Girls Preparatory School
The Big Picture
experience the
as
of
Students in Mr. Joe Lyons’ physics class
thrill
learning about centripetal force firsthand
they take a spin on the Coolidge Park carousel, turning physics principles into fun!
PHYSICS IN MOTION
Dear GPS families, alumnae, and friends,
In May, I had the opportunity to address our eighth-graders at their end-of-year celebration, a way we honor their time in the middle school as they look forward to joining upper school in the fall. While preparing my thoughts, I realized that I had a lot in common with the Class of 2028. When they were sixth-graders, I was also beginning my time at GPS.
On Opening Day in 2021, they paraded in their fresh new navy uniforms while I clapped and cheered along with my new colleagues and our students. Together we learned how to navigate the dining hall and find classrooms, and experienced our first Chapel Talks and May Day while brighteyed and hopeful of what was to come.
And while those first three years have flown by, I can’t help but marvel at what all we, the GPS community, have accomplished. Even while reviewing this issue of our magazine, I was astounded at how well our faculty, staff, coaches, and trustees support our girls and thoughtfully plan to best prepare for our bright future.
Throughout this magazine, you will see evidence of the first year of implementing our five-year strategic plan: Empowering Girls for a Changing World. I am so proud of all we’ve already accomplished and am buoyed by our action steps for the 2024-25 school year.
We also received our reaccreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) this spring, after hosting a team of leaders from peer schools on our campus. One comment in their report has stayed with me: From the moment we stepped on campus, it became clear that GPS is a special school community.
A Message from Our Head of School
This sentiment was also expressed by a new member of our school leadership team, who joined us this summer. Following her interview she said, “When I visited GPS, I walked away with an overwhelming feeling of belonging.”
We also had an independent survey team poll our current students to better understand how we serve our girls beyond their academic studies. The most common word they used to describe GPS was challenging, and caring/welcoming came in a very close second followed by fun, family, and community. An impressive 88% of students indicated they had a trusted adult on campus they could turn to if they had a problem; 96% of our students have a trusted peer to rely on. These results speak volumes about our commitment to lifting up the whole girl in mind, body, and spirit so she can reach her potential with confidence and joy. Kudos to our amazing faculty and staff who join me to ensure that each girl is seen, heard, known, loved, and empowered to use her voice.
We continue to be intentional in our work so that our students, families, and adults feel as though they belong at our school while also reconnecting with our alumnae through Reunion Weekend and gathering events all across the country.
However you are connected to our school, I hope you see and feel the enthusiasm for the work we do to empower our girls.
With great pride in our school,
Megan D. Cover Head of School
2023-24 Board of Trustees
Executive Committee
Board Chair
Amy Arrowsmith
Vice-Chair
Ashley Rowland Davenport ’97
Secretary
Dori Thornton Waller ’99
Treasurer/Finance Chair
Jimmy Scotchie
Ex Officio
Clay Watson
At-Large Member
Hon. Ashley Moore Palmer ’99
Trustees
Caroline Caulkins Bentley ’83
Glenn Breazeale Jr.
Jeff Burns
Elouise Busby, DPT
Blair Bennington Cannon ’93
Laurel H. Carney ’79, PhD
Allison Cowan Carroll ’89
Carolyn Chandler
Allen Coffman, MD
Aimee Owings Harvey ’93
Hamp Johnston Jr.
Jennifer Kline
Beth Steele Newbold ’84
Andrea Saul Nosbusch ’00
Mary P. Tanner, PhD
Stephen Thomas
Austin Watson
Karen Welborn
What's Inside
The Changing of the
Six members complete their tenure
Faculty Focus
Mrs. Katy Berotti shares the process of developing our Profile of a Graduate
The Black & Blue Review
A look at the second semester’s honors, learning opportunities, events, and more
As part of the summer portion of the Tucker River Fellows program led by Dr. Brandon Noel, students, along with Ms. Reed Solly (far
Engaging in the Community
How
their places in
right), learn about conservation of the Tennessee River. Photo by Doug Strickland, Tennessee Aquarium
Senior Send-Off
Honoring our seniors, thanking them for their leadership, and celebrating them at every turn. We can’t wait to see what’s next!
Alumna Spotlight
Mary Alice Haney ’89: Fashion Designer, Producer, and Podcast Host
Table of Contents
2023-24
Administrative Team
Head of School
Megan D. Cover
Head of Upper School
Beth Creswell Wilson ’96, PhD
Head of Middle School and Director of Student
Support Services
Kathryn Outlaw
Chief Advancement Officer
Ali Gant
Chief Financial Officer
Mark Vosskamp
Director of Athletics
Jay Watts
Director of Belonging and Community Engagement
Lauren Lawrence Swanson ’09
Director of College Counseling and Dean of Recruitment
Andrew Reich
Director of Communications and Marketing
Caitlin Riddle
Director of Development
Lisa Reynolds Shanahan ’83
Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid
Alice Smith Harris ’03
Senior Communications Specialist
Pamela Hammonds
Editorial Staff
Lucy Morris Blancett ’09
Pamela Hammonds
Caitlin Riddle
Contributing Photographers
Emily Lester
Ryn Fager Tompkins ’10
Doug Strickland, Tennessee Aquarium
In Appreciation of Their Service
The Changing of the Board
Six members of the GPS Board of Trustees completed their tenure on our board this spring. We are grateful for the dedication and professionalism each has shown through eager and faithful service.
ALLISON COWAN CARROLL ’89
Board service: 2018–24
GPS alumna Allison Cowan Carroll ’89 served her alma mater with her expertise and leadership. She served on the Risk: Audit, Insurance & Compliance Committee (2018-24, chair 2019-24) and on the Finance Committee (2019-21, 202324). Allison is a graduate of Dartmouth College and went on to earn her MBA at Goizueta Business School at Emory University. She is a longstanding member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and has held several leadership positions in local chapters, including president, vice president, community programming chair, and debutante committee chair. She volunteers with Jack and Jill of America, Inc., serving as treasurer of the North Suburban Atlanta Chapter, and with Trinity School in Atlanta, Georgia. Allison has also served on the TSPA Committee and has been co-chair of the diversity committee. She’s a member of the National Black MBA Association, GAMA International, and NAIFA. She and her husband, Jeroy “Jay” Carroll III, are parents of two daughters.
R. ALLEN COFFMAN, MD P’18, ’21
Board service: 2018–24
A parent of two GPS alumnae, Allen Coffman, MD, has deep ties to our school. During his board terms, he was part of the Gender Working Group (2018-19), the Community Working Group (2019-22), and our Risk: Audit, Insurance & Compliance Committee (2021-24). A pediatrician at Highland Pediatrics, Dr. Coffman graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Medical College of Georgia; he completed his residency at Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati. A leader in local healthcare delivery system design and strategies, Allen serves on the boards of the Beacon Health Alliance and LifeSpring Community Health. He was recognized as the 2016 Pediatrician of the Year by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics for his work in developing a statewide pediatric quality network, the Pediatric Healthcare Improvement Initiative for Tennessee, and his successful work on a Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and Hamilton County Department of Education school-based health network. Allen also serves on the board of the Skyuka Hall school— Chattanooga’s leader in individualized education for children with special educational needs. He and his wife, Joanne, are the parents of three children.
The Changing of the Board
JENNIFER KLINE P’18, ’19 Board service: 2018–24
A parent of two GPS alumnae, Jennifer Kline shared her talents widely during her service on our board from 2018 to 2024. She served on the Development Committee (2018-24, chair 2019-21); the Impact Fund co-chair (2028-19, ex officio 2019-21); Donor Stewardship co-chair (2018-19); Executive Committee (2019-21); Major Gifts/Stewardship, ex officio (201920); Special Events, ex officio (2019-20); Board Admission Ambassadors (202021); Committee on Trustees/Governance Committee (2021-24, chair 2022-24); Advancement committee (2021-24); and Head of School Transition co-chair (202122). Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Jennifer graduated from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, an all-girls Catholic school in D.C., and then Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She has participated in the Impact Fund and been active in GPS Parent Council for the past eight years and is a past president. She served as chair of the live auction (Visions) and chaired the Spectrum Art Gala. Jennifer worked for Evian Water and Coca-Cola Enterprises before starting her own personalized paper and gift company, thread & ink, in 2001. She and her husband, Will (McCallie ’88), have three children.
The Changing of the Board
ANDREA SAUL NOSBUSCH ’00
Board service: 2021–24
GPS alumna Andrea Saul Nosbusch ’00 eagerly returned to her alma mater to serve on the Committee for Trustees/ Governance Committee (2022-24). She also came to campus this year to spend the day as a Women’s History Month panelist. Vice President of Public Affairs for Meta, Inc., Andrea’s tenure at Meta has also seen her serve as the Vice President of Communications for Instagram and Director of Policy Communications for Facebook. Before her time at Meta, she served as Vice President of Communications for both Instacart and LeanIn.Org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women achieve their ambitions. Prior to her career in the private sector, Andrea served in many political roles, including National Press Secretary for Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, Communications Director for Senator Orrin Hatch, and Director of Media Affairs for Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. Andrea graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University. While at GPS, she was a part of the GPS state-champion tennis team and won the state tournament in tennis for doubles.
STEPHEN THOMAS
Board service: 2021–24
The husband of a GPS alumna, Stephen Thomas graciously served on our board as Chair of the Endowment Committee (2021-24) and was on the Finance Committee (2023-24). Stephen is the Founder and Portfolio Manager of Webs Creek Capital, a Dallas-based energy-focused investment firm. Prior to founding Webs Creek, he was a Co-founder and Partner at Brenham Capital Management. Stephen began his career in New York, New York, at Pritchard Capital Partners, an energyfocused investment bank. He was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, and graduated from Auburn University with a BA in political science. Stephen serves as a Director of West Dallas Community School and Chairman of the Endowment Committee at GPS. He is also a Co-founder and Advisory Committee member of STREAM Foundation, a nonprofit targeting the increase of asset management roles and senior management positions for underrepresented groups. Stephen lives in Dallas with his wife, Ellis ’05, and their three children.
CLAY WATSON P ’22, ’22 Board service: 2016–24
A second-generation GPS trustee, Clay Watson P ’22, ’22, began his service on the board not long after his daughters started their GPS journey. He served on the Executive Committee, Endowment Committee, ex officio, and Risk: Aduit, Insurance & Compliance, ex officio, (201721); the Finance Committee (2016-21; chair 2017-19); Buildings and Grounds (2016-21, ex officio 2017-21); Board Admission Ambassadors (2020-21); Vice Chair (2019-21); Board Chair (2021-23) and ex officio (2023-24). Clay is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and serves as the President of Mountain View Auto Group Domestic Division. He is on the board of directors of the Better Business Bureau and the Austin Hatcher Foundation and is a member of the McCallie Athletic Council. Clay supports numerous local causes and charities, including PINK! and the American Heart Association, and has twin daughters who are GPS alumnae, Class of 2022.
Our Incoming Trustees
WELCOME TO THE BOARD
PORCHÉ WARREN ADAMS ’07, DO | A GPS alumna, Dr. Porché Warren Adams ’07 is an obstetrician and gynecologist in Chattanooga. She completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at University of Tennessee College of Medicine at Chattanooga/Erlanger in 2023. After residency, Porché joined Women’s Health Services, where she practices alongside her father-in-law, Dr. John S. Adams. She serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence Committee for District VII of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as the GPS Black Alumnae Council.
