Hallways - Fall 2017

HALLWAYS A PUBLICATION OF THE HARPETH HALL SCHOOL

FALL 2017

On Writing Embracing a powerful and critical skill and connecting with one’s self

Tributes to Retiring Faculty and Staff P. 13

On Writing

by Varina Buntin Willse ’ 95 P. 18

Honoring the Class of 2017 P. 28

Planned Giving

BY THE REV. SARAH W. NICHOLS ’83

A Tribute to Mary “Polly” Jordan Nichols ’53 Harpeth Hall’s First Director of Development and Founder of our Founders Society

I

n May, I had the grace-filled privilege of sitting by my mother’s bedside and holding her hand for two weeks as she was dying.

One day, I mentioned that I had made my annual gift to Harpeth Hall in her honor. She was quiet for several minutes as she mustered the energy to speak two words. She said, “How much?”

In her 27 years as Alumnae Director and then Director of Development and Planned Giving, Mom’s effectiveness rested on two things —her passion for the education, history, and mission of The Harpeth Hall School and her deeply held belief that every girl, every human being, is valuable and worthy of respect and nurture. Pericles said, “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” For Mom, the plaques around the Harpeth Hall campus were not monuments but, rather, reminders of beloved and respected educators and friends whose vision, sacrifice, and commitment were woven into the warp and weft of the very fabric that created Harpeth Hall. Keeping the Cayce Conference Room neat was a critical part of honoring the dedication of Mary Elizabeth Cayce. Walking through Harpeth Hall’s gorgeous campus, Mom knew exactly which trees and shrubs were personally planted by Daugh W. Smith, and her eyes would often well up with tears as she passed Ginger and Fred Horton lovingly tending the flowers in the Leigh Horton Garden.

Mom carried the memory of the stress and apprehension Mrs. Souby and the faculty of Ward-Belmont faced the night they found out Ward-Belmont was closing, as well as the fear she and

my Aunt Sally felt as they wondered where they would finish high school. Mom never took for granted the fact that, mere months later, she and other girls were crammed into classes being held in the former Estes home, including the basement lovingly called the “mole run,” and engaged in Miss Patty’s creatively improvised physical education, running up and down the driveway holding field hockey sticks.

Mom celebrated each person whose fingerprints shaped Harpeth Hall.

Monetary gifts were critical, but so too were the ongoing ways people poured themselves into the Harpeth Hall community—a faculty member’s spending extra time with a student, a new parent’s volunteering on a committee, a maintenance staff member’s devotion to being a Harpeth Hall ambassador, or a faithful alumna’s making phone-a-thon calls.

Mom fervently believed in generosity. I’ll never forget her joy when, decades ago, Paul Tuzeneu wrote to a donor about a scholarship student likening her to his childhood Swiss Army knife. Just as he was continually delighted and amazed by the unending wonders of his knife as a boy, so too was he inspired and challenged daily as a teacher by the depth and brilliance of this unique and multi-faceted student. Mom delighted in seeing the fruit fundraising bore in the lives of students, faculty, and donors alike.

We are grateful for the life and legacy of Polly Nichols.

If you would like information about The Founders Society, which Polly established in 1995 to honor all planned giving donors, please contact Susan Moll, Director of Advancement at 615-346-0087 or moll@harpethhall.org

CONTENTS

In This Issue: FEATURES

pg. 40 18

13

Retiring Faculty and Staff Tributes from the Faculty Recognition Assembly in April

18

On Writing

By Varina Buntin Willse ’95

24

Celebrating the Class of 2021

26

Step Singing

28

Honoring the Class of 2017

37

Readership Survey Results

38

Total Eclipse of the Hall

DEPARTMENTS

2 3 7 10 12 39 48

Observations Accolades Athletics Performing Arts Visual Arts End-of-Year Celebrations Class Notes

13

26

HALLWAYS STAFF Suzannah Green, Editor Lauren Finney, Designer Photographers: Peyton Hoge, Jerry Mucklow, Michael Strasinger, and Uchida Photography Hallways is published twice a year by The Harpeth Hall School 3801 Hobbs Road, Nashville, TN 37215 HarpethHall.org This magazine is printed on FSC certified paper made up of 50% recycled content including 25% post consumer waste.

10

10

FALL 2017

1

HEAD OF SCHOOL OBSERVATIONS 2017

Commencement Remarks, May 29, 2017 (Excerpt from the 65th Graduation Ceremony on the Harpeth Hall campus.)

C

ongratulations Class of 2017!

There is so much excitement and spontaneous celebrating this weekend! We are overjoyed that you have reached your graduation from Harpeth Hall. It is gratifying for us—your parents, families, faculty, staff and friends—to celebrate this important milestone with you.

The Places You Have Seen in 20-17 have been great in reach —including Australia, Germany, Japan, France, Spain, Uganda, Panama, South Africa, New York City, and Washington, D. C. for Winterim, and many U.S. states and countries all over the world. You have been fearless risktakers, and have led confidently. You have advocated for each other, supported each other, and loved each other.

You have represented the best of Harpeth Hall in many ways with your academic, leadership and athletic prowess and your college choices, 30 National Merit Finalists and Commended students, dozens of Scholastic Writing and Arts Awards, state championships, and 62 colleges and universities in 25 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, Canada and Scotland. You adore and respect your faculty, and in turn, have high hopes for your college years given their expectations of you.

It’s how you respond to the inevitable setbacks that determines whether you’ll ultimately thrive.

I suspect that many of you have experienced the disappointment and serendipity of setbacks while at Harpeth Hall. Perhaps you did not earn a place on the upper school team of your choice and discovered an interest in another sport or had time to more fully immerse yourself in community service. Or perhaps, you did not receive the part for which you auditioned, but came to enjoy another aspect of the theatre. Or perhaps, when you didn’t get a top course choice, you discovered a new academic interest. Life is full of both disappointments and failures . . . for everyone, including very successful people. It’s how you respond to the inevitable setbacks that determines whether you’ll ultimately thrive.

If you think back on your time at Harpeth Hall, your experiences here have also demonstrated the value of hard work and the importance of small steps that, when layered together, amount to something much greater. Hours of 2

HALLWAYS

community service in Nashville, Uganda and the Dominican Republic have made a difference in many people’s lives, including your own. Hours of practice and your tech prowess are what made the many theatre, choral, dance and orchestra concerts seem so effortless to continued on page 36

ACCOLADES

Scholastic Writing Awards Augusta Bowhay, Class of 2017, Gold medal award, Personal Essay & Memoir category for “Coat of Many Colors” NOTE: Augusta was one of only two students in Tennessee to win a Gold medal in writing on the national level in 2017.

of art and writing for their chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited and published. A noteworthy roster of past winners includes Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford, Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King and John Updike.

Bianca Sass, Class of 2019, Silver medal award, Poetry category for “Flee: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and the Syrian Civil War”.

Harpeth Hall performed extremely well this year:

Since 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, and talent of our nation’s youth and provided opportunities for creative teens to be celebrated. Each year, increasing numbers of teens participate in the program and become a part of their community of young artists and writers, filmmakers and photographers, poets and sculptors, video game artists and science fiction writers, along with countless educators who support and encourage the creative process.

Through the Scholastic Awards, teens in grades 7–12 from public, private, or home schools can apply in 29 categories

151 total Scholastic Awards were given to 71 Harpeth Hall students at the regional level, 29 regional Gold Key awards were given to 21 Harpeth Hall students, 2 national medals were awarded: one gold (Augusta Bowhay, personal essay/ memoir) and one silver (Bianca Sass, poetry)

Augusta Bowhay ’17 and Bianca Sass ’19

Cum Laude Inductees

T

wenty students were inducted into the Harpeth Hall Chapter of the Cum Laude Society on April 10, 2017 at an all-school assembly. The primary purpose of the Cum Laude Society has been to recognize scholastic achievement of students while simultaneously striving to encourage qualities of excellence, justice and honor.

President of Harpeth Hall’s Cum Laude Society, Claire Smith, welcomed the assembly attendees and spoke on the history of the Cum Laude Society. Zsozso Biegl, vice president, welcomed Upper School math teacher, Jennifer Webster who gave the Cum Laude address.

Head of School, Dr. Stephanie Balmer, and Art Echerd, Cum Laude Society Advisor, introduced and awarded certificates to the new members.

MEMBERS IN CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

Juniors: Elizabeth Grace Beuter, Hailey Patricia Fox, Margaret Louise Gaw, Sunni Luo, Maya Pallavi Misra, Halle Claire Petrie, Carmon Jackson Proctor, Emma Marguerite Trost, Stella Vujic, Keri Kaili Wang

Students: Alaina Grace Baird, Zsofia Hanna Biegl, Mary Caroline Daniel, Sara Dawn Hanson, Grace Anne Holladay, Emily Adelaide Jenkins, Anna Paige Owens, Elizabeth Anne Singleton, Claire Rhodes Smith, Mary Grace Triplett, Georgia Grace Weathers

Seniors: Jasmine Aggarwal, Elizabeth Sterling Akers, Karen Emefa Dordor, Anna Clarke Harrison, Kelsey Kay Herring, Chloe Teresa Johnson, Olivia Sienna Krueger, Emily Katherine Petroni, Grace Ann Robertson, Olivia Clair Shephard

Faculty: Pamela Hankin Carver, Arthur Reeves Echerd, Jr., Jennifer Jean Jervis, Linda Schleicher Karwedsky, Michele Lynn O’Brien, Jacqueline O’Keefe Powers, Rebecca Hopkins Smith, Legare Davis Vest, Madeline Martin Waud, Robert English Womack, Adam Richard Wilsman

2017 INDUCTEES

FALL 2017

3

ACCOLADES

Upper School End-of-Year Awards JUNIOR BOOK AWARDS University of Chicago Book Award

Marguerite Trost Harvard University Book Award

Maya Misra

SOPHOMORE BOOK AWARDS Rhodes College Book Award

Olivia Olafsson Wesleyan College Book Award

Sarah Bellardo

Hollins College Book Award

Bushra Rahman University of Pennsylvania Book Award

Gavi Abelow Princeton University Book Award

END-OF-YEAR AWARDS

FRESHMEN SOPHOMORES JUNIORS

Kaili Wang

All senior award recipients on page 34

Randolph College Book Award

Elizabeth Pope Evans Award Recipients for Highest Grade Point Average (GPA)

Lia Hayduk Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal

Carmon Proctor University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award

Halle Petrie Sewanee: The University of the South Book Award

Ashley Zhu

Juniors: Margaret Gaw, Maya Misra, Halle Petrie, Stella Vujic, Kaili Wang Sophomores: Annmarie Allos, Caleigh Dennis, Jane Flautt, Olivia Leu, Mohini Misra, Holland Strang Freshmen: Meg Beuter, Katie Dovan, Ainsley Hanrahan, MacKenzie Higgins, Ingram Link, Sarah Parks

Vanderbilt University Book Award

Margaret Gaw University of Virginia – Jefferson Book Award

Betsy Beuter

Washington and Lee University Book Award

Lady Frances Hamilton Wellesley College Book Award

Lizzy Asad Yale University Book Award

Stella Vujic

4

HALLWAYS

CLASS SPIRIT AWARDS

Freshman: Rebecca Viner Sophomore: Zora Young Junior: McKenzie Darnell

ACCOLADES

LLS Student of the Year, Augusta Bryan

T

he Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year is an exciting leadership development and philanthropy program in which high school students participate in a fundraising competition to benefit LLS. Every dollar raised counts as one vote. The candidates/teams who raise the most money at the end of the seven week competition earn the title Student of the Year.

Augusta Bryan was awarded the inaugural 2017 Student of the Year title, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s highest honor given to a high school student in the state of Tennessee. She shares this award with her brother, Malcolm, a leukemia survivor. Augusta’s team, Answer2Cancer, raised $28,250 from a combination of fundraising events, social media blasts, and direct mail solicitations. Other team members from Harpeth Hall included Marguerite Coombs, Gracie Harris and Margaret Cook. The award culminates a seven-week campaign in which Augusta and Malcolm competed against six other high school teams. Collectively the group raised over $83,000. Answer2Cancer was also recognized with a Citizenship Award in Volunteerism given to the team which exhibited a sustainable commitment to community service by creating three fundraising events which could be replicated in future years.

We are proud of our Harpeth Hall students making a difference and taking on leadership roles in the community. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing patient services.

