HALLWAYS A PUBLICATION OF THE HARPETH HALL SCHOOL
BREAKING BARRIERS Fifty years ago, Title IX changed the competitive, educational, and professional landscape for women and girls across the United States. Poised to shatter the glass ceiling, Harpeth Hall women have been making remarkable achievements ever since.
WINTER 2022
FOUNDERS SOCIETY
Spotlight
A Family’s Love of Harpeth Hall
T
he Jones family’s Harpeth Hall roots began over 60 years ago when Barbara Sewell (Jones ’61) and several of her friends commuted by carpool from Franklin to attend classes. Mrs. Susan Souby was still Headmistress then and classes were held in the rooms of what is now Souby Hall, the original building on campus. “Harpeth Hall was tiny when compared to today’s spectacular campus,” Barbara said. “I loved the people there; classes were small; the faculty was wonderful. I was among such accomplished peers, and I treasure a cadre of friends from Harpeth Hall that remain close to this day.” During her Harpeth Hall years, Barbara was the vice president of the senior class, Angkor club vice president, and the Honor Society sergeant-at-arms. Upon graduating, she enrolled in Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College) in Lynchburg, Virginia, followed by graduate school at the University of North Carolina where she earned a Master of Library Science. She has remained active over the years at Harpeth Hall, working with the reunion committee, the annual giving campaigns, and the alumnae and parents association. She is known for always replying with an enthusiastic “yes!” when asked to volunteer. Barbara shared that enthusiasm for Harpeth Hall and her appreciation of the quality and value the school offered with her husband, David S. Jones, and their family. David and Barbara came to Nashville when he began his surgical residency at Vanderbilt. Their daughter, Eleanor Jones Murray ’89, happily joined Harpeth Hall in Middle School. Dr. Jones, a now-retired orthopedic surgeon who practiced with Tennessee Orthopedic Associates for 35 years, became president of the Harpeth Hall Fathers Club when Eleanor was a student
here. He served as a Harpeth Hall trustee for six years in the 1980s and became a close friend of Headmaster Dave Wood, both of whom were amateur musicians. “We had such a great time during those years,” Dr. Jones said. “Dave Wood and I formed this dixieland band, which included some faculty, and we played for a few school events. I played in the pit orchestra for many of Harpeth Hall’s musical productions. We had a doctors orchestra that played for the father-daughter dance on the General Jackson riverboat each year for five or six years, and we had great fun calling up many of the dads to be back-up singers.” During those years, Barbara and David knew Polly Jordan Nichols ’53 when she was the school’s first director of development. Dr. Jones said, “Polly was working on this idea of having a Founders Society. We knew that we wanted to be a part of it, but the question was how. I remember getting our family attorney to help us plan our bequest some 30 years ago. The passing decades have not in any way diminished our fidelity and determination to support Harpeth Hall, a vital resource that had such a positive and uplifting effect on our lives.” Thank you, David and Barbara Sewell Jones ’61, for your lifelong relationship with Harpeth Hall and your commitment to its future.
If you are considering a planned gift to Harpeth Hall, please contact Susan Moll, Director of Advancement, at 615-346-0087 or moll@harpethhall.org
15 24 32 Contents 20
FEATURES
3 A Milestone Year
ACADEMICS & ACCOLADES
4 Inside the Hall: Middle School
COMMUNITY
ALUMNAE NEWS
2 Observations from Jess Hill
38 Twice-the-Fun Reunion
18 Being Bold at Facebook
6 Inside the Hall: Upper School
10 Library Legacy
42 Alumnae Panel Discussion
19 On Her Leadership Game
8 Student Voices
17 Daughter and Mother/Special Friend Coffee
47 Alumnae Network Spotlight
CELEBRATIONS
52 Class Notes
36 Sweet Summer Send Off
58 Births
39 Milestones Society Luncheon
59 Marriages
14 Wings of Healing
40 Harpeth Hall Today
60 In Memoriam Trustees
15 Visual Art
41 50th Reunion Brunch
61 In Memoriam Pat Moran
20 Celebrating State Championships
43 Alumnae Cocktails on Campus 62 In Memoriam Susan Baughman
25 Title IX Trailblazers 26 Sprinting Ahead of the Field 28 An Olympic Splash 32 From the Hill to the Gridiron
CORRECTION We regret that Michelle Gaskin Brown, J.D. ’01 was ommitted from the Board of Trustees list in the 2020-21 Report on Philanthropy.
16 National Merit Scholars ATHLETICS & THE ARTS
12 In the Spotlight: Performing Arts
22 Athletics Fall Highlights 24 Soccer IQ Earns College Scholarship
44 Alumnae Class Parties
50 Internship Opportunities
63 In Memoriam Alumnae
48 Alumnae Holiday Party 49 College Age Brunch
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HALLWAYS STAFF Jessica Bliss, Editor Lauren Finney, Designer Elizabeth Read ’09, Editorial Staff Rory Fraser, Staff Photographer Contributing Writers: Kate Maree Brewer ’23, Miller Callen ’94,
Scottie Coombs ’78, Susan Moll, Aubrey Moran ’26, and Mary Ellen Pethel, Ph.D. Contributing Photographers: Jessica Bliss, Wade Payne,
and Elizabeth Read ’09
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Hallways is published twice a year by: The Harpeth Hall School 3801 Hobbs Road, Nashville, TN 37215 Follow us on:
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OBSERVATIONS
In
so many ways, Harpeth Hall has always been about breaking barriers. What took the rest of the world until 1972 to acknowledge with the passage of Title IX, our school’s founders began acknowledging in 1865. At that time, a 19th-century education for women did not approach that which was provided for boys and young men. Thus, an excellent girls school in Nashville was born. Title IX’s passage was a monumental step for girls’ and women’s full participation in athletics and school programs in co-ed institutions nationwide. Simultaneously, it lifted our school and our effort to grow a fuller and more robust competition platform for our students. Half-court to full-court, intramural to intermural, additional choices in girls athletics — all of these changes played into our hands. But above all, the simple words “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded...” validated our work of over 100 years. Among the many advantages of attending an all-girls school is that we have advanced the notion that a girl can study and pursue any academic discipline, can have a career of her choosing, and for the last 50 years, can compete on the fields and courts with any worthy opponent from another institution. Title IX forged a path for women in athletics and, at the same time, opened doors to higher education for many women for the first time through athletic scholarships. Glass ceilings serve as magnets for our students, not deterrents. Time and time again, our alumnae speak of the deep understanding that when they left the stage at graduation, they could do and be anything they wanted to do and be. Just think: Our 1994 alumna Reese Witherspoon shattered the glass ceiling in Hollywood by producing, directing, and acting in an unprecedented number of films with strong female leads. Her positive momentum with the creation of her company “Hello Sunshine” shifted the culture in Hollywood and served as a model for all of us as she committed herself to the success of other women. You will read in this issue about many barriers breaking through the endeavors and achievements of our students and graduates. Our graduate from the class of 1981, Tracy Caulkins, competed in the 1984 Olympics and was the first swimmer — man or woman — to set records in all four strokes. Continuing that swimming legacy, Alex Walsh ’20
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won silver in Tokyo last summer in the 200 individual medley, following in the footsteps of Tracy, who was the last American to win gold in that event. Katie Hill, class of 2000, joined the National Football League as senior vice president of communications — one of very few women to ever hold that position. All of these women, and many more in the pages of this magazine, believed in their ability to create something they could not yet see. Harpeth Hall’s mission gives priority to the common bond and unique voice of girls and young women. Our mission remains relevant and vital today as female students still face new challenges in maintaining authenticity and confidence in a culture that continues to serve up a double standard and uneven playing field. At Harpeth Hall, we celebrate what it means to be a strong and healthy girl and later a strong and healthy woman who engages in a life of learning and meaningful work. Half a century ago, our country acknowledged that girls could not be “excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program.” One hundred years before that, Harpeth Hall, through our roots at Ward Seminary and Ward-Belmont, knew that girls should never be excluded. They deserve to learn, to compete, and to flourish.
Jess Hill Head of School
REMEMBERING 1951-1952:
A Milestone School Year
The
very first Milestones yearbook published by Harpeth Hall students featured a page that set the publications’ intentions for the year and decades to come. In years to come as you turn these pages, we hope that you will pause at the milestones along the way to relive each moment of this important year which has seen the metamorphosis of a dream into reality. As Harpeth Hall reaches its first milestone, it is with deep humility yet with great pride that we present to you this annual. To each student and to each annual staff that follows, we transmit our hopes for the future – aspirations which can never be exhausted and which give “year by year a revenue of pleasurable activity,” and courage which transmutes aspirations into achievements. Seventy years later, Harpeth Hall echoes those words in all we do. Harpeth Hall’s founders believed, as we still do today, in the bold and barrier-breaking idea that girls deserve an excellent education filled with possibilities and purpose. When Harpeth Hall’s predecessor school, Ward-Belmont, closed in 1951, local community leaders organized to ensure that college-preparatory, all-girls education continued in Nashville. The group purchased the Estes Estate in Green Hills and renamed the school Harpeth Hall, inspired by the nearby Harpeth River Valley. On Sept. 17, 1951, the new Harpeth Hall campus opened with 15 faculty members and 161 students in grades 9-12, most of whom transferred from Ward-Belmont. The first Head of School, Susan Souby, was the former high school principal at Ward-Belmont. As Harpeth Hall has grown and innovated in the 70 years since, our school’s foundational traditions remain. From intramural clubs to the Lady of the Hall and the Milestones yearbook, our history grounds us and moves us forward. Here, we honor the past and the present. We celebrate all the Harpeth Hall women who have stepped forward to shatter glass ceilings as they acknowledge those who came before them and hold the door open for those who will come after. In that spirit, here are memories from two of Harpeth Hall’s very first alumnae.
Debbie Luton Cate ’52
With new doors open to her through her Ward-Belmont and Harpeth Hall education, Mrs. Cate went on to major in chemistry at Vanderbilt University. After college graduation, she worked three years in a biochemistry lab before becoming a teacher herself — yes, at an all-girls school — and leading the next generation of students to discover passion for STEM careers. When she went on to lead as an upper school administrator, Mrs. Cate carried with her lifelong friendships and memories from Harpeth Hall. That includes her unforgettable role as Audrey in the senior class performance of “As You Like It” on the school lawn. “I still keep up with my classmates even though I have not lived in Nashville in 62 years,” she said. “I think it is special that we can say we were the first graduating class.”
Mary Schlater Stumb ’53
Miss Patty didn’t shy away from putting the girls through their paces. As Harpeth Hall’s physical education teacher, she led the girls in exercises on the lawn and took them down to the field at the bottom of the hill to play field hockey. Mary Schlater loved every part of it. Before she came to Harpeth Hall, Mary worried that she wouldn’t have a place to complete her schooling. Ward-Belmont closed quickly and with little warning, leaving entire classes of young women without a place to learn. “Then a bunch of wonderful Nashville families got together,” she said, “and they gave us all the opportunity we hoped for.” So, whether it was exercise or education, Mary embraced it all. She remembers the early days, when girls first went to the big house on the hill to learn. Mrs. Souby’s office was where current Head of School Jess Hill’s office is now “and the entire back of the house was a sunroom where we had assembly, study hall, and lunch,” Mrs. Stumb recalled. Classrooms were upstairs and the basement, she said, is where the athletes had their lockers. Whether it was field hockey or finance, the women who first attended Harpeth Hall learned how to take charge of their own futures.
When Harpeth Hall opened in 1951, the only building on campus was the original home, the place that would later come to be called Souby Hall. Excited to be a part of opening a brand-new school, Debbie Luton could not wait to come to campus.
“Because it was an all-girls school, it taught girls how to do whatever they needed to do — whether it was run their homes or run their own businesses,” she said. “We all learned the leadership skills we needed.”
In that first year, classes were held wherever there was space.
In the years that have passed, Mrs. Stumb’s daughter, a daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters have all attended Harpeth Hall. While the school looks different than when she attended, Mrs. Stumb’s bond to the mission of an all-girls education remains.
“I think we held algebra in the kitchen — or maybe it was the dining room,” Mrs. Cate said. “I don’t remember which one. Sometime in the fall, the first classroom building was completed. I remember helping carry boxes of supplies into the chemistry lab, which was my favorite spot on campus. I was enthralled with chemistry thanks to Miss Penny.”
“If you ask, ‘What is the best thing that I have taken away from the education at Harpeth Hall?’ It is the teachers and my friends and knowing that a female can do anything that a male can do. “I still feel a strong connection,” she said, “and I am very grateful I had that opportunity.” WINTER 2022 | 3
INSIDE THE HALL MIDDLE SCHOOL
From music to humanities, cross-disciplinary practices in Middle School choir This semester, Matthew Pyles’ Middle School chorus classes worked in harmony with the humanities department to further connect students with the words and meaning in the music they performed. In 5th grade, Senorita Katie King and Senorita Vanesa Wenz visited class to teach students the lyrics to “De Colores,” a joyful song that celebrates the bright colors of creation. Sixth grade students visited the library to study the books referenced in their choir song “Stories of My Life,” including A Wrinkle in Time, The Wind in the Willows, and Alice in Wonderland. As the 7th grade chorus learned “Follow the Drinking Gourd” for the winter concert, Director of Equity and Inclusion MarQuis Chappell joined to teach the class about Coded Spirituals, the religious songs often composed in the Christian African American tradition that held important meanings and messages during the time of enslavement.
Using research and strategy to understand ancient civilizations From the battlefields of conquest to the battlefields of real estate, 6th grade history used interactive projects this semester to better understand life in ancient civilizations. The first project had students researching the culture and geography of different ancient civilizations to determine which would be the best place to settle. Students presented their findings in the form of persuasive commercials. From there, students put their knowledge of ancient civilizations into practice with the empire game. Students were divided into ancient empire teams, the Phoenicians, Hittites, Persians, and Babylonians, and worked to control the game board. Throughout the project, they had to complete jobs, collect resources, and grow their empire to surpass the competing teams. Using thoughtful teamwork, strategy, and reasoning skills, they gained a better understanding of why conflict occurs among civilizations and how it might be avoided.
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Insect interest gets students buzzing with excitement In 6th grade, Bekah Hassell’s science classroom was positively buzzing as students learned about the significance of insects and the value of understanding all types of species. At the completion of the unit, students embarked on a mission in the Stephanie Balmer Garden for Student Engagement. The goal: to identify the different types of insects living there and determine if they are beneficial or detrimental to the garden growth of the vegetables. The girls were each assigned an insect and applied their research skills, guided and assisted by Middle School Librarian Alice Bryant, to learn how their insect moves, when it is active, what stimulants attract it, and other significant attributes. They then used their research findings to design and build a trap in the Design Den to capture their insect. After setting the traps in the garden, students studied the traps, monitored effectiveness, analyzed results, and presented their findings to the rest of the class.
Student-designed bug trap
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INSIDE THE HALL UPPER SCHOOL
Welcoming the BearBots to Harpeth Hall Students have geared up and embarked on a year of building, coding, driving, and strategizing as members of the BearBots, Harpeth Hall’s new robotics team. Matthew Groves, a STEM teacher in the Upper School and the new head coach of the robotics team, is impressed by the student leadership, experience, and passion he has seen so far. “I’m most excited about the potential we have,” Mr. Groves said. “We have girls with interest and ability in all of the different areas you need to make a complete team, and we will become competitive in our region very quickly. It is great to be part of expanding STEM opportunities at Harpeth Hall.” Junior Sarah Joffrion is one of the BearBots’ newest members. Right now, the team is working to build and code a robot that can lift an object and move towards a platform. “At our upcoming competition, we do not have to use starter robots so we get to design our own robots,” Sarah said as she looked over her notebook full of diagrams and strands of code to determine what worked and what didn’t. “It is going great so far, but there is still a lot of work. I love problem solving. It is a lot of trial and error.”
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From Nashville to Seville, exploring culture in Spain As a project-based learning class, the goal of Spanish III is that students are actively engaged in the rich cultural history they learn about. The outcome is centered on students exploring the world and reflecting each day to better understand how they belong in the world around them. During the class’ Spain exploration project, students chose a passion of their own such as architecture, fashion, and cooking and researched how their interests are a part of Spanish culture — connecting to their peers in Seville, Madrid, Valencia, and more. Students further connected Spanish culture to their world by filming traditional Spanish dances across iconic locations on campus for TikTok. “In the forefront of all we do, the goal is that students are actively engaged in their learning,” Spanish teacher Bela Lodygensky said. “These classes, projects, learning, and outcomes extend beyond the walls of the classroom.”
