Class Notes

Lisa Morrissey LaVange ’71 highlighted in New York Times Square

Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ’75 with Gray Oliver Thornburg ’72 and past parent Deborah Tate

Class Notes 60 Kathy Clark Lord ’60 published a cookbook Out of the Frying Pan after 17 years of catering with her company, The Traveling Skillet. Kathy also received a Lifetime Achievement Award before retiring from the Executive Director position of the Bayou Preservation Association and Trees for Houston. Lenis Hopkins Northmore ’62, a retired art historian and world traveler, has downsized from her 6,000-square foot home in Newark, DE to a smaller home in Williamsburg, VA. Her home was filled with artwork, artifacts, and mementos she collected over the years, and her story was featured on the PBS show Legacy List. Jeanie Nelson ’65 was one of three women to spearhead a new exhibit at the Nashville Public Library honoring the legacy of the women’s suffrage movement in Tennessee and the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 as part of the 100th anniversary of its passage. Judy Quinn ’69 who lives in France, enjoys hosting her classmates and others for trek-hiking around the base of Mont Blanc. 70 Susie Andrews ’70 still practices family medicine with her husband in Murfreesboro, and she delivered one of her own grandchildren in August 2019. Dr. Lisa Morrissey LaVange ’71 joined the Board of Directors of SimulationsPlus.

Lisa is a Professor and the Associate Chair of the Department of Biostatistics at the University of North Carolina. She also was the recipient of Harpeth Hall’s Distinguished Alumna Award in 2010.

Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ’75

accepted the 2019 Outstanding Community Service Award on behalf of the Davidson County Chancery Court Part III from the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging. The Association bestowed this award in recognition of a $36 million court program aimed at helping senior citizens that arose out of the settlement of two cases in Davidson County. In its first year, that court program delivered dental, transportation, housing, and legal services to over 17,174 elderly Tennesseans. It also has resulted in the production of senior-focused

programs on Nashville Public Television that have attracted over one million viewers. Congratulations to Beth Porch Scruggs ’75 and the Nashville Dolphins on receiving the 97th Daryl Waltrip’s Hometown Heroes Award. Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) gave a surprise award to Amy Grant Gill ’78 for surpassing one billion global music streams. Amy also received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the T.J. Martell Foundation at their annual gala on February 24. The T.J. Martell Foundation is the music industry’s leading foundation that funds innovative medical research focused on finding treatments and cures for cancer. For the fourth time, BMI’s Executive Vice President of Distribution, Publisher Relations and Administration Services, Alison Smith ’79, was named to Billboard’s 2019 Women in Music Top Executives list.

Jacqueline Saturn Dakar ’86

80 After spending most of the last 18 years in the northeast, Karen Dondanville Weatherbee ’80 moved back to Tennessee in March to be closer to family. Penelope Logan Furry ’83 was appointed Chair of the Development Task Force for the new Coppell Arts Center in Coppell, TX, outside of Dallas. The $20 million facility opens in May 2020. Katie Quillen Miller ’85 lives in Durham, NC, with her husband and three children. Katie works at Duke University and is Executive Director of the Health Management Certificate Program, working with Duke MBA students at the Fuqua School of Business. Jessica Reynolds Pasley ’85, a Senior Information Officer with the News and Communications Office at Vanderbilt

University Medical Center, was named the New Media Relations Manager at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is the main point of contact for media on behalf of Children’s Hospital. Congratulations to Jacqueline Saturn Dakar ’86 for being named to Billboard’s 2019 Women in Music Top Executives list again in 2019. Jacqueline is the President of Caroline/Harvest Records, the indie distribution and label services arm of Capitol Music Group. Carolyn Fischer ’86 was just named one of twenty “celebrities” to watch in Canada this year, as the go-to resource in the country’s climate crisis. Carolyn is a senior fellow with Resources for the Future and currently holds joint appointments as a professor of environmental economics at Vrjie Universiteit—Amsterdam and as a Canada 150 Research Chair in Climate Economics, Innovation, and Policy at the University of Ottawa. Nancy Brown King ’86 became the Executive Director of Nonprofit Housing Corporation, which develops affordable housing in Middle Tennessee and neighboring areas. She retired from the US Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Tennessee, where she served as an Attorney and Judicial Law Clerk for 25 years.