MOLLY BAGGETT JAMIESON ’90 | With a BA in advertising from Southern Methodist University and a master’s in marketing from Georgia State University, Molly Baggett Jamieson ’90 worked as a fundraising consultant and as Assistant Director of Development at a private school in Atlanta. She is the Upper School Boarding Representative on the Parent Council Executive Committee at McCallie. Active and involved at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Molly is co-chair of the Sustainers group for the National Charity League, Buckhead Chapter.
WILLIAM W KLINE P’18, ’19 | An alumnus from the McCallie School Class of 1988, Will Kline went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Denison University and has been with the North American Coca-Cola System for 32 years, where he serves as the Head of North American Alignment and System Governance. Will is a member of the MCR Foundation Board. He and his wife, Jennifer (BOT 2018–24), are the proud parents of two GPS alumnae from the Classes of 2018 and 2019.
KATE CALDWELL NEVIN ’ 95 | A GPS alumna, Kate Caldwell Nevin ’95 is President of TSWII Capital Advisors and Portfolio Manager for TSWII and TSWS, a founding member of Asteri Collective, and Anchor Partner in the Diverse Investing Collective. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed The Executive Program of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Kate was a 2014 Diversity Leadership Fellow at the Riley Institute of Furman University.
SCOTT C. PIERCE | Scott C. Pierce is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. He joined BlueCross in 2011 as president and CEO of BlueCare Tennessee. Raised in Knoxville, Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in public administration from the University of Tennessee and is a Leadership Tennessee graduate. He serves on the board of the Tennessee Aquarium, the University of Tennessee’s Master’s in Public Administration Advisory Board, and Walden’s Ridge Emergency Services. Scott is a current GPS parent, with a daughter in the Class of 2026.
JESSICA SCOTCHIE, MD P’24 | Co-founder and Practice Director of Tennessee Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Jessica Scotchie serves as Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Tennessee School of Medicine’s department of OB-GYN. The formative experiences during her educational career at Vanderbilt, University of Florida, and University of North Carolina led to a lifelong interest in serving academic institutions. She has been an active volunteer in Junior League and at St. Paul’s and served on the GPS Strategic Planning committee in 2022-23.
Scan the QR code or visit GPS.edu to read the complete bios of our new trustees.
Faculty Focus Katy Berotti
Chair of the Humanities Department, Upper School English Teacher
Why are you passionate about your role as a teacher?
Young people are a great source of hope. I think being human—figuring out your place in the world, how you feel about yourself, your values, your impact on others—is hard. It’s lifelong. Teaching teens—particularly in the humanities—means spending time with people who are just realizing their own potential. Not only do I feel a responsibility to create a supportive place for this, the growth I see helps me feel hopeful about life in our nation, on our planet.
How did you get involved with the Profile of a Graduate work?
Teaching teens— particularly in the humanities—means spending time with people who are just realizing their own potential. Not only do I feel a responsibility to create a supportive place for this, the growth I see helps me feel hopeful about life in our nation, on our planet.
What would your students say you're known for?
I am known broadly to be challenging. I often get the feedback that students enter a little nervous but find that they are both entertained (I think I’m funny, and I’ve convinced a few of them) and supported as they try to figure out what they want to say and how to say it.
What lessons do you get most excited about each year and why?
Some authors are more dear to me than others (Emily Dickinson, Toni Morrison) and some tend to provoke high-level discussions (James Baldwin, George Orwell), but have you ever heard the idea that “half the curriculum walks through the door”? I try to let the students bring their own views and experiences to our discussions and assessments, so my favorites tend to be whatever spurs the greatest depth of interest and generates the most growth. For my sophomores this year, I was delighted to discover that we liked talking about the meaning of monsters, so Beowulf was a hit.
I think my tenure here registered me as someone who had seen a lot of past graduates. My position as a manager gives me awareness of who our students are as they enter, and being on the junior team means that I see them at launch stage. Being paired with Lindsay Anderson, who came to us last year and was serving as STEM Chair, was great because she was motivated to do this work and had the other advantage: a more objective, outside perspective.
Other institutions often call this a Portrait of a Graduate. Why did your group land on Profile of a Graduate instead?
The subtext of “portrait” is too visual, too restrictive. Being a GPS graduate isn’t about looking a certain way to others. It’s about the way our students engage with the world.
What can people take away from our Profile of a Graduate?
Our profile is based on our mission, values, and vision. It captures a set of acquired skills that you might expect from a collegepreparatory school but also focuses on the deeper value of education: figuring out who you are and how you can be your best self.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Cooking and eating, reading, puzzles, hiking, yoga, laughing with friends and family, saying something nice when someone needs it, and of course, lying in a hammock, watching the trees move, listening to birds.
PROFILE of a GRADUATE
In alignment with our mission, values, and vision, a GPS graduate
Knows her worth
• Advocates for herself
• Balances self-regulation & risk-taking
• Understands her impact on others
• Acts in alignment with her values
Creates & innovates
• Explores the world with curiosity
• Generates ideas, artifacts & action
• Embraces challenges with confidence
• Expresses her vision creatively
Finds her way forward
• Identifies problems & stakeholders
• Analyzes components & sets goals
• Evaluates resources & solutions
• Assesses when to seek help or pivot
Communicates effectively
• Listens, observes & seeks understanding
• Considers multiple perspectives
• Develops her authentic voice
• Conveys her thoughts with clarity
Cares
for her community
• Cultivates respect for others
• Builds positive relationships
• Collaborates generously
• Celebrates tradition, change & the work of her peers
Faculty Focus
Read how our faculty and staff continue to excel in their respective fields, achieving remarkable milestones and earning prestigious recognitions that underscore their commitment to excellence and innovation.
1 Sarah Whitney Anderson ’12, Director of Summer Camps and Admission Counselor, graduated from the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Protégé Program.
2 Kelly Ballard, Director of Band & Orchestra and choir teacher, spoke at the Knoxville meeting for the Collegiate National Association for Music Education about her nontraditional path and how that has led her to find her way in each discipline. She was also recognized during the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, homecoming football game for earning the first female drum major title in the school’s history in 2005.
3 Sarah Clardy, science teacher and Learning Specialist, completed a year-long course through University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education to become a certified Instructional Coach.
4 Megan Cover, Head of School, successfully completed Klingenstein Heads of School Fellowship at Teachers College, Columbia University; presented at SAIS with Liza Garonzik on R.E.A.L. Discussion; was a faculty member at the Head's Network Women's seminar; was elected to the 1911 Group, the oldest NAIS organization for heads of school;
was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Heads Network; serves as secretary of the TAIS Board of Directors; and was elected to the Heads Collegiate Forum, a 112-year-old organization with 290 members including past/present heads of school.
5 Ralph Covino, PhD, history teacher, presented “Building Classroom Cultures of Confidence” with Head of Middle School Katie Outlaw at the annual conference of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools and “Hearing Each Voice: Transforming Classroom Discussion” with Liza Garonzik of R.E.A.L. Discussion at the Tennessee Association of Independent School's conference; hosted a Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching scholar from the UK based at Vanderbilt University, Harriet Piercy, on her tour of American high schools; was selected to be on the R.E.A.L. Discussion Faculty Advisory Council; was selected to be one of the three teachers on National Geographic Education's Games-Based Learning Advisory Council; and completed his two-year fellowship with the Global Action Research Collaborative of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools.
6 Heather Hammond, theater teacher, performed in The Nutcracker with Chattanooga Ballet and the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra at the Memorial Auditorium.
7 Pamela Hammonds, Senior Communications Specialist, had an essay published in the National Association of Independent Schools’ summer magazine about her non-traditional career path in education.
8 Jordan McCarter ’96, PhD, history teacher, earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
9 Jill Pala Pieritz ’97, STEM Department Coordinator and computer science and math teacher, was a Table Leader at the AP Computer Science A Reading this summer. She was also selected to serve on the College Board’s AP CS A Lab Development Committee, where she worked with 10 other high school and college computer science teachers to write lab projects that will be distributed internationally to all teachers teaching AP Computer Science A this fall.
10 Katie Outlaw, Head of Middle School, completed a Certificate in School Management and Leadership, a joint program of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School. This year-long program focuses on best practices in educational leadership, providing leaders with skills and knowledge to drive positive change.
11 Erin Montero Rangno, PhD, Spanish teacher, presented at the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese conference in Spain.
12 Gregg Still, IT Systems Administrator, graduated from the ATLIS (Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools) Leadership Institute, a year-long program with 32 other participating schools.
13 Emily Tousek ’01, Choral Director/music teacher and Director of Cadek Conservatory, adjudicated the Jewel Awards at the Tivoli and was a presenter for the awards ceremony.
14 Jay Watts, Director of Athletics, was elected to the TSSAA Board of Control and currently serves as the representative for the East Region Independent Schools. He is the first athletic director from GPS to be elected to this position.
15 Beth Creswell Wilson ’96, PhD, Head of Upper School, published an article “Social Media and Professional Growth: The Rhetoric of Educator Professional Development” in the peerreviewed Journal of Workplace Learning. She also completed her doctoral degree in discourse studies and pedagogy from Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Virginia).
16 Diane Yu, art teacher, was featured in the “Fiber Arts Showcase: A Celebration of The Textile Arts” show at ClearStory Arts.
Scan the QR code or visit GPS.edu/News to stay up-to-date on all our faculty and staff accomplishments.
The Class of 2024
Senior Send-Off
As the school year came to a close, we honored our seniors, thanked them for their leadership, and celebrated them at every turn. Equipped with the lessons they learned and tools they gained at GPS, they are ready to take on the world. We can’t wait to see what’s next!
May Day
This year’s May Day celebrated iconic women in music. With dances set to music from fan-faves such as Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Madonna, Dolly Parton, and more, our underclassmen performed in honor of the Class of 2024, following the traditional promenade of the seniors. Claire Scotchie represented her class as May Queen, and the remainder of the court included Sutton Salter, Maid of Honor; Caitlin Polk, Crown Bearer; Caroline Breazeale, Scepter Bearer; and Ella Harris and Hoda Alameddine, Train Bearers.
Cum Laude Society
Cum Laude Society membership is awarded to top-performing students of each graduating class who have demonstrated academic excellence, good character, and integrity in all aspects of their school life. This year’s inductees included Hoda Alameddine, Noor Ali, Caroline Barnes, Holly Beale, Caroline Breazeale, Virginia Breazeale, Zoe Byers, Abigail Carpenter, Ash Day, Lucie DeGaetano, Madeleine Frierson, Ella Harris, Arysa Kayasit, Lavender Kring, Isabel Ponce, Claire Scotchie, and Teagan Tobias.
College Decision Day
What’s a better way to show off your college decision than with your new favorite sweatshirt? The College Counseling Office hosted a lunchtime celebration (there was cake, of course!) where each girl wore swag from her new school.
Senior Dinner
Just as they start their senior year with a dinner together, the end of the year calls for a final dinner together as a class. They dressed up, handed out silly awards, looked back on their years together, and heard from their class dean, Mrs. Laurel Moore Zahrobsky ’90.
Senior Fun Day
From inflatables and one final lunch in the cafeteria to an end-of-day pool jump, Senior Fun Day is designed for girls to enjoy a day of togetherness before Commencement. A newer tradition, this day means repping your new college on one of your old GPS uniforms! Students go all out repurposing their dresses with college logos, colors, mascots, and more.
