Academic EXCELLENCE | Personal ACHIEVEMENT | SUMMER 2017
A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE, PARENTS, AND FRIENDS
175th Anniversary Special Edition
Board of Trustees 2017-2018 Officers Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS, Chair William C. Monk, Jr., Vice Chair Carter Warren Franke ’75HS ’77C, Secretary Stephen F. Later, Treasurer Members At-Large Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS (2018), Raleigh, N.C. Anna Neal Blanchard ’76HS (2018), Raleigh, N.C. Martin M. Boney (2019), Raleigh, N.C. Theodore D. Bratton (2018), Raleigh, N.C. Caren Threshie Camp ’71HS (2018), Alexandria, Va. Eric W. Evans (2020), Raleigh, N.C. Carter Warren Franke ’75HS ’77C (2020), Owings Mills, Md. Sallie Harris Glover ’81HS ’83C (2020), Raleigh, N.C. R. Gordon Grubb (2019), Raleigh, N.C. Hubert B. Haywood III (2018), Raleigh, N.C. Mary D. Hinton ’88HS (2019), Saint Joseph, Minn. Lynn Cowell Ives ’85HS ’87C (2020), Rocky Mount, N.C. Burns Jones (2020), San Francisco, Ca. Stephen F. Later (2019), Southern Pines, N.C. W. Scott Mahoney (2020), Raleigh, N.C. William C. Monk, Jr. (2018), Greenville, N.C. Sallie Shuping Russell ’75C (2018), Chapel Hill, N.C. Jeffrey M. Szyperski (2020), Irvington, Va. Nancy Kerr Thomason ’73HS ’75C (2019), Dunwoody, Ga. Margaret Longley White ’79C (2018), Greensboro, N.C.
Mission Statement Saint Mary’s School, a community dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement, prepares young women for college and life.
SUMMER 2017 | VOLUME 102, NUMBER 2
Founded in 1842 in the Episcopal tradition, Saint Mary’s School is an independent, college-preparatory, girls boarding and day school dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement for grades 9-12. Saint Mary’s School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, mental or physical disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, athletic and other policies and programs. The school does not discriminate against qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, or mental or physical disability in providing the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Administration Brendan J. O’Shea, Head of School Tim Healy, Dean of Students Laura Novia, Director of Marketing and Communications Leslie Owen, Dean of Teaching and Learning Julie Ricciardi, Director of Development Kim Slade, Director of Admission and Financial Aid Sally Woods, Chief Financial Officer Saint Mary’s School Magazine Published twice each year by Saint Mary’s School. Please send address changes to:
ON THE COVER Saint Mary’s girls walking in front of Smedes Hall, 1977-78
CONTENTS The Heritage of Saint Mary’s
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Reflections on the Tenure of Monica M. Gillespie, Ph.D.
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Saint Mary's Welcomes 14th Head of School Brendan O'Shea Commencement
Alumnae Office
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900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27603-1689 919-424-4000 • www.sms.edu
IN EVERY ISSUE
Editor
Alumnae Council Message
Mary Virginia Swain ’77C Director of Public Relations and Publications
Head of School Message
mvswain@sms.edu
News Briefs
Class News Editor
Personal Achievement
Emory Rogers Church ’74C
Athletics News
Contributors: Stacy Watkins Erb '67C; Lauren Gerber;
Supporting Saint Mary’s
Heath Hilliker; Margaret McGlohon ’81C; Jeannie Norris; Laura Novia; Julie Ricciardi; Martha Stoops; Mary Virginia Swain ’77, Blanche Williamson '76HS Design
Calendar of Events Event Photos Milestones
Heath Hilliker, Senior Marketing Coordinator
Class News and 2017 Reunion Photos
Printing
Admission News
Metro Productions, Raleigh, N.C.