Bonita Doss Owens ’09

Carolyn Fischer ’86

Holly Sears Sullivan ’90

Catherine Mayes Knowles ’88 received the Homeless Liaison on of the Year Award from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY). Catherine has been the Homeless Education Program Coordinator for Metro Nashville Public Schools for 22 years. Bonita Doss Owens ’89 wrote and published her first book entitled Who Stole My Significance? Bonita is a life coach, and in her book, she shares her struggles, challenges, and lessons that helped her to align herself to the woman that she was born to be. Her book will help you to overcome what has held you back so that you can live a life that you deserve. 90 Marti Russ Jeffords ’90 received her National Board Certification of Teachers in December 2019. The National Board Certification of Teachers develops, retains, and recognizes accomplished teachers and generates ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. Holly Sears Sullivan ’90 received the 2019 Alumni Professional Achievement Award from the University of Tennessee in September and was named to the Nashville Business Journal’s2019 Power 100: Disruptors list. Additionally, Holly was named one of “The Most Powerful Women in Washington” by the Washingtonian magazine. Holly also joined the board of directors at the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, a key business lobbying group at the Tennessee General Assembly. Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92 was named to Billboard’s 2019 Women in Music Top Executives list for the 10th year in a row.

Kelleigh Bannen Grossman ’99

Marcie is the Founder and President of MAC Presents and celebrated the 15th anniversary of her music partnership and experiential agency with programs for Citi, Uber, and Swisher Sweets. One of her latest ventures was ATLive, a three-day veterans’ benefit concert at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium in November with headliners Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Luke Combs, and others. Classmates Mary Pillow Kirk Thompson ’94 and Halle Hays ’94 launched FOH&BOH (which stands for front-of-house and back-of-house). It is a tech platform designed for the hospitality industry that matches job seekers with employers in response to Nashville restaurants’ worker shortage. The platform rolled out in January 2020. Congratulations to Reese Witherspoon ’94, the 2019 winner of the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award, given annually to a woman who is a trailblazer and philanthropic leader in the entertainment industry. Brianne Frazier ’96 is the new Senior Strategist for Policy Communications at Amazon. Kelleigh Bannen Grossman ’99 was named one of Nashville Lifestyles’ most beautiful people of 2019. She also hosted the first country show for Apple Music, #TodaysCountry, and made her national TV debut in October on the Today Show.

00 Amanda Norman ’00, a selfemployed artist, returned to campus on November 19, 2019 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes Panel Discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these alumnae received to pursue their path in the world. Tricia McWilliams Ward ’00 was recently promoted to Senior Campaign Manager of the Students of the Year campaign at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Tennessee Chapter. She was recognized at LLS’s National Conference in July 2019 with the Budget Achievement Award for growing her campaign by 166 percent from the previous year and contributed to the Tennessee Chapter’s receiving of the Transformational Growth Award for 84 percent year-over-year growth and of the Triple Crown Award for three consecutive years of growth. Michelle Gaskin Brown ’01 made Nashville Business Journal’s 2019 “40 Under 40” list as Amazon’s Manager of Public Policy in Nashville. Prior to Amazon, Michelle worked as both a legislative attorney and lobbyist for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and played an active role in advocating for Amazon to bring its operations headquarters to Nashville. After seven years as a librarian at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Leah High ’01 relocated to Hamburg, Germany in the fall of 2018. She is working as a graphic designer and copywriter for the British company, Oliver Agency, while also continuing her work as a visual artist and developing community programs that connect children, literacy, and the arts. Jennifer Harrison Hutton ’01, a physical therapist at Vanderbilt Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation, returned to campus on November 19, 2019 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes Panel Discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and

