Honoring
Dr. Stephanie Balmer Head of School 2014 – 2018
Jeannette Simpson Andrews My Mom—Geometry Teacher BY BETTY ANDREWS ’75
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never knew my mother as a teacher—at least not in the classroom. I knew her as a teacher, sure, walking the halls, disappearing behind the faculty room door, chatting with other teachers, including mine, and those who worked in the administration of Harpeth Hall. But the woman who held the rapt attention of a classroom full of geometry students?—no, I did not know her. When I faced the prospect of taking geometry in my upcoming sophomore year, I knew I had to speak up. Either I was persuasive, or my mother was just as dismayed at the prospect of having me as a student as I was dismayed by the prospect of having her as a teacher. She gave up one of her Advanced Geometry classes that year so that I could be taught by one of her colleagues. She didn’t ever let me forget that she never got that class back, as it was her favorite class to teach. I did hear from my classmates in the Class of 1975 a bit about her now and then. It seemed that half her students were shocked to find themselves getting geometry, making decent grades in math for perhaps the first time in their lives. The ones who were challenged seemed nearly all to be those who had done well in algebra, but found the progression of logic and lines through space required of them by geometry to be perplexing. But whichever group they belonged to, the girls in her classes seemed to really appreciate her. Geometry was the first time most of these students had been asked to engage in the development of arguments, proofs, through logic. Some of her students were drawn to this process and found it beautiful and powerful. I think my mother, herself, must have been one of those students. Others found it simply confusing to have a math class not entirely focused on numbers. I think she was probably patient with them. That’s the only way I can explain how students who struggled in that class some 45 years ago—now successful women in their own careers—still say that they hoped she thought well of them. She did. In fact, she chose one as her stock broker, one as her realtor, and one as her occasional chef. My Mom, the geometry teacher. May she rest in peace. Jeannette Andrews grew up in Raleigh, NC, earned a BS in Agricultural Chemistry with a minor in Statistics from North Carolina State University, and took graduate courses at Tufts University and George Peabody College for Teachers. Jeannette taught at Harpeth Hall from 1969 to 1985. She passed away on January 23, 2017.
The Harpeth Hall School sincerely thanks the Andrews family for establishing an endowment in memory of Jeannette Andrews to support professional development for our math faculty.
The Jeannette Simpson Andrews Endowed Fund for Mathematics Faculty Jeannette Andrews was a beloved mathematics teacher at Harpeth Hall from 1969 to 1985 and the mother of four children, including Betty Andrews, Class of 1975. Until her death at the age of 90 in 2017, Jeannette remained sharp, held herself and others to high standards, and loved Harpeth Hall. This endowment in her memory was established by her husband of 61 years, Dr. John S. (Steve) Andrews, to provide resources for exceptional professional development opportunities for the Harpeth Hall mathematics faculty.
CONTENTS
In This Issue: FEATURES
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Honoring Dr. Stephanie Balmer Harpeth Hall Head of School, 2014-2018
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Innovative Educators at Harpeth Hall 2017 Heath Jones Prize and Lulu Hampton Owen Chair for Excellence in Teaching
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Nashville Historian Extraordinaire Harpeth Hall’s Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel is a prolific producer of content about our city
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Fall Speaker Series Making an impact on their communities
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Winterim Celebrating 45 Years of Winterim
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2018 Harpeth Hall Distinguished Alumna Ellen Hobbs Lyle, Class of 1975
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2018 Alumnae Spirit Of Service Award Beth Porch Scruggs, Class of 1975
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Athletic Hall of Fame Continuing the Tradition of Excellence
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DEPARTMENTS
11 Academics 12 Around the Hall 20 Athletics 23 Performing Arts 34
46 Fall Events
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36 18 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.
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Honoring
Dr. Stephanie Stephens Balmer MARCH 20, 1967 – FEBRUARY 17, 2018
Dr.
Stephanie Balmer was celebrated as Harpeth Hall’s sixth Head of School at an Investiture Ceremony on September 5, 2014. Sadly, on February 17, 2018, our vibrant Head of School passed away surrounded by her loving family. During her tenure of nearly four years, Stephanie led our school with vigor and vision. She will be remembered for her energetic presence, her personal warmth, and her extraordinary gift of communication. Adored by her community, Stephanie exuded a bright, intellectual vitality that touched all who knew her. Stephanie believed deeply in and supported innovation in girls’ education. Her focus on educating the whole girl elevated programming at Harpeth Hall that encouraged resilience, wellness, and balance for girls and young women. She was actively involved in reimagining the future of Harpeth Hall’s campus, and in her final months, Stephanie envisioned and built a strategic plan that will ensure Harpeth Hall remains on the leading edge of girls’ education. Her remarkable life and legacy will continue to inspire generations of women.
Just as Stephanie was a bright light in our lives, we will shine a bright light collectively in gratitude for her life, her leadership, and her extraordinary impact on our lives.
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Candlelight Vigil, February 19, 2018
Let us follow her example by leading impactful, meaningful lives. Let us leave our mark on this world as she has. Remember
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Joy Harjo, circa 1983
emember the sky that you were born under, know each of the star’s stories. Remember the moon, know who she is. Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, that is the strongest point of time. Remember sundown and the giving away to night. Remember your birth, how your mother struggled to give you form and breath. You are evidence of her life, and her mother’s, and hers. Remember your father. He is your life, also. Remember the earth whose skin you are: red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth brown earth, we are earth. Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them, listen to them. They are alive poems.
Remember the wind. Remember her voice. She knows the origin of this universe. Remember you are all people and all people are you. Remember you are this universe and this universe is you. Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you. Remember language comes from this. Remember the dance language is, that life is. Remember.
The Honeybears biggest fan. Dr. Balmer with Ellie Smith ’19 and Claire Smith ’17
Poem read at Harpeth Hall Candlelight Vigil to honor Dr. Stephanie Balmer Monday, February 19, 2018 reprinted with permission
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Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, parents, alumnae, and neighbors held a candlelight vigil on the evening of Monday, February 19, to honor Dr. Stephanie Balmer. Students, dressed in their plaid uniforms for their dear Head of School, played the violin, read poems, and passed candlelight from person to person. Impromptu songs were sung—“Amazing Grace,” “Lean on Me,” Harpeth Hall’s Alma Mater, and others—before a moment of silence was recognized. It was a display of solidarity and community deserving of Dr. Balmer, who so embodied the character and aspirations of Harpeth Hall. When students, faculty and staff returned to campus on February 20, they gathered in the Frances Bond Davis Theatre for an All-School Assembly where they were addressed by Dr. Emily Cate Tidwell ’75, Board of Trustees Chair. “It is so good to have you all back here after a very long weekend. It is good to be together and to draw strength from each other,” Tidwell said. “To honor [Dr. Balmer], let us focus on her life and all she brought to it: her vibrancy, her full engagement, and her love and her warmth. Let us follow her example by leading impactful, meaningful lives. Let us leave our mark on this world as she has,” Tidwell said. Harpeth Hall’s counseling team, and additional volunteer counselors from Nashville area schools, were on campus and available to support our girls, faculty and staff. Harpeth Hall School will be forever grateful to the Nashville school community for its generosity, and for offering their resources and support—even the use of their school buses to transport Harpeth Hall students to Dr. Balmer’s memorial service. Harpeth Hall and its extended community remain committed to standing together through this extraordinary time.
Celebration of Life The Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees and Harpeth Hall School invited the community to a student-centered “Celebration of Life” for Dr. Stephanie Balmer which took place on campus in the Athletic and Wellness Center on Thursday, February 22. Students paid tribute to their beloved Head of School and shared personal reflections of their time with her and of the impact Dr. Balmer had on them. The event, attended by more than 1,500 people, was live streamed on Harpeth Hall’s website, and the recording is available for anyone to view. Following is a selection of student pieces from the program.
Welcome
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By Margaret Bone, Class of 2020
ood afternoon everyone. My name is Margaret Bone, and I have the honor and privilege of being the sophomore class president for the incredible Class of 2020.
I would like to welcome all of our wonderful faculty and staff. I’m sending welcomes to my 688 sisters and friends, and I would also like to welcome everyone else here today. It means so much to our Harpeth Hall community that you are here to celebrate the life of Dr. Stephanie Balmer and the impact she had on our school and my class.
On the first day back on campus, the girls spent time in activities that helped them express their love for Dr. Balmer. 4
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Whenever I think of Dr. Balmer, I think of a saying that has become prominent in the women’s movement. “Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” Dr. Balmer truly
embodies these three elements. “May we know them”— Harpeth Hall was blessed to know this strong woman. “May we be them”—through Dr. Balmer, we are encouraged to be strong women ourselves. And lastly, “May we raise them”—as for this last part, a fellow classmate of mine put it best: “One of the most important things to celebrate about Dr. Balmer’s life is that she raised an amazing daughter. We are so lucky to have her as a classmate and a friend. Caring, funny, smart, strong, hardworking, beautiful, and compassionate are characteristics found in both Dr. Balmer and Isabel … I know Dr. Balmer wishes she could have stayed with you forever, Isabel, but her vibrant light will guide you and never fade. Isabel, your class loves you.”
Advanced Placement Studio Art students honored Dr. Balmer by creating pieces that symbolized her brightness and her joyful iridescence.
Tuesday night I sent a text to my grade asking for reflections they would like me to share with our school and guests. For the last two days my phone has been flooded with emails and texts filled with beautiful memories of Dr. Balmer. Most detail the supportive encounters they had with her. The Class of 2020 knew that Dr. Balmer was our best cheerleader. She traveled all over Nashville giving her time to love and support the Honeybear Nation. I would like to share some of the messages I received:
I would like to leave you with this: In her time as Head of School, Dr. Balmer was our true Mama Bear, watching over all her Honeybears. She is, and always will be. For now, she is just watching over the HBN from farther away.
“My parents couldn’t always go to the games, so if they weren’t there, I knew that Dr. Balmer was in the stands for me and the whole team.” Another classmate shared, “One of my favorite memories is Dr. Balmer running down on to the lacrosse field to hug me after I had my highest scoring game. It was the best part of last year’s season for me.” Finally, as a member of the mighty Harpeth Hall bowling team, I can speak to the fact that Dr. Balmer braved the trip to come see the bowling team compete multiple times in our season, while my mother has never been to one. But don’t worry, Dr. Balmer was quick to snap a selfie and send it to my mom. Even when I was not bowling well, something that happened a little too often, she was so supportive and remained energetic for me and the whole team. This support extended well beyond athletics. On the fateful night before the winter math exam, my friends and I were camped out at the library rather late. Dr. Balmer was still on campus and walked through the library, checking on every girl who was still studying. It was just what we needed. You could feel her genuine encouragement, and her words gave us the extra motivation we needed for our last exam. These stories and so many more show Dr. Balmer’s constant compassion and vibrancy she gave not only to the Class of 2020, but also school-wide. As a school, we have manifested our grief in beaded bracelets on our wrists, ribbons in our hair, chalk writings on our sidewalks, and sharpie writings on our hands and legs. Dr. Balmer’s strength, faith, and love still radiates these halls, and I speak confidently when I say it will never fade.
Dr. Balmer makes me feel honored to wear my plaid skirt.
A Strong Leader
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Dr. Balmer Reflection By Annie Stewart, Class of 2021
n August, when I found out that Dr. Balmer was my advisor, I was a bit nervous since she was the Head of School. However, all my nerves were put to rest on my first day of advisory. Dr. Balmer greeted us all personally by name, with warmth and a twinkle in her eye. We all comfortably sat down in the chairs in her office, and she then told us, “I am here for you. If you ever need me, do not hesitate to email me or stop by my office.” She said it in a way that we knew she meant it. I immediately felt confident knowing that if I ever needed her, she would be there. Throughout the following advisory meetings, she listened to our complaints and helped us address our problems. We talked about which episode of Law and Order we were on, and watched videos of Gretchen swimming. Reflecting now on why I am very grateful for our time spent together, I feel very fortunate that I learned from Dr. Balmer how to be a strong woman leader. I learned that a strong leader can be kind, humble, gentle and a good listener. I also learned that strong SPRING 2018
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women can do what they set their minds to. Just being around her empowered me and made me want to get something accomplished. Through her kind words and actions, she also made me feel that I was special for who I am, and that who I am is enough. I am forever grateful for the lessons she taught me, and the love that she showed me because they will last a lifetime. Her impact on me is something that I will carry with me throughout my life, and by extending it to others . . . continue her legacy.
Lessons on Leadership
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By Stella Vujic, Class of 2018
hink critically, lead confidently, live honorably” is a philosophy for life at Harpeth Hall. These qualities are instilled in students from the first day they set foot on campus and learn from the examples set by faculty, staff, and, most importantly, Dr. Stephanie Balmer, our beloved Head of School. As Harpeth Hall’s fearless leader for nearly four years, Dr. Balmer was the epitome of the values we champion as a community. Her skills as a leader were matched only by her ability to impart her leadership qualities on those she led. I would like to share with you today a few of the many lessons on leadership I have learned from Dr. Balmer during my time as a Harpeth Hall student. LESSON ONE: To lead a community, you must first strive to know and be a part of that community. Dr. Balmer knew me (and all of us) by name. Every time I had the pleasure of speaking with her, she looked me in the eye. She had a genuine desire to know my thoughts and opinions, to see how my day was going when we met in the hallway, to encourage me through challenging times and to celebrate my triumphs. She cheered on the Honeybears at every cross country meet, and was always there to greet us at the finish line with a big smile and an even bigger hug (even when we were super sweaty and covered in dirt, which was pretty much always). Whenever I or my fellow Logos editors asked her to comment for a piece we were writing, she was more than willing to sit down and discuss, never content to just respond through email. Earlier this year, Margaret Gaw and I wrote a piece on sustainability initiatives at Harpeth Hall. Dr. Balmer and Ms. Lemon sat down with us for a joint interview for over twenty minutes. She deliberately took time during her busy day to listen to our questions and respond to them in candid detail. Dr. Balmer was not just the leader of our school, she was the leader in our school, striving to make our lives a part of her own. Which leads me to . . . LESSON TWO: Leadership is ultimately about believing in the potential of others. On my first day at Harpeth Hall—August 19, 2015—I walked into the Frances Bond Davis Theatre for Opening Convocation with excitement, but also a lot of apprehension about what the future might bring. As Dr. Balmer began to speak, however, my apprehension began to fade. She ended her speech like this: “We want you, every one of you, to strive each and every day to be your most authentic self. To be an independent thinker and to have big dreams. You are today’s Harpeth Hall students, and you stand
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on the shoulders of more than six thousand Ward Seminary, WardBelmont, and Harpeth Hall alumnae who came before you. You are Harpeth Hall’s best traditions, and the world’s brightest future. You too are extraordinary young women who will learn and grow, challenge and lead, here at Harpeth Hall and later in the world.” In only the first hour of the school year, Dr. Balmer made it clear that at Harpeth Hall, students’ aspirations would be supported and encouraged. And I cannot describe how much this meant to me as I sat in the sophomore section, wearing my Harpeth Hall uniform for the first time. Thereafter I witnessed our Head of School demonstrate her commitment to these words every single day. As a leader, her goal was to inspire those she led to achieve new heights, and she helped foster this can-do spirit in our classrooms, onstage, on the field, and out in the real world. All the while, she instilled within us a sense of respect for those Honeybears who came before, reminding us that we, as Isaac Newton once said, are “standing upon the shoulders of giants.” LESSON THREE: Perhaps the most profound lesson I’ve learned from Dr. Balmer’s leadership of Harpeth Hall is that great leaders have the capacity for great love. Her love for this community was reflected in her bright eyes and bright smile, her tight hugs and enthusiastic handshakes, her habit of always signing her emails with “Warmly, Dr. Balmer.” Her warmth provided an omnipresent light at the Hall which I am sure will not diminish in the years to come. The way in which my peers and I speak about Dr. Balmer is with the deepest respect, a respect that comes not from fear or obligation to authority, but from love and admiration. We have all been united by our love for our Head of School and her love for us. There is no greater magic than this. On the morning of Sunday, February 18, students gathered of their own accord to pay respects to Dr. Balmer on the steps of Souby Hall. The lawn was a sea of plaid, awash with tears but buoyed by the strength and comfort we felt in standing together and singing our alma mater. Never in my life have I felt more a part of a community than I did in that moment. Never have I felt so much love for my Harpeth Hall sisters. Never before had I realized the true power of community. As a leader, Dr. Balmer always knew the importance of community and devoted her career to fostering the strongest community she could here. I wondered on that Sunday how such a beautiful day—sunny, cloudless, quiet, a slight breeze—could be the backdrop for the sense of tragedy we all felt. I understand now that the sun shining that day was meant to illuminate the lasting impact Dr. Balmer made on each and every one of us. The sunlight was there to remind us of the light she shared with us, a light which will remain in our hearts forever. I have learned so much from our Head of School, but it all boils down to the importance of loving one another. May we all live our lives with an ever-expanding capacity to love, so that we may transmit this world, as Dr. Balmer did, greater, better, and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us. Thank you.
