as a young teenager. The venues increase, but the spirit has stayed the same.

“Honest to goodness,” Peggy says “I don’t think our crowd could have done all these things GPS girls do today.”

How’s this for a GPS student’s retort, right here in 2013? “We want to be like you when we are 63 years out from our GPS days. . . and as giving. . . and as much fun.

“Will you teach us how?”

No Limits I Prepared for Life

17

c ommencement Eighty-nine seniors in the Class of 2013 received their diplomas on Friday, May 17, and said farewell not just to GPS, but also to Headmaster Randy Tucker, a leader they have known as an administrator, visionary, teacher, and friend.

After presenting the seniors to family and friends at the school’s 107th Commencement ceremony, Headmaster Tucker told the graduates that they have only completed “one of the many challenges ahead of you.” But, he added, “I’m sure you will clear the hurdles in your path with ease, powered by the confidence of the many GPS alumnae who came before you.”

At the conclusion of the conferring of diplomas by Nini Davenport ’77, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Tucker received his own GPS diploma and took time to thank his family and the many colleagues and Trustees who have given him wisdom and trust. “Here’s to the girls, young women of courage and integrity, who have traveled with me in these 26 years,” he said.

1

2

1

5

18

3

4

6

7

1. Retiring Headmaster Randy Tucker gives a farewell hug to Lindsey Wills, who is off to Oglethorpe University in the fall. 2. Carly Crowder, Rachel Durham, who

the Laura Handly Award, and Elle Thorstenson was the senior chosen to reprise her

received the Barbara Johnson Prickett Award, and Rebecca Rose at the reception.

University, respectively. 6. Nicole Raisin received the Roberta Moore Award and will

Crowder will attend Samford University, while Durham and Rose are off to Knoxville to

attend Georgia College and State University. At right is co-salutatorian Sara Griffith, who

attend the University of Tennessee. 3. Senior class president Sophie Epstein, left,

will attend Samford University. 7. Becky Gardner, Katy Beth Barber, and MaryKate

will attend New York University, and Belle Brzezienski will be on the West Coast at the

Ryan were ready to graduate! Gardner, who will attend George Washington University,

University of California, Berkeley. 4. Furman University is the destination for co-salutatorian

was honored with the Founders Award. Barber received the Headmaster’s Award for

Brighton Goodhue, being hugged by Hannah McKamey, who will be at Samford Univer-

Elite Accomplishment in Fine Arts and will attend Oglethorpe University. Ryan will

sity. McKamey gave the ceremony’s invocation. 5. Hallie Belle Smith, left, received

begin her college career at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

S u m m e r 2 0 13

chapel talk. They will attend the University of Tennessee, Martin, and Northeastern

8

9

14 8. Sydney Leech, left, will attend Texas Christian University. Emma McCallie, right, received the Mary Hannah Tucker Award and will attend the University of Virginia. 9. A quartet of friends…from left are Nevin Jones, McLean Miller, Savannah Phillips, and Kristen Warren. They will attend the University of Mississippi, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Lindenwood University, and Georgia Southern University. Phillips received the Faculty Award.

10 12

11 13

10. Monica Justo delivers her valedictory address. She received the Pete Wood Award and will attend Georgia Institute of Technology. 11. May May Hitchings and Olivia Nickel, from left, will attend the University of Georgia; Paige Berghel, right, the recipient of the Patsy Williams Scott Service Award, will attend Denison University. 12. Clair Harrison and Lia Stamey enjoy the reception. Harrison received the Jargagin Christian Leadership Award at Class Day and will be a majorette at Troy University in the fall. Stamey, recipient of the Betsy Chisolm Silberman Award, will attend the University of Alabama. 13. Lin (Vivian) Shi, Hailin (Anita) Zhu, and Junmin Wu were our international students this year. They will attend the University of Wisconsin, Stetson University, and Michigan State University, respectively. 14. Jordan Malone gives Commencement a thumbs-up. She will be at the University of Colorado, Boulder, in the fall.

Family Snapshots 1. There’s sisterly pride between Mae Baird, who delivered the benediction at Commencement, and Hutton ’10. Mae will attend Clemson University and be just down the road from her sister, a rising senior at Wake Forest.

1

2. Beth Gaffney ’79 congratulates her daughter Ellie, the

2

Honor Council president and future Volunteer at the University of Tennessee.

3. Rachel Monsees shares a moment with her grandmother, Billie Connell. Rachel, who received the Jane Henegar Nobel Christian Character Award, will attend Texas Christian University.

4. John and Stacey Spann congratulate their daughter, Student Council president Mary Claire, who will attend Pepperdine University.

3

4 No Limits I Prepared for Life

19

t ransition I search committtee

by Lizzer Bright Graham ’77 Search Committee Chair

A Process of Thoughtful Deliberation A midst all of the excitement of welcoming our interim, Dr. Sue Groesbeck, to campus, our search for the permanent Head of School continues, and the timeline remains unchanged.

Since we began the search for our next Head of School, I have been asked more than once, “Why does it take so long?

Shouldn’t we have our finalists by now?”

The answer, in short, is that it is a process.

The search committee is following a standard approach to the search, which takes time, thoughtfulness and deliberation as we move through the various phases.

Followed correctly, however, we will have conducted a very thorough search and one that will result in an outstanding Head of School who will lead GPS with passion and integrity.