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MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNAE COUNCIL It’s summertime! School is out, and the days are longer. We hope everyone is enjoying the season with family and friends. The mission of the Alumnae Council is to promote and preserve the traditions and values of Saint Mary’s to support the school in developing and preparing our future leaders. Members attend three meetings a year on campus, contribute to and promote the Annual Fund, attend and encourage alumnae to attend events on and off campus, assist the Admission Office by helping to identify potential students, and serve as Saint Mary’s ambassadors in their communities. Consider joining the Alumnae Council, and help us grow our geographic and class representation. Please contact either of us with questions. A current focus of the Alumnae Council is the resurrection of Regional Chapters, which were strong for many years. Chapters provide an ongoing presence and awareness in areas where our alumnae live. They offer a robust networking environment, a steady sense of community through planned events, and an opportunity for alumnae to connect, engage and enjoy time with each other. If you are interested in helping our effort, please contact Margaret McGlohon ’81C, director of alumnae relations, at memcglohon@sms.edu or 919-424-4171. Thank you for all you do for our alma mater. It is truly up to alumnae to ensure our school’s future for the next 175 years. Best wishes for a happy and healthy summer! Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS and Jean Redding ’72HS Alumnae Association Co-Presidents
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Alumnae Council Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS, co-chair Jean Redding ’72HS, co-chair Vicky McKenzie Armes ’62C Merritt Atkins ’99HS Diane Gupton Becton ’77HS Anne Finley ’91C Melrose Whitfield Fisher ’72HS ’74C Jane Bratton Fleming ’76HS ’78C Ashley Dawson Forbes ’95C Gina Crow Hartness-Jablokov ’89HS Libby Holding ’78C Elizabeth Van Dyke Johnson ’91C Joan Comer Johnston ’87C Britt Vice Kirkbride ’82HS ’84C Michelle Oppegaard ’93HS ’95C Rebecca Pace ’85HS Elizabeth Rasberry Pitts ’79C, Board of Trustees representative Lynn Boyce Purdie-Brennan ’62C Hunter Grogan Rogers ’89HS ’91C Allison Sprock ’82HS ’84C Eliza Jenkins Stoecker ’96HS Georgia Worthington Sullivan ’77HS Heather Moore Thompson ’88HS ’90C Melissa Morrisette Tillman ’88HS Heather Clark Warren ’89HS ’91C Cassie Warrington ’93HS ’95C Margaret Overcash White ’98HS Charlotte Hill Wickham ’82HS Stephanie Bishop Williams ’90HS Blanche Williamson ’76HS Leslie Allred Yates ’96HS ’98C
Young Alumnae Advisory Board Class of 2011 Stuart Anderson ’11 Blair Barnett ’11 Louise Mann Clement ’11 Lindsey Johnson ’11 Maggie Pearce ’11 Class of 2010 Gates Killian ’10 Louise Orr ’10 Class of 2009 Betsy Church ’09 Arrington Clark ’09 Becca Vinson Hamilton ’09 Emma Carol Lewis ’09 Lauren Vitek ’09 Chelsea Ward ’09 Class of 2008 Martha Cox ’08 Sarah Staton Nash ’08 Mary Brown Taylor ’08 Class of 2007 Nancy Vander Veer ’07 Anna Zevenhuizen ’07 Class of 2006 Kyle O’Garro-Moore ’06 Taylor Rice ’06 Lauren Robbins ’06 Class of 2005 Ila Walker Bittner ’05 Katie Skinner ’05 Class of 2004 Katie Whitmore Allred ’04 Britt Carl ’04 Charlotte Smith ’04 Class of 2003 Laura Fanjoy ’03 Kate Yandell Reece ’03
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
A World of Opportunity By Brendan J. O'Shea, Head of School
“Transitions can be difficult. Transitions can be invigorating.” These thoughts were shared with me shortly after it was announced that I would be moving to Saint Mary’s in the summer of 2017. The description of transitions being “difficult and invigorating” was intended for me as well as the communities I have served and will serve. A time of change can be an uncertain time for many while simultaneously providing energy and enthusiasm to a community. While I can’t ignore the difficult part of a transition, particularly for the new community I am entering, I would rather focus on the invigorating part! Over the last several months, I have heard from representatives across Saint Mary’s community – students, parents, alumnae, faculty and staff, and friends of the school. Everyone has been extremely gracious and welcoming while expressing their passion and love for the school. Perhaps most importantly, the students are proud of their school, notice the improvements that have been made in recent years, and want to continue with momentum moving forward. The young women at Saint Mary’s are truly the school’s most endearing, convincing, and articulate ambassadors. They are an impressive group. At the 175th anniversary gala, I was fortunate to be in the company of former and current heads of Saint Mary’s: Clauson Jenkins, Theo Coonrod, and Monica Gillespie. Each of these individuals gave of themselves for the betterment and
improvement of the institution. Just being in their presence was daunting, as I realized there is quite a legacy of leadership to live up to. These educational leaders steered Saint Mary’s through some challenging times, making transformative decisions that provided opportunity for the school. Thanks to each of these former heads of school for their guidance, support, and significant contributions to the Saint Mary’s community. Undoubtedly the months and years ahead will be exciting for me and my family as we get to know the Saint Mary’s community. My learning curve will be steep. I pledge I will do my best to continue the work begun by my predecessors to further establish Saint Mary’s as the preeminent secondary school for girls. There is a world of opportunity awaiting in Raleigh. Together – students, faculty, staff, parents, alumnae and friends – we will make it happen. See you soon on Hillsborough Street. Go Saints!