For Dr. Balmer, from 103 of her Girls
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By the Class of 2017
he memory of her is more than any one feeling. It is lasting, it is safe. It is an experience of synesthesia: To feel her voice, Her proud embrace, The sound of her smile, That radiant, knowing smile which lit up a room. The smile that captured the joy of her soul. She was luminous; her eyes, her hair, her skin, her laugh. She was sheer life. She was: A beauty and a blessing, A friend and an encourager, Pink La Croix and a pink Lilly dress, The most fashionable gray hair we’ve ever seen, A sunglasses tan around green eyes, The tightest hug, with a strong arm tucked all the way around your waist. She was a person who made all the clichés ring true. She loved us as her own, Invested in our success, Guided everyone towards goodness, Rode the graduation party circuit like a champ, Offered us coffee at 5 a.m., Binge watched House of Cards, and
never knew what we had for X-block. She spoke with such warmth and richness of words: “What a wonderful day to have us all gathered here together in the Frances Bond Davis Theatre!” “Shame on you, Marshall Mathers.” “I’m just trying to get my 10,000 steps in before 3:10.” “Girls! TGIF. God Bless America.” She is inextricably tied to, representative of, and inherent in our love for Harpeth Hall. When we parted ways, Hers was one of the last faces to send us off to a new adventure. We felt that she instantly understood; she just got it. She believed in girls, and she believed in you, and when she told me she believed in me, I believed in myself too. But what she didn’t know was that she was everyone’s role model– A woman of honor, empathy, kindness, and determination. To know her was to be known; to love her was to be loved, and no Honeybear was left behind. We pray to become a quarter of the woman she was and to raise our daughters to be half. MAY WE ALWAYS SHINE A LITTLE BRIGHTER FOR HER.
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Memorial Service On Friday, February 23, 2018, the Balmer family held a memorial service to honor the life of Dr. Stephanie Stephens Balmer at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Emily Cate Tidwell, Class of 1975 and Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees Chair, shared the following tribute.
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am Emily Tidwell, and it is my distinct honor to speak today at the memorial service for our beloved Dr. Stephanie Balmer. This is one of the highest honors of my life. Thank you for this honor, Lauren and Isabel; our hearts are with you and your whole family, and will remain there. As Chair of the renowned Search Committee that found and attracted Stephanie to Harpeth Hall, and as Chair of the Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees, I have had the privilege to work closely with Stephanie and know her well. I loved her deeply, as we all did. Stephanie was a sparkling, precious gem. I have heard someone say that to me every day for the past four years. Anyone who met Stephanie never forgot the moment they met. She left that kind of impression. She gave off such a bright light. You were immediately struck by her effervescence, vibrancy, authenticity, energy, and warmth. She connected immediately, and she focused on you. Her inner beauty was irrepressible and emanated from her. Her sparkling, intent eyes and her bright smile warmed you immediately. And when she knew you better, she gave you that big hug. Who was not delighted to be in her presence? As just one example, the first time the Search Committee met Stephanie, we were at the end of a very long two day weekend of interviewing multiple candidates. By late Sunday afternoon, our energies were starting to wane. We had just one last candidate to interview. In the door comes luminous, vibrant Stephanie Balmer and we were wondering, “What wonderful force of nature has just descended upon us?!” Stephanie’s attributes were manifold. She was a gifted communicator. She spoke clearly and effortlessly. In the day of cryptic, brief words, she wrote beautifully and eloquently in complete sentences. She was positive and engaging, thoughtful and kind, caring and compassionate, and one of the most considerate individuals I have ever known. She never put herself first; she thought of others. She intuitively knew what was appropriate, and her actions followed suit. She was sensitive and civil, inclusive and collaborative. I trusted her completely. She knew what to communicate and to whom. She was a skillful, resourceful problem solver; working with her, I knew we could deal successfully
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with anything. Her emotional intelligence was as high as her IQ. To be with her was to know intellectual vitality. She was well-versed and could discuss any topic with great energy and interest. I loved our rich discussions. Having majored in political science, gained an MBA degree, obtained a certificate in Educational Management from Harvard University, and earned a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania, she was the model of lifelong learning and striving, and she held a myriad of interests. She was a visionary and an inspirational leader, who was admired across our country. Her priorities were clear: Lauren and Isabel and her family were her beloved. At Harpeth Hall, her priorities were clear as well: the school is student-centered. She thoroughly understood and espoused the value of girls’ education and was a thought leader. As she often said: “girls education is not the absence of boys, but the presence of girls.” She wanted this very school for her daughter, Isabel. Stephanie’s impact and reach were boundless. We have received an outpouring of beautiful, heartfelt sentiments and expressions of love from within the Harpeth Hall community, within the Nashville community, and from all over this country and the world. The messages all reflect the exact same feelings about Stephanie and use the same descriptive words. It shows that we all knew her well, and in the same way. She was effusive with her love. She knew each of us and remembered everything about us, and she loved us well. That deep well of love she provided is there for us to draw from for the rest of our lives. Stephanie epitomized joy. She was fully engaged in life. We were given a role model that we were fortunate to observe for years, day in and day out. This is how you live. This is how you love. From her own life experiences, Stephanie knew that life is precious. If we did not know it before, through these past few days, we have learned that life is precious. That knowledge is a gift. It spurs us on. Thank you, Stephanie, for all you gave to us. And now I would like to close in prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of Stephanie Balmer. By her good example, may we lead meaningful, impactful lives. As she did, may we live fully and love deeply. And from her bright light, may we too be lights in this world. Amen.
all take an ounce of her love and spread it to others, so that her contagious spirit continues to impact the world. Let us ensure, together, that her legacy lives on in whatever form that might be: the words we choose, the love we share, the acts we do, the attitudes we hold, and the dreams we pursue. Most importantly, let us honor Stephanie by how we make each other feel. I hope we all recognize that what we admire so about Stephanie is her capacity to love selflessly. I have no doubt that we will all choose to love more abundantly and more freely.
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Excerpted from the thank you letter to the Harpeth Hall community from Isabel and Lauren Balmer
want to share my deep and unending appreciation for the support our family has received over the past few weeks. Isabel and I are grateful for all the kind words, and we treasure the expressions of love, hope and empathy. Steph and I were married for twenty-seven years this April, and from the beginning I knew she was extraordinary. I have been so touched to see how many recognized the same. Thank you for sharing what you loved about her: from her intelligent, visionary, and poised leadership to her kind, authentic, and energetic disposition. The perceived impact Stephanie had within this community and this city, and around the state, the country, and the world, overwhelms us. My heart is full to know that such consistent testaments to her vibrant spirit and loving nature are shared by so many. We have absorbed absolutely every kind deed and act, and they will serve as rich soil in which we hope to grow and heal. Thank you for continuing to remember Stephanie as you go forward. May we
I will never be able to adequately articulate my appreciation. I can only hope that you see and feel what is in both Isabel’s heart and mine. We have only begun to share our deep well of gratitude. Isabel and I plan to remain a steadfast part of the Harpeth Hall community. Going forward, we will love and support Ms. Hill as the Interim Head of School, as well as the new Head of School when named. We are excited to remain a part of the Honeybear Nation. THANK YOU for all you have done and will continue to do to ensure that all women Think Critically, Lead Confidently, and Live Honorably. We are, and will remain, #BalmerStrong. Warmly, Lauren and Isabel Balmer The Balmer family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations honoring the extraordinary impact of Dr. Balmer’s leadership as Head of School be directed to Harpeth Hall. Therefore, a memorial fund at Harpeth Hall has been established honoring Dr. Balmer’s life. Donations may be made online or mailed to the Harpeth Hall Advancement Office at 3801 Hobbs Road, Nashville, TN, 37215. SPRING 2018
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Nashville’s Youth Poet Laureate
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aviland Whiting, Harpeth Hall Class of 2020, was selected as the fourth Nashville Youth Poet Laureate at the 10th annual “State of the Word” poetry showcase in December which featured the region’s top college and high school writers, poets, emcees and spoken-word artists. As part of the showcase, Whiting was one of four Nashville young adults who performed for a panel of judges.
Q and A
with Haviland Whiting:
Poet Laureate of Nashville Can you talk a little about your writing/creative process? How do you compose? My creative process always varies quite a bit. I suffer from chronic writer’s block, which can be so painful and awful. Even when I have a lot to say, it just won’t come out. Other days, it’s like everything around me is poetry, and I can crank out five poems about anything. One thing I know for sure is that I can never write when I say, “I’m going to write now.” Inspiration always hits me when I’m busy doing something like homework or eating! But I guess duty calls! Many of my ideas appear while I’m sleeping, so I keep a notebook next to my bed so I can review any of my nighttime thoughts. Most of them will be awful, but occasionally there will be a worthy line or two.
What serves as inspiration for you? I love “Button Poetry” on YouTube. There are many talented poets on there, and it’s such an accessible platform. Currently, my favorite [written] poets are Claudia Rankine and Bhanu Kapil. Both write about the experience of women of color, but from completely different places in the world. But most of all, I am inspired by the things that make me incredibly sad or incredibly angry. Unfortunately, I cannot write about things that make me happy, though I have tried. Love inspires me, but mostly just the heartbreak part.
What are your hopes or goals as you serve as Nashville Poet Laureate in this upcoming year? I want to use this platform to spread awareness for all the microaggressions I’ve personally experienced, but also all the experiences I’ve heard from others. I want to give a voice to the voiceless, and begin normalizing things (like sexuality or mental illness) through poetry. In more concrete terms, I’m hoping to create a visual poetry album and possibly showcase it art-show style. I will also be authoring a book! I want to sharpen my skills and really connect with the world around me in hopes of becoming the National Youth Poet Laureate one day.
“I am so incredibly honored to be Nashville’s Youth Poet Laureate,” Whiting said. “The ability to have my voice heard and to be given such a platform is a gift, and I intend to spread awareness to everyday injustices. Southern Word has also offered me a book deal with Penmanship Press, so I’m looking forward to being able to archive my poems!” The Nashville Youth Poet Laureate is a joint program of the Office of the Mayor, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Nashville Public Library, Nashville Public Library Foundation, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Urban Word and Southern Word. The Nashville Youth Poet Laureate program aims to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to civic and community engagement, diversity and tolerance, and youth voice across Nashville.
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National Merit Scholars CONGRATULATIONS TO HARPETH HALL’S CLASS OF 2018
National Merit Finalists: Hailey Fox, Maya Misra, Eliza Ossolinski, Carmon Proctor, Valerie Sheehan, Avery Taylor, Marguerite Trost, Stella Vujic, and Kaili Wang.
ine Harpeth Hall students from the Class of 2018 are National Merit Finalists, and 11 are National Merit Commended Students for a total of 20 girls (20 percent of the senior class) recognized.
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Commended students scored in the top five percent. Commended Students: Gavi Abelow, Lizzy Asad, Sydney Clayton, Margaret Gaw, Sophia Grande, Bradford Harrington, Caroline Kiesling, Claire Litchfield, Sunni Luo, Halle Petrie, and Charlotte Staggs.
Our nine National Merit Finalists scored in the top one percent of all juniors nationwide who took the PSAT in the fall of 2016.
We are immensely proud of this impressive academic accomplishment by our students, and are grateful to our faculty for helping students prepare for the PSAT.
STEM Excellence Award
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ast month, Harpeth Hall’s middle school program was recognized as a top three finalist for the STEM Excellence Award at the National Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando, Florida, a respected conference that attracts thousands of education and technology leaders from around the world. This award affirms the excellence of our math, science, technology and computer science programs, but an essential component of this recognition was also the way Harpeth Hall connects STEM to arts and humanities. At Harpeth Hall, STEM+ is a mindset that permeates much of what we do. It is common to see joint projects between math and art, English and science, or engineering and social studies. We also succeed by implementing research-based practices starting in fifth grade that have been found to correlate directly with success for women in STEM majors in college and beyond. Some of these practices include spatial reasoning curriculum, real life engineering problems to solve, applied STEM, and exposure to women in diverse STEM careers.
Harpeth Hall faculty Caitlin McLemore, Academic Technology Specialist; Becky Smith, Middle School Coordinator of STEM Education; and Dr. Stephanie Zeiger, Department Chair of Middle School Science, display the STEM Excellence Award plaque. SPRING 2018
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Mock Trial Teams Rank High in Competition
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arpeth Hall’s two Mock Trial teams, the Silver Team and the Green Team, finished in 2nd and 3rd place respectively in the Nashville Metro competition at the end of February. The Silver Team moved on to compete at the State competition held in the Metro Davidson Courthouse in March and finished 5th overall. Congratulations HH Mockies!
Tennessee Theatre Association One-Act Competition Winners
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he Harpeth Hall Playmakers and MBA Players comprised the cast and crew of George Orwell’s ANIMAL FARM. Their performance was entered in the Tennessee Theatre Association’s One-Act Competition. The production won First Place in the state and First Place in Technical Excellence. Additionally, MBA senior John Powell Cooper won Best Actor honors. MBA senior Harrison Kidd and Harpeth Hall junior Lillian Stowe were named to the All-Star Cast.
Model UN and Youth Legislature
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he Model UN and Youth Legislature programs allow seventh and eighth grade students the opportunity to test their research, writing, and debating skills against students from other schools across Middle Tennessee. Eighth grade participants in Model UN are assigned to a country and produce resolutions designed to help solve international problems. The seventh graders in the Youth Legislature program create bills focused on addressing challenges at the state level. The students are assisted in this endeavor by volunteer student mentors who participated in Youth Legislature the previous year. In both programs, the girls debate ideas at the committee level in hopes of earning the right to have their plan discussed and voted upon in the general assembly. Model UN Poland delegates: Maddie Hogan, Amelia Reddy, Inge Park and Ansley Johns.
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AROUND THE HALL
2018 Scholastic Writing Awards
AWARDS BY CATEGORY Critical Essays Flash Fiction Journalism Personal Essay & Memoir Poetry Short Story Portfolios
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he Scholastic Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition initiative for creative teens in grades 7–12, announced the 2018 regional award winners. In total, 121 accolades were awarded to 55 Harpeth Hall students in the areas of poetry, personal essay/memoir, critical essay, short story, flash fiction, journalism, and writing portfolio. Twenty-six entries received Gold Keys, 60 received Silver Keys, and 35 received Honorable Mentions. The 26 Gold Key entries will move forward to national competition.
39 6 1 23 42 7 3
NUMBER OF AWARDS BY GRADE 7th grade 8th grade 9th grade 10th grade 11th grade 12th grade
2 5 1 21 16 76
HIGHEST NUMBER OF AWARDS TO AN INDIVIDUAL STUDENT Lizzy Asad ’18 Hailey Fox ’18 Stella Vujic ’18 Valerie Sheehan ’18 Margaret Gaw ’18
Please see HarpethHall.org for a comprehensive list of award recipients.
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POETRY • PERSONAL ESSAY/MEMOIR • CRITICAL ESSAY • SHORT STORY • FLASH FICTION • JOURNALISM • WRITING PORTFOLIO
2018 Scholastic Art Awards
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n addition to Scholastic Writing Awards, student participation in the Scholastic Art Award program provides a powerful tool for building community, advocating for art education, and fostering the creativity of emerging talents. A total of 30 Harpeth Hall art students in grades 7-12 received recognition at the regional level for submissions in Painting, Photography, and Drawing & Illustration. “As a department, we are proud of all of our art students for immersing themselves in the artmaking process!” Mrs. Carmen Noel, Harpeth Hall Art Department Chair. Congratulations to all of our creative and talented Harpeth Hall students for the impressive showing in the 2018 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards regional competition. SPRING 2018
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AROUND THE HALL
SUNDAY ON SOUBY
GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY
PLAID DASH 14
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AROUND THE HALL
MLK Day of Service
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he Harpeth Hall community came together on a snowy Monday in January for MLK Day of Service. Joining forces to support Rise Against Hunger, an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world, Harpeth Hall alumnae, parents, students, family members, faculty, and staff assembled 10,000 food bags and boxed them to be delivered to those in need.
