The Girls Preparatory School Magazine | Winter 2025

Girls Preparatory School

The Big Picture

GO BRUISERS!

Spirit Week is a blast every year, but our favorite day is always the Blue Out, when pride in our school is on full display!

Dear GPS families, alumnae, and friends,

Midway through my fourth year as GPS Head of School, we also mark the halfway point of our second year of our strategic plan: Empowering Girls for a Changing World | Investing in the Future of GPS. What we’ve accomplished to date is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff in our commitment to an allgirls education. (See page 6 for an update on our work.)

In 1906, when our three Founders answered the call to provide girls with courses befitting young women with aspirations for higher education, they filled a gap in the market for college-bound females. While one could argue that any high school can prepare girls for college, girls’ schools are essential to empowering the next generation of women now more than ever.

The International Coalition of Girls Schools, of which GPS is a member, provides proof of the power of an all-girls educational environment. For example, nearly 87 percent of girls’ school students feel their opinions are respected at their school compared to only 58 percent of girls at coeducational schools. This aligns with our commitment to teach girls how to think and express their ideas, supporting an open exchange of ideas and opinions.

From learning to advocate for themselves in the classroom to holding every leadership position on campus, our girls gain skills and assume roles they might not experience at a coed school. The joy for us as educators is seeing the girls put into practice what they’re learning.

Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” In February, our girls get to set off on daring adventures near and far during Winterim. I love

watching our social media during this time as you can see the joy and wonder on the girls’ faces as they experience new cultures and learn new skills. I see them being brave as they try new food, take leaps from zipline platforms, or dive deep into the ocean.

Other opportunities abound for GPS students, including our exchange program with St. Margaret’s Anglican School in Brisbane, Australia, for both students and faculty, and summer trips to the Galapagos Islands, Ireland, and England.

More adventures await our girls as we start the second half of the school year. Once we return from Winterim, it seems as though we have events and traditions back to back until we bid farewell to the Class of 2025 and set off for the summer.

However you are connected to GPS, I hope you’ve witnessed the transformative power of an all-girls education—one that’s 119years strong here in Chattanooga—either in yourself, your daughter, or a friend. Perhaps you are the parent or grandparent of a future Bruiser and have big dreams for her as she joins the GPS sisterhood. We are ready for her and can’t wait to welcome the next generation of strong, independent young women to our school.

Megan D. Cover Head of School

2024-25 Board of Trustees

Executive Committee

Board Chair

Amy Arrowsmith

Vice-Chair

Ashley Rowland Davenport ’97

Treasurer/Finance Chair

Jimmy Scotchie

Secretary

Dori Thornton Waller ’99

At-Large Member

Hon. Ashley Moore Palmer ’99

Trustees

Porché Warren Adams ’07, DO

Caroline Caulkins Bentley ’83

Glenn Breazeale Jr.

Jeff Burns

Elouise Busby, DPT

With great pride in our school, A Message from Our Head

Blair Bennington Cannon ’93

Laurel H. Carney ’79, PhD

Carolyn Chandler

Aimee Owings Harvey ’93

Molly Baggett Jamieson ’90

Hamp Johnston Jr.

William W. Kline

Kate Caldwell Nevin ’95

Beth Steele Newbold ’84

Scott C. Pierce

Jessica Scotchie, MD

Mary P. Tanner, PhD

Austin Watson

Karen Welborn

What's Inside

Strategic Plan Update

This school year's progress has impacted all three of our goals.

Faculty Focus

Science teacher Joe Lyons shares his passion for physics with every class.

Our dedicated and vibrant Parent Council give year round to

The Black & Blue Review

A look at the first semester’s honors, learning opportunities, events, and more.

Seniors Eliana Tabibiazar, Tori Ball, and Haley Hixson explore their college options.

Table of Contents

2024-25

Senior Leadership Team

Head of School

Megan D. Cover

Head of Upper School and Associate Head of School for Academics

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/ Chief Operating Officer

Mark Vosskamp

Director of Athletics and Strategic Partnerships

Allie Tennyson

Director of Student Life and Assistant Dean of Students

Lauren Lawrence Swanson ’09

Director of College Counseling and Dean of Recruitment

Andrew Reich

Director of Communications and Marketing

Caitlin Riddle

Director of Development

Mary Kathryn Levy

Director of Enrollment

Management

Alice Smith Harris ’03

Senior Communications

Specialist

Pamela Hammonds

Editorial Staff

Lucy Morris Blancett ’09

Marissa Shrum ’99 Creative Entrepreneur

Welcoming our alumnae back to campus.

Holly Flower

Pamela Hammonds

Caitlin Riddle

Photographer Emily Lester

As

EMPOWERING GIRLS FOR A CHANGING WORLD

Investing in the Future of GPS

Strategic Plan Update

we reach mid-year on the second year of our five-year strategic plan, we take a look at what we’ve accomplished and how our

work sets us up for future success.

1 2

Celebrate the Whole Girl Celebrate Community and Connection

• As faculty members have set their goals for the year, they have included at least one based on practices within our learner-centered education framework. These goals allow each faculty member to identify the learner-centered practices that will most benefit students and their own continued professional growth.

• We have extended and deepened our structure and processes for embedded professional development and instructional support. This has included expanding our Learning Walks, Instructional Rounds, and Roundtables, as well as increasing the impact of instructional coaches and the Center for Teaching and Learning newsletter.

• Teachers, advisors, and coaches have worked together to familiarize themselves more deeply with our new Profile of a Graduate and to explore existing and new ways we build these transferable and lifeworthy competencies in our students through all parts of our program.

• We revised our onboarding strategy for new employees with a focus on cultural understanding and belonging, as well as just-in-time information that avoids the firehose effect. This includes a redesigned orientation, a ‘quick-start guide’ for reference over the summer, and monthly lunch meetings focused on reflection and connection.

• We have designed a new program through which students can earn a concentration in Science & Engineering, Civic & Global Studies, or Creative Expression during their time at GPS. Through this program, students will bring together coursework, cocurricular pursuits, and significant experiences such as independent research, service, or an internship as they build a portfolio representing the story of their learning.

• Events focused on faculty and staff wellness have been offered through the collaboration of our Dean of Health and Wellness, our Director of Human Resources, and others. These have included access to a complete thoracic evaluation, including heart and lung scans, via the Breathe. Easy. Lung Bus. Local health spa R3 was on site in December for a day of various wellness treatments for our faculty and staff, including compression therapy, Nano Vi, Culluma LED light therapy, and glacial facials as well as localized cryotherapy.

• We have hosted vaccine clinics and blood drives for our campus community.

• The Joy Squad has extended its efforts to create opportunities for fun and connection among faculty and staff, including a bocce ball tournament and a weekend river float event.

• Just before the year kicked off, we held a retreat for upper school student leaders of Honor Council, Student Council, Partnerships in the Community, Class Leadership Council, and our Forums, focusing on effective leadership skills and qualities. We also instituted quarterly Head’s Cabinet events where student leaders gather for dinner, activities, and more.

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN IN ACTION

Scan the QR code for recent updates regarding our Strategic Plan.

Celebrate and Steward GPS for a Robust Future

• All students and faculty have been trained in an options-based response to violent critical incidents, which has now been fully integrated into our emergency response plans and our monthly practice drills. Additional safety investments across campus have included new PA equipment, additional and upgraded cameras, and updated medical emergency kits.

• To best steward our campus and facilities, we’ve developed practical financial philanthropic goals and strategies to support our vision and mission. This year’s updates have included a fully funded replacement of our track and field. We’ve also committed to ensuring GPS is affordable for families from various economic backgrounds through tuition assistance while engaging alumnae for support.

• As part of our efforts to share the accomplishments and work of our faculty and staff, new venues have been created for these celebrations, including articles in each of the last two magazines, a new Faculty Spotlight series on social media, and more.

• A process was launched this fall to redesign faculty evaluations. The new approach, once complete, will not only seek outcomes of continual growth and improvement, but also ensure that the process of participating in the evaluation is itself productive and rewarding for our teachers and support staff.

Three Questions with Amy Arrowsmith, Chair of the Board of Trustees

When someone asks you, Why GPS? what is your elevator pitch?

GPS offers a unique opportunity for girls to receive an excellent education in a very supportive, nurturing environment. The programs are fantastic, thanks to teachers and coaches who are committed to providing appropriate challenges and celebrating individual accomplishments, while setting an uplifting tone of encouragement and kindness. The entire school is focused on educating the whole girl in mind, body, and spirit. It’s a wonderful place for girls.

What has been the most fulfilling part of your role as chair so far?

It is truly an honor to serve as Board Chair of a school like GPS, and the most fulfilling part of my role is leading a Board that functions at a high level. Our meetings are generative in nature, and we stay focused on what is best for the girls. Our Board does a great job of staying “out of the weeds” of operations, which is easy to do when you have an excellent Head of School like Megan Cover. Our Board is constantly thinking about the future, and we regularly engage in open, honest, and tough discussions. This would not be possible if we did not know and trust each other so well. I am amazed at the amount of wisdom, experience, and talent we have on our Board, and l am grateful for the opportunity to lead such an impressive group of individuals.

What gets you most excited about the future of GPS?