Brendan J. O’Shea Head of School
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The Heritage of Saint Mary’s 175 Years of Educating Women • 1946-1999
Students walk to class by Cheshire Hall, 1962
The Indefinable Saint Mary’s Spirit
Tradition, Values, Friendship, and Liberal Learning This is the third in a series of articles highlighting the 175-year history of women’s education at Saint Mary’s School from 1842-2017. In this article, we continue our focus on the resilience and perseverance of the school in educating young women through changing times in the last half of the 20th century.
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Strengthening the Foundation: The Stone years, 1946-1969 When alumna Margaret Cruikshank retired as Saint Mary’s president in 1946, she left the school in sound financial shape with a long waiting list of bright students “clamoring to get in.” When the students dedicated the 1947 Stagecoach to Cruikshank’s successor, president Richard Gabriel Stone, they foresaw “a new era” at Saint Mary’s. “The Stone administration built upon the past, for there was no fundamental disagreement with the foundations already laid,” writes Martha Stoops in The Heritage. “Stone had gone to Saint Mary’s because he knew the reputation of the school and that its graduates were accepted to the senior colleges and universities of their choice.” He found the curriculum sound, and he worked over the years along with the faculty to bring academic procedures at Saint Mary’s in line with those of other colleges. But, he found equipment and facilities lacking. His perpetual challenge was making ends meet. He found the physical plant deteriorating, an acute need for new buildings, and a need to increase faculty salaries to retain the best professors, but the institutional endowment was woefully inadequate. Stone determined that the science equipment was “antiquated and below standard,” to the point where he believed it could endanger accreditation. Likewise, in his first report to the board of trustees, he noted the badly overcrowded rooms in the library (now Bratton Hall) used for science, as well as limited space in the library with room for only 11,000 volumes, well below the 25,000 required for junior college accreditation. A new science building and a new library became goals for the new president, which he ultimately achieved with the construction of Cheshire Hall as the new science building in 1953 and Sarah Graham Kenan Library in 1966.