In January, our search consultant, Anne Coyle of Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, spent two full days on campus conducting interviews with all of our constituency groups – faculty, staff, alumnae, parents, Trustees, students and other valued members of the GPS community. These meetings gave her a deeper understanding of the School and a broad range of opinions about the position and the attributes we are seeking in the next Head.

The search committee followed these meetings with a community-wide survey asking for advice on the desired priorities, traits, experiences and practices most desired in the School’s next leader. With almost 800 participants, our response rate was very impressive and a powerful statement from our highly-involved and caring community! The search committee greatly appreciated the time, candor and thoughtfulness dedicated to the responses, which were extremely helpful in the development of the position specification.

20

S u m m e r 2 0 13

Members of the search committee include, front row from left, Jenise Gordon, Lizzer Graham ‘77, Debbie Bohner Young ‘79, and Sharon Mills ‘65. Standing are Joy Allen Altimare ‘95, Nini Davenport ‘77, Ashley Averett ‘95, Mary Moncure Watson ‘74, Dr. Chris Smith ‘72, and Brad Cobb.

This document, which will appear on the GPS website throughout the search, provides a profile of the School and sets forth the attributes, qualifications and experiences we are seeking in the next Head of School, along with the challenges and opportunities the position offers.

It will also serve as a reference for the search committee throughout the process and will clearly outline the criteria upon which candidates will be evaluated.

Since early May we have been developing a diverse candidate pool, reaching out to sources and recruiting via online announcements and advertising. At the end of the summer, the search committee will meet to determine which candidates best meet the requirements of the position and will invite them to participate in first-round nterviews. Following these meetings, the candidate pool will be narrowed further, and we will then conduct

second-round interviews. After final analysis and appropriate due diligence, the icommittee will make its recommendation to the Board of Trustees with the naming of our new Head of School expected this winter.

GPS is blessed with strong administrators, gifted faculty and dedicated staff at every level of the School. While leadership change can sometimes create periods of uncertainty, I am certain that our collective passion for the School and girls’ education will ensure a seamless transition.

As an alumna and current parent, I am deeply honored to lead this important work and to serve GPS in this capacity.

As a search committee, we are devoted to working diligently on behalf of the School community and welcome your input along the way. Please stay in touch!

t ransition I interim head

by Anne N. Exum

GPS Welcomes Dr. Sue Groesbeck as Interim Head of School I “

can’t imagine life without students,” interim GPS Head Dr. Sue Groesbeck told students and faculty when she was introduced at GPS in mid-May. “They enrich my every day.”

“I enjoy working hard and working with people who enjoy their jobs and will engage in team-building. I also like to have fun with the girls,” she said, perhaps remembering an episode in which she rode on a Zamboni during an ice hockey competition in Canada.

On campus for just the one day to meet with various constituencies – faculty, Class of 2014, Board of Trustees – Dr. Groesbeck told her audience, “Your mission and vision resonated with me. I love your traditions and your rich history.” As a head of school who views the interim position as “an opportunity to move the school forward, not as a holding operation,” Dr. Groesbeck says she’ll bring “best practices” from different schools to GPS. “It’s exciting to be among young women launching their interests in new ways.”

A native of Martinsville, Virginia, and experienced head of school in locations as far apart as Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Toronto, Canada, Dr. Groesbeck obviously did her research before joining GPS as the Interim Head of School for 2013-14. Asked, “What attracted you to GPS?” she answered, “I looked at the history of GPS and the original mission of the founders, and I felt at home.”

When she arrived for a preliminary look at the school she’ll head this next year, she had a full slate of meetings to attend, and each group heard her message that although we have only a year together, “We have great things to do.”

Speaking to the Class of 2014 that she’ll lead into commencement ceremonies next May, she assured them that she understood their emotions, the fact that they expected to be Mr. Tucker’s last class. “My goal is for you to have a wonderful senior year,” she said, adding that she looks forward

Recently named the Whitty Ransome Educator of the Year by the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, she lists that award among the highest, and most humbling, honors that she’s received. An enthusiastic teacher for 20 years, she was named New York State’s Teacher of the Year and one of ten teachers nationwide to receive an “A+ Award” from President Clinton. She has served as a consultant to the College Board, conducting AP seminars across the country.

Dr. Sue Groesbeck and Randy Tucker

to meeting with small groups of seniors through the year to get to know them, just as she did at Havergal College, the K-12 Canadian school that she’s leaving.

At an afternoon meeting with the faculty and staff, Dr. Groesbeck reflected on her time in Canada that has given her a new perspective. She reiterated her love of girls’ schools and her enjoyment of fine arts presentations, athletic events, and simple classroom visits. “The interaction between teacher and student is a miracle and can never be replaced by a computer,” she told them.

Dr. Groesbeck graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Skidmore College and received both a master’s in linguistics and doctorate in education from the University of Rochester. Her research focused on the work of Dr. Ted Sizer of Brown University, studying curriculum and program change. She was the recipient of two Fulbright grants to study in both Germany and Japan, where her work focused on schools and change. She was selected as a 2008 Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University, where she studied education theory.

Dr. Groesbeck (pronounced like rose) has been married to Mark Groesbeck for 38 years. They have two grown daughters and three young grandsons. She looks forward to making the Founders House a welcoming home not just for her family but for her new GPS family as well.