Baccalaureate
Held at Patten Chapel on UTC’s campus, Baccalaureate began last year for seniors and their families. The class votes on faculty speakers, this year selecting Mrs. Augusta Glendenning Webb ’98 to offer the invocation and Mr. Andy Arick to provide the faculty address. They also select classmates to speak on our core values and chose Caroline Breazeale to speak on honor, Abigail Carpenter to speak on respect, Emmaline Hill to speak on curiosity, Hoda Alameddine to speak on individuality, and Kaitlyn Melda to speak on relationships.
Commencement
Here’s to the Class of 2024! Families, friends, and special guests gathered on campus to watch their favorite Bruisers receive their diplomas—the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and effort. This year’s class co-valedictorians Lucie DeGaetano and Ella Harris delivered an address to their classmates, and Kaitlyn Melda shared her Chapel Talk, as voted on by the seniors.
Enrolling Colleges for the Class of 2024
American University
Appalachian State University
Auburn University
Austin Peay State University
Baylor University
Belmont University
Boston College
Boston University
Clemson University
College of Charleston
College of William and Mary
Connecticut College
Davidson College
East Tennessee State University
Elon University
Emory University
Furman University
George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Southern University
Kennesaw State University
Louisiana State University
Loyola Marymount University
Maryville College
Miami University - Oxford
Muhlenberg College
North Carolina State University
Ohio State University
Ohio University
Rhodes College
Savannah College of Art & Design
Sewanee: The University of the South
Southern Methodist University
St. Lawrence University
Syracuse University
Tennessee Tech University
Texas Christian University
Trevecca Nazarene University
Tulane University
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of Georgia
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Mississippi
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
University of South Carolina Beaumont
University of St Andrews (Scotland)
University of North Georgia
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Wake Forest University
SENIOR AWARDS
Class Day
The final gathering before Commencement, Class Day bestows honors and awards to students across all grades and is capped by the singing of the GPS “Alma Mater” and other favorites such as “Auld Lang Syne” and “Where Oh Wheres.”
Ethel B. Poston Valedictorian | Lucie DeGaetano and Ella Harris
Rickie Pierce Salutatorian | Abigail Carpenter
Mary Hannah Tucker Faculty Award | Claire Scotchie
Founders Award | Ella Harris
Pete Wood Award | Lucie DeGaetano
Jane Henegar Noble Christian Character Award | Sutton Salter
Betsy Chisolm Silberman Award | Caroline Breazeale
Laura Handly Award | Hoda Alameddine
Roberta Moore Award | Holly Beale
Barbara Johnson Prickett Award | Abigail Carpenter
Robinson Sportsmanship Cup | Gracie Pritchett
Sandra Martin Award | Emma Leinberger
Peggy Thomas Award | Holly Beale
The Award for Excellence in Choral Arts | Rin Nichols
The Award for Excellence in Dramatic Arts | Abigail Carpenter
The Award for Excellence in Instrumental Music | Arysa Kayasit
The Award for Excellence in Technical Theater | Ella Harris
The Award for Excellence in Visual Art | Juanitta Garcia
Terpsichord Award | Jenna Naik
Mildred Peters Award for English | Hoda Alameddine
Eula Lea Jarnagin Love of Language Awards
Arysa Kayasit, French; Ash Day, Spanish
The Award for Excellence in Computer Science & Engineering
Teagan Tobias
The Award for Excellence in History | Caroline Barnes
The Award for Excellence in Mathematics | Abigail Carpenter
The Award for Excellence in Science | Lucie DeGaetano
ELEVENTH GRADE
Grace McCallie Scholar
Charlotte Parsley
Battle Award | Eliana Tabibiazar
Palmer Griffin Award
Gwyneth Parks
FINE & PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS
Fletcher Bright Fellowship
Tori Ball
TENTH GRADE
Duffy-Janagin Scholar
Lola Lawless
Sophomore Bowl
Adreanna Calloway
Dorris Chapin Wells Award
Paulina Proshkin
NINTH GRADE
Freshman Cup | Amiya Phade
Marilyn Sherman Center Award
Emma Virginia Birnhaum
Dora Maclellan Brown
Christian Leadership Award
Hadley Bolton
EIGHTH GRADE
Janet Lea Jackson Award
Elle Boals
Joan Haley Frierson Award
Daisy Hammond
SEVENTH GRADE
Schmidt-Thedford Award
Kate Kopet
SIXTH GRADE
Margaret Wheland Cate Award
Nora Gaither
ATHLETIC AWARDS
Elizabeth Collier Farmer Award
Alex Brumley
Laura Holt Outstanding
Athlete Award | Gilly Shumate
Mary Alice Hood
Chambers Award | Helen Kates
The Black & Blue Review
“Emerging” Sculpture
A look at second semester’s honors, learning opportunities, events, and more!
National Merit Scholar
Lucie DeGaetano ’24 was selected as a 2024 National Merit Scholar. With this prestigious honor, she receives a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship for college. Earlier this year, Lucie and her classmates Abigail Carpenter and Ella Harris were named Finalists in the scholarship competition, which began during the 2022-23 school year. The initial qualification is based on the scores earned from the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which is taken junior year. Fewer than 1% of participating students are named finalists. Classmates Caroline Barnes, Ash Day, and Arysa Kayasit were Commended.
Women’s History Month Panel
In honor of Women’s History Month, six GPS alumnae returned to campus for a day of celebration. To kick things off, current GPS students gathered in the Frierson Theatre for a panel discussion to hear about each graduate’s time at GPS as well as what they are doing now. From there, they broke out into groups for lunch, with students able to join an alumna for a more informal and intimate discussion. After lunch, alumnae visited classes for continued conversation.
Solar Panels Installed on
Upper School
The recent solar array installation on our upper school building means more to our school than just long-term energy savings. Having a clean source of efficient power on campus aligns with GPS’s commitment to sustainability while offering myriad learning opportunities for students. Thanks to a generous individual donation and a Southface Institute GoodUse grant, which covered 70 percent of costs, plus support from the federal Inflation Reduction Act direct pay program, which covered the remaining 30 percent, the purchase and installation of the panels and inverters presented zero expense to GPS.
ALUMNAE
From left: Melody Shekari ’06, JD, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Chattanooga; Porché Warren Adams ’07, DO, OB-GYN; Hon. Ashley Moore Palmer ’99, State Court Judge, Cobb County, Georgia; Colonel Dion Roland Flynn ’91, Commander of the 94th Mission Support Group on Robins Air Force Base; Andrea Saul Nosbusch ’00, Vice President of Public Affairs for Meta, Inc.; Lily Ryan ’07, Environmental Integration Project Manager at The Walt Disney Company; and Megan Cover, Head of School.
CAMPUS
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Got Talent
Hansini Puttagunta ’30, Nayana Vardhana ’30, and Serena Shridharani ’30 took home the prize for the top middle school act in the annual Got Talent showcase for their dance performance to the song “Nagada Sang Dhol.”
COMMUNITY
Learning About Leadership
Head of School Megan Cover visited students at St. Nicholas's Leadership Academy to speak about her career journey. She shared with them the qualities she sees in good leaders and challenged them to identify their own leadership traits. The students were such engaged listeners and so thoughtful in their questions and responses. The future is in good hands!
LEGACY
Emerging
A beautiful, brisk morning in April provided the perfect backdrop to unveil the newest sculpture on the GPS campus: Emerging. Generously given in memory of Betty Brown Bridge by Elizabeth Bridge Bailey ’58, Margaret Ann Bridge Fagan ’60, Charlotte Bridge Patrick ’62 and Tom Patrick, the piece was sculpted by Idahobased Chris Grubb as a nod to Betty’s career as the GPS librarian from 1953 to 1975.
Charlotte Caldwell ’28, granddaughter to Charlotte Patrick and daughter to Margaret Patrick Caldwell ’92, served as the model for the piece. But while the sculpture resembles Charlotte, it is meant to more widely represent all GPS girls.
The sculpture went through a series of possible titles before they landed on Emerging. Chris explained, “Because the spirit of the sculpture is intended to embody a soul in transition, essentially from innocent young girl to secure and confident woman, Emerging was perfect. The original idea was to try to capture that moment in time where the students are now and where they’ll go. They are emerging from one stage to the next.”
CONNECTION
An Australian Experience
Anna Grau ’26, Lucy Faler ’26, and Caroline Carpenter ’26 ventured to St. Margaret’s Anglican School in Brisbane, Australia, for an 8-week exchange program. While there, they lived with the same students they hosted here earlier in the year. They took a full schedule of classes, participated in activities, did some regional travel, and truly lived the life of a St. Margaret’s girl. In addition to the student exchange program, the two schools have established a shorter teacher exchange program. Jordan McCarter ’96, PhD, headed to Australia at the same time as the GPS sophomores and served as a travel companion; in April, we hosted Helen Lobegeiger, Head of Health and Physical Education at St. Margaret’s. The teacher exchange program, which runs approximately two weeks, aims to foster communication, goodwill, and the exchange of ideas between our sister school and GPS as well as promote networking between students, teachers, and schools.
NEW BRUISERS
Sharing the Love
Our sixth-grade parents stopped by Founders House to help put together acceptance boxes for our new Bruisers. We love how much our community cares about each other!
UPPER SCHOOL
Community Recognition
Aaidyn Lawrence ’27 was named a finalist for the 2023 David Fussell Outstanding Leadership Award. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga held their annual Chattanooga Great Futures Awards Luncheon at The Westin. Sponsored by UNUM, this annual event recognizes area Boys & Girls Clubs students who are making a difference in their communities.
COMMUNITY
A Legendary Opportunity
Fifty of our middle- and upper-school students were fortunate to meet and learn from Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, during a special Q&A session. The women answered questions about what they look for in future leaders as well as what women and girls can draw from the legacies of their fathers. The two women had three main takeaways for our students: always seek the truth, never take no for an answer, and always be your authentic self. And, in the words of Beyoncé, they asked the girls, “Who run the world?” at the end of the session. In unison, everyone responded, “GIRLS!”
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Spelling Extraordinaire
After earning first place in the GPS spelling bee, sixth-grader Abby Eaton qualified for the state spelling bee in Nashville at Nissan Stadium, ultimately claiming third place there.
PARENTS
Virtual Parent Speaker Series
For the month of April, GPS partnered with both R.E.A.L. Discussion and Dr. Lisa Damour for weekly parent speaker sessions. The purpose of the series was to help parents gain information that would provide insight into their teen and help them navigate their challenges with grace and guidance. The virtual series featured lunch-and-learns and evening workshops that dove into everything from common challenges adolescent girls face when conversing live and in-person to the neuroscience behind an adolescent daughter’s communication habits and gender differences (and similarities) in the expression of adolescent emotions. Each session offered tips and takeaways for parents.
FACULTY & STAFF
On to the Next Chapter
Recognizing those faculty and staff members who served GPS for more than 20 years, retired, or served on the administrative team.
After a 36-year teaching career, Kim Myers retired at the conclusion of the year. During her nine years spent as a math teacher at GPS, Kim has taught girls in grades sixth through twelfth in various courses including pre-algebra, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, applied statistics, and sixth-grade math. She has especially enjoyed the all-girls environment, where students are inspired and confident enough to ask questions and take risks in their math explorations. Whether it has been watching girls fearlessly fly off diving boards in her role as an assistant diving coach or as an audience member as girls run the show in Chapel, she’ll greatly miss GPS and our unique all-girls environment. Kim is ready to spend all of her days at the pottery studio and be creative. She also hopes to keep her toes in the math world as a tutor. Best wishes for a fulfilling retirement, Kim!