Dr. Stacy Klein-Gardner Given the Tennessee STEM Advocate Award by the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network Dr. Stacy Klein-Gardner, Director of the Center for STEM Education for Girls at Harpeth Hall, was awarded the STEM Advocate Award by the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN). The STEM Advocate Award is among a series of competitive awards that recognize outstanding teachers, leaders, and advocates in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

Through Dr. Klein-Gardner’s work at Harpeth Hall, she leads professional development in STEM and works to identify and disseminate best practices from successful STEM programs for females. Dr. Klein-Gardner hosts the nationally-recognized STEM Think Tank and Conference annually at Harpeth Hall and the STEM Summer Institute program for rising 7th – 12th grade girls that integrates Dr. Stacy Klein-Gardner, Director of the Center for STEM community service and engineering design in a global context. She is being Education for Girls at Harpeth Hall recognized for her commitment to advancing opportunities for girls in STEM and for her successful creation of a national platform for incubating ideas for providing access to STEM opportunities for all students.

FALL 2017

5

ACCOLADES

Alaina Baird, Dhara Patel, Dr. Stacy Klein-Gardner, Sara Hanson (not pictured), Stella Vujic, and Kaili Wang hold MTSEF awards. Sara Hanson was sick and unable to attend. Her friends reserved her place in the picture with her plaque.

STEM at Harpeth Hall

H

arpeth Hall is transforming STEM educational opportunities for girls through its Center for STEM Education for Girls. This year was filled with new research, development and growth from our students who received well-deserved recognition and accolades.

The following students earned awards in STEM during the 2016-2017 academic year and attended the 65th Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair and the Middle Tennessee STEM Expo for their STEM research.

STEM Awards: Students recognized for their work on research projects with Vanderbilt Professors

Stella Vujic Dr. Shaneda Anderson • VUMC Epidemeology Comparing the Modifiable Risk Factors of Estrogen Receptor-Positive and Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancers.

Kaili Wang Dr. Bob Webster • VU Mechanical Engineering Design Fabrication of Chip Tip Camera for Urological Applications Sara Hanson Dr. Kelly Holley-Bockelman • VU Physics & Astronomy The Gravitational Wave Signature of Seed Black Holes in the Early Universe Dhara Patel Dr. Steve Damo • Fisk Chemistry & VU Chemistry Detailing the Role of Transition Metals in Antimicrobial Activity and Oligomerization of S100 Proteins Alaina Baird Dr. Reyna Gordon • VUMC Otolaryngology Brain and Behavioral Investigation of Rhythm Perception in Children—A Multi-Methodological Approach 6

6

HALLWAYS

Kaili Wang receives the Alternate High School Grand Prize trophy at MTSEF.

Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair

March 2017 1st place in Behavioral and Social Sciences | Alaina Baird 1st place in Medicine and Health | Stella Vujic 1st place in Engineering | Kaili Wang 1st place in Biochemistry | Dhara Patel 2nd place in Physics and Astronomy | Sara Hanson Middle Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub’s STEM Expo

April 2017 Dhara Patel won one of the Expo-wide awards, the American Chemical Society’s Award.

Received Gold Medal: Dhara Patel, Alaina Baird, Stella Vujic, Sara Hanson, Kaili Wang, and Janet Briggs Received Silver Medal: Kate Wilson Received Bronze Medal: Ainsley Johns Other Awards and Recognition

Yale Science and Engineering Association 11th Grade Award | Kaili Wang Barnard Seyfert Astronomical Society 2nd place | Sara Hanson Howard J. Wayt, Sr. Biomedical Awards tie for 1st place | Stella Vujic and Kaili Wang Sigma Xi Best High School Engineering | Kaili Wang Tennessee Academy of Science Best Molecular Biology/Medicine | Kaili Wang Alternate High School Grand Prize Winner Trophy and Cash Award | Kaili Wang

ATHLETICS

1

2

3

Top Athletic Stories FOR 2O16-2O17

1 Alex Walsh ’20 received the 2016-2017 Swimmer of the Year and the Tennessean Sports Awards

2 Softball—a family tradition Brantley Holladay ’22, Grace Anne Holladay ’17, Bryden Holladay ’20

3 Five lacrosse players were named to the 2017

4

Tennessee Girls Lacrosse Association All-Region Team. Leelee Denton ’20 also received TGLA All-American honors. (Kate Sullivan ’17, Makenzie Mason ’17, Susanna Andrews ’17, Leelee Denton ’20, Lauren Lee ’18)

4 Upper School Lacrosse—2017 TGLA State

Runner-Up—The Bears defeated Ensworth in the State Tournament semi-finals to advance to the State Championship game against Hutchison School.

5 Upper School Riflery— 2017 Tennessee Precision State Champions

6 Megan Clark was named

Upper School Lacrosse Coach of the Year in TN.

7 Doubles team comprised

of Abby Keeble ’19 and Madeline Cummings ’19 advanced to the TSSAA State Tennis Tournament in Murfreesboro.

8 Track and Field: 4X800 meter relay—2017 State Champions (Claire Smith ’17, Ellie Smith ’19, Clara Murff ’21, Emily Anderson ’20)

9 Track and Field: 4X400 meter relay—2017 State 5 7

Champions (Annie Taylor ’20, Claire Smith ’17, Kelsey Kay Herring ’17, Kate Wilson ’21)

8

9

FALL 2017

7

HARPETH HALL COLLEGE ATHLETES REAGAN ALLEY ’14

Rhodes College CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK

Texas Christian University SWIMMING

BAILEY FLYNN ’16

MAKENZIE MASON ’17

EMMA ALSUP ’15

KELSEY KAY HERRING ’17

TESS MEYERS ’16

LAUREN BARS ’17

LAUREN GRACE HIMES ’14

Denison University TENNIS

University of Mississippi VOLLEYBALL

MICHELLE BIESMAN ’16 University of Chicago TRACK & FIELD

JORDAN BURKART ’16

Belmont University TRACK & FIELD

Davidson College SOCCER

Washington Universtiy SWIMMING

University of Southern California SWIMMING

REBECCA MORRIS ’14

Carnegie Mellon University SOCCER

KENNEDY POTTS ’14

Vanderbilt University TRACK

SYDNEY WEBBER ’16

LYDIA WITTY ’15

Lipscomb University BASKETBALL

CALLIE KIRKLAND ’14

Sewanee: The University of the South SWIMMING

SOPHIE PILKINTON ’15

ANNA GRACE COLE ’17

JORDYN LESH ’17

MARY WINSTON REAMES ’14

CAROLINE DANIEL ’17

ELLIE LOVING ’17

KIRSTIN ROBERTSON ’14

Belmont University CROSS COUNTRY

ELIZABETH STINSON ’15

Sewanee: The University of the South EQUESTRIAN

Naval Academy POLE VAULT TRACK & FIELD

Tulane TRACK & FIELD

Belmont University CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK

Washington & Lee University SOCCER

ISABEL KENNON ’15

Fordham University ROWING

CLAIRE SMITH ’17

University of Florida LACROSSE

NON-VARSITY COLLEGE ATHLETES

Yale University SWIMMING

GRACE ANNE HOLLADAY ’17 Washington & Lee Universtiy CHEERLEADING

Southern Methodist Universtiy TRACK

ABBY SPARROW ’16 Duke Universtiy CHEERLEADING

Austin Peay State Universtiy SOCCER

University of Tennessee ROWING

KATE SULLIVAN ’17 Clemson Universtiy WATER SKI TEAM

WASHINGTON MONTANA

MAINE NORTH DAKOTA

MINNESOTA VT

OREGON

NH

WISCONSIN

SOUTH DAKOTA

IDAHO

H H

NEW YORK

MICHIGAN

WYOMING

NEBRASKA

H

IOWA

KANSAS CALIFORNIA

H H H H

HOHIO

ILLINOIS COLORADO

H

MD

WEST VIRGINIA

INDIANA

VIRGINIA

MISSOURI KENTUCKY

H

H HH H H H TENNESSEE

ARIZONA

OKLAHOMA NEW MEXICO

ARKANSAS

HH

H

ALABAMA

H

NORTH CAROLINA SOUTH CAROLINA

GEORGIA

MISSISSIPPI

TEXAS

LOUISIANA

H

H

FLORIDA

FOLLOW HARPETH HALL ATHLETIC NEWS @ HHATHLETICS ON TWITTER AND HarpethHall.org 8

HALLWAYS

RI

PENNSYLVANIA

NEVADA UTAH

MASS CONN

NEW JERSEY DELAWARE WASHINGTON, D.C.

ATHLETICS

2

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL

MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD

1

MIDDLE SCHOOL LACROSSE FALL 2017

9

PERFORMING ARTS

Upper school drama—Dearly Beloved

9 Middle school drama—The Stone Cutter, a Japanese folktale

Middle school musical—Dear Edwina, Junior

10

HALLWAYS

Performing Arts

Spring 2017

PERFORMING ARTS

Middle and upper school dance—The Best is Yet to Come!

Middle and upper school dance—The Best is Yet to Come!

Middle and upper school orchestra and choral concerts Our performing arts program had a full spring with outstanding performances by our students in the productions of Dearly Beloved, the upper school spring drama performance, and Dear Edwina, Junior, the middle school musical.

Our Harpeth Hall Dance Company performed in the spring dance concert, The Best is Yet to Come. The middle and upper school orchestra and the middle and upper school choral program both held spring concerts in May. FALL 2017

11

VISUAL ARTS

Back, Grace Claybrook ’17

Sails, Josephine Fentriss ’18

Boy, Sloan Fridrich ’20

Haggard, Helen Riley Lazenby ’17

Snake, Andie LaGrone ’19

Woman, Jordyn Lesh ’17

Girls, Sarah Tolbert ’19

Contemplation, Claire Trabue ’17

Horse, Katie Wilkins ’17

Visual Arts 12

HALLWAYS

Spring 2017

Jess Hill Director of the Upper School 2005-2017 Upper School Math Teacher 1985-1988 and 1998-2005

It

Bears Repeating that Jess Hill is the heart

and soul of the upper school. A math teacher by training, she knows the demands of the classroom.

As a mother of two Harpeth Hall alumnae—Becca, Class of 2007, and Noni, Class of 2012—she knows the pressures facing young women and the hopes and dreams of their parents. For the past 12 years, we have been blessed to have Mrs. Hill’s leadership as upper school director following her 10 years as an upper school math teacher. She has always remained optimistic and compassionate and sees the best in all of us. Her mentorship of faculty and staff and her ability to parse a complex problem and suggest an elegant solution are among her most admired traits.

Mrs. Hill models humanity regardless of the circumstances and is a model of integrity—attributes to which we aspire for all of our girls.

As Mrs. Hill looks to a new adventure next year, we are reminded of the words she has spoken to all of us at convocation.

“

Remain courageous.

Don’t get discouraged or disillusioned.

Remember to never say you are not good at something without ending it with the word ‘yet’.

”

Thank you for leading us so ably and confidently, for living honorably, and for your commitment to the highest academic standards in our upper school for your 22 years at Harpeth Hall.

Retiring faculty and staff The tributes for our retiring faculty and staff were read at the Faculty Recognition Assembly in April 2017.

FALL 2017

13

FACULTY

Faculty Awards and Recognition

Marla Faith Middle and Upper School Art Teacher 2008-2017

We

will be forever grateful to Ms. Faith for undauntingly walking into an AP Art History classroom that suddenly became available in the spring of 2008. Needless to say, she took that fourth quarter of art history by storm.

She was tasked with teaching almost a century of material every two weeks to prepare the students for the exam, and she did so with a can-do spirit and cheerful attitude. Instead of stating the impossibility of the task at hand, she rolled up her sleeves and did it! The rest is history.

14

HALLWAYS

Thankfully, Ms. Faith has remained at Harpeth Hall, in both the middle and upper school visual arts departments and has continued to be a gift to all of us. She can be the calm presence during a sea of emotion and creativity, and she can be the rudder to a ship that needs direction and strength. I know we will all miss Ms. Faith’s ability to float in and out of our lives with a shade of purple or green that leaves a smile on our face and a good thought or word of encouragement in our minds. I am not sure that anyone can fill her shoes as the pied piper on our campus of all things artistic. For her students and the other teachers on the faculty, she will be remembered as a positive and encouraging teacher and friend, and visually, she will remain the quintessential “dances with scarves” kind of teacher we all want to be.

Retiring faculty and staff Linda Karwedsky Upper School Math Teacher 1997-2017

Mrs.

Karwedsky has been in the upper school math department for 20 years and has steadily and devotedly worked to create a classroom that is calm and nurturing for all math students. As our resident statistician, almost a decade ago, she instituted our first AP Statistics class and she has influenced how we look at our curriculum in the math department.

Mrs. Karwedsky understands math as a language and a way of looking at the world. She has asked students to do more than solve a problem to arrive at a singular answer, she has asked them to explain and write about their understanding of a concept or theory. For years, she has kept our seniors’ math brains alive by teaching courses such as college algebra, trigonometry, and finite math. She has explored mathematics through her many Winterim offerings—from following a pattern to deciphering a code, to sewing a quilt, she has worked in the fundamental elements of problem solving, following directions, and creating something in a methodical and mathematical way.