What excites me most about the future of GPS is the commitment to continue to provide excellence in girls’ education right here in Chattanooga. We’ve seen a lot of enthusiasm and support for GPS through substantial gifts, which demonstrate how much our community stands behind the school and how much confidence our constituents have in the future of GPS. It is and will continue to be a phenomenal school.

Faculty Focus

Scan the QR code or visit GPS.edu/News to stay upto-date on all our faculty and staff accomplishments.

Joe Lyons, Physics Teacher

What was your path to teaching?

My father and mother were teachers, and my sister is a teacher, so teaching runs in the family, but I got here on a different path. I was a Naval Officer and served in the Navy for 24 years. My daughter was attending an all-girls school in Hawaii very similar to GPS. After I retired from the Navy, I happened to be at her school in the middle of the day, and the high school principal and I were chatting. When she found out I was retired, she asked me what I studied in college, and when I told her physics, she told me to apply because they had an opening. I was fortunate to be selected for the position and have been teaching physics to high school girls ever since.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Make learning fun! I strive to make the physics classroom a fun place to be so that students look forward to entering the door. I believe that if they come into the classroom with a positive mindset they are going to be open to learning. Physics is a challenging subject, and making it engaging helps everyone learn better.

What have you enjoyed most about teaching at GPS?

Two things come to mind. First I have really enjoyed working with my colleagues. We have an exceptionally talented faculty at GPS who truly care about their students. They are great teachers, and they have also been extremely welcoming and helpful to me as I joined the team. Secondly, teaching at an all-girls school is very rewarding because we get to see the girls be their best. Single-sex education has the benefit of avoiding some of the distractions and gender stereotyping that would be seen in a coed school, allowing girls to develop to their fullest. I have really enjoyed playing a small part in their development.

Participation in AP Physics has grown quite a bit since you started at GPS, which is a testament to your teaching! What do you love most about teaching physics?

I tell my students at the beginning of the year that physics is fun because we get to draw cartoons and play with toys. But the true beauty of physics is how it explains the world around you. Everybody has learned some physics just by the virtue of living. For instance, if you want to throw a ball to a friend, you have calculated the physics in your brain of the force and angle needed to get it there to oppose the force of gravity and air resistance, without even having studied it in class. So the thing I really like about teaching physics is seeing the students’ “a-ha moment” when we study the specifics of how something works and they then see the connection to the real world.

You do a lot of hands-on labs and activities. How do you think that benefits students?

First off, it is more interactive than just sitting at a desk doing problems. When students have the opportunity to learn by doing, they are more likely to understand the concepts and retain the knowledge they have learned. Also, tactile learning stimulates more of the senses as they learn. If more of the brain’s areas are engaged, this leads to a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Physics labs and activities connect students more deeply to the course content and skills.

What is your elevator pitch for why students should take physics? Where do rainbows come from? Why is the sky blue? Why do objects slow to a stop? Why do things fall when you drop them? All of these questions can be answered by studying physics. Studying physics is enlightening

Faculty Focus

I hope that when my former students remember me, they think of the fun they had in class and know that I cared for them as people, not just students.

because it explains how the world around us works. It helps develop critical thinking and strengthens problem-solving skills that you can use in any aspect of your life, not just physics.

You are also known for making time to attend your students’ athletics and arts events. Why is that important to you?

Being interested in what my students are doing outside of my class helps me to better connect with them in class. Because when they know you see them not just as physics students, but as real people, they respect that and will try to perform better in class.

What do you hope your students remember most about you?

The teachers I remember are the ones who cared about me as a person, not just a student, and the ones who made learning engaging. I hope that when my former students remember me, they think of the fun they had in class and know that I cared for them as people, not just students.

1 Katye Adams Couch ’92, Dean of Teaching and Learning, and Sarah Clardy, Instructional Coach and Middle School Learning Specialist, attended the Teaching Learning Coaching Conference in October in New Orleans to better learn how to support our faculty in their professional goals and growth.

2 Middle school math teachers Liesl Neubert and Martha Carpenter had an extraordinary experience at the Phillips Exeter Academy conference in New Hampshire. Not only did they deep dive into two intensive classes of their choosing (10 hours for each class), they eagerly participated in several optional 45-minute sessions on topics that piqued their curiosity, listened to four incredible speakers, and enjoyed two authors’ book talks.

3 Tiffany Simms ’03, history teacher, organized an 8-day tour of Panama for middle school students. On the trip, students hiked in the tropical rainforest, took a boat tour to see native wildlife, snorkeled in the Caribbean Sea, visited a pineapple plantation, and more.

4 Dr. Ralph Covino, Humanities Department Coordinator and History & Social Sciences Teacher, participated in the Tennessee Geographic Alliance/National Geographic Geography Leadership; finished his two-year Global Action Research Collaborative on Girls' Education (GARC) fellowship with the International Coalition of

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.

Girls' Schools; co-presented a session at the ICGS conference in Baltimore with David Hyde of the Newcastle High School for Girls (UK); as a NASA/JPL volunteer Solar System Ambassador, screened applicants for the NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer High School Intern Program at the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Space Research; and undertook a Faculty Exchange with St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School in Brisbane, Australia.

5 Katie Outlaw, Head of Middle School and Director of Student Support Services, co-presented a session alongside Dr. Ralph Covino titled "Creating a Culture of Confidence and Belonging in Middle School Girls" at the Association for Middle Level Education's annual meeting in Nashville. During the conference, GPS was honored as the first all-girls school and the first middle school in Tennessee to be named by the AMLE as a School of Distinction.

6 French teacher and Dean of the Sophomore Class Dr. Brandon Guernsey organized an elective, halfcredit summer course for upper school students to experience French language immersion during two-and-a-half weeks of on-campus instruction and 10 days in Martinique. While there, students took French lessons and put them into practice as they toured the city of Fort-de-France, swam, shopped, cooked Creole food, and learned about the island’s history.

Getting to Know the Parent Council

Supporting the Sisterhood

Each summer, members of the GPS Parent Council gather on campus to plan engaging events, fundraisers, and more for the upcoming school year. Their dedication to our school is commendable, especially when you learn about all they are doing!

Fundraising

As Fundraising Chair, Amy Grogg P’28 oversees planning for all of the Parent Council fundraising initiatives, which include Bruiser Eats, The Golden Buckle, The GPS Online Auction, and the newest addition: Interlude!

BRUISER EATS

Bruiser Eats is designed to take the occasional pressure off of cooking. Families can sign up for restaurant gift cards or a takehome meal with proceeds benefiting GPS. This year, Parent Council has partnered with local favorites like Totto Sushi & Grill, Vine Street Market, Hart & Hive, Mexiville, and more. Chair: Lindsey Sharpe P’27,’27, Co-chair: Velvet Hernandez-Johnson P’28

GOLDEN BUCKLE

Located on the lower level of the middle school building, The Golden Buckle is our uniform and spirit gear resale store. Throughout the year, uniforms, sweatshirts, one-of-akind items, and other gently used items are resold to parents and students. Co-chair: Cathy Pierce P’26, Co-chair: Suzanne Mize Hallman ’97 P’30

ONLINE AUCTION

MARCH 24-28

GPS ONLINE AUCTION

Want to choose your Chapel Talk date? What about a special parking place close to the front of school? Then don’t miss the GPS Online Auction! Each year, GPS items are placed up for a week of online bidding. Save the date for March 24-28!

Chair: Julie Buhrman P’23,’25, Co-chair: Brooke Haluska P’30

INTERLUDE

Our 2024-25 fundraiser, Interlude, is a casual, adults-only concert featuring Yacht Rock Schooner, benefitting GPS and providing girls with unparalleled opportunities across academics, athletics, arts, and more.

Co-chairs: Lauren and Peter Boehm P’23,’28

Supporting the Sisterhood

Community Engagement

In addition to fundraising, the GPS Parent Council is tasked with engaging parents, students, and faculty. This year, Tiffanie Wilson P’29,’31 oversees the parent programs, while Kimberly Fiorello P’27,’30 works with student and faculty engagement.

1 GPS GARDEN CLUB

Garden Club offers parents a rewarding way to connect with the school community while nurturing our campus’s natural beauty. Members of this group regularly help weed, seed, and cultivate the garden beds alongside Dr. Brandon Noel and his environmental science students. (See page 16 to read about their work with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank!) Chair: Amanda Austin Miller ’94, P’24,’27, Co-chair: Lynn Harlin Shelton ’93, P’21,’22,’31, Co-chair: Catherine Debord P’27

2 PARENT SPEAKER SERIES

Through this series, both virtual and in-person speaking engagements give parents helpful tools to navigate their daughters’ adolescence with grace and guidance. (See page 15 to read about best-selling author Dr. Tracy DennisTiwary’s visit to campus in September!) Co-chairs: Brenda Grant P’25, Emily Jenkins P’25,’29, and Tara Poole P’28

3 GPS BOOK CLUB

Current parents, past parents, alumnae, faculty, and staff are invited to join the quarterly book club in The Ben. This year’s books have included the thriller The Night We Lost Him and the endearing Theo of Golden. Chair: Blair Bennington Cannon ’93, P’24,’28, Co-chair: Nicole Lewis P’30

MAY DAY WELCOME STATION

Parents are invited to participate in the cherished tradition of May Day, where their involvement can help enhance this beautiful celebration of character, integrity, and community. Join us in contributing your time and talents to honor our seniors and the May Court.