Callie Hamilton, 25-year GPS history teacher, also departed this year. Callie has brought history to life for hundreds of upper school students since 1999. Beyond teaching, she has served on the Cum Laude committee
for the past seven years, the last three as President. She developed and managed a partnership with colleagues at Howard School and Brainerd High School to help students enrolled in Social Justice courses (at GPS and the other two schools) broaden their perspectives and ensure dialogue around common topics between students despite their different school environments. She also mentored new teachers, piloted and implemented R.E.A.L. discussion protocols in her classes, served on various faculty committees, planned numerous memorable Winterim experiences, and wrote hundreds of amazing college recommendation letters.
At the close of the year we also bid farewell to Lisa Shanahan ’83, P’14, Director of Development and member of the senior leadership team, who steps away to spend time with family. Lisa, an alumna with a true Bruiser spirit, served GPS as a volunteer and trustee before joining the team in an official capacity in 2018. She has been incredibly instrumental in our annual fundraising efforts and will be missed!
See page 37 for Jay Watts, Director of Athletics.
Lisa Shanahan ’83
Callie Hamilton
Kim Myers
HISTORY
National History Day Competition
UPPER SCHOOL
Essay Champion
The girls of the GPS had an impressive showing at the regional National History Day competition held at Lee University. This year’s NHD theme was “Turning Points in History.” In the senior category, Greta Olson ’27 took first place in Senior Individual Documentary for her project on the Chernobyl disaster; Mary Alden Miller ’27 and Tessa Rafiee ’27 took second in the Senior Group Documentary category for their work on the development of anesthesia; Finley Snow ’27 came second for her Senior Individual Exhibit on the environmental cleanup of Chattanooga; Lily Haney ’27, Josie Julienne ’27, and Jolie Wilson ’27 earned second place for their Senior Group Website on Lois Weber, a pioneering filmmaker and social commentator; and Addie Baird ’27, Manning Boehm ’27, Hallie Hampton ’27, and Addy Miles ’27 earned third place in the Senior Group Performance. In the junior category, Abigail Eaton ’30 and Claire Smith ’30 earned first place in the Junior Group Website competition for their collaborative project on Enheduanna, a pioneering woman author from ancient Mesopotamia—the first author ever whose name is known to us!
CONNECTION
Ellie Lee ’27 entered the 2023 Civic Essay Contest, open to all Tennessee students in public, charter, private school, or home-school associations in grades pre-K to 12, and received the second-place prize in the high school category, which came with a $250 TNStars 529 College Savings Program Scholarship. She was also awarded first place in the Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International’s annual essay contest with her essay, “The Future of AI: Into the Unknown."
UPPER SCHOOL
Model United Nations
Cat Feeney ’25 was selected as a staff member/committee chair to ALTMUN, our Chattanooga-based Model UN conference held annually in November. In her position as a committee chair for the United Nations Environmental Programme, Cat will take the lead on developing all materials for her committee and will collaborate regularly with other high school students from East Tennessee to plan for the 2024 conference.
Documentary Screening
During Women’s History Month, the GPS junior class had the opportunity to be the first high school students to screen How to Sue the Klan. The 35-minute documentary was directed and produced by John Beder, co-founder and owner of Chattanoogabased film and production company Bedrock Productions, and co-produced by Tiffany Herron, Jazmine King LeBlanc, and Nicole Brown. It details the story of five Black women from Chattanooga who took on the Ku Klux Klan in a historic 1982 civil case, drawing from the basis of the
Reconstruction-era Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871. The case was fought to hold Klansmen accountable for their crimes and bring justice to the Black community. The legal victory set a precedent that continues to inspire the ongoing fight against organized hate. GPS juniors were a natural audience, considering they had just finished up units on the Civil War and Reconstruction in their history classes and were familiar with the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871. Following the screening, they were able to engage in a Q&A with the film’s creators.
Spring Photo Review
1 Juniors solved the mystery of Clue to receive their class rings. 2 Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week celebrated all.
3 We may not have been in the path of totality, but the eclipse was still ~totally~ awesome. 4 Our Holi celebration on Smith Courtyard was a colorful blast! 5 Who doesn't love an afternoon pick-me-up, courtesy of Mrs. Cover?! 6 We welcomed incoming families at our New Bruiser Celebration! 7 This is sisterhood. 8 Our eighth-graders visited ninth-grade classes to see what to look forward to next year. 9 Clubs sponsored booths during the May Day festival. 10 The Class of 2024 received special surprises on the 24th of each month from their class dean.
Nurturing Relationships and Connections Here, Across the Nation, and Abroad
Engaging in the Community
BY LUCY MORRIS BLANCETT ’09
When the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan Empowering Girls for a Changing World: Investing in the Future of GPS was approved, we committed to celebrating community and connection by deepening reciprocal partnerships within our community and abroad. To succeed in this goal, we took steps to engage meaningfully in the Chattanooga community through relationship building and service, offer authentic experiences with real-world connections, and build students’ awareness and understanding of the wider world and their places in it. Our entire community has embraced the challenge, from our very own classrooms to countries across the world.
and Service Relationship Building
1 During a local Winterim opportunity organized by Ms. Kate Dix, English teacher, students had a chance to learn from the experts who work behind the scenes at the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga to provide medical care, training, daily enrichment, and rehabilitation to rescued animals. They played with the animals and were even challenged with developing social media campaigns to help with adoption efforts. As the week progressed, they also learned more from those who manage fundraising, foster programs, adoption events, and other public-facing aspects of running the organization.
2 Members of Tucker River Fellows joined the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute to release lake sturgeon into the Tennessee River. Earlier this year, the Fellows were introduced to the sturgeon in the propagation room at the TNACI campus when they learned firsthand what it was like to be a TNACI biologist for a day. Photos by Doug Strickland, Tennessee Aquarium
3 Mrs. Augusta Glendenning Webb ’98, who teaches ceramics at GPS, was inspired by an idea she saw on Instagram. The idea, which featured a cross-grade-level art collaboration at another school, seemed like a perfect way to get her students engaged with others in our community. Since Augusta has a young daughter at Brainerd Baptist and also used to teach art there, working with BBS Art Teacher Christine van der Meer was a natural connection. Christine had her kindergarteners draw illustrations, which the GPS ceramics students then interpreted into three-dimensional pieces.
4 In her Global Cultures class, Tiffany Simms ’03 charged her sixth-graders with exploring the question, "What does it mean to be a GPS girl?" To aid in their research, students interviewed local alumnae about their experiences. Through these conversations the girls discovered the evolution of our norms, traditions, and
values. We're incredibly lucky to have teachers, students, and alumnae who value the history and legacy of our school.
5 GPS Partnerships in the Community organized a successful participation effort in the Chattanooga Area Food Bank's annual Turkey Train. Through the hard work of the PIC students and the generosity of the GPS community, $257 and 800 lbs. of turkey were donated, which provided nearly 1,500 Thanksgiving meals to area families.
6 With a focus on learner-centeredness, teachers were encouraged to explore exam options that weren't necessarily tests. Mrs. Lindsey King, eighth-grade English teacher, took the challenge! After reading Animal Farm, her students were tasked with writing and illustrating their own allegories. They then traveled to The Bright School to read their stories to the third-grade class. In return, the Bright students wrote thankyou notes that detailed their favorite parts of the stories and even read some of their own poetry.
Throughout the month of June, GPS played host to students from 10 different area schools for an all-girls academic program designed to combat that alltoo-common summer slide. Called Lighthouse Scholars, the academic camp was the first of its kind for girls in Chattanooga and was a collaboration between GPS and The Lighthouse Collective, a mentoring and life-skills program in the community for boys. Participating students had the opportunity to experience new things, meet girls in their community, and continue their learning from the previous school year.
AuthenticExperiences
with Real-World Connections
7 From the golden age of travel to living in the big city today, upper school students explored the past, present, and future of public transit during a Winterim called “The Journey Is the Destination: Transit Past and Present,” planned by Ms. Laura Foster, history teacher, and Mr. Anders Swanson, Associate Director of College Counseling. After riding a historic Tennessee Valley Railroad train, they met with city officials to gain insight into our local urban planning process; understand how transportation drives where people live, work, and play; and glean expert knowledge on the current state and future vision of our city. Next, they took a journey to Atlanta to experience the function of transit in a big Southern city.
8 The sophomore class heard from Mrs. Holly Bell-Proshkin P’24,’26 during advisory as part of a series about learning important skills for adulthood. Mrs. Proshkin, a financial advisor, spoke to the girls about budgeting, finances, and what they can be doing now to set themselves up for financial success in the future.
9 For their semester "exam," students in seventh-grade science were tasked with creating an astronomy exhibit, lesson, or interactive activity for our local Chattanooga Observatory. Alongside Mrs. Katye Adams Couch '92 and Ms. Ginger Sillery, girls traveled to The University of Tennes-
see at Chattanooga to present to the Jones Observatory Advisory Board. Topics ranged from black holes to light pollution to cryovolcanoes, and the girls received feedback following their presentations. This hands-on experience not only enriched their understanding of astronomy but also empowered our future scientists to reach for the stars in their academic journeys.
10 As part of our celebration of the arts this Black History Month, our middle and upper school theater classes ventured to the Chattanooga Theatre Centre for a tour and an inside look at their production of August Wilson's Seven Guitars. The show, set in the 1940s, centers on the main character, Floyd, as he attempts to reclaim a music career after being incarcerated. The students enjoyed a virtual Q&A with the show's director, Alicia Haymer, and heard from Executive Director Rodney Van Valkenburg, Technical Director Adam Miecielica, and Costume Shop Manager Cris King, who explained the inner workings of set-building, costuming, and more.
and Her Place in It The Wider World
11 Engineering and other science topics are part of our everyday lives because engineering touches all areas, even ones you may not be aware of.
On the “Everyday Engineering: The Science of How We Live” Winterim, planned by Mrs. Tracie Marlin Durham ’80, science teacher, and Mrs. Renee Romero, learning specialist, students traveled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to learn about the city’s role during the development of the atomic bomb, and they investigated disease and epidemiology at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. A visit from UTC’s Computer Science & Engineering Department taught them about GMOs and our food. Students also met with alumnae in the field. Haley Smith '13, an engineer at Y-12, and Anne Campeau Burley '05, Director of New Product Development at Invista, shared about their roles and what it’s like to work in their industries.
12 In an elective, half-credit, summer course, students experienced French language immersion during two-and-ahalf weeks of on-campus instruction and
10 days in Martinique. An official overseas department of France with close proximity to the U.S., Martinique is an ideal location for American students of French to experience francophone culture. While there, students engaged in interdisciplinary studies, combining language, history, science, and more as they toured the city of Fort-de-France, swam with sea turtles, cooked Creole food, and learned about the island’s history.
13 The disconnect between the people and processes that make our "stuff" and us results in unsustainable amounts of trash in landfills and consumerism in our lives. In an attempt to restore some balance in our consumption, students in the “Story of Stuff” Winterim, planned by science teachers Ms. Reed Solly and Dr. Lindsay Anderson, learned about these people and processes through collaboration with community partners, such as a sustainable clothing boutique, an art museum, the downtown library, and a center for hard-to-recycle materials. They also tried their hands at making new things using existing materials such as clothing, items for everyday use, art, and paper.
14 Dr. Brandon Noel planned a Winterim opportunity for Spanish-speaking students with a trip to Costa Rica to immerse themselves in the country's rich culture through interdisciplinary learning. While there, they were able to practice their Spanish language skills while learning about sustainable community projects related to food, health, and conservation. They hiked the Turrialba Volcano, visited with locals who specialize in the production of coffee using practices adapted to their location, and participated in a social project focusing on shelter and care of indigenous people of the region.