No Limits I Prepared for Life

21

m ay day 1

2

3 4

5

6

7

8

5

1. Clockwise from left of Queen Tiana Mills are Lillie Noles, Maid of Honor; Sarah Cobble, trainbearer; Hannah McKamey, scepter bearer; Becky Gardner, crown bearer; and Monica Justo, trainbearer. 2. The ninth grade dance club performs to the music of Michael Bublé’s “Hollywood.” 3. Alyssa Zellner 4. Enjoying the promenade and the perfect weather are, from left, Katherine Estep, Belle Brzezienski, May May Hitchings, Chloe Caughman, and Lindsey Wills. 5. May Day Committee member Rebecca Rose 6. Regan Jenkins and Paige Berghel lead the seniors down the Tucker Academic Walk.

7. Carly Crowder and Emma McCallie were members of the Senior May Day committee; McCallie was chair. 8. Chappel Sharrock

22

S u m m e r 2 0 13

8

T

iana Mills, who jumps, runs, and throws as a member of the track team, changed her gait to a graceful walk as the Queen of May Day 2013. She, her Maid of Honor Lillie Noles, and members of the court – Sarah Cobble, Becky Gardner, Monica Justo, and Hannah McKamey – represented the highest ideals of the school, leading their classmates at the pageant’s promenade.

The day’s theme, “Bright Lights, Big City,” was represented not just in dances choreographed to songs such as Hollywood, Walking in Memphis, and Chattanooga Choo Choo, but in the festival prior to the presentation of seniors.

12 910 10 1111 14 15

13

13

12

16

14

9. Katy Beth Barber 10. Jalesa Poindexter poses for a photo with English teacher Carol Killebrew, who was also a faculty co-chair of May Day. 11. Jane Jestus, left, and Rachel Durham look on as Mary Claire Spann waves to her family. 12. Rachel Monsees 13. Jessie Long 14. Sophomores are braided and ready to wind the May Pole. 15. A week later, the Student Council surprised Headmaster Randy Tucker by crowning him May King at a special celebration. 16. Calyn and Chandler Keys

No Limits I Prepared for Life

23

a thletics

2 3

4

1 1. A “fantastic accomplishment” is how Coach Sue Bartlett describes the state doubles championship won by the team of Emma McCallie and Michelle Fleenor. “Michelle’s singles record was 14-1,” said Bartlett, “despite having the flu for a week and a hamstring injury. Emma also battled a hamstring injury most of the season!” The team finished

24

second in team competition, which showcased the hard work and improvement

in the long jump, 5th in the triple jump, and 3rd in the discus.

everyone has made, especially in the doubles arena. The team was confidently led by

Classmate Destinee Lansden (a University of Memphis

seniors McCallie, Hannah Morrow, Mary Claire Spann, Maggie McBrayer, and

signee) was on the 2nd place 4 x 100 relay team, 3rd in the 100

Brighton Goodhue.” Hannah and Mary Claire were unbeaten in regular season doubles

( a new school record), 3rd in the 400 and 8th in the 200 at the

play and won the clinching match against Harpeth Hall in the Region. 2. In true Spring

state meet. “It was a real treat to witness the many outstanding

Fling tradition, each team attended the others’ competitions. So when the softball team

performances throughout the year,” says Coach Stacey Hill.

played, they could count on Bruiser track and field athletes and tennis players to be

4. Congratulations to the rowing team for claiming the Carney

in the stands cheering. The softball players in this photo finished the season 23-9 and

Cup in annual competition against Baylor. The fourth consecutive

made it to the final four at state. “Although we graduate three valuable seniors – LeeAnn

win was for the coveted cup named for Marian Carney, mother of

Jackson, Katie Richardson (a Lipscomb signee), and Corey Swafford,” says Coach Susan

three GPS graduates and wife of Terry Carney, who aided in starting

Crownover, “we have a great core group returning and they will be ready to go next year.”

the crew program at GPS in the early 90’s. At Southeastern

3. The track team received a great send-off to state by some students and faculty.

Regionals in early May, the varsity 8 made it to the finals

Senior Tiana Mills had personal bests in the three events she entered, finishing 2nd

before finishing 6th behind club teams. Junior co-captain

S u m m e r 2 0 13

5

Bailey Wood, who won her age division at the Tennessee Indoor Rowing Championships earlier in the winter, was invited to the 2013 USRowing Junior Women’s National Team High Performance Camp at the US Coast Guard Academy. Classmate Lauchlan Davis won the coxswain’s race at the same event. Rising senior Haley Haren is the other co-captain of the team. 5. Before a loss to St. Benedict in the semifinals of this year’s bowling season, the team had an undefeated record extending back to the state tournament of 2010. Six Bruisers qualified for the state individual competition, and Sara Griffith bowled her way to a second place finish. Sydney Leech was a finalist for State Bowler of the Year. Seated at the state banquet,

The following Bruiser athletes were named to the Best of Preps teams for 2012-13 or were honored with All-State or All-American recognition.

Cross Country: Lucy Whitfield Volleyball: Sadie Lett Best of Preps Player of the year Basketball: Akia Harris Soccer: Akia Harris Izzy Phillips Lacrosse: Savannah Phillips Tennis: Michelle Fleenor Emma McCallie Hannah Morrow Mary Claire Spann

Track: Destinee Lansden Tiana Mills Cheerleading: Lilly Peeples Maggie Ingvalson Shelby Dooley Kim Reid Softball announced after the magazine went to press.

left to right, are Katy Richardson, Maggie Swafford, Corey Swafford, Sydney Leech, Taylor Battle, and Angela Bond. Standing are Alyson Parris, Sara Griffith, Meagan Scott, Kaliyah Ware, Madi Stanley, and Taylor Reid.

