Hallways Spring 2019 by Harpeth Hall Communications

HALLWAYS A PUBLICATION OF THE HARPETH HALL SCHOOL

SPRING 2019

Jess Hill

Head of School

Seventh Head of School P. 22

2019 Distinguished Alumna Award P. 28

Spirit of Service Award P. 30

— PLANNED GIVING —

The Trinity Scholarship Fund TOM SCHLATER’S TRIBUTE TO HIS DAUGHTERS

Tom Schlater with his daughters

om Schlater was one of Harpeth Hall’s first members of the Founders Society. A native of Nashville, Tom graduated from the McCallie School, Vanderbilt University, and Vanderbilt Law School and became a skilled litigator and a respected city judge. Raised by and with strong and well-educated women — his mother Mary Louise Hughes Schlater Rose ’24 and his two sisters Mary Schlater Stumb ’53 and Louise Rose Herbert ’63 — Tom made sure his three daughters Sarah Schlater Yavorski ’75, Amy Schlater Berg ’77, and Libs Schlater ’81 received a Harpeth Hall education. He was a father who frequently stood in the bleachers cheering for his girls and always was ready with a big smile and a hug. After his death in 2011, Tom’s bequest to Harpeth Hall established The Trinity Scholarship Fund in honor of his daughters, mother, and sisters, which ensures a Harpeth Hall education for girls demonstrating financial need. In speaking about her father’s bequest, Sarah shared, “My Dad believed in the capabilities and achievements of women despite growing up in a generation that did not generally support women in this way. He told each of us repeatedly that we could achieve whatever we aspired to and we believed him. His support and encouragement sustained me through Harpeth Hall, college, medical school, and beyond. I entered medical school at a time when it was still a male-dominated profession and not always easy to earn respect. For me, Harpeth Hall was a safe place to be a ‘smart girl’ and a place that nurtured a girl’s individuality, opinions, and achievement.” Libs expressed her appreciation for learning to write and communicate in English and in French, which she hopes for future Harpeth Hall students. “I spent a month living with a family in France as part of the Harpeth Hall

French curriculum, and that set me in life-long love of experiencing other cultures and languages. Being able to express myself in English in a clear, cohesive, concise, grammatically correct manner both verbally, and particularly in writing, gave me a distinct advantage in my personal and professional life. I am a retired nurse practitioner, and I worked as a clinician caring for congenital heart patients of all ages. My job involved communicating with patients, their families, and my colleagues all day long regarding often life-threatening illness and other sensitive topics. I attribute much of my success to my parents who were always encouraging and to the educational foundation that Harpeth Hall provided.” Amy added, “For me personally, the crux of my Harpeth Hall education was the opportunity to practice…to practice writing and re-writing, to practice studying (nightly!), and to practice expressing ideas. It’s the strong work ethic developed during those high school years that has helped me the most in my current vocation as an occupational therapist. With my Dad’s emphasis on education, it is no surprise that I’ve dedicated my life to helping kids learn and function well in a classroom setting. Dad would be thrilled to see The Trinity Scholarship at work…introducing girls to the same opportunities that he gave to the three of us. The Trinity Scholarship is quite special to us.” If you are considering a planned gift to Harpeth Hall, please contact Susan Moll, Director of Advancement at moll@harpethhall.org or 615-346-0087.

CONTENTS In This Issue: FEATURES

Winterim Celebrating 46 Years of Winterim

Cornelia Fort ’36 “Fly Girl”: Celebrating Cornelia Fort’s Life and Legacy

Jess Hill Seventh Head of School

Distinguished Alumna Award Margaret Napier Morford ’73

Spirit of Service Award Carmine King Jordan ’65

Tribute The Life and Legacy of Frances Riley Delony ’69

Tribute Eugene Pargh: An Investor in Girl’s Education

New Trustees Meet the new 2018-19 Board of Trustees members

Career Day Alumnae return to campus for Career Day

16 22

DEPARTMENTS

3 Academics 8 Around the Hall 15 Athletics 18 Performing Arts 38 Fall Events 42 Class Notes 52 Retrospective

HALLWAYS STAFF Suzannah Green, Editor Lauren Finney, Designer Photographers: Peyton Hoge, Jerry Mucklow, Michael Strasinger, and Uchida Photography Hallways is published twice a year by The Harpeth Hall School 3801 Hobbs Road, Nashville, TN 37215 HarpethHall.org

36 32

This magazine is printed on FSC certified paper made up of 50% recycled content including 25% post consumer waste.

SPRING 2019

HEAD OF SCHOOL OBSERVATIONS 2019

Leading Harpeth Hall

aving the opportunity to lead our great school feels exciting and promising each day. Harpeth Hall’s mantle of leadership is one that is never taken lightly, and I have such respect for all those who came before me in the position of Head of School. I am following their lead in protecting this place where girls are never limited by low expectations or self-doubt. As I spoke with alumnae, parents, students, and faculty during the interview process this fall, I saw a community of girls, women, and men who believed strongly in the mission of our school, and cared deeply about preserving it for future generations. Some asked me why I would want to begin this work now. I cannot think of a more critical time in history to link arms with the girls and families at Harpeth Hall and move forward with the belief that “girls matter, they really matter.” In thinking about how to best equip our girls for a world where learning will be closely followed by unlearning and relearning new skills, I am struck by the central message that we, as educators of girls today, must provide. I believe that message is, in a word, character. That is not to say that purely academic pursuits and problem-solving are not embedded in that word as well. Angela Duckworth is a researcher and writer who promotes the idea of grit and resilience, and she dissects character into three parts. She believes the first prong, a “strength of heart,” is the most important trait to build in our students today. This strength includes attributes such as empathy, gratitude, and honesty. The second is a “strength of will.” This discipline includes the ability to delay gratification, develop grit, and cultivate a growth mindset. The third is a “strength of mind.” Dr. Duckworth writes that encouraging curiosity, open-mindedness, intellectual humility, imagination, and creativity is essential in nurturing a strong mind. In so many ways, her dissection of character into three parts goes straight to the heart of our mission — teaching girls and young women to think critically, to lead confidently, and to live honorably. And so, it seems I have my north star for this time in Harpeth Hall’s history and this time in the education of girls. The remaining question is how best to cultivate these aspects of character in 2019, and how to make them relevant and alive. Our teachers nurture these traits every day in our classrooms, hallways, fields, and stages. They are helping our girls develop a growth mindset by promoting healthy risk-taking and resilience with each lesson. Striving for a culture of confidence and not a culture of perfection is the first step in creating the right environment for a “strength of will” to thrive. The adults in our community promote a respect for diversity of thought, while laying the groundwork for students to understand each other and to be understood. In the 21st century, this aspect of developing a “strength of mind” is crucial in navigating an ever-changing world.

HALLWAYS

And finally, we know that a “strength of heart” is the most significant to Dr. Duckworth, and it lives at the core of what we hold dear at Harpeth Hall. Creating a community where honor is valued more than test scores and state championships is part of our DNA, and it is reflected in the words on our walls, in our 8th grade and senior speeches, our poetry, and our songs. It is the best gift we send with our students when they leave here. Encouraging a “strength of heart” in our students is the reason I want to do this work right now — and not a minute too soon.

Jess Hill Head of School

Candlelight Vigil, February 19, 2018

ACADEMICS

National Merit Scholars

even National Merit Semifinalists, six National Merit Commended Students, and two National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars, for a total of 15 Harpeth Hall students in the Class of 2019 were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Our seven National Merit Finalists scored in the top one percent of 1.6 million juniors nationwide who took the PSAT in the fall of 2017. National Merit Finalists: Alexa Clare Anderson, Caleigh Dennis, Jane Flautt, Millie Kirkland, Olivia Leu, Mohini Misra, and Holland Strang.

Commended Students scored in the top five percent. Our six National Merit Commended Students: Annmarie Allos, Kathryn Jenkins, Zenab Mchaourab, Megan Murphy, Scout Robbins, and Catherine Smith. The top 2.5% of Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT test takers were invited to apply for the National Hispanic Recognition Program. Two of our students applied and were selected as National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars: Mia Brakebill and Ana Gonzalez. We are immensely proud of this impressive academic accomplishment by our students, and are grateful to our faculty for helping students prepare for the PSAT.

Model UN

odel United Nations, also known as Model UN, is an educational simulation activity in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. Harpeth Hall participants in Model UN are assigned to a country and produce resolutions designed to help solve international problems. Twenty-one Harpeth Hall students participated in the Model UN program this year and earned recognition in several areas. Two groups had their resolutions passed by the General Assembly: 1: Avery Kilburn, Amelia Olafsson, and Mary Virginia Sullivan 2: Veronica Pierce, Gracie Sloan, Alice Wilbanks, and Ruby Wolter One team earned the Outstanding Resolution award: Conway Bettis, Kate Maree Brewer, and Ava Cassidy Three students were named Outstanding Delegates: Caroline Ford, Alice Wilbanks, and Ruby Wolter

Pictured L to R: Alice Wilbanks ’22, Ruby Wolter ’23, Veronica Pierce ’23

We applaud all of these outstanding students who are expanding their global awareness through this meaningful program. SPRING 2019

Mock Trial Teams Rank High in Competition

ACCOLADES

arpeth Hall’s two Mock Trial teams, the Green Team and the Silver Team, performed exceptionally well at the Davidson County competition, finishing in 2nd place and 4th place respectively. Rebecca Viner was the MVP for our Green Team and Annmarie Allos was the MVP for our Silver Team. The Green Team will go on to compete at the State competition at the end of March. Congratulations to the HH Mockies, their coaches, and to Mr. Springman, their long-time faculty sponsor.

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

arpeth Hall is proud to recognize and celebrate our very talented 2019 Scholastic Art and Writing Award winners. Presented by the nonprofit organization, the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition initiative for creative students in grades 7 through 12. This year, nearly 340,000 works of art and writing were submitted to more than 100 affiliate partners across the country.

SCHOLASTIC WRITING AWARDS Seventy-eight Harpeth Hall students received a total of 115 Scholastic Writing Awards. Twenty-five entries received Gold Key Writing Awards, 39 received Silver Keys, and 51 received Honorable Mention. The Gold Key recipients will advance to the national competition later this spring. • Awards by writing category: 39 Poetry awards, 38 Critical essay, 19 Personal essay, 7 Flash Fiction, 6 Short stories, 3 Journalism, 2 Fiction/Fantasy, 1 Humor • Awards by grade level: 43 Seniors, 34 Juniors, 20 Sophomores, 7 Freshmen, 8 Eighth Grade, 3 Seventh Grade

SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS Nineteen Harpeth Hall students were recognized with 32 Scholastic Art Awards in 2019. Harpeth Hall is not only producing award-winning writers, it is also teaching and guiding its artists to hone their skills and produce inspired and outstanding artwork. Nineteen Harpeth Hall art students in grades 7 through 12 received recognition at the regional level for submissions in Painting, Photography, and Drawing & Illustration. Five entries received Gold Key Art Awards, six received Silver Keys, and 21 received Honorable Mention. Harpeth Hall student participation in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program provides a powerful tool for building community, advocating for art education, and fostering the creativity of emerging talents. Please see HarpethHall.org for a comprehensive list of award recipients. 4

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Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS) honors Harpeth Hall teacher with prestigious award

FACULTY ACCOLADES

Scottie Girgus received theTAIS Hubert Smothers Award for Teaching Excellence.

he Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS) awarded our very own Scottie Girgus the prestigious Hubert Smothers Award for Teaching Excellence this year. The Hubert Smothers Award is presented to teachers within TAIS who have evidenced a deep commitment to the teaching profession and who have demonstrated excellence in all they do. The criteria for nomination are substantial and far-reaching. A nominee must meet the following requirements: • Have 20 years in the teaching profession • Be a “life-long learner” and demonstrate an enthusiasm for teaching • Have a long-term positive impact on students • Have exhibited leadership in extra-curricular activities that involve education • Have a positive relationship with colleagues and administration • Possess a sensitivity to the needs of students and work unselfishly toward their development • Make contributions to further education beyond the school community and impact the wider local, state, or national educational community Scottie Girgus has been an English teacher in Harpeth Hall’s Upper School for more than 28 years, and her positive impact on students, colleagues, the Harpeth Hall community, and beyond continues to be profound. She was honored for her achievement at the TAIS conference in November. The Harpeth Hall community is incredibly grateful for Ms. Girgus and her outstanding contributions to our school, and we are proud she was selected by the TAIS for this well-deserved honor.

2018 National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) hosts the 31st annual People of Color Conference

he NAIS People of Color Conference (POCC) is the flagship of the NAIS commitment to equity and justice in teaching and learning. The mission of the conference is to provide a safe space for leadership and professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools. POCC equips educators at every level, from teachers to trustees, with knowledge, skills, and experiences to improve and enhance the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate in their schools, as well as the attending academic, social-emotional, and workplace performance outcomes for students and adults alike. In November, more than 6,400 educators and students joined together in Nashville, TN, to explore the theme of Equitable Schools and Inclusive Communities: Harmony, Discord, and the Notes in Between. Since the year 2000 Harpeth Hall has sent more than 75 faculty members to attend this conference. This year we had 24 members of the faculty attend the 2018 conference, and six students attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) that was a part of the larger conference. Those students were Ainsley Hanrhan, Megan Murphy, Maggie Sullivan, Charlotte Taylor, Rebecca Viner, and Prim Wiphatphumiprates.