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PERSONAL ESSAYS
Barrier-breaking women and how
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” — TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1972
BY AUBREY MORAN, CLASS OF 2026 At Harpeth Hall, we are constantly learning about influential women who paved the way for many young girls. We also learn how women all over the world have for generations been viewed as inferior to men and less important. For example, in history we learn about how people believed that women only could cook, clean, and take care of children. Today, women still do not have the same opportunities as men and have to fight harder to achieve their goals. The girls and women in my generation look for someone to inspire and encourage them to make their own difference in the world. A woman who has taught me and young girls to chase their dreams is Amanda Gorman. Amanda is an activist and the youngest poet in U.S. history to read at a presidential Inauguration Day. She is a talented, independent, and strong woman. She was raised by her single mother, Joan Wicks, who was a 6th grade English teacher. As a child, Amanda loved to read and write and was encouraged by her mother. Throughout her life, Amanda struggled with a speech impediment. She experienced difficulty learning certain sounds, such as “sh” or “r” — both ones that her peers had already mastered. She went to speech therapy most of her childhood. “I’m really grateful for that experience because it informs my poetry,” she told Oprah Winfrey in an episode of “The Oprah Conversation” that aired in March 2021. “I think it made me all that much stronger of a writer when you have to teach yourself how to say words from scratch. When you are learning through poetry how to speak English, it lends to a great understanding of sound, of pitch, of pronunciation, so I think of my speech impediment not as a weakness or a disability, but as one of my greatest strengths.” Amanda embraces her differences and is a stronger poet, writer, and speaker because of them. She persevered through her hardships and became the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. The inauguration was an amazing opportunity for Amanda. Her poem “The Hill We Climb” will be remembered for its place in history. The poem reflected her view for the future of our country. For young girls to see Amanda stand in front of the entire country and share her voice shows them that they, too, can amplify their own thoughts and opinions. One line from her poem that made an impact on me is the very last line which is, “For there is light, if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.” I watched the inauguration in Ms. O’Brien’s history class, and I will always remember hearing this line. The words changed the way I view the world, and it has shown me that we have to step out of our comfort zone and be confident in who we are. 8 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
PERSONAL ESSAYS
f young lead they insp ire the next generation o ers BY KATE MAREE BREWER, CLASS OF 2023 The passage of Title IX of the Education Amendments in 1972 was groundbreaking for women in the United States. Fifty years ago, women were underrepresented in colleges and universities. As a result of Title IX, women began to outperform men in both enrollment and success in higher education institutions. Equal opportunity opened a door for women, and women excelled. While Title IX is often misunderstood to be exclusively related to sports, the original intent of the legislation covered all academic areas and was later expanded to include athletics. As a Harpeth Hall student who values hard work and admires those motivated by ethical virtue and academic integrity, I am grateful this legislation granted women who work hard equal opportunity in sports and academics. A trailblazing woman whom I particularly admire is Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Sharing a birth year with Title IX, Amy Coney Barrett grew up in an American society that was reframed by this groundbreaking law. Through hard work and intense focus on her academics, Justice Barrett graduated from Rhodes College magna cum laude with a degree in English literature. She then graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame Law School where she earned the Hoynes Prize as the top student in her class and served as executive editor of the Notre Dame Law Review. In addition to these academic achievements and her professional roles as Notre Dame law professor and judge, Justice Barrett consistently maintained a positive, ethical reputation among classmates, professors, colleagues, and students. Her law professor, Judge Patrick Schiltz, recalled, “I never heard a bad word or a snide word about Amy from any of her classmates. She was just such an obviously gracious, kind, decent person that...you couldn’t dislike her if you wanted to.” Despite the combative election season and political debates surrounding her appointment in October 2020, Justice Barrett remained dignified and refrained from social media banter. She became the 103rd associate justice of the Supreme Court and only the fifth female justice after Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan. With her appointment, Justice Barrett broke new barriers, serving as the first female justice who is also a mother of school-age children. Along with her legal duties, Justice Barrett shares the enormous responsibility of parenting seven children, including two adopted and one child with Down Syndrome, with her husband. I admire not only her academic drive but also her commitment to family and faith as well as her firm belief in the United States Constitution. Just as I look to role models like Amy Coney Barrett to inspire me to do my best, I look to my teachers whose knowledge and encouragement also motivate me to work hard. Title IX helps us all!
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LIBRARY 20TH ANNIVERSARY
On
a November day in 2001, Harpeth Hall students and faculty gathered behind the Middle School and formed a line. Side by side, they stretched down the school sidewalks and along Souby Lawn all the way to the front door of the brand new library. Then they started passing books — batches and batches of books — from one person to the next delivering them to their new home. The book brigade, as it was called, marked the realization of a vision two years in the making. In 1999, Ann and Monroe Carell made a $5 million pledge to construct the 20,000-square-foot library. Mrs. Carell, a Harpeth Hall parent and later grandparent, served as a Harpeth Hall trustee. She was a great advocate for girls education, and with her pledge, she envisioned building the academic heart of Harpeth Hall. “I want the library to have all the right things, but most importantly, a warm and inviting atmosphere,” Mrs. Carell said. “I hope students will want to gather in the library and be happy to be there. I hope this over and above anything else.”
Ann Scott Carell Library celebrates 20 years
as the ‘academic heart’ of Harpeth Hall
As the school broke ground and construction on the project began, Harpeth Hall librarians moved to two trailers behind the Middle School. One served as their office, the other stored the books. When a student wanted to check out a novel or biography, the librarians sorted through the carefully labeled storage boxes to find what the student was looking for. The library opened the week of November 12, 2001, with a formal grand opening and dedication on that Sunday, along with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour. A stunning two-story brick building with soaring columns, a grand atrium, lofty ceilings, and light-filled learning spaces, the Ann Scott Carell Library left visitors in awe. When it came time to move into the new space, Karen Douse, who served as director of the library from 2000 to 2012 and was integral in planning all aspects of the new library, had a plan — a book brigade. In this way, the shelves of the Ann Scott Carell Library filled with colorfully bound stories and references that would serve the students for years to come and fulfill the mission set out by the Carell family. This year, the Ann Scott Carell Library celebrates its 20th anniversary — and the space has become everything Mrs. Carell envisioned for the students who step through its doors.
A remarkable majesty
As a 4th grade girl in 2014, Hallie Graham ’23 came to Harpeth Hall on Admission Preview Day. She sat in the theatre filled with impressive young women in white oxford shirts. She watched dancers on stage. She talked to the kind faculty members, and she saw beautiful artwork on the walls. 10 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
FEATURE While the wonders of McMurry Center, Souby Hall, and the Patton Visual Arts Center impressed her, there was one building that stood out among all the others. “I was awed by the Ann Scott Carell Library,” Hallie remembers. “A beautiful building with wide, starkly white columns and a dome that is somehow more awesome on the inside than from the outside.” The deep comfortable armchairs and elegant stone fireplace made the fiction side of the library feel warm and safe to her, and the rows and rows of books filled with infinite stories excited her.
A library is truly the academic heart of the school. — Former Head of School Ann Teaff at the ribbon-cutting and dedication for the Ann Scott Carell Library on Nov. 18, 2001
“Whatever I had to do, I wanted to be a Harpeth Hall girl,” Hallie said. “I wanted to wear Campbell plaid. I wanted one of those solo study rooms. I wanted to sit in one of those chairs.” In the years since, Hallie has done all of that. Now, as the co-president of the Bibliobears, she feels as connected to the space as she did the day she first saw it. “No matter how many tests I have, the second table from the left behind the circulation desk in the reference section will always be in the library waiting for me,” she said. “No matter how many chemistry notes I have to condense, the study rooms, though hard to come by, have blank whiteboards ready to be covered in Lewis structures.” No matter the academic stress or the fatigue she feels, the Ann Scott Carell Library, she said, “has never lost its majesty.”
The story continues
In the 20 years since the library first opened, Harpeth Hall has grown in new ways.
Ann Scott Carell Library: By the Numbers
In addition to the $5 million gift for the construction of the Ann Scott Carell Library, the Carell family also gave $1 million to endow the library, which ensures its long-term maintenance. The American Association of School Librarians honored Harpeth Hall with the School Library and Media Program of the Year Award in 2007, and the library continues to thrive as a place for Harpeth Hall students to learn and engage with one another.
Total collection
32,727
books (as of July 3, 2021)
Total annual circulation
20,000+ books
Professional and scholarly database access
60+
databases
E-book access
60,000 e-books
The $5 million gift from Ann and Monroe Carell inspired other donors to make major gifts to the school during the Campaign for Harpeth Hall from 2000 to 2005 raising $44.1 million for capital projects, endowment, and The Annual Fund. And Harpeth Hall’s offerings have continued to grow. With the continued generosity of Harpeth Hall supporters, other new projects came to fruition including the Athletic and Wellness Center and the brand new Bullard Bright IDEA Lab. Over the next 20 years, the school will continue to develop with new visions of innovation and educational excellence for its students. Along that journey, the library will remain a centerpiece of the campus and a symbol of the dedication to girls education that Ann Carell displayed. “The library ensures that, while the school changes and develops, Harpeth Hall’s growth is founded in a love of learning and a love of words,” Hallie said. “I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have been a small part of the Ann Scott Carell Library’s story.”
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PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE
Spotlights shine on the satirical and spooky
From exposing political oppression in an apocalyptic society to discovering ghosts in a haunted school, the Upper School Playmakers, Harpeth Hall’s theatre troupe, put on a fall performance season filled with satire and spookiness. Students worked over the summer to rehearse, design, build, and stage the comedy Urinetown: The Musical, the 23rd annual musical collaboration between Harpeth Hall and MBA. In the days leading up to Halloween in October, the Playmakers presented a sold-out, smash-hit run of Ghostlight by Stephen Gregg. After a year with no live theatrical performances at Harpeth Hall, being in front of an audience created a much-missed energy and excitement in the theatre. DANCE
Building a production
When Dance Company Director Stephanie Hamilton was deciding on the theme for the fall performance, she knew the dance program would not be back completely to normal because of COVID-19. Using that as inspiration, she choreographed “Under Construction,” a dance program about rebuilding, using creative thinking to adapt to change, and creating something new in the process. “My creative vision was it wouldn’t matter what the concert ‘looked’ like if we were under construction,” Ms. Hamilton said. “We did not know if we would have a full-blown concert or if we would have to just work with small numbers and do something for only families. Luckily, we were live, but we did do several things differently.” Taking safety measures into consideration, Ms. Hamilton and her team restructured how the students prepared for the concert from spreading out locations of the dressing rooms to shortening the dance numbers so that they could do the show without an intermission to prevent gathering. “I feel like we reinvented the wheel yet again, working within parameters that changed continuously,” Ms. Hamilton said. Although the theme was “Under Construction,” the quality and energy of the performances were excellently polished and full of joy. The fall dance concert was a wonderful production demonstrating the talent, flexibility, and dedication of our students. STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
On stage with . . . Sarah Lillard ’22 Senior Sarah Lillard has been playing the cello for six years and has been a key member of the Harpeth Hall orchestra since the 6th grade. Outside of orchestra, Sarah is the president of the Public Purpose Council, Harpeth Hall’s service initiative, and she just finished her final season on the varsity rowing team. What do you like most about playing in the Harpeth Hall orchestra? I love being a part of a community of music lovers. We all come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds and experiences so it’s a beautiful thing to see us all working together and talking through our music. What are the most challenging aspects and most rewarding aspects of playing your instrument? As somebody who was not gifted with musical talent, learning our more difficult pieces that we take to competition is quite challenging for me. With each piece comes repetition, frustration, and confusion, but nothing is more rewarding than finally getting the piece down and being able to lean into the notes and feel the orchestra flowing together. What is the best thing that Harpeth Hall has taught you? Harpeth Hall’s orchestra has taught me to be confident in myself. When you’re playing in an orchestra, it’s very important to play out. This means you’re leaning into the notes and keeping pressure on the bow in order to create a steady sound. Playing out can be intimidating when you’re nervous about playing the notes wrong, but I’ve had to learn to play confidently as I matured in the orchestra. Developing my confidence in my cello playing has translated outside of rehearsal as well, and I find myself far more confident in asking questions and communicating with my teachers now. 12 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
What drew you to teach at Harpeth Hall? When I interviewed for the job, I was first impressed by the way the faculty members presented themselves. The students were intelligent and teachable, and Nashville is a vibrant city for music making.
BEHIND the baton… Meet Esther Ting
Choir teacher Esther Ting joined Harpeth Hall in 2021 after graduating with her artist certificate (concentration in choral conducting) from Georgia State University and earning a Master of Music in Conducting from the Eastman School of Music in 2020. In addition to working as a vocal coach, she sings professionally with Yale Camerata of the Institute of Sacred Music, Atlanta Chamber Choir, and BachFest Malaysia.
After your first semester, what would you say you like the most about teaching at Harpeth Hall? Seeing my students grow. I had tears in my eyes when I first heard my 8th grade students sing in two parts. It took us a long time to get to this point. I am very proud of them. As a teacher, what is the most important lesson you could impart on your students? That music making not only enriches our lives but also brings comfort and joy to the community that we are in. The students are making a positive impact in someone else’s life when they give a performance on stage. What are you looking forward to exploring most in your classes? The chamber choir is looking forward to performing in Carnegie Hall in New York City with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Headmasters Singers from MBA in the spring semester. We will also premier a newly commissioned choral piece featuring a poem written by choir student Cori Magsby ’22. If you could sit down to dinner with any three musicians in history, whom would you invite? I would invite J. S. Bach (I think I will learn a lot about life and music making from him, and oh! how he managed to raise 20 children), Franz Liszt (apparently he was a piano rock star during his time and I want to know what is in his mind when he performs), and Robert Schumann (he had a tough life and I want to ask how he is doing). WINTER 2022 | 13
VISUAL ARTS
Wings of healing and hope
Harpeth Hall senior Caroline Johnson’s mural inside the YWCA’s Weaver Domestic Violence Center represents the transformation possible when healing from trauma by Jessica Bliss
monarch butterfly boasts two pairs of brilliant orange-red wings laced with black lines and white spots along the edges. The species’ scientific name danaus plexippus, which in Greek means “sleepy transformation,” evokes the butterflies’ ability to hibernate and metamorphize. Last summer, as Harpeth Hall senior Caroline Johnson ’22 stepped foot in the YWCA’s Weaver Domestic Violence Center to paint a mural on one of the center’s walls, she had the butterflies’ beauty in mind. The monarch’s transformation parallels the experiences of women and girls who seek shelter and support at the center. The Nashville safe haven opened in 2000 to provide help and hope to women who need to escape abusive situations. It is named after the father of Collins Weaver Hooper ’88, a past Board of Trustees member and past HHPA president. Since opening, the center has served thousands of individuals, including 406 adults and children last year. As the largest emergency shelter in the Nashville area, the 65-bed center provides a safe space for domestic violence survivors and their children to stay. Caseworkers at the shelter connect residents with counseling, support groups, respite care, and more community services to help survivors become self-sufficient and begin the process of healing from trauma. Art also holds the power to heal. “I simply love the fact that art can be universally understood and appreciated,” Caroline said. “No matter what language you speak or place you come from, beautiful art is beautiful art and does not require any prerequisites. “Women and girls need art because everyone needs art. Art can represent the experiences of being a girl, both the joyful and the painful ones. Art is a great tool for processing emotions and for telling stories, which is important in a place like the Weaver Domestic Violence Center.” The mural Caroline painted on the wall at the center highlights the colors of the YWCA, orange and black, through myriad monarch butterflies. Wings spread, the butterflies float across the wall, surrounding the image of a woman, her face peaceful and contemplative. “I wanted the women staying in the shelter to see themselves in the art,” Caroline said. For Damien Talley, the YWCA’s vice president of domestic violence services, the mural conveys an important message to the women and children who stay at the shelter. “That no 14 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
“The mural represents the resilience and determination of the women and children that we serve at the Weaver Center every day.” — Damien Talley, vice president of domestic violence services at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
matter the circumstances, hope is always in the midst,” he said. “That they are strong and capable of obtaining any dream they are willing to pursue and that they are deserving of happiness, love, peace, and joy.” The artwork carries additional significance, he said, because a local student created it. “This young woman is a monumental representation of the power and energy that young people, especially young women, wield through simply being their authentic selves and given the space to express themselves as freely as they can,” he said. “Her artwork is touching lives and, in many ways, presents a dynamic vision of what hope can look like. The fact that she is a local student demonstrates that we don’t ever have to look too far to tap into that power.” If you have general questions about domestic violence or a specific situation you would like to talk through, you can call the YWCA’s 24-hour Crisis and Support Helpline at 1-800-334-4628 or send a text to 615-983-5170.
Anne-Marie Dougall ’27, tempera
Abby Lara, ’25, color pencil
Adelaide Cook ’23, silkscreen monotype
Nadia Vick, ’22, oil on canvas Lily Anne Thompson ’25, silver gelatin print
Annamaria Bacchetta ’25, color pencil
Bella Guillamondegui ’23, monotype
Jesse Harwood ’25, monotype
Reagan Nisbet ’25, monotype
Hallie Gibson ’25, monotype
Lucy Farringer ’25, silver gelatin print
Ariadne Vidalakis ’25, etching
Lucy Goo Callen ’25, pencil
Kate Leschen ’25, monotype
Kate Day ’25, silver gelatin print
Sophia Williams ’23, linocut
Ellery Cook ’25, pencil
Eliza Heflin ’24, archival digital print
Caroline Johnson, ’22, oil on canvas
Carole Waltemath ’25, color pencil
Jesse Harwood ’25, color pencil
WINTER 2022 | 15
NATIONAL MERIT
National Merit honorees credit teachers, academic dedication, and Harpeth Hall spirit for celebrated achievement Dreams in action
This year’s semifinalists join a tradition of academic excellence at Harpeth Hall. The students appreciate the learning that happens in their classes where teachers encourage outside-thebox thinking and where enthusiasm is contagious. “I have had the most amazing teachers here that are all so engaging, intelligent, and kind,” said National Merit semifinalist and Harpeth Hall senior Cate Frist, who would like to study broadcast journalism in college. While Harpeth Hall’s National Merit honorees focus on their senior year, they are also thinking about their futures. More than 7,500 National Merit scholarships worth more than $30 million will be awarded this spring. “I’m glad my studying paid off,” said senior Lexi Stewart, who plans to pursue a career in computer science. “The scholarship can be used to support me in college as I pursue my major.”