Notes on other sports…

The goal of the swimming team this year was to return to the top ten at state. “We ended the season with a sixth place finish, our highest place in the past four years,” says Coach John Woods. “Our team captain Mary Grace Arnold and the other seniors provided great inspiration and leadership for the entire team.” The high scoring swimmer at state was sophomore Kristen Myers, and everyone who swam in finals last year will return for next year. In dual meets the team only lost to the top two Tennessee teams and the #1 Georgia team, finishing with 13

These Bruisers will continue their sport in college: Mary Grace Arnold, swimming: Carson-Newman Brianna Ferris, basketball: Long Island University Abby Horton, soccer: Covenant College Destinee Lansden, track and field: University of Memphis Sadie Lett, volleyball: University of Tampa Tiana Mills, track and field: Carson-Newman Katy Richardson, softball: Lipscomb University Savannah Phillips, lacrosse: Lindenwood University

From the Middle School...

wins and 3 losses.

The basketball team finished the season with an 11-14 record. Coming off back-to-back state titles, the year was a rebuilding one for the Bruisers. Coach Susan Crownover, who stepped down this spring as the basketball coach and will concentrate on the softball program, says, “It was a great group of girls to coach, and the seniors did a great job of creating team unity.

The girls enjoyed each other’s company and made some great memories.” Coaching the 2013-14 basketball team will be GPS faculty member Jennifer Williams, a former varsity assistant coach and former player.

Lacrosse coach Caroline Carlin was “very pleased with the unity of this team on and off the field,” during the season, which culminated with the Bruisers’ advancing to the Elite 8 in state competition for only the second time in the program’s history. She says, “On the field, we connected by making strong passes in the midfield that ignited our transition. Defensively, our communication enabled us to effectively cause turnovers and regain possession.” Senior Savannah Phillips will play lacrosse at Lindenwood University in Missouri.

For the 4th year in a row, the Bruiser Middle School swim team captured the Southeastern Middle School Swimming and Diving Championships. GPS took first place by more than 200 points over their closest competitor. Those with 1st place finishes were members of the 200 medley relay, CeCe Turner, Gwennie Davis, Lee Schemel, and Anna Ward; the 400 medley relay, Schemel, Turner, Ward, and Mary Margaret Arrowsmith; and diver Megan Burnette.

After winning the District golf tournament by four strokes, the Middle School golf team finished second at the region tourney the next week. Seventh grader Hannah Prescott was fifth in the region; she and classmate McKenzie Frizzell were named to the All-County team.

No Limits I Prepared for Life

25

c lass day The rainbow of class uniform colors, the singing of the Where O’ Wheres… traditions of Class Day at GPS. 1. Middle School award recipients were, from left, Anna Grace Paddock, Joan Frierson Award; Louisa Heald, Margaret Cate Award; Tia Kemp, Janet Jackson Award; and Elisabeth Hale, DAR Award. Standing are Meher Memon, Thedford Award; and Ashley-Rose Lynn, Ruth Schmidt Award.

2

1

2. This trio of freshmen includes Zoe Rustand, Dora Maclellan Brown Award; Alyson Parris, Frances Wheeler Scholarship; and Ayushi Sinha, the Freshman Cup.

4

3 4. Junior class award winners included, seated from left, Abbi Harr, Laura Holt Outstanding Athlete Award; Anna Carroll, co-recipient of the Grace McCallie Scholarship; Blakley Fine, Palmer Griffin Award; and Emily Cullum, Christian Bryant Award. Standing are Mary Chandler Gwin, Sewanee Award for Excellence; Lucy Whitfield, co-recipient of the Grace McCallie Scholarship; and Jessica Erhart, Senior Scholarship.

6. Diane Walker and Elizabeth Resnick were named Teachers of the Year in the Upper and Middle School respectively.

Diane teaches math, and Elizabeth teaches technology.

3. Sophomore recipients of awards were, from left, Alexis Gunther, the Lisa Blake Scholarship; Mackenzie Hobbs, Duffy-Jarnagin Scholarship; Ellie Haskins, Sophomore Bracelet and Dorris Chapin Wells “Black and Blue” Award; Reagan Williams, Smith Book Award and Elizabeth Collier Farmer Award; and Kristen Myers, Sarah Burns Award.

5

6 5. Among the seniors honored on Class Day were, from left, Emma McCallie, Sandra Martin Award; Haley Smith, Lara Counts Magallenes Technology Award; Mary Claire Spann, Robinson Sportsmanship Cup; May May Hitchings, Fletcher Bright Fine Arts Award; and Sarah Hicks, DAR Award.

26

S u m m e r 2 0 13

a round school More Girls State Honors For the fourth time in four years, a rising senior from GPS was elected to one of the two highest positions at Volunteer Girls State (VGS). Emily You was voted the 2013 Governor during the weeklong event at the end of May. She joins a list of GPS juniors who have made a splash at VGS. Nisha Boyington ’11 attended the national event in 2010 and was elected a Senator for Girls Nation. Sarah Shaw ’12, like Emily, was elected to the top state office of Governor. Emma McCallie ’13 also represented GPS and the Volunteer Girls State as one of two Girls Nation Senators. Both McCallie and Shaw volunteered at this summer’s session.

In addition to You’s election, the other four GPS students attending the program were also elected to one or more offices in recognition of their leadership qualities.