Reese Witherspoon ’94

the preparation these alumnae received to puruse their path in the world. EA Manier Homans ’02 returns to Harpeth Hall as the Controller in the business office. Jessica Turk ’02 is a Program Manager at Nashville Public Television (Npt) and was instrumental in the production of the documentary BY ONE VOTE: WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN THE SOUTH as the Associate Producer. She was assisted by fellow Harpeth Hall alumnae, Caroline Scudder ’16, Dasha Didier ’16, and Sara Emma Kahane ’19. Mary Stengel Bentley ’03 recently completed a two-story, 1,600 sq. ft. mural in the lobby of a brand new office building in Waltham, MA for tenants Simpson, Gumpertz, and Heger. The building, also known as 20 CityPoint, was developed by Boston Properties. Allison Oldacre Griffin ’03 graduated from the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in August 2019. She continues to work in the Developmental Medicine clinic at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Ellen Green Hoffman ’04, Vice President, Financial Advisor at First Horizon Advisors, returned to campus on November 19, 2019 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes Panel Discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these alumnae received to pursue their path in the world. Helen Rankin Willsey ’05 now leads a scientific research group at the University of California, San Fransico studying the function of autism risk genes in brain development. Olivia Burd ’07 graduated from the University of San Francisco in 2019 with a Master of Education in a Clinical Counseling and School Counseling dual degree. Olivia is currently studying for her Tennessee state licensing exam. StyleBlueprint featured Mary Fowler Howell ’07 and Evan Gibbs ’11 in an article about their design company Pfeffer Torode entitled “The Pfeffer Torodo Design Duo is Our Current Interior Designer Crush!” Ann Ralls Niewold Brown ’08 and Courtney Vick ’08 were named one of “Nashville’s Top 30 under 30” by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Nashville’s “Top 30 Under 30” showcases the community’s top young professionals for their business, civic, and philanthropic achievements while benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s work to develop ways to control and cure cystic fibrosis. Willa Fitzgerald ’09 stars as Colette French in USA Network’s new show “Dare Me.” It premiered on December 29, 2019. Willa also was included in a Town and Country Magazine’s August edition on “The Ultimate Town and Country Guest List.” Caroline Mack ’09 finished Physician Assistant school at Trevecca Nazarene University with a Master of Medicine in August 2018. She is working as a Dermatology PA at Retief Skin Center in Green Hills and is accepting new patients. 10 Tess Erlenborn Davies ’10 had an exhibition in the Marnie Sheridan Gallery November 14 – January 17. Her

exhibit, “Off the Canvas”, explored how two disparate things exist together in a space on — or off — the canvas. Tess is also this year’s Carell Artist in Residence at Harpeth Hall and worked with the sixth graders and senior Camyrn Lesh as part of her independent study for Winterim. The result of the collaboration of Tess, Camryn, and the sixth graders is a new triptych mural in the Junior Lobby in Massey Center.

Hannah Claybrook Gibbs ’10 was promoted to the rank of Captain in the Tennessee Army National Guard and now serves as the Executive Officer for the 208th Area Support Medical Company.

Wrenne Evans ’12 served as the tour photographer for singer Maggie Rogers on her “Heard It in a Past Life” fall tour in 2019.

After earning a Master of Public Health from Tufts University and spending a year working with the NGO mayahealth.org in Guatemala, Leah Shaw ’12 is now a data manager at Boston Health Care for the Homeless. Rebekah Webster ’12 is currently working in research at Vanderbilt, started an information postbaccalaureate at Tennessee State University, and works as a songwriter for a children’s music education company. Also, her worship team, Nashville Life Music, recently signed to Integrity Music. Abbey Butner ’13 graduated from American University with a degree in Biology in 2017 and has been accepted into Elon University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies. Caroline Hoffman ’13 is working as an English Language Assistant with Meddeas (Multilingual Education Development & Support) in Madrid, Spain. Emily Stewart ’14 performed in “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson, TN as Violet Bick. Brianna Bjordahl ’15 worked as a biology intern at St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. One of her projects is working with artificial cavities in pine trees to establish a new population of the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers in part of the refuge. Shelby Potter ’15 graduated from Auburn University in May 2019 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. As a senior, Shelby was awarded an Undergraduate Research Fellowship and conducted research within the College of Aviation. Her research, titled “The Effects of Severe Weather on Commercial Aviation Accidents and Incidents,” culminated in a paper and poster presentation at the Auburn Research Student Symposium. Shelby is now employed as an aerospace engineer at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida within the 96th Test Wing. continued on page 65