Mother • Special Friend • Daughter Coffee
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ee Pendleton, the keynote speaker at this year’s Mother-Special Friend-Daughter Coffee, shared heartfelt and humorous reflections on her 15 years as a Harpeth Hall parent and what Harpeth Hall has meant to her family. Mother of three Harpeth Hall graduates, Bitsy ’17, Margaret Anne ’12, and Lia ’10, she is also Director of St. George’s Kindergarten program. Please visit our website for the full text and video of her speech. “The real reason for sending our girls to Harpeth Hall is the environment. They are surrounded by people whose goal is to see them succeed,” Pendleton said. “Harpeth Hall has been a milestone and a cornerstone in our lives.”
“Hello Lighthouse” (A poem about mothers) By Sunni Luo, Class of 2018 I speak truthfully like how you have taught me When I say you hold my life in your hands. Your hands that wear gloves, pipette, and give hugs, Your hands that hold mine in all my mistakes, Your hands that I run to when I am lost. I speak truthfully like how you have taught me When I say you’re the lighthouse I return to.
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2017
Heath Jones Prize Lulu Hampton Owen Chair for Excellence in Teaching
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INNOVATIVE EDUCATORS AT HARPETH HALL
very spring, Harpeth Hall recognizes teachers for their commitment and dedication to helping each student reach her highest intellectual potential. In spring of 2017, the following teachers were recognized at Harpeth Hall’s Faculty Appreciation Assembly. Tricia McNally, Middle School English and Reading teacher, was awarded the Heath Jones Prize for the Promise of Excellence in Teaching. This award is dedicated to A. Heath Jones, teacher and Academic Dean at Harpeth Hall from 1984 to 1996. It is awarded to a full-time teacher who has had five years or less of classroom experience and who has taught at Harpeth Hall for two years or more. Excerpts from assembly: “Mrs. McNally’s students adore her and know that she is a champion for their success. Her classroom is a place where her students laugh, learn, and feel supported. Most striking is her authenticity with students and the connection she establishes with every girl in her charge. Students know that anything they say or suggest in her class will be heard and appreciated.” When asked what she learned from one of her favorite teachers that she still uses today as a teacher, McNally said “always admit mistakes to your students.” When asked what she hopes her students gain from their experiences in her classroom, “curiosity and confidence,” was her reply. Her easy, positive rapport with her students creates an atmosphere conducive to learning in a stress-free way. When she affectionately refers to her students by nicknames —dude, senora, friend, and sister to name a few—it brings a big smile to her students. It is evident that the girls know that she is on their side and knows them well. McNally is a supportive colleague—she is known and appreciated for volunteering to help her colleagues and for her dry sense of humor. She is a true team player, and we are so fortunate to have her here at Harpeth Hall. Congratulations Mrs. McNally on receiving the Heath Jones Prize!
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for one year and carries with it honor, remuneration, and a Harpeth Hall chair which serves as a symbol of this award. Excerpts from assembly: Mrs. Himes’s calling card is her warm smile and authenticity. Every student walks into her classroom and finds a welcoming but challenging atmosphere and is inevitably disappointed when the class comes to an end. Many students comment that she is “simply the best” and that they often realize a newfound confidence in their skills as problem solvers during their time in her class. Students attribute this growth to her relentless belief in them and her willingness to work with them outside of class. She makes learning fun and encourages students to work diligently until they master the skill or concept at hand. Her classroom is lively, and it is evident that students are comfortable asking questions and taking risks. She cares deeply for her students and they know it. It is sometimes difficult to pinpoint exactly the source of that magic, but it seems to be a combination of skillful teaching, creativity, and the ability to motivate and inspire students to work to their full potential. When asked to share a lesson she learned from one of her favorite teachers, she shared the following: “Thanks to my high school math and physics teacher Coach Quarles, I was able to embrace his challenging AP Calculus course with confidence and success, even though I was only one of two girls in the class. I will always be grateful for the investment he made in me. Through lots of encouragement, he allowed me to realize that I was ‘good at math,’ while simultaneously keeping his expectations high and pushing me to apply concepts in novel ways. To this day, thoughts of him are an inspiration!” Her Coach Quarles would be proud to see that she has emulated his example in her own classroom and inspires her students and colleagues through her effective teaching style and connection with students.
Ultimately, I hope that my students will become more confident learners and critical thinkers,
but also that the time we spend together will inspire in them an increased love of learning, one
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that transcends the math classroom.
— Mrs. Himes on what she hopes her students gain from her classroom.
Kim Himes, Middle School Math teacher, was awarded the Lulu Hampton Owen Chair for Excellence in Teaching. This recognition is awarded annually to an outstanding member of the Harpeth Hall faculty who demonstrates excellence in scholarship, an unusual ability to communicate with students, excitement about teaching and learning, a commitment to the moral and intellectual development of students, and dedication to the life of the school. The appointment is
We recognize Mrs. Himes for her tremendous contributions to the Harpeth Hall community and we are grateful for her tireless work ethic and consistently upbeat and optimistic demeanor. Congratulations, Mrs. Himes, on receiving the Lulu Hampton Owen Chair for Excellence in Teaching! 2018 Faculty Appreciation Assembly is May 7th SPRING 2018
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Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel
Nashville Historian Extraordinaire Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel is a woman in perpetual motion. By day she teaches Advanced Placement (AP) History in Harpeth Hall’s Upper School, chairs the History and Social Sciences Department and serves as the School Archivist. By night, she inspires students at Belmont University in the Global Leadership Studies and Honors Programs. Her courses at Belmont include titles such as “The Age of Exploration,” “Making the Modern City,” and “Digital Humanities.” Born in Rome, Georgia, Dr. Pethel’s professional career brought her to Tennessee. While Georgia will always be on her mind, Pethel has called Middle Tennessee home for the past ten years. She is proud of Nashville’s story and of its potential, and she is determined to share our city’s rich history with others.
Published Author
In addition to teaching during the day and at night, Pethel finds the time to write and publish original research. Since writing our own institutional history, All-Girls Education from Ward Seminary to Harpeth Hall, 18652015, Dr. Pethel has published two new books which were released last in 2017. She has presented several book talks and held book signings, including two “Winterim for Adults” classes. Dr. Pethel’s most recent release, A Heartfelt Mission—The West End Home Foundation 1891-2016, documents the remarkable story of post-Civil War Nashvillians with a passion for caring who created the “Old Woman’s Home,” the forerunner of today’s West End Home Foundation. That generosity and insight set the standard by which the foundation continues to operate today. The original mission of providing direct care for senior women lasted for over 120 years, and this book pays tribute to those who
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had the foresight and commitment to service that is still vital today. Athens of the South: College Life and Making Modern Nashville explores how Nashville became a city that is attracting large numbers of millennials. In 2013, the New York Times identified Nashville as America’s “it” city—a leading hub of music, culture, technology, food, and business. Dr. Pethel’s book traces the historical roots of Nashville’s character and reputation. She reminds us that the urban soul of Nashville is “inextricably linked” to the vibrancy of our places of higher learning. She examines the role colleges and universities played in the city’s development and argues that the establishment of institutions of higher education from 1865 to 1930 were critical to the city’s image as both traditional and progressive.
AROUND THE HALL
If Mark Twain’s adage still holds that “History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme,” then Dr. Pethel should serve as our poet laureate as she brings history to life.
After several years of traditional book projects, Pethel has shifted her focus and has combined her love of history and storytelling with technology.
Lifelong Learner
Pethel joined the Fall 2017 cohort at George Mason University in pursuit of a Post-Graduate certificate in Digital Humanities. Currently she is fulfilling an online internship with the Smithsonian Institute. Putting her tech skills to work to benefit the larger school community, Dr. Pethel was named coordinator of the Digital Humanities Initiative at Harpeth Hall. DH@HH is a new programmatic and pedagogical opportunity to reimagine the ways that teachers and students approach content and learning. Digital Humanities encompasses technology, critical thinking, creativity, and scholarship in a way that lives online and allows individuals and groups to participate as both producers and consumers. Learn more about DH@HH projects and resources, as well as follow a blog that highlights digital trends in the classroom at http://hhdigitalhumanities.org.
Nashville Sites
In addition to all of these endeavors, Dr. Pethel is also involved with NashvilleSites.org, a new digital project focused on local history that is funded and sponsored by
the Metro Historical Commission Foundation. NashvilleSites.org combines an engaging platform and scholarly research with historically and culturally significant sites in Nashville with delivery available on all devices: mobile, tablet, and desktop. This project is designed to provide self-guided walking, and ultimately driving, tours based on a wide range of themes that focus on Nashville’s history and culture. It will guide the user throughout the city and provide credible and accessible information, images, and audio. Dr. Pethel said, “The Nashville Sites project moves beyond teaching history; it provides me with the chance to build a platform that makes history accessible to a public audience.” If Mark Twain’s adage still holds that “History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme,” then Dr. Pethel should serve as our poet laureate as she brings history to life and helps us all make sense of the past. Whether it is in a high school or university classroom, or through a digital humanities approach, or through an app for a self-guided walking tour of historic Nashville, or through the wellwritten pages of her books, she is a pied piper for our city’s rich history.
Sallie King Norton ’71, Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel and Kim Sumner Hardin ’72 SPRING 2018
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ATHLETICS FALL
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TEAM
2018 SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAM 15th STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
arpeth Hall’s Swimming and Diving team enjoyed another remarkable year. The Bearacudas won their 21st consecutive Middle Tennessee High School Swim Association (MTHSS) Region Championship in early January. In February, they won their fifth consecutive Tennessee Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (TISCA) State Championship at the University of Tennessee, taking the total to 15 state titles since 2001. The Bearacudas took their success at the state level to new heights in 2018, breaking individual, state and National Independent School records. Harpeth Hall placed at least one girl in the finals of every event and earned top honors in six of the eight individual swimming events, taking second place in the remaining two, and winning all three relays. The girls won the 200 medley relay event with a 10 second margin of victory, setting not only a new state record, but also a National Independent School record. Additionally, freshman Gretchen Walsh ’21 secured an individual National Independent School record in the 50 free. Alex Walsh ’20 secured an individual National Independent School record in the 100 breast, and the Bearacuda’s 200 free relay secured the state title but missed the Tennessee state and National Independent School record by two-tenths of a second. The Bearacudas were honored by the MTHSS at their region banquet. Harpeth Hall swimmers received the following top accolades: Swimmers-of-the-year: Alex Walsh and Gretchen Walsh All-Region first team: Ella Nelson, Ophelia Pilkinton, Alex Massey, Julia Jane Eskew All-Region second team: Kate Mabry
Julia Jane Eskew, Class of 2018, pictured with her parents and Coach Polly Linden.
This season in particular was especially momentous, as it marked the 4th State and Region Championship title for the Seniors. Since my time as a freshman, I have grown to understand the importance of celebrating each teammate. It not only brings our team closer, but also instills confidence in our ability to succeed as a team. The swimming and diving team acts as a single unit, and prioritizes school spirit and camaraderie over everything else. — Julia Jane Eskew , Class of 2018 20
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ATHLETICS
UPPER SCHOOL FALL AND WINTER SEASONS INDIVIDUAL HONORS Olivia Holden ’19, Soccer Division II AA East-Middle Region Honorable Mention Ophelia Pilkinton ’19, Soccer Division II AA East-Middle All–Region and THSSCA Division II AA All-State Team Spencer Robbins ’21, Soccer Division II AA East-Middle Region Honorable Mention KK Savage ’19, Golf Division II AA East-Middle Region Most Valuable Player Natalie Simoneaux ’19, Soccer MTHSSA All–Region Ellie Smith ’19, Soccer Division II AA East-Middle All–Region Chloe Wilson ’20, Volleyball Division II AA East-Middle All–Region Jamison White ’20, Volleyball Division II AA East-Middle Region Honorable Mention Swimming and Diving Alex Walsh ’20 Swimmer of the Year Gretchen Walsh ’21 Swimmer of the Year Ella Nelson ’19 All–Region 1st Team Ophelia Pilkinton ’19 All–Region 1st Team Alex Massey ’20 All–Region 1st Team Julia Jane Eskew ’18 All–Region 1st Team Kate Mabry ’18 All–Region 1st Team
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Scholar-Athletes to compete at college level Harpeth Hall proudly recognizes four student-athletes on NCAA National Letter of Intent (NLI) Signing Day.
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our outstanding student-athletes, surrounded by their families, were recognized at an Upper School Assembly on November 8, also known as NCAA National Letter of Intent (NLI) Initial Signing Day. Congratulations to the following Harpeth Hall seniors who have committed to playing their sport at the college level. (L to R) Lauren Lee will play lacrosse at Winthrop University. Julia Jane Eskew will swim at the University of Virginia. Marguerite Trost will row at the University of Washington. Lilla Caton will row at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
We are immensely proud of our student-athletes and wish them great success in their athletic endeavors in college.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL AND WINTER SEASONS
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PERFORMING ARTS
PERFORMING ARTS
Footloose
Footloose
The Winter’s Tale
James and the Giant Peach
James and the Giant Peach
The Winter’s Tale
5th and 6th Grade Drama Club Show
Animal Farm
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PERFORMING ARTS
PERFORMING ARTS
Chiaroscuro Collections
Winter Orchestra
Winter Choral
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FALL SPEAKERS
FALL SPEAKER
SERIES
Harpeth Hall was honored and grateful to host a variety of leaders and role-models on campus this fall to share their unique stories. From social entrepreneurs building schools and making an impact on African slums, to experts on bullying and social conflict, to a five-time Grammy nominated musical artist. Our students were exposed to the many ways others are making an impact on their communities.
to women as well as men. “Learning to overcome adversity and unite with each other for a greater good is the underlying message,” said Brown.
Daniel James Brown Daniel James Brown— Brown is author of the New York Times best-selling book and Harpeth Hall’s all school read, Boys in the Boat, a story about nine working class boys who became the 1936 U.S. Men’s Olympic gold medal winning rowing team. With a team composed of the sons of blue collar workers and led by Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler. Brown discussed how the life lessons from the book directly relate
Kennedy Odede and Jessica Posner— Young, social entrepreneurs shared the fascinating stories of their uncommon backgrounds. Odede grew up in Kibera, one of Kenya’s most impoverished slums. He lived in the street and endured poverty, abuse, and struggle. Posner grew up in Denver, Colorado, with dreams of making a difference in the world and access to education and opportunities that led her to Wesleyan University. Their story of how they came to meet and work together to establish Kibera’s first tuition-free school for girls, and how they connected on a personal level and fell in love, is an inspiring testament to the power of young people to have a deep impact on the world. Find Me Unafraid is the best-selling book about their journey. Ana Homayoun—Ana Homayoun is a best-selling author, a noted teen and millennial expert, school consultant, speaker and educator. Several years ago, she spoke to the Harpeth Hall community about her book The Myth of the Perfect Girl, and she returned to campus in September to discuss her new book Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World. Homayoun has an
Ana Homayoun uncanny ability to connect to students. She knows their distractions, behaviors, justifications, and device bad habits. She suggested resources and apps to help regulate screen time and challenged the girls to do three things: 1) Identify —where and what are drains on their time and energy; 2) Reflect—on what I can do differently so my daily choices reflect my personal priorities and overall wellness; and 3) Decide—how can this school year be amazing.
Diane Uwamahoro—Alumna Diane Uwamahoro ’07 returned to campus in October to speak at a special all-school assembly. Uwamahoro shared the story of her life, and how she, her sister and parents made the incredible journey from a Rwandan refugee camp to America and to Harpeth Hall in Nashville. Her story was insightful, courageous and inspiring. Students enjoyed celebrating her unique story and the shared experience as a Harpeth Hall Honeybear. SPRING 2018
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FALL SPEAKERS
Khalid—Just before the start of exams, our students had a surprise visit from musical artist Khalid, a five-time Grammy nominee our students know well and admire. Many thanks to Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92 for arranging this special visit to Harpeth Hall.
Marcela Gomez— Harpeth Hall celebrated Hispanic Heritage month (September 15 to October 15) with a special assembly and invited Marcela Gomez as the featured speaker. Gomez is a business woman and a leader in Nashville’s Latino community. She spoke to students about her experiences as a Colombian woman in America and the important role of the Latino community in Nashville’s culture. Carrie Goldman— Award-winning author of Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear, Carrie Goldman spoke to students about the hot topic of bullying. Bullying is an issue students can face at school, during extra-curricular activities, at social events, and through a variety of social media channels. Goldman talked about what bullying is, what it is not, what to do about it, and how to address it if identified.