Sarah Graham Kenan Library, 1966
Dr. Richard G. Stone, eighth head of Saint Mary's
The original Cold Cuts, 1959-1960
The post-World War II era was a time of prosperity nationally, and enrollment boomed at Saint Mary’s. A long waiting list was maintained with high admission standards, as the trustees voted to limit the student body to about 500. Two dormitories were added during the Stone administration – Penick Hall in 1957 and Cruikshank Hall in 1966 – to accommodate growing enrollment. Each summer, Stone spent as much money as he could find to modernize and redecorate the older dormitories. Stone served as head of Saint Mary’s for 23 years – from 1946 until 1969 - longer than any leader other than the school’s founder, Aldert Smedes. Stone was chosen to lead Saint Mary’s because of his academic and administrative experience. He held a Ph.D. in economics from the Johns Hopkins University and an undergraduate degree from Western Maryland College. He taught history and economics at Wofford College
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and established an economics department at Converse College. He entered the military in 1943, retiring as a major with the Army Commendation Ribbon. His leadership at Saint Mary’s was characterized by his “integrity, respect for the faculty, and high academic standards.” In student life, the Beacon was founded in 1948 at the request of high school students who thought morale and school spirit could be improved if the high school had an organization to match the Order of the Circle leadership society in the college, begun in 1938. Student government and the Honor Code continued to mature and strengthen with the encouragement of Dr. Stone. The Cold Cuts, a college musical combo, was recognized in the fall of 1959, and went on to enjoy some 40 years of fun and fame, entertaining on college campuses and community events as well as cutting and selling albums. Martha Stoops recounts in The Heritage, “A new chaplain of the 1960s observed after a few months on campus: ‘The two things that have impressed me most…are the high regard the girls have for their Chapel and Chaplain, and the Saint Mary’s spirit. The Chapel is the center of campus life and the students look to the chaplain for guidance, understanding, and instruction. I am sure the alumnae understood this relationship, for it is traditional at Saint Mary’s. The Saint Mary’s spirit is indefinable; the girls have a real love and concern for one another. This spirit would be difficult to duplicate anywhere.’”
“There is no virtue in standing still. We change in order to achieve.” Dr. Frank Pisani
While Saint Mary’s grappled with major issues including the ongoing questions of the configuration of the high school and college departments and the school’s relationship with the Episcopal Church, Stone’s 23 years at Saint Mary’s marked an era of stability, abundant enrollment with waiting lists, growth and enhancements in facilities, prudent fiscal management, high admission standards, and excellence in academics.
In his final report to the board of trustees before retiring, Stone reported a longstanding theme at Saint Mary’s, “There is very little wrong here that could not be strengthened with a sizeable increase in capital money.” In February 1968, Stone announced to the faculty his plans to retire in 1969, saying the administration of the school was becoming a “heavy burden.” The coming years at Saint Mary’s were to be busy and challenging. His last message to alumnae said, “There is no virtue in standing still. We change in order to achieve.”
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Dr. Frank Pisani chats with a student in the 1970s.
A Mandate for Change: The Pisani Years, 1969-1976 “Frank Warren Pisani, who became the ninth head of Saint Mary’s in July 1969, believed that the trustees had given him a ‘mandate for change,’” writes Martha Stoops. Pisani, a dynamic and charismatic man, said of himself, “I dragged Saint Mary’s, kicking and screaming, into the 20th century.” Indeed, Stoops writes, “Within seven years’ time, almost every facet of life on campus was changed; there were new buildings, new social and academic rules, and a greatly expanded administration.” Pisani was selected by the trustees from more than 70 persons interested in the position. An Episcopal priest, he had been assistant and then associate dean at Virginia Theological Seminary, and had served as a first lieutenant in the army in World War II, as rector in Episcopal churches, and as a college professor. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California at Berkeley, completed graduate work in religion at the University of Florida in Gainesville and received his degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, and had the doctor of divinity degree conferred upon him by the seminary in 1970.
degree in 1970 to all who met the graduation requirements, and the board of trustees offered the degree retroactively to all qualified alumnae upon request. The school’s name was changed in 1972 from Saint Mary’s Junior College to Saint Mary’s College to fight the junior college image, which was hampering fundraising from foundations. That same year, 1970, the Chi Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity of American Junior College was organized. Saint Mary’s High School Honor Society was also organized in 1970.
Swimmers in the natatorium in the gym, built in 1972-73
Despite these important enhancements led by Pisani, some of the oldguard faculty raised concerns about the academic atmosphere at Saint Mary’s. Martha Stoops writes, “The appointment of longtime faculty member Mabel Morrison as dean of academic affairs in 1970 provided a sense of stability on the academic front during the early years of the Pisani administration. Her appointment was hailed as a stroke of genius. She was a veritable legend on campus and was also a staunch supporter of President Pisani.” It was during this time that Saint Mary’s began referring to itself as an “intermediate college,” based on a report published by the College Entrance Examination Board which concluded that students in the 16 to 20 age group were treated “too much like children while in high school and too much like adults at college.” The report proposed a return to the 1920s concept of an “intermediate college” which was a perfect term for Saint Mary’s unusual high school/college configuration.