Wellesley Wilson

Jennifer Adams

Many months of pre-work and preparation went into the planning of this special conference, and we are proud of the role that Harpeth Hall played in support of the conference. Harpeth Hall Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Wellesley Wilson, served as the NAIS POCC Local Committee Co-Chair. She was a part of the opening ceremonies and welcomed the audience to Nashville. Harpeth Hall Director of Community Support and Inclusion, Jennifer Adams, served on the Local Planning Committee. SPRING 2019

ACCOLADES

Presidents Day weekend. This year, the Class of 2024 presented the patriotic tableau depicting soldiers crossing the Delaware River among other scenes. Students were cast either as soldiers, sailors, or guests at the ball. The only roles played by eighth graders are George and Martha Washington. The eighth graders, Class of 2023, selected as George and Martha were Mary Virginia Sullivan and Ruby Wolter, respectively. Another special tradition of recent years is the dedication of the George Washington Day Celebration to a special member of the faculty. This year’s George Washington Birthday Celebration is dedicated to Dr. Jack Henderson. For twenty-two years, we have known and loved him as an upper school history teacher, an extraordinary coach, and as a trusted mentor and colleague. He is, and will always be, our Dr. Jack.

George Washington Day

CELEBRATION

he celebration of George Washington Day at Harpeth Hall is a long-held tradition that dates back to Ward-Belmont, Harpeth Hall’s predecessor school. The first mention of a George Washington’s Birthday Celebration is in the 1920 Milestones yearbook, which described Washington’s birthday as “a great day at WardBelmont.” The description continues, “The artistic grace with which Ward-Belmont girls assumed the roles of colonial dames and gentlemen will remain unsurpassed.”1 Patty Chadwell, an admired Ward-Belmont and Harpeth Hall faculty member for more than 30 years, renewed the celebration at Harpeth Hall in 1954.2 In 2019, the tradition remains intact and features the seventh grade as the primary players in the production which is performed in the Athletic and Wellness Center each year before

Beloved for his dynamic teaching, creative wit, and good humor— Dr. Jack brings history to life. To be in his classroom is to be rapt by the magic of his storytelling as he seamlessly connects the past to our present. His classroom is a place where students’ intellectual curiosity is piqued and where laughter and learning go hand in hand. From teaching the Age of Absolutism through song to engaging projects that uncover “History’s Mysteries,” Dr. Jack always finds a way to connect with students on a personal level. In addition, his class “The Kennedys” remains one of the most popular courses ever offered during Winterim. For his outstanding work in the classroom, Dr. Jack was awarded the Lulu Hampton Owen Chair in 2009. In his speech, he spoke of his life’s journey, and he even performed an original song. He similarly stole the show during this year’s Winterim lip sync contest with his performance of a song from the hit Broadway musical Hamilton. By example, Dr. Jack inspires Harpeth Hall students to think critically, to lead confidently, and to live honorably.

HALLWAYS

ACCOLADES

Dr. Jack with Martha (Ruby Wolter ’23) and George (Mary Virginia Sullivan ’23).

Dr. Jack has also formed lasting bonds with Harpeth Hall athletes. A coach for many years, he led the Cross Country team to a state championship title in 2011 and has dedicated his time to coaching distance runners in Track and Field. An invaluable part of our school community, his tenure has also included leadership roles as part of the Admissions Team, Global Scholars Program, Department Chair, and numerous other committees. In short, Dr. Jack never stays still for long. Vibrant and full of energy, Dr. Jack will continue to pursue his passions, including writing novels and spending time with his grandchildren. It is hard to imagine our upper school hallways without Dr. Jack’s quick hops, sharp wit, and big smile. We will miss

him tremendously, but most of all, we are thankful for the privilege of knowing, working with, and learning from him. Dr. Jack— teacher, coach, colleague, friend, legend. Congratulations Dr. Jack! Special thanks to Middle School Music Teacher, Matthew Pyles, as Director of the performance, and thanks to Director of the Middle School, Judi O’Brien, and the many other teachers, and parents, and maintenance staff and others who made the day a success. Harpeth Hall School, Celebrating Milestones: The Life and Legacy of The Harpeth Hall School, (Nashville, TN: Favorite Recipes Press, 2001) pg 54 1

Ibid, pg 45, 54

SPRING 2019

Remembering Dr. Balmer

he life and legacy of Dr. Stephanie Stephens Balmer, Harpeth Hall former Head of School 2014 – 2018, was celebrated at a Remembrance Ceremony on Harpeth Hall’s campus in mid-February. The school planted a Chinese Pistache shade tree on the south lawn of Souby Hall in her honor. Students, faculty, staff, and other members of the community gathered to dedicate this special tree — and to sing, to read poetry, and to hear faculty and students share memories about Dr. Balmer just before Presidents Day weekend, marking one year since her passing. Head of School Jess Hill, who led the planning of this beautiful event, welcomed the community with heartfelt opening remarks and introduced Mary Meacham ’23, who read “When I am Among the Trees” by poet Mary Oliver. Sarah Bellardo ’19, an advisee of Dr. Balmer’s, shared how Dr. Balmer made an impact on who she is today. She concluded her remarks, “Even though she is not physically with us, I still see her in so many ways in this community. I see her in the way her family carries on her legacy with strength and grace. I see her in the close relationships between students and faculty, mirroring the way she valued her relationships with every student and called us each by name. I see her when a senior greets a fifth grader, reminding me of the unity that she fostered among all grades. And I see her today, as we plant a tree to remember the radiant light and love that she brought to our community.” The Upper School Chamber Choir sang “One Voice”, followed by a faculty reflection of Dr. Balmer by Coach Karen Sutton, Harpeth Hall’s Director of Athletics. Sutton spoke eloquently about the significance of planting the tree in Dr. Balmer’s honor, “Like Dr. Balmer — this tree loves the sun, is adaptable to all conditions, and is beautiful. A favorite memory is seeing her after some time in the sun with her sunglass tan and her radiant smile. In her time as Head of School at Harpeth Hall, she planted seeds in all of us, and these seeds will continue to grow and flourish.”

U.S. Tennis Champion Visits Harpeth Hall

arpeth Hall students were thrilled to welcome U.S. Tennis star, Madison Keys, to campus in November. Keys achieved a career-high ranking of seventh in the world in October 2016, and has been consistently ranked inside the top 25 by the Women’s Tennis Association since early 2015. Keys was in town to support Play Like a Girl, a national nonprofit that promotes athletics for girls and wanted to visit a local school. She came to Harpeth Hall for lunch and a tennis clinic arranged by the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA). During lunch with the Harpeth Hall tennis

HALLWAYS

Finally, Ophelia Pilkinton ’19 closed the program with an excerpt from The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben and the following tribute from the Student Council at Harpeth Hall: “Dr. Balmer, along with her personal brightness, had a love of bright colors. Each of you received a colored paper ribbon. These ribbons are biodegradable, eco-friendly, and will dissolve safely into the soil the next time it rains. It was important to the Student Council to provide a space for everyone to have a moment of personal reflection. In this spirit, following the singing of our Alma Mater, we hope that you will tie your ribbon on Dr. Balmer’s tree, or any tree or shrub in this area, to celebrate and honor her.” Mrs. Hill echoed these thoughts, “Each of you have your unique experiences with Dr. Balmer, and I hope you will take the time to remember them today.” Dr. Stephanie Stephens Balmer, March 20, 1967 – February 17, 2018. The full remarks of each speaker are available at HarpethHall.org/news.

team, Keys answered the girls’ many questions ranging from her career path to her tennis strategy to her involvement with organizations that empower young women. Following a tennis clinic in Harpeth Hall’s Green Gymnasium, students got to play tennis with Madison Keys and USTA instructors. Channel 2 was on site to interview students and featured senior, Helen Griffith, on the evening news.

SPEAKER

SERIES

Early in the school year, Dave Mochel, mindfulness coach and founder of Applied Attention, a mindfulness consulting company, educated students, faculty and parents about the human brain and self-regulation. He focused on building “skills necessary to embrace challenge, learn from others, and thrive in any circumstance.”

Dr. Mike Massimino, a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University and a former NASA astronaut, shared his inspiring journey to become an astronaut and encouraged students to dream big and believe that “an extraordinary life is possible.”

Strong is the New Pretty is an international best-selling book of photography by Kate Parker. Through the images in her book, Parker combats the messages media sends to women and girls: that beauty is a hairstyle, a certain size or an outfit. Parker spoke to students about her path from a fiercely competitive collegiate soccer player to a professional photographer and author. She encouraged the girls to “embrace what makes you different, what makes you YOU.”

Harpeth Hall hosted a variety of leaders and role models on campus this school year who shared their unique stories and gifts.

War II. Students and faculty were riveted by the incredible story Ms. Smith shared about her mother. “We all know that all it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing,” Smith said as she concluded her talk. “The truth is one person can make a difference.”

In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Judge Sheila Callaway, Nashville’s Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge, returned to campus to speak to students about Dr. King and encouraged students to take advantage of their many opportunities and “live their best life.” Judge Calloway has generously worked with Harpeth Hall Winterim interns in the past.

Jeannie Opdyke Smith spoke to students in an all-school assembly about her mother, Holocaust Rescuer, Irene Gut Opdyke, a Polish nurse who gained international recognition Vanderbilt University’s for aiding Polish Jews Vice Chancellor for Equity, persecuted by Nazi Diversity and Inclusion, Germany during World

James Page, engaged students to think about diversity and inclusion through a fable about a giraffe and an elephant. The story is an excerpt from a book by R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. called Building a House for Diversity, and Page effectively used the metaphor to launch a lively discussion with students around acceptance, mutual respect, and understanding and valuing difference.

The Performing Arts Department welcomed acclaimed actor Dion Graham to campus as a Carell Artist in Residence. Graham has performed on Broadway, off-Broadway, internationally, in films like Malcolm X, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and in several hit television series including The Wire, Elementary, and Law & Order. He has worked with a diverse group of directors ranging from Spike Lee to Mike Nichols, and he worked with our upper school actors as they prepared for their play, Blithe Spirit.

SPEAKER SERIES

Harpeth Hall welcomed back to campus former faculty member Margaret Renkl as this year’s Carell Visiting Writer. Renkl taught English and Creative Writing at Harpeth Hall from 1987 to 1997. She lives in Nashville and is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, where her essays appear each Monday. During her tenure at Harpeth Hall, Renkl was known and beloved for connecting with students through creative writing prompts and critical content analysis. She shared this gift with current students during a week of classes, workshops and readings, including from her forthcoming debut novel Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss (available from Milweed Editions in July 2019).

Artists in Residence Made possible by the Ann and Monroe Carell Visiting Writer and Artist Series Endowment. SPRING 2019

AROUND THE HALL

SUNDAY ON SOUBY

GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY

HALLWAYS

AROUND THE HALL

MLK Day of Service

n Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service a large group of the Harpeth Hall community, including Harpeth Hall students, MBA students, parents, siblings, faculty, staff, and alumnae, all volunteered their time to help our community. Joining forces with the Nashville Diaper Connection, a local nonprofit that strives to ensure that every baby in Davidson County has enough diapers to stay clean, dry, and healthy, more than 37,800 diapers were assembled into emergency diaper kits and boxed to be delivered to Nashville families in need. Approximately 200 volunteers did this work together in Harpeth Hall’s Athletic and Wellness Center in approximately two hours. Thank you to all who served!

MOTHER • SPECIAL FRIEND • DAUGHTER • COFFEE

arpeth Hall students and their mothers or special friends gathered together this fall for the annual Mother — Special Friend — Daughter Coffee. Upper School Director, Armistead Lemon, welcomed the audience and the student speakers, Grace MacLachlan ’21 and Emma Clark Luster ’19, who spoke with humor, appreciation, and love for their mothers. The keynote speaker was well known by many, as her connection to Harpeth Hall runs deep. Kathy Denton Stumb, Class of 1979, is the mother of three Harpeth Hall graduates, Grace Stumb Barbieri ’10 (5th grade teacher at Harpeth Hall), Mary Denton Stumb ’13, and Katy Stumb ‘17. Mrs. Stumb is also a 2018 Harpeth Hall Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. Mrs. Stumb shared her, often humorous, reflections on her daughters’ teenage years, and the impact Harpeth Hall had on each of them. “I firmly believe that it takes a village to raise children. With five children, I have developed a rather large village. Church, friends, teachers, mentors, coaches, relatives, schools, all form the foundation of my village. People whom I trust to love, care for, advise, teach, and protect my children. Whenever I am on [Harpeth Hall’s] campus… I see so many of you [in my village], and I am so grateful to all of you for the role you have had in helping me raise my children,” said Mrs. Stumb.

SPRING 2019

WINTERIM 2019 • EMBRACE EXPERIENTIAL LEARING • BROADEN HORIZONS • JOY IN COMMUNITY

WASHINGTON, D.C. INTERNSHIPS

BELFAST

BRITAIN

CHILE

VANDERBILT HOSPITAL INTERNSHIPS

NEW YORK CITY INTERNSHIPS

TAIWAN

TAMWORTH, AUSTRALIA

UGANDA HEAL MINISTRIES

WINTERIM 2019 Begun in 1973, Winterim is a three-week program of opportunities meant to broaden the intellectual horizons of our students. 12

HALLWAYS

Winterim is one of the hallmarks of Harpeth Hall’s innovative curriculum. The 46th year of Winterim at Harpeth Hall began in early January. For three weeks our upper school students stepped outside of their traditional class schedule and participated in a wide-variety of experiential learning opportunities. Freshmen and sophomores enrolled in an alternative schedule of on-campus courses designed to encourage students to try something new and develop skills they might not otherwise discover during the traditional school year. Class examples included Fencing, Women in Finance, Holocaust in Modern World, Improv, Medical Robotics, Textiles, German, and many other engaging topics and activities.