4 FACULTY AND STAFF APPRECIATION

GPS faculty and staff work tirelessly for the students, so Parent Council honors them with special events and surprises throughout the year, including pop-up coffee trucks, holiday Sweets and Treats, and Appreciation Week. Chair: Kelli Hand P’28, Co-chair: Courtney Poole Brunetz ’92, P’26

New Initiative

Margaret Patrick Caldwell ’91, P’28, Parent Council secretary, oversees this year’s newest initiative: Bruiser Cares.

BRUISER

CARES

Bruiser Cares provides compassionate support to families facing challenges, offering services like meal trains and other essential resources to help them navigate difficult times. Chair: Jessica Middlebrooks P’26,’30, Co-chair: Heather Powell P’27, Co-chair: Beth Rowlett P’24,’30

5 GPS DADS

We love a #GirlDad! The GPS Dads program fosters community and connection among fathers, father figures, and male supporters of GPS. The initiative aims to strengthen relationships and offer support through shared experiences, events, and activities.

Co-chair: Jessica Crutchfield P’26

Co-chair: Kristy Presley P’28

IT’S A WRAP! HOLIDAY GIFT WRAPPING STATION

Cue the elves! During the holidays, it can be hard to squeeze everything you need to get done into your schedule, so the GPS Parent Council is here to help! New last year, It’s a Wrap allows faculty and staff to bring holiday gift items to be wrapped and ready to take home at the end of the day!

Chair: Samantha Lunn P’29 Co-chair: Christy Smalley P’31

COORDINATE TAILGATE

In partnership with the McCallie Parent Council, this year kicked off with a joint tailgate potluck that brought hundreds of families together to cheer on the Big Blue! Chair: Tammy Lawrence P’27

SUNRISE SURPRISE STUDENT BREAKFAST

Each year, the Parent Council surprises GPS students with a special breakfast to celebrate their hard work. Chicken biscuit, anyone?! Chair: Rachel Adams P’25,’28, Co-chair: Betsey Evans Kates ’97, P’28,’30, Volunteer: Gideon Thomas P’28

PARENT AMBASSADORS

From leading prospective families on campus tours for admission to encouraging involvement and attendance at GPS arts and athletics events, these parents are our biggest cheerleaders. Dara Davis Bechtol ’98, P’29, Ginger Birnbaum P’27, Jules Downum P’29, Tracey Wilson Julienne ’91, P’24,’27, Megan Manning P’30, Jennifer Pond P’29, Devin Sprouse P’30

Grade-Level Communications

Becky Armstrong P’27,’27 is chair of the class representatives. She helps guide content and strategy for communications shared with parents in various grades. Each grade has parent representatives who share reminders in a GroupMe, whether that means a reminder to RSVP to an upcoming event or a note about a dress down day; the parent Facebook group also shares useful information. Additionally, their grade-level parent coffees serve as an opportunity for families to get to know each other better.

Work never stops for the GPS Parent Council as this group of tireless volunteers connects GPS families to one another and the school, as well as provide support to GPS faculty, staff, and students while upholding the mission, vision, and values of the school.We appreciate all you do!

Meet the Leadership Team

This year, the GPS Parent Council underwent a restructuring to ensure roles, responsibilities, and projects closely align with our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, Empowering Girls for a Changing World | Investing in the Future of GPS.

Under the guidance of Coughlin Haverty Cooper ’88, P’20, GPS Director of Special Events and Parent Engagement, the 202425 GPS Parent Council is led by President Wendy Ransom P’27, with Kamri Chester Busby ’08, P’28 acting as vice president and president-elect. Past-President Amanda Austin Miller ’94, P’24,’27 offers invaluable experience, Christi Feeney P’25 serves as treasurer, and Holly Smith P’30 manages their marketing and communications.

The Black & Blue Review

A look at the first semester’s honors, learning opportunities, events, and more!

HONORS

National Merit Recognition

Each year, over a million students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), with around 50,000 students recognized for their exceptional academic potential based on their scores. Madeline Butler was a National Merit Semifinalist and Charlotte Parsley was named a Commended Student. Madeline will continue on to compete for Finalist recognition and ultimately a National Merit Scholarship. National Merit Semifinalists are the top scorers in their respective states, representing less than one percent of each state’s high school seniors.

FACULTY

Interdisciplinary Instruction

Just before fall break, Katye Adams Couch ’92, Dean of Teaching and Learning, organized a collaborative professional development project about place-based, experiential, and interdisciplinary instruction. The activity had our faculty all over campus and around Chattanooga as they brainstormed engaging lesson plans together.

PARENT SPEAKER

UPPER SCHOOL

National Honor Society Inductees

Nearly 100 students across grades 10–12 were inducted into the Duffy-Jarnagin Chapter of the National Honor Society this fall. Membership in NHS is based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Understanding Anxiety

In our ongoing commitment to the health and wellness of our students and through our partnership with McCallie, we were pleased to welcome to campus Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, a clinical psychologist and researcher and digital health technology entrepreneur. The bestselling author of Future Tense, Dr. Dennis-Tiwary presented to parents a new framework for defining and managing anxiety—our brains’ response to uncertainty. She argues that we can’t eradicate anxiety completely, and more importantly, we shouldn’t try to. If we can learn to experience the healthy aspects of anxiety and work through the difficult parts, we’ll be better equipped to face our uncertain future with hope, tenacity, and courage.

Madeline Butler Charlotte Parsley

MIDDLE SCHOOL

GPS Middle School

Named School of Distinction

Our middle school program has been designed to best serve girls in their unique developmental stages, and now GPS has been officially recognized by the Association for Middle Level Education as a school of distinction.

Head of Middle School and Director of Student Support Services Kathryn Outlaw said, “Throughout the evaluation process, we were able to highlight our unique and outstanding programs that cultivate relationships, community, and the well-being of middle school girls. While I knew from the beginning of the process that we have an outstanding school and environment for middle school girls, being able to celebrate this success with our faculty, who care so deeply for their students every day, is incredibly special.”

Kathryn and colleague Dr. Ralph Covino, Humanities Coordinator and history teacher, presented on behalf of GPS at AMLE24: The 51st Annual Conference for Middle Level Education in November in Nashville, Tennessee, where GPS—the only girls’ school in the nation and the only school in Tennessee recognized—was presented with a plaque and banner.

COMMUNITY

GPS Gives Back

A communal effort between the GPS Parent Council, GPS students, and environmental science teacher Dr. Brandon Noel, the GPS Garden grows and cultivates produce to donate to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. In 2022, GPS partnered with NewTerra Compost to begin composting food waste in the cafeteria that is then turned into compost for the garden, and the results have been incredibly impactful. So far this year, GPS has donated more than 800 pounds of produce to the Food Bank!

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Hands-On History and Culture

A group of adventurous rising seventh- and eighthgraders, led by history teacher Tiffany Simms ’03, took an unforgettable eight-day trip to Panama! Their journey was packed with excitement: swimming and hiking through lush rainforests, spotting incredible wildlife on a boat tour, snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, and even visiting a pineapple farm for a sweet local treat. Adventure, learning, and fun all rolled into one amazing trip!

COMMUNITY

Lung Cancer Awareness Initiative

During November’s National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, GPS hosted a series of engaging events designed to highlight the role of medicine and engineering in combating lung cancer, address the stigma surrounding the disease, and encourage early screening. Organized by Cathy Headrick Fiacco ’83 in conjunction with CHI Memorial and Dr. Rob Headrick, a Chattanooga thoracic surgeon, students participated in the White Ribbon Project, which included cutting, decorating, and signing white ribbons to symbolize their commitment to the cause. In Chapel, GPS alum Cate Tinkler Mueller from the Class of 1983 was honored, and a ceremonial white ribbon was presented to lung cancer survivor Joan Haley Frierson ’60 by her granddaughter, Bennett Brown ’26. The second event included hosting the Breathe. Easy. Lung Bus and an interactive STEM lab with case study presentations tailored to each course's curriculum. GPS alumnae Karen Burns ’83, Elizabeth Hamilton Forrester ’94, PhD, and Katherine Ruffner ’83 were also recognized for their contributions to the initiative.

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Head’s Cabinet

Student leaders gathered at Founders House for the newly formed Head’s Cabinet. The purpose of the Head’s Cabinet is to create a dedicated space where student leaders can engage directly with the Head of School to review and refine their mission and goals, share updates on their progress, and exchange ideas relevant to their leadership roles. This group is not only a forum for accountability and collaboration but also an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of different leadership styles. Through these sessions, student leaders learn how to best utilize their leadership positions to positively impact GPS students and the broader school community.

SERVICE

COMMUNITY

Chattanooga Day of the Girl

On October 25, students from GPS, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, and Girls Inc. Chattanooga came together on GPS’ campus for the third annual Chattanooga Day of the Girl celebration. The afternoon event dedicated to empowering these three organizations who lift up young women featured games, popsicles, and a series of speakers, which included GPS senior and President of the Student Council, Gwyneth Parks ’25, who spoke on the topic, “Why a Girls’ School.”