Holt Hall dorm room, 1970s
In his inaugural address, November 14, 1969, Pisani declared, “Change we must – change we will! Some ancient ways are not valid any longer. But unchanging are the basic values….” Pisani promised that his administration would be “student-oriented.” He relaxed class attendance policies and social rules for college students, increased the number of electives, adjusted the curriculum requirements to match those of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and strengthened the liberal arts program. As the college was behind the times in conferring the associate in arts degree, which was recommended by the American Association of Junior Colleges as early as 1942, Saint Mary’s began awarding the A.A.
A period of student rebellion and unrest occurred from 1971-1973 surrounding required chapel attendance and some disciplinary situations, but ran its course by 1973. Martha Stoops reports in The Heritage that student government – which consisted of the honor board, the social board, the minor offense committee, and the hall council – regained smooth operations by 1973. Members of the Circle and Beacon along with Dean Edith Richardson helped to restore a positive Saint Mary’s spirit. The student mood became upbeat, pro-Saint Mary’s, pro-Pisani. In fact, Pisani reported to the trustees that the Class of 1974 had restored “the spirit, tradition, and loveliness of Saint Mary’s.” The major challenge of the early 1970s was finances. To support Pisani’s “mandate for change,” the trustees authorized the Decade of Renewal capital campaign to raise money for endowment, scholarships, and carefully-phased campus renewal. The plan included new campus residences for the president and chaplain, a new classroom building (the Alice McKenzie Ragland Classroom Building), a new physical education center (gym, natatorium, and new tennis courts), a dining room and student center (now Chan-Poyner Hall), a dormitory to house 200 students, and a fine arts center. Under Pisani’s dynamic leadership, all but the new dormitory and fine arts center were built in the early 1970s, successfully modernizing and expanding campus facilities. The progress of the decade of renewal remains Pisani’s legacy and positioned the school for the future in a modern world.
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He had served on the faculty, staff, and administrations at Fork Union Military Academy, James Madison University, Florida Junior College, St. Anne’s School in Charlottesville, and Sweet Briar College before coming to Saint Mary’s. He was a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where he was an honor graduate and president of his class, and he earned a master’s in sociology from the University of Tennessee. He held the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia and St. Augustine’s College. He also served both active and reserve duty in the U.S. Army. Martha Stoops writes in The Heritage, that Rice accepted the presidency at Saint Mary’s because he saw the opportunity to put into practice his philosophy about the education of young women. The students immediately liked President Rice and his family. The faculty found him to be enthusiastic, student-oriented, and committed to academic excellence. Stoops wrote, “There was a general agreement at Saint Mary’s that no change should be made in the fundamental precept that the liberal education of young women could best be accomplished in a small, single-sex school with a Christian orientation. There was also general agreement in the 1980s that the unique Saint Mary’s concept of a four-year institution educating young women between the approximate ages of 16 and 20 within a single administrative unit was a valid and practical concept.”
John Thomas Rice, 10th head of Saint Mary's.
Inheriting the Tradition: The Rice Years, 1976-1986 John Thomas Rice, the 10th head of Saint Mary’s, was a perfect fit to lead Saint Mary’s into a new era when he arrived in 1976 with his family – his wife, Grace, and their four children, Tom Rice, Sarah Rice Shelton ’80HS ’82C, Anne Rice Putnam ’83HS ’85C, and Bobby Rice. Rice immediately recognized Saint Mary’s long history and traditions as valuable assets to be preserved, honored, and built upon. “I see myself as the inheritor of the tradition – a tradition which is an inspiration to enable us to build on our strengths” said Rice. Rice was a charming people person and a modern Southern gentleman. A proud Virginian, he was an experienced educator and leader.