Alexis Hawkins Holland ’13

Tess Erlenborn Davies ’10

Caroline Tanner Everett ’07

Becca Jacques Smith ’12

Kelly Bonau Jones ’04

Tobi Lee Erwin ’08

MARRIAGES Catey Vander Naillen Carter ’70 to Stephen Cumley in May 2018 Wende Hall Stambaugh ’85 to Craig Fry on August 10, 2019 Marci Rosenblum ’88 to Gregory Carl Adams on November 30, 2019 Leah High ’01 to Stefan Hilgenkamp on October 26, 2018 Grace Brock ’02 to John Bevington Bearden, Jr. on October 5, 2019 Katie Atkins ’03 to George Ritzen on October 5, 2019 Kelly Bonau ’04 to Matthew Jones on May 18, 2019 Mary Ramsey ’04 to Trey Moore on November 16, 2019 Anna Trotter ’04 to Justin David Yonkelowitz on September 14, 2019 Kelly Diehl ’05 to Kyle Hamlett on January 4, 2020 Liza Darwin ’06 to Joseph Mueller on October 5, 2019 Amy Dixon ’06 to Jesse Knutson on Demember 7, 2019 True Claycombe ’06 to Michael Pfeifer on April 6, 2019 Lauren Riegle ’07 to Trevor Mitchell on January 18, 2020 English Taylor ’07 to John Cowgill on November 16, 2019 Annie Tipps ’07 to Gardner Beach Bell on January 4, 2020 Octavia Obolensky ’07 to Thomas Banks Melly on September 22, 2018 Lindsey Rollins ’07 to Charles Webb on November 23, 2019 Caroline Tanner ’07 to Thomas King Everett on November 9, 2019 Allie Carver ’08 to Raymond Rufat on October 12, 2019 Tobi Lee ’08 to Spencer Erwin on September 14, 2019 Lauren Quinn ’08 to William Jonathan Barnacastle on January 18, 2020

Leah High ’01

Lauren Quinn Barnacastle ’08

Lauren Bounds ’09 to John Anderson Gallagher on July 13, 2019 Emily Carpenter ’09 to Michael Douglas Hellman on November 9, 2019 Paige Cahill ’09 to Mike Yastrzemski on November 10, 2018 Kara Earthman ’09 to Harrison Tucker on October 5, 2019 Bradley Moody ’09 to Conner Mims on September 14, 2019 Tess Erlenborn ’10 to Barton Davies on September 14, 2019 Molly Saint ’10 to Max Sung on October 5, 2019 Jean Broadhurst ’11 to Brandon Schoeneweis on September 1, 2019 Grace Cummings ’11 to Michael Bay on October 20, 2019 Abby Henry ’11 to Justin Gray on August 31, 2019 Julia Ann Meadows ’11 to David Simmons on November 2, 2019 Molly White ’11 to Joseph Michael Viola on February 1, 2020 Molly Claybrook ’12 to John Newell on September 20, 2019 Ellen DeWitt ’12 to Colin Quinn on August 10, 2019 Tori Dickerson ’12 to Taron Foxworth on November 9, 2019 Taylor Heinze ’12 to Mac McManus on January 18, 2020 Becca Jacques ’12 to Banks Smith, Jr. on September 7, 2019 Katie Neal ’12 to Clay Sullivan on August 31, 2019 Alexis Hawkins ’13 to Zack Holland on September 28, 2019 Alexandra Thornton ’13 to Shane Hopkins on September 14, 2019 Abbie Jennings ’14 to Wilson Hays on August 31, 2019

Hastings Scott Ryan

Michael Andrew Ryan Margaret Riney Hoffman Diana Jane Hannon Hunter Schoenfeld Haley Anne Cendrowski