Athletics
For his efforts in leading the GPS program, Roger Dahlke was named TISCA Girls Coach of the Year. Roger, who has been coaching in the Chattanooga area for more than 35 years, began working with the GPS-McCallie Scenic City Aquatic Club in 1995 and has been the GPS Varsity Head Swimming Coach since 2018. This is Roger’s second TISCA Girls Coach of the Year title, earning the recognition for the 2022 season, as well, when the Bruisers finished in second place for the first of two consecutive years.
While likely any team hopes the culmination of an arduous season ends in a state championship, that wasn’t the main focus for this year’s swimming and diving team. But when a team puts in the physical and mental work, serious success follows—like capturing the first TISCA State Swimming and Diving Championship for GPS in almost 50 years.
Head Varsity Swimming Coach Roger Dahlke explains the team spent the season redefining success. “Winning state, beating another team, or beating another swimmer are all things out of our control,” he says. “The focus was on concentrating on the controllable—attitude, preparation, effort. Developing healthier self-talk and perspective were tools we worked to strengthen this season.”
The team learned from GPS swimming alumna McCay Mathis ’14, an athletics counselor at UTC focused on mental health protocols for studentathletes. McCay, who received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Furman University before earning her Master of Social Work degree from South Carolina, spoke to the team about self-talk. The girls also watched a video from Hannah Huesman, a mental performance coach, to work toward their goal.
By the time the state meet rolled around, winning wasn’t the only goal, though GPS was in a position to do well. “With the shift in how a successful season would be defined, winning the state meet was not on my radar or a concern,” Roger says. “The energy was spent working to help the girls focus on what they could control and race to the best of their ability.”
Swimming & Diving Team Wins State!
THE BRUISERS FINISH ON TOP FOR EIGHTH TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY, FIRST SINCE 1976
But the mental reps the girls put in paid off, and the team kept performing and stayed in a position to win. It was a nailbiter, though, coming down to the very last relay. “That was a surreal way to end the meet,” Roger says. “GPS had to finish one place better than Ravenwood in order to win, and both teams swam amazingly.” GPS finished fourth in the relay—one spot ahead of Ravenwood, cementing GPS as the overall state champions. “The GPS celebration for getting fourth in the relay was more incredible than whichever team won the relay,” Roger says.
The state meet is a swimming and diving combined meet, with diving serving as one of 12 events that make up the meet schedule. GPS English teacher Lindsey King is the head diving coach, and her athletes made a huge impression on Roger. “The girls dove with heart and determination, scoring 23 points in a meet that GPS won by one point,” he says. “Every point mattered.” The true definition of a team effort.
Looking back on the victory, Roger admits winning the first state title in almost 50 years was an incredible accomplishment but says, “The girls were successful because they raced with more confidence, better perspective, and a healthier attitude. Winning the state meet was not the success, but one of the outcomes to a great season.”
Basketball
Head Coach: Janna Eichelberger
Season Highlight: Competed in the Dr Pepper Classic at McCallie in February, one of the premier high school events in the country
Accomplishments: GPS battled in the toughest region in the state with a starting lineup that often had multiple ninth- and eighthgraders in its first five on the floor.
Swimming
Head Coach: Roger Dahlke
Season Highlights: won first state swimming and diving title since 1976
Seniors: Holly Beale and Scout Chapin
Accomplishments: Six students were named to the TISCA All-State Team for their outstanding performances at the state meet. Frances Bohner, Adelaide Bond, Scout Chapin, Molly Ransom, Millie Sharplin, and Eliana Tabibiazar were all recognized for swimming events. Roger Dahlke was named TISCA Girls Coach of the Year.
Cheerleading
Head Coach: Lillie Noles Wolf ’13
Season Highlights: Cheered GPS and McCallie basketball teams to victories throughout the season
Seniors: Harper Grant, Lakyn Vaughn, and Courtney Willingham
Bowling
Head Coach: Jenny Bullard
Diving
Head Coach: Lindsey King
Season Highlights: won first state swimming and diving title since 1976
Accomplishments: Alex Brumley was named to the All-State team for her third-place finish in diving at the state meet, the highest placement for a GPS diver since 2018.
Season Highlights: 17th consecutive year that GPS has qualified for the team state tournament; knocked out in semifinals by eventual state champion Friendship Christian Seniors: Kensley Boyd, Olivia Dodd, Kate Farris, Harper Kelch, and Scarlett Kelch
Accomplishments: Three GPS bowlers reached the state tournament as individuals— Elsie Elliott, Kensley Boyd, and Kate Ferris. Elliott was the top individual finisher for the Bruisers as she landed in 12th place in the final standings.
Squash
Head Coach: Daniel Sharplin
Season Highlights: competed locally against Westminster from Atlanta and also traveled to St. Louis to face top teams from Missouri and Kentucky
Seniors: Grace Cannon and Autumn Woodard
Accomplishments: The team played a very close match against Louisville Collegiate with some incredible game play.
Climbing
Head Coach: Andy Arick
Season Highlights: Interscholastic Climbing League Champions
Seniors: Emerson Couch, Katie Hubbard, and Arysa Kayasit
Accomplishments: The Bruisers won their division in the regular season, setting up a meeting with the STEM School of Chattanooga in the league finals, where the Bruisers defeated the Pythons 362-347.
Lacrosse
Head Coach: Kayleigh Tidwell
Season Highlights: state quarterfinal finish
Seniors: Tess Azzouz, Sofia Bean, Kaitlyn Melda, Caitlin Polk, Gracie Pritchett, Claire
Scotchie, Carly Watson, and Linley Zahrobsky
Accomplishments: Lacrosse landed six on their All-Region team, including five seniors.
Rowing
Head Coach: Laura Foster
Season Highlights: won the sculling competition at TN/GA State Championship Regatta; Varsity 4x placed fourth in the nation at SRAA Championship Regatta in New Jersey
Seniors: Caroline Barnes, Arysa Kayasit, Sadie Pacenti, Brenna Plemons, Isabel Ponce, and Kaela Rowlett
Accomplishments: At the TN/GA State Championship regatta, the Varsity 4x won by over 40 seconds over secondplace Harpeth Hall; the Varsity B 4x won by almost 15 seconds over second place Harpeth Hall; and the Varsity 2x won by over 20 seconds over second place Baylor. At the Dogwoods Juniors regatta, the Bruisers' time of 8:10.943 was the fastest from any scholastic boat in the event.
Tennis
Head Coach: Sue Bartlett
Season Highlights: team state quarterfinal finish; doubles state second place finish
Seniors: Zella Stockman and Autumn Woodard
Accomplishments: Maud Fiorello and Addie Tabibiazar were the TSSAA State Doubles Championship runners up. For their outstanding play throughout the season, both were recognized as part of the Chattanooga Times Free Press “Best of Preps” event in June.
Softball
Head Coach: London Cornelius
Season Highlights: state quarterfinal finish
Seniors: Emma Bales, Emma LaRosa, and Emma Leinberger
Accomplishments: Softball ended the year with four girls on the AllRegion squad, three of whom were eighth-graders, giving the Bruisers reasons for optimism heading into next year.
Track & Field
Head Coach: Beverly Blackwell
Season Highlights: finished eighth out of 17 at Division II AA state meet
Seniors: Holly Beale, Lucie DeGaetano, Emma Johnson, Scarlett Kelch, Lavender Kring, Ella Peterson and Sutton Read
Accomplishments: Mariah Ivery earned bronze in both the 200m and 400m dash. Gilly Shumate finished third in the 3200m and set a new school record time of 10:58.38. GPS also finished second in the 4x400m and 4x800m relays.
College Signees
Trevecca Nazarene University
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Sewanee: The University of the South
Georgia Southern University
COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION
National Girls and Women in Sports Day Breakfast
Girls Preparatory School celebrated the 38th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) by hosting a breakfast for all studentathletes on Wednesday, February 7. Established by the Women's Sports Foundation, NGWSD honors the achievements of girls and women in sports and continues to propel girls forward by acknowledging the power of sports to unlock their limitless potential. The breakfast event, organized by GPS Director of Athletics Jay Watts, was designed to recognize the hard work and dedication that is given by the girls in the 16 varsity and 12 middle school sports offered by the school. GPS student-athletes were encouraged to invite an adult in their lives who has impacted their sports career, and Susan Crownover, a retired coach and decorated member of the GPS Athletic Hall of Fame, was the featured speaker.
Brooklynn Smith
Volleyball
Caroline Barnes Rowing
Sofia Bean
Lacrosse
Scout Chapin
Swimming
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Nine GPS Athletic Teams Earn TSSAA Distinguished Scholastic Achievement Awards
The TSSAA recognized GPS basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball teams with its Distinguished Scholastic Achievement Award for outstanding academic achievement this year. All nine teams excelled in the classroom by meeting the highest standard set by the state high school association, an average team GPA of 3.25 or higher.
While GPS has received similar recognition from the TSSAA in previous years, this fall may have been the Bruisers’ strongest to date. Two teams—cross country and golf—finished with an average GPA above 3.9. Both teams fielded a roster of athletes in which over two-thirds finished the fall semester with a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
In addition to its team awards, the TSSAA also recognized individual achievement for athletes who completed the semester with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. In the fall of 2023, 66 GPS student-athletes reached this mark, including 29 from the soccer team and 19 from cross country. This number represented a 43% increase from the total number of GPS athletes who received this recognition last fall. There were also six identified from golf and 12 from volleyball. Of those 66 total athletes who received individual recognition, 33 had a GPA of at least 4.0.
SCHOOL SPIRIT
Spring Tailgate Celebrates Sports Teams
Our spring sports tailgate was the perfect opportunity to show school spirit! Fans were invited to wear their Bruiser blue best and cheer on our lacrosse and softball teams while enjoying tasty fare from food trucks.
Ellie Taliaferro '22 Breaks Swimming Records at Vanderbilt
Ellie Taliaferro ’22 finished her sophomore season with school records in the 100 and 200 free as well as the 200 IM at the SEC Championships while recording times that met the CSCAA NIC B Standard in each event. She finished 26th overall in the 200 free at the league meet, also placing among the top 40 in the 100 free and 200 IM, after posting third-place results in the A Final of the 200 free and 200 IM at the Gamecock Invitational. A law, history & society major, Ellie was selected to the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll as a freshman and earned Academic All-District this year.
CAMPUS RENOVATIONS
Construction Continues on New Track and Field
Thanks to a family’s generous gift to the school, our student-athletes will have the best resources for optimal play when they return to practices this fall. We are replacing our track and field with a new eight-lane track and natural grass soccer/lacrosse field. The track is being installed by Beynon, one of the leading track providers in North America.
ALUMNA
ALUMNA
Elizabeth Warwick ’20 Earns MVP Honors
Elizabeth Warwick helped propel the Southern Illinois softball team to its second consecutive Missouri Valley Conference tournament title and the third in four years. With walk-off homeruns in two come-frombehind wins, Elizabeth was named tournament MVP.