AT HARPETH HALL • INTERNSHIPS • EXCHANGES • ACADEMIC TRAVEL • INDEPENDENT STUDY

COFFEE HOUSE

BADMINTON

FENCING

SHAKESPEARE ON STAGE

ENGINEERING

FIELD TRIP TO THE RYMAN

NASHVILLE PREDATORS GAME

LIP SYNC COMPETITION

Our Juniors and Seniors explored new surroundings beyond our campus and forged their own paths while engaging in internships, academic travel, international exchanges, and independent study. Harpeth Hall interns worked in the following locations: Nashville (70), New York (19), Washington, D.C. (14), Australia (4), Northern Ireland (4), Uganda (22), Independent internships and study (15). Our academic travel locations included: Britain (14), Chile (18), French Exchange (2), Taiwan (14), and Belfast (4). Anticipated with endless excitement each year, Winterim is consistently cited by students, faculty, and alumnae as providing some of the most memorable and life-changing experiences of their lives. Learn more about Winterim 2019 experiences on our website at HarpethHall.org/Winterim. SPRING 2019

WINTERIM HOSTS FROM THE HARPETH HALL COMMUNITY NAME

ROLE

BUSINESS

LOCATION

Evaline Franks ’07

Alumna, Host

VGIF

New York, NY

Gigi Hudson Grimstad ’85

Alumna, Host Liaison

Tibi

New York, NY

Kristina Hoge ’00

Alumna, Host

The Public Theater

New York, NY

Griffin Link ’16

Alumna, Host Liaison

Hill House Home

New York, NY

Alison Smith ’79

Alumna, Host

BMI

New York, NY

Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92

Alumna, Current Step-Parent, and Host MAC Presents

New York, NY

Senator Lamar Alexander

Past Parent, Host

Office of Senator Lamar Alexander

Washington, D.C.

Senator Marsha Blackburn

Past Parent, Host

Office of Senator Marsha Blackburn

Washington, D.C.

Beth Rather Gorman ’90

Alumna, Host Liaison

FOX 5 WTTG

Washington, D.C.

Addie Boston Askew ’07

Alumna, Host

Office of the District Attorney Nashville Nashville, TN

Murray Benson ’07

Alumna, Host

Percy Priest Elementary

Donna Darnell

Past Parent, Host

St. Thomas Pedatrics/PICU nursing

Nashville, TN

Dr. Joseph DeLozier

Past Parent, Host

DeLozier Cosmetic Surgery Center

Nashville, TN

Baird Dixon

Past Parent, Host

Orcutt Winslow

Nashville, TN

Dr. Tom Dovan

Current Parent, Host

Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics

Dr. Georgia Yowell Ferrell ’98

Alumna, Host

St. Thomas Medical Partners— OBGYN Center

Nashville, TN

Janetta Fleming ’75

Alumna, Past Parent, and Host

Hope Clinic for Women

Nashville, TN

Tania Ford

Current and Past Parent, Host

St. Paul Christian Academy

Nashville, TN

Sara Morris Garner ’03

Alumna, Host

DeLozier Cosmetic Surgery Center

Liza Graves

Current and Past Parent, Host

StyleBlueprint

Nashville, TN

Dr. Jeff Herring

Past Parent, Host

Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance

Nashville, TN

Lisa Meyer Holzapfel ’81

Alumna, Host

Hope Clinic for Women

Nashville, TN

Mary Kathryn Yeiser Hudson

Current Step-Parent, Host

Cosmetic Market/Private Edition

Nashville, TN

Ellen Levitt

Past Parent, Host

NICU at The Children’s Hospital at TriStar Centennial

Nashville, TN

Dr. Dora Sztipanovits Mathe ’98

Alumna, Host

Vanderbilt Eye Institute

Nashville, TN

Dr. Rick Miller

Past Parent, Host

Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at Vanderbilt

Nashville, TN

Dr. Anna Morad

Current Parent, Host

Newborn Nursery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, TN

Dr. Huck Muldowney

Current Parent, Host

Division of Cardiology at Vanderbilt

Nashville, TN

Lynn Witherspoon Osgood ’82

Alumna, Host

Cosmetic Market/Private Edition

Nashville, TN

Amy Seigenthaler Pierce

Current Parent, Host

DVL Seigenthaler | Finn Partners

Nashville, TN

Jessica Turk ’02

Alumna, Host

Nashville Public Television

Nashville, TN

Millie Wert ’13

Alumna, Host

MP&F Strategic Communications

Nashville, TN

Christopher White

Current Parent, Host

Thompson Research Group

Nashville, TN

Sara Niedringhaus ’91

Alumna, Host Liaison

Marie Curie

London, England

Denise Warren

Current Parent, Host Liaison

WakeMed

Raleigh, NC

Nashville, TN

The Winterim Travel Fund provides academic travel scholarships for students demonstrating financial need. To make a gift to The Winterim Travel Fund, please give online at Harpeth Hall.org/Winterim or mail your contribution to the Harpeth Hall Advancement Office, 3801 Hobbs Road, Nashville, TN 37215. 14

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ATHLETICS

Did you know? Moe Hill, husband of Mrs. Hill, Head of School, served as the varsity golf coach from 2007-2010.

SPOTLIGHT ON GOLF

he 2018 golf season at Harpeth Hall marked the highest participation in the sport in school history. The golf teams were comprised of 20 middle school golfers and nine upper school golfers from grades 5 through 12. Coaches and athletes have often remarked about the enjoyable and inspirational camaraderie on the golf teams due to higher participation. In addition to the girls’ growing interest in golf, the level of play has continued to improve dramatically as well. Harpeth Hall has graduated some adept golfers in the past. Yet, what makes this time in golf so exciting, is that several members of the varsity squad shoot in the low 70s on 18 holes, and numerous girls on the middle school team consistently shoot in the 40s on 9 holes. Golf is an integral part of Harpeth Hall’s athletic program. It is a lifetime sport that helps girls and women gain confidence, focus, and leadership skills. The Physical Education program has done an

TSSAA Golf State Tournament 2018 Varsity golf team posts lowest cumulative scores in school history and are now ranked 23rd in the nation.

excellent job of introducing golf to students through their curriculum, and our dedicated coaches offer opportunities to improve through practice and play. Coach Kylene Pulley Lee leads Harpeth Hall’s golf program and serves as the Middle School Athletic Director. Coach Lee played golf collegiately and professionally, and in 2012 she competed in the U.S. Women’s Open. Coach Lee then served as a golf professional at The Golf Club of Tennessee where our team practices and plays. “It has been so rewarding to work with such driven, intelligent, and talented girls. The opportunity to practice at The Golf Club of Tennessee makes such a difference, as the state of the art practice areas and putting greens challenge our athletes and help them immensely,” remarked Coach Lee. Look out for our golfing Bears next season as they continue to score low on the course and finish high in tournaments!

Scholar-Athletes to compete at college level Congratulations to Ella Nelson and Ophelia Pilkinton who have committed to swimming at the college level. Ella Nelson will swim at University of Virginia.

Ophelia Pilkinton will swim at Yale University. SPRING 2019

Upper School Cross Country TSSAA State Champion Runner-Up The Harpeth Hall Cross Country team enjoyed a competitive season this year — finishing in second place in this year’s TSSAA Cross Country Championship.

MIDDLE SCHOOL HVAC A CHAMPIONS VOLLEYBALL 16

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MIDDLE SCHOOL HVAC AA CHAMPIONS TENNIS

Harpeth Hall’s Swimming and Diving team enjoyed another record breaking ATHLETICSyear

arpeth Hall’s Swimming and Diving team enjoyed another record breaking year. The Bearacudas won their 22nd consecutive Middle Tennessee High School Swim Association (MTHSSA) Region Championship in early January and earned State Runner-Up in the TISCA State Championship. Harpeth Hall qualified more girls for the state meet than any other girls team and swam to 20 best times. The Bearacudas broke multiple state records in this year’s state championship meet. 200 free, Alex Walsh, state champion and new state record 200 IM, Ella Nelson, state champion and new state record 50 free, Ophelia Pilkinton, state champion 100 fly, Gretchen Walsh, state champion and new state record 200 free relay, (Pilkinton, Massey, Nelson, G. Walsh), state champion 100 back, Gretchen Walsh, state champion and new state record 100 breast, Alex Walsh, state champion 400 free relay, (Pilkinton, Stewart, Nelson, A. Walsh), state champion The Bearacudas took second place to Baylor in the state championship meet by only 6 points.

MIDDLE SCHOOL 5/6TH HVAC JR. AA CHAMPIONS BASKETBALL

MIDDLE SCHOOL HVAC CHAMPIONS • MTHSSA CHAMPIONS SWIMMING SPRING 2019

PERFORMING ARTS

Performing Arts

Harpeth Hall Playmakers and MBA Players 2018 Competition One-Act Rashomon

Rashomon

Middle School Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Fall Dance Concert

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PERFORMING ARTS

at Harpeth Hall

Winter Choral Concert

Winter Orchestra Concert

Fall Dance Concert SPRING 2019

FEATURE

FLY GIRL

CELEBRATING CORNELIA FORT’S LIFE AND LEGACY by Mary Ellen Pethel

ornelia Fort’s father, Rufus, was a medical doctor (1894), one of five founders of the National Life and Accident Insurance Company (1902), the owner of Fortland Farms (1909), and an expert on Jersey dairy cows. In fact, Dr. Fort’s cattle were regular blue-ribbon winners at state and local fairs. While at the Tennessee State Fair, in the early 1920s, he witnessed an air show that shook him to his core. The crowd watched in horror as one of the planes lost its engine and nearly crashed. Shortly after, Dr. Fort called his three sons into his study where he sat holding the family Bible. “I want you to promise me you will never fly,” he said. Each placing their hand on the Bible—Rufus Jr. (age 13), Dudley (age 12), and Garth (age 10) solemnly swore to uphold their father’s request. Watching and listening, Cornelia (age 5) stood in the hall by the doorway. Sixteen years later, in 1940, Cornelia took her first flight in a two-seater plane with Jack Caldwell of Miller’s Flying Service. Taking off from Nashville’s newest airport, Berry Field, the flight was meant to be a simple afternoon joyride, but Cornelia was hooked and immediately signed up for lessons. When her brother Dudley found out about her escapades, he was outraged: “How dare you fly knowing father forbade us to do it?” With a twinkle in her eye she turned and said, “Daddy gave that oath to you boys—not to me.”

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Born in 1919, Cornelia Clark Fort grew up at Fortland, a 350-acre farm on the edge of East Nashville. She attended Harpeth Hall’s predecessor school, Ward-Belmont, and graduated with a high school certificate in 1936. Cornelia Fort was smart, athletic, and articulate but struggled to find a passion that matched her adventurous spirit. She was on the yearbook staff, and teachers remembered her as a prolific writer and reader. Rather than join one of the school’s established sorority-like organizations, Fort co-founded a club called SAP—a reference to the popular “Little Orphan Annie” newspaper comic. The majority of Ward-Belmont’s high school and junior college graduates continued their higher education at four-year institutions, but the school also sought to prepare daughters of the elite for their roles as club women and members of society. As historian Rob Simbeck noted, “Cornelia spent much of her adolescence taking part in social rituals she disliked and hiding her intelligence from boys.” After her graduation from Ward-Belmont, Cornelia Fort wrote, “I want to see new faces, gain a new outlook on life. I think it will do me good to stand on my own two feet.” After one year at Ogontz School and Junior College in Philadelphia and two years at Sarah Lawrence College near New York City, she returned to Nashville in 1939. Just a few months later, Fort’s life took flight, literally, as she rose through the

FEATURE

clouds in Jack Caldwell’s two-seater plane. It was in that moment that she became a “fly girl.” After her father’s death in 1940, Fort pursued flying full-time and earned her private license by the end of the year. On February 8, 1941, she received her commercial pilot wings, and a month later, Fort became the first woman in Tennessee to get her instructors license. She went to Fort Collins, Colorado to train civilian pilots before taking a job in Honolulu, Hawaii. Cornelia Fort might have spent her life as a successful flight instructor and commercial pilot, but history and fate intervened on the morning of December 7, 1941. That morning began as any other. Fort drove to the Waikiki air strip before dawn for a flight lesson with a civilian student. As they prepared to make their last landing, Fort was startled to see a military plane flying straight towards them.

Fort’s life took flight, literally, as she rose through the clouds in Jack Caldwell’s two-seater plane. It was in that moment that she became a “fly girl.” She grabbed the controls from the student and narrowly avoided collision. She recalled the rest of the events that tragic morning: “The painted red balls on the tops of the wings shone brightly in the sun. Honolulu was familiar with the emblem of the Rising Sun on passenger ships but not on airplanes. I looked quickly at Pearl Harbor and my spine tingled when I saw billowing black smoke. . . . Something detached itself from an airplane. My eyes followed it down, down and even with knowledge pounding in my mind, my heart turned convulsively when the bomb exploded in the middle of the harbor. I knew the air was not the place for my little baby airplane, and I set about landing as quickly as ever I could. A few seconds later, a shadow passed over and simultaneously bullets spattered all around me.” After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States declared war. Cornelia longed to serve and was given the opportunity in 1942, with the formation of the Woman’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), which transported planes between factories and military bases. Fort accepted the invitation without hesitation. “Fly girls,” as they were called, flew fighter planes at a time when many women did not yet have a license to drive a car.