Eric Dozier—In celebration of Black History Month, Harpeth Hall welcomed Eric Dozier to campus in February for an inspiring musical presentation. Dozier is the Director of Equity and Campus Culture at the Episcopal School of Nashville and describes himself as a gospel music educator, cultural activist, musician, and father. Dozier sang several gospel spirituals including “Motherless Child” and “Deep River,” and he led the audience singing “This Little Light of Mine” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Dozier discussed the roots of protest music, including artists like Josh White, Woody Guthrie and Bessie Smith. He shared the history of the Fisk Jubilee Singers which helped fund Fisk’s mission of educating freed slaves after the Civil War—and put Nashville on the map as a global music center. Through his musical presentations, Dozier’s goal is to inspire cultural change and unity for all people and to encourage communities to hold open discussions about race relations, using art as the common ground.
Special thanks to Mandy Simpson Barbara, class of 1954, the Massey Lecture Series Endowment Fund established by Barbara Massey Rogers, class of 1956, and the Harpeth Hall Parents Association for providing the funding for these speakers.
WINTERIM
Begun in 1973, Winterim is a three-week program of opportunities meant to broaden the intellectual horizons of our students.
Winterim Celebrating 45 years
The Harpeth Hall Upper School
completed its 45th Winterim program in January. For three weeks, the Harpeth Hall classroom extended to the far corners of the globe as our juniors and seniors engaged in academic travel, international exchanges, hands-on internships, and independent study projects. Deep gratitude and appreciation go to our extraordinary Director of Winterim and International Exchange, Jacquie Watlington, and Winterim Assistant, Sinclair Kelly ’98, as well as to our students, faculty, parents, and alumnae who worked together to organize and carefully plan the myriad of events. Students and faculty traveled to France, Spain, India, Northern Ireland, Australia, Uganda, England, Chile, Haiti, Portugal, St. Croix,
New York City, Washington, D.C., and many other cities across the United States. Internship experiences ranged from Congressional hearings to publishing house editing, and from music concert planning to hospital and operating room observations. Travel experiences ranged from cooking classes in Bordeaux, France to seeing the Taj Mahal in person with lifelong friends. From helping the women and children of Uganda to language and cultural immersion in Spain. Anticipated with endless excitement each year, Winterim evolves and shifts based on student interest and availability, but the celebrated program is consistently cited by students, faculty and alumnae as some of the most memorable and life-changing experiences of their lives. SPRING 2018
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Spain
French Exchange
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ccording to Winterim Director, Jacquie Watlington, “During Winterim, our goal is to deepen the knowledge and intellectual curiosity of our students and to further our mission of developing responsible citizens who have global perspectives and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world. Winterim is designed to allow both faculty and students to expand upon the wonderful Harpeth Hall curriculum and explore additional avenues of study, thought, and interests.� Freshmen and sophomores returned to campus after Winter Break for an enriching experience of taking classes unavailable through the regular curriculum. This opportunity of these specially created courses provides students a safe space to try something new, test their talents, and stretch their abilities in ways they may have otherwise not attempted. Each year Winterim provides a platform for our students to courageously dive into new material, expand their minds, and choose their own adventure.
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France
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WINTERIM
Winterim beautifully fulfills Harpeth Hall’s Core Purpose of ‘nurturing a sense of wonder,’ as it creates a path for students to experience the joy of discovery. — Jackie Powers, Upper School English Teacher
On campus ~ Class Examples From 2018: HUMANITIES: Dylan, The Beatles, and The Stones; Mental Illness in Media: Myth vs. Reality; The Kennedys: American Royalty; Helping the Homeless through Service Learning STEM: Adventures in App Making; DIY Design; How Does Our Garden Grow? HH Gardening 101; Women and Finance; Microbiology—The World We Can’t See FINE ARTS AND FITNESS: Songwriting for Guitar; Fencing; Yoga; Mural Making GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Capoeira; Radical Islam in the World Today; Paris City of Light; Textiles of the World
Alumna Reflection ~
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ulie Hartzog Garcia, Class of 1989, Director of Pediatric Social Work, Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt, credits Winterim for sparking her interest in travel. “The Winterim program at Harpeth Hall instilled curiosity about other cultures and communities, a comfort with travel, and a love for ‘being on the road.’ Traveling as a young person helped me develop the confidence to try new places, be open to exploring work in new communities, and create friendships in areas very different from my hometown. As a result, I chose to live out West. While living in Alaska for 14 years, I focused on social work and rural practice. This led me to a life of public service which has been meaningful.”
Student Reflections ~
Students create blogs that are published on Harpeth Hall’s website and promoted in social media channels. Please refer to the deeply inspiring accounts on HarpethHall.org to read what Winterim has meant to our students this year. “On the India trip, I feel as though I really, fully started the next stage of my life. After India, I know what goals I have for the near future but also further down the road. I know how I want to live my life and
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what the important things are. I would never trade this trip of a lifetime for anything!” —McKenzie Darnell, Class of 2018, Winterim academic travel to India “I learned to embrace every situation I found myself in, and I learned that your experience is what you make it. The more you are willing to try to do new things and takes risks, the more you get back in return.” —Charlotte Taylor, Class of 2019, Winterim internship in Lisbon, Portugal.
Faculty Reflections ~
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arpeth Hall’s faculty was asked to reflect on the benefits of a program like Winterim, and what Winterim has meant to them. “On campus and off, Winterim is hands on. It’s real. There is no stale curriculum—just girls getting a sense of what folks do every day . . . to make music, balance budgets, solve problems, legislate, design brochures and buildings, run businesses, manage people, rear children, create a culture. You name the activity, and Winterim probably touches upon it in some way.” —Joe Croker, Upper School English and Media Arts Teacher
“For me, the main value of the Winterim experience for the faculty and for the girl lies in personal connection and growth—with their own experiences, with the lives of others, with the past and the present elsewhere. Winterim is a very personalized learning experience for each girl, whether she is on campus, working at an internship in Washington, D.C., New York City, Nashville or engaged in a travel experience.” —Elizabeth Allen, Upper School World Languages Chair SPRING 2018
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Bookbinding
Mathematician as an Artist course
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WINTERIM
“John Hughes earned the title the ‘Bard of Youth’ not only because his films spoke to teens in the 1980s, but because his films speak to teens of all generations. Teaching the John Hughes film course for the last six Winterims and watching my students discover the timeless messages in Hughes’s films inspires and thrills me every day. Each year, we spend our final class creating a large poster titled ‘What I learned from watching John Hughes’s films!’ While some note that even ‘fairytales come true’ after seeing Jake Ryan and Samantha Baker end up together in Sixteen Candles, they learn valuable life lessons as well. “They learn that ‘stereotypes are lies’ and that no matter what someone looks like on the outside or which friend group she belongs to ‘everyone has burdens to bear.’ Most importantly, though, they realize that teenagers are all changing and growing together, and amid the chaos of adolescence, they discover that they are not alone.” —Kristen Meltesen, Upper School English Department Chair “Winterim allows everyone—teachers and students alike—to experiment with their teaching and learning. What is great about this three-week period is that no one is expected to be an expert, and we all share in the learning process. It’s transformative for students to be side by side with us as we delve into topics that interest us but we don’t necessarily know a lot about. “For example, I am no dance teacher, but I have incorporated dance into two of my Winterim classes. In my ‘Leaving for La La Land’ class, not only are we studying works that informed that film, like Singin’ in the Rain, but Stephanie Hamilton is helping us learn the dance to ‘A Lovely Night’ from the movie soundtrack for La La Land. Doing something physical related to the class content is magical—especially when it comes to such a beautiful film as La La Land! I’ve never used dance in class before, and I may never again, but this year my new classes just seemed to call for it . . . and I listened to the call! “Ultimately, Winterim is a time in which we are encouraged to take risks while in a supportive environment. Even if we fail, we’ve learned a lot. What could be better than helping students follow their curiosity . . . and in their lives as a whole?” —Denise Croker, Upper School English and Media Arts Teacher
Tamworth, Australia Belfast
“As a teacher, I love having the chance to collaborate with my co-workers. This year, Joe Croker and I collaborated to create an on-campus course in which students examine the poetic lyrics of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. We have been able to merge our knowledge and passion for these artists to guide our students to the type of close poetic analysis that they will continue to practice in future English classes.” —Jackie Powers, Upper School English Teacher
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Feedback from Winterim hosts and current parents has been immensely positive and encouraging. In New York City and Washington, D.C., receptions were held by our Alumnae Relations Office for students to meet local alumnae and learn about networking.
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It is so joyful to see all of the opportunities our girls are having this Winterim session! What a special program for Harpeth Hall. Cole could not be loving D.C. more!! — Tricia Hastings, Mother of Cole Hastings, Class of 2019
Harpeth Hall is grateful for the many people and resources that make Winterim a reality year after year. Winterim offers students the very best in experiential learning, creating for them a chance to see their academic studies take a tangible, dynamic form.
Vanderbilt Trauma Internship
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“
Talking to the alumnae about their lives after Harpeth Hall was incredibly inspiring. By the end of the night, I think I finally understood how to network. As an especially shy person around strangers, this was definitely a personal victory.
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— Neha Ramanna, Class of 2018, Intern at NIH and National Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C.
WINTERIM HOSTS FROM THE HARPETH HALL COMMUNITY NAME
ROLE
BUSINESS
LOCATION
Alison Smith ’79
Alumna Host
BMI
New York, NY
Gigi Hudson Grimstad ’85
Host Liaison
Tibi
New York, NY
Marcie Allen Van Mol ’92
Alumna and Current Step-Parent Host
MAC Presents
New York, NY
Kristina Hoge ’00
Alumna Host
The Public Theater
New York, NY
Taylor Middleton Scavo ’02
Alumna Host
Corcoran Group
New York, NY
Margaret Walker ’06
Host Liaison
The Kitchen
New York, NY
Evaline Franks ’07
Alumna Host
VGIF
New York, NY
Kate Sangervasi ’07
Alumna Host
Camron PR
New York, NY
Beth Rather Gorman ’90
Host Liaison
FOX 5 WTTG
Washington, D.C.
Dacia Beard ’01
Host Liaison
Radiotherapy Development Branch, Molecular Radiation Therapeutics, NCI Center for Cancer Research
Washington, D.C.
Jessie Davidson ’12
Alumna Host
Brightwood Education Campus
Washington, D.C.
Reed Harrison Nirula ’00
Alumna Host
Wildlife SOS
Delhi, India
Sarah Bartholomew
Current Parent Host
Sarah Bartholomew Design
Nashville, TN
Donna Darnell
Current Parent Host
St. Thomas Pedatrics/PICU nursing
Nashville, TN
Dr. Tom Dovan
Current Parent Host
Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics
Nashville, TN
Kathleen Evers
Past Parent Host
K Evers Interior
Nashville, TN
Dr. Georgia Yowell Ferrell ’98
Alumna Host
St. Thomas Medical Partners— OBGYN Center
Nashville, TN
Sara Morris Garner ’03
Alumna Host
DeLozier Cosmetic Surgery Center
Nashville, TN
Dr. Mary Gingrass
Current Parent Host
The Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville
Nashville, TN
Dr. Oscar Guillamondegui
Current Parent Host
Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at Vanderbilt
Nashville, TN
Dr. Jeff Herring
Past Parent Host
Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance
Nashville, TN
Olivia Huggins ’98
Host Liaison
Kindful
Nashville, TN
Ellen Levitt
Past Parent Host
NICU at Centennial Hospital
Nashville, TN
Meg Mazzone
Past Parent Host
Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Institute
Nashville, TN
John McBride
Current Parent Host
Blackbird Studio
Nashville, TN
Kat Milam ’11
Alumna Host
Thistle Farms
Nashville, TN
Dr. Rick Miller
Past Parent Host
Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at Vanderbilt
Nashville, TN
Lynn Witherspoon Osgood ’82
Alumna Host
Cosmetic Market/Private Edition
Nashville, TN
Dee Anna Smith
Past Parent Host
Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Institute
Nashville, TN
The Winterim Travel Fund provides academic travel scholarships for students demonstrating financial need. To make a gift to The Winterim Travel Fund, please give online at Harpeth Hall.org/Winterim or mail your contribution to the Harpeth Hall Advancement Office, 3801 Hobbs Road, Nashville, TN 37215. SPRING 2018
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2018 HARPETH HALL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA
Ellen Hobbs Lyle CLASS OF 1975
It
is the night before a big trial and Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle is up late researching the details of the case. According to Ellen, “working in the trenches” is her favorite part of the job. Her diligence pays off the next day as she appears on the bench prepared, confident, and ready for whatever comes her way. This dedication to detail has made Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle one of the most respected trial judges in the state of Tennessee and is a skillset that she learned from her days at The Harpeth Hall School.
Graduating Harpeth Hall in 1975, Chancellor Lyle was highly regarded by her classmates. One Harpeth Hall classmate said, “We respected her drive, commitment, and determination to make things better. She was respectful, kind, and considerate to everyone… a great listener and skillful at consensus building.” These qualities ultimately led to her receiving the highest award given to a student, Lady of the Hall, and would later contribute to her successful judicial career. They also are the attributes that led to the selection committee’s decision to honor Chancellor Lyle with the 2018 Distinguished Alumna Award. This award honors trailblazers who are nationally recognized for professional excellence and leadership and who serve as an example for other women in highly competitive fields. Chancellor Lyle is more than qualified for this honor—serving as a partner in a well-respected Nashville law firm and as a state court chancery judge in Davidson County for over 20 years where less than 30 percent of trial court judges across the state of Tennessee are women. Chancellor Lyle has also served as a Board member of the Lawyers Association for Women (LAW) and the Nashville Bar Association. Throughout her career, Ellen has contributed to the economic growth in Nashville and the state of Tennessee, as well as in the preservation of the arts, education, and parks. A career as successful as Ellen’s can be attributed not only to her drive, commitment, and determination, but also to her passion. Graduating from the University of Tennessee School of Law in 1981, Lyle joined a law firm in Houston, Texas where her love for business law began. The firm was Fulbright and Jaworski, named
for partner and famed Watergate prosecutor Leon Jaworksi. A pivotal moment occurred for Ellen when an issue surfaced in the trial of a high profile case between a domestic oil company and a foreign corporation over the Libyan Oil Embargo of 1981. Lyle was pulled into an all-nighter to research the issue. While researching, Ellen was inundated with case law and formulating arguments related to one of the hottest news stories of the day. During this experience, Ellen understood the realworld implications for business legal decisions. Returning to Nashville in 1984, Ellen joined the law firm of Trabue, Sturdivant & Dewitt, becoming partner just three years later. In 1995, Governor Sundquist recognized her outstanding work in business law and appointed her as a judge in the Davidson County Chancery Court where she continues to preside over complex business cases locally and nation-wide ranging from mergers and acquisitions to shareholder litigation to this day. Chancellor Lyle’s experience and her passion for business cases led to the Tennessee Supreme Court request in 2015 for Lyle to be a trial judge for the Business Court Pilot Project intended to provide Tennessee businesses and citizens across the state with a specialized business court docket. When asked about her role in the Pilot Project, Chancellor Lyle stated, “My eagerness stems from the personal admiration I have for the initiative, resourcefulness, can-do attitude and work product of those in the business sector. To assist this endeavor by providing a good legal process is a privilege. But the ultimate satisfaction for me is the work. I just simply enjoy doing the actual work: the detail, customization for each case, coring down the facts and claims,
CHANCELLOR LYLE’S NOTEWORTHY CASES INCLUDE:
• State ex rel. Slatery v. SeniorTrust of Florida, Inc., No. M201402288COAR3CV, 2015 WL 9437305 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec. 22, 2015) (disposition of $40 million recovered charitable funds).
• Genesco, Inc. v. The Finish Line, Inc. and
• Newman v. Smart Data Sols., LLC, No. M2010-
Headwind, Inc., 07-2137-III (Dav. Co. Chan. Ct. Sept. 21, 2007) ($1.5 billion merger).
01938-COA-R3CV, 2011 WL 2347574 (Tenn. Ct. App. June 3, 2011) (massive health insurance fraud).
• Bredesen v. Tennessee Judicial Selection Comm’n, 214 S.W.3d 419 (Tenn. 2007) (selection method of State Supreme Court Justices).
• Georgia O’Keeffe Found. (Museum) v. Fisk Univ.,
• In re Order to Encapsulate Native Am. Indian
312 S.W.3d 1 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2009); In re Fisk 34
Univ., 392 S.W.3d 582 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2011) (disposition of Stieglitz art collection).
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Gravesites in Concrete & Pave Over with Asphalt,
250 S.W.3d 873 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007) (Hillsboro Road Native American burial site).
• In Re HCA, Inc. Shareholder Litigation, 06-1816-III (Dav. Co. Chan. Ct. July 24, 2006) (corporate merger).