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An internal planning report of 1982 showed “a remarkable unanimity of opinion” throughout the Saint Mary’s community on the mission of Saint Mary’s and an “extraordinary,” degree of consensus on how that mission should be fulfilled. Similarly, there was general agreement among the faculty that a liberal arts education involved analysis, synthesis, and values transmission, and that a grade and a course at Saint Mary’s should represent at least its equivalent at any institution to which a student transferred. Among numerous initiatives to encourage academic achievement in the early years of the Rice administration, the institution of an annual honors convocation began in 1979 to recognize the highest achieving students, with faculty processing in Pittman Auditorium in full academic regalia. Special commencement awards, the Georgia Lee Kinsey Award and the Catherine Ruth Proctor Award, were created by Phi Theta Kappa and the High School Honor Society to recognize scholastic improvement. The Sarah Graham Kenan Library played an important role in the high academic standards at Saint Mary’s, as a vibrant center for study and research. The library collection totaled more than 36,000 volumes in 1982, and the library was a hub for cultural and educational events. Rice emphasized concerts and lectures on campus both as educational opportunities for students as well as a step towards improved town and gown relations.
The first town and gown event of the Rice administration was the dedication of the Thomas Wolfe Room in Kenan Library, featuring the novelist’s brother, Fred Wolfe. The Thomas Wolfe Fest, an annual two-day symposium featuring the library’s extraordinary collection Rice’s tenure of Wolfe materials donated by Dr. at Saint Mary’s John O. Fulenwider, brought nawas marked tional attention to Saint Mary’s.
by burgeoning enrollment, increased fundraising, sound financial management, and the encouragement of academic achievement and a strong academic program.
Concerts again became a custom at Saint Mary’s when former trustee Mary Collett Wilson Stoney, Class of 1919, donated the fine grand piano for the large parlor. Under the direction of Terry Elizabeth Thompson, the Smedes Parlor Concert Series began, evoking memories of the musicales hosted in the parlor by Aldert and Sarah Smedes in the 1840s.
The Forum Series brought nationally recognized speakers and lecturers to campus. With a focus on career opportunities, notable speakers included the primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, authors Pat Conroy and Doris Betts, actress Mercedes McCambridge, and noted musicians and artists.
Members of the College Class of 1981 present a Saint Mary’s flag as their class gift at commencement on the steps of Smedes Hall.
a permanent endowment large enough to strengthen the operating budget and, thus, the academic program. Board Chair Eugene B. Hardin Jr. agreed with Rice that the trustees should concentrate on policy, financial soundness, and future planning, and leave internal matters to those on campus.
Enrollment boomed at Saint Mary’s during the Rice administration. The student body exceeded 500 students with approximately 400 students residing on campus in six dormitories – Cruikshank, Holt, Penick, three floors in Smedes, West Rock, and the 1903 building. Traditions that thrived during the Rice years included the Cold Cuts washtub band, the Circle and the Beacon honorary leadership societies, the vestry, the Student Government Association, the Sea Saints synchronized swimming group, the marshals and the dropping of the handkerchief at commencement, the Circle-Beacon Christmas party in Smedes Parlor, Spring Festival and Court, the Granddaughters Club, and more. A new Christmas tradition, the Lighting O’ the Green began in 1981 as a gift to the Raleigh community. The celebration, which featured a large, living tree in front of the Chapel lit with bright bulbs and almost 500 luminaries illuminating the Grove, was described as “breathtakingly beautiful.”
With Rice’s leadership, astute management by Business Manager Bud Conrad, and an expanded development program led by Development Director Henry Read, Saint Mary’s was able to pay off debts seven years ahead of schedule; balance the budget; beautify campus grounds; renovate Smedes Hall, Pittman Auditorium, and the Chapel; and increase the endowment.
Despite growing enrollment, Rice and the trustees realized that the school could not rely solely on funding from student tuition and fees, so a major capital campaign was deemed necessary along with a longrange plan. The capital campaign steering committee in 1982 was chaired by Smedes York, great-great-grandson of Saint Mary’s founder, the Rev. Aldert Smedes. The campaign of the 1980s was to provide
Rice’s tenure at Saint Mary’s was marked by burgeoning enrollment, increased fundraising, sound financial management, and the encouragement of academic achievement and a strong academic program. Rice and his family were loved by Saint Mary’s students, as they welcomed students into their campus home and brought energy and a family feeling to campus.