Mary Chandler Gwin was elected City Mayor and a state Senator, and her city chose her as their Best Citizen; Lucinda Boyd was elected City Councilwoman and a state Senator; Fleming Farrow was a state Representative, and Megan Rohn was chosen a party delegate. GPS biology/environmental science teacher Jenise Gordon served as Citizenship Director of the 2013 event, and graphic design/drama teacher Suzanne Smartt is a long-time member of the staff working with the vesper/assembly team.

At the 67th annual session of Tennessee’s VGS, one of the top Girls State programs in the nation, the attendees ran for office, met petitioning requirements, gave speeches, addressed true-to-life issues, became informed, honed leadership skills, and made friends.

In the Gallery of Excellence

Pictured on the front row, from left, are Lucinda Boyd, Emily You, Fleming Farrow, Mary Chandler Gwin, and Megan Rohn. Standing are volunteers Suzanne Smartt, Kate Commander ’04, Sarah Shaw, Emma McCallie, and Jenise Gordon.

Making AP’s a Little Nicer Those taking AP exams this past spring received thoughtful encouragement during their long test sessions in the library.

Encouragement from the teachers spilled over into signs posted everywhere in and near the library, an initiative of the Christian Forum club. “You’ve got this,” “Rock dat AP,” and “You’re One Step Closer to Summer” set a positive tone for the week of Advanced Placement exams.

The Kaleidoscope has once again been inducted into the Walsworth Gallery of Excellence.

The 2012-13 publication is the fourth GPS yearbook in five years to be recognized, for the end result and for the dedication of the staff.

Jill Pala ‘97, faculty advisor to the yearbook, and co-editors Rachel Monsees and Sara Griffith presented the yearbook to administrators at a morning event on Class Day. “Probability” is the theme for the 2012-13 record of the year’s event, news, and photos.

As the AP Calculus girls took their exam in the quiet of the Holland Library, they could look out the wall of windows and see a message across the lawn. In the second floor window of AP teacher Diane Walker’s classroom was a sign in big letters: “I will derive and survive; AP Calc Rocks!” To top it all off, Walker was in the Trustees Gallery outside the library before the exam began, complete with pompoms to cheer on her students.

When the AP students left the library after exams, they were met with snacks and Capri Sun fruit drinks.

No Limits I Prepared for Life

27

a round school

Blue Ribbon Results at Science Fair For the third consecutive year, GPS once again received the senior division plaque for most first, second, and/or third place entries in the 61st annual Chattanooga Regional Science & Engineering Fair.

The Middle School entries nearly claimed that division’s prize as well, as many of the seventh and eighth graders received recognition for their projects.

Category award winners from the Upper School were, from left, Najia Humayun, Anna Pierce, Lydia Lee, biology teacher Sonya Steele, Meagan Oscar, and Anjali Chandra.

Sophomore Anjali Chandra finished third in the Sweepstakes, receiving a $200 academic scholarship, and placed second in the UTC Scholarship Award competition. A student of Sonya Steele, Chandra also received the Army Award for Life Sciences. Her project involved an investigation of potential therapies for pancreatic cancer, specifically seeing which Garlic Derivative – Diallyl Disulfide or Diallyl Trisulfide – would demonstrate the greatest anti-cancer effect on pancreatic cancer. She learned basic laboratory techniques at UTC and University of Minnesota Department of Surgery.

An Essay Contest Sweep The 2012-13 essay assignment from the United States Institute for Peace was to consider the role of gender in war and peacemaking. According to AP English teacher Katy Berotti, Mary Madison McBrayer’s essay “not only discussed the victimization of women but focused on pursuing solutions, arguing that the ability to be self-supporting and contribute to the economic stability of a region benefits citizens of both genders.”

McBrayer received $1000 and a five-day all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, for a conference that will focus on “an understanding of the nature and process of international peacemaking by focusing on a region and/or related theme.”

GPS students once again swept the top three Tennessee honors in the National Peace Essay contest. Junior Mary Madison McBrayer, center, earned the state prize for her essay on the promise of microfinancing in Colombia and Congo. Junior Lauchlan Davis, right, and sophomore Anjali Chandra, left, received the two honorable mentions.

28

S u m m e r 2 0 13

a round school

“Mission: Remission”

Students and teachers from GPS and McCallie could be seen walking down several blocks and across a number of bridges during Mission: Remission in downtown Chattanooga. The first event of what will hopefully be an annual fundraiser for cancer research was the brainchild of the Student Councils at both schools. Wearing t-shirts in fatigue-green Army designs, the 1500 students and faculty were a virtual Army of Volunteers as they crossed the Walnut St. Bridge into downtown Chattanooga and returned to the GPS lower fields.

Prior to the event, students raised funds through the sale of t-shirts and sponsorships. Those funds were donated to the Christian Bryant Foundation, Emily’s Power for a Cure, and to Carolina’s Healthcare Foundation in memory of Joe Restaino.

Elected Leaders for 2013-14 These young women are assuming important leadership roles for the 2013-14 school year. Haley Haren, who has served as a class representative on the Honor Council, was elected president of the council. Kristen Carter, a former representative on the Student Council, was chosen by the school to that student organization’s leadership role. Nikki Graham and Taylor Walden were elected to lead the Community Service Council, a role for which they have new and exciting ideas for local volunteer opportunities and the school’s Robin Hood fundraising initiatives.