Seven members of Harpeth Hall’s Class of 2022 earned the distinct honor of being named semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship program. The Harpeth Hall seniors are among 16,000 semifinalists from across the country. "I am honored to be named a National Merit semifinalist, as I believe this is a testament to the outstanding educational foundation provided by Harpeth Hall School,” said senior Brooke Lytle, who plans to pursue a joint major in economics and history in college. “Harpeth Hall truly encourages a love of learning. The Harpeth Hall faculty and students are engaged in a shared pursuit of knowledge, and I feel honored to be part of a community that so values education.” The road to National Merit semifinalist recognition begins during a student’s junior year when she takes the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The exam measures a student’s critical reading ability, mathematical problem-solving skills, and writing ability. The highest-scoring program entrants in each state are selected as National Merit semifinalists. Harpeth Hall’s honorees are in the top 1% of high school seniors across the country. In addition to the National Merit semifinalists, Harpeth Hall also celebrates nine commended students in the National Merit Scholarship program: Ramsey Bottorff, Camryn Chung, Olivia Hande, Katherine Hu, Taylor Nisbet, Amelia Reddy, Alexa Sheldon, Evelyn Trost, and Sarah Grace Vallejo. 16 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
To advance as a National Merit finalist and be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must have an outstanding academic record and receive recommendation letters from school officials. They must also submit a scholarship application that highlights academic record, participation in school and community activities, and demonstrated leadership abilities. The qualifications fit in line with all they have learned at Harpeth Hall, where students learn to think critically, lead confidently, and live honorably. “I love the spirit I see every day at Harpeth Hall,” said Harpeth Hall senior and National Merit semifinalist Molly Niswender, who would like to pursue a major in biology and a minor in film. “The talent and complexity that every single person has at our school are absolutely incredible. Everyone has their own story and their own passions, and it is so amazing to see my classmates’ dreams in action.”
National Merit Semifinalists
National Merit Commended Scholars
Cate Frist Mary Husmann Brooke Lytle Elisabeth Nelson Molly Niswender Lexi Stewart Eleanor Taylor
Ramsey Bottorff Camryn Chung Olivia Hande Katherine Hu Taylor Nisbet Amelia Reddy Alexa Sheldon Evelyn Trost Sarah Grace Vallejo
DAUGHTER/ MOTHER COFFEE
This sentiment hit home when alumnae Ana ’05, Sabin ’09, and Aidan ’13 introduced the keynote speaker, their mom Dr. Nettles. Dr. Nettles is a professor of clinical pediatrics and a psychologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In addition to her work with children and young adults who have developmental disabilities, autism, and cleft and craniofacial disorders, Dr. Nettles founded the VUMC Office of Inclusion and Health Equity at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and has since expanded the program’s reach to include education and training efforts for the medical center’s entire clinical workforce. Dr. Nettles was also a Harpeth Hall mom from 2000 to 2013, seeing all three of her daughters graduate on Souby Lawn.
A mother, three daughters, and education’s journey
The
by Elizabeth Read ’09
Nettles’ bright green van, lovingly named Dill Pickle, served a lot of purpose during its tenure as the family’s transportation to and from Harpeth Hall. It was an equipment room, rehearsal studio, conference room, changing space, and, much to the chagrin of mom Arie Nettles, Ph.D., a restaurant. For better or worse, the three Nettles sisters were “in and out of a pickle” a lot during their 13 years as a Harpeth Hall family. For Dr. Nettles, the Pickle was more than just a van, it was the witness to her journey as a mother. On Nov. 4, Upper School students and their mothers and special friends gathered in the Athletic and Wellness Center for the annual Daughter and Mother/Special Friend Coffee. Students recited poetry, performed orchestral and choral music, and spoke in tribute to the mothers in the audience. While each message was different, the Harpeth Hall students clearly showed that they see the important women in their lives as honored role models.
As a mom, Dr. Nettles found herself filling many different roles as she developed the “Harpeth Hall mom’s skill sets,” including theatrical seamstress, chauffeur, school project manager, but, most importantly, cheerleader. At every performance, game, and speech, Dr. Nettles was front and center rooting her children on and supporting their dreams. Her children still recite her go-to sayings, “Good, better, best. Don’t stop until your good is better and your better’s best” and “Can’t is not in your repertoire.” For Dr. Nettles, the lessons she wanted to impart on her daughters were supported and strengthened by Harpeth Hall’s motto, “think critically, lead confidently, and live honorably.” Dr. Nettles spoke to the mothers and daughters about their own journeys and what to expect from each other. She told the audience to remember that this time in their lives is developmental for both a mom and a student and that each of them are experiencing this stage for the first time. Her advice was to be patient with each other, to listen to understand, and above all, to have respect for and trust in each other. Although her daughters “left Harpeth Hall, Harpeth Hall never left them.” It hasn’t left Dr. Nettles either. Currently, she sits on the Board of Trustees at Harpeth Hall for a second time, ensuring that Harpeth Hall students will always have the highest quality education, just as her daughters did.
WINTER 2022 | 17
FEATURE REID PATTON
“When I was deciding what to do, I wasn’t paying attention to what I enjoyed or what got me excited, I was just doing what I thought I was supposed to do as a high-achiever,” said Ms. Patton, who has also worked on Facebook’s business messaging, app monetization, Instagram stories, and close friends projects. “What I have learned is that an exciting career comes at the intersection of what interests you, what you are good at, and what gets you excited.” The journey to find your way is not always easy. For Ms. Patton, along with so many others, there were moments of doubt, missteps, and uncomfortable or challenging experiences.
Facebook’s Reid Patton ’14 encourages students to
‘be bold’ When
by Elizabeth Read ’09
Reid Patton graduated from Harpeth Hall in 2014, she did not know what she wanted to do. While at Duke, Ms. Patton saw that her high-achieving, intelligent peers were following careers in the financial sector, so — as a young woman with big ambitions — she followed that path too. After two unhappy experiences during summer internships at investment firms, she realized that finance was not her path. Instead, Ms. Patton knew she would have to find something new, energizing, and purposeful on her own. At an all-school assembly last fall, in front of an audience of students who are searching for their own paths, Ms. Patton shared her journey from being a Harpeth Hall student to a product manager at Facebook (now Meta) leading the social network’s Neighborhood product.
18 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
“What I have learned is that one of the best things you can do is put yourself in positions that make you uncomfortable,” she said. “…The best opportunities lie right outside your boundaries of comfort. If you are not uncomfortable, you are not learning.” Ms. Patton encouraged students to actively seek out experiences that may seem hard and come with a large chance of failure, because, she said, as soon as students learn that failing does not make them a failure, a world of opportunities opens up. She encouraged students to identify the things that make them afraid and to be bold and go do them. “The way you perceive the world is the world you get… You have a choice. To view a problem as unsolvable or to view each problem as an opportunity to dream up a compelling possibility,” she said. “This is what I now get to do every day. All of the product you use was created because someone had the courage and audacity to think about what could be and then could lead a team to make that a reality.” Ms. Patton left the students with a challenge. She pushed them to be big, be bold, and be proud of what they can do and what they can accomplish. “Oftentimes, there is an unspoken rule about humility and being humble — don’t brag, play down your accomplishments,” she said. “What I have seen with myself and other women, [that mindset] results in women underselling themselves and subconsciously focusing on where they are not so good versus where they are great. …Once you have identified where you can excel, bring it and bring it fully. Lean in. ...This small shift in focusing on where you are great will make all of the difference in your growth.”
FEATURE CANDICE STOREY LEE
‘There’s always another game’ by Elizabeth Read ’09
FALL SPEAKER SERIES AT HARPETH HALL
Catherine Armwood-Gordon, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Tennessee State University Sandra Sepulveda, Nashville Metro Council • Dr. Sonya Reid, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center • Reid Patton ’14, Product Manager at Facebook (now Meta) Candice Storey Lee, Ed.D., Vice Chancellor for Athletic and University Affairs and Athletic Director, Vanderbilt University As Candice Storey Lee, Ed.D., sat on stage in front of Harpeth Hall’s student body, she reflected on the school’s mission and the opportunity for the students to be at a school that uplifts and supports women’s voices. With that mission as the foundation, she said, students are primed to understand that they can do anything. For Dr. Lee, becoming Vanderbilt’s first female athletic director and the first Black woman to lead a Southeastern Conference athletics program was not something she ever thought she would be able to do. “I laughed the first time I was told I could be an athletic director one day,” Dr. Lee said. “It felt so daunting to me. There just aren’t a lot of women doing it.” With the 50th anniversary of Title IX approaching, Dr. Lee recognized that while a lot of progress has been made, there is still work to do. At Harpeth Hall, she sees potential. In her journey to becoming an athletic director, Dr. Lee was guided by the lessons she learned as an athlete. As an athlete, you have to trust in your preparation and trust that you have practiced and worked hard, be graceful in defeat, not be boastful when there is a win, and show up every day. One of the best lessons she learned was that it is possible to be confident and humble. Being confident and humble means you have trust in yourself, but also the humility to know that you do not achieve anything alone. You have a team, peers, mentors, and those who blazed the trails that allowed you to be where you are. Importantly, though, Dr. Lee learned early in her athletic career that to be a good leader, you do not have to be the best, most talented player, but rather your best authentic self, respectful to others, and a good teammate. By being authentic to who you are, you are not only honoring your true self, but also accepting others as the authentic people that they are. This value is a showing of respect and allows you to appreciate the risks and bravery of yourself and others.
“One of the most powerful things about sports is that there is always another game,” Dr. Lee said. In the face of loss or defeat, “you have to move on to the next play. If you get beat on defense and you’re lamenting, you’re upset, you’ve got poor body language and a bad attitude, the game will pass you by. It keeps going. It doesn’t wait on you. That’s how life is. We are going to make mistakes. Sometimes we are not going to be our best self, but the key is how you respond to that.” Through channeling principles of an athlete, Dr. Lee gained a platform that will help the women who step up to lead after her. She is determined to not let the opportunity go to waste because, as she sees it, “there are amazing women out there who deserve opportunities, but don’t have a champion.” This goal is something Dr. Lee is working towards in her role as an athletic director of a SEC university, overseeing all sports ranging from the high-profile football teams to lower profile sports. “Everyone deserves to be celebrated when they are great at their craft and it is important to celebrate with equality,” Dr. Lee said. She encouraged students to hold each other accountable, to call out inequity, to show others what is possible. and to be the champions for the people who cannot be champions for themselves. Dr. Lee also left the audience with an important challenge — to show themselves the compassion that they show other people. “Nobody wants to be judged on their worst day,” she said. “This applies to yourself and others. If you make a mistake, if you lose, you have to know you are bigger and better than your worst moments. … We are not striving for perfection because there is no such thing. We are striving for great effort. If you aren’t making mistakes, you aren’t going hard enough, if you are making too many mistakes, you aren’t being thoughtful. If you make a mistake out of effort, it is okay.” WINTER 2022 | 19
ATHLETICS FALL HIGHLIGHTS
Harpeth Hall sprints to team and individual state cross country titles Though it’s not exactly right around the corner, the Harpeth Hall cross country team made a few extra trips to Hendersonville this season. They competed in a couple of meets and held a handful of practices there. Coach Jenny Jervis wanted to make sure her runners were familiar with the climbs, dips, and turns at Sanders Ferry Park — the course that would host the state meet. It paid off. On Nov. 5, seven Harpeth Hall athletes gathered at the starting line for the 2021 DII-AA state cross country championship. The crisp fall air and sunshine made it a gorgeous day for running, and the team took advantage. Led by the pace-setting performance of Harpeth Hall junior Bella Guillamondegui, Harpeth Hall sprinted to the championship claiming the DII-AA state title. Bella posted a time of 18:22.80 in the 5,000-meter race to win the individual state championship, and all seven of the Harpeth Hall runners finished in the top 30 to secure the team win. “The girls were excited, unified, and committed to their goal,” Harpeth Hall cross country coach Jenny Jervis said. “During the race, they knew exactly what they needed to do and they gave everything that they had. It was so fun to see their hard work pay off in an impressive way.” Along with Bella’s first-place finish, freshman Annamaria Bacchetta (8th), senior Kate Wojciechowski (17th), freshman Lily Bowen (21st), sophomore Elizabeth John (22nd), 20 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
by Jessica Bliss
freshman Clara Scott Harden (28th), and freshman Lucy Farringer (30th) rounded out Harpeth Hall’s successful day. The winning effort earned Harpeth Hall its first team cross country state title since 2014 and its 13th in school history. The 13 titles are a state record for the most won by any school, boys or girls, in the sport. “It’s amazing and humbling,” said Coach Jervis, a Harpeth Hall world language teacher and department chair who has served as cross country’s head coach for nine years. “When I started coaching, I probably would have said that I enjoyed running. After working with our Harpeth Hall athletes these many years, I can say that I truly love the sport. Cross country runners are patient, disciplined, and tenacious. They understand the long game and are willing to put in the hard work necessary to accomplish difficult tasks. I feel incredibly lucky to work with these young women.” The cross country win built on the energy of an already exciting week in athletics at Harpeth Hall. Just seven days earlier, the soccer team claimed the DII-AA state title. Harpeth Hall now has a total of 59 team championship state titles. That success is underscored not by the trophies, but by the team spirit Harpeth Hall athletes feel toward each other — win or lose. “They're a very supportive group of young women,” Coach Jervis said. “They celebrate each other's successes and achievements and rally behind one another when someone hits a snag. They care deeply about one another and they encourage each other to be better, stronger, and to do things the right way.”
Harpeth Hall soccer nets its second state title in school history In the biggest game of the season, it took just two minutes for Harpeth Hall to get the ball in the back of the net. And once ahead, the Bears never looked back. With a 2-0 win over Baylor on Oct. 29, the Harpeth Hall soccer team claimed the 2021 TSSAA Division II-AA state championship. “We just brought it home,” Head Coach Meggie Lucas said. “Our defense was stellar, denying a very talented Baylor team. Our midfield never stopped, and our offense capitalized when it counted.” The title marked the second in school history and the second for Lucas, who also led the team in 2013 when Harpeth Hall clinched its first Division II-AA state title by handing Father Ryan its only loss of the year. Coach Lucas stepped down to pursue a postgraduate degree one season later, and — after a few years — returned in 2020 to again take Harpeth Hall to the top of its game. This year, team defense dominated. Senior goalkeeper Mallory Thomas, who has committed to continue her soccer career at Miami University in Ohio next year, allowed only six goals with 96 saves in 13 games heading into the state semifinals. Senior Ashley Tirrill was another defensive standout at center fullback, adding to a team full of talent.
by Jessica Bliss
“Really the chemistry was amazing,” Coach Lucas said. Harpeth Hall entered the state semifinals undefeated and the dark horse in the playoffs. In a close matchup against Girls Preparatory School, GPS scored on a header to tie the game 2-2 in the 65th minute. Two minutes later, Harpeth Hall freshman Quinn Erim scored the go-ahead goal that secured the 3-2 win and the trip to the title game. Quinn harnessed that energy and carried it to the finals against Baylor. She put the Bears on the scoreboard first with a goal two and a half minutes into the game with a one-touch power shot from outside the box that put Harpeth Hall ahead 1-0. She added another in the 70th minute to give the Bears a two-goal lead and set them up for the title. “I knew in August this championship was within our reach,” Coach Lucas said, "but there were a lot of pieces that would need to fall into place. Part of that was keeping up the morale and work ethic for four months. “We have had seniors both last year and this year who took it on their shoulders to truly build a community around our team. I could list a thousand ways that they made sure that everyone felt a part of the team. We have the most amazing girls, and coaching them is an honor.”
WINTER 2022 | 21
ATHLETICS
HONEYBEAR ATHLETES IN 2021
22 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
Harpeth Hall’s fall athletes have been celebrated across the region and the state for their accomplishments. Congratulations to these athletes for their achievements and recognitions. Volleyball
Elizabeth Aylward DII-AA Middle Region MVP and Tennessean All-Midstate
Soccer
Mallory Thomas DII-AA Middle Region Team, Tennessean All-Area and All-Midstate (first team), and THSSCA DII-AA All-State Team Quinn Erim DII-AA Middle Region Team, Tennessean All-Area and All-Midstate (first team), and THSSCA DII-AA All-State Team Ashley Tirrill DII-AA Middle Region Team, Tennessean All-Area and All-Midstate (second team), and THSSCA DII-AA All-State Team Coach Meggie Lucas Tennessean Coach of the Year
Golf
Lillian Yarbrough DII-AA Middle Region Team
Cross Country
Bella Guillamondegui State Champion (individual) and TSWA All-State Team
WINTER 2022 | 23
ATHLETICS SIGNING
Harpeth Hall goaltender commits to Miami University to continue her soccer career
It
The keeper’s soccer IQ and senior leadership helped propel Harpeth Hall to a state title by Jessica Bliss
was almost a decade ago when Harpeth Hall soccer coach Meggie Lucas first met Mallory Thomas at a summer sports camp. Mallory was little in age, but serious in stature.
“Everyone is always saying how crazy it is that I am going to play soccer in college, but I have been playing soccer since I was 3 and to me, I think it would be crazier if I wasn't playing soccer.”
With her hair done up in a power braid and a Nike wrap around her head to keep the stray strands out of her eyes, Mallory was there not just to play but to learn and compete.
Mallory will take with her the memories of this year’s championship season and the relationships formed among her teammates.