Bluebell Society

Members of the GPS upper school were inducted into the Bluebell Honor Society for Service and Volunteerism. Head of Upper School Dr. Beth Creswell Wilson ’96, served as emcee for the event, acknowledging the society’s purpose is to encourage continual service to the community beyond GPS and recognize students with high participation in community service. “The bluebell’s color represents GPS’s identity and history of honor and integrity,” she said, “and the bluebell is a symbol of humility and gratitude.”

UPPER SCHOOL

French Immersion? Oui!

Through an elective, half-credit summer course, students experienced French language immersion during two-and-a-half 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 took French lessons and put them into practice as they toured the city of Fort-de-France, swam, shopped, cooked Creole food, and learned about the island’s history.

FACULTY & STAFF

Professional Development

At our first full faculty and staff gathering of the year, the energy was palpable! We kicked off the day in small groups, where we discussed our summer reading book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. From there, we came together to engage with each other (improv, anyone?!) and celebrate our institutional goals, which will guide our teaching and learning all year long.

OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP

Learning the Basics in Shenandoah

Over the summer, a group of students visited Shenandoah National Park in Virginia through our Girls Outdoor Leadership Education (GOLE) program. The trip was designed to get the girls out of their comfort zones with immersive outdoor experiences. They learned how to plan and prepare for multiple day hikes; how to climb, belay, and rappel; and the basics of horseback riding. They also learned how to prep and maintain camp for multiple days. Students were in charge of meal planning, cooking, and clean-up. They led evening activities for each other, too.

Class Retreats

To strengthen the bonds of sisterhood and grow together as a class, we start the year with class retreats. By the looks of it, our students had a blast!

ALL-SCHOOL

Fall Photo Review

1 The Bruiser Fall Family Tailgate was a huge success! We’ve got spirit, yes we do! 2 A Founders Day celebration featured fun, frivolity, and friendship bracelets. 3 The annual Cat-Rat Parade took attendees on a trip through classic Chattanooga hotspots. 4 GPS students returned from their exchange at St. Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane, and their Australian counterparts joined the GPS community for the fall semester! 5 We were dill-ighted by the GPS | McCallie Pickleball Invitational and really relished in the competition and sportsmanship shown by all the students who played! 6 Thanks to Head of School Megan Cover for providing the perfect midweek pick-me-up with a morning coffee truck, courtesy of Cheiman Tea! 7 From our brand new sixth-graders to our Grand Ole Seniors, everyone felt the joy during the Opening Day festivities. 8 Seniors gathered at Founders House before a special back-to-school dinner. 9 Donning matching capes, our senior Cats and sixth-grade Rats assembled on Smith Courtyard for an epic meetup! 10 The Back-to-School Open House and Picnic is always a perfect kickoff to the new school year! 11 The Father/Daughter Lookouts Game was a big hit again this year!

The College Counseling journey

By Pamela Hammonds

Let’s take a hike in the woods, shall we?

First you get to choose from two options. You can head out solo with a knapsack filled with a few snacks, spotty cell service, and flip flops on your feet. Or you can join a group of seasoned hikers with a surplus of food, the latest gadgets, and a first aid kit should something go awry. In this option, you also get a pole for steadying your balance and boots made for rugged terrain.

Your trails in each scenario? Both come with obstacles—creeks to cross, fallen trees to negotiate, and forks that require decisions and adjustments. Your treks have similar destinations—and yet potentially very different outcomes determined by the option you choose.

This hike you’re taking? It starts in high school and ends the day your student enrolls in college.

The GPS College Counseling team is your seasoned group of hikers poised to come alongside you as you plan for, better understand, and navigate the oftenshifting terrain of the college admission landscape. With more than 3,000 four-year college destinations for your daughter to choose from in the U.S. alone, with widely varying degree programs, cocurricular offerings, and costs, you need more than a knapsack with cookies and a juice box to successfully complete your journey.

Prepared & Focused

Starting with a GPS student’s sophomore year, she is paired with a college counselor, either Director of College Counseling Andrew Reich or Associate Director Anders Swanson, along with Sarah Russell, Assistant to the College Counseling Office. But even before then, she has spent years preparing for what’s to come, packing her rucksack, so to speak, with classes, clubs, arts and athletic offerings, and adventures designed to build her self-confidence and better identify and hone her unique interests and personality.

Andrew works closely with Beth Creswell Wilson ’96, PhD, Associate Head of School for Academics and Head of Upper School, as they make programming decisions that are mission-aligned for GPS. “We discuss what types of students are compelling to colleges, but we don’t make curricular changes based on what colleges might be trending toward,” Andrew says. “That’s a constantly moving target.”

Since Beth and Andrew joined GPS in 2022, they have made adjustments to the required course load, as well as initiated incremental changes to the grading scale. As part of the school’s strategic plan, they have also assessed the school’s signature programming, making adjustments to ensure GPS students have ample opportunities to build their distinctive stories, differentiating them in the process, and leave GPS with passions they can carry to and through college.

“Colleges have shifted their focus to find kids who are genuinely passionate about something with a common thread throughout their applications,” Andrew says. “This is when leveraging our community partnerships proves beneficial.” From the Class of 2024, both Tess Azzouz and Odessa Young parlayed their passions and experiences into finding colleges that fit.

THE CLASS OF 2024

graduates are attending

52 unique colleges and universities applications submitted to 210 unique colleges and universities around the world

73% 72%

of applications resulted in an offer of admission

attend institutions outside of Tennessee

Tess is studying international relations and political economy at Tulane University (New Orleans, Louisiana). While at GPS she played lacrosse, was a GPS Ambassador, and volunteered at the IRONMAN and Chambliss Children’s Center. She also attended a summer academic intensive in Sevilla, Spain and then completed a significant project through her AP Research class where she completed a year-long study examining the relationship between community engagement and involvement in their mosque for Muslims in the Chattanooga area.

“At first, the college counseling office helped me understand what I wanted and didn’t want in college,” Tess says. “This was an essential first step because it let me see my college decision clearly before things like grades and finances altered my ultimate decision. Then, when writing all my essays, my college counselor, Mr. Reich, helped me work through my writing and constantly asked me personal questions to help me stimulate ideas. I was not an easy student to work with at times, constantly in a state of distress and self-doubt, but the college counseling team helped me calm down and see the bigger picture of it all: You will end up where you are meant to be.”

While involved in a wide variety of activities at GPS, Odessa honed in on Terpsichord, GPS Singers, and the musicals. “GPS really helped me find what I am passionate about, which is the arts, specifically dance, as well as social justice and environmental studies,” Odessa says. “GPS made it possible for me to have multiple different passions and acknowledge that I can balance them all if that's what I want.” She is pursuing performance and communication arts as well as social justice at St. Lawrence University (Canton, New York).

Her college counselor helped her determine what she needed to look for in her college search. “The college office helped me find colleges with programs that I was interested in and that had strong need-based financial aid and merit scholarship funds, as well as helping me connect with specific schools I was interested in.”

Tess Azzouz

Odessa Young

The College Counseling Journey

THE GPS COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE DIFFERENCE

• Only school in Chattanooga where each sophomore meets individually with her college counselor

• Lowest student:college counselor ratio in Chattanooga

• Parent education for grades 9-12

• College Counseling Curriculum for juniors and seniors

• Individual family meetings beginning fall of junior year

• Embedded physically in the upper school office for accessibility and collaboration

• Extensive programming with colleges and universities

• On-site visits with representatives from across the country

• Three fall college fairs, one each at GPS, McCallie, and Baylor

• Strategic and individualized college admission and affordability counseling

• Thoughtfully guide seniors as they move through the college application process to think through and reflect on their decisions

• Messaging that’s tailored to each student and her family

• Kind and supportive counselors with deep experiences in higher education and national independent schools

Adaptable & Agile

The pandemic detoured students’ college admission process like a washed out footpath across an already treacherous trail. Prior to 2020, liberal arts and sciences colleges were more likely to be test-optional; many universities that followed suit in response to limited testseat availability during the pandemic have since returned to requiring test scores, including all public universities in Georgia, all University of Tennessee campuses, and several highly selective schools.

Then last year, the U.S. Department of Education redesigned the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in an effort to simplify the process and instead was late with the rollout, which even then was riddled with errors. Unfortunately, last spring, “many students across the country were left without financial aid packages,” Andrew says.

Now add Artificial Intelligence into the mix. While about half of all college admission offices use some level of AI to review applications, “most have pretty explicit policies with regards to students’ applications and essays being their own,” Andrew says. “One of the great strengths of our school is that our students are eager to maximize their unique voices and are strong writers, thanks to our humanities curriculum and faculty. However, we are also aware that AI is likely an inescapable part of our future, and that it may ultimately serve as a widely accepted tool for students navigating college

applications. We aim to stand ready to embrace it when the attitude toward AI fully shifts.”

Another recent trend has been the increasing popularity (and decreased acceptance rates) of Southern universities that a significant number of GPS students have historically attended—those with mild temperatures and exciting social opportunities—such as University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Georgia, Auburn University, Clemson University, and University of South Carolina. While this has caused some concern for our students, it’s also helped them branch out, weigh other options, and consider schools initially outside their periphery.

“Our girls are going to schools all over the country,” Andrew says. “They’re thinking for themselves and finding schools that are a good fit—financially, academically, socially—for them and their families.”

The 85 members of the Class of 2024 attend 52 unique colleges and universities across the country.