ALUMNA
Softball Success in College
Maddie Grace Hubbard '22 was named second team all-conference at Huntingdon College. The sophomore third baseman batted .446, topping on the team, after playing in all 36 of the Hawks' games this spring. At the conclusion of the season, Huntingdon was ranked #9 in the country in Division III by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
FOND FAREWELL
Jay Watts Exits Director of Athletics Role
Upon his arrival in 2017, Jay Watts coached GPS varsity basketball and lacrosse and became the winningest high school girls lacrosse coach in the Southeast, with over 380 career wins, taking the Bruisers to the state tournament every year it was held and setting records for most wins and most goals scored during a season. During his tenure as Director of Athletics, participation in athletics grew in both Middle and Upper Schools, and the number of GPS seniors who go on to play their sport in college has maintained an impressive average over the past five years.
In addition to overseeing a team of trainers and coaches, Jay coached varsity basketball and lacrosse for the Bruisers and added Women’s National Lacrosse Coach to his résumé in 2017 when he became head coach for Poland’s Women’s National Lacrosse Team. He also represented US Lacrosse, the national governing body of men and women’s lacrosse in the United States, in Prague before the FIL Women’s Lacrosse World Cup in 2009.
He also led the Bruisers to success in areas not measured by a scoreboard. In 2019, GPS was presented the AF Bridges Award for the TSSAA East Region, an award given annually in recognition of the high ideals of ethics and integrity in the teaching, promotion of citizenship and sportsmanship, and exemplary high standards of behavior from coaches, athletes, and fans. In that same year, he started Bruiser Boosters, now known as the Bruiser Club, a booster club that has raised almost $50,000 for GPS Athletics to date with a membership list that includes parents, alumnae, grandparents, and local business partners.
We will miss Jay’s easy demeanor and sense of humor, his dedication to girls’ athletics, and yes, those crazy pants he wears on big game days. Since he will remain in the Chattanooga area along with his faamily, we hope to see him at sporting events often and wish him all the best in his future pursuits.
Getting to Know Allie Tennyson
Incoming Director of Athletics and Strategic Partnerships shares why she’s excited to join the GPS community.
As a product of an all-girls high school, I am very eager to be part of the tradition of success and excellence that is synonymous with girls’ schools. The first time I visited GPS, I felt like I belonged.
This July, Allie Tennyson joined the GPS Athletic Department as the new Director of Athletics and Strategic Partnerships. Allie hails from Dallas, Texas, where she served as the Director of Athletics at Bishop Lynch High School, the largest coeducational private high school in the state. She holds a Master of Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Arts in advertising and public relations from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), where she also competed on their nationally ranked women’s soccer team. Allie is also an alumna of Ursuline Academy of Dallas, an independent allgirls school. Prior to her time with Bishop Lynch, she coached the UAD Bears to two consecutive TAPPS Division I state soccer championships.
What made you want to come to GPS?
So many things! The all-girls component was certainly at the forefront of my desire to join the GPS community. As a product of an all-girls high school, I am very eager to be part of the tradition of success and excellence that is synonymous with girls’ schools. The first time I visited GPS, I felt like I belonged.
What was your experience playing high school and college athletics?
Playing both high school and collegiate sports was a transformational experience for me. While I had a lot of success as an athlete,
what was most important to me, and what I will remember forever, are my coaches and the lifelong impact their relationships have had on me. That is what ultimately inspired me to begin a career in coaching and athletics.
What do you believe are some of the positives of playing high school athletics?
Being a part of a team that shares a common spirit; the lifelong impact coaches can have on student-athletes; the built-in reallife experiences of adversity, discipline, competition, defeat, and victory!
What are some of your goals for the GPS athletic department?
Beyond anything else, my goal is to build on the amazing work and success the current coaches of GPS have achieved. I hope to walk alongside each of them and work to provide them the resources needed to elevate their programs—and GPS athletics as a whole.
What is something you think the GPS community would be interested to know about you?
I love meeting new people and making connections—that energizes me!
What excites you most about moving to Chattanooga?
Getting to experience all four seasons, being in close proximity to mountains and water, and becoming a part of the GPS family.
Along with Allie, we are thrilled to welcome the newest team members to GPS Athletics.
Laura McIntyre
Associate Athletic Director for Operations & Head Varsity Lacrosse Coach
After a nationwide search, Laura “Mac” McIntyre joins GPS as our new Associate Athletic Director for Operations and Head Varsity Lacrosse Coach. Most recently, she served as the inaugural Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at California Lutheran University, where she built a lacrosse program in a market in which the sport is viewed as nontraditional. She was named the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2024. At CLU, she also served as the NCAA Compliance Officer, working with over 500 student athletes in 22 varsity sports. She’s collaborated with colleagues across the university on a variety of matters, working with student conduct and student life as well as consulting on task forces to advance the institution’s strategic plan.
Allison Engel
Director of Tennis & Racquets Sports
Allison Engel has been named our new Director of Tennis & Racquets Sports after a national search. A graduate of James Madison University, Allison most recently organized and taught tennis and pickleball at Westwood Club, a prestigious, member-owned private racquet club in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to Westwood, she was the Director of Tennis at Lakeside Park Club, where she tripled member participation in three years and enjoyed creating memorable member events. A graduate of the CRSE program (Certified Racquet Sports Executive), she also holds certifications through USPTA (Tennis and Platform), PPR (Pickleball), PCR (Padel), and ITPA (Fitness).
Prior to fully committing herself to a career in the tennis industry, Allison spent 10 years as a middle school Spanish
As an athlete herself, she competed as a goalkeeper on the Gettysburg College Field Hockey team, where she advanced to four consecutive NCAA tournaments and won a national championship her senior year.
Over the past several years, she’s worked closely with the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), most notably as the Chair of the Awards Committee. In these varied roles, Coach Mac developed a passion for athletic administration and student affairs, and she is eager to begin serving GPS’s entire athletic program by supporting its day-to-day operation. Prior to her time at CLU, she served as the Head Women’s Field Hockey Coach and Assistant Coach for the Women’s Lacrosse Team at Sewanee: The University of the South. Her collegiate coaching career began at McDaniel College (Westminster, Maryland), while she completed her master’s degree in counseling.
teacher in Virginia. She is excited for her past career as an educator to merge with her more recent experiences as a tennis professional while filling this unique role at GPS. Allison looks forward to working with Sue Bartlett, who will remain a part of the tennis program she built and grew as the Head Varsity Tennis Coach & Tennis Professional. Allison is also eager to work alongside coaches Sarah Evans Pagnani ’10 and Chad Winters, as they endeavor to provide the optimal racquet experience in a constantly evolving industry here in Chattanooga.
Fine & Performing Arts
Fine & Performing Arts
Middle- and upper-school students took to the studios and stages to display their artistic talents this spring semester.
1 ART EXIT SHOW
Held on the GPS campus this year, the Portfolio Art Exit Show showcased the incredible talent of our upper school art students. The pieces remained displayed in Trustees Gallery near the library for a month so students and faculty could peruse at their leisure.
2 SPRING CHORAL CONCERT
The GPS Middle School Choir and GPS Singers presented a lovely spring choral concert, featuring a variety of pieces and genres. Rin Nichols '24 served as the senior spotlight, performing “Ballad of Jane Doe” from Ride the Cyclone alongside her fellow GPS Singers.
3 MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY
The spring middle school production of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was a huge success. After
weeks of rehearsals (and a special interview on 3 Plus You TV news), the talented thespians of GPS and McCallie hit the stage for three sold-out shows in McCallie's Black Box Theatre.
4 MOTION MAKERS
Just before our winter break, Upper School Dance Ensemble and Motion Makers, our middle school dance ensemble, took to the Frierson Theatre stage for a special performance for classmates, faculty, family, and friends. As usual, it was a stunning display of talent and creativity.
5 WINTER ONE-ACTS
Performed, directed, and designed by students, the one-act plays were all based on Shakespearean literature such as Macbeth and Hamlet. Special kudos to the seniors who directed the plays: Ainsley Bronze, Rin Nichols, Ash Day, Alexandra Blye, and Robbie Hamilton; and Technical Director Ella Harris.
6 UPPER SCHOOL MUSICAL
The upper school spring musical Mean Girls: High School Version featured the vocal, acting, dance, and artistic talents of GPS | McCallie students. Lead female roles were performed by Abigail Carpenter ’24, Blythe Lavin ’25, Tori Ball ’25, Anndru Lomber-Ginoza ’24, and Madyson Sabin ’26; Ella Harris ’24 was stage manager.
7 TERPSICHORD SPRING CONCERT
Each spring, Terpsichord presents a two-night public performance. We love that our community gets to see the amazing talent displayed by our dancers who not only perform but choreograph many of their dances.
8 CHOREOGRAPHY CONCERT
Students in choreography class demonstrated what they’ve learned this year during their spring concert.
VVictoria Schmidlin named Concertmaster
HIGHEST SCORE EARNS FRESHMAN IMPRESSIVE HONOR AT ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA COMPETITION
ictoria Schmidlin ’27 has been playing the violin since she was four, and it became apparent rather quickly that she possessed impressive talent. Over the years, she has trained with various teachers, both in and out of town, and has honed her skills with consistent practice. Her current violin teacher is Sonja Foster-Allen.
Victoria is a member of the Chattanooga Youth Symphony (since 2018-19 season), as well as the GPS | McCallie Honors Orchestra, for which she sits first chair—the leader of the entire orchestra who works closely with the conductor on a variety of responsibilities. In a competitive setting, a firstchair violinist has earned the highest score and is therefore named concertmaster.
As a member of Honors Orchestra, Victoria plays with other GPS and McCallie students under the leadership of Nichole Pitts. In addition to various performances throughout the year, Honors Orchestra students participate in clinics and competitions around the state.
Earlier this year, Victoria was named second chair at the All East clinic and was promoted to first chair and concertmaster. (Lucie DeGaetano '24 earned a clarinet seat during the weekend’s events, as well.) Victoria handled the surprise role with grace and confidence but didn’t necessarily expect to earn it at All State just two months later.
Cut to: Victoria receiving a phone call from Ms. Pitts this spring to announce seat placements for All State. Victoria had earned first chair violin and concertmaster. “When Ms. Pitts called me, I didn’t believe her for a minute,” Victoria said.
But it was true, and Victoria crushed it at All State in her leadership role. She was even able to FaceTime with a composer whose music they were playing, which she thought was really cool. “We got to hear about her own intentions while she was composing the piece, which gave us more perspective while we were playing it,” she said. “That added more depth to the piece.”
Victoria enjoys All State because it gives her the opportunity to meet other musicians from across the state. “I really like orchestra, but I also really like the competition,” she said. But while earning first chair concertmaster honors as a freshman is a feat in and of itself, Victoria isn’t a stranger to accolades. Last year she was named the junior string solo winner at the Tennessee Music Teachers Association competition.
Victoria is not solely focused on violin, though. She has also been a member of the GPS Upper School Dance Ensemble and will join the school’s modern dance company, Terpsichord, this fall. With school and other interests filling her schedule, Victoria admits it can be hard to balance everything, but says when she gets a good opportunity to play her violin, she is reminded of just how much it means to her.
Taking Center Stage
Bea Burbank was accepted into the musical theater production 6-week program at Interlochen this summer for the second year in a row. She also received a merit scholarship. This is a highly competitive program, and training grounds for many young performers who have gone on to perform professionally.
New York Choreographer’s Work Featured at GPS
One of the biggest draws of the Terpsichord Spring Concert was the opportunity to see the piece “Strict Love,” choreographed by Doug Varone, owner and artistic director at Doug Varone and Dancers, and staged by Jake Bone, the organization’s company and tour manager. “Strict Love” premiered at Playhouse 91 in NYC as part of the 92 Street Y Harkness Dance Festival on December 9, 1994, and was created in residence at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, with generous support from the Carpenter Foundation. Typically performed by professional dancers, the opportunity to dance “Strict Love” at the high-school level is uncommon. Abigail Carpenter, Grace Sharp, Julia Steffner, Lauren Gardner, Mabry Cook, Sadie Buhrman, and Sutton Salter worked hard on mastering the difficult but extraordinary choreography.