“The way the ball was always on her foot just meant that she was all business,” Coach Lucas recalled. “She was so much beyond the skills of most of the other girls at the camp that I had to design a different set of drills and activities based around her level of athleticism.” That prowess, coupled with a passion for the game and perseverance to perform at the top level, powered Mallory to success. This fall, just weeks after Harpeth Hall claimed the state soccer title, Mallory signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her playing career at Miami University in Ohio. In their senior year, athletes who have been recruited to compete at the NCAA Division I- or Division II-level formally indicate their commitment to a particular college or university by signing a National Letter of Intent. The agreement marks an exciting and much-anticipated milestone in an athlete’s academic and athletic future. With her friends, family, coaches, and classmates gathered for the big moment in the Athletic and Wellness Center, Mallory made her commitment official in November. A celebratory video created by Harpeth Hall’s sports broadcasting club played in honor of Mallory, and her parents beamed on either side of her as Mallory put pen to paper. “I don't think it has truly hit me what that means yet though,” Mallory said. 24 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
“This team and the coaching staff this season were unlike anything I had been a part of,” Mallory said. “The team chemistry was amazing from the very beginning. We all worked hard for each other, but we also knew how to have fun. “The support from the administration and the school as a whole, I believe played a huge role in our success this season. Not only did we have a devoted student section at home games, but we even had big support in Chattanooga in the state championship game. “Additionally, the support and devotion from the coaching staff truly made this team what it was. Coach Lucas brought so much life and heart into this program, and I am so lucky to have been able to have been coached by her.” Coach Lucas also feels lucky to have coached Mallory. “The RedHawks are getting an outstanding soccer player and the most talented keeper I have ever coached,” Coach Lucas said. “She not only makes unbelievable saves with her reaction speed, lateral movement, and firm grip of the ball, but her soccer IQ is beyond her years. She sees the game like a seasoned coach and commands her defense. … “I have often said that the secret sauce to a successful and championship team is the senior leadership, and the results speak for themselves. Mallory was an instrumental piece of that.”
TITLE IX TRAILBLAZERS
Breaking Barriers
Fifty years ago, Title IX changed the competitive landscape. Harpeth Hall women have made remarkable achievement in athletics ever since.
A
landmark piece of legislation that changed the future for women and girls across the United States, Title IX has shaped the journeys and barrier-breaking accomplishments of Harpeth Hall students, alumnae, and faculty members for the last 50 years. Title IX pushed American schools, colleges, and universities to broaden their women's athletic programs, and for the first time, athletic scholarships were offered to women. In that way, Title IX opened the door for Tracy Caulkins — a 1981 graduate of Harpeth Hall — to swim at the collegiate level. She went on to become the only swimmer (man or woman) to set American records in all four strokes and to win three gold medals in the 1984 Olympics. “Title IX was a gamechanger for me,” Caulkins said. Title IX also opened the door for Susan Russ, a former Harpeth Hall coach and athletic director. In 1969, Coach Russ established the first women's track and field program at Memphis State University with no money for recruitment and no additional pay for herself. As Title IX took hold, Coach Russ built the running program she created into a national powerhouse while also overseeing the formation of a cross country team. In 1979, she brought that prowess to Harpeth Hall, where she spent 30-plus years as a coach and athletic director and led 20 teams to state titles in track and field, team relays, and cross country. “What did Title IX mean to me and my girls? It put us on the track,” Coach Russ told Harpeth Hall archivist Mary Ellen Pethel in the upcoming book “Title IX, Pat Summitt, and Tennessee’s Trailblazers: 50 Years, 50 Stories.”
The progress continues to this day. As Title IX created new educational and athletic opportunities for women that would not have existed otherwise, the legislation opened doors to many other modern-day accomplishments of Harpeth Hall women in sports. This year, Katie Hill, a 2000 graduate of Harpeth Hall, joined the National Football League as its senior vice president of communications. Katie joins the NFL after serving as former President Barack Obama's communications director. Locally, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletics Association promoted Emily Crowell ’05 to an assistant executive director. She is the first woman in the organization to reach that level in the association’s 96-year history. After initially joining the TSSAA in 2010 as an administrative assistant, Crowell was later named director of championship events and placed in charge of middle school and high school tournaments. There’s also Annie Taylor, a 2020 graduate of Harpeth Hall and a women's track-and-field athlete at Navy. It was on July 6, 1976 — little more than four years after the passage of Title IX — that the United States Naval Academy first admitted women. Among the 1,300 plebes who arrived at the academy on that day were 81 women (6.2% of the class). Today, the U.S. Naval Academy has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,594 (fall 2020), with 28% female students. Among them are three Harpeth Hall alumnae – lacrosse player Leelee Denton ’20, engineer Reese Graves ’20, and Annie, who has set the barrier-breaking mark both athletically and academically. Annie set the Navy school record in the pentathlon (indoor) as a freshman last school year. In addition, she received the plebe leadership award — The Carl Vinson Leadership Award — as #1 in her Naval Academy class.
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FEATURE SUSAN RUSS
It Put Us on the Track The Title IX story of former Harpeth Hall Athletic Director Susan Russ
By Mary Ellen Pethel, Ph.D. An excerpt from “Title IX, Pat Summitt, and Tennessee’s Trailblazers: 50 Years, 50 Stories,” available through University of Tennessee Press in fall 2022
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story is like many others during this time,” recalled Susan Russ, but most would beg to differ. This women’s sport pioneer ushered in a new era of track and field at Memphis State University (today’s University of Memphis). After graduating from Murray State in 1966 with a master’s in physical education, Russ taught at the University of Tennessee-Martin for a year before making the move to Memphis. In 1967, Susan Russ accepted a teaching position in physical education at Memphis State University. A year into the job, Susan and her husband, Kent, had a conversation that would shape the rest of her life. When she told him that she wanted to coach, they ticked off the short list of sports open to females at the university: gymnastics, basketball, and volleyball. Kent, who was a track standout at Vanderbilt University, said, “What about track and field? That’s what you should do, you should start a team.” “And that’s how I got into track,” Russ recounted. Russ approached Elma Roane, the director of the women’s division of physical education, who said, “Sure! Great idea. Go for it.” Susan put up posters around the student center, calling for any interested female students to sign up and attend tryouts. The lack of funding or pay seemed to motivate rather than deflate Russ as the fledgling program took flight. The men’s track coach saw Russ in the hall one day and said, “Hey, I heard you’re starting a women’s track team, I think that’s great.” “And it was
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great,” continued Russ, “until I showed up on the track with the girls.” The coach told Russ that her team was not allowed on the track to practice with the men’s team, which was a sanctioned NCAA sport. She went to the Director of Athletics and Dean of Students, and they gave her the same answer — no, she could not use the track if the men were practicing. The university’s track had no lights, and many times it was dark by the time the men’s team finished. Undeterred, Russ took to the fields — practicing in nearby pastures in the afternoons. When the team needed to work on intervals or use equipment, they would practice at 6-7:30 a.m. “and watch the sunrise.” They traveled to nearby schools, such as Austin Peay and Murray State, to compete against other women’s teams. Racial integration at Memphis State began in 1959, and Russ’s success was due, in large part, to the team’s diversity. Russ fondly remembers those early years and teams: “They were an incredibly hard-working group of young women who loved to run and jump and throw.” After three years of building a track program without a track, Russ was elated when Title IX was passed: “What did Title IX mean to me and my girls? It put us on the track.” With Title IX winds at her back, Susan Russ built a powerhouse program from 1972 to 1979, and she also established a cross country team. Title IX had an immediate impact for Russ’s teams as they became part of the university’s athletic program and,
her in action,” Henderson said, then continued, “At coaches meetings, before a meet or during the off-season, Susan would start off standing next to me in the back. But before it was over, she was front and center, with everyone in the room deferring to her knowledge of the sport and its history.” Henderson concluded, “She knew how and when to take charge.”
though funds remained tight, she could recruit and offer scholarships to runners such as All-American Wanda Hooker. In addition, Russ was relieved of most teaching duties and became a salaried coach. Her efforts were aided by the construction of a new athletic facility, the Kennedy Center, and the appointment of Glenn Hayes as the men’s track coach. When she asked if the women’s team could practice with the men, Hayes said, “That’s no problem, there’s plenty of room, come on over.” In 1973, Russ organized the Memphis State Invitational that attracted nationally ranked teams such as Ohio State (Coach Mamie Rallins) and Tennessee State University’s Tigerbelles (Coach Ed Temple). The invitational meet was so successful that Glen Hayes asked Russ to expand it to a co-ed format. Russ obliged. In 1979, the family moved to Nashville after Susan’s husband accepted a position in Governor Lamar Alexander’s administration. Harpeth Hall School, an independent all-girls school, had first drawn Russ’s attention when she recruited future Olympian Margaret Groos (Harpeth Hall class of 1977). Groos did not come to Memphis State, but Russ would coach her sister Katie Groos Nelson ’80 after accepting a position at Harpeth Hall. With the coaching skills she had gained at Memphis State, Russ established a track and cross country dynasty at the high school level. Over the next 33 years (1979-2012), Harpeth Hall would win the TSSAA team championship for track and field 12 times between 1980 and 2004, with five consecutive championships between 2000 and 2004. Just as impressive, in 28 of her 33 years coaching, at least one Harpeth Hall athlete won an individual state championship in track and field. In cross country, Russ coached the team to six TSSAA team championships. Jack Henderson coached alongside Susan for a decade and succeeded her as the head cross country and track and field coach at Harpeth Hall. “I always enjoyed watching
In addition to coaching and teaching, Russ also served as the school’s athletic director from 1986 to 2005. During her tenure as an administrator, other sports also captured state championships — swimming, basketball, golf, lacrosse, volleyball, and tennis. Russ said she was “just glad to be a part of it,” but noted that “[a]s an all-girls school, Harpeth Hall celebrated the value and the importance and potential of the female athlete.” Before the state cross-country championship meet in 1981, Russ called the TSSAA office and asked what was the lowest score ever recorded (lowest score wins). Russ gave the girls the number and challenged them to beat it. They did. Susan demanded much of her athletes, but she also knew how to motivate and inspire. “I know how to push, but I also know when too much is too much,” she said. The proof is in the pudding— there are too many “coach-of-the-year” awards to count. By the time Russ retired, in 2012, she’d already been inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, University of Memphis Hall of Fame, and TSSAA Hall of Fame. In the 1990s, Russ accompanied one of her qualifying runners to the TSSAA State Pentathlon & Decathlon Championship held at Brentwood Academy just outside of Nashville. She looked up and “Lo and behold the former men’s track coach from Memphis State was there.” She said hello and asked, “What are you doing here?” He replied, “I’m here to watch my daughter who is competing.’” After the meet, Russ saw his daughter and said, “It’s so nice to meet you. Your father did me a huge favor many years ago, he taught me early in my career to stand up for myself.” The chance meeting brought Russ a sense of closure and satisfaction. She had helped to put women’s track and field on the Tennessee map, and the former coach, who had denied Russ and her team access to the track, cheered as his daughter competed. But Susan Russ credits the passage of Title IX as the most consequential event of her coaching career: “It changed everything for me and my sport.”
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FEATURE TRACY CAULKINS AND ALEX WALSH
Making a splash
Though they come from different eras in athletics, Olympic swimmers Tracy Caulkins and Alex Walsh are connected through the mark they have left on the world stage and at Harpeth Hall by Jessica Bliss
knowing that the very same flag appeared on television screens across the country where her family, teammates, friends, coaches, and school communities watched and celebrated. “The medal ceremony in Tokyo was surreal,” Alex said. “For me, thinking about how hard I worked — especially in my first year at college — to get to that moment was very emotional.” Alex, who is now a sophomore at the University of Virginia, first dreamed of being an Olympic medalist as a little girl. She started competing around age 8, and she remembers seeing swimmer Missy Franklin win gold at the London 2012 Olympics. “That made me want to go to the Olympics and win medals just as she did,” Alex said. As Missy inspired her, the legacy of another Olympian — one from a generation prior — also began to align closely to Alex’s own swimming career. That athlete’s name was Tracy Caulkins. Like Tracy, Alex moved to Nashville as a young student and attended Harpeth Hall. Like Tracy, Alex excelled in the individual medley — arguably one of the most challenging disciplines as it combines all four swim strokes into a single race. And when Alex Walsh and her sister, Gretchen, trained for meets, they did so in the Tracy Caulkins Competition Pool in Nashville.
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lex Walsh’s eyes danced as she stood on the podium in Tokyo holding up her Olympic silver medal.
In that moment, the 19-year-old Harpeth Hall alumna reflected on all the people who had helped realize her Olympic dream. Her years of training and competing had been both exhilarating and stressful. Yet each time she dove into the pool in Tokyo, she focused on why she was there. She raced not only for herself, but also for her support system at home and for her country.
Though their experiences come from different eras in athletics, the stories of Tracy Caulkins and Alex Walsh intertwine through the mark they left at Harpeth Hall and the achievements they made and continue to make on the world stage.
“Being a part of something bigger than myself, though daunting, actually directed my energy towards my pride and gratitude as opposed to my nerves,” Alex said in an interview for Hallways.
The journey begins in 1969, just a few years before the passage of the landmark Title IX legislation that changed athletics for girls and women, when Caulkins’ family moved to Nashville from Winona, Minnesota, with 6-year-old Tracy in tow.
In the Olympic finals of the 200-meter individual medley, Alex touched the wall in 2:08.65 — just .13 seconds behind the winner — and claimed a silver medal. Later, as she stood on the podium and the American flag rose in front of her, she felt pride
Harpeth Hall archivist Mary Ellen Pethel, Ph.D., captures what happened next, as told in an excerpt of her new book Title IX, Pat Summitt, and Tennessee’s Trailblazers: 50 Years, 50 Stories.
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Tracy was already the top swimmer in her age group when, at 13 years old, she broke her ankle at a NAC team picnic near Nashville: “I was on a porch swing with two other people, and a teammate jumped on my lap. The whole thing collapsed, and my ankle was buckled under.” She was worried that the injury would hamper her burgeoning national career and international aspirations. In the end, the injury did quite the opposite — Tracy grew much stronger in her upper body while her ankle healed. The selfdescribed “skinny child” emerged as a young teen ready to take on the world.
By Mary Ellen Pethel, Ph.D. An excerpt from “Title IX, Pat Summitt, and Tennessee’s Trailblazers: 50 Years, 50 Stories,” available through University of Tennessee Press in fall 2022
Talent pool of one
A swimmer so versatile, so talented, so competitive in every stroke that she not only won but broke records in every event she entered, Tracy Caulkins is a talent pool of one. Tracy first swam at Nashville’s Seven Hills Country Club with her older siblings, Tim (11) and Amy (8). The three Caulkins joined the club's summer league program, and Tracy did not immediately take to the water. “I didn't particularly like to get my face wet, so I swam the backstroke so I could keep my face out of the water,” Tracy said with a laugh. “We just kind of drug her in there,” Tim Caulkins added, “They needed some bodies to fill the pool. But it was all glory (for Tracy) from there on out.” By summer’s end, she flipped over and learned the other three strokes: butterfly, breast, and freestyle. Each stroke has its own event and set of distances, and Tracy's ability to do all four made her the perfect candidate for the individual medley (IM), which combines each stroke into a single event. The summer season culminated in a city meet, and AAU coach Paul Bergen was in attendance. He immediately recognized Tracy's talent and asked her, along with her siblings, to join the AAU Westside Victory Swim Club, which later merged with the Nashville Aquatic Club (NAC). Caulkins would swim for NAC until 1981 and was coached by Bergen in Nashville and later at the 1984 Olympic games. When the 1972 Olympics rolled around, a 9-year-old Tracy watched in awe as U.S. swimmer Mark Spitz won seven gold medals on the men's side and Australian Shane Gould won five medals in women's competition (three gold, one silver, one bronze). She put up a poster of Spitz on her bedroom wall and convinced her parents to buy her the Speedo suit that Gould wore. “I really identified with her,” Caulkins remembers, “because she was young [16 years old], walked around with a stuffed kangaroo, and a green and gold terry toweling robe. She also swam many of the same events I did.”
In 6th grade, Caulkins attended Harpeth Hall school, an independent, all-girls school in Nashville. Her teammate and best friend, Macie Philips, was also a student there. Head of School Idanelle McMurry assured her that the school would be supportive and accommodate any absences — provided Tracy kept up with her work. As Caulkins recalled: “I was serious at quite a young age, and my parents wanted me to have the opportunity without worrying about school policies.” It was a good decision, both for Tracy and for the school. Tracy qualified for the AAU national championship at 13 and won her first national title a year later, in 1977, as a freshman at Harpeth Hall. Title IX affected private schools like Harpeth Hall differently than public schools. With less reliance on federal or state funds, private schools were not bound in the same way to comply with the legislation. That said, many independent schools invested heavily in their athletic programs, including girls sports. Harpeth Hall’s all-girls student body made competition or equity with boys sports a non-issue. At the time, Harpeth Hall did not have a swimming program, but longtime physical education teacher Patty Chadwell pulled together a team and entered them in meets. They borrowed warm-ups from the track team, agreed on a bathing suit, and ordered swim caps. “Miss Patty,” as she was known, said, “I’ll be the coach, and you all just do what you do.” Tracy added, “It wasn’t very organized, but we did quite well. We had a group of really versatile swimmers, including Macie and Karinne Miller. Before a meet, we [students] would write the lineup. It was a bit ad hoc, but we pulled it together. We had different individual goals, but we loved representing our school.” And represent they did, capturing the Tennessee Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (TISCA) state title in 1979, 1980, and 1981.
Making a splash
But it was in 1978 when the 15-year-old made her big splash on the world stage. While most swimmers specialize in one stroke, Tracy was phenomenally good in all four. She joked: “Because I trained for events in all four strokes, it was nice during practice. If I was tired of working on my breaststroke, I could switch to the fly or the free. It kept me from burning out.” At the 1978 World Championships in West Berlin, she won five gold medals (200-meter butterfly, 200-meter IM, 400-meter IM, 4x100-meter freestyle relay, 4x100-meter medley relay) and one silver (100-meter breaststroke). WINTER 2022 | 29
Later that year, she was awarded the prestigious AAU James E. Sullivan Award, which annually recognizes the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. At only 15 years old, Tracy was the youngest recipient to win the award and fifth woman in its history — fellow Tennessean Wilma Rudolph was the first in 1961. From 1978 through early 1980, Tracy continued to improve her times in every event and in every stroke. She began training with Australian coach Don Talbot and dominated the American competition. Internationally, she won four gold and two silver medals at the 1979 Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tracy qualified for seven events at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow while still a high school student. Going into the summer of 1980, Caulkins was the top swimmer in the United States with five American records (200m IM, 400m IM, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke, and 500-yard freestyle). And then there were the world records she held in the 200m butterfly, 200m IM, and 400m IM. It was her moment and the chance to compete against the East Germans, who had commanded women's swimming for many years, albeit with suspicion of performance-enhancing drug use.
experiences and what they fought for, which made me appreciate [Title IX] even more.” Caulkins credits the work of the WSF as a positive force in her life: “Athletes focus on performance, but because of Title IX and Women’s Sports Foundation, I had an equal opportunity to compete.”