From a very young age, Cornelia’s adventurous spirit was on display at the Fortland Farm, c.1925

This pioneering group of twenty-eight women expanded over the next three years and eventually became the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). These female aviators were the vanguard of a new generation of young women who sought to serve their country while also working as professionals. They were met with some resistance and a healthy dose of skepticism. One person who never doubted their heroism or skills was First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who wrote in September 1942: “This is not a time when women should be patient. We are in a war and we need to fight it with all our ability and every weapon Continued on page 51 SPRING 2019

Jess Hill

SEVENTH HEAD OF SCHOOL OF THE HARPETH HALL SCHOOL

The Hill Family in fall 2018, Moe Hill, Noni Hill ’12 Harpeth Hall, Morey Hill ’08 MBA, Jess Hill, Becca Hill ’07 Harpeth Hall 22

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Jess Hill

first came to Harpeth Hall in the fall of 1985 after earning her undergraduate degree from Sewanee: The University of the South, and her M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University in Secondary Education of Mathematics and Social Studies. She began her career teaching Mathematics in the Upper School. What the Harpeth Hall community could not have known then is that its seventh Head of School was now in its midst. This young woman was at the very beginning of committing decades of her life to our great school. In the Harpeth Hall community, she would embody different roles, from educator to colleague to parent to administrator; and she would work hard, learn from her mistakes, and grow in her abilities to educate and lead. She would put in the time and the effort to know her students, to understand Harpeth Hall’s core values and mission, and to work tirelessly alongside her colleagues to advance Harpeth Hall’s innovative curriculum, culture, and community. She would benefit from the deep commitment that Harpeth Hall’s Board of Trustees has to providing professional development for its

Mrs. Hill speaking at 2018 Step Singing Ceremony

“Today is a day of hope,” she continued. “My first hope is that in some way we are able to help you and all of us in this room remain humble in respecting the vastness of the world around us and the possibility of new ideas and different points of view.” Drawing on the commitment to lifelong learning that is part of Harpeth Hall’s mission statement, Mrs. Hill encouraged students to go out and make “excellent mistakes.” She instructed students to claim those mistakes and learn from them, to listen and to be inspired by everyone, and to “shed any cynicism that may creep in and release your excitement and wonder at how much we all have yet to learn.” For years, Mrs. Hill has kept a sign in her office with PERFECT written on it and a line slashing through the word. The sign is a reminder for all to see that no one is perfect, and that “being perfect” should not be an aspiration for any student, faculty or administrator at Harpeth Hall. This rhetoric stems in part from the meaningful work of the Harpeth Hall

PERFECT

Mrs. Hill hosting lunch with members of the Class of 2019

faculty and administrators, and she would attend local and national conferences for independent schools at which she would take part in leading the national conversation about the benefits of an all-girls education. She would earn her place among students, parents, alumnae, parents of alumnae, faculty and trustees as a deeply loyal, trusted, admired, and respected member of the Harpeth Hall community. A recurring refrain from Harpeth Hall alumnae is the feeling that the shared experience at Harpeth Hall is larger than the individual. Mrs. Hill reinforced that sentiment in her Convocation remarks to students on the opening day of the 2018-19 school year. She began by noting the electric excitement and energy in the Frances Bond Davis Theatre, and the significance of the moment. “This is a moment when we are all aware we are part of something larger than ourselves,” Mrs. Hill said.

Confidence Committee that was created in 2014. Its mission is to address the confidence gap between females and males beginning in the school setting, and to foster environments that promote risk-taking and celebrate failure.1 Mrs. Hill played a critical role in the development and work of this committee. Its most recent accomplishment was an article published by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) on Open Gradebook in October 2018.2 Having raised two daughters, both Harpeth Hall graduates, and having been involved in the education of girls for the past three decades, Jess Hill has gained a deep understanding of Harpeth Hall students. 1

Adam Wilsman, Confidence Committee mission

Jess Hill, Buffy Baker, Armistead Lemon, Jenny Jervis, Maddie Waud, and Adam Wilsman, “One School’s Conversation About Open Gradebook,” (NAIS: www.nais.org) October 2018 2

SPRING 2019

She reveres Harpeth Hall as a special place where girls really matter. She leads by example, and she knows how to impart wisdom that empowers girls to grow and think for themselves. She reveres Harpeth Hall as a special place where “girls really matter.”

Ann Teaff, Susan Willingham Simons ’60, and Jess Hill in 2007

In 1865, Dr. William Ward and his wife Eliza Ward, founders of Ward Seminary, the predecessor school to Ward-Belmont and Harpeth Hall, envisioned a school for young women in Nashville that would evolve into one of the nation’s most prestigious educational institutions. 3 We can only imagine what immense pride they would have to see the growth and success of this school and its community today. In a letter from Eliza Ward to her husband William in 1864, she asked, “Who can say what good may come from this bold endeavor?” 4 More than 16,000 women and their 32,000 parents can say that much good has come and much more is to come from our bold endeavor. The Harpeth Hall School not only graduates outstanding alumnae who go on to make an impact on the world around them, it also cultivates leaders like Jess Hill. Where better to find a leader of this school then from this community, a place that, for 154 years, has been committed to the development of leaders who think critically, who lead confidently, and who live honorably. Harpeth Hall is fortunate to have such an experienced, respected, and devoted leader in the education of girls and young women as its seventh Head of School. Mary Ellen Pethel, All-Girls Education from Ward Seminary to Harpeth Hall, 1865-2015, (Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2015), 19-22 3

Eliza Hudson Ward, Letter from Eliza Hudson Ward to her husband, 1864

Mrs. Hill with student Catherine Ramsey Shulte ’08 in 2008

HALLWAYS

(Above) Mrs. Hill listens to a student speaker at the 2017 Almost Alumnae luncheon (Right) Mrs. Hill congratulates student on Upper School Awards Day

Voices

FEATURE

OF FAMILY, COLLEAGUES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

“

If you had asked anyone in our family a year ago if we expected our mom to land in this position at Harpeth Hall, we certainly wouldn’t have seen it coming. That being said, it seems as though she was meant for this honor all along. When I think about my mom becoming the Head of School of my Alma Mater, I’m able to breathe easy. If her position at 3801 Hobbs Road resembles that in our family’s home in the past 25 years, I trust the Harpeth Hall community is in good hands. She brings nothing less than empathy, resiliency, and inclusivity to her work and relationships. Of course, I don’t have to convince you of this — she has shown this to be true since her time at Harpeth Hall began in 1985. Considering that I was a touch too self-absorbed to fully appreciate my mother’s leadership as Director of the Upper School while I was a student, I’m thrilled to have another chance to witness her work in such a special place. I consider myself lucky to have a mother who can do such impactful work for young women in times like these. I don’t doubt for a moment that her compassion will be a true force of nature for the Harpeth Hall community in the years ahead. Cheers, Mama!

“

Jess is highly regarded nationally as a leader in girls’ education. A skilled mathematician who loves poetry, she possesses a wonderful balance of talents and interests. She’s approachable and a great listener. Like the rest of our faculty, I’m immensely proud that Harpeth Hall has such a wise, innovative leader.

”

Jackie Powers Upper School English Teacher Colleague of Jess Hill’s since 1996

”

Noni Hill, Class of 2012 Jess Hill’s youngest daughter

“

She has always remained optimistic and compassionate — and sees the best in all of us. Her mentorship of faculty and staff and her ability to parse a complex problem and suggest an elegant solution are among her most admired traits. Mrs. Hill models humanity regardless of the circumstances and is a model of integrity — attributes to which we aspire for all of our girls.

”

“

With twenty-three years of independent school experience, Jess is a proven leader and has a stellar reputation in the independent and girls’ school world. She will be tremendously effective as Jess knows our community well, having been a teacher, a parent, and an administrator. She leads with compassion and humility and supports and encourages each and every individual to be her or his best self. Jess is an innovative thinker and life-long learner who will move Harpeth Hall forward with our bold strategic plan, honoring our past yet always looking toward the future. We are thrilled that Jess Hill is Harpeth Hall’s Seventh Head of School.

”

Dr. Stephanie Balmer, Former Head of School, Quote from 2017 Faculty Appreciation Assembly

“

It was a whirlwind of events that led to my mother filling this role. She is a ‘servant leader’ who will always put the needs and dreams of the school community before her own. As an educator myself, I know the benefits of having a teacher in an administrative position. I’m proud of my mom, and I’m happy for Harpeth Hall to have such a caring and experienced educator as Head of School.

”

Becca Hill, Class of 2007 Jess Hill’s oldest daughter pictured right

Jane Berry Jacques, Class of 1972 Chair, Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees

“

I suppose what is most impressive to me about Jess is the fact that she is the same person today that I met over three decades ago. Classroom teacher, division director, or head of school — she is my friend. Jess is humble. She is not afraid to seek advice, nor is she unwilling to own her mistakes. She also has a sense of humor. She was not above participating in a few practical jokes when she was division director. Jess is a loving spouse and mother, and we have shared the ups and downs of parenthood over the years. The happiest days of my Harpeth Hall career were when I learned she was returning to guide us through a difficult period of transition and then later when she was named our new Head of School.

”

Tony Springman, Upper School Social Science Teacher Colleague of Jess Hill since 1987 SPRING 2019

Q A

What are some of the challenges you see as the work begins on the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan?

AND

WITH JESS HILL

Now with more than 10 months in the role (six as Interim Head and more than four as Head of School), what has it been like to become Harpeth Hall’s seventh Head of School, and how does it differ from your previous experiences at Harpeth Hall?

It is hard for me to imagine being a Head of School without having served as a classroom teacher and member of the Leadership Team. Being the Head of School is a different job in many ways, and yet it requires a knowledge and understanding of the student, teacher, and parent experience that came more easily to me after having experienced those roles personally. The greatest difference I have seen so far as Head of School is the ability to spend more time thinking and working with colleagues at a strategic level. Of course, there are days and weeks when I need to drop everything and tend to a school matter immediately. But mostly, I am able to work on the bigger picture. I can help our faculty and administrators make decisions and move the school forward. We have an incredible Leadership Team, that is so knowledgeable about each of their respective areas of responsibility, and I am fortunate to work closely with each of them. My favorite part remains working with and for the students. I try to drop in to classrooms whenever I can, and I think I have now visited each middle school classroom. I recently had lunch with all the seniors in small groups, and they shared what was on their minds in the moment and what they hope for our school in the future. The insight of a senior at Harpeth Hall is invaluable to me as a leader. What is your biggest surprise?

My nicest surprise has been working with alumnae and reconnecting with many past students. The journey through the middle and upper school years naturally has ups and downs, yet each alumna I have met has been able to articulate what she gained from her Harpeth Hall experience and how she still applies those lessons to her life today. I am moved by their passion, poise, and confidence as they pursue their careers and education. It is wonderful to be reminded of the long view and the lifelong effects of a Harpeth Hall education. 26

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How would you describe your leadership style?

My leadership strengths are in building trusting relationships with my colleagues and helping them believe in their own strengths and abilities. My goal is to encourage leadership from my team. I believe the best decisions result from a diversity of thought and discussion. A variety of leadership styles enhances the decision-making process. As the Head of School, I know I am ultimately responsible for the decisions made and resulting outcomes, yet I have learned that the best decisions are often by virtue of the teamwork around me. Harpeth Hall is poised for a great future — with the new Strategic Plan that launched in spring of 2018 and with campus development activities underway and newly admitted students announced. What are your hopes and ambitions for the school, its graduates, and the future of the school?

We are fortunate to be in a position of strength. As quickly as I say that, I want to follow it with an understanding that we must always strive to be better tomorrow than we are today. Leaders of great schools know they must continue to move forward and look for ways to be innovative. Our excellent faculty is constantly seeking ways to connect with more students and to keep their subjects relevant in 2019. Thankfully, a position of strength gives us the ability to envision a way to stay on the “leading edge” of education, as one of our Strategic Plan goals suggests. We are imagining a method of engaging students beyond the classroom in solving complex real world problems through a future “Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.” The excitement around the possibility of this center is palpable throughout our faculty and administration.

Financial sustainability is an area of focus in the Strategic Plan that could be a challenge, yet not one that is insurmountable. We must secure the financial sustainability of our school for future generations. We want Harpeth Hall to remain strong and on the leading edge of innovative education, and we want to provide this education at a cost that is not prohibitive. Historically speaking, alumnae from girls’ schools nationwide did not have the “power of the purse.” Today, data shows, that women have more of that power, yet they are not choosing to give back to their schools as consistently as their male counterparts. We are fortunate that our alumnae are some of the most generous of any at a girls’ school, and I think we can continue to be leaders in this area. Each alumna with whom I speak, is grateful she attended an all-girls school, and we need to make sure that appreciation is met with continued engagement with the school to partner with us as we work to ensure Harpeth Hall’s place in the future. As one generous alumna said recently, “We need to make sure that Harpeth Hall is here for our daughters and granddaughters.” What excites you most about the Strategic Plan?

I am excited by so many aspects of the plan, and the work of laying the groundwork for each of the four focus areas is well underway. As I previously mentioned, I am particularly excited by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning proposed in the plan. I believe this Center has the potential to be a strength for Harpeth Hall and will keep our school on the national stage as a leader in independent and all-girls schools. I envision the Center’s purpose to encourage our students in real world problem-solving and risk taking. If there is one thing I know about the Harpeth Hall graduate, it is that she is ready to make the world better. I see no reason why that work cannot begin before she leaves our campus. Some of my best afternoons this year have been working alongside administrators and teachers as we begin to see the Center assume a more distinct form. I feel honored to be a part of this work for Harpeth Hall. The challenge will be keeping the parameters and mission of the Center fluid so that we can remain nimble and continue to move and grow with the changes that inevitably unfold before us each year.

What is another key area in which you would like to see Harpeth Hall take the lead?

We have tremendous opportunity in teaching our girls a more thoughtful approach to civic engagement. A group of our faculty have created a framework for students to explore their own understanding of the world around them. This structure appears in classroom discussions and co-curricular programs, and we hope it will filter into conversations in the pods and hallways. From studying the many biases in our news sources to understanding our own confirmation biases, our students are learning to scratch far below the surface to create their own thoughts and opinions. I strongly believe Harpeth Hall will become a leader in this area and a model for teaching best practices for students to engage in difficult dialogues. These dialogues will promote a respect for diversity of thought, which should flourish in an intellectual environment like the Harpeth Hall classroom. The goal is for each girl to feel she can share her opinions openly and be met with listening ears and a desire to understand and to be understood rather than using conversations to convince another of her own opinions or beliefs. After graduation, our students will go into the world ready to be better examples than what they see on the news and social media.