Minor Vance Kerrigan Benjamin James Sanderson

BIRTHS Kelli Dunaway ’96 son, Matthew Stephen Schneider on March 16, 2019 Alissa Swearingen ’97 daughter and son, Charlotte Clifton Alexiou and Henry Nicholas Alexiou, on July 5, 2019 Katie Kaminski Cowan ’98 daughter, Charlotte Claire Cowan, on October 30, 2019 Emy Noel Sanderson ’98 son, Benjamin “Benji” James Sanderson, on September 20, 2019 Katie Beesley Douglas ’00 son, James Thomas Douglas, on November 16, 2018 Alyssa Abkowitz Cendrowski ’00 daughter, Haley Anne Cendrowski, on December 16, 2019 Mimi Mayo Beaver ’01 daughter, Evelyn “Evie” Victoria Beaver, on September 27, 2019 Sally Jackson Ryan ’01 son, Michael Andrew Ryan, on August 31, 2019 Abi Markham Houseright ’02 son, Jacob “Jack” Housewright, on October 12, 2019 Katie Adams Pittman ’02 daughter, Margaret “Mae” Adams Pittman, on July 2, 2019 Scottie Gambill Ryan ’02 daughter, Hastings Scott Ryan, on November 4, 2019 Tori Tucker Alexander ’03 daughter, Roberta “Birdie” Carson Alexander, on October 16, 2019 Sara Rodriguez Ludlam ’03 son, Michael Samuels Ludlam, on January 3, 2020 Ellen Green Hoffman ’04 daughter, Margaret Riney Hoffman, on December 20, 2019 Gracie Wachtler Sanders ’04 daughter, Eleanor “Ellie” Fort Sanders, on August 23, 2019 Laine Evans Striegel ’04daughter, Mary Evans Striegel on November 8, 2019 Sarah Baker Daugherty ’05 son, Leon Baker Daugherty, on October 19, 2018 Rachel Lowe Host ’05 daughter, Nora Keylon Host, on November 6, 2019 Helen Ramsey Rominiecki ’05 daughter, Miller Ramsey Rominiecki, on February 6, 2019 Maddie Martin Waud ’05 son, Williamson “Wills” Edward Ward, on October 9, 2019 Molly Campbell Downing ’06 son, Andrew “James” Downing III, on October 12, 2019 Taylor Parrish Grisham ’06 son, Odin Thomas Grisham, on February 20, 2019 Allison Stewart Hearon ’06 daughter, Elizabeth Hart Hearon, on January 31, 2019 Katie Geer Hutto ’06 daughters, Michelle Marie Hutto and Kathleen Louise Hutto, on May 2, 2019 Denton Whitson Kerrigan ’06 daughter, Minor Vance Kerrigan, on June 11, 2019 Callie Kestner Myers ’06 son, Louis Kestner Myers, on December 7, 2018 Claire Nuismer ’06 daughter, Olivia “Carr” Nuismer, on December 17, 2019 Kathryn Harvey Moore ’07 son, Tyler “Clarke” Moore, Jr., on October 21, 2019 Mary Julia Bressman Hannon ’08 daughter, Diana “Jane” Hannon, on October 15, 2019 Bethea Patterson Schoenfeld ’08 son, Hunter Patterson Schoenfeld on December 26, 2019 Alex Bryant Bars ’10 son, Bradley Joseph Bars, Jr., on July 12, 2019 Allison Stark Walker ’10 son, Henry James Walker, on August 10, 2019