Caulkins admits that the Olympic boycott affected her motivation in her freshman and sophomore years at the University of Florida. In a 2020 interview with Mel Stewart she said, “For two years I didn’t have a personal best. I was going through the motions. When the opportunity to go to the Olympics was taken away, I just kind of stalled.” The University of Florida did well against NCAA competition, but in the 1982 World Championships, Caulkins was off her game. She was five seconds off her personal best and finished third to Petra Schneider, from East Germany, who won gold in both the 200m IM and 400m IM. “That meet woke me up. It made me realize that I wanted to get back to the Olympics. Everything clicked, and I knew I wanted to be the best I could be at the trials and the 1984 games,” Tracy explained.
She doubled down in her training with Coach Randy Reese and began winning again in dominant style. In 1983, she competed in the Pan American Games and won four individual and two relay titles at the Her sights set on gold, Caulkins heard talk that President Jimmy NCAA championships. The 21 year old qualified in four events for Carter was considering an Olympic boycott. The 1980 Olympics the Olympics and was named team captain. Held in Los Angeles, the were to be held in Moscow, Russia — the governing heart of the games were electric, but Caulkins did not attend the opening ceremony. Soviet Union and bitter adversary of the United States. When Carter Her first event, the 400m IM, was scheduled for the next morning and made the announcement that Team USA would not participate in the she needed to reset. Sportswriter Amy Rosewater summed it up, “She games, “[Tracy’s] eyes filled with tears, but that was more from anger. could sense the Olympic spirit but had to wait one more day to feel it.” [She] didn't really cry,” said her mother, Martha Caulkins. Sports Caulkins did not have to wait long. The next morning, she won the journalist E.M. Swift captured the moment in an interview on July 21, 1980, “Tracy's views on the Olympic boycott have gone from 400m IM by over 9 seconds with a time of 4:39.24. “When I touched the wall, I looked for my family and my coaches. It was like a dream anger to disappointment to acceptance.” She was only 17 years old, come true,” Caulkins said. In the stands with her family was her but Caulkins worried that she might be “over the hill” by the time of Harpeth Hall teacher and “coach” Patty Chadwell. Five days later, the 1984 Olympics. Tracy won the 200m IM, set an Olympic record, and won gold with the Her Olympic dreams deferred, Caulkins graduated from Harpeth 400m medley relay with teammates Theresa Andrews, Mary Meagher, Hall in the spring of 1981 but not before she competed in the U.S. and Nancy Hogshead. Short Course Championships. She broke an American record in the Caulkins retired from swimming after the 1984 Olympics and did not 200-yard backstroke, swimming a 1:57.02. That race made her the swim her senior season at the University of Florida in order to focus first person to win a national title and set an American record in on completing her degree. In hindsight, Caulkins believes that the every stroke. Caulkins accepted a swimming scholarship to the 1980 boycott may have been a blessing in disguise: “If I had gone to the University of Florida. There were some differences between the Olympics in 1980, I might not have gone to the Florida, which is where men’s and women’s teams: “We practiced together, but the men’s I met my husband (Mark Stockwell). He swam in the 1984 Olympics swim team had an athletic dorm and dining hall. We had to get up for Australia, but we met while swimming at the University of Florida.” early for practice, and so people in our dorm could be a bit loud They married and moved to Queensland, Australia, in the late 1980s at night but, overall, I didn't mind.” Caulkins loved her college and have five children. experience: “We averaged 10 practice sessions a week, some in the pool and some dry land workouts. It was a big commitment, but I In 1990, Nashville's Metro Parks opened Centennial Sportsplex — a really enjoyed the team dynamic. My favorite memories are the silly multi-use athletic complex featuring both a pool and an ice rink. The moments, the fun road trips, and the friendships I made.” Tracy Caulkins Competition Pool was dedicated to one person, but
‘Title IX was a gamechanger for me’
Even though she did not know the details of Title IX, Tracy knew she was a beneficiary of the legislation. “I knew that for my older sister Amy, there was a big question about what she could do with swimming after high school,” she and continued, “Title IX was a gamechanger for me; I just didn't understand all the politics of it.” Tracy also became active in the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF), founded in 1974 by women’s tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King. She met King and many others at the WSF: “They shared their 30 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
the pool that bears her name is now a “talent pool” for many.
The competitive Nashville Aquatics Club trains at the Sportsplex, as does Harpeth Hall’s swim team, which has won 12 state championships (TISCA) and two national titles (Swimming World) since Caulkins graduated in 1981. Among the next generation of world-class swimmers who trained in the Tracy Caulkins pool are two sisters who also happen to be Harpeth Hall alumnae, Alex and Gretchen Walsh.
As their talent emerged, competitive swimming became the pursuit. Pinned to the bulletin board in the Walsh kitchen hung a poster showing the levels of achievement. Juniors. Nationals. Olympic Trials. That path guided their goals. At age 14, Alex broke two national age group records in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard IM. The previous 200 IM record, Dr. Pethel wrote, was held by none other than Olympian Missy Franklin — Alex’s role model growing up. “Missy totally changed the way that swimming was perceived for the whole country,” Alex told Dr. Pethel. “She made it cool. She was clearly having fun, and obviously Missy was very successful. All of that came across for people and really boosted the sport’s popularity.” Inspired by Franklin, Walsh took her talents to Harpeth Hall and continued breaking records. In 2018, she set the national (NISCA) record in the 100-yard breaststroke and as part of the 200-yard medley relay. With Alex on the swim roster, Harpeth
“I am so grateful that Harpeth Hall has made me into the person I am now. I am very confident in myself, and I think that is a result of the all-girls community at Harpeth Hall that always supported me and challenged me to be the best version of myself.” — ALEX WALSH ’19, OLYMPIC SILVER MEDAL WINNER Hall’s swimming and diving team captured state titles in 2016 and 2017 and was named national champion by Swimming World in both 2018 and 2019. Also in 2019, Alex committed to continue her swim career in college at the University of Virginia (UVA) and she traveled to Peru to participate in the Pan-American Games where she won three gold medals. Then, as a freshman at UVA, Walsh was part of UVA’s NCAA National Championship where she won individual gold in the 200 IM. Later that year, Alex earned a spot representing the United States at the Olympic games in Tokyo. On July 27, 2021, Alex won silver in the 200m IM.
The legacy continues
The Walsh sisters’ swim genes could be attributed to their mom, Glynis, who swam at Boston College — but more than just athleticism propelled them through the pool. From an early age, they developed a drive and self-confidence that gave them the discipline needed to succeed.
“For USA Swimming, the Tokyo Olympics reflected a generational shift from Millennials to Gen Z athletes (born 1997-2012),” Dr. Pethel writes in her book Title IX, Pat Summitt, and Tennessee’s Trailblazers: 50 Years, 50 Stories. “In fact, Walsh’s win was an early birthday present — she celebrated her 20th birthday four days later on July 31.
“The original Title IX era was primarily comprised of athletes and coaches who were Baby Boomers, born in the years following World War II,” Dr. Pethel continues. “The second “My teachers at Harpeth Hall always told me that I could succeed generation, Gen X (1965-1980) were the first to grow up with girls sports and college scholarships. Events such as the women’s in school, swimming, and other extracurriculars without sacrificing one or another — as long as I worked for it,” Alex said World Cup win (1991), Lady Vols four basketball championships (1991, 1996-1998), and Atlanta Olympics (1996), signaled the in an interview for Hallways. “This kind of mindset taught me impact of Title IX. Millennials (1981-1996) continued to raise how to manage my goals in all aspects of my life, which is a big the bar for girls and women’s sports at every competitive level. reason why I am able to thrive as an elite athlete.” Alex Walsh represents the fourth generation of female athletes The girls first took to the water as toddlers, swimming around since Title IX.” age 4, and developing their strokes as they grew. When the Alex, speaking for herself, also speaks for many: “We’re heading Walsh family moved to Nashville in 2014, they arrived with in full force. . . . I've come a long way, but I’ve still got a long way “a pair of young swimming phenoms,” Dr. Pethel wrote. It took to go.” no time at all for Walsh to become well-known name in the swimming world.
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FEATURE KATIE HILL
From the White House to
Harpeth Hall alumna Katie Hill’s communications skills and passion for storytelling has guided her professional career to the highest levels of political and professional sports arenas
by Jessica Bliss
People often ask Katie Hill what the hours were like during her time working in the White House. “I tell them there weren’t hours,” she said. “It just never ended.”
Yet, every morning the Harpeth Hall alumna and Class of 2000 Lady of the Hall found herself marveling at the opportunity to serve her country as she walked in the Northwest gate of the White House and took in the iconic view. First, as the national press secretary for health care at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and then as assistant press secretary for President Barack Obama’s administration, she played a significant role in informing the nation about the important decisions of the executive branch. Though the lines between night and day often felt blurry, she settled into the rhythm. Work began pre-dawn as she read news stories from across the world and monitored “what was popping on Twitter.” By mid-morning, she joined calls with Cabinet agencies to see how they handled tough stories published overnight. She prepared talking points for the White House press secretary's briefing and then spent an hour or more readying the press secretary to speak to White House press correspondents. By the time Ms. Hill took a downbeat to watch the briefing each day, “it felt like I’d run a full marathon, but the day was only half over,” she said. She spent the second half of the day reviewing news coverage, talking to reporters to correct stories, and working on strategic plans for upcoming policy announcements or events. As a student at Harpeth Hall, Ms. Hill never foresaw her future in the White House or in her new position as the National Football League’s senior vice president of communications. From public relations to politics to professional sports, her professional path has taken many turns — “I majored in ancient Greek in college, for example,” she joked. With each step, however, there has been one constant guiding her.
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“I wouldn't be who, or where, I am today without Harpeth Hall. Period,” she said.
the NFL gridiron
Lady of the Hall
Growing up, Katie Hill admired Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, and Louisa May Alcott. When she was younger, she simply saw the women as cool people. Looking back now, she realizes what truly appealed to her about them. They each dared to pursue their passions, she said, and push the bounds of what was possible, especially for women, at the time. They were unapologetic and relentless. And each of the women also spoke to something personal inside her. “For Earhart, my love of exploring and travel,” she said. “For Curie, my love of science and the unknown, and for Alcott, my love of the written word.” Today, Ms. Hill sees those qualities and passions reflected in her life and career so far. The self-described news junky loves languages and believes deeply in the power of narrative “to change people’s lives and our country for the better.” Her lifelong interest in storytelling, language, and writing drew her to the communications field. And much of her journey she credits to her alma mater.
Photo/courtesy of Caitlin Morant
Ms. Hill came to Harpeth Hall as a freshman in 1996. She played soccer and joined the school’s very first lacrosse team. Through Junior Classical League, she developed her WINTER 2022 | 33
interest in the language, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. She edited for Logos newspaper and served as president of the school’s Honor Council. As a senior, she earned the distinction of Lady of the Hall and senior speaker at graduation. “My four years there provided me with the foundation for so much of my career success and personal happiness,” Ms. Hill said. “The school instilled in me a deep belief in the importance of honor and showing up each day with integrity and authenticity. “My teachers were demanding in the best way possible, always expecting me to do my best, providing support for me to get there, and ensuring that I stretched myself at every opportunity. The school nurtured my curiosity and taught me the kind of rigorous analytical mindset that I still bring to my job each day. And I made lifelong friends at Harpeth Hall.”
Charting a Path to Politics
and noted the importance of developing tight relationships with members of the press. She worked for Rep. Cooper for two years, and the experience in the legislative branch set her up for the next step. “Working on the Hill was foundational for me eventually working at the White House,” she said. In 2014, Ms. Hill accepted a Cabinet agency-level position as the national press secretary for health care at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In that role, she worked very closely with the health care press corps that covers the health care industry. Her primary responsibilities fell with the Affordable Care Act, which, at a time, was being challenged by a group of lawmakers. Ms. Hill also designed a communications campaign around other consumer-focused health care reform efforts. She worked very closely with the White House in the role, which is how she eventually got asked to interview for a position there.
After graduation, Ms. Hill pursued a bachelor’s degree in classical Greek from the University of Virginia. She worked for a short time as the community relations manager at Hands On Nashville and then spent four years as a senior account executive at Nashville-based McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations. The day-to-day work she loved most at MP&F involved grassroots and issue-based campaigns in front of the state legislature and Congress. Interested in politics from a young age, as a side hobby she started getting involved in local political campaigns. The professional and personal pursuits opened up new opportunities. At the time, Ms. Hill and her partner talked about moving away from Nashville to explore other cities. So when a position opened up to work as press secretary for Rep. Jim Cooper in Washington, “it was a dream job,” she said, “and I couldn't say no.” Channeling her inner Amelia Earhart, she charted a new route in her professional adventure. “I hope my path would show other young women that first, you don't have to know at your age what you want to be when you grow up,” she said. “It’s OK to follow your curiosity and your passions. In fact, it's good. I've always known that I wanted to make a difference in some way, but I wasn't more prescriptive than that. “I often think that if I had set out in high school or college with the single-minded goal of working at the White House, I would’ve made very different choices — in terms of college major, internships, summer jobs, etc. — and ironically, probably wouldn’t have gotten to the White House.”
From the Hill to the White House
Work on the Hill had its own rhythms, lingo, and culture. Ms. Hill had a front-row seat to why bills do — or don’t — become law. She learned what members of Congress care about. She experienced the critical role that constituent communication plays, saw the interplay between political campaigning and governing, 34 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
The West Wing
Each day, she sat in the West Wing of the White House just on the other side of the blue door that opens to the left of the White House podium. As an assistant press secretary and spokesperson, Ms. Hill oversaw a broad domestic policy portfolio, including health care, education, veterans’ issues, women's issues, and presidential nominations and appointments. “Reporters could — and did — wander back to my desk all the time to ask questions, snoop around, and have conversations about stories they were working on,” Ms. Hill said. In addition to helping prepare the White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, each day for his press briefings, Ms. Hill worked closely with the staff at Cabinet agencies that fell under her purview, including Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Veterans Administration. She also traveled with President Obama and prepared him for interviews he might be doing that fell into her portfolio.
The NFL does. At the start of the 2021 NFL season, 45 of the top 50 TV shows were NFL games. Last year’s Super Bowl garnered far more viewers than the presidential inauguration. “With that kind of reach also comes a responsibility,” Ms. Hill said, “and I was excited at the prospect of helping the league be more proactive in talking about the incredible work our teams and players do in the community.” In May 2021, the NFL named Ms. Hill its next senior vice president of communications. She is one of only a handful of women to ever hold the position, and, as the United States marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX this year, Ms. Hill recognizes the opportunities — both in athletics and myriad other professional pursuits — that the landmark legislation created.
When Obama’s term ended, Ms. Hill was asked to continue on with the former president. She joined a Washington D.C. office with around 20 aides who helped with Obama’s post-presidency endeavors, including work with the Obama Foundation, managing public events, and writing speeches. Ms. Hill demonstrated “her smarts, judgment, dedication, and work ethic every day on behalf of the American people” during her work in the White House, said Anita Decker, then-chief-of-staff for Obama, in an interview with The Tennessean newspaper in 2017. “President Obama is lucky to have a strategist of her caliber by his side as he builds on his already impressive legacy in the years to come,” Decker said.
Tackling the NFL
Ms. Hill had worked in President Obama's post-White House office for about four years when she began to think about what her next chapter might look like outside of politics. She loved sports and entertainment, particularly football and soccer, and she wanted to take on a bigger management role at an organization where she could spend most of her time driving strategic communications planning, learning new skill sets, building a team, and getting a front-row seat to how a successful business operates. “I also wanted to work at a place where I could operate at the same global scale — in terms of huge reach and audience — that I was used to working at,” she said. “And when you think about the huge platform of the White House, and the huge place that the Obamas hold in our society, there are very few organizations that could come close.”
“Title IX was groundbreaking in putting us on a path toward equity with men's sports and male athletes,” she said. “Women's sports — professionally all the way down to youth sports — hasn't been the same since.” And progress continues. The NFL, Ms. Hill said, has worked to create a talent pipeline for women — many who are former college, amateur, and pro athletes themselves — to become coaches, scouts, and referees. “Last season, for the first time in NFL history, in the same game there were two female assistant coaches, Jennifer King and Callie Brownson, and a female referee, Sarah Thomas, on the field,” Ms. Hill said. And that progress extends to the front offices across the league where more than one quarter of NFL teams have women as majority owners, including Tennessee’s own Amy Adams Strunk with the Titans. Of course, there is still work to be done, not just in athletics but in pursuit of educational and professional equity for women in many arenas. To the next generation of Harpeth Hall graduates, all who are poised to break barriers of their own, Ms. Hill offers this sentiment. “You will hear over and over again that you can do and be anything you want to be,” Ms. Hill said. “That's 100% true. But even in 2021, there are forces and even people — some overt, some inadvertent or unintentional — that will get in your way. When you encounter this, rely on the incredible confidence that Harpeth Hall has taught you, and don't let the world erode it. Your classmates and Harpeth Hall alumnae will always be here to help you — and, in turn, you must make it a point to help other women in the workplace and in their careers. “A rising tide lifts all boats, and we as women have a special responsibility to each other.”