Always calm and reassuring, Mrs. Karwedsky will be missed as much by her colleagues as her students.

Thank you, Mrs. Karwedsky for your strong 20 year tenure at Harpeth Hall.

FALL 2017

15

HONORING RETIRED FACULTY AND STAFF FACULTY

Anne King Director of Finance and Operations 1991-2017

The

strength of Harpeth Hall has much to do with Anne King. Joining the business office in 1991 as Associate Business Manager, Mrs. King has participated in the transformation of the campus, the growth in the endowment to $41 million, and the building of our firm, fiscal foundation. Promoted to Director of Finance and Operations in 2005, Mrs. King has implemented best practices over the years enabling our school to evolve from good to great to greater thereby ensuring our financial sustainability. Our campus has grown from 26 acres to nearly 44 acres, our operating budget has grown from $2.4 million in 1990 to $19.5 million in 2017, and she helped steer our technology initiative including our one-to-one laptop program.

Most importantly, Mrs. King has been a great colleague to all of us. She has a steel trap mind and a quick wit. She has always stood up for what is in the best interest of the school and our girls from adding security officers to moving to Sage Dining. We are the beneficiaries of her devotion to her job and her team, and we will miss her wise counsel, her willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done well, her sense of humor, her stylish accessories, and her car in the Esteswood lot on Saturday afternoons.

It is our greatest hope that her granddaughters Caroline and Allison will return to Harpeth Hall with Mrs. King’s daughter Lindsey, Class of 1995, for summer camp or perhaps to become Honeybears. Mrs. King, we will miss you!

16

HALLWAYS

HONORING RETIRED FACULTY AND STAFF

Margie Martin Souby Hall Receptionist 1991-2017

It

is hard to imagine Souby Hall without the warm and welcoming smile of Margie Martin.

A member of the Class of 1967, she knows our alumnae, she knows our families, and she knows and loves our girls and faculty. At the front desk, she manages any random question or last minute request for tablecloths, Lucite pitchers, and bus keys with patience and kindness. Our Parents Association

adores her and experiences the best of Harpeth Hall with every interaction. She has been the first impression of Harpeth Hall to all Souby visitors for 26 years—she has been our best ambassador, and a great source of support for three heads of school—Mrs. Leah Rhys, Ms. Ann Teaff and Dr. Stephanie Balmer.

The love she models for her family as a wife, mother, daughter, and grandmother is a reminder to us of what is most important. We wish you much joy and more time to share your love with the entire Martin clan.

To special days ahead in Monteagle—we will miss you Mrs. Martin!

Retiring faculty and staff FALL 2017

17

Embracing a powerful and critical skill and connecting with one’s self

On Writing

by Varina Buntin Willse ’95

et me begin by saying that trying to pen an article about writing is a bit like groping for glasses in the dark. I know they’re there, but I need them to see, and so without them I just cast about blindly hoping to land in the right spot.

In other words, it’s hard to find the words to write about writing.

I am a “writer” though I sort of feel like Aren’t we all? and also No, I’m really not. (I call Whitman to my defense when I contract myself in this way.) I do write professionally: books, articles, and what we now call “content.” I also write socially—emails, texts, letters—and I write spiritually— blogs, prayer journals, reflections. In all of this, though, I write personally. I write to think and communicate and 18

HALLWAYS

grasp and share and ultimately to tap into that which is higher or deeper—or quite possibly right in front of my face, but I can’t see it, like those glasses in the dark.

My relationship with writing began early and like most relationships, it started with attraction. I couldn’t get enough of words, and they kept coming, with new meanings and in new patterns that dazzled me. It wasn’t until I came to Harpeth Hall that I recognized that attraction wasn’t enough to sustain a relationship. It would take work. I was lit up by the writing assignments I was given as a student at Harpeth Hall, but I was also brought down a few notches at the same time. That’s what Harpeth Hall provided me: constructive criticism that helped me hone my process but also an enduring awe for the way writing can feel like magic, and function like magic, when it clicks.

WEBSITE

Grace Stumb Barbieri ’10, Middle School teacher

“That’s what Harpeth Hall provided me: constructive criticism that helped me hone my process but also an enduring awe for the way writing can feel like magic, and function like magic when it clicks.”

— VARINA BUNTIN WILLSE ’95 I’m not the only alumna who feels this way. Alyssa Abkowitz Cendrowski, Class of 2000—a reporter for The Wall Street Journal in Beijing, where she covers technology—credits Harpeth Hall for founding her love of writing. “One of the biggest reasons I’m a professional writer today is because of the encouragement and guidance I received from my teachers at Harpeth Hall. LaVoe Mulgrew noticed my love of writing during my sophomore year, and encouraged me to apply for a summer writing workshop at Sewanee. Joe Croker taught me about the cadence of stories and how to make them sing—in part by reading passages of his students’ stories out loud. Denise Croker shepherded my first crack at newspaper writing via Logos II, and the late Diann Blakely, through poetry, taught me the power of raw emotion and not to hold back with words.”

I, too, was a student of Diann’s though I knew her as Ms. Shoaf. She was my AP Literature teacher, and on the first day of class, she informed us that she wouldn’t save us when we were drowning. (It was a given, therefore, that we would be drowning.) I spent the entire year furiously taking notes, not understanding much at all of what I was writing. I read “Absalom, Absalom!” over Spring Break, though Cancun is hardly conducive to Faulkner, and did my very best to understand Allen Tate’s “Ode to the Confederate Dead.” I wrote papers that I thought were brilliant because they used words like “dichotomy” and had to double-back and try again when my grade was less than desirable. In Ms. Shoaf ’s class and in so many other classes at Harpeth Hall, I was challenged to sharpen both my thinking and my writing.

For this, I am grateful. I was prepared for what would be asked of me at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. True that I am a “writer” but, as I said, Aren’t we all?

What is the value of writing?

Most people would agree that writing is a skill we need no matter our choice of major or profession. Upper School English teacher Joe Croker, the very one who taught Alyssa how to make stories sing, likens teaching writing to teaching thought, and he says that what writing gives students is nothing short of “everything.” “To be able to simply and fluently and persuasively and intriguingly organize and convey ideas is the ultimate gift for a person heading out to do whatever they will do. That’s what we give—not what we give, but what our students embrace—and it shows up time and again in alumnae surveys.”

Former Chair of the Upper School English Department, Armistead Lemon, agrees. Having returned to Chapel Hill, North Carolina last spring for an alumnae event, she visited with student after student who cited writing as the most significant skill they gained during their time at Harpeth Hall. One student, Rebecca Blair, reported that she was “particularly grateful for the writing skills she learned at Harpeth Hall, as these have set her apart at an elite university [Duke]. “Another recent graduate and Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC–Chapel Hill, Keely Hendricks, who took a workshop with Big Fish author, David Wallace, “raved about her creative writing class [at Harpeth Hall] as the inspiration.” The fact that Harpeth Hall has the highest number of Scholastic Award winners in the state is further evidence that young women walk away from Harpeth Hall knowing how to write.

This is in part because, as former Director of the Upper School, Jess Hill, attests, Harpeth Hall teaches students the process of writing. “Our girls write something, but then the teachers have them ask, how can we make this better? Then, how can we make it better again?” This process-focused approach begins in middle school when students learn how FALL 2017

19

to build a 12-sentence paragraph essay, focusing on providing support and analysis for their claims. “They learn to make and support a point and see it through,” says middle school English Department Chair, Pamela Carver.

Middle school students also engage in numerous creative writing exercises, particularly poetry.

What they are learning, foundationally, is that writing is “a vehicle with which to express themselves deeply. Writing is power.”

What does writing give us?

With this statement, Ms. Carver hits on something essential. As crucial as process is, there is something perhaps even more fundamental that Harpeth Hall illuminates for its students, and that has to do with the way writing not only connects the self with others but the way it connects the self with self. As Ms. Lemon attests, “Writing is a way toward knowing, and often we’re not even aware of what’s running around in our mind until we put it to paper. For me, what’s been exciting in the classroom is that I have girls who might not consider themselves as having a voice, but if I give them the opportunity to write, that voice comes through. Writing is a way to know oneself.”

Herein lies the real strength of the Harpeth Hall writing program. The assignments are highly challenging, but they are also meant to be personally meaningful. “A touchstone of our teaching is that we’re always connecting to where the girls are,” Ms. Lemon says, citing an example of a video essay assignment from English faculty Mrs. Scottie Girgus’s AP Language and Composition class.

This relatively new course initiated by English faculty Mrs. Denise Croker has become so popular, the school has decided to change the English curriculum in order to make it more widely accessible. Instead of British Literature at the junior level, students will now be taking either Standard or AP Language and Composition.

Ms. Lemon is quick to say that the girls “will still get Hamlet, and Mrs. Dalloway, and Pride and Prejudice their senior year” but will be given an opportunity in this new rhetoric course to focus on skills they will encounter on college board exams as well as an opportunity to encounter ideas that are alive in the world around them. “It allows our girls to find topics that are extant in the world that they really care about,” says Mr. Croker, who is currently developing the curriculum for the standard level course.

20

HALLWAYS

“This, in turn, connects them with the broader world and gives them argumentative skills.” One example is the video essays that Ms. Girgus assigns her students, which cover a range of contemporary topics, such as “College” and “The American Dream”.

Assignments that engage students on a personal level aren’t limited to Language and Composition classes, however. When reading A Separate Peace, freshmen are given a creative analytical assignment where they have to rewrite a scene in the novel from another character’s point of view. “They have to play a card we didn’t see coming about that character. So they have to reveal something that illuminates the scene in a new way for us, yet it has to be realistic enough that it fits within the confines of what we know about that character,” Ms. Lemon explains. “It’s really challenging, but at the end of the year it’s the best writing they do because they love the creativity of it.”

Literary accomplishments of our students and Harpeth Hall student publications Hallmarks is Harpeth Hall’s annual Upper School student literary magazine, featuring both literary and art work selected by the editorial staff based upon submissions by students and teachers. Joe Croker, Upper School English and Media Arts Teacher, has been the faculty advisor since 2005. He was joined by Peter Goodwin, Upper School Visual Arts Teacher, as an assistant in 2012.

“What Armistead is talking about with that kind of assignment,” Mr. Croker rejoins, “is that writing can bring you to the self, and it can expand the self.” He goes on to explain an assignment that juniors and seniors face where they have to write and deliver a dramatic monologue from the perspective of a prominent figure. One particular student drew the name, Angela Merkel, and had to deliver her monologue to an audience that included two German exchange students. They were so impressed that they asked for a copy.

In the end, writing serves both that “practical function” and that “higher function,” as Mr. Croker articulates it.

This assignment and others like it prepare the students for what has become the culminating experience of their writing career at Harpeth Hall: “Toasts.” The idea was originally Mr. Croker’s and was so well-received that every senior in the school now both gives and receives one. Each student draws a name and is then asked to write a personal toast to another student in the class.

“It’s moving away from teacher as audience,” Ms. Lemon explains, “and the students really apply everything they’ve learned. They work with metaphors. They tell a story that illuminates a larger personal characteristic. If they don’t know the student very well, they have to interview and find stories that would resonate and have meaning. But ultimately, they have to go personal in the end. It’s the best writing they do.”

It’s beautiful,” Mr. Croker chimes in. “They love it. My older daughter gave hers. She was so moved she couldn’t stop talking about it. It’s a cliché—a girl finding her voice,” he says, “but we’re also going beyond that finding her self to finding the selves of others. It’s that empathetic quality that’s brought out through writing, but it’s also a very practical skill.”

In the end, writing serves both that “practical function” and that “higher function,” as Mr. Croker articulates it.

Writing is indeed the way we tap into that which is higher or deeper or right in front of our faces. Handing me the

During this time 13 editions have been produced, and 11 of those editions have been submitted for assessment and critique by the Tennessee High School Press Association (THSPA). Of those 11 submissions, Hallmarks has been awarded the top prize in the state of Tennessee (“Best Overall Literary Magazine”) 10 out of 11 years. One year they were awarded second place.

More recently, THSPA added an additional category called “Best Layout / Design.” Hallmarks has likewise won the top award in that category as well, save one year.