While many of the requirements associated with college applications vary from school to school, Andrew and Anders have a good understanding of how to help families be strategic and build affordability in the college search process.

“We’ve built a trust with our parents and can be direct about the feasibility of realistically affording one college over another,” Andrew says.

INDIVIDUALIZED, PURPOSEFUL, PERSONALIZED

Freshman Year | Class meetings with the college counseling office to discuss what lies ahead in upper school

Sophomore Year | First individual meeting with an assigned college counselor to discuss standardized testing, course selection, and to get to know each other

Junior Year | Individual Family Meeting with college counselor, Deans Panel, College Counseling Class during free periods

Senior Year | Several individual meetings, college counseling class, Summer Application Workshop, admissions strategy support, essay support

“Our girls are going to schools all over the country. They're thinking for themselves and finding schools that are a good fit—financially, academically, socially—for them and their families.”

—Andrew Reich, Director of College Counseling

Tricks & Trends

Andrew and Anders have deep knowledge of regional schools and the capacity and experience that lies well beyond the well-traveled familiar trail. “We tell girls that you can have a transformative experience in a college in the Netherlands. You can have an amazing experience at a small college in Maine. You can have a life-changing experience at a school in California,” Andrew says. “We believe in them and want them to have broader lists.”

At a time when confidence in higher education is waning—a 2024 Gallup poll revealed that only 36 percent of Americans have “quite a lot” or a “good deal” of confidence in higher education, down from 57 percent in 2015—GPS families resolutely believe in the value of an education for their daughters. “One hundred percent of our students are admitted to four-year colleges and attend because they see an education as the path to their professional goals,” Andrew says. For GPS students and families, there’s still a nearly unanimous belief in the “value” of a four-year degree.

SEE IT IN ACTION

Scan the QR code to see how GPS provides opportunities for girls to succeed on the road to college.

The College Counseling Journey UP AHEAD

In partnership with McCallie, this year’s College Dean and Director Panel (January 27 & 28) will feature college professionals beyond the admission office. To help our upper school students prepare for their next steps, they and their families will learn about

• the transition from high school to college

• how to maximize their college experience

• what to do once they’ve been admitted

• what growth they should expect

• student success and health and wellness

• how to stay in college and successfully graduate

In addition to widening the scope of where they could go, GPS girls are challenged to consider what they can be. Historically, while boys score better in college aptitude tests, girls tend to perform better in traditional classroom settings. “When a student tells us she wants to be a nurse, we think that’s great and then ask if she’s considered becoming a doctor,” Andrew says. “We want them to believe in themselves and see beyond gender stereotypes, to be thoughtful, bold, open to chances, and welleducated so they will thrive in the world.”

Isn’t that what college is all about? Students take the success of their high school experience and build upon it, preparing that the destination might not be the one they initially planned for but, with passion and a good understanding of the available resources, growth and maturity will follow.

Andrew Reich

Anders Swanson

Sarah Russell

Athletics

SEASON SUCCESS

Varsity Cross Country

The Bruiser Varsity Cross Country team had an impressive end to their season, finishing second at the TSSAA DII AA State Championship Meet held at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on November 7. The Bruisers were led by Gilly Shumate ’25 (5th place) and Tessie Braman ’25 (13th place), who both earned All-State honors with their performances.

This is the highest finish for the Bruiser cross country program since 2020, when they won the TSSAA State Cross Country Championship. Four girls, Tessie Braman ’25, Charlotte Parsley ’25, Gilly Shumate ’25, Mary Wamack ’25, who competed as eighth-graders on the 2020 state championship team, also competed as seniors this year.

Bruiser Family Tailgate

Friends, family, and fans showed up and out for the Bruiser Family Tailgate! Food trucks, fun, and Bruiser spirit were on full display as our varsity soccer team faced rival Baylor in a well-fought region game. At halftime, we recognized the seniors of the Bruisers cross country team.

Volleyball

Bruiser volleyball captain, Cadence Nichols ’25, earned a spot on the TSSAA Division II AA All-East Region Team. All-East Region team selections are nominated and voted for by all head coaches of the sports in the Division II AA East Region at the end of the season. Sophia Jenkins ’27 and Cat Nygaard ’27 were selected for the AVCA All-Region Team by the AVCA High School Regional Committee. Cat was also named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American. A total of 1,762 nominations were submitted to the AVCA and MaxPreps, and 121 players were named to the AllAmerica Teams, with another 120 being Honorable Mention All-America selections. Cat was one of only two girls in the state of Tennessee (public or private schools) named to one of these teams.

Cross Country

Gilly Shumate ’25 and Tessie Braman ’25 both qualified for top honors with their finishes in the state championship meet. Shumate placed 5th and Braman 13th in the TSSAA Division II AA State Meet Thursday, earning individual All-State recognition as they lead the Bruisers to a second place team finish.

Cadence Nichols Sophia Jenkins Cat Nygaard

Gilly Shumate Tessie Braman

Faculty and Staff Learn to Row

Bruiser Crew took some of our faculty and staff out on the water for a Learn-toRow day. Our Bruisers led their seven new teammates, teaching them appropriate technique inside before graduating them to the water. Student-athlete-led instruction helped our girls gain a deeper knowledge of the in’s and out’s of coaching, and the faculty/staff have renewed appreciation for the hard work our girls put in every day. Everyone had a blast, dealt with some rain along the way, AND no one fell out of the boat!

Track Dedication

During our fall tailgate, we had the honor of presenting Glenn and Suzanne Morris P’16,’21 with a piece of our brand-new track, which was made possible by their generous donation to GPS. The new track and natural grass soccer/lacrosse field provide our student-athletes with the best resources for optimal play, and it was so special for our senior soccer players to get to host senior night on their own field!

In the Community

Bruiser Rowers Olivia Youngblood ’27 and Eileen Nash ’25 attended the Chattanooga Rotary Club’s meeting to promote the Head of the Hooch regatta and rowing in our community. They were guests of Doug Thompson, the Rotary Club’s current President and Eileen’s uncle.

Golf

Katherine Potts ’26 was honored as a recipient of the NFHS & TSSAA Student-Athlete Award of Excellence. This award is given to “honor remarkable studentathletes who have demonstrated exceptional character and sportsmanship in their athletic pursuits” per the announcement posted by the TSSAA. Katherine finished this season tied for 16th at the TSSAA State Golf Tournament in October.

Soccer

Cullie Capecchi ’26, Mary Wamack ’25, and Kallie West ’27, earned a spot on the TSSAA Division II AA All-East Region Team. Hannah Wise ’25 was selected for the TSSAA Division II AA All-East Region Honorable Mention Team.

Cullie Capecchi

Mary Wamack

Hannah Wise Kallie West

Middle School Athletics

Allie Tennyson, Director of Athletics and Strategic Partnerships

We are so fortunate to have the sixth through twelfth grade model here at GPS. Not only does this model provide a robust 7-year academic program for our girls, but also an opportunity to begin intentionally coaching and developing our athletes both mentally and physically in our athletic programs well before their high school years.

Investing in middle school athletics will continue to be a strategic initiative within GPS athletics. The addition of no-cut middle school sports in the 2022-23 school year has increased participation numbers in our programs and, most importantly, empowered our girls to try new things without the fear of failure.

We will continue to invest in our middle school coaches, who in turn, will build up our middle school programs and girls who participate in them. When we invest and succeed at the ground level, our ceiling of success at the varsity level will rise, as well. This past fall the Bruiser middle school teams excelled across the board. Our middle school coaching staff is an exceptional group of women and men who believe in the value of athletics for girls in middle school and have a great time doing it!

Cross Country

The middle school cross country team finished third at the ISC Championship Meet in October. Eleanor Kates ’30 and Luci Baker ’29 led the Bruisers with top 15 finishes at the championship meet.

Softball

The middle school softball team finished the season 6-6, losing in the ISC SemiFinal game.

Soccer

The middle school soccer team finished the regular season in second place and advanced to the semi-finals of the ISC tournament.

Tennis

The middle school tennis team finished the year as the ISC Champions with a 5-4 victory over Baylor in the championship match.

Fine & Performing Arts

On the stage and in the studio, middle- and upper-school students shared their artistic talents this fall semester.

1 MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL

GPS and McCallie middle-schoolers took to the stage for three tea-riffic performances and truly went mad (Hatterstyle) with their talent and dedication, bringing Alice in Wonderland JR. to life in the most magical way! From Alice's wild journey down the rabbit hole to the queentastic scenes with hearts, it was a show filled with wonder.

2 TERPSICHORD ORIGINALS

At the beginning of every school year, members of our contemporary dance company, Terpsichord, take the stage to perform original choreography for peers, faculty, and parents. Aptly named, "Originals" allow each girl to experience the power of creating—through learned skills, risk-taking, collaboration, decisionmaking, and the often humbling and edifying process of revision.

3 TERPSICHORD THANKSGIVING CONCERT

For several decades, our school has enjoyed the time-honored tradition of Terpsichord dismissing the student body for break with its annual Thanksgiving Concert. This year, the dancers choreographed a concert titled "A Thread Through Perspectives."

CANDLELIGHT CHORUS

GPS | McCallie performers treated two packed audiences to a beautiful medley of holiday tunes during the annual Candlelight Chorus, held on McCallie’s campus and celebrating its fortieth anniversary.