A TIMELINE OF JESS ACCORDING TO TAD By Tad Wert | Upper School Math Teacher | Colleague of Jess Hill’s since 1986

history with Jess Hill goes all the way back to graduate school at Vanderbilt in the mid-80s. We were classmates in a History of Mathematics course. At that time, though, all we did was exchange hellos. Fast forward a couple of years, and I was a newly hired math teacher at Harpeth Hall. I was very nervous, because I was a young and inexperienced teacher. So, imagine my relief when one of the first people I met on the job was Jess Hill. She welcomed me to Harpeth Hall with a big smile, and I knew right then that I was going to make it. Jess took me under her wing and showed me all the important things like where to find notepads and whiteboard markers, and how to use the copier. She was also a role model for me as a teacher. Her students adored her, and she made every Algebra 2 class she taught fun and interesting. I often asked her for advice on how to teach difficult topics and how to create effective assessments. The most valuable lesson I learned from her, though, was the importance of being scrupulously open and fair with my students. Jess treated every girl she taught with the understanding that every student deserved her best effort, every day. Fast forward a few more years, and I was chair of the math department. Jess had taken a break from teaching to raise her three children and work with her husband, Moe. Our families remained good friends, and we enjoyed seeing each other outside of school. Every time we had a job opening in the math department, I would give Jess a call to see if she was interested in coming back. For several years she consistently said “No,” but, to my surprise, one year she said “Yes.”

Having spent over two decades at Harpeth Hall, what do you see as advantages of singlegender education for girls and young women?

It was great to have Jess back on the math teaching team, and she settled into her duties as if she had never left. By that time Harpeth Hall had embraced technology in a big way with our laptop program, and Jess was always looking for ways to integrate these new tools into her curriculum.

I have never witnessed a more important time in history for girls and young women to speak up and become leaders in their communities, in their workplaces, and in their schools. A recent study published this year, commissioned by the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools and conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at University of California, Los Angeles, states that girls who attend girls’ schools are “more engaged academically and socially than their co-educated peers.” They excel in six key areas. The study shows that “they have stronger academic skills, are more academically engaged, demonstrate higher science self-confidence, express stronger community involvement, display higher levels of cultural competency, and exhibit increased political engagement.” Today is a critical time for girls and young women to ponder what it means to be a leader and a woman. In this decade we need to show the world that women know how to lead well.

When Lavoe Mulgrew, the Director of the Upper School, announced her plans to retire from administration, I knew Jess would be perfect as the new Director. I spoke to her about it and at first she laughed me off, but a little later she asked me if I was serious. Even as a teacher, Jess was a mover and a shaker, always encouraging her colleagues to try new things. There wasn’t a single teacher in any department who didn’t love being around Jess. She has a great sense of humor, and she is always willing to laugh at herself. People sought her out to have a conversation, because you always left her feeling great about yourself. So yes, I was serious. Jess got the job, and she performed it beautifully. Our roles were reversed in that she was now my supervisor, but our friendship grew stronger over the years. Through all kinds of crises, Jess remained unflappable. In times of celebration, she was sincerely happy. Her wisdom, her commitment to fairness, her concern for others, and her ability to see the big picture made her a very effective Director. For me, Jess’ most valuable characteristic as an administrator was that she made me feel she was there to help me be the best teacher and department chair I could possibly be. If I ever mentioned some crazy thing I’d like to do in one of my classes, she would often respond with, “That’s a great idea! Why don’t you do it? What can I do to make that happen?” Jess Hill is now the Head of Harpeth Hall School. I admit that when I first asked her to come back to teaching, I never dreamed she would end up in Souby Hall one day. But now that she’s there, it’s hard to imagine it not happening. Looking back to that moment when she welcomed me, a very apprehensive and unsure novice teacher, to Harpeth Hall, to today, I can see that it was inevitable that Jess Hill would be our seventh Head of School. I’ve worked with Jess in just about every capacity: teacher, parent, and administrator. And through it all, the thing I treasure most is this: I can call her friend. SPRING 2019

2019 HARPETH HALL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA

Margaret Napier Morford

The

Class of 1973

yelling “New Girl! New Girl!” throughout the building. Margaret was instructed to sit in the manager’s vacant seat and deal with any incoming calls. With this kind of start in the corporate sector, it is perhaps no wonder that Margaret became interested in improving management practices and gender equity, but that path was not immediately clear.

Harpeth Hall Distinguished Alumna Award is given annually to an alumna of the school who is nationally recognized not only for professional excellence and leadership but also for possessing the vision, skill, and commitment to make things happen. Margaret Napier Morford, Class of 1973 and recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumna Award, is indeed a woman who makes things happen. Margaret launched her own corporate consulting firm, HR Edge, in 2002, and her roster of clients includes Verizon, Chevron, Lockheed Martin, Nationwide Insurance, NAPA Auto Parts, Domino’s, Deloitte, and Intercontinental Hotel Group, to name a few. Working with private clients, particularly CEOs and C-Suite executives of Fortune 500 companies, she helps company leaders develop their executive management teams and plan strategy for their organizations. Margaret has also dedicated herself wholly to helping solve gender inequity in this country. Rather than blame entrenched patriarchal systems, Margaret speaks candidly and courageously about the ways women hold themselves back. And, she gives practical tactics for how to “add panes to the glass ceiling.” Clients who have worked with Margaret consistently refer to her as “no-nonsense” and “hilarious,” “dynamic” and “engaging.” She is a force in corporate America, a change agent in gender politics, and an absolute delight to be around. At the outset of her career, Margaret had no intention of starting her own company. After graduating Harpeth Hall, she attended The University of Alabama, where she worked as an R.A. during the school year and a bank teller during the summers to help finance her education and cover room and board. She chose to major in Psychology, mostly because she “wanted to do something to help people,” a motivation that remains integral to her work today. Margaret’s first job out of school was in Human Resources, or what was then called Personnel. She recalls volunteering every time a new opportunity arose — a willingness to work that caught the attention of her cantankerous Chief Technology Officer. When the company’s Personnel Manager walked off the job one day, it was Margaret the CTO demanded to see. The only catch was he didn’t know her name and so he simply started

HALLWAYS

by Varina Buntin Willse ’95

While I try to make every employee’s life better with the work I do, I am particularly

After three years in the business world, Margaret instead decided to attend law school. It was a decision motivated by that same deep-seated desire to help people, though this time through the pursuit of truth and justice. She attended Vanderbilt University, earned her J.D. in 1983 and became a trial lawyer. There were few female trial lawyers in Nashville in the early 1980s, and Margaret was good at it. She loved being in court, but found that the rest of the work was not a good fit. She missed the business world.

interested in helping

Positioning herself as a rare candidate with both HR and women get to the top law expertise, Margaret landed the job of Chief Human Resource Officer at a manufacturing and distribution of organizations and company in Williamson County. One particular story serve on Boards. reveals what kind of person and professional Margaret truly is. Having been on the job for a while, Margaret I speak quite a bit was allocated money to hire a personal assistant. to groups of women She decided that a better use of the funds would be for about understanding training. When she posed this idea to her bosses, they balked and questioned who would take care of her typing. workplace politics Margaret remained resolute and hired a young woman so that they can get with marketing experience. In short order, the two of promoted without them devised their own training curriculum. Their model compromising was so effective that they began selling it and turned the HR department into a profit center. Margaret’s true calling their ethics or was beginning to unfold: she was able to bring truth and surrendering who they justice into the world not by practicing law but by authentically are. establishing better business practices.

”

From there, Margaret became the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for a national consulting firm out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina before forming her own company, HR Edge. Over the years, she has built a client base that includes companies as diverse as Nissan North America, Sara Lee Foods, Home and Garden Television, Roche, HealthStream, Aegis Sciences Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Vanderbilt University, Comcast, Fox Broadcasting, and Fifth Third Bank. She has also worked with the

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNAE

Six Principles of Management Courage from Margaret Morford’s book, Management Courage: Having the Heart of a Lion: 1. Be painfully honest 2. Never treat identically 3. Don’t use individuals or policies as crutches 4. Ask for and give real feedback 5. Take the blame 6. Leave soul-sucking situations

Margaret and her husband Robert

Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the U.S. Marine Corps. When asked what accomplishments she is most proud of in her life, Margaret immediately cites this Distinguished Alumna Award and then goes on to answer, “On a business level, the fact that high-level CEOs trust me to help map strategies and solve issues, that is probably my greatest triumph.” She cites other accomplishments as well. The first is “watching people I have had the privilege of mentoring, developing, and growing. I love that,” Margaret says, “I like making people successful.” Margaret devotes a great deal of time and energy to the mission of making people successful, which she accomplishes through speaking engagements, publications, one-on-one mentoring, and volunteering. Margaret spends roughly 50 percent of her time addressing groups at conferences and gatherings across the United States, Canada and Europe. Her topics range from “How Not to be a Networking Parasite” to “The Man’s Pour: Adding Panes to the Glass Ceiling.” Her management strategies are so effective that she is a sought-after workplace expert in media across the country and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and USA Today, and has appeared regularly on ABC, NBC, and FOX television affiliates. She has written two best-selling books—Management Courage: Having the Heart of a Lion and The Hidden Language of Business: Workplace Politics, Power & Influence—and is currently working on a third. Margaret credits Harpeth Hall with teaching her to communicate well, in particular to write well. She also credits Harpeth Hall with helping her understand the power of friendships among women. “I spend a lot of time helping women overcome things that hold them back, and I got that from Harpeth Hall. The all-girls atmosphere helps you form friendships with women that carry you through the rest of your life.” In her talks and articles, Margaret advises women not to envy one another’s success or view all

Courageous managers ask the following questions in a manner that clearly communicate they are looking to learn, not to locate a scapegoat: • What seems to be wrong with the project or situation? • Should we continue this course of action? • How can we anticipate these problems in the future? • What should we do differently in the future to make sure this does not happen again?

work relationships as either friendships or rivalries. She insists that women help other women succeed. Margaret heeds her own advice all the time, including in her volunteer work with SOAR, a professional leadership development program aimed at helping women launch their careers. Most recently, Margaret has begun volunteering not just with young women but with young couples. This is where the third and final proud accomplishment of her life comes in: a marriage that has stood the test of time. She and her husband, Robert, have been friends since Margaret was 12, but they did not start dating until she was 35. When he started asking her to marry him over and over again, she finally told him the subject was verboten until she turned 40. “I turned 40 in July that year, and we were married in September,” she laughs, but insists that before they wed she gave him a solid lecture on a statute of law she had studied long ago called the “assumption of risk.” Suffice to say, Robert recognized that the reward in marrying Margaret would far outweigh the risk. As for Margaret, she knows that personal relationships require the same amount of training and care as professional ones, if not more. As such, she has been busy conceptualizing and organizing marital counseling retreats through her church that she plans to help fund. This is, in part, her answer to the question, What do I want to do for humanity? (as if her life’s work hasn’t already been an ongoing contribution). Margaret is also a longtime supporter of Luke 9:2 Ministries, having served on their Board and now joining their medical mission trips to Honduras, where she volunteers as a dental assistant in rural clinics. Her real superpower, though, is obvious. It is helping people, whether the CEO of Comcast or a recent graduate just launching her career. At the end of the day, Margaret cares most about one all-encompassing question: Whose heart did I gladden today? SPRING 2019

2019 SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD

EXCEPTIONAL CHALLENGES INSPIRE EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE

by Sallie King Norton ’71

remember June 20, 1978 like it was yesterday, when my sister, Carmine Jordan, called to let us know that her precious baby, Andy, had been born. Thrilled at the news of his much-anticipated arrival, we wasted no time and began to celebrate. Soon after that, the phone rang again. It was Carmine. The joy was gone, and we could hear a tremor in her voice as she said, “the doctor says that Andy has Down Syndrome.” I sat speechless. The news was impossible to fully process as life as we knew it changed in an instant. I remember the pediatrician mention in passing that many people find it difficult to care for the child’s needs in the home and that they might consider putting Andy in an institution. Carmine and Charlie, her 8th grade sweetheart, decided without hesitation that they were going to provide the best life possible for Andy and raise him so that people would know and love him in a community of meaningful relationships. This was a defining moment for Carmine and one of the “exceptional challenges” that she would take on during her lifetime. Not only was remarkable Andy born on that day, but also, unbeknownst to Carmine at the time, The Exceptional Foundation would be born.