No Limits I Prepared for Life

29

a round school

Special Birthday Wishes A walk down the seventh grade hall was especially fun this last year, as the class “birthday board” took on a special look each month. As president of the Class of 2018, Ashley-Rose Lynn brought enthusiasm, creativity, and personality to the task of celebrating the birthdays of each girl in her grade with monthly themed posters that featured the girls’ names and birth dates. Passersby in the seventh grade hallway would stop and comment on the unique, colorful designs, and several girls offered to buy the posters!

Busy with the swim team and in dance classes at Chattanooga Ballet, Ashley-Rose admits that every poster wasn’t up on the first day of the month, but the end results were always worth the wait.

With themes from butterflies and snowflakes to owls and Christmas candy canes, she used every craft item and art medium she could find. The last poster of the year, painted in acrylic and oil on canvas to celebrate the summer birthdays, featured clownfish, jellyfish, seaweed, coral, and seahorses. Hopefully these photos do justice to the remarkable talent she brought to the project.

“Footloose” Brings Fun to Frierson Stage

“Cut Loose with Footloose” was the call for the spring musical in April. The GPS/McCallie version of the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical was directed by Catherine Bolden and produced by Suzanne Smartt. In addition to the title song, the production featured the well-known Somebody’s Eyes, Holding Out for a Hero, Let’s Hear it for the Boy, and Almost Paradise.

Sarah Cobble, Katy Beth Barber, MaryKate Ryan, Sarah Hicks, Tiana Mills, Becky Gardner, and Annalyssa Youngblood were in starring roles. Many other students from both schools were in the chorus, dance crew, and pit orchestra.

30

S u m m e r 2 0 13

a round school

Faculty Kudos Honors came in abundance to the GPS faculty this past spring.

contributions to athletics or recreational programs in the Greater Chattanooga area.”

History Department Chair Linda Mines received the Thatcher Award at the Tennessee Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution 2013 state conference. The award notes her outstanding leadership, dedication and service to the Junior American Citizens program. The JAC chapter at GPS works with the Chattanooga National Cemetery, the Ronald McDonald House, the Wounded Warriors program, and other area non-profit agencies.

History teacher Brooks Imel is one of 75 teachers from around the world who is attending the Klingenstein Summer Institute “for an exploration of teaching styles, educational philosophies, education issues, and personal development.” The two-week seminar offers a full fellowship for graduate credits and “challenges participants to embrace the complexities of the classroom and to explore the art of teaching and the delicate balance of subject mastery, judgment, intuition and creativity.”

English teacher Carol Killebrew ’79 was accepted into Mercer University’s Great Books Summer Seminar.

The innovative program models for “the nation’s best high school teachers” how texts and discussions “enrich the academic experience of students.” Participant benefits include a stipend, collaborative learning with Mercer’s faculty, and copies of summer reading – Plato, Aeschylus, Shakespeare, John Locke, and the Federalist Papers – on the topic “Citizenship and the Culture of Freedom.”

PE Department Chair Peggy Michaels, above, was honored by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in May as a “Champion Within.” The luncheon event celebrated the success of outstanding individuals who have “performed at the highest level as players, coaches, parents and mentors.” Michaels also addressed the induction ceremony that evening for the Hall of Fame, receiving a standing ovation for her message of encouragement and faith. A standing O needs to be given as well to Madison Waldrop ’15, a budding fashion designer who created the teal dupioni silk top that Michaels wore to the ceremony.

In February, Michaels received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame for her “significant

Part time faculty member and Director of the Middle School Winds and Percussion, Sarah Pearson was accepted as a Conducting Fellow in the 2013 Conducting Workshop for Music Educators at The Juilliard School. She is one of 10 fellows selected from an international group of applicants. Pearson will be taught by Julliard faculty and guest orchestra directors during the four-day summer workshop.

Assistant College Counselor Claudia Goldbach spent two weeks in late May at an intensive summer program at the State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, an introduction to the online courses she’ll complete to gain her master’s in science and creativity.

Physics teacher Bryant Haynes is the Chattanooga Air Force Association Chapter Teacher of the Year and has also been selected as the State Teacher of the Year.

AFA’s Teacher of the Year award is presented annually to the educator who has gone “the extra mile” to inspire students and increase student interest in math, science and technology.

No Limits I Prepared for Life

31

weddings 1999 Lauren Bolton to Chad Benson Cayce Wilson to Will McCrary 2001 Callie Klenner to Anthony Harney 2002 Mayuri Appareddy to Chai Matyala Lt. Mary Katherine Dann to Capt. Wesley Robert Ogden Kathryn Smith to Arch E. Trimble, IV 2003 Margaret Pate Mickles to Eric Charles Peterson

1

Eleanor “Ellie” Frances Steele to John Billington 2004 Lauren Lorberbaum to Sean Donohue Charly Parker to Joe Castelbuono Sydney Clare Woods to William Lawrence Bridenstine 2005 Lauren Blevins to Garrett Wolfford

2

3

1. When a GPS alumna celebrates her wedding, there’s always a remarkable group of GPS

Caitlin Cook to Andrew Donald Fiorillo

women present. At the wedding of Lindsey Frost ’05 and Jonathan Cleary were numerous

2006 Kathryn Galphin to Rob Siegel, III

Norwood ’05, Adrienne Powell ’86, Neve Noblit Trumpeter ’98, and Emily Dake ’05. Standing

alumnae. Kneeling from left are Chris Benz Smith ’72, Catherine Bahner Daniels ’83, Jamison from left are Cecilia Williams ’11, Cathie Ault Kasch ’72, Katherine Betts ’76, Stephanie Liu