WINTER INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CONCERT

Middle school students filled the Frierson Theatre with songs of the season during their winter concert, where they displayed their talents for family and friends.

4 UPPER SCHOOL PLAY

Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, an enchanting tale of love, mischief, and magic, came to life at the McCallie Black Box in November. The production was developed with strong student support and a ’70’s twist.

5 MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA

Led by Ms. Kelly Ballard, members of the middle school orchestra performed a special midday show in October with songs in honor of the spooky season!

CHORAL AND HANDBELL CONCERT

To kick off the holiday season, handbell ensembles from GPS and McCallie, as well as middle and upper school choirs from both schools, performed a variety of holiday favorites as well as traditional choral classics and Hanukkah music.

In the Classroom

The GPS Singers worked with conductor James Meaders, Founder and Artistic Director of Vox Anima London and conductor of Vox Anima Chamber Choir and Vox Populi—two UK-based ensembles that promote and perform the repertoire of today’s composers.

In the Press

Hansini Puttagunta ’30 had artwork selected for the inaugural issue of The Walnut Branch for Young Adults, a quarterly magazine designed for K-12thgrade creatives. Her work was on display at the Hunter Museum throughout October.

Dance Honor Society

Five new members 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. Throughout their years at GPS, each of these seniors has given her time, talent, and passion to Terpsichord and the GPS community. They carry a collective GPA of 4.03; serve on the Honor Council, PIC, and as GPS Ambassadors; and participate in Spectrum, Tucker River Fellows, Candlelight, ASL Club, and more.

Fletcher Bright Fellowship

Inspired by a lack of early music education in her own life, Tori Ball ’25 applied for and was awarded the 2024-25 Fletcher Bright Fellowship. Her idea? Start a ukulele club for fifth-graders at Lookout Valley Elementary, where her mom recently began teaching. Recognizing the school's limited music program, Tori set out to introduce kids to music by teaching them basic ukulele skills. She now visits every Thursday for a 45-minute class of 15 students, who affectionately call themselves The Ukababies. They start each session with an energetic game before practicing simple chords and songs. Her goal is to help them gain confidence and perform with the school's music program by semester’s end.

Self-taught since sixth grade, Tori finds the ukulele to be an ideal first instrument, both manageable and a solid gateway to other string instruments. Using the grant money received from the fellowship, she funded and donated ukuleles for the group, aiming to foster early interest in music that could grow as the program expands. Initially nervous about leading a class as a high-schooler, she found the school welcoming, with students engaged and eager to learn.

On the Road

Terpsichord loaded up the bus and went to Atlanta to see Doug Varone and Dancers perform at Emory University. Doug and Jake Bone both remembered the girls and came out after the show to say hello. Anya Parambath ’23 also came by to say hi! It was an amazing evening of professional dance and personal connections.

Extra! Extra!

The Coordinate GPS | McCallie Theater Department is excited to announce NEWSIES as the 2025 spring musical. Based on the 1992 Disney movie of the same name, the musical brings to life the true story of the 1899 New York City newsboys' strike. The musical is known for its energetic dance numbers, catchy songs, and its inspiring message about standing up for one's rights. “This high energy production will showcase the incredible talent of upper school students from GPS and McCallie. It’s going to be a dynamic performance full of excitement. I can’t wait to see the energy and passion the students will bring to the stage,” shared director Chelsea Padro. The show will run April 11–13, 2025.

Terpsichord Celebrates 70 Years

Members of the GPS community were invited to campus for an afternoon dance performance honoring the 70th anniversary of the GPS modern dance company, Terpsichord. Both alumnae and current students performed original choreography in a variety of dance styles.

Leading in the Stands

Gwyneth Parks ’25 learned last spring that she had earned the role of Drum Major for the coordinate Tornado Winds pep band. Gwyneth is the second GPS student to hold this role, following Heather Ake ’20, who also served as drum major her senior year. While it’s somewhat uncommon for a GPS student to hold the role, both Heather and Gwyneth possessed the exceptional leadership and musical talents valued in the position, and Gwyneth’s leadership was a joy to watch all season long!

Achievements in Music

GPS students are making musical waves! Eighth-grade cellist Audrey Sharps performed at the ETSBOA Lower Area Junior Orchestra Clinic, while fellow eighth-grader Charlotte Lacouture, a trombonist, was accepted to the ETSBOA Lower Area Junior Band Clinic. Additionally, eighth-graders Tallulah Bechtol and Peytan McGraw, along with freshman Bea Burbank and sophomore Meri-Madeline Sanders, were accepted to the ETVA All-East Choirs.

Future Bruisers

Elementary school students interested in tumbling down the rabbit hole a few days before Alice in Wonderland Jr. officially opened were invited to visit campus for our Art & Motion clinic, where participants made an Alice in Wonderland craft and learned choreography from the show, taught by our Terpsichord dancers.

TO RETURN MARCH 14, 2026

Each year our advancement office plans events and activities to make meaningful connections across our community.

At our fall Reunion Weekend, hundreds of alumnae return to campus to reconnect, reunite, and reaffirm their belief in how an all-girl educational environment helped make them the women they are today. It also allows us to see firsthand what our school means to so many.

If I had to choose a favorite part of the weekend, I’d have to say the Notable Alumnae and Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony tops the list, followed by seeing our alumnae talk to students in their classrooms and interact with our Student Life Panel. The expressions of our students revealed the respect and admiration they have for our incredible alumnae and their accomplishments, and our alumnae showed so much joy while spending time with our students.

It was truly remarkable to see our students experiencing what life after GPS might hold for them. In a packed Frierson Theatre, filled with the entire student body and faculty and staff, the alumnae shared their stories, and the students’ reactions were genuine, heartfelt, and inspired. You could see the respect our girls have for their GPS sisters and their accomplishments. At the same time, the joy our alumnae feel in connecting with these bright young women is truly special. And to top it all off, we all sang the “Alma Mater” together at the end, uniting in our shared GPS experience. That moment gave me chills, a powerful reminder of the connection that ties us all together, no matter where life takes us. Moments like these are what make our GPS community so extraordinary.

SCAN THE QR CODE TO VISIT GPS.EDU/ ALUMUPDATE OR EMAIL ALUMNEWS@ GPS.EDU TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION.

Speaking of nostalgia and memories, we are excited to plan for the concert event of the season, Interlude, with the infamous Yacht Rock Schooner playing tunes at Barrelhouse Ballroom at the end of March. I hope you’ll join us as we celebrate our school and our collective commitment to an all-girls education.

What a privilege it is to work at GPS—to see the efforts of future successful women happen in real time and then to witness the fruits of so much shared work by the adults on campus manifest in the lives of our alumnae.

Here’s to the girls!

Ali Gant Chief Advancement Officer

alumna spotlight

Marissa Shrum ’99

Creative entrepreneur

After an extensive career in marketing and advertising, Marissa Shrum ’99 found herself at a crossroads in 2018. Already established in the world of advertising strategy and branding, she felt a pull to forge a path that would allow her to integrate her business skills with a deeper personal calling: art and wellness. Her business, Remember I Love You, is a result of that journey—a blend of cultural intelligence, creative direction, and community building aimed at transformative messaging. Yet, arriving at this point was a complex, winding process. As she explains, balancing entrepreneurship and artistry is an exercise in what she calls “bothness”—the idea that two seemingly opposing aspirations can coexist and fuel one another.

Reflecting on her early days at GPS, Marissa recounts her love for art and dance, recalling how these passions sparked her interest in creative self-expression. She profoundly remembers her involvement with Terpsichord, GPS’s dance company, and the mentorship of Cathy Ault Kasch ’72, who encouraged her to embrace her individuality through movement. "At the time, I didn't realize I was learning from an artist,” she says. "I didn’t yet see how creativity could become a part of my life path." This encouragement helped instill confidence, but societal pressures would still come to challenge her expression.

After GPS, she entered Vanderbilt University, where she was quickly absorbed into a highachievement culture focused on future job

“Learn to listen to yourself. If you know who you are and why you are the way you are, you’ll be less likely to fall into someone else’s story.�

prospects and economic stability. Coming from a background where she witnessed her mother powerfully leveraging business acumen to rise above economic, racial and gender expectations, she was driven to succeed, sometimes at the expense of personal fulfillment. "I was so focused on economic stability that I wasn’t listening to the creative part of me,” she shares. “We’re often taught to seek external validation and accolades, and it's easy to lose the most magical parts of yourself in that pursuit.”

Her first taste of this struggle came early in her career while working in Florida on the high-stakes 2004 presidential election—a job she describes as one of her hardest. Political strategy, brand consulting, and youth education defined her professional life, but her passion for art persisted. “I remember typing ‘jobs for creative people’ into Google in 2005,” she says, laughing. “There weren’t as many opportunities for someone who wanted to blend creativity with business back then.” Years in advertising left her feeling successful but unfulfilled, and she eventually realized that she needed to find a way to honor both her business mind and her artistic calling.

The launch of Remember I Love You was born from this realization. She wanted to create a business that didn’t just meet a corporate need but did so in a way that promoted self-love, family values, and community care. She wanted to bring messages to the world that celebrated humanity and respect. Building a brand with such an ethos hasn’t been without its challenges, but it's also allowed her to blend her unique talents into something profoundly meaningful.