• Abdur’Rahman v. Bredesen, 181 S.W.3d 292 (Tenn. 2005) (lethal injection death penalty protocol).
• Overnite Transp. Co. v. Teamsters Local Union No. 480, 172 S.W.3d 507 (Tenn. 2005) (union picketing).
CHANCELLOR ELLEN HOBBS LYLE IS
a model of professional excellence and possesses the highest leadership qualities. the conflict management, the legal analysis, preparing meaningful instructions and verdict forms for jurors, and writing up my findings of fact and conclusions of law. Rolling up my sleeves alongside the court staff, the attorneys and the litigants to do this work to me is compelling.” This thorough commitment to “doing the work” has led to a successful judicial career with decisions impacting the state of Tennessee and beyond. Chancellor Lyle’s judicial decisions have impacted Fisk University, the Nashville Predators, the 2017 Major League Soccer stadium proposal in Nashville, the LGBTQ community, and many other individuals and organizations. Lyle’s decisions have changed both the current and future face of our community. Highly recognized in her field, Chancellor Lyle’s accolades are numerous. She has received an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, the highest level of professional excellence awarded by her peers, and the distinction of Highest Ranked Davidson County State Trial Judge in the Nashville Bar Association poll in 2014. A fellow Nashville attorney validated her reputation, “She is held in high esteem by the legal profession. She is one of the top trial judges in the state. She is the brightest, smartest, and most capable trial judge. She is extremely thorough at every level. She is always incredibly prepared and thoroughly researches every case and knows how to get to the heart of the matter. She identifies the critical issues and asks the tough questions. The decisions that she renders are supported by sharp analysis and solid reasoning. Furthermore, she is fair-minded and universally respected. She observes the highest level of ethics. She heavily immerses herself in the profession, and she is an honorable ambassador for the profession of law. She is very intense about her job and doing it well, and she expects the same from lawyers before her. She expects honesty and integrity.” Chancellor Lyle received praise from Governor Bill Haslam in April 2017 stating, “Some of the state’s most complex cases of business litigation have been resolved with incredible success through the Tennessee Supreme Court’s business court. I congratulate the Supreme Court and Chancellor Ellen Lyle for their vision and leadership to produce the very best outcomes by removing some of these time-consuming cases from the general docket, and ultimately helping Tennessee in business retention and economic development.”
Ellen also actively participates in the Harpeth Hall community. Her daughter Amaryllis “Ryllis” is a Harpeth Hall Class of 2009 graduate. Ellen has served on the Board of Trustees, participated in Career Day, and has hosted students during Winterim. Lyle attributes her professional success to her experiences in high school, specifically crediting her Class of 1975 and former headmistress Idanelle McMurry. According to Ellen, her Harpeth Hall classmates are some of the most creative, smart, and formative people she has been around to date. When she was running for President of Tennessee Junior Classical League, classmate Betty Andrews and Latin teacher Joyce Ward assisted with the campaign. Lyle didn’t win the election, but the exposure to campaigning became invaluable in her current role in public office with reelections every eight years. To this day, Ellen remembers Idanelle McMurry’s presence and the competence she exhibited when conducting herself in meetings and assembly which she tries to replicate in court. Ellen believes Harpeth Hall afforded her an incredible foundation, innate tools, and the opportunity to lead confidently—she knows she can always do the right thing and do it well. Ellen states, “Deciding a case is a challenging responsibility. Lessening the challenge is the behind-the-scenes work I do to decide a case. Embedded in my decisions are that, in the quiet of my office at the courthouse or at my dining room table in the early morning at home, I read and study the content of the pertinent provisions of the contract or statute, look to other provisions/parts and compare, study the definitions and attachments, review the grammar, word placement, Latin roots of words, and formatting—all to formulate the answer and solution. This process of objective, deliberate critical analysis was taught to me at Harpeth Hall. The cornerstone of how I perform my work and duty as a trial judge is this quiet, analytical study. For this ability and foundation I am so grateful to Harpeth Hall.” Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle is a model of professional excellence and possesses the highest leadership qualities. She is an example for all women, and it is our privilege to recognize her as Harpeth Hall’s 2018 Distinguished Alumna. All rise! —Amanda Powell Smith, Class of 2004 Distinguished Alumna Committee Chair SPRING 2018
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2018 ALUMNAE SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD
Beth Porch Scruggs CLASS OF 1975
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SPIRIT OF SERVICE
My mother, Beth Porch Scruggs, graduated from Harpeth Hall in 1975. When I first heard about the Spirit of Service award, I knew she would be the perfect candidate. I could not be more proud of her and all she has accomplished. When I was growing up, my mom was pretty much a stayat-home mom unless she was in the pool teaching someone how to swim. She was the go-to person for swim lessons! With her passion for swimming and with support from my dad, Cooley Scruggs, mom started volunteering for Special Olympics Tennessee as Aquatics Director and for over 20 years, she ran their state swim meet. Knowing all the health and safety benefits of swimming, she saw firsthand the unmet need for swim programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Nashville. Mom founded the Nashville Dolphins in 2003, after my brother and I had left for college. She is currently the Executive Director. It all began when a young girl with Down syndrome wanted to compete in Special Olympics but could not yet swim the entire length of the pool. Her parents asked if mom would work with her to improve her swimming skills. Although she had volunteered for Special Olympics for many years, she had never worked one-on-one with someone with an intellectual disability. She agreed to give it a try and Mom’s passion was ignited. Word quickly spread, and within the year, she had more than a dozen swimmers practicing every week, and the Nashville Dolphins was born. She realized how much of a need there was in the community for more swim programs for children and adults with disabilities. It wasn’t long before her days were filled teaching children with disabilities how to swim. Soon she realized that the need was so big, one person alone couldn’t satisfy it. My mother recruited volunteers to help her run the swim practices, but her biggest problem was how to figure out a way to safely teach more young children how to swim at no cost to their families. Unlike typical peers, children with intellectual disabilities do not do well in group swim lessons, and private swim lessons are expensive. Most parents, who are already paying out of pocket for extra therapies and equipment don’t have the luxury of private swim lessons in their budget. Each lesson needed to be individualized, and each child needed one-on-one attention from their instructor. First Mom reached out to Vanderbilt’s Special Education Department and partnered with them. Freshman students taking the class “Intro to Special Education” needed placement hours working with children with disabilities. Now she had volunteers excited about getting in the pool, but she still needed pool space in walking distance to Vanderbilt. After meeting with the Centennial Sportsplex, Metro Parks donated their warm pool to the Dolphins for two hours every
Friday afternoon. Four thirty minute classes were held every Friday afternoon with eight children in each class. Each child was partnered with a Vanderbilt volunteer. Mom was also in the pool and trained the Vanderbilt students how to best work with their swimmer. Thirty-two little ones received free swim lessons and 12 to 15 Vanderbilt students learned how to teach swimming to a child with special needs. Today the Nashville Dolphins has over 200 children and adults with disabilities in their programs and utilizes six indoor pools in the area for their classes and practices. The swim team practices four times a week, year round, and beginner and intermediate swim classes are held in the fall, spring and summer. There is no cost to any swimmer to participate. Because swimming is such a healthy sport for all ages, Mom has made sure the Dolphins never have an age-out policy, so they will only keep growing. Thankfully, she now has countless volunteers who give their time and an incredible staff who helps her run all the programs. Over the years, and thanks to Mom’s dedication and persistent fundraising, the Nashville Dolphins have evolved into so much more than just a swim team; it’s a community. Participants have the opportunity to be a part of a team and to develop lifelong friendships with teammates and volunteers. The team competes in Special Olympics and every year they travel out-of-state for a weekend competition where they scream cheers, play tricks on the coaches, support each other, and get to experience the joys of being on a team just like other typical athletes. In addition to swimming, they also have lots of social events so participants can enjoy each other away from the pool. The Nashville Dolphins swimmers also give back to the community. Members from the swim team serve meals at the Nashville Rescue mission each month. Not only has Mom created a program that gives so much to the participants, she instills in them the power of giving back. Mom’s compassion allows her to see the abilities and strengths in everyone. There are no obstacles she will not take on. She built this non-profit from the ground up and has helped countless people along the way. It is clear how much the swimmers benefit, but the swimmers’ families and their numerous volunteers also reap great rewards. What Mom has accomplished is extraordinary. She identified a need then built a program so sustainable that she now has time for her grandchildren as well as the Dolphins. Because of her vision, her passion, her leadership and her generosity, mom has made a tremendous impact on the community, and I am immensely proud of this Harpeth Hall alumna—my mother—who personifies the spirit of service. —Amy Scruggs Adams, Class of 2001 SPRING 2018
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THE HARPETH HALL/WARD-BELMONT
SUSAN THORNTON
KATHY DENTON STUMB
KARINNE MILLER CAULKINS
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LISSA BRADFORD
In recognition of our outstanding athletes, coaches, and athletic program administrators since the Ward-Belmont era to the present, Harpeth Hall announced the creation of an Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 and unveiled a permanent installation in the Athletic and Wellness Center on January 29, 2014. Joining the ranks of our nine inaugural members inducted in 2014 are six new inductees: Lissa Bradford ‘81 for Golf, Sloan Burton ’81 for Track & Field and Cross Country, Karinne Miller Caulkins ’80 for Swimming, Macie Phillips Smitherman ‘81 for Swimming, Kathy Denton Stumb ’79 for Tennis, and Susan Thornton ’76 for Volleyball and Track & Field. A celebration of these deserving new members will take place on the afternoon of Friday, May 4, 2018 in the Harpeth Hall/Ward-Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame hallway and on the Fleming Fitness Terrace at the Athletic and Wellness Center. Special thanks to the Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee chaired by Katie Groos Nelson ’80 and including Mary Lauren Barfield Allen ’88, Marion Granbery Floyd ’03, Macie Garrett ’04, Allison Graves Robinson ’77, Liz Porter Veyhl ’02, and Susan Russ, and supported by Scottie Fillebrown Coombs ’78, Susan Moll, and Karen Sutton. Katie Nelson stated: “Harpeth Hall’s 57 state championships are an impressive testament to the talent, discipline, and dedication of our athletes, coaches, and administrators over the decades. We are pleased to have this venue to celebrate the accomplishments of and the excellence modeled by our six new members of the Harpeth Hall/Ward-Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame.” The Harpeth Hall/Ward-Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame honors notable alumnae athletes, coaches, and administrators who have demonstrated outstanding athletic ability by competing or coaching at the state, national, or international level. Through their good sportsmanship, citizenship, and character, these outstanding women have left a lasting impression of achievement and excelled within the school’s athletic family. To nominate a candidate for the Harpeth Hall/ Ward-Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame, please refer to the Harpeth Hall website at https://HarpethHall.org/alumnae/athletic-hall-of-fame-nomination
CAROLYN SLOAN BURTON
MACIE PHILLIPS SMITHERMAN
bright and talented duo, other Honeybears joined the new track and field team, and Harpeth Hall went on to win the state title the next year as well. Susan still holds the high school 8-lb shot put state record. Susan had helped open the door of opportunity for girls in athletics at Harpeth Hall, an opportunity that eventually led to many Harpeth Hall Track and Field titles and a beautiful training facility, The Dugan Davis Track and Soccer Complex. At her graduation, Headmistress Idanelle McMurry presented to Susan her scavenged shot put, dubbed “George”, and also bestowed upon her one of the highest honors a Harpeth Hall student can receive, that of Lady of the Hall.
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SUSAN THORNTON ’76 usan Thornton ’76 is a pioneer for Harpeth Hall athletics. Susan played almost every varsity sport that was available at Harpeth Hall in the early to mid-1970’s. During her high school years, she played varsity basketball, volleyball, and field hockey. But it was not until she found a shot put, dusty and hidden in an athletic department closet, that she found her elite calling. Having no throwing coach, Susan watched Olympian Brian Oldfield on television to learn shot put technique. Mostly self-taught, she went on to forge a clear path of dominance
Susan’s pioneer vision and decorated high school career led her to the University of Tennessee (UT) where she received partial scholarships for both track and field and volleyball. There, Susan joined the Canadian and the American National Record holding throwers and went on to compete at the national level. At UT, Susan and her teammates were known as “the Originals” as they were the first class of female athletes to be dubbed “Lady Vols”. This name was cherished by these young women as it represented a true, full blown, women’s athletics program which had previously only been offered as part of the P.E. department. As a Lady Vol, Susan qualified as an alternate for the 1980 United States Olympic Track and Field Team. Susan returned to her high school alma mater in 2000, at the request of Harpeth Hall Athletic Hall of Fame Coach Susan Russ, to coach shot put and discus. Susan coached numerous throwers to state qualifications and championships during her 17 years of coaching Harpeth Hall Track and Field. She is also the owner and president of her own construction company, First Construction Corporation. Susan continues to be an avid supporter of girls in athletics. When asked why she attends, to this day, so many Harpeth Hall basketball and volleyball games, track and cross country meets,
SUSAN THORNTON ’76 IS A PIONEER FOR HARPETH HALL ATHLETICS. in a discipline at that time dominated by boys. She recalls practicing throwing on the field hockey field, targeting distances marked off with socks scrounged from lost and found, and a flower bed near the Upper School parking lot became a creative training ground. A team of just two, Susan and one other athlete, Margaret Groos Sloan ’77, won the state track and field championship for Harpeth Hall, outscoring other much larger teams. Led by this
swim meets and soccer games, she explains that she wants to support the Harpeth Hall athletic programming for girls that has been decades in the making. And she likes to be encouraging to parents who may not know or understand how far girls’ athletics have come, “how important athletic opportunity is for girls, how many doors to higher education it can open, how empowering being an athlete is, and how being competitive is just fine.” SPRING 2018
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also played basketball and ran track, in addition to tennis, and held important leadership roles on all three teams. It was not uncommon to find Kathy playing two team sports in one day, even when injured (run over) by a motorcyclist! The late Patty Chadwell, Harpeth Hall’s beloved physical education teacher and tennis coach, was one of Kathy’s biggest supporters.
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KATHY DENTON STUMB ’79 rom the time she was a young girl, the words “Game, Set, Match” were fully part of Kathy Denton Stumb’s lexicon. A member of Harpeth Hall’s Class of 1979, Kathy was making a name for herself as a junior player, ranking No. 1 in the State, Top 3 in the South, and Top 50 in the United States in all age divisions (12s, 14s, 16s, and 18s).
With her powerful serve and volley and all-around game, Kathy transitioned her game to the college level, playing the No. 1 position at University of Alabama in women’s singles and doubles. Following a year-long contest with the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AAW) for sole governance of women’s collegiate sports, tennis was one of twelve women’s sports added to the NCAA championship program after the enactment of Title IX, earning female athletes newfound opportunity and respect. Representing University of Alabama, Kathy played in the first-ever NCAA Women’s Championship in both singles and doubles during the 1981-82 school year and was named All Region the same year.
“MENTALLY TOUGH” AND A “FIERCE AND FOCUSED COMPETITOR” A four-year varsity athlete at Harpeth Hall, Kathy was a fourtime winner of the Banner N.I.L. Award for Tennis, was a three-time recipient of the Ted Lamare Tennis Award, and won Harpeth Hall’s first State High School Championship in 1977. She was undefeated in district and regional match play all four years. She was also awarded Honorable Mention High School All American. During her senior year at Harpeth Hall, Kathy won the 21 & Under National Indoor Championship in both singles and doubles, putting both tennis and Harpeth Hall on the map and in the newspapers during a time when all-girls sports were neither regularly publicized nor fully accepted. She was also recognized at the national level with the Sportsmanship Award, an honor only bestowed on only one player at each national tournament. Described as “mentally tough” and a “fierce and focused competitor,” Kathy was known as an outstanding athlete who 40
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After college, Kathy played the professional circuit in Europe then returned to Nashville where she coached tennis. A lifelong supporter of both tennis and Harpeth Hall, Kathy made headlines again during Harpeth Hall’s 1986 and 1987 State Championship matches, according to Mary Lauren Barfield Allen ’88 who played in those matches and remembers “the paper reported that Kathy was cheering on her alma mater from the sidelines.” “Tennis is such an individualized sport,” reflects Allen, “and I admire how Kathy really made tennis a team sport using her ability, grit, and determination to better women’s sports at Harpeth Hall and in the larger community.” Kathy married her high school sweetheart, Tom Stumb. They have five children, Tee Stumb, Grace Stumb Barbieri ’10, who now teaches and coaches at Harpeth Hall, Mary Denton Stumb ’13, Katy Stumb ’17, and Jake Stumb. All three of their daughters inherited their mother’s passion for sports and were award-winning athletes at Harpeth Hall.