Kendall McKeldin Stokes to Joshua Scott Ray

’05, Kelsey Hughes ’06, Marie Williams Cleary ’70, the bride, Mary Helen Miller, Erin Felton,

2008 Sarah Carter Nelson to James Andrew Farlik

2. At the wedding of Cady Jones ‘08 and Kyle Welch last year, the reception was a mini-reunion

and Maryn Gardner, all from the Class of 2005; Laura Cleary ’03, and Darcy Knowles ’03. for former GPS tennis players. Standing with the bride, from left, are Courtney Paré Weil ’07, Grace Robinette ’07, Claire Bartlett ’08, Millie Earhart ’09, Sarah Evans ’10; and Elizabeth Russell, Courtney Alexander Tallant and Kelley Holt, Class of 2008. Standing are Ellen Espy Blocker ’68, Whitney Blocker Mashburn ’03; Rachel Connell , Mia Aoki, and Alex Smith, Class of 2008; Anne Elizabeth Holley ’09, Sue Bartlett, and Suzan Adcox Robinette ’73. 3. Ginny Harr ‘04 married Wes Webb last fall in Virginia.

32

S u m m e r 2 0 13

4

5

6

7

8

4. A group of Class of 2005 graduates were bridesmaids at the wedding of classmate Caitlin Cook and Andrew Donald Fiorillo. Joyously surrounding the bride are, from left, Sarah Solovey, Ashleigh Ellison, Laura Dickerson, and Lillian Hammond. 5. Last December 1st was the wedding day for Callie Klenner ’01 and Anthony Dale Harney. Classmates Bethany Scott Gray, left, and Emily Shipp Hildebrand, right, attended the festive occasion at the Luxor in Las Vegas, the hotel’s first outdoor wedding. Callie’s mother manages one of the hotel’s upscale restaurants, and in describing the wedding, Callie said the setting was beautiful, the weather was perfect, and “who gets married with a pyramid in the background?” Both bride and groom reside in Chattanooga. 6. Adrienne Maloney ’02 married Ryan Kent Howell Nevin last year and sent this beautiful photo from their wedding on Signal Mountain. 7. Lavens Brown ’03 married Michael David Brooks last October at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church on Lookout Mountain. “My GPS girls,” says Lavens, participated in or attended the wedding and reception. From left on the bottom row are Mary Allison Wright, Alice Davenport ’04, and Michal Howick ’03. Standing with her are her classmates: Charlotte Beene, Catherine Watjen, Mary-Martha Bullard, Katie Vandergriff, Meredith Hobbs Arp, Anna Smartt, and Kate Brennan. 8. Last November at the Chattanoogan was the date and place for the wedding of Mayuri Appareddy ’02 to Chai Matyala. Many alumnae were present, including the bride’s classmates, pictured from left, Maithilee Kunda, Lauren Baker Moyle, Mandy Hlubek Burger, Deanna Gardenhire Brown, Christy Johnson Brown, Lori Ann Clark Line, and Joanna Church Finch. Others present but not in the photo were the bride’s sister, Shyama Appareddy ’10, Ashley Brandon Gerskin ’02, and Shalini Bhatia ’05.

No Limits I Prepared for Life

33

babies 1983 Judith Mincke Dwyer a son, Hunter Ford

1

2

3

1990 Catherine Ralston-Good Henderson a son, Austin Thomas Kendall Ward Rogers a daughter, Berkeley Elizabeth 1994 Sarah Durand McGuigan a daughter, Virginia Lucille “Lucy”

4

6

1995 Sarah Unruh a daughter, Sable Unruh Abbe

5

1996 Claire Strang Farver a daughter, Frances Gray 1997 Meredith Byrum Brown a son, Bradford Sullivan 1998 Meg Chapin Haden a son, William “Chapin” Sallie Gray Strang Clayton a daughter, Laura Brandt

7

8

Crystal Brooks a daughter, Evangeline Lily Pourciau 1999 Lauren Bolton Benson a daughter, Riley Ann Raz Mines Dumitru a son, Noah James Amos Nita Rench Sexton a daughter, Olivia Riley

1. Hard to believe Jasper Stone, son of Amanda Mann Moulthrop ’97 is almost one year old. 2. Loving arms hold Charlotte Louise, daughter of Catherine Nelson Sawyer ’02. 3. How precious is Adam “A.J.,” the son of Charlene Johnson Lindsay ’99? 4. The three boys of Cindy Chapin Kean ’01 share the love. From the top are Wells, Asher, and Elliott. 5. Mary Cleveland was in Chattanooga to help her mom, Lauren Waters Rice ’03, celebrate her 10th reunion. 6. Mary Lynn Laughter Jones ’00 has her hands full with five-year-old Kate and Mary Louise “Lulu.” 7. Bradford Sullivan is the proverbial “bundle of joy” for Meredith Byrum Brown ’97.