“Being an entrepreneur is hard,” Marissa notes. “Sometimes your vision of what’s possible for your clients even surpasses their own. It requires patience and persistence, but also compassion.” She also found herself reinvigorated by a documentary film project during a year-long pause in her business, embracing the idea of creative entrepreneurship. This venture encouraged her to take her ideas seriously, a confidence she attributes to the foundation GPS gave her. Beyond professional pursuits, her experiences growing up as a biracial woman and navigating her different cultural background have profoundly influenced her work. “I come from a background of stark contrasts.” She reflects on the sense of being different from a young age, and how this pushed her to make unconventional choices in her career.

“Sometimes I cried a lot, but those moments gave me perspective,” she says, “They taught me that you don’t have to fit neatly into one category or follow one clear path.” The work she does today is influenced by her diverse experiences and a drive to unite different perspectives, helping companies connect with communities through empathetic, inclusive messaging.

Alumna Spotlight

One of her proudest achievements was helping Target develop strategies to reach Gen Z consumers through a digital magazine that bridged the gap between corporate brands and grassroots influencers. Marissa's investment in We the Urban, a wellness-focused community-building Instagram account, stands out as an innovative collaboration that brings uplifting content to the world, daily. Her role as a strategist has evolved along with the rise of influencer culture, and she’s witnessed firsthand the shift in power from brands to individual creators. She describes herself as “a creative entrepreneur,” someone who uses business strategy to support meaningful connections, both online and offline.

When asked to give advice to current GPS students, she encourages them to “study themselves” and to embrace their individuality. “Learn to listen to yourself. If you know who you are and why you are the way you are, you’ll be less likely to fall into someone else’s story.” She also recommends diversifying one’s interests, particularly in an ever-changing world where adaptability is key. Her final piece of advice is to build a life that supports offline fulfillment as well. “The most successful people you see on the internet do a lot of work offline,” she reminds. Her story is a testament to the balance between achievement and self-expression, resilience and creativity, purpose and joy. From the lessons of her GPS mentors to the challenges of her career, she’s come to see the importance of charting one’s own path, honoring the “bothness” within. "The future belongs to those who can pivot, adapt, and still hold onto who they are," she says. And as she continues her journey, she’s determined to embody that spirit of adaptability, self-discovery, and love for the transformative power of the creative process.

Scan the QR code to read more GPS Alumnae Stories.

Fall Development Events

Fall Development Events

1 Megan Cover and Ali Gant met up with Captain Margaret Cleary Dean ’93 on a whirlwind trip to Virginia, which included driving a Navy ship! 2 Outside of Chattanooga, Alumnae Gatherings occurred in Knoxville, Birmingham, and Auburn this fall. Keep an eye out for a gathering happening near you! 3 Bunco, anyone? For Giving Week, parents were invited to play Bunco on campus.

4 Chattanooga-area alumnae gathered at State of Confusion in honor of Founders Day. 5 The Alumnae Book Club read and discussed All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, led by Nicki Graham Turner ’14. 6 What a fun evening we had hosting the Young Alumnae Care Package Party for the Class of 2024 parents! 7 A panel of alumnae spoke with parents about mental health and disordered eating. 8 In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness, alumnae brought the Breathe. Easy. Mobile Screening Bus to campus and held focus groups to discuss the disease.

October 4 & 5, 2024

Reunion Weekend

Warm, sunny weather graced the GPS campus once again for the second GPS Reunion Weekend hosted in the fall. The Class of 1974 celebrated its 50th reunion with a special champagne toast at Founders House Friday evening before the 4s and 9s joined for a cocktail party.

Reunion Cocktail Party

Founders House provided the perfect venue for our alumnae to reconnect, reminisce, and raise a glass to celebrate each other.

Mahjong

A new event this year, Mahjong at the Heritage Landing clubhouse kicked things off on Thursday night. From door prizes for mahjongs to custom GPS line readers, the popularity of this game was not lost on the GPS planning team, nor the alumnae who participated!

Cardio Tennis

Saturday morning featured cardio tennis with the newest member of the GPS Athletic Hall of Fame, Sue Bartlett.

Scan the QR code to read about Sue's induction into the GPS Hall of Fame or visit GPS.edu/News.

Pickleball

On Friday afternoon, some rousing games of pickleball took place on the outdoor courts. And to protect their eyes from the sun? You know the Development Office had something— custom Bruiser pickleball trucker hats!

Picnic

On Friday night, folks headed to DeFoor Patio and Smith Courtyard for the All-Alumnae Family Picnic, which featured dinner from Edley’s, lawn games, and an area to watch the McCallie vs. Baylor football game.

Mingling & Mimosas + Brunch

All attendees were invited to the Main Gym for Mingling and Mimosas—a returning favorite from last year— and class photos before the Alumnae Brunch, which honored the Notable Alumnae and also presented two special awards—the Distinguished Alumna and the Lupton Award of Excellence. During the brunch program, guests heard from Head of School Megan Cover about her plans for GPS this year and beyond, with a focus on the strategic plan, Empowering Girls for a Changing World | Investing in the Future of GPS.

Scan the QR code to read about our award winners or visit GPS.edu/News.

Notables + Athletic Hall of Fame

On Friday morning, alumnae, guests, faculty, staff, and students gathered in Frierson Theatre for the Notable Alumnae and Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. In 2017, GPS established a Notable Alumnae Awards Program to recognize outstanding graduates. One alumna from each reunion class is chosen through a selection process that includes nominations by her classmates. This year's inductees, pictured left to right, included Elizabeth Hamilton Forrester ’94, Cherie Bonder Goldman ’89, Dr. Jane Carter ’74, Dr. Pinky Drosten Kushner ’59, Hon. Ashley Moore Palmer ’99, Dr. Jill Gibson ’09, Jennifer Davis Ward ’84, Dr. Mary Chandler Gwin ’14, Charlotte Vance ’19, Lyn Harris ’79, and Taylor Lee Vinson ’04. On the right, Sue Bartlett was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for her outstanding accomplishments in and contributions to athletics and her significant impact on the GPS athletics program.

Class Notes

1960s

Carole Anderson Russell ’64 is enjoying retirement, after 34 years in the classroom, and spending time with her grandchildren. She has been an active member of Brainerd Baptist Church for the past 38 years.

1970s

Ann Oliphant Post ’74 retired from Gwinnett County Public Schools.

1980s

Lori Shoemaker ’80 retired from the Foreign Service in 2020, having served in South Korea, Guinea, Japan, and Washington, DC, and now works part-time as an attorney at the State Department.

1 Beth Foster Janney ’81 completed her diaconal studies at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Episcopal seminary in Berkeley, California, in May 2024. Beth was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church in September of 2024. She serves as Deacon at St.

Paul's Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Alice McCarthy Finn ’83 moved to Monteagle after living away from Chattanooga and the mountains for 40 years.

Natalie Center Owsley ’85 completed a PhD in nursing research at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2023.

Golnar Jabbari Fozi ’86 is a partner at Fozi Dwork & Modafferi, LLP.

Tracy Kimball Green ’88 is a CDI Specialist for Trinity Health.

Kim Crawford Kikkawa ’88 works for Pilkerton Realtors.

1990s

Stephanie Sisson HuskinsDarnell ’91 is a women’s health nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife. She enjoys empowering women to take charge of their health and loves to educate.

Lela Moore ’94 began a Masters of Information degree at Rutgers University in September

Share your news with us at AlumNews@GPS.edu and scan here to update your contact information.

2023 and is working part-time at the Maplewood Memorial Library while continuing to write freelance articles for a variety of publications.

Mary Hennessy Becton ’95 opened Dogwood Event Strategies, a strategic events business that primarily consults for association conferences and conventions.

Abby Bascle Jartos ’95 has illustrated a children’s book for a subsidiary of Harper Collins, releasing January 2025.

Kimberly Rudolph Wilson ’98 is the Design Manager at InComm Payments.

2000s

2 Channing Kimball Hurst ’00 was in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics as a High Performance Manager with the US Diving team.

Mary Anna Sanders Gentry ’01, DO FACOG, is a self-employed gynecologist at Fearfully & Wonderfully Made.

Iz Conroy ’04 is the Executive Director of External Communications at athenahealth.

Taylor Lee Vinson ’04 graduated from the 40th Leadership Chattanooga Class (2024) last May.

Karen Anderson Jolley ’04 is a Staff Attorney, Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the ED of Tennessee.

Caroline Walker ’04 and Colette Smith ’23 were in the Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s production of La Cage Aux Folles this summer.

Seda Grigoryan ’07, MD, is working as a physician at Dr. David Huffman’s practice in Chattanooga.

Rachel Barron Morrison ’07 recently moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, for her husband, Daniel’s (McCallie ’07), new job as an ENT surgeon. She is currently a stay at home mom to her four boys.