There are also numerous individual awards that have been introduced by THSPA (for best poem, best short story, best art and illustration, best photograph), and during the last three years the Hallmarks staff began to submit students’ individual work in those areas. What follows is a list of students who won awards during those years:

Best Poem

2015

Catherine Falls (1st Place) Keely Hendricks (3rd Place)

2016

Isabel Nygard (2nd Place) Ella McKenzie (3rd Place) Lucy Massey (Honorable Mention)

2017

Vivian Herzog (1st Place) Ashley Zhu (2nd Place)

Best Short Story

2015

Kristen Barrett (1st Place)

2016

Kelsey Kay Herring (2nd Place) Marimac McRae (3rd place)

2017

Bianca Sass (3rd Place)

Best Illustration/Art

2016

Lydia Witty (2nd Place) Priya Patel (Honorable Mention)

Best Photograph

2015 2016

2017

Olivia Caldwell (3rd Place) Paige Derwenskus (1st Place) Frances Ford (Honorable Mention) Paige Derwenskus (1st Place)

We are very proud of our Hallmarks staff and student contributors. Well-deserved congratulations on a consistently outstanding publication.

FALL 2017

21

Spotlight on

Harpeth Hall Alumnae in the professional writing field Harpeth Hall is proud of its many alumnae professional writers. The following list of graduates highlights a variety of ways in which alumnae are working in the professional writing field.

Victoria (V.E.) Schwab 2005 Victoria “V.E.” Schwab is the #1 New York Times and Indie bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including Vicious, the Shades of Magic series, and This Savage Song.

BA from Washington University in Communication / Design with a minor in Creative Writing Liza Darwin 2006 Co-Founder of Clover Letter, a mobile media company for Gen-Z girls BA from Vassar College in English, minor in Political Science and Italian Caroline Hallemann Farno 2007 Digital News Editor, townandcountrymag.com (Hearst Digital Media / Town & Country) BA from Wake Forest University in English, minor in Journalism and Studio Art Rae Ellen Bichell 2008 Former Science Journalist for NPR BA from Yale University in Anthropology, minor in Journalism Awarded a Fulbright grant for Study and Research on climate change and the Finnish Response, a journalism project to Finland during the academic year 2011-2012 Lindsey Lanquist 2012 Associate Culture Editor, SELF.com BA in Journalism from Elon University, minor is Psychology; currently at NYU for a master’s in Publishing: Digital and Print Media 22

HALLWAYS

most recent copy of Hallmarks, he directed me to a poem titled “Spring” by Bianca Sass , class of 2019. Her topic— what it means to be a girl—immediately took me back to my last day in Ms. Shoaf ’s AP Lit class. Ms. Shoaf, who had been such an imposing figure all year in her all-black outfits, did something that to me was totally shocking.

Into the classroom she came, smiling broadly and carrying an actual cake. She asked that we form a circle with our desks and, to cap off our high school experience, write and share our responses to the prompt: What does it mean to be a woman?

Whatever I wrote that day was not nearly so articulate as what Miss Sass conveys in her poem, “Spring.” The poem is long, and so I close by sharing one particularly poignant stanza, which illuminates both the power of being a woman and the power of writing.

To be a girl Is to kiss the ground from which your roots grew The rubble from which you rose Because it taught you how to hold First yourself, then anyone and everyone else.

— Bianca Sass ’19, excerpt from “Spring”

FACULTY

Armistead Lemon Director of the Upper School

Armistead Lemon joined Harpeth Hall in 2005, and now has 12 years of experience as a leader and teacher at our school.

She most recently served as the upper school English department chair. Her noteworthy contributions include Co-Chair of the SAIS Reaccreditation Leadership Working Group, Faculty Representative on the Board of Trustees, and Founder of the “Bridging the Confidence Gap” Committee.

She champions our students, faculty and our community and sees the unlimited potential in every student and teacher.

Ms. Lemon is now in her first year as Upper School Director and is leading confidently.

Tom Murphy

Director of Finance and Operations

“I have enjoyed my first few months at Harpeth Hall, and I have appreciated the warm welcome I have received. Students, faculty, parents, and trustees have been so helpful to me and my family as we settle into Nashville. I look forward to continuing to support the great work that happens on campus each and every day.”

— Tom Murphy, Director of Finance and Operations

Ms. Lemon is a graduate of North Cross School, an independent school in Roanoke, Virginia. She earned a B.A. in English Literature with Distinction from Washington and Lee University, and earned her M.A. in English Literature from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. In the summer of 2008, Armistead was a fellow at the Klingenstein Summer Institute at Columbia University. Ms. Lemon’s previous professional positions include time in New York City in public relation as well as an instructor at University of North CarolinaChapel Hill.

“It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of Jess Hill as Upper School Director and to join Harpeth Hall’s dedicated senior leadership team. Harpeth Hall is a place filled with joy and possibility; its students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumnae have been a tremendous source of inspiration for me over the last decade. I owe much to Harpeth Hall for my growth as an educator as I have sought to advance its mission and to develop and implement best practices for teaching girls. This is a community steeped in values I hold dear, and I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to give back to the school in this new leadership role,” said Ms. Lemon.

FALL 2017

23

Honor Day

24

HALLWAYS

HONOR DAY

Celebrating the Class of 2021

T

he Frances Bond Davis Theatre was buzzing with excitement on the morning of Friday, May 26. The Theatre was packed with families and friends who were there to celebrate the 8th grade class at Harpeth Hall for completing their Daugh W. Smith Middle School experience.

Speakers included Middle School Director, Judi O’Brien who welcomed the crowd and introduced Sabrina Russell, Class of 2022.

Sabrina delivered a thoughtful, warm and articulate thank you

letter to the Class of 2021, praising them for their spirit and inclusiveness. Grace Lee, Class of 2021, was chosen to be the Eighth Grade Speaker. Her witty and wonderful speech had everyone laughing with her about some of her favorite memories and experiences of the year. There were several exceptional orchestra and choral performances and the Presentation of Certificates.

Congratulations Class of 2021! We are so proud of you!

AWARD RECIPIENTS Carol Clark Elam History Award

Most Outstanding Athlete Award

Lila Arden Elrod

Clara Suzanne Murff

7th grade, Elizabeth Evelyn Rogers 8th grade, Margaret Suzanne Hedera

Daugh W. Smith English Award

Patty Chadwell Award

Student Council Officers

Spencer Claire Robbins

Tori Anne McDermott

Director’s Award

Polly Fessey Award

Eva Holland Christopher

Nora Mae-Ying Wang

Elizabeth Hausman Community Service Award

Lady of the Hall Attendants

Anne Elizabeth Stewart Head’s Award

Kaitlyn Drum Saidy Honor Day Speaker

Grace Sanghee Lee Lindy Sayers Award

Fiona Kennedy Muldowney Louise Wills Algebra I Award

Gretchen Claire Walsh

5th grade Crownbearer Della Shaffer Dale 6th grade Crownbearer Mary Evelyn Roper 7th grade Herald Brantley Leanne Holladay 8th grade Herald Janet Elizabeth Briggs Spirit Awards

5th grade, Lauren Marie Wynn 6th grade, Julia Danelle Tavi

Treasurer Chair Sarah Randolph Cook Student Activities Chair Lily Lindler Ford Community Service Chair Darden Elizabeth Tarantin Environmental Issues Chair Anne Elizabeth Stewart Athletic Chair Spencer Claire Robbins Honor Education Committee

Olivia Besst Adams Janet Elizabeth Briggs Kenna Madison Carter Eva Holland Christopher Isabella Claire Davé

Elise Amara Ikejiani Grace Sanghee Lee Catherine Ward Ryan Catherine Pearce Yappen Mary Neely Young Intramural Club Captains

Ariston Anna Parker Griffith Edith Cheruto Kiprono Eccowassin Lela Grisham Hooper Fiona Kennedy Muldowney Angkor Clare Elizabeth Coleman Sinclair Grace Walker Triad Hannah Elizabeth King Claire Christina Wilson FALL 2017

25

STEP SINGING

Step Singing

T

he weather held up beautifully for Step Singing to be held outside on Souby Lawn on Sunday, May 28, the evening prior to the Class of 2017’s graduation.

Ms. Armistead Lemon was invited by the class to be their speaker for the occasion. Following are excerpts from her remarks: As I look out on you tonight—and on all the grades assembled here—I am filled with gratitude, and love, and great hope. We the faculty talk a lot about the future of education here—what schools will look like in ten, twenty, fifty years— what the world will look like. We often ask ourselves: are we preparing you well for this world ahead, a world that we cannot yet even imagine?

It occurs to me now that in teaching how to approach poems all these years, I’ve really been teaching students and reminding myself how to approach life. In the

26

novelist Colum McCann’s Letters to a Young Writer, his first words of advice on writing sound an awful lot to me like advice on living:

Bear your portion of the world. Enjoy difficulty. Embrace mystery. Write toward that which you don’t yet know.

There are still infinite possibilities.”

“Do the things that don’t compute. Be earnest. Be devoted.

Be subversive of ease. Read aloud. Risk yourself. Do not be afraid of sentiment even when others call it sentimentality. Be ready to get ripped to pieces: it happens. Permit yourself anger. Fail. Take pause. Accept the rejections. Be vivified by collapse. Practice resuscitation. Have wonder.

Robert Frost has said of a good poem, “No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader.” This might also be said of a life well-lived.

HALLWAYS

Girls, take Frost’s advice: Surprise us. Surprise yourselves.

You are the greatest poem, one that is still being written. I

STEP SINGING

six years that’s shaped me, helped me grow, and poured into my life—I would like to extend this tradition and give one final toast: a toast to Harpeth Hall.

love that we don’t yet know how it unfolds, what twists and turns and deep woods and new paths lie just beyond our imagination.

I want to leave you with a poem by Robert Creeley. He wrote this for his own daughter in honor of her graduation in 1973. He suggests that being open to the unknown can lead us toward ourselves, much like great poetry can. He is using the image of the circle—both as metaphor for our world and also our own personal journeys. Listen for that.

O Harpeth Hall, O place beloved. What a blessing it has been to have spent the past six years in these halls! Harpeth Hall has a lasting legacy and a generational impact. It’s the kind of place where an alumna will stop you in line at a coffee shop to ask about her favorite teachers and her favorite traditions, because she remembers her days in our recognizable plaid.

“For the Graduation” [Bolinas, 1973] Robert Creeley, 1926 - 2005 The honor of being human will stay constant.

The earth, earth, water wet, sun shine.

The world will be as ever round, and all yourselves will know it, on it, and around and around.

No one knows what will happen. That is the happiness of the circle, finding you.

G

race Anne Holladay ’17 was chosen Lady of the Hall by Harpeth Hall’s student body and faculty. Following are excerpts from her remarks: Good evening! I am extremely humbled and honored to be speaking to you today, and on behalf of the Class of 2017 and the student body, thank you so much for joining us as we celebrate a period of transitions. Tonight, we honor the juniors as they step into their new leadership role, and we celebrate the seniors as we are scattering across the country and the world seeking to further our knowledge, taste a little more of life, and pursue our aspirations.

Today, as I stand at this podium and look upon you all—my community for the past

Lady of the Hall and Class Representatives Lady of the Hall

Grace Anne Holladay 12th Grade Class Representative

Kelsey Kay Herring 11th Grade Class Representative

Ellen Cochran Truitt 10th Grade Class Representative

Sarah Grace Bellardo 9th Grade Class Representative

Molly Elizabeth Myers 8th Grade Herald

Janet Elizabeth Briggs 7th Grade Herald

Brantley Leanne Holladay 6th Grade Crownbearer

Mary Evelyn Roper 5th Grade Crownbearer

Della Shaffer Dale Flower Girls

Anne Victoria Coltea daughter of Holly Whetsell Coltea ’94 Margaret Headley Greathouse daughter of Amy Warner Greeathouse ’02

Harpeth Hall is a place with the best teachers.

Our teachers care about us inside and outside the classroom, asking about our families, listening to our rants, and coming to see our sporting events, dance concerts, and theater productions. They push us farther than we want to be pushed, and when we think we’re working our hardest, they show us that we can work harder. Our teachers challenge us to become the best version of ourselves, and they give us all the tools we need—grit, determination, focus, curiosity, and a critically-thinking mind—to reach our full potential.

So to the juniors, cherish your last year at this special place. Do something spontaneous.

Make memories. Be sentimental. Work hard.

Treasure the spring days when the music is cranked up and you’re dancing on the senior patio. Laugh more often. Enjoy prom without the planning. Thank your college counselors —they are superhuman. Love fearlessly.

And to my seniors, oh how I love you all.

Thank you for making it so hard for me to leave Harpeth Hall. Thanks for letting me be a part of your story. Go out and change the world, because if anyone can, it’s you all.

So let these songs today be a toast to Harpeth Hall and a toast to each other. A thank you of sorts, to thank this place for the best of times and the hard times, too, for gifting us with the wisest mentors and the friends of a lifetime, and for transforming us into confident, independent, and self-assured women. I’m deeply grateful for my experience here, and blessed to have shared my time with you all.

Thank you.