Alumna in the Arts: AK Stipanov ’21
AK Stipanov ’21 won the Performing Artist Award in Dance for her work in North Carolina State University’s Panoramic Dance Project in 2023, and was presented with the plaque for the award this spring along with a $250 cash prize. An architecture major at NCSU, AK has been in the school’s dance company for three years and will return after a study abroad this fall in Prague.
Just Dance
Kofi Mawuko, a Ghana native who resides in Chattanooga, stopped by the GPS dance studio to teach the girls a dance to coincide with his traditional African drumming. We are very fortunate to have so many incredible artists from our community visit and share their knowledge and talents with us.
Artwork On Display
Rin Nichols’ artwork, Unsacrificial, which was created in her AP studio portfolio class, was chosen for the tenth biennial Young Tennessee Artists exhibition at the Frist Art Museum.
Eleven Seniors Inducted into National Honor Society of Dance Arts
Eleven members of the Class of 2024 were inducted into the GPS chapter of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts (NHSDA). Created by the National Dance Education Organization, the NHSDA celebrates the artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievements of exceptional dance students. Collectively, these seniors earned a GPA of 3.84; serve on the Honor Council, PIC, and Student Council; and participate in numerous clubs on and off campus. They are involved with our musical theater program and take multiple dance classes and intensives outside of their time in our studios.
GPS Singers Hit NYC
On a special Winterim, 10 members of GPS Singers and their director, Emily Tousek ’01, sang at a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall, New York, along with their McCallie friends. They also gave a special mini-concert for GPS and McCallie alums at a local restaurant while in the Big Apple.
Front row: Anndru Lomber-Ginoza, Julia Steffner, Sutton Salter, Caroline Breazeale, Jenna Naik; Back row: Odessa Young, Grace Sharp, Harper Stinson, Morgan Miller; Not pictured: Abigail Carpenter and Maddie Frierson
Black History Month Celebrates the Arts
For the first time, we set a theme for Black History Month: Fostering Black Joy through Art. The goal was to uplift and celebrate Black joy through music, dance, theater, visual art, and more. “This is a time to not only reflect on the struggles and triumphs, but also to revel in the joy that has been a force throughout history and today,” said Lauren Lawrence Swanson ’09, Director of Belonging and Community Engagement.
Terpsichord Welcomes New Members, Elects Officers
From the GPS Class of ’27, nine new members will join Terpsichord this fall: Elisabeth Affare, Emma Virginia Birnbaum, Serena Eastman, Addie Gallagher, Jordan Gallagher, Greta Olson, Amiya Phade, Victoria Schmidlin, and Stephanie Zhong. The new officers for 2024-25 are Sadie Burhman ’25, president, and Ani Bhushan ’25, vice president.
A Bright Day for Dancing
Motion Makers, our middle school dance ensemble, represented GPS at a special performance at The Bright School. The theater housed an eager audience, and our students didn't disappoint! After the performance, the girls answered questions about how they remember all of the choreography (answer: they practice a lot and they write the movements in their dance journals), how much time they spend rehearsing (answer: many hours), and what they like the most about dance (answer: the friends they have made in this community). What's even more special, three of the performers (Harper Barto ’30, Anna Grace Hitchcock ’30, and Olivia Lunn ’29) are Bright alumnae!
Alumna in the Arts: Phoebe-Agnès Mills ’18
In March, Phoebe-Agnès Mills ’18 was selected as a winner of the Boynes Artist Award for her self-portrait "Cradle." She will also be attending the University of Georgia MFA program this fall with a fully funded assistantship.
TO RETURN MARCH 14, 2026
The 2023-24 school year was not only full of joy for current students, but it was a year of memories made for alumnae, parents, and friends of the GPS community.
From the first-ever fall reunion to Bruiser Bash to our Mahjong alumnae event, campus this year was filled with life, laughter, and love.
And the momentum continues! I think about what is on the horizon for GPS with pride and excitement. We are currently wrapping up construction on our brand new track and field, which was made possible by a generous gift from a GPS family, and very soon we will welcome our newest Bruisers to campus. This class of wonderful, mission-aligned sixth-graders and their families will add to the culture and community of GPS from Opening Day onward.
On September 12, we’ll celebrate Founders Day and honor the three women who started it all nearly 120 years ago. Did you know GPS Giving Day falls on GPS Founders Day each year as a special reminder of the life-changing impact an investment in girls' education can have? Save the date!
As fall rolls in, we will welcome our alumnae back to campus again for Reunion Weekend, this year celebrating 4s and 9s. The All-Alumnae Friday Night Picnic returns, and we even have some new events in store. (Pickleball, anyone?!) The brunch and awards ceremony is always a don’t-miss event. We hope to see you there!
SCAN THE QR CODE TO VISIT GPS.EDU/ ALUMUPDATE OR EMAIL ALUMNEWS@ GPS.EDU TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION.
December and the new year bring fan-favorites like the Young Alumnae Holiday Party and a new event—Interlude! Join us on Saturday, March 29, 2025, and dance to the tunes of Yacht Rock Schooner at Barrelhouse Ballroom, where all proceeds will go to GPS, ensuring girls have unparalleled access to academics, athletics, arts, and all areas of pursuit. (Don’t worry—Bruiser Bash returns in 2026!) And, before you know it, it’s time for the Alumnae Egg Hunt, May Day, and Commencement!
Local and on-campus events aren’t all you have to look forward to, though! Our alumnae chapters across the country will be planning and hosting get-togethers, and Head of School Megan Cover will make nationwide visits throughout the year. If we’re headed your way, we’ll be in touch!
We had such a positive response to our request for updated information from our alumnae this spring, and we’re thrilled to be able to better connect with you. If you missed that communication or have additional updates, you can scan the QR code to the left to make those today. We hope to see you again soon!
Ali Gant Chief Advancement Officer
alumna spotlight
Mary Alice Haney ’89
Fashion Designer, Producer, and Podcast Host
For many, racking up accolades as the West Coast fashion editor for GQ and Marie Claire would be enough. For others, styling the stars would be the peak, or launching a successful fashion line and building a celebrity clientele that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Emily Ratajkowski, Chrissy Teigen, Kate Hudson, and Taylor Swift would constitute the be-all end-all. For Mary Alice Haney ’89, those feats were just the beginning.
Growing up on Lookout Mountain, Mary Alice was one of four Haney sisters who attended GPS. While she jokes she “wasn’t a scholar,” Mary Alice developed a passion for art during her time as a student at 205 Island Avenue. In fact, she credits Mary Carrithers, a beloved and now-retired GPS art teacher, for helping her put together an incredible art portfolio that secured her spot at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, for college. “Having her at GPS was hugely important to me,” Mary Alice says.
While working toward her undergraduate degree, Mary Alice studied in Paris her junior year, where she took night classes at Parsons Paris; it was there her journey to fashion maven began. Her first fashion job was at Harper’s Bazaar in Paris, which led to positions in L.A. at Allure and the aforementioned GQ and Marie Claire, as well as an MFA in production and costume design from the American Film Institute.
“I think just going to an all-girls school teaches you leadership as a woman. I’ve never been afraid to open any door, to talk to anybody. There was never a moment after GPS that I didn't feel confident enough in myself to dream any dream and make it happen.”
Alumna Spotlight
After honing her styling skills over the years, Mary Alice made the jump to full-time celebrity stylist. She also created two fashion shows for the E! Network and hosted another television show called Ambush Makeover. “I always loved entertainment and fashion and knew I wanted to do both somehow,” Mary Alice says.
In dressing models, movie stars, musicians, and more, Mary Alice recognized an opportunity to create pieces she wasn’t finding from other designers, and she launched her own brand, HANEY, in 2013. Her label’s cocktail and red carpet dresses earned rave reviews from fashion’s biggest names and became highly sought-after by those looking to make a statement.
As many can relate to, COVID forced Mary Alice to reconsider her career. “I made cocktail and red carpet dresses and, when the world shut down, so did parties and red carpets,” she explains. At the same time, her father got very sick with Parkinson’s disease and, since brain health issues run in her family, she began educating herself on prevention.
“I began guest-hosting Molly Sims's podcast, Lipstick on the Rim, and brought in doctors I wanted to interview,” she says. It's there that she met worldrenowned OB-GYN Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, who sparked an idea. “Dr. A had the most incredible story about her own breast cancer journey, and I knew we had to make a podcast to help women get important health information and learn to advocate for themselves.”
Cut to March 2024 and the duo were launching SheMD, a weekly podcast that empowers women with knowledge and tools to become their own health
advocates. Alongside celebrity guests such as SZA, Olivia Culpo, Khloe Kardashian, and Olivia Munn, as well as health experts, Mary Alice and Dr. A cover topics from fertility and breast cancer to menopause, endometriosis, Ozempic, and more.
In explaining how the podcast came to be, Mary Alice says, “If you look around in terms of the medical field, women are dismissed. We’re told we’re crazy, hormonal, etc. Men’s concerns are taken more seriously. Even big celebrities have been dismissed. We want all women to be equipped with the health information that can save their lives.” Through celebrity and health professional interviews, they share helpful information in an easily digestible format, and each episode features action items to equip women with the tools and knowledge needed to find their own doctors.
In just a few short months, SheMD has garnered major attention and earned hundreds of thousands of streams, whether through traditional podcast paths like Apple and Spotify or through the video format on Youtube, and Mary Alice is proud. “I think we’re going to change so many women’s lives in so many ways.”
This confidence and bravery to step into the unknown may not be familiar for everyone, but it is common among GPS alumnae. “I think just going to an allgirls school teaches you leadership as a woman,” says Mary Alice. “I’ve never been afraid to open any door, to talk to anybody. There was never a moment after GPS that I didn't feel confident enough in myself to dream any dream and make it happen.”
New episodes are released every Tuesday. Scan the QR code to see all the episodes or subscribe on your favorite platform.
Spring Photo Review
1 Faculty and staff alumnae gathered for a fun (and tasty!) Galentine’s lunch. 2 The Development Team hosted an “Almost Alumnae Breakfast” for seniors. 3 Would you believe the incredible Bruiser Bash was hosted in our own gym? What a transformation!
4 Allison Smith ’19 (Cat) and Lawson Barrueta ’25 (Rat) met up for lunch during a Winterim trip to NYC! 5 Friends from the Class of 1957 got together for a special lunch to catch up. 6 The Easter bunny hopped down to 205 Island Avenue for an egg hunt.
7 Alumnae learned to play Mahjong from Jen Kline P’18, ’19 and Ann Henley Perry P’25.
8 We celebrated our golden graduates—those who are 50 or more years removed from their time as GPS students—at the annual Founders Club Luncheon. 9 Young alumnae caught up with faculty and staff before heading to the Young Alumni Holiday Party with their McCallie friends. 10 Founders House provided the perfect gathering place for the May Day Alumnae Luncheon honoring legacy families! 11 GPS grandparents always get a kick out of visiting their granddaughters for a Grand Afternoon with the Girls.
Share your news with us at AlumNews@GPS.edu and scan here to update your contact information.
1970s
Martha Ann Bass ’74 works part-time at Edith’s Emporium, a new vintage restored and gift shop on McCallie Avenue.