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ALUMNAE SWEET SUMMER SEND OFF FOR 2020 AND 2021
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ALUMNAE SWEET SUMMER SEND OFF FOR 2020 AND 2021
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ALUMNAE REUNION
‘Twice the fun in 2-0-2-1’ Reunion honors Harpeth Hall's first students and the generations of girls that followed by Scottie Coombs ’78 and Miller Callen ’94
On September 17, 1951, Harpeth Hall’s first students arrived on the campus of rolling green hills to attend a new college preparatory school for young women. A welcome addition to the Nashville community, the school opened with 161 students, 15 faculty, and three administrators. Harpeth Hall quickly became established as a respected institution founded on the bold idea that girls deserved a future filled with possibilities and purpose. Now, 70 years later, alumnae who were members of the early Harpeth Hall classes reminisced about those years in Harpeth Hall’s history and reunited on campus to celebrate all that the school has become. It was a much-anticipated gathering after the pandemic postponed reunion events in 2020 and spring of 2021. Harpeth Hall’s “Twice the Fun in 2-0-2-1” reunion weekend finally took place on October 8-9, 2021. The weekend celebrated Harpeth Hall’s graduating classes ending in 0s, 1s, 5s, and 6s, beginning with 1955 and ending with 2016. Alumnae returned to campus from across the country and from as far away as the west coast and London. It was a picturesque weekend filled with reminiscing, renewing friendships, and creating new memories. At the Milestones Society luncheon, each class from 1955 to 1966 delighted in re-reading the dedication pages of their Milestones yearbooks. They were also entertained by 5th grade students who sang the alma mater. In turn, the 5th graders learned that luncheon attendee Fran Keltner Hardcastle ’55 was part of a group of students who helped former English teacher Martha Corwin Gregory pen the song in an upstairs classroom in Souby Hall. Mrs. Hardcastle recently found the handwritten lyrics from that day and gave them to the school. Later that afternoon, Harpeth Hall Today featured an informative question-and-answer session led by Head of School Jess Hill. Mrs. Hill was joined by Upper School world languages teacher and director of our Global Scholars program Elizabeth Allen, Middle School social studies teacher and chair of our SEEK program Garen Eadie, and students Sabrina Russell ’22
and Ashley Maliakal ’25. The discussion centered around some of the interdisciplinary work taking place in two of Harpeth Hall’s premier programs. Sabrina shared information about her Global Scholars capstone project “Using Sustainable Agricultural Techniques to Combat Food Insecurity” and Ashley described her Middle School SEEK (Scholars Engaged in Extending Knowledge) project entitled “Persuasive Technology and the Adolescent Brain.” On Saturday morning, Winterim in October classes offered yoga with past faculty member Leslie Matthews, pickleball with past Athletic Director Susan Russ, a watercolor class with Harpeth Hall alumna, past parent, and current Art Department Chair Susie Creagh Elder ’90, and a lecture, Henry VIII and His Six Wives, with the legendary Dr. Art Echerd. The Class of 1970 was finally able to celebrate its 50th Reunion brunch at Kirkman House after postponing the May 2020 reunion. Jess Hill recognized the class as the newest members of the Milestones Society. Alumnae received a special pin featuring oak leaves to symbolize strength and a magnolia blossom to signify beauty — a lasting symbol of the bond of being educated at one of the finest women’s schools in the country. Those who attended Saturday’s Reunion Alumnae Panel were in for a treat as panelists engaged the audience by leading an insightful, inspiring, and often humorous discussion that reflected life “beyond the plaid.” Led by moderator Nancy Graves Beveridge ’80, the panelists included Lisa Morrissey LaVange '71, Tammy Wolcott ’81, Mary Hunt Martin ’95, Carol Cavin-Dillon ’86, Brittany Northcross ’05, and Lexi Mossman ’11. These trailblazing alumnae described their career paths and accomplishments, the strengths and skills that differentiate them from their male peers, and they gave advice on how to persevere through challenges and pursue one’s passions. Saturday afternoon’s Cocktails on Campus drew a record crowd on Souby Lawn, and alumnae celebrated at individual class parties on both Friday and Saturday evenings. Harpeth Hall extends a very special thank you to Marguerite Nielsen Orndorff ’90 and Meredith McDonald Stewart ’96 for serving as the overall reunion chairs again ... and again! Many thanks to all the 2020 and 2021 reunion class co-chairs for your planning and flexibility.
1955 1956 1960 1961 1965 1966 1970 1971 1975 1976 1980 1981 1985 1986 1990 1991 1995 1996 2000 2001 2005 2006 2010 2011 2015 2016
We sincerely missed those who were unable to attend October’s event, and we hope to see you for the next reunion in May 2022 when we will celebrate classes ending in 2s and 7s. 38 | HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS
For more information on the upcoming reunion visit www.harpethhall.org/alumnae/reunion
ALUMNAE MILESTONES SOCIETY LUNCHEON
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ALUMNAE HARPETH HALL TODAY
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ALUMNAE CLASS OF 1970 50th REUNION BRUNCH
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ALUMNAE PANEL DISCUSSION
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ALUMNAE COCKTAILS ON CAMPUS
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ALUMNAE CLASS PARTIES
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1970
1976
1980
1985
1986
1990
ALUMNAE CLASS PARTIES
1991
1995
1996
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2001
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ALUMNAE CLASS PARTIES
2011
2006
2015
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2016
The Alumnae Network Spotlight Alumnae Relations and Winterim offices network to engage our junior year students
In
early November, the Alumnae Office invited 36 alumnae back to campus for a workshop with the class of 2023. This collaboration was designed to help the students hone their interview skills in preparation for their Winterim internships, college interviews, and future job opportunities. The learning objectives were to understand professional conduct, learn to take initiative in the workplace, and manage expectations. Each interview session was comprised of one alumna (the interviewer), one student applicant, and one or two student observers. Sample questions included: “Can you give an
example of when you worked in a team or led one?”; “What qualities or skills do you have that make you suitable for the internship?”; and “How would you describe your working/learning style?” The observing students used an interview rubric to provide the interviewing student with growth-oriented, clear, kind, and helpful feedback. Other topics of discussion included tips for making a good impression, how to research and prepare for an interview, suggestions for giving and receiving professional feedback, and phone, Zoom, and email etiquette.
To join the Alumnae Network, visit HarpethHall.org/alumnae/connect and learn more about accessing and using the platform.
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ALUMNAE HOLIDAY PARTY
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ALUMNAE COLLEGE AGE BRUNCH
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Harpeth Hall Internship Opportunities
Do you know a college or graduate student looking for professional experience in communications or advancement and alumnae relations? Maybe that person is you! We have just the opportunity! Harpeth Hall has two different part-time internship opportunities available this summer. These paid positions offer flexible days and hours Monday through Thursday. They are ideal roles for alumnae who seek work experience over the summer but may not be able to commit full time.
Advancement/Alumnae Relations Join the advancement/alumnae relations office this summer as an intern. We seek Harpeth Hall alumnae interested in fundraising and alumnae engagement. You will learn about our donor database Raiser’s Edge and the Alumnae Network app, the Harpeth Hall archives, alumnae programming, event management, alumnae engagement, and networking initiatives, and you will help prepare the office for the coming school year. Typical tasks include alumnae research, project management, photography work, archives assistance, data entry, and general administrative and office duties. Come join our team!
Communications Join the Harpeth Hall communications team this summer as an intern. This opportunity is great for alumnae interested in marketing and multi-media storytelling. You will join a creative and collaborative team and gain experience in website layout and design, newsletter creation, social media strategy, analytics, photo and video brainstorming and production, ad creation, content management, and more. Specific projects include assisting with visual archives, editing student and parent handbooks, and planning and writing editorial content for the school year ahead. We love new ideas and big-picture vision. We are eager to have you on our team.
How to Apply Please send your resume and cover letter to the alumnae relations office at alumnaeoffice@harpethhall.org detailing either the specific internship or the type of work you wish to accomplish, as well as other pertinent information. Contact Scottie Fillebrown Coombs ’78, director of alumnae relations, for questions about the advancement/alumnae relations internship at coombs@harpethhall.org or Jessica Bliss, director of marketing and communications, for questions about the communications internship at jessica.bliss@harpethhall.org.
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and international stages.
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argaret Groos set the national age-group record in the 1500-meter run and interscholastic high school records for the mile and half-mile races, and she led Harpeth Hall to two state track championships. As a testament to her incredible athletic accomplishments, the Nashville native was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame at the age of 15. She became the first female athlete to receive a full athletic scholarship to the University of Virginia, where she became a six-time All-American, setting records in every distance event. She was an alternate for the United States in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and competed in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea. She qualified for the 1988 Olympics by winning the Pittsburgh Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes, 50 seconds. This impressive finish made Margaret Groos only the fourth American woman, at that time, to run a marathon in under 150 minutes.
CALL for NOMINATIONS! NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR HARPETH HALL’S 2023 ALUMNAE AWARDS Harpeth Hall strives to recognize the extraordinary achievements of our alumnae with a variety of awards. From leadership and serving as an example for other women to outstanding service and excellence in athletics, these recipients deserve recognition from their alma mater.
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ers who unparalleled athletic abi specialize in a single strokes. At stroke, Tra lity allowed the cy her to dom Championsh age of 15, she won five inate all fou Caulkins’s ip in Berlin gol r swimming the nation’s and received d medals and one silver top amateur the James E. athlete. Sullivan Aw at the 1978 World At the Unive ard , which hon rsity of Flo rida, she wo medals and ors n 49 nation two silver me al titles. She of the 1980 went on to Olympics pre dals at the 1979 Pan Am Game national rec vented her s. The United win four gold ords at the fro States boycot 1981 U.S. Ch m competing, but In the 1984 she broke fou t ampionships Los Angeles r of her ow . 400-meter n individual Olympic Games, Tra cy Caulkin relay, setting setting an s won gold Oly a United Sta medals in tes record, named the mpic record, and wit the 200-meter h the 4x100 U.S. Olymp individual meter CoFame mmittee’s Class of 1981, Hallicof Induction relay, Sportswom2013medley relay team. She was an of the Yea r.
Tracy Caulkins Stockwell Harpeth Hall
Harpeth Hall’s Tracy Caulkins remains one of the most successful female swimmers of all time.
U
nlike most swimmers who specialize in a single stroke, Tracy Caulkins’s unparalleled athletic ability allowed her to dominate all four swimming strokes. At the age of 15, she won five gold medals and one silver at the 1978 World Championship in Berlin and received the James E. Sullivan Award, which honors the nation’s top amateur athlete. At the University of Florida, she won 49 national titles. She went on to win four gold medals and two silver medals at the 1979 Pan Am Games. The United States boycott of the 1980 Olympics prevented her from competing, but she broke four of her own national records at the 1981 U.S. Championships. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Tracy Caulkins won gold medals in the 400-meter individual relay, setting a United States record, 200-meter individual relay, setting an Olympic record, and with the 4x100 meter medley relay team. She was named the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Sportswoman of the Year.
1984 olympics
1984 olympics Harpeth Hall/Ward-Belmont Distinguished Alumna Award The Harpeth Hall/Ward-Belmont Distinguished Alumna Award recognizes graduates who have achieved wide recognition for professional excellence and leadership. Candidates for this award are women who are trailblazers, display extraordinary gifts of leadership and organizational ability, are moving spirits in health, welfare, cultural, or civic affairs, have achieved wide recognition for professional excellence and leadership, serve as an example for other women, and have attained unusual success in highly competitive fields. Distinguished Alumna Award candidates may also be women who have been nationally recognized for vision, skill, and commitment to make things happen.
Athletic Hall of Fame
(Awarded every four to five years) Established in 2013, the Harpeth Hall/ Ward-Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame honors notable alumnae athletes, coaches, and administrators who have demonstrated outstanding athletic ability by competing or coaching at the state, national, or international level. Through their good sportsmanship, citizenship, and character, these outstanding women left a lasting impression of achievement and excelled within the school’s athletic family.
Alumna Spirit of Service Award The Alumna Spirit of Service Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding service by a Harpeth Hall/Ward-Belmont alumna. The recipient of the award is a woman who has gone above and beyond the call to serve and who embodies Harpeth Hall’s mission to “develop responsible citizens who have global perspectives and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.” Award candidates are women who demonstrate an innovative approach to solving a problem or meeting a need, show a high level of commitment to their project, make a meaningful impact on the people or community they serve, inspire others through outreach and education, exhibit visionary and empowering leadership, and teach and mentor others interested in making a difference through service.
For more information and to find nomination forms visit
HarpethHall.org/alumnae/awards-spotlights
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ALUMNAE CLASS NOTES
1960s Congratulations to alumna Susan Willingham Simons ’60 and her husband, Luke, who were awarded the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Susan and Luke are civic and community leaders known for their generous philanthropy in the arts and health care in Nashville and beyond. They were honored at the annual luncheon on Dec. 2, 2021, at the Music City Center. Susan and Luke have served as Harpeth Hall trustees, and Susan served as board chair from 2004 to 2008. They both currently serve as honorary trustees. G’anne Harmon ’61 launched her own website that features poems, essays, and fiction writings. Visit www.georgeanneharmon.org to read her work. 1970s Kathy Herbert Granger ’76 recently retired from 36 years in public education, most recently as the superintendent of schools for the Mountain Empire Unified School District in San Diego, California. Kathy and her husband, Rob, relocated to Rancho Mirage, California, and are looking forward to traveling and visiting with children and grandchildren. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame included Amy Grant Gill ’78 in the class of 2021 inductees alongside Rhett Akins, Buddy Cannon, Toby Keith, and John Scott Sherrill. Lisa Ward-Smith ’78 moved to East Texas and is acclimating to country life. She has a new position as the finance secretary at First Baptist Church in Van, Texas. Nicki Pendleton Wood ’79 won a first place Tennessee Press Association award in the Coronavirus Features Coverage division for her story “Old skills revived for a strange new world.”
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1980s Classmates Nancy Graves Beveridge ’80 and Andree Akers LeQuire ’80 attended the Women’s Suffrage event at Centennial Park. Nancy represented the Joe C. Davis Foundation and Andree honored her featured-artist husband, Alan LeQuire. Penelope Logan Furry ’83 was reelected as board president of the Coppell Arts Center Foundation. The new arts center is in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and houses three performance spaces, a gallery, an artist studio space, and a reception hall. The center opened in September 2021. Elizabeth Hightower Allen ’85 developed a website for Hightower Creative. She is available for contract editing for magazines, book publishers, nonprofits, and individual writers who want coaching, manuscript editing, or a second eye. She does everything from whole book edits to magazine packages and would love to hear about your project. Her work since leaving @outsidemagazine has been very rewarding, and you can see her work at hightowercreative.com.