FALL 2017

27

GRADUATION

Honoring

the class of 2017

T

he 66th Commencement at Harpeth Hall occurred Monday, May 29, 2017, on Souby Lawn. All 103 members of the Class of 2017 gathered in Souby Hall as they waited together for this special evening to begin. Friends, family, faculty and staff filled the lawn in record breaking numbers, and a multitude of photographers and videographers prepared to capture an event these young women have anticipated for many years.

Sophia Howard, chosen as the senior speaker for commencement, compared her classmates to butterflies in her remarks, “Before you today stand 103 beautiful butterflies in white; ready to shed our plaid cocoon and experience the sunshine and the rain. Our cocoon, our plaid, is a network. Each color, each stripe molding us indefinitely… We are starting a new chapter, bursting out of our cocoon—clumsy at first, but when we get our footing, fear not: We will soar.”

In the Head of School remarks, Dr. Stephanie Balmer shared her hopes for the Class of 2017, “My ultimate wish for each of you as you graduate from Harpeth Hall is that you will embrace your lives—the opportunities and the challenges, the accomplishments and the setbacks, the excitement and the disappointments, your supporters and your opposition—as fully and as positively as you’ve participated in your experiences here, so that gradually over time you’ll find work worth doing that interests you… Congratulations and best wishes to this most special class.”

28

HALLWAYS

GRADUATION

FALL 2017

29

GRADUATION

3

2

30

HALLWAYS

GRADUATION

FALL 2017

31

GRADUATION

32

HALLWAYS

GRADUATION

“We are starting a new chapter, bursting out of our cocoon— clumsy at first, but when we get our footing, fear not: We will soar.”

— Sophia Howard, Senior Speaker

FALL 2017

33

GRADUATION

Senior Awards Head’s Award Zsozso Biegl

Outstanding Instrumental Student Deborah Otuno

Director’s Award Kelsey Kay Herring

Outstanding Thespian Amber Steigelfest

Susan McKeand Baughman Award Sterling Akers

Souby Hall Award Sadie Paczosa

Patsy White Bradshaw Citizenship Award Vivian Herzog

Cindy Crist Art Award Jordyn Lesh

Idanelle McMurry Award Deborah Otuno

Marnie Sheridan Award Olivia Krueger

Elizabeth Pope Evans Award Zsozso Biegl, Sara Hanson,

Susan Souby Spirit of English Award Corinne Brien

Grace Anne Holladay, Claire Smith, and Mary Triplett

Spirit of Science Award Alaina Baird

Second Honors Grace Anne Holladay

Pickens Science Award Jasmine Aggarwal

Third Honors Claire Smith and Mary Triplett

Helen Mullins Manning Mathematics Award Emily Jenkins

Cum Laude Award Molly Power

and Grace Ann Robertson

Class Spirit Award Bitsy Pendleton

Math Award Zsozso Biegl

Outstanding Athlete Award Kelsey Kay Herring

Ottarson Latin Award Mary Triplett

Emmons Woolwine Scholar-Athlete Zsozso Biegl

Mary Varina Frazer Latin Award Zsozso Biegl

Pat Moran Sportsmanship Award Anna Clarke Harrison

The Chen Jaymin Prize Chinese Award Molly Power

and Grace Anne Holladay

Róngyù Jiang ˘ Katie Kane

Susan Russ Competitors Award Sydni Hill

Lucie L. Fountain French Award Alix Albright

Honor Dancer Award Claire Trabue

Spanish Award Lizzie Singleton

Outstanding Choral Student Kira Hinchey and

Olivia Clair Shephard

34

History Award Karin Scott

Katie Wray Valedictory Award Zsozso Biegl

HALLWAYS

Jasmine Aggarwal

Murray Hannon

Sterling Akers

Sara Hanson

Alix Albright

Anna Clarke Harrison

Rice University

Vanderbilt University McGill University

Kathleen Allos Boston College

Susanna Andrews

University of Colorado at Boulder

Alaina Baird

Baylor University

Carly Barringer

University of Mississippi

Sarah Lawrence College University of Southern California University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Eliza Hawkins

Vanderbilt University

Hannah Hayes

Wake Forest University

Carrie Haynes Tufts University

Margaret Hayworth

The CLASS OF 2O17 received offers of admission to 136 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and abroad and are attending 62 schools in 25 states plus Washington, D.C., Canada, and Scotland.

Washington & Lee University

Sydney McSharry

Olivia Stavely

Zsozso Biegl

Kelsey Kay Herring

Emily Myers

Amber Steigelfest

Ava Boney

Vivian Herzog

Augusta Bowhay

Sydni Hill

Y’Yemaya Boyd

Kira Hinchey

Corinne Brien

Grace Anne Holladay

Sara Kennon Caldwell

Janet Ann Horner

Sadie Paczosa

Grace Claybrook

Sophia Howard

Bitsy Pendleton

Anna Grace Cole

Emily Jenkins

Saffee Croker

Chloe Johnson

Lauren Bars

University of Mississippi Brown University Belmont University Santa Clara University Spelman College

Southern Methodist University University of Alabama

Louisiana State University Fordham University

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Caroline Daniel Belmont University

Paige Derwenskus Miami University

Karen Dordor

Washington University

Cammie Douglass Furman University

Emma Farrar

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Belmont University

University of Missouri Wake Forest University Vanderbilt University Washington & Lee University University of Georgia Spelman College

Northwestern University Wesleyan University

Sarah Johnson

University of Mississippi

Katie Kane

Boston University

Summer Kapanka

University of Pennsylvania

Sarah Kirkland

Birmingham-Southern College

Olivia Krueger

New York University

Sarah Kunkel

University of Michigan

Taylor Farrington

Helen Riley Lazenby

Jenny Fisher

Jordyn Lesh

Maddie Forbes

Ellie Loving

University of Georgia Auburn University

Wake Forest University

Franny Ford Wofford College

Molly Gaglione

University of Southern California Tulane University University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Hailey Lund

University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

University of Arizona

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Julia Nahley

Vanderbilt University

Deborah Otuno Baylor University

Anna Owens

North Carolina State University University of Southern California University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Emily Petroni

Harvey Mudd College

Molly Power

University of Oklahoma

Lorna Ramage

University of Georgia

Mary Kate Roach

Washington & Lee University

Grace Ann Robertson University of Richmond

Alison Rust

Tennessee Technological University

University of Denver Chapman University

Davis Stevens

Clemson University

Lauren Stringfield

Texas Christian University

Katy Stumb

Texas Christian University

Kate Sullivan

Clemson University

Sarah Timmons

Middle Tennessee State University

Olivia Tirrill

Southern Methodist University

Claire Trabue

Loyola University Chicago

Mary Triplett

Wake Forest University

Kat Trotman

Loyola University New Orleans

Emmie Wade

George Washington University

Georgia Weathers Georgetown University

Zoie Weinberg

University of Colorado at Boulder

Madeline Saltsman

Meredith Welborn

Karin Scott

Kaylah Whalum

Olivia Clair Shephard

Kellen Whalum

Reed Shirley

Katie Wilkins

Genevieve Shy

Caitlin Williamson

Samford University

George Washington University Auburn University

Samford University University of Alabama

Nicole Simoneaux

Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University Rhodes College

Rhodesw College

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Southern Methodist University

Emma Wise

Claire Gould

Makenzie Mason

Lizzie Singleton

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Mary Blake Graves

Ella McKenzie

Justine Sitton

University of Colorado at Boulder

Rachel Hagan

Marimac McRae

Claire Smith

Loyola University Chicago University of Glasgow University of South Carolina Florida Southern College

University of Florida St. John’s College

Dartmouth College

University of Southern California Chapman University

Evie Witty

Elizabeth Wood

Wake Forest University

Washington & Lee University

FALL 2017

35

HEAD OF SCHOOL OBSERVATIONS 2017 continued from page 2

those of us in the audience.

Those of you who worked on our campus publications—Hallmarks, Milestones, Logos and LogosNow—appreciate the importance of painstakingly paying attention to small details, and the many of you who played on championship teams during your Harpeth Hall years know that those titles were the culmination of hundreds of hours of practice and training. There is simply no substitute for practice and hard work in school or in life.

I don’t have to tell your class about the power of unity, because you’ve amply demonstrated that this year. From Opening Convocation as tacky tourists to your formidable Mock Trial successes, from your All-State and Mid-State choral and orchestra honors to your Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Festival awards, from your multiple swimming and diving, track and field, and riflery state titles to your recent varsity lacrosse win against rival Ensworth, from your impressive prom reveal video announcing A Night in Neverland to Senior Fun Day, from your thousands of hours of service learning to building a robot, you have demonstrated how a community working together can both accomplish something of significance and have fun.

Just as groups or societies can harden into set beliefs, so too can people become rigid in their thoughts and closed to new ideas. It’s easy and tempting to dismiss or vilify people with whom you disagree, but, as I hope you have learned at Harpeth Hall, it’s much more productive to engage people with different beliefs in a conversation or debate. Although you probably won’t fundamentally alter your point of view, you’re likely to learn something and deepen your own understanding of an issue or a situation by considering another perspective.

“There is wisdom in the resistance.” What is meant by this phrase is that just as you have good, rational arguments for what you believe, you should assume that most people with whom you disagree also have thoughtful reasons for their points of view. While you might never agree with your opponents, you can usually develop a deeper, more nuanced understanding of an issue by grasping alternative interpretations.

“There is wisdom in the resistance.” What is meant by this phrase is that just as you have good, rational arguments for what you believe, you should assume that most people with whom you disagree also have thoughtful reasons for

36

36

HALLWAYS

their points of view. While you might never agree with your opponents, you can usually develop a deeper, more nuanced understanding of an issue by grasping alternative interpretations.

In our cosmopolitan, global world, you will come in contact with people with very different beliefs and perceptions than your own. It’s our differences in part that make the world such a vibrant place, and I encourage you to carefully listen to each other and to your future classmates and to try to make the best sense we can of others’ points of view.

In her new book Option B, Sheryl Sandberg talks about resilience. To paraphrase her: “Resilience is the strength and speed of our response to adversity. We all encounter hardships. Some we see coming; others take us by surprise . . . The question is: When these things happen, what do we do next?”

It is inevitable that you will encounter setbacks and failures in your career paths and your personal journeys. It is my hope that your time on this campus has given you strength and resilience and shown you that you have the toolkit to help yourself. So, do not be afraid of failure. The more you fail and recover and improve, the better you are as a person.

I know you have resilience, and I know you are prepared.

You have many options.

My ultimate wish for each of you as you graduate from Harpeth Hall is that you’ll embrace your lives—the opportunities and the challenges, the accomplishments and the setbacks, the excitement and the disappointments, your supporters and your opposition—as fully and positively as you’ve participated in your experiences here, so that gradually over time you’ll find work worth doing that interests you.

To end, I’d like to borrow the lyrics from your Step Singing song “Wide Open Spaces.” “She needs wide open spaces; Room to make her big mistakes; She needs new faces; She knows the high stakes.” So go forth, Class of 2017.

You have made Harpeth Hall “not less, but greater, better and more beautiful than it was transmitted to you,” and we are deeply proud of you. Congratulations and best wishes to this most special class.

All the best,

Stephanie Balmer, Ed.D.

2017 Readership

Survey Results

Thank you to the 687 readers who participated in the Harpeth Hall Hallways Readership Survey circulated in March and April. Participation exceeded expectations, and we have been considering your valuable feedback as we continue to find ways to improve communication and improve your magazine. Here is a sampling of what you had to say: How You Read

• 79% read every issue or most issues per year.

• 81% read all or most of the content.

• 68% prefer the print edition of the magazine.

What You Read

• Readers indicated they want news about “Students and Campus Life”, with the areas of most interest in stories about curriculum followed by student awards and achievements.

• Another high interest area under the “School News” section, readers indicated they enjoy hearing from our Head of School, Dr. Stephanie Balmer, in each issue.

• Class notes remains firmly at the top of everyone’s reading list in the “Alumnae Life and Activities” section, with information about Alumnae in their professions in a close second place.

Why It Matters

• Respondents feel most informed about the school from emails (stand-alone emails first, newsletters second), followed by Hallways, the website and word of mouth from other alumna and community members.

•

• Feels like visiting home, learning what’s new/what’s remained the same.

• Student activities and student pictures . . .

Winterim opportunities!

• I love reading about the ways that girls are learning and adapting to the 21st century world. It makes me SO proud to be a part of the HH community and SO thankful that I benefitted from a top-notch education.

• It’s such a beautifully designed and executed magazine that I just love to look at it.

• Learning about how the school is growing to address current and future opportunities and challenges for women. Also, learning about how diversified the student body has become.

• Good cross section of activity going on and lots of photographs.