Carmine and her son Andy

Wanting the best for Andy, Carmine encouraged the Mountain Brook, Alabama school system to expand and improve its special education resources. While working as the first executive director of the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation, a position she held for nearly 20 years, Carmine worked tirelessly to raise funds to ensure that all students, mainstream and those with special needs, would experience the same excellence in education. She held herself and everyone around her to high standards and created an environment of excellence and acceptance that future generations could enjoy. Carmine’s experience in education leadership and development would yield unexpected blessings for Andy and many other exceptional individuals in the future. When he was 14, Andy joined a basketball program serving special needs youth. As they were struggling to find gym space, Carmine helped a small group of parents develop a fundraising effort and capital campaign to build their own gym. With tremendous resolve, Carmine inspired action and resourcefulness to build something extraordinary. This program, which is now the Exceptional Foundation (EF), includes a multi-faceted facility and is widely supported in Birmingham by corporate and private donors. From their 30

HALLWAYS

humble beginnings as a place to play basketball, the EF is now a notable community center for 700 people of all ages with special needs. Their incredible “Chili Cook-off ” raises $400,000 and is one of the highest attended and most successful fundraising events in Birmingham. They also have a fundraiser called “Dinnertainment” featuring the EF participants which, in its third year, raised approximately $200,000 and sold out without selling individual tickets. With a budget of almost $2 million, its mission is to enhance the lives of its participants through a variety of activities and to provide a community for the mentally challenged population and their families. They accomplish this mission in beautiful ways every day. EF provides unique and impactful opportunities for social and recreational activities such as athletics, scouting, parties, field trips, crafts, and exercise programs which continue to enrich the participants’ lives in all ways personal to them. Andy is 40 now, and his phone rings off the hook with invitations to events and calls from friends. Often people with special needs can become isolated, but Andy is the exact opposite in large part because of his experience at the EF. His warm personality and great sense of humor endear him to everyone he meets. He is a very special and central part of

SPIRIT OF SERVICE

his family, community, and Publix where he has worked for many years. When asked about his favorite part of the Exceptional Foundation, Andy says “every single thing,” and adds that the EF is “like family”. One of the indelible qualities of the EF is the people like Andy who make it exceptional as they make an enduring impact on the lives of others around them. There are participants at the EF who range in age from six to 86, and it is their home away from home where they are genuinely loved and respected. Because of its success, the EF has grown to become a national foundation and leading model with programs in Charlotte, Fairhope, Memphis, Auburn, and Atlanta. The hope and vision is that all mentally and physically challenged individuals in every community will one day have the benefits of an Exceptional Foundation. To this end, Carmine has provided mentorship, fundraising advice, and strategic connections to allow these new programs to thrive. Because of Carmine’s dedication to the EF, she was immediately recruited to serve again on the Exceptional Foundation Board when she retired from the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation, and she has recently finished a term as President. The Executive Director, Tricia Kirk, and Carmine speak almost daily on issues, brainstorming new ideas and opportunities. Tricia calls Carmine the “Silent Giant” in this community with her formidable wisdom and legacy.

Carmine’s experience in education leadership and development would yield unexpected blessings for Andy and many other exceptional individuals in the future. With humility and selflessness, Carmine holds the highest ideals for excellence which she first learned while at Harpeth Hall. She lives confidently and honorably and expects the best from herself and others. It is this drive for excellence that inspired her to push the schools to have special education classes and to help develop the Exceptional Foundation into the leading institution that it is today. While raising two other children and maintaining involvement in their lives, she invested the full measure of devotion into so many people including Andy. In return, she found that fullness in her life would be centered on service. Carmine and EF program participants

Carmine and Tricia Kirk, EF President and CEO

There are many reasons and many people who made the Exceptional Foundation the wonderful organization that it is today. Carmine Jordan is one of the most important, and it all began back in 1978 when Andy was born and Carmine decided she would stop at nothing to help make Andy’s life an “exceptional” one. Carmine and Charlie would say that it was Andy who made their lives exceptional. Carmine demonstrates all of the criteria for the Spirit of Service Award at Harpeth Hall. Her critical thinking created an innovative approach to solving a problem and meeting a need. Her heart of service continues at the Exceptional Foundation and in her family where Andy continues to be the life of the home. Her care for Andy and his community has inspired other people in communities across the country as they establish their own Exceptional Foundations. Her vision, mentoring, and leadership have been instrumental in creating and expanding this organization that is life-changing for families in need. For all these reasons, Carmine King Jordan ’65 is the perfect recipient of the Spirit of Service Award, and I am proud and grateful that Harpeth Hall is honoring her life’s work which has touched so many. www.exceptionalfoundation.org SPRING 2019

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TRIBUTE: HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF

Frances Riley Delony ’69

he Chadwell/Delony family is beautifully entwined in the history of Harpeth Hall. For over six decades since Harpeth Hall opened in 1951, sisters Patty Litton Chadwell ’35 and Jane Chadwell Delony ’39 ensured the continuation of Ward-Belmont’s high academic standards and its meaningful traditions that inspired Harpeth Hall’s culture. Most Harpeth Hall girls remember “Miss Patty,” a founding faculty member who headed the physical education department for many years. Jane’s daughters, Patty Litton Delony ’66 and Frances Riley Delony ’69, were involved in Harpeth Hall long before enrolling as students. They remembered picking apples and pears in the meadow that is now the site of the Dugan Davis Track and Soccer Complex, and both were flower girls in the Lady of the Hall ceremony. They knew and admired our first Headmistress, Susan Souby, and they received their diplomas from our second Headmistress, Idanelle McMurry ’43. Regrettably, with her 50th Harpeth Hall reunion less than a year away, Frances lost her battle with cancer last June. Upon hearing the news, classmate Meg Duncan Binnicker Beasley ’69 said: “I have difficulty absorbing the truth that Francie is no longer living in this world where we are. I can so easily describe certain aspects of her features: gentle, artistic by nature, and talented, Compassionate with a capital ‘C,’ usually presenting a quiet surface but easily displaying a lively sense of humor—her laugh, both the ‘he-he-he’ little one she more often used and the spontaneous uproar that expressed delight in the moment, always evoked the same from me and others around her. Francie shared her soft smile slowly, like she meant it, and hers was an open gaze at the world from eyes I thought of as almond-shaped.” After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in art, Frances had difficulty finding satisfying employment. She eventually went to nursing school and became a Registered Nurse. But her passion was always working with animals. From earliest childhood she loved animals and had a special relationship with them, not just dogs, cats and horses, but even tadpoles and garden slugs. She cried at the burials of mice caught in traps. She especially loved dogs and spent her happiest hours training and showing Rottweilers and Border Collies. She was proud of her dogs’ championships and modest about the role she played in their success. After receiving an inheritance from her parents and aunt, Frances realized that she needed to think carefully about estate planning. She created substantial trusts for her dogs and made the decision to leave her estate to organizations that benefited animal welfare, education, and the environment. Recipients included the health foundation and rescue program of American Rottweiler Club, the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee, and Blue Ridge Public Radio. Her giving included a $200,000 bequest to Harpeth Hall, which provided initial funding for The Chadwell/Delony Scholarship Fund. Established in 2014 by current Harpeth Hall Trustee Patty Delony, this endowment will provide opportunity for girls who demonstrate financial need, with an emphasis on ensuring economic and racial balance in the student body. Thanks to Frances’s generosity, as well as that of her parents, aunt and sister, the impact of the Chadwell/Delony family on the future of Harpeth Hall will be as profound as the family’s impact on our history. In Meg Beasley’s words, “The Chadwell sisters lived long lives, but Francie has not. The Chadwell-Delony women, each one of the four I have had the pleasure to know and admire — as I did Mrs. Chadwell, the grandmother of Patty and Francie — displayed independence, fortitude, inquisitive natures, self-knowledge, confidence, camaraderie, and care for those around them. The scholarship that Patty and now Francie have provided to Harpeth Hall is a most special illustration of those characteristics shared by these two generations of sisters. Quietly, Francie has made a mark that will outlive us all.”

HALLWAYS

TRIBUTE: HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF

Eugene Pargh: An Investor in Girls Education

“The

harder you work, the luckier you get” was a truism that Eugene Pargh proclaimed to family and friends. Always hard-working and optimistic, Mr. Pargh made his luck, and he shared his success generously with others throughout his life. The first investment that Eugene Pargh made in Harpeth Hall was entrusting the education of his daughter, Linda Pargh Mossman ’77, to the school. With Idanelle McMurry as the Headmistress, Eugene and his wife Madeline knew that Harpeth Hall was a place where their daughter would thrive. And she did. A strong advocate of educational excellence for girls, Eugene later

Melissa Pinsly ’02, Eugene Pargh, Lexi Mossman ’11, Madeline Pargh, and Linda Pargh Mossman ’77

served as a Harpeth Hall trustee from 1981 to 1987 and an Honorary Trustee for 28 years. Harpeth Hall’s endowment was approximately $1 million in the 1980s, and Eugene shared his investing expertise to set the school on a course of significant long-term endowment growth. He and Madeline also personally contributed to that endowment by establishing The Madeline and Eugene Pargh Scholarship Fund in 1996 to support students who show demonstrated need and academic talent, with preference given for students who meet the school’s criteria for diversity. continued on page 34 SPRING 2019

TRIBUTE

“

Grandpa Eugene was passionate about education, as well as giving back to his community. — LEXI MOSSMAN ’11

”

“

I’m thrilled that my grandpa’s legacy will continue to provide an extraordinary education for other lucky girls. — MELISSA PINSLY ’O2

”

Madeline and Eugene Pargh at the Dedication of the Daugh W. Smith Middle School, August 2004

Just two weeks after his joy-filled 96th birthday celebration with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Eugene Donald Pargh died peacefully on September 8, 2018. Through his estate, he continued his investment in Harpeth Hall with a generous $1,100,000 bequest, which Linda delivered to Ann Teaff and Eugene Pargh Harpeth Hall just before Thanksgiving to nearly triple the scholarship in her parents’ name. Over the past 22 years, 14 Pargh Scholars have benefitted from Eugene and Madeline’s endowment. Recently, the first Pargh Scholar made a generous gift to the school stating “It has been a lifelong dream to be able to show my appreciation to Harpeth Hall. My gift is but a drop in the ocean of the magnitude of gratitude that I feel toward our school.” Eugene Pargh’s impact on Harpeth Hall is exponential and permanent. Interestingly, another early Pargh Scholar, Lana Sorin ’03, married Madeline and Eugene’s grandson years later and became Lana Sorin Pargh. Eugene’s personal story as a member of “The Greatest Generation” is one that will always resonate with us. Born in Oklahoma in 1922, Eugene moved to Nashville, graduated from Hume-Fogg High School, and then enlisted in the United States Navy. Serving as a fighter pilot in both the Atlantic and Pacific during World War II, he received several medals of honor including the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. After the war, he met and married the love of his life Madeline Lipshutz. They were happily married for 65 years until her death in 2014. They raised their family in Nashville while Eugene built a real-estate development business. Eugene and Madeline were active members of the Jewish communities in Nashville and South Florida where they resided in their later years. He was immensely proud of and devoted to his family—daughter Linda, two sons,

HALLWAYS

Bernard and Andrew, seven grandchildren, including Melissa Pinsly ’02, Lexi Mossman ’11, and five great-grandchildren. Granddaughter Melissa stated “Grandpa Eugene always believed in me and encouraged me to excel. He inspired me to go above and beyond even at times when I struggled to believe in myself. His commitment to education and supporting smart, creative women helped me gain the courage to work towards my dream career. And because he wanted the best for his granddaughter, he insisted I go to Harpeth Hall to gain the skills and work ethic to make those dreams come true. Harpeth Hall truly changed me as a person. The school gave me confidence, critical thinking skills, and taught me how to be an empathetic leader. I’m thrilled that my grandpa’s legacy will continue to provide an extraordinary education for other lucky girls.” Granddaughter Lexi shared the following memory of her grandfather. “Throughout a girl’s journey at Harpeth Hall, she is taught that women are smart, powerful, and can accomplish any task. Lucky for me, my grandfather had already instilled these lessons in me. Grandpa Eugene was passionate about education, as well as giving back to his community. When I was in 5th grade — in the modular Harpeth Acre Woods — my grandfather was honored as ‘Headmaster for the Day’. This was a very exciting day for me because not only did upper school students now know that I was Melissa’s little sister, but my Grandpa also hosted an ice cream party on Souby Lawn. From a young age, I always wanted to go to Harpeth Hall because my mother went there, my sister was in school there, and because my grandfather advocated for empowering women’s education. I am very proud to be a part of my grandparents’ legacy and to be a Harpeth Hall alumna.” Another piece of advice that Eugene readily shared during his life was “Only buy stocks that are going up.” Eugene Pargh’s stock at Harpeth Hall is ever rising, and our hearts are full of gratitude for his life, his deeds, his family, and his philanthropy.

NEW TRUSTEES

2018-19 NEW TRUSTEES

Jane Allen

Noni Nielsen ’93

Chris Whitson

Crissy Wieck ’96

Jane Allen is a graduate of University of South Florida and received her law degree from University of Kentucky where she was executive editor of the Kentucky Law Journal. Jane practiced employment law and commercial litigation with Trauger and Tuke prior to launching Counsel on Call, an on-demand legal services company. Counsel on Call has grown to over 1,000 attorneys under Jane’s leadership, and she remains active in the company serving as Founder and Board Member. Jane and her husband Greg have served on the Annual Fund Major Gifts Committee and chaired that committee last year. The Allens have four children: sons Gaines, Clarke, and Ty, and daughter Elizabeth who is in the ninth grade at Harpeth Hall.

Noni Nielsen ’93 is a graduate of Davidson College and has a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University. Noni worked for over fifteen years for Bank of America where she was Senior Vice President of the Consumer and Small Business Risk Management group. Noni served as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees during her tenure as President-Elect and President of the Alumnae Association Board from 2016 to 2018. She has also served as the Harpeth Hall Annual Fund Alumnae Gifts Chair, a Reunion Class Chair, and on the Distinguished Alumna Committee. She was part of the school’s National Advisory Council from 2008 to 2014 and is an honorary member. Noni’s parents are Harpeth Hall Honorary Trustees Britton and Norris Nielsen, her sisters are Britt Nielsen Anderson ’87 and Marguerite Nielsen Orndorff ’90, and her nieces are Mary Britton Anderson ’16, Nealy Anderson ’19, and Georgia Orndorff ’27.