1 Janice Scruggs Pendergrast ’76 tallied her first career hole-in-one, performing the feat on Black Creek Club's challenging hole No. 17. Janice used a 4-hybrid on her memorable swing from 120-yards out, and her ace was witnessed by playing partners Bev Carr and Lisa Purman Scruggs.
Lyn Beyer Marvil ’78 retired from engineering and is following her passion in art, specifically in the area of watercolor. She is also involved in genealogy, a member of nine heritage lineage societies, and the National President of the Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia, 2023–25.
Georgia Carney ’78 founded SewGreen Rochester, Inc., a 501c3 devoted to teaching the needle arts and rescuing for reuse all the materials related to sewing, knitting, crochet, and needlework.
2 Karen Wilson Harper ’79 served as Production Designer for the film I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, released in theaters in 2022 and on streaming platforms in 2023. The film details the inspiration behind Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem of the same name.
1980s
3 Dr. Louise Freeman Davis ’84 retired from her job as Professor of Psychology at Mary Baldwin University in the spring of 2023 to work full time in the field of applied behavior analysis.
Class Notes
After a summer spent traveling to England with her husband and to India as a SkillCorps Volunteer with the Global Autism Project, she opened her own business to provide therapeutic consultations and in-home ABA services to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families.
Shantih Love Crowdis ’89 has spent the past six years working for UTC Athletics in the Student-Athlete Academic Enhancement Center, where she is the Assistant Learning Specialist. In January, she took on an additional role as adjunct faculty, teaching an introductory Tai Chi course on campus. Twice a week you will find her teaching a Sun Style Tai Chi class at the North River YMCA.
C.C. Glass Edwards ’89 has been enjoying working alongside her husband at his law office for nearly a decade after homeschooling their four children through elementary school. The couple also manages Northgate Professional Center.
1990s
Angela McAllister ’92 owns the first and only float center in Chattanooga. Located in the Southside area, Lucidity Float and Wellness Center provides relief from stress, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and more through sensory deprivation and hyperbaric therapies.
Zynia Pua-Vines ’92, MD, has been appointed as an Erlanger Primary Care Physician.
Anne Chamberlain Frazier ’95 is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice and an inspirational speaker.
Brooke Everley Nicholson ’96 founded Everley Law, which provides comprehensive estate planning services in Birmingham, Alabama.
4 Nicole Anthony Barbour ’97 represented South Carolina as a drummer in the bagpipe and drum band, Pipes on Parade. The group marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on January 1, and also marched in a parade at Disneyland on New Year’s Eve. Locally, Nicole plays with the City of Greenville, South Carolina, Bagpipe and Drums.
Brook Whitfield Trible ’97 has been promoted to a full-time position as Director for Board Appointments in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office for Governor Glenn Youngkin. Brook assists the governor to fill seats on more than 300 Boards and Commissions—from the Egg Board to the higher education Boards of Visitors.
Meredith Reeves Werley ’98 is Lead Engineer with Duke Energy and works in transmission writing standards for overhead lines and substations. She is also working on a master’s degree in Reliability Engineering at the University of Tennessee, slated to finish in December 2025.
2000s
Deanna Gardenhire Brown ’02, MD, opened Four Bridges Dermatology in Chattanooga in 2022.
Ginny Harr Webb ’04 serves on the Board of Directors for AIA (American Institute of Architects), Middle TN Chapter.
Addison Spencer ’05 accepted a new position at the Pentagon in the Defense Press Operations Office, Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.
Melody Shekari ’06 was named the Executive Director of the Women’s Fund
of Greater Chattanooga. Most recently, she worked as an Attorney/Consultant at her own firm, Shekari Law PLLC, where she consulted with local officials, worked on federal grant applications, and served 800+ clients over five years.
Catherine Fields Doster ’08 earned a second master’s degree from Richmont Graduate University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is now a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in North Carolina, working with LifeCare Counseling & Coaching.
Monica Harvey Ridenbaugh ’08 recently moved from her role as a Campus Planner at Emory University's Planning, Design, and Construction Department to become a Senior Campus Planner at Kennesaw State University. Her primary focus at KSU involves developing scope, schedule, budget, and project strategy, and managing architectural and engineering teams for planning, design, and construction projects across the two campuses.
2010s
5 Katie Scheinberg ’10 matched into the Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine - Denver.
Tina Tran ’12 left her research roles at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Northwestern University to begin the pediatric nurse practitioner primary care program at Vanderbilt University.
6 Lauchlan Davis ’14, a painter based in Chattanooga, showcased her art for the first time at the Four Bridges Arts Festival in April.
Shannon Han ’14 started her dermatology residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center this year.
Raygan Hall Lockridge ’14 will graduate with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in December 2024 and become a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has also started working for Women’s Lax Drills, a website that connects coaches all over the world and provides various coaching resources, and is the Varsity Lacrosse Coach at Mauldin High School.
Hannah Forgani Sack ’14 was promoted to Operations Manager/Account Executive for the AssuredPartners Bowling Green and Metropolis offices.
Haley Haren Wilkins ’14 is an Art Therapist for Parkridge Valley Hospitals.
Cami Shands ’15 works as a Biological Science Technician for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn, Alabama. Her major role is centered on conducting gas chromatography analysis of greenhouse gas production and emissions across several short- and long-term projects.
Mimi Vance ’17 works in the U.S. Senate for Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), covering her education, workforce, and agriculture portfolios.
7 Hollis Gaffney ’18 has been promoted to the role of Surgical Product Specialist in Charlotte, North Carolina. In her new role, Hollis will cover hospitals within the Charlotte market as well as Spartanburg, South Carolina. She began her Johnson & Johnson career in 2023 with ETHICON after her experiences in sales and supply chain management at Frito Lay.
Emily Peoples ’18 and Olivia Evans ’19 had their White Coat Ceremony for the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Both are members of the UTCVM Class of 2027. Over 900 people applied for this class and 96 were selected.
Caitlin O’Brien ’19 is running the New York City Marathon on November 3, 2024. She applied and was selected to be a part of the Ulman Foundation NYC Marathon team. She works as an operating room nurse on the Orthopedic Trauma Team at Erlanger.
2020s
8 Chevell Higdon ’20 is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Alabama at Matt Curtis Real Estate.
Graduations
9 Tayana Fernandez ’12 graduated from dental school at Tufts University.
10 Calyn Key ’13 received her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Lucy St. Charles ’16 graduated from Michigan Medical School and is headed to Utah ENT.
Qynn Celichowski ’18 graduated from pharmacy school at Belmont University and moved back to Chattanooga to complete her residency.
11 Clare Hamn ’18 graduated from American University with a master’s in marketing.
Ellee Jackson ’18 earned her master’s degree in criminal justice from UTC and accepted a graduate merit award from the Justice, Law, & Criminology PhD program at American University in Washington, D.C.
Tatiana Poggi ’18 completed her studies at National Taiwan Normal University and is headed to Harvard Law School.
Meagan Delaney ’19 graduated from East Tennessee State University with her master’s in speech language pathology.
Lindsey Campbell ’20 graduated from the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business. She was awarded the Extraordinary Campus Leadership and Service Award as well as the Bank of America Leadership Award.
Ashlen Carroll ’20 graduated from the University of Alabama and is headed to Knoxville, Tennessee, to study at Lincoln Memorial School of Law.
Mary Sue Cooper ’20 graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in political science and a minor in applied behavioral science.
Darby Curvin ’20 graduated from the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business.
Katie Eck ’20 graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in exercise science from the Arnold School of Public Health. She will work as a medical assistant at Pediatric Associates as she furthers her education.
Barbie Edwards ’20 graduated from UTC in May and took the MCAT in June to further her education in medical school.
Sarah Foropoulos ’20 graduated from Centre College with a degree in religion and international studies.
Isabel Hester ’20 graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia with degrees in international affairs and French.
Morgan Massengale ’20 graduated Cum Laude from Samford University with a Bachelor of Science in health sciences.
Erin Maxwell ’20 graduated from Wake Forest University.
Alex McGill ’20 graduated from the University of Tennessee and is headed to law school.
Allyson Millican ’20 graduated from Baylor University and will continue her studies at Baylor’s graduate school to become a doctor of occupational therapy.
Caroline Mueller ’20 graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in journalism and electronic media. She has accepted a position as a news anchor/reporter for WYMT in Hazard, Kentucky.
Avie Owensby ’20 graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in global studies and a minor in Portuguese and Africana Studies.
Kshama Patel ’20 graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in business. She will stay in Knoxville to earn her master’s in management and HR.
Hannah Petty ’20 graduated from UTC with a degree in biochemistry.
Meg Priest ’20 graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in nursing
Miles Slakie ’20 graduated Magna Cum Laude from East Tennessee State University with a degree in accounting and finance.
12 Zöe Zeller ’21 graduated Summa Cum Laude from Maryville College and was honored at commencement for her work on her senior thesis, which will be archived in a permanent collection at the university.
1 Ellen Anderson ’14 to Gregory Grattan 2 Mae Mae Barnes ’03 to Parker Adams 3 Laura Deakins ’04 to Drew Roney 4 Hannah Forgani ’14 to Cole Sack 5 Nicki Graham ’14 to Charles “Sully” Turner 6 Maggie Ingvalson ’15 to Haden Cronan
Carole Mabry ’09 to Daniel Laya 8 Tanner Peterson ’12 to Vicky Forsyth-Smith 9 Caroline Thomas ’10 to Phillip Moody 10 Lashley Webb ’09 to Andy Stubblefield
New Arrivals
1 Angela Bonds ’15, a daughter, Raelynn Michelle Caslin 2 Kendall Stokes Bowness ’06, twin sons, Asher Jackson Bowness and Oakley Blake Bowness 3 Larson DeFoor ’07, a daughter, Beatrice “Bea” French Bennett 4 Rachel Durham Finch ’13, a daughter, Caroline Alice Finch 5 Susan Gerschefski Frigerio ’07, a son, Thomas Nicholas Frigerio 6 Joy Baker Hall ’05, a daughter, Beatrice “Bea” Elyese Baker 7 Chadarryl Silguero-Clay ’12, a son, Noir Trinidad Silguero-Clay 8 Heather Daniel Snider ’11, a son, Daniel Manning Snider 9 Sarah Mastey Trojanowski ’10, a daughter, Cecelia Jean Trojanowski 10 Emily Wade ’10, a son, Miles Alexander Burriss
In Memoriam
1 Martha Nichols Fisher ’45 | March 14, 2023 2 Virginia Rae Jackson Matheny ’54 | December 11, 2023
3 Mary Moore ’54 | January 17, 2024 4 Sara “Bunny” Turner Allen ’58 | December 24, 2023
5 Lucy Ann Adams Cundiff ’60 | April 17, 2024 6 Virginia Landsford Snider ’63 | March 4, 2024
7 Helene Striebinger Reisman ’66 | December 31, 2023 8 Deborah Barnes ’71 | January 9, 2024
9 Elizabeth “Beth” Ryan Varn ’73 | May 18, 2024 10 Cate Tinker Mueller ’83 | May 10, 2024
11 Denise Lynn Dasinger ’89 | September 13, 2023 12 Carolyn Miles ’91 | May 7, 2024 13 Erin Grist May ’93 | May 18, 2024
PAST FACULTY AND STAFF
Peggy Deierhoi | January 23, 2024
Kate Gerbitz | January 3, 2024
Walter Ford | January 3, 2024