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KARINNE MILLER CAULKINS ’80 arinne Miller Caulkins’ swimming accomplishments brought recognition to Harpeth Hall on the local, national, and international stage. She is a state champion, former American record holder, and Pan-American Games silver medalist. While representing Harpeth Hall, Karinne was a member of the 1979 and 1980 state championship teams—the first ever state championships for Harpeth Hall’s successful swim program. She was a four-time individual state champion and two-time relay state champion. Karinne was named state champion in the 100 meter butterfly in 1978, 1979, and 1980. She was also victorious in the 200 meter individual medley in 1979. Joining forces with her teammates, and other Athletic Hall of Fame members, Tracy Caulkins Stockwell and Macie Phillips Smitherman, she was named state champion in the 200 meter medley relay in 1978 and 1979. Representing the storied Nashville Aquatic Club, Karinne saw success in the pool at an early age, narrowly missing the 1976 Olympic Trials, one of the highest levels of competition for a swimmer, as a fourteen-year old. Not allowing that disappointment to affect her, in that same year she went on to successfully compete in the USA Swimming National Championships. She placed fourth in the country in the 100 meter butterfly and broke her first American record as a member of the 400 meter medley relay.
SHE IS A STATE CHAMPION, FORMER AMERICAN RECORD HOLDER, AND PAN-AMERICAN GAMES SILVER MEDALIST. Continuing her successful career, in 1977 Karinne was selected to represent the United States in international competition. She traveled to East Germany and Russia to compete in multiple competitions. In that year, she was ranked in the top ten in the world in both the 100 meter and 200 meter butterfly.
medley relay, breaking the American record in both swims. In 1979, she placed second in the 200 meter butterfly at the national championships, earning a spot on the Pan-American Games team. While at the meet, Karinne earned a silver medal in the 200 meter butterfly, establishing herself as one of the top competitors in the world in that event.
Building on her success in the international competition in 1978 and 1979, she was a USA swimming national champion with her teammates as a member of the 400 meter
Over the course of her impressive swimming career, she was an eight time national finalist, ranking her as one of the top swimmers in the country each time. She qualified and competed in the 1980 Olympic Trials. After Harpeth Hall, Karinne went on to attend the University of Florida, where she was a member of the swimming and diving team her freshman year. Karinne’s impressive accomplishments have been recognized by many in the swimming community. She was inducted into the Southeastern Swimming Hall of Fame in 2012 and is a member if the Nashville Aquatic Club Hall of Fame. Karinne graduated from University of Florida with a degree in Graphic Design. She currently lives in Nashville and has two college-aged daughters, Rachel and Rebecca. She is the design director for the Buntin Group and has won multiple awards for her design work over the years. SPRING 2018
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LISSA BRADFORD HAS INFLUENCED THE GAME OF GOLF IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE AND BEYOND THROUGHOUT A CAREER THAT SPANS FOUR DECADES.
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LISSA BRADFORD ’81 issa Bradford has influenced the game of golf in the state of Tennessee and beyond throughout a career that spans four decades thus far. In her senior year at Harpeth Hall, Lissa won the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Individual Golf State Championship making her the first from Harpeth Hall to claim this title. At this point, she remains the only Harpeth Hall golfer to accomplish this feat. The success she enjoyed in her youth provided her the opportunity to become a four-year letter winner at the University of Alabama. During her stint golfing for the Crimson Tide, she served as team captain for two years and was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Academic team. While she was in college, she also captured two Tennessee Women’s Amateur Championships. Lissa continued her golf career after she graduated from Alabama and joined the Tennessee Golf Foundation as the Director of Junior Golf and continues to hold this influential position. In 2001, she was named the Head Women’s Golf Coach at Belmont
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University where she still coaches at present. Lissa values the college experience and instills in her athletes both the significance of athletic and academic excellence. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to collegiate golf were highlighted when she received the Gladys Palmer Meritorious Service Award in 2010. This is the most prestigious award given by the members of the Women’s Golf Coaches Association, as it is intended to honor individuals who have influenced women’s golf in a manner that changed the complexion of the sport and have made a substantial contribution to the evolution of women’s collegiate golf. Lissa served on the NCAA Women’s golf committee from 20112015, and she has served on the USA Regional Association Committee since 2007. From the time that she was a young girl and during her time at Harpeth Hall, Lissa has spread her love and passion for the sport of golf across the state and the country. Her mother is adept and passionate about the sport as well, and Lissa remarked that her career highlight was “playing Augusta National with my mom.”
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CAROLYN SLOAN BURTON ’81 loan Burton emerged as a top middle distance runner in AAU competition during her middle school years and began her success in the track and cross country on the Harpeth Hall Varsity Team as an eighth grader at Harpeth Hall. She was a part of the 1976-1978 State Championship Cross Country Team, and in 1980 led her teammates to another state championship winning first place honors with a state recordsetting time of 10:38 for the two-mile course at the Steeplechase in Percy Warner Park. Prior to the state championship, Sloan went undefeated during the regular cross country season leading her team to a perfect
In track and field, Sloan dominated the 800M and 1600M in the 1980 and 1981 seasons. She was undefeated in both events winning all major meets including TSSAA State Championship as well as several other invitational meets. At the Annual Vol Classic Meet in 1980, Sloan led off the 3200M relay team with a time of 2:14.03 giving Harpeth Hall a commanding lead and setting up a record setting time of 9:09.36 breaking the old meet record by 26 seconds. With a short amount of rest, Sloan stormed back in the 1600M winning with a new meet record of 4:53.02 breaking the old meet record by 8 seconds. Sloan’s best 1600M time ranked her third in the nation with a personal best time of 4:51.2 her senior year. Her outstanding track and field career also earned her All American Honors in 1981. As one of the top middle distance runner in the nation, Sloan was highly recruited by several major universities. She accepted a full scholarship in Track and Field at Stanford University where she also ran cross country. At Stanford, Sloan was named All American and Academic All American. Following Stanford, Sloan entered medical school at the University of Arkansas she where was honored as the top student in Psychiatry. After completing a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
WITH THE SAME DRIVE AND DETERMINATION SHE GAVE HER RUNNING CAREER, SLOAN IS COMMITTED TO HELPING OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION: CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS WHO SUFFER FROM SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS. score of 15 in the Nashville Interscholastic Championship Meet, first place in the A. F. Bridges Meet and first place in the TSSAA Region Championship Meet. Sloan led Harpeth Hall to five new meet records out of seven major meets including a new team state record low score of 27 in the TSSAA State Meet. She was selected to the Nashville Interscholastic League in 1979 and 1980 for her outstanding performances in the city, state and regional competitions. Sloan also made her mark on the national scene placing second in the First American 10-Mile Run behind University of Tennessee All-American, Brenda Webb. In 1980, Sloan placed 9th in the AAU National Women’s Cross Country Championships in Pocatella, Idaho, competing against many of the country’s top runners including college athletes. In 1980, Sloan earned All American honors for her outstanding performances in cross country.
Sloan worked as an Assistant Medical Director at Third Way Center and was an attending psychiatrist at the Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She left her private practice in Frisco, Colorado, to run one of the six Crisis Stabilization Units in Colorado established by Governor Hickenlooper following the Aurora Theater Shooting in 2017. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Denver Health Medical Center where she teaches medical students, residents and fellows about the science of psychiatry and the art of delivering compassionate mental health care. This year, she will also assume a position on the executive board of Colorado Child and Adolescent Society. With the same drive and determination she gave her running career, Sloan is committed to helping our most vulnerable population: children, adolescents and adults who suffer from serious mental illness. SPRING 2018
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States. She qualified for the meet every year of her swimming career until 1984, a total of eight years. In 1978 and 1979, Macie was a member of the national champion 800 meter freestyle relay team with Nashville Aquatic Club breaking the American record in both swims. As a junior at Harpeth Hall, she qualified for the 1980 Olympic Trials placing ninth place in the 200 meter butterfly. Also in 1980, she was ranked twenty-fifth in the world in the 200 meter butterfly, establishing herself as one of the top competitors in the world for the event. Continuing to build on her hard work in the pool, she had one of her most successful years as a swimmer, as a senior at
AS A JUNIOR AT HARPETH HALL, SHE QUALIFIED FOR THE 1980 OLYMPIC TRIALS PLACING NINTH PLACE IN THE 200 METER BUTTERFLY.
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MACIE PHILLIPS SMITHERMAN ’81 acie Phillips Smitherman was a member of Harpeth Hall’s successful swimming program. In her swimming career both at Harpeth Hall and the University of Texas she was a state champion, a national champion, and an American record holder.
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Harpeth Hall in 1981. She was a three-time USA swimming national finalist in the 200 meter backstroke, 200 meter freestyle, and the 200 meter butterfly, ranking her as one of the top eight swimmers in the United States in each of these events. She was ranked eleventh in the world in the 200 meter butterfly, improving on her world ranking from 1980.
As a member of the Harpeth Hall swim team, Macie was a part of two state championship teams in 1979 and 1980—the first state championships for the successful swim program. Macie was a two-time individual state champion and two-time relay state champion in her time at Harpeth Hall. She was victorious in the 100 meter butterfly in 1977 and the 100 meter backstroke in 1979. She teamed up with fellow Athletic Hall of Fame Members, Tracy Caulkins Stockwell and Karinne Miller Caulkins, to win the 200 meter medley relay in 1978 and 1979.
After graduating from Harpeth Hall in 1981, Macie went on to earn a scholarship to the University of Texas as a member of the swimming and diving team. She was a three-year letter winner on the team, with a shoulder injury preventing her from competition her senior year. She was a member of the 1982 and 1984 national championship teams for the University of Texas, contributing to the 1982 national team championship as a member of the winning 800 meter free relay team. While at Texas, she was a fourtime All-American and a one-time honorable mention All-American for the top eight finishes at the national championship meet.
Macie trained with and represented Nashville Aquatic Club during her time at Harpeth Hall, seeing success at the national level for many years. In 1977, at age thirteen, she qualified for the USA Swimming National Championships, one of the highest levels of competition for swimmers in the United
Macie graduated from the University of Texas in 1986 with a degree in Business Administration and received her MBA from Vanderbilt in 1991. She married Drew Smitherman and they live in Nashville with their two sons, James and Ben. She currently works at Vanderbilt as the Director of Executive MBA Programs.
HALLWAYS
NEW TRUSTEES
Meet our New Trustees School Council and chaired the Alumnae Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. Katie and her husband Gep have a daughter, Ella Nelson ’19. Katie’s mother is Peggy Casparis Groos ’53, and her sister is Margaret Groos Sloan ’77. Her sisters-in-law are Jane Linebaugh Gross ’82, Jody Nelson Osborn ’67, Polly Nelson ’80, and Carrington Nelson Fox ’89. WHITSON LOWE, M.D.
Whitson Lowe, M.D. received a degree in Mathematics from Yale University, Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He then attended Vanderbilt School of Medicine and returned to Yale for a Urology Residency. A urologist with Urology Associates, P.C., Whitson is considered a pioneer and expert in minimally invasive prostate surgery with laser and microwave therapies. Whitson serves on the Board of Trustees Audit and Risk Committee. He and his wife Sandy Lowe, M.D. have two sons, John and Mark, and a daughter, Margaret ’12 who was a senior at the University of Virginia when she passed away suddenly in August 2015.
KATIE GROOS NELSON ’80
Katie Groos Nelson ’80 received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her company, the Nashville Restaurant Group, owns the restaurants Wild Iris and Yellow Porch. Katie is the current President of the Nashville Aquatic Club Board of Directors. At Harpeth Hall, Katie has served as Vice President of the Harpeth Hall Parents Association Middle
BARRY STOWE
JAY SANGERVASI
Jay Sangervasi received a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and his MBA from Vanderbilt University. He is the Managing Director of Taxable Sales at Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. Prior to joining Baird in 2000, Jay was a Partner and Institutional Fixed Income Sales Manager for J.C. Bradford & Co. from 1997 to 2000. Jay previously served on the Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2016. He served as Vice Chair from 2016 and has served on the Finance, Investment, Strategic Planning, Retirement Oversight, Trustees and Governance, and the Advancement Committees as well as The Next Step Campaign Leadership Team and Executive Committee. He served on the Head of School Search Committee in 2013-14 and the Head of School Transition Committee. Jay and his wife Sandy served as the Annual Fund Chairs in 2009-10. They have two daughters Kate ’07 and Emily ’09.
Barry Stowe is a graduate of Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University with an undergraduate degree in Political Science. He was named Lipscomb’s Alumnus of the Year in 2009. Barry is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Jackson Nation Life Insurance Company. Prior to moving back to Nashville from Hong Kong, Barry was the Chief Executive of Prudential Corporation Asia. While in Hong Kong, Barry served on the Board of the Hong Kong International School. Barry is chairing the Financial Sustainability Task Force on the Board of Trustees Strategic Planning Committee. He and his wife Sherri are parents of three daughters: Lillian ’19, Anne Carter, and Mary Charles.
MARY BRITTON THOMPSON CUMMINGS ’93
Mary Britton Thompson Cummings ’93 is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in Special Education and has her master’s in social work from the University of Tennessee. Mary Britton has taught at Abintra Montessori and High Hopes, Inc. and has also worked in the special education research department
at Vanderbilt University. At Harpeth Hall, Mary Britton has served as a Reunion Class Chair, Co-Chair of the Head’s Young Alumnae Council, an Annual Fund Class Chair, and on the Annual Fund Major Gifts Committee. Mary Britton and her husband Jody have four children: Marion ’22, son Powell, and daughters Adelaide and Cecilia. Her mother is Jackie Glover Thompson ’64, her sister is Jacqueline Thompson Towery ’00, and her sister-in-law is Margaret McNeilly Thompson ’03.
ANNE DAVIS ’73 (Honorary Trustee)
Anne Davis ’73 is a graduate of Denison University and Vanderbilt Law School. She is a former partner of Neal & Harwell, adjunct professor of Vanderbilt Law School, and most recently was Managing Attorney of the Nashville office of the Southern Environmental Law Center. Anne is a past Harpeth Hall Trustee serving from 1995-2001 and 20022009. She was Vice Chair of the Board from 1997-2001 and Secretary from 2003-2009. Anne has also served as the Annual Fund Chair and as a Reunion Class Chair. Anne’s sisters are Beth Davis ’74 who passed away in 2014, and Pat Davis ’82. Anne’s mother, Dugan Davis, was a beloved English teacher and coach at Harpeth Hall and her grandmother was Frances Bond Davis WB 1912. Anne and her husband, former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, have three children: son Rascoe and daughters Frances ’12 and Wallen ’14. SPRING 2018
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EVENTS
Alumnae Outcomes Panel
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n November 28, Harpeth Hall welcomed four alumnae to campus to share their experiences with prospective families interested in Harpeth Hall. The panel discussion allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation our students received to create their path in the world. Alumnae spoke of their lasting friendships, deep ties to faculty, formative Winterim experiences, and the confidence they gained from an all girls school environment. Many thanks to our alumnae Amna Asad ’14, current senior at Vanderbilt University; Margaret Walker ’06, Elizabeth Ann Stringer ’99, and Amanda Powell Smith ’04 for a wonderful evening. “Looking back at my time at Harpeth Hall, the leadership portion is woven into the fabric of everyday life on this campus. Learning how to be a leader, being an ambassador, these things instilled a confidence and a poise in me that has helped me and has its roots here at Harpeth Hall,” said Margaret Walker, Class of 2006.
Amna Asad ’14, Margaret Walker ’06, Elizabeth Ann Stringer ’99, and Amanda Powell Smith ’04
HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
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HALLWAYS
FALL EVENTS
SWEET SUMMER SEND OFF FOR THE CLASS OF 2017
COLLEGE AGE HOLIDAY BRUNCH SPRING 2018
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FALL EVENTS
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ALUMNAE HOLIDAY PARTY
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HALLWAYS
REGIONAL GATHERINGS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NEW YORK, NY
SPRING 2018
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Class Notes
Elizabeth Brandon ’70
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Hennie Benedict Morris is the adoring grandmother of current sophomore Margaret Morris and Rebecca Morris, the 2014 Lady of the Hall and current senior at Washington & Lee University. The girls’ great grandmother, Sarah Bryan Benedict, was May Queen, the equivalent of Lady of the Hall at Ward-Belmont.
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Mary Welch Francis published a book entitled Heartaches, Hits and Other Stories— A Nashville Songwriter’s Odyssey in August of 2017. To learn more about the title and author, visit www.heartacheshitsandotherstories.com.