Chris is a graduate of Montgomery Bell Academy, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and Vanderbilt University Law School. He is an attorney with Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison. Chris is also a former Metro Councilman for the 23rd District of Nashville and Davidson County and the former chairman of the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals. Chris previously served on the Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2012 and from 2014 to 2017. Chris and his wife Julia served as Annual Fund Current Parent Chairs, Overall Chairs, and Major Gift Chairs. Chris is the nephew of Laura Whitson Sharp ’35. His sisters are Paula Whitson Reed ’69 and Laura Whitson Hardin ’73, and his sisterin-law is Jeannette James Whitson ’81. Chris and Julia have a daughter, Emily ’10, and two sons, Jack and Alex, who graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy. They also have three Harpeth Hall nieces, Minje Whitson Mulloy ’02, Denton Whitson Kerrigan ’06, and Elizabeth Whitson ’15.

Crissy Wieck ’96 is a graduate of Maryville College. She is the Senior Vice President of Sales for her family business, Western Express, Inc., which is the largest womenowned trucking company in the country. Crissy served as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees during her tenure as President-Elect and President of the Alumnae Association Board from 2013 to 2015. She has also served as the Harpeth Hall Annual Fund Alumnae Gifts Chair, a Head’s Young Alumnae Council member, an ex officio member of the National Advisory Council, and on the Distinguished Alumna Committee. Crissy and her husband Matt Wilshire have a blended family of three daughters, Gabby Welhoelter ’22, Serafina Welhoelter, and Maria Wiltshire, and three sons, Wyatt Welhoelter, Alex Wiltshire, and John Wiltshire. Crissy’s sister is Rachel Wieck Cupit ’00, who is an upper school counselor at Harpeth Hall.

SPRING 2019

2018 Upper School Career Day

n November 1, 2018, Harpeth Hall welcomed back 46 alumnae from the classes of 1979 to 2016 for the 2018 Upper School Career Day. Alumnae were divided into career categories that were “skill-based” versus categories based on industry or profession. Categories were defined by questions, including “Do you enjoy helping others?” and “Do you enjoy creating change?” The girls chose to attend two different sessions from a total of 14 categories.

“Career Day was such an inspiring experience. I loved being able to sit in front of three confident alumnae, all of whom had different training and education and professions. Yet, they were all extremely passionate about their jobs, and that was inspiring,” said senior Ella Nelson. “I felt empowered to hear women speak, who ten years ago were just like me, and who now are making a difference in the world as determined, confident, and poised leaders.” The sessions helped expose the students to a wide variety of jobs, giving them a better understanding of the multitude of career options. The final session for the juniors and seniors was a Networking Fair with all alumnae panelists. “I enjoyed the Networking Fair very much. The students that may not have had time to speak up in the large group approached me in the Networking Fair. They even brought their friends who did not hear me speak on the panel. I had 12 students talk to me at the fair, and it was amazing to hear how I impacted them by what I do and shared,” said Ashley Wright Blum ‘01, Director of Homeless Outreach Services for Park Center. The freshmen and sophomores attended a Winterim Panel moderated by Director of Winterim and International Exchange Programs, Jacquie Watlington, and included the following panelists: • Addie Boston Askew ’07 Assistant District Attorney at the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office • Sara Morris Garner ’03 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, DeLozier Cosmetic Surgery Center • Emy Noel Sanderson ’98 Upper School English Teacher at Harpeth Hall and Winterim Trip Chaperone • Olivia Caldwell ’16 current student at Vanderbilt University • Rebecca Blair ’14 personal assistant for the orthopedic surgeon with whom she interned during Winterim while applying to medical school.

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Career Day inspired students and reassured them that the foundations they are establishing at Harpeth Hall will help them open doors to a variety of careers. Freshman Elisabeth Nelson stated, “The alumnae passionately shared elements of their careers with us and passed on extensive knowledge from their various experiences and backgrounds. They taught me the importance of being confident and assertive in the workplace. They showed the twists and turns a career path might take, and they expressed the importance in both enjoying my time in my plaid skirt and looking forward to my time as a member of the workforce and the greater world. I am so glad that Harpeth Hall encourages me not only to grow to the best of my abilities now, but to dream big and go far in the future.” The alumnae of Harpeth Hall are powerful sources of inspiration that motivate students to use their education and experience to pursue their passions as they grow.

EVENTS

PARTICIPANTS BY CATEGORY DO YOU ENJOY HELPING OTHERS?

Mary Pillow Kirk Thompson ’94 Co-Founder, VERSher Tricia McWilliams Ward ’00 Campaign Specialist, Students of the Year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

DO YOU ENJOY CONVEYING INFORMATION TO OTHERS?

Sarah Denson ’06 Web Content Coordinator, Papyrus Hillary Prim ’04 Director of Communications, World Monuments Fund

Hayley Phipps Robinson ’04 Associate Veterinarian, Belle Meade Animal Hospital

Mary Julia Bressman Hannon ’08 Associate Attorney, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

DO YOU ENJOY ASSISTING OTHERS?

Paige Rumore Messina ’99 Owner/Photographer, Paige Rumore Photography

Olivia Huggins ’98 Senior Account Executive, Kindful Addie Boston Askew ’07 Assistant District Attorney, Davidson County District Attorney’s Office Sara Morris Garner ’03 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, DeLozier Cosmetic Surgery Center DO YOU ENJOY SOLVING PROBLEMS?

Crissy Wieck ’96 Senior Vice President of Sales, Western Express, Inc. Elizabeth Conrad ’04 Medical Information and Pharmacovigilance Specialist, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Blair Carter ’07 Aerospace Engineer, US Army (AMRDEC) DO YOU ENJOY CREATING THINGS?

Carey Clarke Aron ’86 Owner and Vice-President, The Pasta Shoppe, LLC Mollie Mills Mann ’93 Vice President of Sales, The Booking Group Ellen Fuson ’02 Project Architect, Hastings Architecture Associates, LLC Annie Huitt ’03 Senior Graphic Designer, Gresham Smith

DO YOU ENJOY ANALYZING PEOPLE OR THINGS?

Abby Sinks Spaulding ’03 Founder and Partner, Certified Financial Planner, Continuum Planning Partners Elizabeth White Noble ’98 Director Portfolio Management, Data & Analytics, Asurion Sarah Feldner Earthman ’07 Case Team Leader and Consultant, Bain & Company DO YOU ENJOY THE OUTDOORS AND THE ENVIRONMENT?

Emily Davis ’92 GoGreen Lead North America, DHL Supply Chain Tallu Schuyler Quinn ’98 Executive Director, The Nashville Food Project Kendra Abkowitz Brooks ’03 Asst. Commissioner for Policy & Sustainable Practice, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation DO YOU ENJOY LEADING OTHERS?

Alison Smith ’79 Senior Vice President, Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services, BMI

Julia Brown Perry ’97 Director, Digital Practices, Cracker Barrel Audrey Ball Guest ’02 Director of National Sales, Hester & Cook Design Group Inc. DO YOU ENJOY TRAINING AND MANAGING OTHERS?

DO YOU ENJOY ORGANIZING PEOPLE OR THINGS?

Anne Hancock Toomey ’97 Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer, Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc.

Morgan Stengel ’05 Project Manager, Giarratana, LLC

Claire Nuismer ’06 Trade and Processing Specialist, UBS Business Solution Center

Heidi Richardson ’02 Assistant Director, Special Events, Vanderbilt University

Marianna Weaver ’10 Finance Director and Campaign Manager, Congressman Jim Cooper

Emily Hassell ’06 Director, Ankura DO YOU ENJOY CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH ONE ANOTHER?

Anne Elizabeth McIntosh ’96 Vice President of Community Investment, Nashville Entrepreneur Center

DO YOU ENJOY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX?

Anne Nicholas Weiss ’98 Founding Partner, Dameworks Development, LLC Diana Wallace ’06 Casting Director, Diana Wallace Casting and Producing

Ellen Green Hoffman ’04 Vice President, Financial Advisor, FTB Advisors, Inc.

Millie Wert ’13 Assistant Account Executive, MP&F Strategic Communications

Grace Clayton ’01 Realtor, Neal Clayton Realtors

DO YOU ENJOY CREATING CHANGE?

DO YOU ENJOY HELPING AND WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES?

Leigh Fitts ’91 Studio Leader, Hastings Architecture Associates, LLC

Neel Webb Young ’02 Travel Advisor, Belle Meade Vacations

Ashley Wright Blum ’01 Director of Homeless Outreach Services, Park Center

Ragan Gibson Graves ’05 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Ragan Graves Counseling

Frances Lewis ’01 Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Department of Justice

Mary Daniel Smith ’10 Speech Language Pathologist, Intelligent Therapy If you are interested in participating in a future Career Day, please contact Director of Alumnae Relations Scottie Coombs at coombs@harpethhall.org.

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Alumnae Outcomes Panel

n December 4, Harpeth Hall welcomed four alumnae to campus to share their experiences with prospective families interested in Harpeth Hall. The panel discussion allowed attendees a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation our students received to create their path in the world. Alumnae spoke of their lasting friendships, deep ties to faculty, formative Winterim experiences, and the confidence they gained from an all-girls school environment. Many thanks to our alumnae Lois Efionayi ’15, Mary Lindley Carswell ’05, Mille Wert ’13, and Rebecca Blair ’14 for a wonderful and informative evening.

Lois Efionayi ’15, Mary Lindley Carswell ’05, Millie Wert ’13, Rebecca Blair ’14

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SWEET SUMMER SEND-OFF FOR THE CLASS OF 2018

COLLEGE AGE HOLIDAY BRUNCH

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ALUMNAE EVENTS

ALUMNAE HOLIDAY PARTY

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REGIONAL GATHERINGS

NASHVILLE, TN

WASHINGTON, D.C

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CLASS NOTES

Susan Willingham Simons ’60 is an artist and has been an active volunteer for numerous Nashville-area nonprofits for many years, including Harpeth Hall. She has been on The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2005 and later the Board of Trustees. She took over as Chair of the board in August 2018. After 37 years of business Becky Griffith ’69 and her sister Nancy Griffith ’72 of Briarpatch Catering have retired. Congratulations on a job well done! Sara Quick Irick ’69 has loved living for over 40 years in Charleston and getting back to Nashville to visit friends. She has three daughters and four grandchildren. Sara works part-time at Charleston’s answer to the Linen Store and volunteers at International African-American Museum which is in its infancy in downtown Charleston. Karen Allbright Jones ’69 retired a couple of years ago after working for over 30 years as a Grief Counselor, a Social Worker, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Pastoral Counselor. She and her husband, Jim, raised three children, Ryan, and twins Andrew and Caroline. She has two grandchildren and one on the way! She enjoys traveling, hiking, volunteering, and trying to enjoy golf in the beautiful mountains of Northern Arizona. Debbie Rodgers Murrey ’69 underwent breast cancer treatment this past year, but she is enjoying retirement and spending time with her husband and 22 grandchildren.

Candy Floyd Glasgow ’71 published “Little Everyday Cakes” which features easy-to-follow baking recipes. Candy has worked in the food magazine and cookbook field for more than 13 years. As former managing editor of Relish magazine (the food magazine with the largest circulation in the US) and food editor of American Profile magazine, she worked with hundreds of

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food writers to develop stories about food trends, farmers and growers, chefs and restaurants, and new ingredients and curated recipe submissions from readers. She most often can be found in her Nashville kitchen testing new recipes, or in her garden growing herbs and perennials. Carney McCreery McCullough ’74 retired from the U.S. Department of Education at the end of August 2018 after 34 years. She served in various positions over her career, but spent the vast majority of time working on federal student aid policy and retired as Director of Policy Development in the Office of Postsecondary Education. Anne Byrn Whitaker ’74 has a new cookbook, American Cookie, and there is a story behind it. It’s jam-packed with heirloom recipes, some of them dating back to the early 1700s, as well as modern cookie recipes we bake today. Researching her book American Cake, she learned that not all the sweets we love are stacked, frosted, and sliced; often they are little cakes and cookies. These small sweet treats have been easy to assemble, are open to substitutions—especially important during war years and the Depression—and beloved by children. For something so small, the treats speak volumes about our past. Lynne Wolfe ’78 received the Teton Valley Trails and Pathways Stewardship Award. The TVTAP Stewardship Award is an honor that was created by Lynne in 2008, and now she is the first woman to have received it. The award celebrates people who work to improve connectivity in the valley. Lynne has served on the TVTAP board in the past, including a stint as board president. She also serves on the “Mountain Bike the Tetons” board. Lynne has orchestrated collaborations between TVTAP, MBT, Skyliners Motor Club, and the U.S. Forest Service for the benefit of local trail networks. Lee Anne MacKenzie Chaskes ’79 is the new Alumnae Relations and Development Associate at her alma mater, Sweet Briar College. In January, Jeannie Cochran DuBose ’79 launched her second book entitled Tending the Fire: The Story of a Marriage. She

provides an intimate look inside her own marriage, as she and her husband grow through junctures both bumpy and beautiful. Accompanied by original illustrations, the narrative provides a portal for readers to consider their own journey with love. Jeannie is an author, illustrator, and spiritual director. As an experienced facilitator and retreat leader, she works with a variety of institutions and groups, including churches, schools, prisons, and wellness centers. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, she received a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University and a Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Columbia Theological Seminary, and her private practice is in Black Mountain, NC. She will present and offer reflections on her new book as one of the Winterim in May class offerings at Reunion 2019! Mary Addison Hackett ’79 recently joined the board of the 501(c)(3) non-profit, Arts Connection- the Arts Council of San Bernadino County (California). She continues to serve as an official advisor to Locate Arts, a non-profit based in Nashville. Suzy Bell Knapp ’79 is a Passionflower Chapter Representative to the Florida Native Plant Society. She helps coordinate speakers and field trips while advocating for the society’s mission to conserve, preserve, and restore native plant populations and their plant communities. With construction booming in Florida, she is frequently

NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR Holly Sears Sullivan ’90

rescuing plants with the sound of bulldozers just over the horizon. Congratulations to Alison Smith ’79 for being recognized as one of Billboard’s Women in Music 2018: The Most Powerful Executives in the Industry along with Jacqueline Saturn Dakar ’86 and Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92.