• Reminds me why we are paying tuition and support the school—what an incredible place that positions the girls for tremendous success if they will take advantage of the opportunities.

• I think Hallways is doing a fantastic job, even using 50% recycled paper. Keep up the great work, I am a very satisfied and proud parent!!!

67% of respondents agree or strongly agree with the

• Highlight more current activities (academics and athletics) of middle school students.

Also, information about what to look forward to for the next grade level for planning purposes.

• The format is a little old-fashioned and sometimes the stories read like a public relations piece rather than an in-depth profile.

• I would love to see a feature on efforts to increase scholarships, diversity, efforts to engage students in discussions of race and racism.

• Harpeth Hall should be positioned as a top tier school in the nation—not just a very good all-girls school in Nashville. I would like to see more content about how the school is researching best teaching practices and how the school is implementing those practices.

Communication

Feedback indicates the Harpeth Hall community does not feel the school is over communicating or over soliciting.

• Of current parents, 86% report feeling appropriately to moderately informed by Harpeth Hall communications. 4% report too much information, and 10% feel they do not receive enough information.

statement “Reading Hallways strengthens my connection to Harpeth Hall.” • Of alumnae, 90% report feeling • Social media is not a primary source of information about Harpeth Hall for this audience at this time. Social media preference in this audience breaks down as follows: 50% Facebook, 23% Instagram, 20% do not use social media, 5% Twitter.

What You Like Most About Hallways

• Hallways rated highest for Cover, Photography, Layout/Design and Writing.

• I absolutely love to read Hallways and relive my HH experience and see how pieces of my experience are still carrying over to students today and being transmitted to younger classes.

• Class notes!

Suggestions For Improvement

• More aggressive solicitation from all alumnae to contribute to class notes.

appropriately to moderately informed by Harpeth Hall communications. 5% report too much information, and 5% feel they do not receive enough information.

• More about college admissions and merit scholars.

Who Responded

• More in-depth interviews with alumnae, faculty, students. I am interested in knowing more about the people in our community.

• 40% current parents, (upper school parents 54%, middle school parents 46%)

• Hallways can be a forum for featuring students who are not always in the limelight. There are always a select few receiving all the awards and accolades.

While recognition of those students is always warranted, it would be nice to see features on other students.

• 53% Harpeth Hall alumna

• 7% percent general Harpeth Hall community member (faculty/staff, past parent, grand parent, friend of the Harpeth Hall community) • Age: 46% (over 50), 39% (35 to 49), 8% (26 to 34), 3% (under 26) FALL 2017

37

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HALL August 21, 2017

M

ore than 1400 members of the Harpeth Hall community gathered at the Dugan Davis Track and Soccer Complex for Harpeth Hall’s solar eclipse event, TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HALL. The rare astrological event did not fail to WOW all who attended. With STEM exhibitors and activities set up around the track, a live feed from NASA, and solar eclipse protective eye wear available for all, the large group assembled on the track and field and under the trees on the corner of campus near the Hobbs and Estes Road intersection. Food trucks were available for lunch and snacks and water stations were set up at various locations. The scoreboard counted down the minutes to when the moon completely blocked out the sun at 1:28 p.m., and a moon-themed music playlist set the mood. Just before complete totality, a cloud passed and obstructed the view, and there was a distinct gasp of disappointment. Fortunately, the cloud passed and the crowd cheered and counted down the remaining seconds as the sun disappeared. The day turned to dusk, stars appeared, the temperature dropped noticeably—the moment was exhilarating and memorable and made even more special because of the shared community experience.

What an amazing and memorable experience to share with our community!

Special thanks go to Dr. Stacy KleinGardner and Mrs. Becky Smith for taking the lead on this wonderful community event. A lot of work and time went into making the day special and flow easily. Thanks also to the volunteers and facilities team who worked hard to ensure everything went according to plan—and to our community, for making this incredible campus event one we will remember!

38

HALLWAYS

ALMOST ALUMNAE LUNCHEON

Seniors and their Alumnae Mothers and Grandmothers

Almost Alumnae Luncheon – May 2017

FALL 2017

39

REUNION ALUMNAE PANEL

Stephanie Balmer, Seema Kanwar, Sarvaria ’02, Alice Hinton Van Lingen ’72, Corinne Dale ’67, Catherine Workman ’97, Sarah Zimmerman Jordan ’07, Allison Wills Brooks ’82

40

HALLWAYS

50TH REUNION CLASS OF 1967

Alumnae 50th Brunch

FALL 2017

41

REUNION ALUMNAE CLASS PARTIES

42

1952

1967

1982

1987

2002

2007

HALLWAYS

REUNION ALUMNAE CLASS PARTIES

1972

1977

1992

1997

2012

FALL 2017

43

REUNION FACULTY PANEL

REUNION 2017

T

hank you to the over 375 alumnae who participated in Reunion 2017, returning to Harpeth Hall from 22 states plus Washington D.C. and as far as Costa Rica and India. What a fun-filled weekend it was in Nashville!

The two weekend panels were outstanding. Thank you to Upper School Director Jess Hill and faculty department chairs Tony Springman, Polly Linden, Elizabeth Allen, Lisa Keen, and Armistead Lemon for your insight on girls’ education past, present, and future. Plus the Alumnae Panel moderated by Allison Wills Brooks ’82 and featuring Corinne Dale ’67, Alice Hinton van Lingen ’72, Catherine Workman ’97, Seema Kanwar Sarvaria ’02, and Sarah Zimmerman Jordan ’07 was truly a treat. Their reflections on life “beyond the plaid” inspired all who were in attendance.

We sincerely thank our overall 2017 Reunion Co-Chairs Emme Nelson Baxter ’82 and Ellen Nelson ’87 along with each of the 36 Reunion Class Chairs who worked incredibly hard in planning the wonderful weekend that brought everyone together. Thank you also to the Reunion alumnae who made contributions to the Alumnae Annual Fund this year. Their support is vital to ensuring the school’s continued success. We are delighted to report that the Reunion Class with the highest percent participation and number of donors this year was the Class of 1982 who celebrated its 35th Reunion. In addition, the class with the largest number of returning classmates for Reunion Weekend was a tie. . . both the Class of 1967 AND the Class of 2007 each had 44 classmates attending Reunion!

44

HALLWAYS

REUNION COCKTAILS ON CAMPUS

FALL 2017

45

REGIONAL EVENTS

CHAPEL HILL, NC CHAPEL HILL, NC CHAPEL HILL, NC WINSTON-SALEM, NC

WINSTON-SALEM, NC MEMPHIS, TN

46

46

HALLWAYS

WARD-BELMONT AND BEYOND COFFEE

FALL 2017

47

Class Notes

65

Congratulations to alumna and tree expert Vicki Pierce Turner for receiving the Victor Johnson Award from the Nashville Tree Foundation.

67

Celebrating her 50th reunion with her classmates, Corinne Dale returned to campus May 5-6, 2017 for Reunion Weekend to participate in the Reunion Alumnae Panel Discussion titled “Beyond the Plaid.” Corinne is a Professor Emerita of English and Asian Studies at Belmont University and recently completed her second Fulbright Scholar Program.

69

Beth McCarley O’Shea was honored with a “supporter spotlight” in honor of the 30th anniversary of the founding of Our Kids, whose mission is to provide expert medical evaluations and crisis counseling services in response to concerns of child sexual abuse, and to increase community awareness, conduct research and offer education

48

HALLWAYS

and training about child maltreatment.

In these past 30 years, Our Kids has served more than 24,000 children and helped child sexual abuse move out of the shadows.

72

Celebrating her 45th reunion with her classmates, Alice Hinton van Lingen returned to campus May 5-6, 2017 for Reunion Weekend to participate in the Reunion Alumnae Panel Discussion titled “Beyond the Plaid.” Alice is an Associate Professor of Radiology/ Radiological Services at Vanderbilt University College of Medicine in Nashville.

74

Frances Roy, SVP, Chief Talent Officer for Ascension Healthcare for the last four years, is retiring and will provide consulting services through her company, LeadSync.

75

Frances Berry Spradley, who currently serves as regent of the Andrew Jackson Foundation’s board of directors, helped The Hermitage celebrate Andrew Jackson’s 250th birthday in March. Frances is a

fourth generation family member who has helped preserve The Hermitage and Andrew Jackson’s legacy. Frances’ great-great grandfather, Major E.B. Stahlman, helped plan the Battle of New Orleans’ centennial celebration, and her great-grandmother was one of the little girls chosen to release white doves for the occasion. Following in their patriarch’s footsteps, Frances’ great-grandmother, grandmother and mother each served on the Ladies’ Hermitage Association, now the Andrew Jackson Foundation.

78

Alongside Honorary Trustee Martha Ingram, Amy Grant Gill was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in April 2017, being recognized for her significant contribution to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song.

The Walk of Fame was established in 2006, and this roughly 1-mile path lined with stars connects downtown to Music Row. Bess Adkins Marshall is a Professor of Pediatrics in Endocrinology at

CLASS NOTES

Washington University in St. Louis.

She researches rare forms of diabetes and serves on the Faculty Senate Council and the board of the Academic Women’s Network.

becoming Assistant to the Chaplain at St. Augustine’s Chapel in Nashville.

92

79

Alison Smith, previously SVP of Operations, Distribution and Administration at BMI, was promoted to EVP, Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services. Alison now formally oversees the business and financial relationships with BMI’s publishers. Alison began her career working as an assistant in BMI’s Nashville office and has subsequently held multiple roles of increasing responsibility throughout her 31-year tenure at the company.

82

Allison Wills Brooks returned to campus May 5-6, 2017 for Reunion Weekend to moderate the Reunion Alumnae Panel Discussion titled “Beyond the Plaid.” Allison also served as a Reunion Class Chair to help plan her individual class events for the class of 1982’s 35th Reunion.

Allison is President of Calypso Cafe, Inc. and Wills-Brooks Investments in Nashville.

86

Shan Overton has moved to Pittsburgh, PA and taken a position as the Founding Director for the Center for Writing and Learning Support at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

89

Julie Hartzog Garcia obtained her Master of Management in Healthcare at Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University in the Fall of 2016. She received a promotion and is now the Director of Pediatric Social Work at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

90

On April 21, 2017, Beth Rather Gorman received Harpeth Hall’s 2017 Spirit of Service Award, an award honoring an alumna who demonstrates the school’s mission to “develop responsible citizens who have global perspectives and make meaningful contributions to their

communities and the world.” She shared insights and reflections at an all-school assembly on her work with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), and was surrounded by friends and family at a reception following the assembly.

91

Laurin Howell is the president of NUMBERS SKINCARE, a new clinical skincare line made locally in Nashville. She continues to work as a nurse practitioner with a group of neurosurgeons at the Howell Allen Clinic in partnership with St. Thomas Medical Partners.

H&M, a Swedish multinational clothing-retail company, used Chance the Rapper as the face of its 2016 global ad campaign to highlight its partnership with Paris fashion house Kenzo. Chance the Rapper’s pairing with this ad campaign was thanks to Marcie Allen Van Mol, the founder and president of MAC Presents, an award winning New York City-based music sponsorship and activation agency. Marcie received the 2017 Harpeth Hall/Ward-Belmont Distinguished Alumna award on March 31, 2017 at an all-school assembly. She shared inspiring words with the entire student body about her career path in the male-dominated music business, and has a plaque on display with fellow Distinguished Alumna recipients in the Wallace Upper School Lobby.

Tara Scarlett Peacock, president and CEO of Scarlett Family Foundation, was selected for the 2017-2018 Leadership Nashville class. The Leadership Nashville Foundation was founded in 1976 as an independent, executive leadership program to give community leaders a three-dimensional view of this city in order to build channels of communication between established leaders, to connect these leaders with community issues, and to equip participants with insights not solutions.

Lissa Smith was named the Associate for Pastoral Care and Cathedral Life at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville, TN in July 2017. The Reverend Ms. Smith received a B.A. in American Studies from Trinity College, Hartford, CT; an M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York; and a Certificate of Anglican Studies from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, CA. Ordained from the Diocese of North Carolina, she served as curate at Christ Church, New Haven, CT (2008-2010) before

95

Vadis Turner displayed her feminine textile paintings at an exhibit entitled Tempest at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts this past summer. Nashville Arts Magazine describes Vadie’s work as “affecting” and “eye-poppingly gorgeous.” You can read more about Vadis and see her art on her website: vadisturner.com. continued on page 50 FALL 2017

49

CLASS NOTES

96

Anne Elizabeth McIntosh is now the Vice President of Community Investment for the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. The Center is a Nashville-based hub for entrepreneurs with the environment, tools, and connections necessary to drive a scalable business.