8. Sable is the cuddly daughter of Sarah Unruh ’95 and her husband Dakkan Abbe.

34

S u m m e r 2 0 13

9

11

10 12

2000 Nancy Bicking Hartselle a son, Charles “Charlie” David Catherine Cofer Lowe a daughter, Audrey Elizabeth Mary Lynn Laughter Jones a daughter, Mary Louise “Lulu”

13

2001 Cindy Chapin Kean a son, Elliott Cuningham Williams

15

Ginger Latham Mayfield a daughter, Jean Louise 2002 Katie Cosgrove Kingsman a son, John Kilton Catherine Nelson Sawyer a daughter, Charlotte Louise Natalie Wood Owen a daughter, Margaret Pace

14

2003 Emily Edmonson Swanson a son, Camden Jack

9. Olivia, the daughter of Nita Rench Sexton ’99, loves Elmo. 10. Three-year-old Claire seems in awe of her tiny new sister, Audrey Elizabeth. The girls are the daughters of Catherine Cofer Lowe ’00. 11. Austin Thomas is the newest “little candy packer” for AYS America, the company owned by Catherine Ralston-Good Henderson ’90. 12. Meg Chapin Haden’s son, William “Chapin”. 13. Riley Ann is the happy daughter of Lauren Bolton Benson ’99. 14. It’s a quartet of boys in the home of Beth Kent Wingfield ’99. From left are

Meredith Hobbs Arp a daughter, Elaine “Laine” Christian Anna Young Adamson a son, Robert “Liam” William

Kent, Teddy, Wilder & Hank. 15. Jax, the son of Rachel Monroe Cohen ’96, is proud to show off his Bruiser bib.

No Limits I Prepared for Life

35

a lumnae weekend 2013 A “Wordle” of familiar GPS-related traditions and expressions (Class Ring, Honor Code, Chapel Talk, Glee Club, Where O’ Where’s) graced the colorful cover of the invitation for Alumnae Weekend 2013, and a large crowd of returning alumnae indeed relived their time as students and reminisced with friends. The Alumnae Awards luncheon on Friday kicked off the weekend event, which also included the popular All-Alumnae party at the Founders House, a Saturday brunch, classroom experiences in the 21st century, and the winding of the May Pole. Class parties at private homes or area restaurants drew large crowds.

1

4

7

2

3

5

6

8

9

1. Sue Anne Harrison Wells ’71, pictured with husband Todd, was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award. 2. Patrice Hobbs Glass ’88 received a Margaret Rawlings Lupton Award of Excellence. Family members included sons Wes and Will, daughter Abby ’18, and husband Will. 3. Caroline Caulkins Bentley ’83 and her father Bill Caulkins received three awards. Caroline was inducted into the GPS Athletic Hall of Fame and received the Margaret Rawlings Lupton Award of Excellence.

Bill was the recipient of the Love of GPS award for his devotion and loyalty to the school. 4. Betsy Chapin Taylor ’88 flew back to Chattanooga late Friday and accepted her Margaret Rawlings Lupton Award of Excellence at Saturday’s brunch. She was joined by her daughters Elise and Grace, her husband Brent, and her aunt, Karen Standefer Nicely ’63. 5. Amy Goins ‘93, inducted into the GPS Athletic Hall of Fame, was joined by, from left, her uncle Philip Wright, her mother Lynda Wright, and GPS Athletic Director Stacey Hill. 6. Sherry Cox Farrell ’93 shared the May Pole experience with her daughter. 7. Even babies enjoyed the reunion weekend. From left are Anna Young Adamson, Whitney Blocker Mashburn, and Rachel Sherbak Stevener from the Class of 2003. 8. Among those from the Class of 1993 were Karen Bosworth Smith, who came all the way from India, Ruchi Patel Moore, and Mary Frances Giles. 9. Priya Khatri, Caty Walker Coffey, Jennifer Glass, and Crispin Mathias celebrated with the Class of 1998.

36

S u m m e r 2 0 13

A New Tradition: The 50th Reunion Legacy Gift

W

hat is unique about this year’s 50th Reunion Class – the Class of 1963? Everything! They are a class united by a deep love and appreciation of one another. A class who has remained connected through the years. They are full of personality and love to have fun together. While they live around the globe, they have returned at each reunion to embrace and support one another throughout life. While many other GPS classes share similar traits, perhaps a standout attribute of this class is the ability to turn this loyalty to one another into a special loyalty to their alma mater, a loyalty that insures the success of the school’s current students and faculty.

Led by the dynamic reunion giving team of Ann Kimball Johnson and Frances Zwenig, a new tradition has been created by the Class of 1963. That’s right, a new tradition. Who says the 50th reunion class has grown beyond being a catalyst of positive change for their alma mater? Thanks to Ann, Frances and their 72

classmates, the 50th Reunion Legacy Gift for the Annual Fund has been established. Its purpose will be to challenge each 50th Reunion class going forward to out-raise them in reunion contributions to the Annual Fund. On the date this article went to print, almost $19,000 had been donated by members of this class. Furthermore, a plaque will be displayed listing the reunion class and classmates who not only participated with a contribution, but also raised the highest amount designated for the Annual Fund from a 50th Reunion class.

It is our alumnae who traditionally and collectively contribute over 50% of the total Annual Fund dollars each year. Most importantly, it is our alumnae who know the value of a GPS education and where it will take a young woman from her first year to fifty years after she graduates from this exceptional school.

Here’s to the Girls of the GPS!

GPS Alumnae, your support does make a difference.

Give to the GPS Annual Fund today!

G I R L S P R E PA R AT O RY S C H O O L P.O. Box 4736 • Chattanooga, TN 37405

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PA I D

Chattanooga, TN Permit No. 110

Dated Material

No Limits.

Prepared for Life.

G I R L S P R E PA R AT O RY S C H O O L www.gps.edu • 423.634.7644 Girls Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in any of its policies, practices or procedures.

sarah foley faces