4 Through her work in the wedding industry as a planner/

coordinator, Kelcey Werner ’08 has had the pleasure of meeting and working with two other GPS alumnae. (See 2010s below for Kobi Cummings ’15 and Anna Claire Pierce ’15.) Kelcey (pictured on the right) moved back to Chattanooga in 2022 after 10 years working at Walt Disney World in Florida. “I knew I wanted to work in the wedding industry, and started working with Complete Weddings and Events in 2023 as a wedding coordinator,” she says. “I have worked with several venues and vendors, and was so excited when I learned that Kobi had also graduated from GPS and worked at Disney! We bonded over our similar journeys, and I truly admire her passion and the business she has built. I always love getting to meet other GPS women, but to be able to share a workspace with them is so special, and seeing them thrive brings me so much joy and makes me even prouder to be a GPS graduate.”

Jill Gibson ’09, DDS, is the newest surgeon at Greenville Oral Surgery Partners.

2010s

In June 2024, Morgan Elliott ’11, PhD, became an advisory board member of Wonder Connection, a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina. Wonder Connection’s mission is to promote joy, well-being, and self-confidence in hospitalized children and teens through the wonders of nature and science. Morgan loves seeing how science-based activities can reduce children’s fear of being a

patient and let them be a kid.

Joanna Hudgins Lardie ’11 is Wine Club & Operations Manager with Sangiacomo Wines in Sonoma, California. Joanna shares, "It is an amazing family who has been growing and farming wine grapes in Sonoma County for 100 years!”

Maggie Venable ’12 helped develop the new AirPods 4. She shares, “Thrilled to see my first Apple product out in the world. Grateful to be part of a company that impacts so many lives and is dedicated to making technology more accessible and useful. It’s an amazing feeling to contribute to something that makes everyday life easier and better.”

Hannah Morrow Allen ’13 works remotely in People Operations for Flock Freight, the same company she was working for in San Diego before moving to North Carolina in June of 2024.

3 Ellyn “Ellie” Gaffney Bottai ’13 returned to her alma mater to speak to University of Tennessee's Haslam School of Business. While there, Ellie met with over 400 accounting students over three sessions and addressed having a career in accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Many of Ellie's former teachers at the Business School were in attendance. She is a graduate of UTK Class of 2017 and earned a Master of Accountancy through the UTK MAcc program in 2018, earning her CPA license the following year. UTK offers a well-renowned 5-year accountancy program that includes the MAcc. PwC is a pipeline for these graduates, and some are

given internships their fourth year and convert these opportunities to a career within PwC as Ellie has. She is a manager with PwC out of their Boston office and has been with the company over six years.

Emma McCallie ’13, along with McCallie-grad Dallas Condra ’14, has created Folx Table, The Sit Down Social Network, a platform for social connection through in-person experiences. The concept is pretty simple: You buy a ticket to a table of six people—who you don’t know— at restaurants, coffee shops, and bars around Nashville. Through conversation-based programming, you ask better questions, give better answers, and feel the difference of a more connected life. Whether you're looking for new friends or just want to put yourself out there, every Folx Table gives you a chance to talk to strangers in a meaningful way. Check it out at FolxTable.com.

Morgan Ball ’14 is entering her last year of internal medicine residency and planning to start applying for jobs as a hospitalist.

Macy Cox Bedard ’14 began the next stage of her career as an eighth-grade math teacher at Red Bank Middle School fall of 2024.

This year Payton Pitts ’14 celebrates five years of Lola Pate, her company that sells home decor, rugs, clothing, and more.

Bailey Wood Roshala ’14 moved back to Chattanooga in April after a decade living in Southern California and is looking for new opportunities in Chattanooga.

4 Kobi Cumming ’15 (pictured in the center), has opened a wedding and event venue in the Chattanooga area. The Valley Venues has stunning mountain views and multiple ceremony spaces.

4 Anna Claire Pierce ’15 (pictured on the left) took her talent for visual arts and began Art by Anna Claire, LLC. She offers live event and portrait work at weddings. Her stunning talent lets people bring home a beautiful piece of art, capturing their wedding day. She also offers guest portrait paintings as a wonderful and unique favor for those in attendance.

Haley Richardson Treadway ’15, who is an Agriculture & Natural Resource Extension Agent for Hamilton County, was among 18 authors honored with the UTIA Cavender Outstanding Award for Best Publications. She co-authored Welcome Home: Gardening in Tennessee.

Victoria Hicks ’16 is a technical sales representative for Anton Paar USA.

Caroline West ’16 completed her second year of her PhD in a history program at Princeton.

Hannah Prescott ’18 graduated with her MBA from The University of Alabama.

2020s

Barbie Edwards ’20 graduated with a biology major magna cum laude and is working with GPS alumna and dermatologist Dr. Deanna Brown ’02 during her gap year.

Weddings

1 Sharron Bockman ’14 to Gilad Kempenich 2 Adeline Chinery ’19 to Matthew Mollica 3 Lauchlan Davis ’14 to Jackson Ross-Parent Sky 4 Ellen Edwards ’18 to Samuel Houston Wicker 5 Ellie Gaffney ’13 to Nicholas "Nick" Donald Bottai 6 Sissa Schmissrauter Green ’73 to Edward Welch 7 Chevelle Higdon ’20 to Declan Swafford 8 Maggie Hill ’18 to Sam Ratliff 9 Joanna Hudgins ’12 to Tanner Lardie 10 Carey Kelley ’98 to Aaron Mulroy 11 Sydney Leech ’13 to Shane Smith 12 Hannah Morrow ’13 to Mike Allen 13 Lea Mulligan ’17 to Mike Basuini 14 Peyton Pitts ’14 to Lee Hill 15 Lori Shoemaker ’80 to Germán Núñez 16 Gabrielle Sobel ’08 to Xavier Snell 17 Analisa Stratienko ’15 to Riley Stamper 18 Shelby Thompson ’99 to Adam Belvo 19 Bailey Wood ’14 to Justice Roshala

WE LOVE HEARING ABOUT YOUR SPECIAL DAY! SEND YOUR PHOTOS AND DETAILS TO ALUMNEWS@GPS.EDU.

New Arrivals

1 Priya Boyington ’07, a son, Rishi Boyington Gupta 2 Morgan Yates Cardwell ’13, a son, James Presley "JP" Cardwell 3 Lydia Bowman Condron ’11, a son, Isaac James Condron 4 Sarah Evatt Crabtree ’11, a son, Henry Michael Crabtree 5 Mary Anna Caldwell Djire ’11, a son, Jeremiah Thomas Djire 6 Morgan Elliott ’11, a son, Jackson Robert Hunton 7 Lauren Hood Goodwin ’14, a daughter, Lily Graham Goodwin 8 Audrey Powers Hughes ’11, a daughter, Claire James Hughes 9 Karen Anderson Jolley ’04, a son, Henry "Hank" Louis Jolley 10 Corbin Rachor Maleki ’10, a son, Culver Chase Maleki 11 Savannah Shuford Malerbi ’09, a daughter, Scarlett Tice Malerbi 12 Kelly Spencer Mathews ’06, a daughter, Marion Kathryn "Kate" Mathews 13 Jan Johnston Owen ’13, a daughter, Holly Keith Owen 14 Sarah Evans Pagnani ’10, a son, Anthony "Tony" Joseph Pagnani IV 15 Emily Stutz Perdue ’14, twin daughters, Caroline Rose Purdue and Elizabeth "Ellie" Chandler Perdue 16 Emily Boydston Procópio ’06, a daughter, Lillian Georgie Procópio 17 Kathryn Bryant Rachor ’12, a daughter, Charlotte Miller Rachor 18 Jennifer Laughlin Sanders ’07, a son, Henry Laughlin Sanders 19 McKenzie Stokes Sylvester ’10, a son, Harrison Sylvester 20 Julia Ramsey-Tharp ’05, a daughter, Althea Lillian Tharp

In Memoriam

1 Slyvia Hodes Zuckerman ’45 | October 16, 2024 2 Katie Latimore Taff ’48 | October 17, 2024 3 Norma Jeannine Mulkey Hurley ’49 | October 5, 2024 4 Joanne Murphy Austin ’50 | July 21, 2024 5 Peggy Anne Rogers ’52 | July 1, 2024 6 Rose Mary Killeffer Dunbar ’53 | August 9, 2024 7 Donna Hastings Lewis ’54 | July 31, 2024 8 Carole Sullivan Filley ’54 | April 21, 2024

9 Marion Mathews Harris ’55 | August 21, 2024 10 Susan McNeil Mendheim ’61 | September 17, 2024 11 Susan Gilbert ’68 | August 1, 2024 12 Margaret “Tee” Caldwell Conroy ’71 | September 9, 2024 13 Rebecca Yandle ’71 | August 28, 2024

14 Paige Garner Morse ’79 | June 10, 2024 15 Julie Sutton ’79 | September 9, 1994 16 Talley Rhodes Green ’82 | June 27, 2024

FACULTY AND STAFF

Georgetta Hughes, retired dining and housekeeping staff, 1978–2022 | July 9, 2024

Melinda Samuels, former secretary and coach, 1982–95 | August 28, 2024 Nancy Womack, retired math teacher, 1989–2011 | November 9, 2024

We are thrilled to announce a record-breaking $408,369 was raised on September 12, 2024, Giving Day, from 601 donors surpassing last year’s record for the most gifts received in one day!

Your generous support of the GPS annual Impact Fund immediately benefits students, faculty and staff, and programs in areas such as

GPS celebrates gifts every single day of the year. Join fellow supporters by making your impact at GPS.edu/Give.