Michelle Marie Hutto and Kathleen Louise Hutto

IN MEMORIAM

Frances Wilkerson Rodenhauser ’36 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away September 4, 2019. She was a life-long member of West End United Methodist Church and a graduate of Vanderbilt University. Frances is survived by one daughter, two grandsons, her granddaughter Ellen Crawford True ’87, and five greatgrandchildren. Dorothy “Dot” McCracken Hindman ’41 of Nashville, Tennessee and Marietta, Georgia, passed away October 31, 2019. Dot had a career in finance as an accountant and CFO and owned several publishing companies. She is survived by her daughter, Jane Hindman Kyburz ’64, five grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Elsa Killingstad Davis ’44 of Brownsville, Texas, passed away August 3, 2018. She is survived by three daughters, one son, her step-children, four grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Joan Hooper Vollmer ’46 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away October 13, 2019. She is survived by one daughter, two sons, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Eugenia “Gene” Pierce Young ’47 passed away October 19, 2019. She is survived by three sons, one daughter, four grandsons, and three granddaughters. Mary Catherine “Sis” Woolwine Vander Naillen ’47 of Houston, Texas, passed away on February 3, 2020. Sis enjoyed golf, gardening, and volunteering and was a member of the Episcopal church. She is survived by one son, two daughters including Catey Vander Naillen Cumley ’70 and Vicky Vander Naillen Davis ’74, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Jean Puryear Dennis ’48 of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away January 29, 2020. She is survived by one son, two daughters, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Nancy Dee Hearne ’48 of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away October 14, 2019. She spent her entire career teaching at-risk students and owned a gift shop. Dee is survived by one nephew and two nieces. Marie “Dicy” Pender Morrow ’48 of Durant, Oklahoma, passed away in September 2019. Jane Wilkerson Yount ’49 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away November 18, 2019. Her father was founder of the Middle Tennessee Hearing and Speech Center, now the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, and Jane had a career in speech and hearing. She is survived by her three daughters, three granddaughters, two grandsons, and five great-grandchildren. Mildred Jarman Daugherty ’51 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away January 3, 2020. She is survived by her brother, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Nadine Eastin Reaves Hammons ’51 of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away August 4, 2019. She is survived by her husband, a half-sister, and several nephews. Mary Jane Heine Fair ’51 of Witchita, Kansas, passed away November 17, 2019. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Harriet Provine ’51 of Cambridge, Massachusetts, passed away August 8, 2019. She had a career researching infectious diseases and taught part-time at Harvard Medical School. Harriet’s father was the last President of Ward-Belmont. She is survived by her brother, sister Tina Provine Johnson ’53, and several nieces and nephews. Nancy Frederick Shuker Weyr ’52 of Bronxville, New York, passed away July 31, 2019. She had a career in journalism and publishing. Nancy is survived by her husband, sister, brother, son, two daughters, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Caroline Hilton Woodard ’59 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on December 7, 2019. She taught math at Harpeth Hall from 1978–1981. Carol is survived by her daughter Julia Perkins Calkins ’86, one son, her sister Martha Hilton Nolen ’64, six grandchildren, and her brother former Harpeth Hall Board Chair Robert Hilton. Patricia Sanders Johnson ’64 of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away October 19, 2019. She is survived by her daughter, son, two grandsons, one granddaughter, her brother, sister, nieces and nephews. Lynn Comer Doramus ’72 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away September 25, 2019. She was passionnate about the Humane Society and Children’s Hospital. Lynn is survived by her mother, her sister Lori Comer Canale ’74, daughters Nicoll Doramus Hannaway ’00 and Victoria Doramus ’02, and two granddaughters. Celeste Griscom Oxford ’75 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on November 5, 2019. She owned Oxford Interiors. Celeste is survived by her two daughters, sister Carrie Griscom Nygern ’73, and two nieces. Kerri Brazelton Parker ’75 of Cocoa Beach, Florida, passed away December 1, 2019 after a long battle with breast cancer. Lisa Green Brock ’83 of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, passed away September 18, 2019. She was devoted to her friends, family, community, and girls education. Lisa is survived by her husband, her mother, three daughters, and one brother.