97

Melissa Batchelor Rick accepted a position as full-time middle school math teacher for the 2017-18 academic year at Harpeth Hall. Melissa has six years of teaching experience at the third and fourth grade levels, along with a masters degree in Special Education.

Celebrating her 20th reunion with her classmates, Catherine Workman returned to campus May 5-6, 2017 for Reunion Weekend to participate in the Reunion Alumnae Panel Discussion titled “Beyond the Plaid.”

She is the Senior Director of Wildlife and Wild Places for National Geographic in Washington D.C.

00

Katie Hill was the guest speaker at an all-school assembly for the middle school SEEK program on April 26, 2017.

She spoke eloquently about her journey from Harpeth Hall to the University of Virginia where she majored in The Classics, to Italy where she worked on an organic farm, and ultimately to The White House where she served as Assistant Press Secretary on the Obama Administration.

After working on The Next Step Campaign at Harpeth Hall and then serving as the Director of Development for LEAD Public Schools, Ruthie Huggins has joined the team at Harding Academy as the Director of Advancement and Marketing.

Amanda Norman McGuire has selfpublished a children’s book entitled Color. Color is not only an attempt to expose children to a more accurate portrayal of the rainbow in the world 50

HALLWAYS

around us, but also an attempt to give parents (and children) more than just one simple image per color. Amanda is a self-employed artist with work shown in galleries and private collections throughout the United States.

Business Development Analyst.

Melissa Mosley graduated from Duke University Physical Therapy School in May 2017 with a doctorate in physical therapy.

Melissa relocated to Colorado upon graduation.

05

01

02

Celebrating her 15th reunion with her classmates, Seema Kanwar Sarvaria returned to campus May 5-6, 2017 for Reunion Weekend to participate in the Reunion Alumnae Panel Discussion titled “Beyond the Plaid.” She is an Associate Attorney with Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP in Nashville.

04

Laura Lea Bryant Goldberg’s cookbook, The Laura Lea Balanced Cookbook, was published in June 2017. Laura Lea is a certified Holistic Chef, consultant, and founder/ writer/photographer of the popular food website LLBalanced.

Stephanie Compton is the Program Director for Muddy Sneakers, a nonprofit that partners with public schools to get outside and teach 5th graders science in nearby conserved lands in the Carolinas.

The Next Door, Nashville 501(c)3 nonprofit, recently launched a sub-group of their Board of Directors comprised of young professional women committed to their mission to provide a continuum of evidence-based services for women and their families impacted by addiction, mental illness, trauma and/or incarceration with Christ-centered compassionate care.

Three of those dedicated women are Harpeth Hall alumnae: Ellen Green Hoffman, First Tennessee Bank, Financial Advisor; Jessica Kinnard, Medical Reimbursements of America, Attorney; and Elizabeth Triggs Tipton, Ingram Barge Company,

Ellen Green Hoffman was selected by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville as a recipient of the Nashville Emerging Leader Award (NELA).

In July 2017, Sarah Baker Daugherty accepted the position of Associate General Counsel for LifePoint Health, a health care company headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee which owns and operates more than 70 community hospitals across the country.

06

Caroline Anderson and Krissie Binkley Self were named two of Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30 by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30 recognizes the city’s most active young professionals and philanthropists under the age of 30 while benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s work to develop ways to control and cure cystic fibrosis.

On April 7, 2017 these honorees, along with their colleagues, friends, and families, gathered to celebrate one another’s accomplishments at the newly renovated Sheraton Hotel.

Caroline works for Nissan’s Capacity Management Team as a Supply Chain Analyst in the Analytics group.

Krissie is a consultant at c3/consulting, a management consulting firm that is dedicated to the people responsible for making change happen.

Liza Darwin and her company, clover letter, have been honored as one of Inc. magazine’s 2017 30 under 30 entrepreneurs. Clover letter is an email newsletter and a platform for girls to share their opinions, ideas, and experiences.

Meredith Woodard is working as a project engineer for NWS Technologies and is responsible for coordinating safety valve test and repair activities for several nuclear power plants. She recently attended the Safety Relief Valve Users Group (SRVUG) annual meeting where she gave a presentation on valve and component wear. In her

CLASS NOTES

VIEW Videos of both Reunion panels https://www.harpethhall.org/alumnae/reunion VIEW Reunion photos https://harpethhall.smugmug.com/Alumnae MAKE a donation TODAY https://www.harpethhall.org/giving/give-online

(L-R) Ally Nawrocki, Carly Henderson, Abby Sparrow, Dasha Didier, and Anne Rajbundit

free time, she has been active with local charities and community theatre.

She has served on the fundraising committee for Operation Freedom Awareness (an organization dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking), and was recently asked to join their board as secretary and fundraising co-chair.

07

Celebrating her 10th reunion with her classmates, Sarah Zimmerman Jordan returned to campus May 5-6, 2017 for Reunion Weekend to participate in the Reunion Alumnae Panel Discussion titled “Beyond the Plaid.” She is an Account Manager for Facebook in Austin, TX.

Stephanie Rothenberg participated in the amazing company of War Paint on Broadway as the character Dorian Leigh and an Arden Girl. The musical tells the remarkable story of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden—fierce rivals who defined 20th century beauty. In creating an industry, they reinvented themselves and revolutionized how the world saw women.

09

Channing Garber Brown started her residency at UAB in Internal Medicine-Pediatrics in the summer of 2017.

10

Elizabeth Akin married Collier Townsend in Mary Tek Sykes has been promoted Seaside, FL on April 22, 2017. to Trust and Safety Project Manager Elizabeth and Collier are living in at Etsy, working from their offices in Birmingham where they met the weekBrooklyn and Hudson, NY. end after she graduated from Harpeth Hall. Elizabeth was a cheerleader for Alex McLure Colvin Samford University and Collier played received the Bert Hitchcock football there. Several of her Harpeth Graduate Award in Southern Studies Hall classmates in April 2017 from Auburn were part of University College of Liberal the ceremony.

Arts. Alex discussed “Lineage, Claire Cato was Land, and Law: Biculturalism the reader at the in the Creek Community on ceremony, Grace the Tensaw, 1783-1850” at the Tipps was her third annual award presentaMaid of Honor, tion. Alex is a PhD candidate and Addie Cole concentrating on early Price and Molly American history, with a Saint were focus on the history of bridesmaids.

Alex McLure Colvin Creek Indians.

11

Anna Carro Abernathy serves as Program Manager at Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network in Bryan, TX, an organization that responds to the needs of the immigrant community, and advocates for justice, and continuing to strengthen the interfaith network in the Bryan-College Station area. She recently accepted a position as Director of College Ministries at A & M United Methodist Church in College Station, TX.

stay connected!

More than 8,000 Reasons to Stay in Touch Harpeth Hall’s social media sites have more than 8,000 participating members. Join us and stay connected with alumnae from around the globe.

08

Lynley Voges serves on the board of HEAL Ministries as treasurer. She was first introduced to the organization through her Harpeth Hall Winterim trip.

Lynley has a passion for spreading the mission and vision of HEAL to others.

12

Noni Hill is in Montería, Colombia in South America teaching ESL to 300 high school students. continued on page 52 FALL 2017

51

CLASS NOTES

Margaret McDowell graduated cum laude from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science in Management with a major in finance, as well as a Master of Accounting degree in May of 2017.

She was a member of the Beta Alpha Psi Honors Fraternity while at Tulane.

Margaret works in the Assurance Services Practice with Ernst & Young in New Orleans.

Margaret Anne Pendleton is currently enrolled in graduate school at the University of Tennessee working on a Master of Science in Child and Family Studies. Upon completion, she will be licensed to teach Pre-K through 3rd grade. She is completing an internship at Farragut Primary School in Knoxville in a kindergarten classroom.

Tina Qian graduated from Harvard in May 2017 with a degree in Applied Math and a secondary degree in Archaeology.

She now resides in New York City, working as an analyst in sales and trading for Deutsche Bank.

Leah Shaw graduated with a Master in Public Health from Tufts University in August 2017. Upon graduation, she will spend 27 months in Guatemala with the Peace Corps.

13

Erissa Irani graduated from Cornell University with combined degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering. She is training at Baxter Healthcare Corp. in Illinois where she is beginning a rotation in medical cyber security.

Anna LeBleu graduated from Vanderbilt University in May 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and is enrolled this fall at Georgetown University Law School.

Liza Southwick graduated cum laude from Trinity University with a BS in Business Analytics and IT and a minor in Sports Management. She also completed her tennis career with a top 16 singles finish in Division lll Nationals earning a third All-American honor. Liza is working with the

52

HALLWAYS

San Antonio Spurs in their data analytics department.

Katie Warne currently works in Culver City, CA at a digital advertising agency called AudienceX.

14

Ariana Giovetti spent Summer 2017 in New York City interning at MAC Presents, a music experiential agency owned by fellow Harpeth Hall graduate Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92.

Becca Morris was tapped into Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a national leadership honor society, at Washington and Lee University.

She is the captain of the Women’s Soccer Team and spent her junior spring semester in Ireland.

Anna Proctor, jewelry designer and entrepreneur, partnered with Band Against Cancer with Sarah Cannon to sell special Band Against Cancer bracelets. Twenty percent of the bracelet sale proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society.

Lilly Wimberly was awarded the John M. Evans English Scholarship at Washington and Lee University. The scholarship is a permanently endowed fund providing scholarship support for outstanding English majors.

Lilly was also named to the President’s List for her academic performance.

15

Brianna Bjordahl, interned in the Office of Sustainable Practices with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation last summer.

She worked with alumna Lori Munkeboe ’76, director of the office. Brianna, a biology/environmental science major at Bucknell University, is doing researching on giant salamanders in the Takahashi Research Lab at Bucknell. She plans to study abroad next semester in Bhutan with the School of Field Studies.

Anna Kathryn Groom and Lindsey Speyer spent Summer 2017 in New York City interning at MAC Presents, a music experiential agency owned by fellow Harpeth Hall graduate Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92.

Noni Marshall was selected to be a member of Chevrolet’s Discover the Unexpected (DTU) fellowship program. Now in its second year, DTU provides college students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) the opportunity to change the narrative of media reporting in the African American community with the help of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). Students will work in partnership with NNPA member papers in Washington D.C., Atlanta, New Orleans and Raleigh.

Nava Shaw completed her second year at George Washington University.

She has created her own major, “Visual Studies,” in conjunction with the Corcoran School of Art.

16

Five graduates from the Class of 2016 returned to campus on May 16, 2017 to host an Alumnae Panel for the senior class. Having just completed their freshman year of college, these alumnae shared college experiences and tips with the seniors.

The class of 2016 representatives were Dasha Didier from Tulane University, Carly Henderson from University of Tennessee, Ally Nawrocki from Rhodes College, Anne Rajbundit from University of Kentucky, and Abby Sparrow from Duke Univeristy.

Callie Jane Simmons was a member of the University of Colorado Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team who placed third in the D1 National Championship and was elected to represent the South Central region on the National All-Freshman Team.

17

Congratulations to recent graduate Evie Witty who was the the incredible and inspirational “Fund A Cure” speaker at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Promise Gala held at the Omni in Nashville on April 22, 2017.

CLASS NOTES

MEMORIAM Shirley Leake Tower ’36 of Redding, Connecticut, passed away May 22, 2017. She was an active community volunteer and enjoyed tennis, traveling, reading, and gardening. Shirley is survived by three daughters, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Beverly Pickup St. John ’39 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away May 18, 2017. As a result of her spiritual devotion, Beverly received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Bethel University and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary. Beverly is survived by one daughter, one grandson, a great-granddaughter, and nieces and nephews.

Evelyne Jan Latham Williams ’40 of Jackson, Mississippi, passed away December 26, 2016. Jan enjoyed art and travel and was involved in many community organizations.

She is survived by two sons, one daughter, her sister Betty Latham Nelson ’47, seven grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Louise Jahncke Stevens ’41 of Ft. Myers, Florida, passed away April 22, 2017.

Margaret Ann Craig Robinson ’42 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away April 4, 2017. Margaret Ann was involved in many community organizations but is most appreciated for her role in the development of Nashville’s Public Library system. She is survived by three daughters, including daughter Ann Kelly ’69, one son, five grandchildren including Sinclair Kelly ’98, and two great-grandchildren.

Mary Ann Sugg ’47 of Franklin, Tennessee passed away January 24, 2017. She was a member of Harpeth Presbyterian Church and was involved in many community organizations.

Eleanor Clark Kelley ’48 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away March 2, 2017. She enjoyed travel and volunteered with many community organizations. Eleanor is survived by her husband, brother, sister, six children including Josephine Kelley Darwin ’73, Craig Kelley Adkisson ’71 and 14 grandchildren including Liza Darwin ’06.