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Ophelia Thompson Paine was awarded, with husband George Paine, the Lewis R. Donelson Award at the 2017 Hermitage Gala.
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HALLWAYS
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Laura Lea Bryant Goldberg ’04
The U.S. Postal Service issued the Flowers from the Garden Forever stamps celebrating the beauty of flowers from American gardens in September of 2017. The four stamps feature bountiful floral bouquet still lifes by Elizabeth Brandon of Franklin, TN. “What an honor and privilege it is for me to have my artwork of florals selected for a grouping of United States Forever Stamps. I feel a real pride in the fact that so many people can enjoy the traditional and colorful flowers adorning their mail. Art is for everyone, and we all need beauty wherever that may appear. Placing a small stamp of art on our envelopes is one of the small joys of life.” said Brandon. Brandon’s paintings were inspired by floral still lifes created by Dutch and Flemish artists of the 17th and 18th centuries. Each stamp features one of
four of Brandon’s paintings of flowers from the garden artfully arranged in a container. The Postal Service receives about 40,000 suggestions annually for stamp ideas but only about 20 to 25 topics make the cut. To have your work appear on a stamp is extremely rare.
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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.
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Amy Grant Gill and husband Vince Gill performed a record 10 Christmas concerts at the Ryman Auditorium in November and December, continuing their wonderful Music City holiday tradition. Lisa Ward-Smith will be returning to Cheekwood as Administrator for The Horticulture Society of Middle Tennessee.
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Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Production Music Association (PMA) completed its fourth annual Production Music Conference in October at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in California. The highly-anticipated conference presented the Mark Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the music industry. Among the coveted trophies, the prestigious Ambassador Award was given to BMI’s Executive Vice President of Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services, Alison Smith. Alison was also named one of Nashville Business Journal’s 2017 Women in Music City Awards winners—an award she has now received for four consecutive years!
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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.
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Susie Creagh Elder returned to Harpeth Hall as a visual arts teacher in the middle school and upper school in August 2017. She served as Art Teacher and Service Learning Coordinator at Oak Hill School prior to her arrival at Harpeth Hall. Susie received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Studio Art from Sewanee: The University of the South and her Master of Art Education from The Ohio State University. Her daughter Georgia is a member of the Harpeth Hall Class of 2021.
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Women in Comms (WiC) recognized Heather Kirksey as a 2017 Leading Light by awarding her the Most Inspiring Woman in Comms in May of 2017. “Leading Lights” are women leading the charge on technology and making a material difference for women in
comms. Heather is the Executive Director of Open Platform for NFV Project Inc. As executive director for the Open Platform for NFV Project Inc., Heather is working hard to transform the comms industry, both from a technological perspective— through the use of open source to virtualize networks—and through diversity. Marcie Allen Van Mol has been named on of Nashville Business Journal’s 2017 Women in Music City Awards winners—an award she has now received for four consecutive years! She is also one of seven women named to the Billboard Power 100 List.
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Congratulations to Reese Witherspoon, a member of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list . . . you continue to be an inspiration to the Harpeth Hall students and to women everywhere. Congratulations also for the multiple Golden Globe awards for the mini-series Big Little Lies and for your advocacy in the Time’s Up movement amplified by your appearance on CBS Sunday Morning on January 14, 2018.
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Allison Brown Lott returned to Harpeth Hall to join the Advancement Office as the Advancement Administrative Coordinator. Allison was the Lead Administrative Assistant at Vanderbilt Medical Center prior to her arrival at Harpeth Hall. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BS in Human and Organizational Development and she received a law degree from the Nashville School of Law.
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Congratulations to Meg Milam Chamblee for being named one of the Nashville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Elizabeth Ann Stringer, Chief Science Officer at Axial Healthcare, returned to campus on November 28, 2017 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes panel
discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these students received to create their path in the world.
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Katie Koban Braddy is chairing the YWCA’s new Pet Shelter committee, making it the only domestic violence shelter in Tennessee to take in human victims and their animals and was also named one of the Nashville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Katie Hill was hired as the new communications director for former President Barack Obama in October of 2017. Katie is a former spokeswoman for Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Cooper of Nashville, and had served for two years as an assistant White House press secretary until January of 2017. Hill had also been a consultant for Protect Our Care, an organization fighting Republican efforts to repeal Obama’s health care law. Kathryn Larson-Baschnagel is a news reporter with ABC’s WKOW in Madison, Wisconsin and recently received an EMMY for her report on homeless families temporarily living in hotels.
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Congratulations to Kendra Abkowitz Brooks for being named one of the Nashville Busines Journal’s 40 Under 40.
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Stephanie Compton is the WNC 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. Laura Lea Bryant Goldberg, a Certified Health-Supportive and Holistic Chef, returned to campus October 18, 2017 for a book signing of her newly released cookbook, The Laura Lea Balanced Cookbook. SPRING 2018
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CLASS NOTES
Ann Wyatt Little has been transferred to Charlotte, NC from Austin, TX as a news anchor and reporter with Fox 46 News. Amanda Powell Smith, a consultant with C3 Consulting, returned to campus on November 28, 2017 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes panel discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these students received to create their path in the world. She also chaired the 2018 Distinguished Alumna Selection Committee.
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Kelly Diehl, co-founder, owner and artist of New Hat Projects, creatively directed the inaugural Nashville Fashion Alliance (NFA) Honors, an industry-voted award program and fundraising event held on November 16, 2017 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville. The event was an arts-immersive experience, pulling references from Nashville’s rich history of music, food, and art. New Hat Projects, founded in 2016, is an art and design studio specializing in multimedia installations, custom artwork, surface design, and graphic design. Learn more at www.newhatprojects.com
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Lauren Caire was inducted into the Washington & Lee University Athletic Hall of Fame for their National Championship in Women’s Tennis. It was the only women’s national championship in the university’s history, and Lauren was the only freshman who played on the winning team. Lauren was also a five time All American during her four years at Washington & Lee—three times in doubles, twice in singles. Molly Campbell joined the Advancement and Marketing Department of Harding Academy as the Alumni Relations and Annual Fund Manager. Molly is a 2002 Harding Academy graduate, and
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HALLWAYS
following Harpeth Hall, she earned her undergraduate degree from Rhodes College in Memphis. 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.
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Grace Douglas is an Associate Producer on CNN’s “United Shades of America.” The show was awarded an Emmy Award at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program category.
Margaret Walker, Assistant Art Curator at Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery, returned to campus on November 28, 2017 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes panel discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these students received to create their path in the world. 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 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.
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Mary Tek Sykes has been promoted to Trust and Safety Project Manager at Etsy, working from their offices in Brooklyn and Hudson, NY.
Beth Binkley Mason (above) Reunited for the first time in more than 15 + years! Beth’s family members traveled from New Orleans, Chicago, Mississippi, and San Francisco to celebrate her wedding! Pictured top row 2nd from left are: Ellie Binkley Fromherz ’96, Beth Binkley Mason ’08, Jenny Mudter Moore ’95, Holly Binkley Higgins ’91 Front row: Krissie Binkley Self ’06, Lucy Mudter Swayze ’99
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The cast for the upcoming adaptation of Little Women for BBC One and MASTERPIECE on PBS was announced in January of 2018, and Willa Fitzgerald will play the eldest daughter Meg. Based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, the three-part adaptation is being filmed in Ireland, and will premiere on Sunday, May 13, 2018.
CLASS NOTES
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Stephanie Miller graduated with a MSN from John Hopkins University and is living in Denver, CO working as an RN in the Pediatric ICU at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Cristine Osteen is living in Baltimore and working as Physician Assistant at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Thoracic Surgery.
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Grace Albritton graduated from Auburn University with a degree in creative writing. She signed a commitment with the Air Force Reserves, and has begun the training to become a flight nurse.
art fellow tasked with digitally cataloging the Jessie L. Clough Art Memorial for Teaching Art Collection at Rhodes. The collection consists of several thousand pieces of art, ranging from textiles to woodblock prints to porcelains. The digital catalog produced in part by Reagan will make these objects accessible to researchers, professors and students alike. Amna Asad, current senior at Vanderbilt University, returned to campus on November 28, 2017 to participate in an Alumnae Outcomes panel discussion. The panel allowed prospective families a glimpse into life beyond Harpeth Hall and the preparation these students received to create their path in the world.
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Kiya Lacey was named one of the “top 11 Nashville artists who could break out in 2018” in a January 2018 article in The Tennessean. Her 2016 single “No Mercy” has more than half a million streams on Spotify. The article praises Kiya’s work by stating: “Each new release from the 22-year-old alternative R&B artist seems to double in scope, creativity and confidence.” Mary Denton Stumb graduated with an English degree from the University of Virginia. Mary Denton is working with the college ministry Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS.
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Due to an art fellowship created by Rosie Meindl, visual resources curator at Rhodes College, Reagan Alley is an elected
Becca Morris, a senior at Washington & Lee University, plays on the women’s soccer team. She helped lead the Generals to an impressive season in 2017, particularly with her first career hat trick to go with a pair of assists in a 7-0 victory at Randolph College, the most points in a game by a Generals’ player since the 2005 season.
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Annika Brakebill, a junior at Stanford University, co-founded an online science publication called “Fascinate” in 2016. The publication has been well-received, and is intended to bring interesting and cutting edge science to high school and college students. Annika, now a member of the “Fascinate” editorial team and former editor-in-chief, was recently quoted in a Stanford News article saying: “Science communication is equally as important in understanding our world today as any other journalistic genre. Why get the flu vaccine? Are GMOs bad? Will purchasing a Tesla save the world? To be a conscientious consumer, a basic scientific background is becoming more and more important.” To learn more, visit fa-sci-nate.com. Laurel Cunningham was named a Spring 2018 UNC Phillips Ambassador. The Phillips Ambassador Program is part of UNC’s Carolina Asia Center and is in association with the UNC Study Abroad Office. Phillips Ambassadors are selected twice a year and receive $5,000 each toward the cost of a UNC-approved study abroad program in Asia. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, strong communications skills, intellectual curiosity and ambition, evidence of generous service to campus and community, and a previous record of leadership. Laurel will study through the CET Beijing Intensive Language program in China. She is a Global Studies and Chinese double major.
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.
SPRING 2018
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Noni Marshall was elected as a Senator of the Howard University Student Association representing the School of Communications.
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How cool is college life in Quebec? Alix Albright had the opportunity to meet Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau!
Alix Albright ’17 and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Paul Allen Armstrong
Emily Merritt Beaver
BIRTHS Crissy Wieck ’96 daughter, Maria Lucile Wiltshire on December 13, 2017 Katherine Pace Snyder ’98 son, Hudson Pace Snyder on September 16, 2017 Marie Stringer Yeagle ’98 daughter, Ann Warner Yeagle on June 23, 2016 Susan McGugin Davis ’00 son, Christopher James Davis on October 6, 2017 Mimi Mayo Beaver ’01 daughter, Emily Merritt Beaver on July 31, 2017 Sutton Lipman Costanza ’01 son, Colton Lawrence Costanza on September 19, 2017 Katie Kennedy Armstrong ’02 son, Paul Allen Armstrong on September 25, 2017 Christine Bass Burk ’02 daughter, Evelyn Mitchell Burk on October 25, 2017 54
HALLWAYS
Sophia Howard had the exciting opportunity to meet celebrated author and speaker Bryan Stevenson (Just Mercy and the Equal Justice Initiative) during his visit to Spelman College.
Virginia Anne Barnes
Sophia Howard ’17 and author Bryan Stevenson
William Mason Pettway
Andrew Burton Smith
EA Manier Homans ’02 daughter, Caroline Rucker Homans on November 24, 2017
Laura Wright Alexander ’04 son, Tucker Branch Alexander on September 29, 2017
Lauren Hallemann McCarthy ’02 daughter, Elizabeth Ann “Libby” McCarthy on September 7, 2017
Hadley Hines Pettway ’04 son, William Mason Pettway on December 20, 2017
Melissa Pinsly ’02 son, Jack Pinsly Zitter on October 26, 2017 Leslie King Ylinen ’02 daughter, Vera Kathleen Ylinen on September 4, 2017 Maggie Waltemath Ash ’03 son, Ethan Brewster Ash on June 29, 2017 Sara Rodriguez Ludlam ’03 son, Steven Hanley Ludlam on October 24, 2017 Mary Chisolm Rios ’03 son, Ezra Philip Rios on August 7, 2015 Jessica Hartness Rousseau ’03 son, Henry “Hank” Randall Rousseau on September 7, 2017 Elizabeth Warner Shayler ’03 son, Randy Michael Shayler, III on October 11, 2017
Amanda Powell Smith ’04 son, Andrew Burton Smith on August 18, 2017 Anne Granbery Barnes ’05 daughter, Virginia Anne Barnes on December 12, 2017 Katie Gallagher Cowart ’05 daughter, Margaret “Mae” Major Cowart on July 21, 2017 Aly Armistead Greer ’05 son, Thomas Armistead Greer on December 11, 2017 Brooke Bloom Riebeling ’05 daughter, Quinn Ellis Riebeling on August 28, 2017 Ansley Wallace Cire ’06 daughter, Elizabeth Gray Cire on September 21, 2017 Sarah Norton Ross ’06 son, Daniel Hughes Ross on August 31, 2017 Graham Hartong Rucker ’07 daughter, Caroline Annette Rucker on November 29, 2017
CLASS NOTES
Ellie Maloy Austin ’08
Beth Binkley Mason ’08
Tori Patterson MacDougall ’05
MARRIAGES Ellen Tosh ’73 to Dan Brown on December 18, 2016 Susan Harwell ’78 to Bill Riley on September 30, 2017 Emily Perdue ’98 to Jerry Miele on September 2, 2017 Michelle Gaskin ’01 to Herbert J. Brown on September 30, 2017 Becca Durnin ‘02 to Shawn Crawford on June 10, 2017 Raleigh Anne Blank ’03 to John William Gray on September 9, 2017 Ashton Alexander ’04 to John R. Kline on September 9, 2017 Kimberly Hogg ’04 to Terrell Massey on October 8, 2017 Hayley Phipps ’04 to David Graves Robinson on September 23, 2017 Gracie Wachtler ’04 to John William Chenault Sanders on October 7, 2017
Kimberly Hogg ’04
Tori Patterson ’05 to Malcolm Douglas MacDougall III on June 24, 2017 Beth Binkley ’08 to Jonathon David “JD” Mason on September 2, 2017 Ellie Maloy ’08 to Jack Austin on October 21, 2017
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.