CLASS NOTES continued from page 61

Sophia Howard ’17 with author and advocate Bryan Stevenson

Nava Shaw ’15 graduated in May with a degree in Visual Studies from George Washington University and is now working for the Cultural Department of UNESCO in Dakar, Senegal. She will pursue a Master of Studio degree in English at the University of Oxford, as well as a Master of Studies degree in film studies at the University of Edinburgh. Congratulations to Kristen Barrett ’16 for being selected as the University of Virginia’s 15th Marshall Scholar. She will pursue a Master of Studies degree in English at the University of Oxford, as well as a Master of Studies degree in film studies at the University of Edinburgh. Dasha Didier ’16 graduated early in December 2019 from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts in digital media production and communications. She also assisted Jessica Turk ’02 on the documentary for Nashville Public Radio (Npt) entitled BY ONE VOTE: WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN THE SOUTH. Also interning on the project were Caroline Scudder ’16 and Sara Emma Kahane ’19. Mary Blake Graves ’17 studied abroad in Paris at Université Dauphine. Sophia Howard ’17 interned at the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, AL last summer. She worked closely with many fascinating people including Bryan Stevenson, the founder and Executive Director and author of “Just Mercy”. Caroline Kiesling ’18, a sophomore at Vanderbilt University, returned to campus on November 18, 2019 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes Panel Discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these alumnae received to pursue their path in the world.

Harpeth Hall internship opportunities

Harpeth Hall is offering two different volunteer internship opportunities for college or graduate school alumnae this summer: The Advancement/Alumnae Relations Office and the Communications Office. Days and times can be flexible, but in general the expectation would be Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for a pre-determined amount of time/weeks during the summer. Please send your resume and cover letter to the Alumnae Relations Office at alumaneoffice@harpethhall.org. Indicate in which internship you are interested or the type work you wish to accomplish.

For questions about an Advancement/Alumnae Relations internship contact coombs@harpethhall.org. For questions about a Communications internship contact elizabeth.floyd@harpethhall.org.

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A L U M N A E

N E T W O R K

LEADING WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Leading Edge

Warner Tidwell Photography

For more than 150 years, Harpeth Hall’s innovative approach to education has inspired girls and young women to think critically, to lead con dently, and to live honorably.

Across the expansive 44-acre Nashville campus, they walk to and from classes, in groups and alone, pondering what they’ve just learned and—more importantly—what they will do with that knowledge. Although they may dress alike in solid shirts and “magnolia green” plaid skirts, don’t let the uniforms fool you.  e 717 girls and young women spanning grades 5 through 12 spark with individuality, curiosity, and con dence.  ese are Harpeth Hall students.

“We are a community,” says Jess Hill, who joined the faculty in 1985 and today serves as Head of School. “Harpeth Hall is much more than a place to hold classes. It’s a vibrant, diverse community of girls from di erent races, religions, and economic backgrounds studying with highly skilled faculty who believe in the bene ts of an all-girls education.”

While maintaining highly creative, department-based curricula in math, English, history, science, world languages, and  ne arts, Hill is leading the school as it moves towards a “centerbased” approach. “Our centers for STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math], civic engagement, global perspectives, and more challenge young thinkers to ask big questions and engage in real-world research,” says Hill. Positioning the school to lead in innovative curriculum design and teaching are Hill’s top priorities for the school and its students. “Our school began with a vision to o er girls equal academic experiences to boys, which at the time was revolutionary.  ose progressive and innovative roots are still present today. We must NASHVILLE

always be evolving,” Hill notes. “More and more families move to Nashville every year. We want them to know that Harpeth Hall o ers this kind of worldclass education for their daughters.”

Winter + Interim

Every January since 1973, following winter break and before second semester begins, Harpeth Hall Upper School students embark on a learning adventure: the three-week-long “Winterim”—one of the school’s most innovative and popular educational o erings. Ninth and tenth grade students enroll in a variety of on-campus, project-oriented classes with topics as wide-ranging as  e Beatles, Dylan, and  e Stones; mental illness and  lm; fencing; mindfulness yoga; medical robotics;  nance; contemporary Africa; and textiles of the world. Eleventh and twelfth grade students expand their experience and explore their interests by pursuing internships in hospitals, law  rms, businesses, and organizations throughout Nashville and all over the country; participating in academic travel to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central and South America; participating in international school exchanges; or pursuing an independent study of a speci c interest. Winterim is an immersive and often life-changing experience that allows students to attain early professional experience, explore potential career paths, and most of all, develop wonder in learning, independence of thought, and joy in community.