June Sanders Roy ’48 of Sarasota, Florida, passed away April 12, 2017. June loved flowers, the arts, decorating, and was a community volunteer. She is survived by her daughters, Frances Roy ’74, Becky Roy Riley ’75, Clare Roy ’78, two grandsons, one brother, and nieces and nephews.

Neilyn Griggs Maloney ’49 of Austin, Texas, passed away March 2, 2017. She had a career in scientific research at the University of Texas and as an attorney. Neilyn is survived by her former husband and many friends.

Lucinda Riddle Rains ’49 of Brentwood, Tennessee, passed away May 12, 2017. She was a teacher and enjoyed playing bridge and tennis. Lucinda is survived by two sons, one brother, and one granddaughter.

Susanne Wilson Vessels ’50 of Sarasota, Florida, passed away March 17, 2017. She is survived by her daughter, two sons, two grandchildren, a sister, and nieces and nephews.

Betsy Ferrell Amis Daugherty ’51 of Nichols Hills, Oklahoma, passed away May 3, 2017. She worked as a clothing representative and model for women’s clothing designers for several years. Betsy is survived by her sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Sandy Jean Travis Collier ’52 of Highlands, North Carolina, passed away June 4, 2017. Sandy had a multifaceted career as a registered nurse, teacher, real estate broker and homemaker. She is survived by two daughters, one son, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth Robinson Lacock ’52 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away April 20, 2017. Libby was a certified financial planner and enjoyed the arts and outdoor activities. She is survived by her sister and two of her three daughters, including Margaret Napier Morford ’73.

Mary “Polly” Jordan Nichols ’53 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away May 24, 2017. She was Harpeth Hall’s first Director of Development and Planned Giving. The school honored her with the Dede Bullard Wallace Award in 1986.

Polly is survived by her daughter the Rev. Sarah Nichols ’83.

Frances Shropshire Cheek ’54 of San Diego, California, passed away April 24, 2017. She was an accomplished and talented artist who spent many years in the business of antique prints. Frances is survived by her daughter, her son, one granddaughter, and two brothers as well as nieces and nephews.

Cornelia Carrier Gibbs ’56 of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away April 8, 2017. She was an environmental writer, columnist and editorial writer for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans, tourism director for the State of Louisiana, and taught at the college level.

Julie Bearden Adams ’61 of Macon, Georgia, passed away May 14, 2017. She was involved in the arts, her church, and in a bridal consulting business. Julie is survived by her husband, two brothers, three daughters, one son, three grandsons and five granddaughters.

Camille Core Gift ’69 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away March 29, 2017. She was a dedicated and beloved teacher at Harding Academy. Camille is survived by her husband, her daughter Liz Gift ’07, her son and daughter-in-law Nancy Keen Palmer-Gift ’07, and one granddaughter.

FALL 2017

53

CLASS NOTES

Rachel Stokes Apple

Georgia Ann Apple

BIRTHS Kimberly Irion Yungfleisch ’96 daughter, Olivia Jean Yungfleisch on June 12, 2017 Jenny Wray ’97 son, James Wilder Kaminski on July 5, 2017 Mackenzie McCracken Averbuch ’00 daughter, Isabelle Harris Averbuch on March 17, 2017 Lucy Kay Haggard ’00 daughter, Beatrice “Bebe” Scott Haggard on March 6, 2017 Amy Scruggs Adams ’01 daughter, Annabelle Lewis Adams on July 1, 2017 Anna Russell Kelly Friedman ’01 son, Edmund Cole Friedman on June 2, 2016 Julie Cato Marshall ’01 daughter, Molly Jane Marshall on April 13, 2017 Stephanie Tidwell Gillmor ’02 son, Teddy Gillmor on May 1, 2017 Sharon Rhett Hale ’02 daughter, Elysabeth Barbour Hale on April 12, 2017 Caroline Choate Hillard ’02 son, Hampton Wade Hillard II on May 5, 2017

Camille Dianne Forsyth

Caroline Taylor Hathaway

Rosie Averbuch

Isabelle Harris Averbuch

Mary D. Bartoe Oldacre ’02 daughter, Catherine Chandler Oldacre on July 27, 2017 Celeste Harrison Shaughnessy ’02 son, Michael Francis Shaughnessy, Jr. on March 24, 2017 Rachel Price Apple ’03 daughters, Rachel Stokes Apple and Georgia Ann Apple on June 19, 2017 Maggie Waltemath Ash ’03 son, Ethan Brewster Ash on June 29, 2017 Camille Grote Chaffin ’03 son, Oliver Manning Chaffin on June 22, 2017 Katie Tompkins Dick ’03 son, David Hagan Dick II on May 8, 2017

Margaret Hale Berberich

Kyle Thomas Daugherty

Abby Gallagher Vann ’03 son, Samuel Phillips Vann on March 27, 2017 Liza Trickett Averbuch ’04 daughter, Rosemary Helaine “Rosie” Averbuch on August 1, 2017 Meg Wright Hathaway ’04 daughter, Caroline Taylor Hathaway on April 14, 2017 Kate Davis Lemmons ’04 daughter, Kirby Grace Lemmons on May 12, 2017 Betsy Buntin Rossi ’04 son, Louie Anthony Rossi on March 25, 2017 Caroline Hale Berberich ’05 daughter, Margaret Hale Berberich on November 23, 2016

Katie Sears Forsyth ’03 daughter, Camille Dianne Forsyth on November 29, 2016

Sarah Baker Daugherty ’05 son, Kyle Thomas Daugherty on January 12, 2017

Anna Mayo Jacques ’03 daughter, Sophie Elizabeth Jacques on June 24, 2017

Sarah Lovett McFarland ’05 daughter, Clara Grace McFarland on August 8, 2017

Lindsay Mahan Lee ’03 son, William Everett “Rhett” Lee on April 6, 2017 Lauren Ezell Minear ’03 son, Oliver George “Ollie” Minear on August 7, 2017 Catherine Beckner Perry ’03 daughter, Margaret Lancaster Perry on May 23, 2017

Kirby Grace Lemmons

Elijah Raymond Waud

Maddie Martin Waud ’05 son, Elijah Raymond Waud on April 11, 2017 Elizabeth Grote Frist ’06 son, Bryan Edward Frist, Jr. on July 21, 2017 Callie Kestner Myers ’06 son, Archer Sinclair Myers on April 7, 2017 Julie French Strongin ’06 son, Kyle Andrew Strongin on March 24, 2017

Michael Francis Shaughnessy, Jr

Olivia Jean Yungfleisch

We welcome photos in our Class Notes, Marriages and Births sections.

We prefer high resolution, 300 dpi jpegs. Email your digital photos to Alumnae Coordinator Marion Floyd at marion.floyd@harpethhall.org.

54

HALLWAYS

CLASS NOTES

MARRIAGES Shelby Bailey ’89 to Eric Elwell on May 27, 2017

Ellen Regan ’06 to Robert Douglas Fink on May 27, 2017

Jasmine Miller ’09 to Christopher Hooper on October 8, 2016

Crissy Wieck Welhoelter ’96 to Matthew Wiltshire on April 7, 2017

Ruth Franklin ’07 to Craig Michael Bailey on May 27, 2017

Noel Price ’09 to Eric David Perkins on June 10, 2017

Grace Clayton ’01 to Marie Young on June 23, 2017

Kathleen Geer ’07 to Christopher Noojin Petro on June 17, 2017

Elizabeth Akin ’10 to Collier Townsend on April 22, 2017

Taylor Middleton ’02 to Peter Scavo on May 13, 2017

Sumner Morgan ’08 to Brian D. Smith on May 6, 2017

Katie Martin ’10 to Jackson Taylor on June 10, 2017

Elizabeth Triggs ’04 to Hughes Tipton on December 17, 2016

Lindsay Turner ’08 to Bradley Allen Trammell on March 25, 2017

Anna Carro ’11 to Lawrence Abernathy on June 24, 2017

Rachel Lowe ’05 to Christopher Owens Host on May 6, 2017

Channing Garber ’09 to Taylor Brown on June 3, 2017

Campbell Markham ’12 to Austin Wouters on February 18, 2017

Lindsay Pratt ’06 to Conor Louis Stransky on April 29, 2017

Elizabeth Akin and Collier Townsend

Lindsay Turner and Bradley Allen Trammell

Marie Young and Grace Clayton

Rachel Lowe and Christopher Owens Host

Ellen Regan and Robert Douglas Fink FALL 2017

55

RETROSPECTIVE

A CENTURY OF CLUBS

The Turf and Tanbark (TT) Club was founded in 1939 to instruct girls further in horsemeship.

Leftwich Lodge was a sorority house established in 1915.

Part two of a four part series on a century of clubs at Ward Seminary and the Harpeth Hall School.

PART TWO 1915-1935

W

ith the discontinuation of school-sanctioned sororities at Ward-Belmont in 1915, the school introduced a variety of new clubs including a system of student government, a choral society, and a drama club. The year 1917 was particularly innovative with the addition of numerous social clubs such as Tri-K, Anti-Pandora, Panta Tau, X.L., Agora, All-Around, and the Osiron Club, along with others. These clubs created sisterhoods between students amid the absence of national sororities. Aside from social clubs—athletics continued to provide fun and fellowship for students as they competed on an intramural level. This period discouraged varsity competitive sports for women until after the 1970s. As such, Ward-Belmont featured several athletic clubs including the Regulars, Panthers, Athenians, and Olympians. Because schools did not compete with one another in conference play—students created sporting rivalries within their community through club sports.

1936-1954

Although Ward-Belmont’s enrollment declined during the Great Depression, clubs were designed to help further student’s learning in many different fields. From the arts to athletics to languages, Ward-Belmont had a club to appeal to every student’s interest. The school, and by extension the clubs, were also affected by World War II. In 1942, the German Club was dissolved and replaced by the Vindobona Club. The Vindobona Club was a pre-Nazi Germany club, but To view more images any club with German visit www.harpethhall.org/history. interest was stopped Click on the Online Digital Archives. after until 1945. The Search for late 1800 or early 1900 social clubs continued copies of The Iris or Milestones. with six boarding 56

HALLWAYS

The last staff of the Ward-Belmont Milestones before the school’s closing in 1950.

The International Singers Club was founded in 1943.

clubs and four day-student clubs. The day-student clubs of Angkor, Ariston, Eccowasin, and Triad would continue at Harpeth Hall.

Ward-Belmont saw many changes during the late 1940s and early 1950s in the classroom, community, and with extracurricular activities. The doors to Ward-Belmont closed in 1951, but a new college-prep division opened on a new campus in 1951. What was formerly the collegepreparatory division of Ward-Belmont became today’s Harpeth Hall School. The closing of Ward-Belmont drastically affected student clubs. With the opening of Harpeth Hall in 1951, only half of Ward-Belmont’s original clubs remained. Many of the clubs and club traditions established in the first years of Harpeth Hall still exist today.

Celebrating our 2016-17 Annual Fund Supporters!

$1,561,901

Eccowasin wins the club song competition during Awards Day 2017.

Many thanks to our donors for LEADING CONFIDENTLY Adelaide Grace Davis ’79, Chair of the 2016-17 Annual Fund, along with her team of 140 volunteers

and over 2,400 donors have LED CONFIDENTLY this school year and set a new record in giving. We are thankful for the generosity of our parents, alumnae, grandparents, faculty, trustees, and friends for their support!

2016-2017 ANNUAL FUND LEADERSHIP TEAM PARENT CHAIRS

WARD-BELMONT CHAIR

Elizabeth and Sean Ryan

Marty Evers Templeton ’49

MAJOR GIFTS CHAIRS

PARENTS OF ALUMNAE CHAIRS

Sue and Bob Fisher

Wendy and Jay Longmire

ALUMNAE GIFTS CHAIR

GRANDPARENT CHAIRS

Crissy Wieck ’96 REUNION CO-CHAIRS

Emme Nelson Baxter ’82 Ellen Nelson ’87

Paul and Mary Schlater Stumb ’53 FACULTY CHAIRS

Kristen Meltesen Alice Bryant

Click the Giving tab at HarpethHall.org or call Tracy Campbell, Director of Annual Giving, 615-346-0083.

Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAID Nashville, TN Permit No. 1857

The Harpeth Hall School

3801 Hobbs Road Nashville, Tennessee 37215

1953 • 1958 • 1963 • 1968 • 1973 • 1978 • 1983 • 1988 • 1993 • 1998 • 2003 • 2008 • 2013

save these dates!

HoneybearHomecoming REUNION 2018

FRIDAY MAY 4 AND SATURDAY MAY 5 1953 • 1958 • 1963 • 1968 • 1973 • 1978 • 1983 • 1988 • 1993 • 1998 • 2003 • 2008 • 2013