Meryl McVicker ’08 to Andrew Harris on October 21, 2017 Kelly Meehan ’10 to Kevin Day on October 21, 2017 Hannah Claybrook ’10 to Reed Gibbs on January 13, 2018 SPRING 2018
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IN MEMORIAM Mary Avon Motlow Boyd ’32 of Boca Raton, Florida, passed away August 23, 2017. She is survived by her son, one daughter, four grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Elizabeth “Libba” Ragland Chalfant ’39 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away January 7, 2018. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and playing bridge. Libba served as CEO and later Chairman Emeritus of three Ragland Family businesses. She is survived by her son, daughter, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Patricia Thourlby McCarty ’40 of Naples, Florida, passed away January 4, 2018. She is survived by her sister, three daughters, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Martha Mitchell Schull ’41 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away September 5, 2017. Martha was a member of First Presbyterian Church and loved to read, sew, and travel. She is survived by two sons, three daughters including Martha Schull Gilliss ’69, Emily Schull Healy ’73, and Helen Schull Jackson ’75; nine grandchildren including Martha Schull ’13 and Katie Schull ’09, and three great-grandchildren. Gloria Gambill Clark ’42 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away September 3, 2017. Gloria loved dancing, old movies, playing board games and bridge, and was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her sister Martha Ann Gambill Elliott ’48, one son, daughter Glory Clark Beall ’71, six grandchildren including Clark Elam Harwell ’90 and Emily Clark King ’02, and nine greatgrandchildren including Caroline Harwell ’20. Pattie French Byrn Lester ’42 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away November 17, 2017. She was a community volunteer, loved to travel and play bridge, and was an active member of West End United Methodist Church. Pattie is survived by one son, three daughters including Patricia Byrn Litow ’63 and Elizabeth Byrn Fox ’66, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren including Hailey Fox ’18 and Rebecca Fox ’22. Emmie Jackson McDonald ’44 passed away on December 19, 2017. Rising through the ranks at Commerce Union Bank (now Bank of America), Emmie earned the position of Senior Vice-President, being the first woman in Nashville to achieve this distinction. She was also an active community volunteer. Emmie is survived by sister Milbrey Jackson Black ’46, sisters-in-law Clara McDonald Bass ’48 and Patricia Potter McDonald ’46, her son, three daughters including Cornelia McDonald Granbery ’75, nine grandchildren including Emmie Granbery Chen ’03, Anne Granbery Barnes ’05, and Cornelia Granbery ’07, and twelve great-grandchildren. 56
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Carrie Elizabeth Proctor ’44 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away December 26, 2017. She worked twenty nine years for South Central Bell and was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Jane Anderson Dudley ’45 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on November 6, 2017. Jane managed corporate accounts for Tiffany’s was the founder of Cheekwood’s Swan Ball. She is survived by her husband, her sister Nancy Anderson Landstreet WB, her daughter, a grandson, and nieces and nephews. Jane Edwards Entrekin ’47 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away September 4, 2017. Jane enjoyed family trips and was a gifted artist. She is survived by her brother, two sons, two daughters including Janie Entrekin Hughart ’76 and Mary Entrekin Agee ’79, ten grandchildren including Sara Hughart ’09, Macy Hughart Johnson ’08, and Emerson Entrekin ’25. Louise “Sis” Baird Halliday ’49 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away January 2, 2018. Sis taught 2nd grade for many years and was active in many community organizations. She is survived by her husband, four sons, 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Lillian Lawing Jonas ’49 of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away October 15, 2017. Lillian was an active community volunteer and member of St. John’s Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband, one daughter, two sons, three granddaughters, two grandsons, and five great-grandchildren. Suzanne Rodgers Nelms ’49 of Houston, Texas, passed away July 19, 2017. She had a great appreciation of the arts and was an accomplished horseman. Suzanne is survived by her son-in-law, three grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren. Frances Caldwell Jackson ’51 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away December 29, 2017. Frances graduated from Ward-Belmont High School as a member of the last graduating class. She attended St. George’s Episcopal Church and was a community leader and volunteer. Frances is survived by her brother, sister Anne Caldwell Parsons ’48, her son, two daughters including Kathleen Jackson Estes ’82, nine grandchildren including Kathleen Ambrose Kestermann ’06 and numerous nieces and nephews. Karin Dale Coble ’52 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away August 15, 2017. She was a popular singer, lawyer and businesswoman. Karin is survived by one son, two daughters including Karin Coble Eaton ’74 and Elizabeth Coble McDonald ’76, five grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild. Beverly Smith Elder ’52 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away October 18, 2017. Beverly was proud to be a member
CLASS NOTES
of the first graduating class of Harpeth Hall and enjoyed playing bridge and tennis. She is survived by her husband, three daughters including Mary Kim Elder Shipp ’83, two sons, nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
Sarah Hooten Benson ’62 of Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, passed away July 22, 2017. She served on the town’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen for more than 25 years. Sarah is survived by her two daughters.
Noel Bowen Bearden ’59 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away January 9, 2018. Noel was an accomplished horsewoman, community volunteer, and a career in real estate. She is survived by her husband, one son, and two grandsons.
Genevieve Baird Farris ’65 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away November 28, 2017. She was an avid horsewoman and lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church. Geny is survived by her aunt and many cousins.
Susanne Reynolds Thombs ’59 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on August 23, 2017. Susy was an active member of the Catholic church and had a passion for needlework and sculpture. She is survived by her brother, three sisters including Elaine Reynolds Harr ’72, Liza Reynolds Buttrey ’70, and Peggy Reynolds Dudley ’57; daughter Susan Thombs Starr ’82, two sons, and ten grandchildren.
Martha Green White Ireland ’65 of Olympia, Washington, passed away August 29, 2017. She is survived by two sons, two grandsons and one granddaughter, and two brothers. Ann Tipton Horn ’73 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away September 28, 2017. Ann enjoyed gardening, heirloom sewing, and was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband, her parents, her sisters Frannie Tipton Smith ’72 and Ginger Tipton Walker ’77, one son, her daughter Ann Briggs Horn Montross ’05, one granddaughter, and nieces and nephews.
IN MEMORIAM Board of Trustees
Emmie Keith Jackson McDonald, Ward-Belmont ’44 1926-2017
E
mmie Jackson McDonald, Ward-Belmont Class of 1944, was a strong believer in educational excellence for girls and was an ardent supporter of and advocate for Harpeth Hall. Emmie was a member of the Board of Trustees, serving on its ambassador, advancement, diversity, and strategic planning committees as well as the Ward-Belmont representative. A member of the Founder’s Society, Emmie also served as her class reunion chair and on the Distinguished Alumna selection committee. She was also a proud Harpeth Hall parent and grandparent. Emmie was a trailblazer as she built a career in banking at Commerce Union Bank (now Bank of America) and became the first woman in Nashville to attain the level of Senior Vice President, all while serving the Nashville community through numerous volunteer organizations. She was widely recognized for her active leadership roles in the Nashville business and volunteer communities and was awarded the Junior League of Nashville’s Sustainer Service Paragon Award and the Nashville Council on Aging’s Sage Award. Quoting from Emmie’s obituary, “Emmie was amazed by the number of young women who, throughout the years, expressed gratitude for her significant influence on their lives as a role model and for her contribution to their motivation and success in business and volunteerism.”
Emmie played an active role in the lives of her children and grandchildren and “took particular pride in her children’s following in her footsteps to volunteer in Nashville community organizations.” She is survived by sister Milbrey Jackson Black ’46, sisters-in-law Clara McDonald Bass ’48 and Patricia Potter McDonald ’46, her son, three daughters including Cornelia McDonald Granbery ’75, nine grandchildren including Emmie Granbery Chen ’03, Anne Granbery Barnes ’05, and Cornelia Granbery ’07, and twelve great-grandchildren. SPRING 2018
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IN MEMORIAM Board of Trustees continued Marge Hargrove Ewers, Ward-Belmont ’45 1925-2018
A
n art teacher with a lifelong interest in design and decorative arts, Marge Hargrove Ewers ’45 was a graduate of Ward-Belmont and George Peabody College for Teachers. Marge and her husband, Dr. Bill Ewers were both Harpeth Hall Trustees. Marge served as a Trustee from 1974-1981 and her daughter Celeste graduated in 1968.
Frances Caldwell Jackson, Ward-Belmont ’51 1933-2017
A During the years of Nashville’s rapid growth, Marge lent her design talents to executive suites, business interiors, schools, and friends’ homes. She was also a longtime supporter of Cheekwood and established the Ewers-Tyne Collection of Worcester Porcelain at the museum. When her close friend Ann Scott Carell had the vision to gift a new Library to the Harpeth Hall campus, Marge collaborated with Ann on some of the finishing touches and accessories in the Library’s interior. Upon the completion of the Library in 2001, Marge and Bill donated over two dozen pieces of artwork from their private collection to the Library in honor of Ann Carell. “Marge Ewers was a dear friend of our mother’s. Marge had a true interest in the Ann Scott Carell Library and in contributing in ways that ensured that the Library was a welcoming and inviting space for the girls to study and learn,” said Ann Carell’s daughters Edie Carell Johnson ’80, Julie Carell Stadler ’77, and Kathryn Carell Brown. Marge is survived by her son and her two grandsons. 58
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s a member of the last Ward-Belmont class, Frances Caldwell Jackson, Class of 1951, was eager to see educational excellence for girls continue on at Harpeth Hall. She enrolled her two daughters, Kathleen and Frannie, in Harpeth Hall and was proud to see a granddaughter and many nieces and great nieces attend Harpeth Hall. Frances served on the Board of Trustees and was named an Honorary Trustee in 2011. She was a highly respected and generous alumna leader. She served the Nashville community in numerous roles including President of the Junior League of Nashville. She was the daughter of the late Frances Hill Caldwell and Wentworth Caldwell, Sr. She was the granddaughter of two longstanding Nashville families, the late H.G. Hill Sr., founder of the H.G. Hill Grocery Co., now the H.G. Hill Realty Co., and James E. Caldwell, a prominent early Nashville citizen. She loved reading, travel, and playing bridge. Some of her fondest memories were of the many years and days spent with family and friends at Rock Island, TN. She is survived by her brother and her sister Anne Caldwell Parsons ’48, her three children including Kathleen Jackson Estes ’82; and nine grandchildren, including Kathleen Ambrose Kestermann ’06, who affectionately referred to her as “Mumsie.” As stated in her obituary, Frances “especially wanted to be remembered as a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and a responsible citizen.” There is no doubt that Frances will be remembered for all of those roles which she fulfilled with grace, kindness, and great integrity.
CLASS NOTES
IN MEMORIAM
I could always count on her. She was warm-hearted, generous and lived a life of integrity. I missed her when she retired but we always stayed in touch.”
Faculty
Mary Lee Mathews Manier, Ward-Belmont ’42 1924-2017
A
A promoter of education and equity for women, Mary Lee served as president of the Junior League in the early 1960’s, and she was particularly proud to have led the charge for a Children’s Hospital and integration of the Home for Crippled Children long before such actions were considered popular or appropriate. She served the Nashville community through various other nonprofit organizations. Her community service was recognized by Crittenton Services with the 1999 Sara Rodes Community Award, by the YWCA as a 2011 Woman of Achievement and by Fifty Forward with the 2011 Crown Affair Award.
former newspaper reporter and booklover, Mary Lee Mathews Manier ’42 returned to the continuation of her alma mater in 1967 as Harpeth Hall’s first certified Librarian where she worked for 25 years. A graduate of Ward-Belmont and Vanderbilt University, Mary Lee earned her Master in Library Science from Peabody College where she was honored as an outstanding educator in 2005. At Harpeth Hall, Mary Lee also served as the Ward-Belmont representative to the Board of Trustees, as the Annual Fund Alumnae Gift Chair, the Annual Fund Past Faculty Chair, and on the past parent and grandparent committee for The Campaign for Harpeth Hall. She also served on the Distinguished Alumna Selection Committee and was a member of the Founders Society. Mary Lee and her husband Bill were some of the first friends to make a planned gift to Harpeth Hall. Retired Harpeth Hall Librarian Nancy Rumsey said, “Mary Lee was my role model, not just professionally, but personally as well.
Mary Lee is survived by her daughters Katy Manier Schneider ’69 and Molly Manier Raper ’67 as well as her granddaughters Katy Manier O’Shea ’99 and Elizabeth Ann “EA” Manier Homans ’02.
Bettye Jean Curry Abernathy 1927-2017
B
ettye Abernathy taught Algebra at Harpeth Hall for fifteen years. She attended Mary Washington College in Virginia and graduated from George Peabody College for Teachers. A devoted educator for most of her adult life, she was most known for her legacy at St. George’s Kindergarten where she was the Director for 30 years. Under her leadership the program grew to become one of the largest and most highly regarded Episcopal preschools in the country. Harpeth Hall middle school math teacher Helen Berry Holland ’82 fondly remembers Mrs. Abernathy, commenting, “I went to St. George’s Kindergarten when Mrs. Abernathy was the Director, and then I was her math student at Harpeth Hall in the 8th grade. She was very kind as I struggled with Algebra and she helped me realize that not knowing every answer is okay, but to keep trying. I too am teaching 8th grade Algebra and as I vividly remember my time in Mrs. Abernathy’s class I hope my students enjoy my class. Algebra is a struggle, but I tell my students to keep working at it. As Mrs. Abernathy would say, ‘Try, try again’ with a smile.” An active community volunteer, Bettye was involved for many years with children’s theater, serving as President of the Board of Directors of the Nashville Children’s Theatre. She was also committed to St. George’s Episcopal Church, and after retirement from the kindergarten, she served a term on its vestry. She is survived by her son, daughter Bettye Abernathy Bagot ’73, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. SPRING 2018
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RETROSPECTIVE
A CENTURY OF CLUBS
The staff of the 1968 Milestones yearbook pose for a group shot.
Ariston Club officers practice for a musical competition in 1955.
Part three of a four part series on a century of clubs at Ward Seminary and the Harpeth Hall School. PART THREE 1954-1980
I
n 1951, what was formerly the college-preparatory division of Ward-Belmont became today’s Harpeth Hall School. As Harpeth Hall established itself as a college preparatory day school in Nashville, school clubs were transformed from the days of Ward-Belmont. Sororities and state clubs were not carried over but many others were continued. Ward-Belmont maintained ten social clubs, with six reserved for boarding students. These four social clubs continued at Harpeth Hall and provided sisterhood and camaraderie for students. Once selected for Triad, Eccowasin, Angkor, or Ariston, inductees were asked to pledge their loyalty at initiation.
The Logos staff poses for a picture in 1971.
Sports were still played on an intramural club level and Athletics included the usual sports as well as teams in table tennis, archery, field hockey, and badminton. In other words, sports teams did not compete with other schools through the 1950s and 1960s. The nature of athletic teams and clubs would change tremendously with the passage of Title IX in 1972. In the 1970s, there were approximately twenty clubs at Harpeth Hall. The most popular new clubs during the 1970s were service clubs that included Peace Corps, American Red Cross, and American Field Club. Although these clubs do not exist today, they represent a spirit of service that continues today. Logos emerged as a new club, which formed in 1971. Logos continues to publish the Harpeth Hall newspaper. WardBelmont, Harpeth Hall’s predecessor school, published a weekly newspaper called the Hyphen. Before the start of 60
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S.O.S. (former Key Club) serves as the service club for Harpeth Hall.
Logos, Harpeth Hall was without a consistent school newspaper for fifteen years. Logos has won national level awards for its excellence in recent years.
To view more images
visit HarpethHall.org/history. Click on the Online Digital Archives. Search for late 1800 or early 1900 copies of The Iris or Milestones.
Make an Impact 2017-2018 ANNUAL FUND
“True Believers”
H
arpeth Hall! What does that mean to you? It might mean tuition payments or another calendar of events. Or, it might mean plaid skirts. Or it might mean Girls, Girls, Girls! What it means to me may be different from what it means to you. It means a place that allowed me to grow up, (or at least partially), to learn as only girls can learn, to stretch myself, to find a voice, and to experience the strength and power of girls and women. Most importantly, it meant a lifelong set of friends who today are my core support and who will always love me for being that girl in the plaid skirt, in spite of my big hair and in spite of the fact that I lived in Goodlettsville. So when Stephen and I had a daughter, I could not wait for her to experience that lifelong sense of community and the education that lifted me up. And now Mary Neely is a 9th grader loving Harpeth Hall as much as any teenager could love school. It provides a place for her to feel safe, to revel in her friendships, and to escape her parents. A comfortable place. A loving place. A place that enables Mary Neely to find herself. What more could a parent ask! Then, Board Chair Emily Cate Tidwell ’75 called last spring and asked Stephen and me to chair the Harpeth Hall 2017-2018 Annual Fund, and well, here we are. My answer was that I could not say no to Harpeth Hall after all it provided me. The Annual Fund enables the school to keep the tuition lower than it would otherwise be and to support curricular enhancements and the faculty. And, chairing the Annual Fund is made easy by the many, many volunteers that are on committees and the Harpeth Hall staff that help us all see the school in different ways. Thanks to all of those people for making it so easy. But to you—the Harpeth Hall community—the true believers that our girls deserve the best education, one that is directed in a way that allows the true girl to shine through—thank you! You are the Annual Fund, and you are the ones who help to make Harpeth Hall that special place for our girls. If you have not yet made your gift to the 2017-2018 Annual Fund, please join us. Stephen and I thank you—and so do the girls at Harpeth Hall!
2017-18 Annual Fund Chairs Stephen and Mandy Haynes Young ’85 with their children Haynes, Adam, and Mary Neely ’21 and with Grizzly.
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
HoneybearHomecoming Friday, May 4 Milestones Society Luncheon Honoring classes 1953, 1958, and 1963
Saturday, May 5 Winterim in May: Lifelong Learning Classes 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
11:30 a.m.
50th Reunion Brunch Honoring class of 1968
Campus Tours
11:00 a.m.
3:15 p.m.
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction and Celebration Honoring: Susan Thornton ’76 Kathy Denton Stumb ’79 Karinne Miller Caulkins ’80 Lissa Bradford ’81 Sloan Burton ’81 Macie Phillips Smitherman ’81 5:00 p.m.
Individual Class Parties
Reunion Alumnae Panel Discussion Beyond the Plaid 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Campus Tours 4:30 p.m.
REUNION 2018 FRIDAY MAY 4 AND SATURDAY MAY 5
Cocktails on Campus: A Complimentary All-Alumnae Celebration 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Individual Class Parties
1953 • 1958 • 1963 • 1968 • 1973 • 1978 • 1983 • 1988 • 1993 • 1998 • 2003 • 2008 • 2013