Nashville Business Journal named Lela Hollabaugh ’85 on its Best of the Bar honoree list, and she was also named chair of the 2020 Campaign for Equal Justice of The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. Nashville Business Journal also named Nancy Wood Stabell ’88 on its Best of the Bar honoree list. 1990s Beth Rather Gorman ’90 is the new chief development officer at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., which is the largest social service provider in the area, second only to the government. For more than 90 years, the organization has been committed to providing access to those in need, particularly the homeless, at-risk immigrants, and persons with mental and developmental disabilities. Tara Scarlett ’91, Lissa Smith ’91, and Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92 are among 10 Nashville leaders tapped for a Harvard Business School leadership program. The Young American Leaders Program is a national project aimed at improving
shared prosperity and inspiring collaborative innovation in American communities, according to a news release. The program includes 10 representatives from 14 U.S. cities. Participants are chosen by senior leaders in their communities. Global Action Platform, a Nashville-based organization focused on creating abundance in food, health, and prosperity, selected the representatives from Music City who will engage in a case study on urban and rural regional collaborations and strategies for economic resilience. Tara is president of The Scarlett Family Foundation; Lissa is the associate for pastoral care and cathedral life at Christ Church Cathedral; and Marcie is the president and founder of MAC Presents. Congratulations to Emily Hatch Bowman ’94 for being selected to Nashville Business Journal’s Best of the Bar honoree list for 2021. Mary Beth Scherer Thomas ’96 is the first executive director of the Sports Wagering Advisory Council, a gaming council which recently became an independent entity. Mary Beth was previously general counsel in the Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office that oversees fantasy sports and other charitable gaming in Tennessee. Tallu Schuyler Quinn ’98 is the recipient of the inaugural Woman of Purpose award from Les Dames d’Escoffier International. The award recognizes an exceptional woman who has made a positive impact in a local or global community, incorporating the important and complex realms of global sustainability, food justice, and public health. Tallu is also one of three recipients of the Luminary Award for Community Service, which is co-sponsored by Family & Children's Service and the Young Leaders Council. This award is given each year to up to three young
professionals whose service to others has had a significant impact in our community. Tallu recently signed a book deal with Convergent Books, a division of Penguin Random House. 2000s Nashville Business Journal named Michelle Gaskin Brown ’01 as one of its 40 Under 40 recipients for the second year in a row. Lindsay Owens, Ph.D. ’02 is the executive director for Groundwork Collaborative. She previously held senior roles in both the United States House and Senate for Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Keith Ellison. Prior to relocating to Washington, D.C., she worked as an award-winning sociologist who published widely on the economic consequences of the Great Recession. When she has the time, she teaches an undergraduate seminar on poverty and inequality at Georgetown University. Caroline Moses Sprouse ’02 took the role of senior director of communications at the Brookdale Senior Living community after almost a decade at Nissan Motor Corporation. Kendra Abkowitz Brooks ’03 received her Master in Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University in May 2020. In October 2021, Nashville Mayor John Cooper named Kendra as his chief sustainability and resilience officer. She previously served as assistant commissioner and director of policy and sustainable practices at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
Allie Bohannon ’04 was accepted into Class I of the Southeast Fellows Institute. The Institute was created by Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, to develop future leaders through a series of in-depth educational presentations led by outstanding subject matter experts in each field. Allie was also selected for the second edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for her work in tax law, trusts, and estates. Kim Hogg Massey ’04 left Kimberly-Clark Corporation in June where she served as category manager for several divisions and joined Lifeway Christian Resources as its first chief marketing officer. She is responsible for the strategic direction, development, and execution of Lifeway's brand and marketing strategy. She will partner with other executive leaders to influence sales and e-commerce strategies and to improve the customer experience. Emily Crowell ’05 was promoted to an assistant executive director at TSSAA and is the first woman in the organization to reach that level in the association's 96-year history. After initially joining the TSSAA in 2010 as an administrative assistant, Crowell was later named director of championship events and placed in charge of middle school and high school tournaments. She will continue working with state championships, overseeing bid processes, contracts, event preparation, and event management. Additionally, she will continue to supervise Unified Sports as well as eligibility concerns at the middle and high school levels. Ana Nettles ’05 was finally able to celebrate with many Harpeth Hall friends and family at her postponed wedding in August. Pictured left to right are Aidan Nettles ’13, Sarah Dolan Kaldor ’09, Lauren McKinney ’05, Ellen Hammer Stroop ’05, former Head of School Ann Teaff, Ana Nettles ’05, Ellen Byrd ’05, Sabin Nettles ’09, and Anne Laurence Johnson ’06. Not pictured but present in celebration are Tori Patterson MacDougall ’05, Morgan Stengel ’05, Mary Lindley Carswell ’05, Cameron Sweeting '05, Alice Campbell ’05, and Betsy Shapiro Silverman ’71. WINTER 2022 | 53
ALUMNAE CLASS NOTES
Elizabeth Bohannon ’06 was named one of Indiana University's 20 under 40 list. Maggie McCain Bradley ’07 was named as one of the 2021 Women Leaders in Technology by Consulting Magazine for excellence across three categories: leadership, client service, and innovation. Winners were celebrated during a virtual program that emphasized women’s contributions to technology consulting. Maggie is a consultant with North Highland, bringing a strong background in technology expertise to help clients propel their organizations forward. Lauren Quinn Barnacastle ’08 is the development director for STAIR Birmingham, an organization focused on students in the Birmingham community who struggle with literacy. Through one-on-one tutoring, the organization empowers students with the tools to read better and dream bigger, because every child deserves to read on grade level. Lisa Carson ’08 was featured in Sewanee’s alumni magazine highlighting her business Occo, a one-of-a-kind online business that provides spices in convenient, half-teaspoon portions, delivered in airtight pods to keep them fresh until they are used. Recently, Occo has paired with “top chefs” like Mei Lin, Adriana Urbina, and Nina Compton to develop co-branding deals. Alex McLure Colvin, Ph.D., ’08 received the 2021 Outstanding Young Alumna of the Year from her alma mater, Samford University. Alex is the curator of public programs for the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH). In this role, she has worked on the Alabama Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee, a group that commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution federally guaranteeing American women the right to vote. She graduated magna cum laude from Samford in 2012 and earned her Ph.D. in history from Auburn University in 2019.
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Channing Garber Brown ’09 completed her residency in internal medicinepediatrics and was named assistant program director of the University of Alabama Birmingham Internal MedicinePediatrics Residency Program in September 2021.
Congratulations to Sabin Nettles ’09 for receiving the Washington University Society for Neuroscience’s Pre/ Postdoctoral Next Generation Award. This honor recognizes the outstanding efforts of individuals who have introduced neuroscience to young
students through outreach or communication efforts. Sabin leads the Brain Discovery initiative, which brings scientists from Washington University into fourth- to sixth-grade classrooms for a six-week hands-on course in neuroscience. She is a graduate student in the lab of Harrison Gabel, Ph.D., assistant professor in the neuroscience department at Washington University School of Medicine and a recipient of the Lucille P. Markey Special Emphasis Pathway in Human Pathobiology Fellowship. Molly Saint Sung ’10 was promoted to director of marketing at Chainalysis, Inc., a $4 billion cryptocurrency investigations and data company with a mission to make the cryptocurrency ecosystem safer. She oversees a team of 10 field marketers around the globe. Maddie Shankle ’12 completed her Master of Science in Physical Oceanography at Bangor University, Wales, in the summer of 2021. Last fall, she began a Ph.D. program in paleoclimatology at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Maddie was part of a multi-institutional research
team led by Yale and the University of St. Andrews to confirm a major finding of climate models regarding changes that may occur to Pacific Ocean currents — including those that drive El Niño events — with just a few degrees of global warming. The findings were published in the journal Nature. Kathleen Lang ’13 relocated to London in October 2021 for a two-year secondment with the advisory firm Brunswick Group. She was formerly based in Brunswick’s New York office for four years. At Brunswick, Kathleen also completed a four-month client assignment with oil giant Saudi Aramco in spring 2020, during which she split her time between Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Bonnie Scott ’13 is finishing her final year at University of Chicago where she will earn a Master of Divinity in June 2022. She will pursue ordination as a priest in the Episcopal Church. Isabel Kennon ’15 was profiled by the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago highlighting her years of community service and the
importance of helping others. She is currently in her first year of graduate school earning her Master of Public Policy and hopes to ultimately leverage that degree towards work in housing policy. Helen Mistler ’15, Abby Anderson ’16, and Corinne Brien ’17 are in medical school at East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine as part of the class of 2025. Grace McCaskill ’16, a Scarlett Scholar at Auburn University, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and is pursuing a career in neuro-nursing in Nashville. Kelly Short ’16 graduated from Auburn University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is an inpatient psychiatric registered nurse in Franklin, Tennessee. Caroline Daniel ’17 received the graduating senior Academic Achievement Award at Belmont University as a scholar athlete on the cross country team.
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ALUMNAE CLASS NOTES
Rachel Hagan ’17 graduated from Florida Southern College with a Bachelor of Art in Political Science, and she is working towards her Master in International Relations at American University. Eliza Hawkins ’17 graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a double major in medicine, health, and society and psychology. She received the C.W. Kempkau scholarship, which is awarded to an outstanding pre-specialty student at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She began nursing school at Vanderbilt during the fall of 2021. Janet Ann Horner ’17 graduated from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business with a degree in finance. Sophia Howard ’17 graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, with a degree in comparative women's studies and philosophy. Sophia worked on the research team for HBO Max's Hallowed Ground Educational Toolkit last summer and authored the “Movement Toolkit” and “You Matter and We Need You” sections. She was a Yale Law School undergraduate summer fellow, interning with RestoreHER, while making plans to attend law school. Sophia moved to South Africa in January for six months to work with a non-profit focused on providing preventative HIV/AIDS education through comprehensive sex education. Sadie Paczosa ’17 graduated summa cum laude as a Trustee Scholar from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and a minor in business from the Marshall School of Business. Sadie interned with Bites Media in Los Angeles last summer. Karin Scott ’17 graduated from The George Washington University in December 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Communication from the School of Media and Public Affairs.
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Karin graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Karin is a strategic communications associate with the Washington, D.C. firm Narrative Strategies. Emma Wise ’17 graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology and a minor in international business. She is continuing
her career as an analyst for Deloitte Consulting in Arlington, Virginia, after completing two prior internships with the firm. Lady Frances Hamilton ’18 was honored as Miss Homecoming at Auburn University. She was elected by Auburn’s student body and crowned by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Miss Homecoming runs a campaign based
on a platform that impacts and benefits Auburn University or a surrounding community in some way. Students are encouraged to explore the candidates’ platforms and vote to build awareness about and to impact a particular platform. Lady Frances’ platform was “We Can with Lady Fran,” which promoted inclusivity and a sense of belonging by developing ways for incoming and current students to feel at home while at Auburn. During the summer of 2021, Emily Vandewater ’18 interned on Capitol Hill for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for the Minority Staff. When the House was in session, Emily’s day-today tasks included setting up events, researching background information for certain employees, and attending hearings and think-tank events. During legislative recess, Emily took part in research opportunities.
San Francisco Alums Shirley Li ’02, former Head of School Ann Teaff, Caitlin Casey ’12, and Maggie Waltemath Ash ’03
Stefanie Chuguluri ’20, Keona Dordor ’20, Amy Gilmore ’20, and Rebecca Viner ’20 spoke to the senior class on April 28, 2021, about their college freshman experience as part of the Senior Transition to College Series. Rebecca was also elected as a freshman senator to student government at Colgate University. Ainsley Hanrahan ’20 made the Dean's List during both semesters of her freshman year at Washington University in St. Louis. Annie Taylor ’20 completed her plebe year at the United States Naval Academy in May 2020. She received The Carl Vinson Leadership Award for plebe leadership. She was first in her class and set a new school record in the pentathlon.
Anne Earthman ’19 provided a picture of three generations of Harpeth Hall girls at Camp Illahee — Emma Downey ’18, Kelty Jones ’26, Gretchen Strayhorn Greene ’86, and Anne Earthman ’19.
In her final appearance as a high school swimmer and Bearacuda, Gretchen Walsh ’21 came within .02 seconds of her national independent school record in the 50-yerd freestyle, winning the event with a time of 21.61 seconds. It was Gretchen’s ninth sub-22-second performance and her fourth fastest time ever. Gretchen also produced the fastest 100-yard freestyle time in the combined results, going 47.55 seconds. She set the state record a year ago with 46.98 seconds. She also contributed to Harpeth Hall winning the 4x50 free (21.65 seconds leadoff for her 10th sub-22 race) and 4x100 free (47.14 seconds as anchor) relays.
Gretchen joined her sister, Alex Walsh ’20, on the University of Virginia roster this fall. Alex won an Olympic silver medal in the 200-meter individual medley at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Her time of 2:08.65 was 0.13 seconds behind Japanese gold medalist Yui Ohashi. The Walsh sisters were featured on the May/June cover of Swimming World magazine: CHASING THE ULTIMATE DREAM TOGETHER by David Rieder. “Alex and Gretchen Walsh have worked their way up the pecking order of American swimming,” Mr. Rieder wrote, “and in 2021, the talented sisters from the Nashville Aquatic Club and two-time national champion Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tenn., will get their shot at their greatest goal: the Olympics!”
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Harpeth Hall’s social media sites have more than 14,500 participating members. Join us and stay connected with alumnae from around the globe.
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ALUMNAE BIRTHS
Russell Franklin Bailey
Wyatt Xavier Creed
John “Loch” Danieley
George Frederick Garvey
Ann “Annie” Moon Griffin
Jackson Francis Irving
Katherine Scarlett Jacques
John Whitson “Whit” Kerrigan
William Brooks Kline
Annette Callaway Louden
Sloane Annsley Mattern
Margaret “Maggie” Graves Robinson
Elizabeth Scott “Scottie” Snyder
Charlotte Grace Vacek
Martha “Nell” Webb
Patrick Mann Weldon and George Butler Weldon
Emy Noel Sanderson ’98 son, Charles Noel “Charlie” Sanderson, on November 5, 2021
Megan Turner Vacek ’03 daughter, Charlotte Grace Vacek, on November 2, 2020
English Taylor ’07 son, Taylor James Cowgill, on September 20, 2021
Megan Casey ’00 son, Shepherd Flynn “Shep” Stampley, on July 26, 2021
Ashton Alexander ’04 son, William Brooks Kline, on August 13, 2021
Lindsey Rollins Webb ’07 daughter, Martha “Nell” Webb, on February 18, 2021
Lizzie Smith Keller '01 daughter, Madison Aria Evelyn Keller, on February 15, 2021
Melinda Higgins Louden ’04 daughter, Annette Callaway Louden, on June 19, 2021
Cate Tidwell McLeane ’08 daughter, Emily Elizabeth McLeane, October 8, 2021
Paige Roady Mantegna ’01 daughter, Laney Florea Mantegna, on October 26, 2020
Elizabeth Bradbury McAlpin ’04 Daughter, Anne Murphree McAlpin, on November 5, 2021
Elizabeth Belk Snyder ’08 daughter, Elizabeth Scott “Scottie” Snyder, on June 4, 2021
Meg Porch ’01 daughter, Lucy Emilia Evans, on September 3, 2021
Hayley Phipps Robinson ’04 daughter, Margaret “Maggie” Graves Robinson, on August 27, 2021
Channing Garber Brown ’09 daughter, Kathryne Haynes Garber, on February 25, 2021
Elizabeth Stout Creed ’02 son, Wyatt Xavier Creed, on May 9, 2021
Corinne Hartong Mattern ’05 daughter, Sloane Annsley Mattern, on October 4, 2021
Ann Francis Garvey ’09 son, George Frederick Garvey, on October 9, 2021
EA Manier Homans ’02 daughter, Emily Ann Homans, on July 19, 2021
Lindsay Jacques Irving ’06 son, Jackson Francis Irving, on August 8, 2021
Allison Oldacre Griffin ’03 daughter, Ann “Annie” Moon Griffin, on July 31, 2021
Denton Whitson Kerrigan ’06 son, John Whitson “Whit” Kerrigan, on February 16, 2021
Caroline Winsett Weldon ’09 son, Patrick Mann Weldon, on July 17, 2020, and son, George Butler Weldon, on October 12, 2021
Anna Mayo Jacques ’03 daughter, Katherine Scarlett Jacques, on November 1, 2021
Ruth Franklin Bailey ’07 son, Russell Franklin Bailey, on July 13, 2021
Austin Jones Reeves ’03 son, Robert “Cooper” Reeves II, on October 10, 2021
Allison Buntin Snavely ’07 son, Derrick “Rhett” Oman Snavely, on July 4, 2021
Katie Atkins Ritzen ’03 daughter, McCord Meadows Ritzen, in September 2021
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Mary Daniel Smith Danieley ’10 son, John “Loch” Danieley, September 7, 2021 Kelly Meehan Day ’10 son, William Day, on August 26, 2021 Delaney Royer ’13 son, Ryman Saint Smith, on April 27, 2021
We welcome photos in our Class Notes, Marriages and Births sections. We prefer high resolution, 300 dpi jpegs. Email your digital photos to Alumnae Relations Manager, Tonja Russo, at tonja.russo@harpethhall.org.
ALUMNAE MARRIAGES Mari-Kate Hopper ’92 to Morris Brent Miller on July 10, 2021
Elizabeth Floyd ’09 to Jack Read on October 9, 2021
Meredith Manning ’12 to Thomas Griswold on May 15, 2021
Ashley Smith ’99 to Roy Hasle on June 26, 2020
Kathleen Riley ’09 to William Clay Timmons on November 6, 2021
Lily Wheeler ’12 to Andrew Wright on June 14, 2021
Whitney Haley ’05 to Zachary Robert Kalb on September 25, 2021
Meredith Lawrence ’09 to Patrick Scully on November 6, 2021
McCall Hagler ’13 to Zachary Matarazzo on October 16, 2021
Ana Nettles ’05 to Remington Shepard on August 21, 2021
Lena Bichell ’10 to Chris Dienst on September 6, 2021
Bonnie Scott ’13 to Joey Keegin on September 19, 2020
Allie Phipps ’06 to Erich Raney Schoen on July 31, 2021
Elizabeth Ragan ’10 to William Thomas Holets on July 3, 2021
Grace Hawkins ’14 to Michael Franklin on October 30, 2021
Diana Wallace ’06 to Brandon Perdue on September 19, 2021
Mabry Jackson ’10 to Jared Parchem on May 1, 2021
Reagan Alley ’14 to Matthew Michaletz on May 29, 2021
Becca Hill ’07 to Neal Halper on June 12, 2021
Caroline Kay ’10 to Phil Steinberg on October 9, 2021
KK Rechter ’14 to Zach Sibert on August 21, 2021
Allison Rappuhn ’08 to Jacob Beck on June 20, 2020
Catherine Smith ’11 to Miles Cullom on July 25, 2020
Anna Kate Rader ’15 to Jacob Lowry on September 11, 2021
Samantha Lewis ’09 to Michael O’Neil Callaghan on May 22, 2021
Jamie Wallace ’11 to Tucker Roy on August 15, 2020
Leah Hays ’15 to Reid Parker on May 15, 2021
Kathleen Diehl ’09 to Spencer Kennard on October 31, 2020
Sara Anderson ’11 to Blair Tynes on June 19, 2021
Kelsey Kay Herring ’17 to David Kerckhoff on May 15, 2021
Allison Rappuhn Beck
Meredith Manning Griswold
Kelsey Kay Herring Kerckhoff
Becca Hill Halper
Elizabeth Floyd Read
McCall Hagler Matarazzo
Allie Phipps Schoen
Sara Anderson Tynes
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IN MEMORIAM — TRUSTEES
Ben R. Rechter
B
en R. Rechter of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away May 7, 2021. Mr. Rechter was a Harpeth Hall trustee from 1984-1990. Mr. Rechter attended Hanover College and Indiana University and received
honorary degrees from Fisk, Belmont, and Meharry Medical College. Over the span of nearly 50 years, Mr. Rechter was well known for his dedication to the Nashville community. A true visionary, he played an integral role in projects that helped shape Nashville into the city it is today. In addition
to Harpeth Hall, Mr. Rechter served on numerous boards, and he worked behind the scenes and personally touched and impacted many lives. Some of the organizations and projects he was involved in included: Fisk University, United Way of Middle Tennessee, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Symphony, Nashville Public Television, and The National Museum of African American Music. Mr. Rechter’s wise counsel extended to both family and business, and for many decades he played a central leadership role at Rogers Group, the family business begun by his grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Joan, two brothers, one sister, two sons, daughter Jennifer Rechter Paisley ’88, six grandchildren including K.K. Rechter Sibert ’14 and Brenna Paisley ’24, and two great-grandchildren.