Congratuations to alumna Holly Sears Sullivan ’90, Director of WW Economic Development at Amazon who led their HQ2 search and was named Nashville Business Journal’s Newsmaker of the Year for 2018.

Lisa Meyer Holzapfel ’81 won the March of Dimes Community and Public Health Nurse of the Year Award. She has been a nurse for over 25 years and is currently the Medical Services Manager of the Hope Clinic for Women in Nashville. Elizabeth Robbins Hawkins ’82 currently serves as Executive Secretary and Chair of Development on the board of The Next Door in Nashville. The Next Door provides substance abuse and mental health services for women to restore hope and a lifetime of recovery from addiction. Bethany Erwin Owen ’83 was named the first woman President of ALLETE Inc., a parent company of Minnesota Power. Previously, she has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and has worked at ALLETE for 16 years. As president, Bethany will focus on ALLETE’s growth strategically across its different divisions.

Jacqueline Saturn Dakar ’86, Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92, and Alison Smith ’79

Jacqueline Saturn Dakar ’86 was named one of Variety’s 2018 Women of Impact. Jacqueline currently is the President of Caroline Records and has helped the Capitol Music Group’s indie label services division break acts. Overseeing a 50-person U.S. team and staff at eleven international offices, Saturn also guides the ultra-hip Harvest Record label, home to buzzing alternative acts Glass Animals and Banks.

ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc., recently announced the addition of Mary Margaret Crowell Bourbeau ’89 to the ServisFirst Bank Nashville Board of Directors. Mary Margaret is a Partner of Crowell Capital Partners, GP and President of JFC Enterprises, which are real estate development entities, investment, and management firms. Marla Connelly Doehring, MD ’89 received the 2019 Indiana University Part-Time Faculty Teaching Award. Marla is currently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine. Jennifer Rose Frist ’89 along with her husband, William “Billy” Frist, will endow the Frist Center for Austim and Innovation at Vanderbilt University. The center is expected to open at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year as a part of Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering. Congratulations to Katie Sergent Cour ’90 on her new position of president and CEO of the Nashville Public Education Foundation.

Beth Rather Gorman ’90, the Executive Director of the Leukemia and Lymphona Society, National Capital Area Chapter was named by the SPRING 2019

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Washington Business Journal as one of the 2018 “Women Who Mean Business.” Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92 was named to Billboard’s 2018 R&B/Hip-Hop 100 Power Players list. Robinette Weiss Gaston ’94 is currently Director of Project Management at Catapult Marketing. She stays busy juggling a full-time job plus being mother to Beau and Grey. She and her high school sweetheart, Hugh Gaston, will soon celebrate 19 years of marriage. Enjoying the fifth year of marriage to Charles Menefee, Crispin Davis Menefee ’94 moved back to Nashville in August 2018. She has a collection of horses including two thoroughbred broodmares and is hoping to get a good Tennessee-bred racehorse. Congratulations to artist Vadis Turner ’95 who is featured in the book 50 Contemporary Women Artists: Groundbreaking Contemporary Art from 1960 to Now by John Gosslee and Heather Zises which was released in October 2018. Varina Buntin Willse ’95 writes a weekly blog entitled “Ponder Effect.” It is designed as a platform that values mindful inquiry and seeks to activate it. It asks challenging questions and engages in sustained contemplation. The format includes a weekly question, shared by email, that is pondered individually and collectively. Also once a month, a guest thinker will pose his/her question and ruminations. To subscribe go to www.pondereffect.com. Congratulations to Tallu Schuyler Quinn ’98 and The Nashville Food Project for being one of the Center for Nonprofit Management’s 2018 Salute to Excellence Award winners, receiving the Healing Trust Compassionate Care Award. Marissa Moses Russ ’98, partner at MTR Family Law, PLLC, has been elected president of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Nashville. Marissa is a member of the Tennessee and American 44

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Bar Associations, and is a Fellow of the Nashville Bar Foundation. She currently is chair of the Nashville Bar Association’s domestic relations committee. She is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practicing lawyers recognized by their peers for experience and expertise in family law; membership is by invitation. She serves on the alumni board of the University of Tennessee Law School, on the board of Harding Academy, and is an adjunct professor at Belmont University College of Law. Tiffany Watson Breeding ’99 tells the story of her journey to optimal fitness, nutrition, and mental toughness in her new book, The Metabolic Makeover: 8 Weeks to Macro Mastery. Kit Wilkinson Thomson ’99 was recently recognized for 15 years of federal service having been with the Defense Intelligence Agency since 2003. She currently serves as a senior analyst in the Asia Pacific Regional Center. Nashville Scene awarded “Best Nonprofit Power Mover” to Small World Yoga’s Liz Porter Veyhl ’02. In April 2018, Liz’s Small World Yoga opened the doors of Nashville’s first community yoga studio on Music Row. The nonprofit charges just five dollars per class, and those funds help underwrite free classes around town where yoga would not otherwise be available, such as the Davidson County jail, public schools and libraries.

Anna Derryberry ’03 produced four shows for the National Geographic Channel that were companion pieces to the live programming from Yellowstone National Park. She loves the national parks, and these programs showcase their incredible beauty.

Lisa Carson ’08

Ellen Green Hoffman ’04 lauched her podcast series “Her Story of Success” in 2018 which shares women’s stories on their journeys of success and fulfillment. After passing the level one exam for the Court of Master Sommeliers in April 2018, Rachel Howell Mobley ’04 has been busy gaining additional credentials through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust as a means of preparing for the level two exam in 2019. Claire Berry ’05 received her M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 2017. Since then, she has been serving Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX as an Associate Pastor, with a special focus on the church’s mission and community outreach. Mary Lindley Carswell ’05, Practice and Business Development Manager at Bass, Berry & Sims, returned to campus on December 4, 2018 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes Panel Discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these students received to create their paths in the world. ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. hired Ellen Hammer ’05 as the Director of Business Development and Marketing for the Nashville market. Ellen will focus on building and maintaining new relationships, while fostering existing relationships. She joins ServisFirst Bank after nearly six years in the insurance industry at Martin & Zerfoss, Inc. where she served as the Commercial Marketing Manager.

CLASS NOTES

current dynamics in China, the importance of meditation, and finding happiness . . . Truly the best day of my life!” Congratulations to alumna actress Stephanie Rothenberg ’08 who starred in the Tony-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone in East Haddam, Connecticut and also appeared in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

Emily Manning ’08

Tess Erlenborn ’10

Margaret Walker ’06 is the Program Officer in Preservation and Access at the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. There are nine grant programs in the division that support stewardship of cultural resources in museums, libraries, and archives, for both physical care/conservation and creation of digital access to collections. Prior to this position, Margaret was the Assistant Art Curator at the Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery.

spice when they need it, and keep the rest fresher at the molecular level for later. After five years of research and development, one round of seed funding, and lots of extensive travel to rural Asia sourcing product, she launched Occo in January on Kickstarter. Lisa credits her education at Harpeth Hall for giving her the fundamental values, academic grit, and professional skills to start her company.

Congratulations to singer-songwriter Sophie Sanders ’07 on her debut album “Steep and Shining Spaces.”

Mary Killian ’08 is a second-year resident in pediatrics at Vanderbilt and plans to do a fellowship in pediatric cardiology. She is very happy to be back in Nashville and loves practicing medicine.

Lisa Carson ’08 recently founded her first start-up: a spice company called Occo. Occo’s strategy hinges on a little known fact that spices go bad. Users can get the right amount of ethically-sourced, organic

While she was in India for work, Emily Manning ’08 was able to meet and speak with the Dalai Lama. In her words “ . . . he simply radiates joy. He spoke about his journey out of Tibet, his view of the L-R: Liz Brittain Beck, Meredith Was, Lacy Broemel, Phoebe Carver Lane, Patricia Gormley, Anna Spoden, Madeline Wiseman Capetown, South Africa

Phoebe Carver ’09 is enjoying life in Kenya as a Program Director at a food security focused nonprofit called One Acre Fund. She married Calvin Lane, from Botswana, on December 31 in Cape Town at Boschendal Wine Estate. In addition to her two sisters, Allie Carver ’08 and Lilly Carver ’12, nine Harpeth Hall alumnae made the journey to South Africa to celebrate with them. Haley Clare Joyce ’09 launched her Nashville-based photography company, Haley Clare Photography (haleyclarephotography.com) after making the switch from a longstanding recruiting career. While Haley Clare’s portfolio is centered in nature and wildlife photography, she has also worked with local influencers, doing photoshoots for Nashville’s lifestyle blogging community. Ryllis Lyle ’09 is pursuing her Master in Communications at the University of Southern California and relocated from Nashville to Los Angeles this past August. USC’s Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism hosts the nation’s top program for Communications. Ryllis plans to focus her work on Image Management, Entertainment, and Media Studies. A graduate of University of California Berkeley School of Law, Madeline Wiseman ’09 is a federal judicial clerk for the Honorable William H. Orrick on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Tess Erlenborn ’10 was one of the eight female abstract artists chosen by Nashville Metro Arts to be featured on the 2nd Avenue Art Wall. The art wall replaces a blank streetscape with vivid SPRING 2019

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pieces reflecting positivity, playfulness, and cheerfulness. The University of Michigan recognized alumna Lexi Mossman ’11 an alumni magazine article, “Advice to My Younger Self: Lexi Mossman, Sports Medicine Entrepreneur.” Lexi is the founder of MountainFit, a personalized athletic training service located in Vail, Colorado that uses cutting edge therapeutic modalities and hands-on therapy to treat and prevent injuries. Caroline Hawkins ’12 completed her Master in Early Childhood Education at Furman University in 2017 and is currently teaching first grade at Explore! Community School in East Nashville. She is the school sponsor for Girls on the Run, a non-profit program that encourages girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Maddie Shankle ’12 graduated cum laude from Yale University in May 2018 with distinction in both her majors, Environmental Engineering and Geology and Geophysics. She earned the Bromley Prize for superior accomplishment and academic achievement in Environmental Engineering and the Belknap Prize for excellence in Geological Studies. She was also awarded the inaugural Benjamin Franklin Senior Prize for a significant work of scholarship. Millie Wert ’13, a Staff Associate at MP&F Strategic Communications, returned to campus on December 4, 2018 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes Panel Discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a

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Harpeth Hall’s social media sites have more than 9,500 participating members. Join us and stay connected with alumnae from around the globe.

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glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these students received to create their paths in the world. Rebecca Blair ’14, a current applicant for medical school, also returned to campus on December 4, 2018 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes Panel Discussion. McCall Nichols ’14 is attending graduate school at Vanderbilt University to purse a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Ellie Osteen ’14 passed the NCLEX and started a position at St. Thomas West in the Nurse Residency program. Lois Efionayi ’15, a current senior at Vanderbilt University, returned to campus on December 4, 2018 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes Panel Discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these students received to create their paths in the world. Congratulations to Helen Mistler ’15 who was selected to carry the History department banner at the Furman University Convocation ceremony on August 27, 2018. Claire Tattersfield ’15, a senior at University of Vermont majoring in political science and global studies, is editor-in-chief of one the UVM newspapers. She spent a semester studying abroad in Chile, and was Vice President of Kappa Delta Sorority. Harpeth Hall congratulates Kristen Barrett ’16 for directing “Shakespeare on the Lawn” at the University of Virginia. Kristen is a Jefferson Scholar, and she also had the honor of being elected president of The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society at the University of Virginia. Laura Catherine Harrell ’16 currently serves as the President of Delta Gamma Sorority at Southern Methodist University for 2019 and is an SMU Admissions Ambassador. She is also a Global Scout for Sparks & Honey, a management consulting group focusing on cultural intelligence and branding based out of New York City.

Helen Mistler ’15

Last May, Maddie Peterson ’16 was an Xploration Stations Student Explorer. She flew to Fiji, explorered the islands, went diving with Philippe Cousteau (grandson of Jacques Cousteau) as her dive partner, and most importantly, got to learn from some incredible industry professionals. The whole episode was filmed and syndicated on Fox, as well as on Xploration Stations streaming service and Amazon Prime. She credits her education at Harpeth Hall and her Winterim experience in Bonaire for the confidence and skills to apply for this program and thrive! Eliza Hawkins ’17 is completing her sophomore year at Vanderbilt University where she is on the Dean’s List and majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society. Margaret Gaw ’18 was named an Alice Baldwin Scholar at Duke University. It is awarded to 18 first-year women from the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and the Pratt School of Engineering. This prestigious group was created to inspire and support undergraduate women to become engaged, confident, and connected leaders in the Duke community and beyond. As a Scholar, she networks with distinguished faculty, connects with other female students, interns in the field of her choice, and studies in small seminars.

Harpeth Hall Alumnae Network The most convenient way for Alumnae to reconnect with each other and Harpeth Hall

Harpeth Hall is committed to keeping our alumnae connected beyond their years on campus. Our Alumnae Relations Office has launched the Alumnae Network (powered by Evertrue) as an easy and secure way to reconnect and network with classmates

and mentors. The Alumnae Network is available both as an app and as an online platform. NOTE: Privacy settings on the app will be the same as your LinkedIn and Facebook accounts.

Alumni Nearby

Classmates

The map feature allows you to view where Harpeth Hall alumnae are throughout the world. It DOES NOT track your actual location, just the postal address we have in our database or what you have listed on LinkedIn.