 e Power of an All-Girls Education

“I’m often asked why Harpeth Hall is committed to all-girls education,” says Hill. committed to all-girls education,” says Hill. “ e answer is simple; this approach “ e answer is simple; this approach fosters con dence, and con dence fosters con dence, and con dence empowers learning, healthy risktaking, and leadership. Our younger girls continually see the older girls in positions of leadership—editor of the school paper, president of the of the school paper, president of the student body, and so much more. We student body, and so much more. We are preparing girls to go out and make a are preparing girls to go out and make a di erence in the world. And they do.” di erence in the world. And they do.”

HARPETH HALL AT A GLANCE Student body: 717 students Faculty: approximately 100 full- and part-time teachers, with 80 percent holding advanced degrees Median class size: 14 AP/Honors courses: 21 AP and 14 Honors classes Athletics: 62 teams in 13 sports with state-of-the-art facilities Scholarships: 17 percent of students receive  nancial aid Percentage of Harpeth Hall graduates who attend college: 100 percent

I was surrounded by students, teachers, and mentors who had a wealth of talent and passion and who did not shy away from being brilliantly and unapologetically themselves.”—a Harpeth Hall graduate

Supporting the Young Women of Harpeth Hall

2019-2020 ANNUAL FUND

When Greg and I were asked to serve as the 2019-2020 Annual Fund Chairs, we quickly said yes. We care about Harpeth Hall, the girls, and the people who bring the mission to life, and we welcomed the opportunity to recruit a team to help us secure financial resources needed to support them. Five years ago our daughter, Elizabeth, entered Harpeth Hall as a sixth grader, and we were confident in the quality of the education she would receive. Since then, our experience has exceeded our expectations. We have tremendous respect for the dedication shown by teachers, administrators, and coaches. The faculty are as invested in their students’ well-being as in their learning. They take time to really know each girl and her strengths — they take the time to write encouraging personal and insightful comments on report cards, are available before and after hours, they cheer at sporting events and attend performances, and they check in just to see how the girls are doing. The students are challenged and stretched by adults who believe in and inspire them. We see our daughter, now a sophomore, studying hard and often well into the night. Like her classmates are, she is learning to juggle academics with sports, clubs, and social activities. Through this process, these girls are acquiring vital organizational skills and confidence. We are also impressed by the Upper School’s renowned Winterim program and the Middle School’s SEEK program,

both of which provide students invaluable experiences and unique learning opportunities beyond the curriculum. Those experiences further open students’ hearts and minds and broaden their perspectives in ways they could not have imagined. The power of a Harpeth Hall education as seen through a different lens came to us last fall while talking with friends who have two alumnae daughters. Both girls are currently in college, one on the east coast and one on the west. We talked about the academic rigor of Harpeth Hall and the work ethic that it requires. They said that both their girls were extremely well prepared for college and able to balance academics and social life. They also spoke fondly of their daughters’ strong friendships and many happy memories. Our conversation that evening was a nice reminder that this education is worth the girls’ hard work and is worthy of our support. As parents and as Annual Fund Chairs, we appreciate this community’s generosity in supporting Harpeth Hall. Over 700 students will benefit from gifts to The Annual Fund this year! They will soon become Harpeth Hall graduates — capable, confident, compassionate, and independent young women who thrive when they leave this school and their homes. Please join us in supporting the mission and young women of Harpeth Hall with a gift before the 2019-20 school year ends in June.

Jane and Greg Allen Chairs, 2019-2020 Annual Fund

Jane and Greg with sons Ty, Clarke, and Gaines, daughter Elizabeth, and their dog Apollo.

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JOIN US REUNION WEEKEND 2021 FOR A DOUBLE REUNION

Sharing some GOOD news . . . Reunion Weekend 2020 Will be Rescheduled!

We are excited to invite Reunion 2020 Classes (0’s and 5’s) to join Reunion 2021 Classes (1’s and 6’s) to celebrate a double Reunion!