The Rev. G. Frederick Dettwiller II
T
he Rev. Frederick Dettwiller of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away October 22, 2021. The Rev. Dettwiller served on the Harpeth Hall board from 1991-1997. A leader in Tennessee's business and
religious communities, he was an active individual who accomplished much and touched many lives. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, he founded his first beer distributorship and ultimately became the owner of one of Tennessee's largest beer distributors, DET Distributing. He chaired the Nashville Convention Center Commission and as well as the committee that recommended Nashville build Bridgestone Arena. Additionally, he
chaired the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority and the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission. As a champion of civil rights and education, he chaired the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, the Tennessee State University Foundation Board, and Tennesseans for Better Schools. The Rev. Dettwiller entered the priesthood in 2004 after a lifetime of involvement in the Episcopal Church. He began his church service as a deacon of St. Phillips Church in Nashville, then as the pastor of the Church of Our Savior in Gallatin, Tennessee. The Rev. Dettwiller is survived by his wife, Kathryn King Dettwiller ’65, who taught at Harpeth Hall from 1977-1981, one son, daughters and step-daughters including A.K. Dettwiller ’96, Helene Dettwiller Vaughn ’98, Christin Mathes Robbins ’90, and Kim Dettwiller Burton ’82, and 11 grandchildren.
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IN MEMORIAM — PAT MORAN
F
or 40 years, Pat Neblett Moran ’51 shared her spirited laugh and smile with the Harpeth Hall community. As a coach, she focused on the positive attitude and sportsmanship of her athletes. As an educator, she taught her students as much about life as she did about the fundamentals of the sports she coached. Mrs. Moran passed away on Sept. 11, 2021, at age 90 leaving a legacy of dedication, teamwork, and positivity.
As a member of Ward-Belmont’s last graduating collegiate class in 1951, Mrs. Moran majored in physical education. She continued her studies at Peabody College for Teachers, which is now part of Vanderbilt University, and joined Harpeth Hall in 1956 as a physical education and health teacher. In teaching and in coaching, Mrs. Moran emphasized a student’s best effort and team leadership over victories. “I wanted my teams to be the best they could be, and that didn’t always mean that they would win everything,” she once said of her coaching philosophy. “If you work and give all that you have, then you get a certain satisfaction from that. I was always looking for a leader, and many times found that she was not always going to be the best player.” Mrs. Moran enjoyed victories as much as anyone, and she always encouraged her teams to achieve at the highest level attainable for that particular team. As the coach of middle school and varsity volleyball, middle school basketball, and varsity tennis, she impressed upon her students the concepts of team first, positive attitude, and sportsmanship. Through those guiding principles, she led the Harpeth Hall tennis teams to three state championships. Mrs. Moran became head of the Harpeth Hall athletic department in 1981, following the retirement of her colleague and fellow Ward-Belmont alumna Miss Patty Chadwell. Around that same time, Mrs. Moran expanded her coaching to the collegiate level. Three years after Vanderbilt University established its women’s basketball program in 1977, Mrs. Moran joined the Lady Commodores staff as an assistant coach. For six seasons, she helped shape the athletics program at Vanderbilt while continuing to lead students at Harpeth Hall. She retired from Harpeth Hall in 1996 as the last remaining Ward-Belmont graduate to teach and coach at the school. Today, Mrs. Moran’s legacy is recognized with the annual Pat Moran Award chosen each year by Harpeth Hall coaches and presented to a senior athlete who participates in two or more sports and may not always be the best athlete on her team, but is someone who leads the team with a positive attitude and brings much more to a team than just her athletic ability. Mrs. Moran is survived by her loving daughter, Georgianne, son in law, William, two nephews Pat and Kenny and family friend Emily.
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IN MEMORIAM — SUSAN McKEAND BAUGHMAN ’56
B
arely 5 feet tall and 100 pounds soaking wet, Susan McKeand Baughman was small in stature, but she was larger than life. She always moved quickly and with purpose. Her sense of fair play, commitment to confidentiality, big heart, and loving spirit for her fellow human beings endeared her to all who knew her. When Susan passed away on Dec. 18, 2021, she left a void felt sorely by those who knew and loved her. A graduate of Harpeth Hall’s Class of 1956, Mrs. Baughman’s Harpeth Hall roots extend back to Ward-Belmont where her mother, Susie Hughes McKeand, was a member of the Class of 1932. Her sister, Peggy Ann McKeand Frank, and sister-in-law, Missy Herbert McKeand, graduated from Harpeth Hall in 1959 and 1958 respectively, and her daughter, Ann Baughman Walsh graduated in 1991. As a student, Susan was a varsity athlete in field hockey and table tennis, a representative on the Lady of Hall court, and an officer or president of almost everything, including Student Council, science club, French club, Junior Classical League, and Eccowasin. Not surprisingly, she also served as sergeant-at-arms for the Honor Council and other student organizations. Eternally grateful for the experiences and opportunities which her education afforded her, Mrs. Baughman was fiercely loyal to Harpeth Hall, serving as reunion class chair multiple times and on the Distinguished Alumna Selection Committee. In 1997, she was awarded the Dede Bullard Wallace Award, the most prestigious award given to a Harpeth Hall alumna. Harpeth Hall established the award in 1969 to honor individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to our school and to our community, just as Dede Bullard Wallace, class of 1953, did during her lifetime. Mrs. Baughman was also a member of the Founders Society. For many Harpeth Hall alumnae, Mrs. Baughman is best remembered as an instantly likable faculty member and well-respected administrator. After raising her children and working extensively as a volunteer, Mrs. Baughman began a late-in-life career and returned to her alma mater, first as a college counselor and then as director of the Upper School. Her tenure spanned more than a decade from 1985 to 1997. In honor of her
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.” — SHAKESPEARE’S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
impact, each year Harpeth Hall presents the Susan McKeand Baughman Award to a graduating Harpeth Hall senior who demonstrates the same impeccable personal integrity and selfless devotion to Harpeth Hall that Mrs. Baughman embodied. “People like Mrs. Baughman have given Harpeth Hall its reputation — her contribution is immeasurable,” Lindsay Voigt ’99 wrote on the dedication page of the Milestones yearbook in 1997, Susan’s last year at the school. On the same page, faculty member Legare Vest wrote, “She’s the woman, the heart of the school.” Leading by example, Mrs. Baughman encouraged the highest personal standards in others and provided a daily reminder of how to live life with compassion and honor. During her retirement, Mrs. Baughman enjoyed spending time with her friends and her family, traveling, reading, being involved with Westminster Presbyterian Church, volunteering in politics, and generally staying busy helping anyone she could. Former Harpeth Hall Director of Admissions Hilrie Brown said, “Susan could be the hostess with the mostess at dinner parties and would be the first on the scene with a casserole when a friend needed comfort.” Mrs. Baughman found immense joy and lifelong friends during her career at Harpeth Hall. Predating the famed “male posse” was the “Souby Sisters.” Mrs. Baughman was an integral part of this group of former faculty members who worked in Souby Hall and have maintained their friendships for more than 20 years. They include: Dot Akin, Betty Jane Guffee Barringer ‘59, Hilrie Brown, Anne King, Margie Fish Martin ’67, Donna Montague, Dianne Buttrey Wild ’66, and the late Emily Fuller, late Polly Nichols, and late Nan Reed. In 2018, some of the Souby Sisters traveled to Knoxville to celebrate Mrs. Baughman’s 80th birthday. “Heaven gained a prize,” Mrs. Brown said. “Susan, we Souby Sisters love and miss you.”
1997 Yearbook Dedications Honoring Ms. Baughman
Mrs. Baughman To me, Mrs. Baughman “does so much for “ represents the true nature of
Harpeth Hall, but she’s never too busy to help out a student.
”
— KATE CELAURO ’98
Harpeth Hall; she is a woman of class, grace, and congeniality who is always happy to greet you with a smile. — JESSICA TUCKER ’97
”
Mrs. Baughman believed in her students and ‘never let them sell themselves short’ When Madie McKnight Smith ’94 was a student, she knew Mrs. Baughman would promptly issue students a pink slip for chewing gum, leaving books in an undesignated area, or not responding to a library notice. The offense was always warranted. At age 24, Ms. Smith was newly entering the workforce 62 HARPETH HALL HALLWAYS and |found herself working side by side with Mrs.
Baughman, now “Susan,” in the college counseling department at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin. “Susan was incredibly dedicated to her work, so good at what she did, and she was an incredible mentor,” Mrs. Smith said. “I learned so much from her. She always treated me as her equal, and she believed in me, at times before I believed in myself.
“Susan had amazing people skills and could relate to anyone. She could read a room, calm a room, speak her mind, and always be thoughtful and on point. She always encouraged her students, and she never let them sell themselves short.”
IN MEMORIAM — ALUMNAE
Mary Maxine Bozeman Salmon ’39 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away October 8, 2021. Maxine was a teacher and member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She is survived by three daughters, one son, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Mary Elizabeth Lowery Pate C’46* of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away May 13, 2021. Mary Elizabeth was honored with a life membership in the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs. She is survived by one daughter, one son, and two granddaughters.
Ellen Josephine McGehee Cavert C’40* of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away August 4, 2021. She was honored and loved by her community as a champion of Jacksonville’s sick children. Ellen is survived by three daughters, 11 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
Sarah Jane Mathes Close ’48 of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, passed away August 8, 2021. She is survived by two sons, two daughters, nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Martha Harvey Allen Allen C’41* of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on August 23, 2021. Dorothy Jane Murphey Kendrick C’42* of Waco, Texas, passed away on July 6, 2021. She was an art teacher, founder of Lakewood Christian Church, and enjoyed golf and foreign travel. She is survived by two sons, one daughter, four grandsons, two granddaughters, and six great-grandchildren. Jane Smith Parrish Tacker C’44* of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away July 13, 2021. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church. Jane is survived by three daughters including Beth Parrish Hamilton ’70 and Susan Parrish Batizy ’71, two stepchildren, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Lorena McGarry Frith ’45 of Florence, Alabama, passed away November 10, 2021. She was a longtime teacher at Hillwood Playcare Nursery and a member of Hillwood Presbyterian Church. She is survived by two sons, two daughters-in-law including Emily McAlister Frith ’75, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Carolyn Sterry Magruder ’45 of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away October 18, 2021. Carolyn enjoyed antiques, genealogy, and the community of Cashiers, North Carolina. She is survived by two sons, one daughter, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Ellen White Dillon ’48 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away May 16, 2021. She was a teacher and active community volunteer. Ellen is survived by one son, daughter Emmie Dillon Thomas ’76, three grandchildren including Ellen Thomas ’09, one brother, and nephews. Ann McCaskill Leonard C’49* of Spartanburg, South Carolina, passed away May 31, 2021. She was active in the Wofford College community and in the United Methodist Church. Ann is survived by one daughter, one son, three granddaughters, three great-grandchildren, and one brother. Bonnie Jean Sharp Neuville C’49* of Georgetown, Kentucky, passed away September 21, 2021. She taught horseback riding and was involved with Morgan horses most of her life. She was also very committed to Meals on Wheels and shaping the character of young people who also enjoyed horses. Mary Ellen Clements Price C’49* of Hammond, Louisiana, passed away May 18, 2021. She is survived by two sons, two daughters, 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Barbara “Bobbye” Berrien Salt ’49 of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed away May 29, 2021. Bobbye was a librarian at Wake Forest University for 22 years and was involved in many community organizations. She is survived by one daughter, one son, and three grandchildren.
* denotes Ward-Belmont College
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IN MEMORIAM — ALUMNAE
Patricia (Pat) Dolfuss Whitcomb C’49* of Seymour, Indiana, passed away June 27, 2021. Pat was the former first lady of Indiana, operated a successful Honey Baked Ham franchise, and was involved in many community organizations. She is survived by five children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Isabel Pryor Hendrix C’50* of Kernersville, North Carolina, passed away September 2, 2021. Isabel was an active member of Elam United Methodist Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where she enjoyed playing the handbells. She is survived by five children and 10 grandchildren. Elaine Claire Eastland Vial C’50* of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2021. She was active in many community organizations and her children's schools. Elaine is survived by her son, daughter, two grandsons, and nieces and nephews. Kathryn Williams Dobyns C’51* of Dandridge, Tennessee, passed away July 9, 2021. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City and enjoyed mission trips and travel. She is survived by three sons, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Ellen Kaupke Howrey C’51* of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away July 7, 2021. Ellen was a female pioneer in the newspaper industry, worked as a realtor, owned a clothing boutique, and was involved in many community organizations. She is survived by two daughters, three granddaughters, two grandsons, and three great-grandchildren. Rosemary Melton McKenzie ’51 of Point Clear, Alabama, passed away October 22, 2021. She was active in her community and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Fairhope. Rosemary is survived by three sons, two stepsons, two stepdaughters, 15 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Ridgely Baskerville Duvall Nash C’51* of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away May 19, 2021. She ran a bed and breakfast business in her retirement and was a talented artist. She is survived by her son, daughter, six grandchildren, and a stepdaughter.
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Nancy Rule Goldberger ’52 of Housatonic, Massachusetts, passed away in 2017. Nancy was in Harpeth Hall’s first graduating class and was the 1997 recipient of the Harpeth Hall and Ward-Belmont Distinguished Alumna Award. She was a highly gifted psychologist and researcher who collaborated on the best-seller book Women's Ways of Knowing (Basic Books, 1956) as well as several other books. She also taught at New York University, Simon's Rock of Bard College, and Fielding Institute. Nancy is survived by her husband, one daughter, and one grandson. Ruthe “Donnie” Creighton Norman ’52 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away August 24, 2021. Donnie was in Harpeth Hall's first graduating class and was the first Lady of the Hall. She had a 40-year career in real estate. Donnie is survived by her husband, son, three grandsons, and sisters Shirley Berger Lechleiter ’49 and Elinor Berger Peek ’60. Nancy Bauman Maney ’53 of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away July 24, 2021. She had a long career with General Electric, was a member of Beargrass Christian Church, and was involved in many community organizations. She is survived by one daughter, one son, and four grandchildren. Elizabeth Smith Bass ’55 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on July 26, 2021. She was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church, the Junior League of Nashville, and the Garden Club of America. Liz is survived by her husband, two daughters including Susanne Bass Young ’80, her son and daughter-in-law Candy Colton Bass ’86, sister-in-law Susie Bass Bowen ’67, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Mary Eleanor Sneed ’60 of Pegram, Tennessee, passed away August 11, 2021. She had a lifelong love of horses. Mary is survived by her sister Melinda “Topper” Sneed Williams ’63, two daughters, two granddaughters, one grandson, and one great-grandson. Ella Charlie McKenzie ’17 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away August 23, 2021. Ella Charlie was a senior at St. John’s College. While at Harpeth Hall, Ella Charlie was involved in musical theatre, creative writing, and Logos newspaper. Survivors include sister Sophie McKenzie ’19 and mother Laura McKenzie.
The Annual Fund 2021 – 2022
David, Lexie ’22, Lilly ’24, and Alberta Fitzgerald
As
we reflect on our family’s time at Harpeth Hall, we are amazed and humbled by the generosity of our donors who are unified in their wish to support the school’s mission of educating girls to think critically, lead confidently, and live honorably. When Board of Trustees Chair Jane Jacques asked us to chair this year’s Annual Fund, we were honored to accept the role. We feel privileged to do our part alongside the Advancement Office and with so many other dedicated volunteers. Given that tuition alone does not cover the entire cost of education, The Annual Fund provides resources for each student to have the full Harpeth Hall experience.
Our daughters, Lexie ’22 and Lilly ’24, have been nurtured, challenged, supported, and given opportunities to do the same for others each year since entering Harpeth Hall in 7th grade. The relationships that Harpeth Hall students develop with fellow students, faculty, administrators, and coaches create life-long bonds. The perspectives gained and lessons they have learned are preparing them to go out into the broader world and contribute in meaningful ways. We all have an opportunity to participate in The Annual Fund. Doing so reminds us that we are each part of this shared community and all it does to support and develop young women of character. Please join us in supporting the mission and vision of Harpeth Hall by making a gift to the 2021-2022 Annual Fund.
Give to The Annual Fund Today Support the people who bring to life Harpeth Hall’s mission of educating young women to think critically, to lead confidently, and to live honorably. Pledge or make a gift using the QR code, or online at HarpethHall.org/giving/give-online.
Questions? Call Director of The Annual Fund Tracy Campbell at 615-346-0083
Use the camera on your phone to scan here and give to The Annual Fund today!
Non-Profit
The Harpeth Hall School 3801 Hobbs Road Nashville, Tennessee 37215
U.S. Postage
PAID Nashville, TN Permit No. 1857
1952 • 1957 • 1962 • 1967 • 1972 • 1977 • 1982 • 1987 • 1992 • 1997 • 2002 • 2007 • 2012 • 2017
HOPE TO SEE YOU FOR REUNION 2022!
Friday, May 6
Saturday, May 7
Milestones Society Luncheon honoring the classes of 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967 11:30 a.m.
50th Reunion Brunch honoring the class of 1972 10 a.m.
PLEASE VISIT
HarpethHall.org/alumnae Use the camera on your phone to scan here.
Campus Tours 3:30 p.m. Come Learn About Harpeth Hall Today with Head of School Jess Hill 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Individual Class Parties will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings
Winterim in May classes and times to be announced Reunion Alumnae Panel Discussion 3:15 - 4:30 p.m.
You can update your profile, share a class note, and learn more about alumnae events and Reunion 2022. The reunion brochure with all the weekend’s details will be mailed in March 2022!
Campus Tours 4:30 p.m. Cocktails on Campus All Alumnae Celebration 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.