Alumnae support of Saint Mary’s increased as John and Grace Rice, Henry Read, and alumnae directors Jane Augustine Rabon ’59C, and later Tad Tadlock Wyman ’60C, made the rounds to regional alumnae chapters. Alumnae reunions turned into weekend events for hundreds with activities on and off campus. Alumnae giving to the Annual Fund increased, with the alumnae giving percentage earning awards for reaching the top one percent of alumnae giving among two-year colleges nationwide.
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“Saint Mary’s has remained the same and, so far, that decision has been wise. It may be that our constancy in a sea of educational flux will be a virtue that sets us apart and ensures our place in the diverse landscape of American higher education. It may be that we have to embark on a new course. Whatever the outcome, we must face the future with the same courage and vision as our founder did in 1842. We may seek to teach in different ways, seek different students, or organize ourselves differently, but we should always hold true to the foundations that make our school our beloved Saint Mary’s.” True to his word, Jenkins led Saint Mary’s boldly through an era of thorough and thoughtful self-examination and long-range planning for a future that would lead to a significant transforThe board’s mation from an “intermediate college” decision to close to an outstanding four-year boarding and the college was day high school.
Clauston L. Jenkins, 11th head of Saint Mary's.
Foundations for the Future: The Jenkins era, 1986-1999 In his inaugural address in the Chapel, Feb. 5, 1987, Clauston Levi Jenkins Jr., the 11th head of Saint Mary’s, recognized “tradition, values, friendship, and liberal learning” as the cornerstones of the school. “These cornerstones are the basis of a foundation, that, like the foundation of Smedes Hall, has remained solid since 1842,” said Jenkins. “Today, we are here to celebrate them and to set our course for the future. My goal as president is to shore up the foundation so that Saint Mary’s is certain to be around to celebrate its bicentennial celebration in 2042.” With foreshadowing of dramatic changes to come, Jenkins said, “Although we have carved a niche for ourselves, we must recognize that the world is changing. One of my tasks it to lead us in asking the hard questions over the next several years. To be sure that Saint Mary’s is around for the future, we must ask questions now and be prepared to act in accordance with the best answers we can find.
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Jenkins calls himself “a child of the Triangle,” having been born in Durham, raised in Raleigh, and educated in Chapel Hill. He graduated from Broughton High School, earned a bachelor’s degree at UNC-Chapel Hill, and a master’s and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia. He received his J.D. degree from UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law. He taught English at the University of Wisconsin, before returning home to Raleigh to serve as legal counsel for North Carolina State University.
announced to a standing room only crowd of students, faculty, and staff in the Chapel on March 6, 1997.
Described by his childhood friend, Smedes York, as a “get-the-job-done type person,” Jenkins was just the leader to strengthen the foundation at Saint Mary’s, as he and the board of trustees wisely led the school into a major era of progressive change late in his tenure. Two successful major capital campaigns were completed under Jenkins’s leadership – the $7 million Foundations for the Future Campaign, which exceeded its goal by $900,000 in 1989, and the Continuing the Tradition of Excellence Campaign, which surpassed its $16 million goal by $600,000 in 1998. Major accomplishments of the Jenkins administration included sound financial management and consistently balanced budgets, successful major fundraising, the construction of Nimocks Field to support a growing high school athletics program, the addition of the 9th and 10th grades, campus beautification and improvement projects, the purchase and renovation of the East Park Building as a state-of-the-art science facility, renovation of the Bishop’s House in partnership with Preservation North Carolina, and
construction of the award-winning serpentine brick and wrought-iron wall and fence along the front campus and new front gates, designed by renowned Raleigh architect Arthur McKimmon. Jenkins called the new gates, “the entrance to the future, representing Saint Mary’s commitment to look as good as it is.” Jenkins oversaw the Sesquicentennial, Saint Mary’s grand 150th anniversary year-long celebration in 1991-1992, which culminated with the gala Aldert Smedes Ball on front campus, which some 1,200 alumnae, parents, and friends attended in May, 1992. But, with all the successes, enrollment ebbed, flowed, and ultimately declined, particularly on the college level as junior colleges became less attractive to traditional college students, and women’s colleges nationwide struggled to survive. Jenkins had the vision to read the handwriting on the wall for the college program, and, keeping his promise to lead Saint Mary’s in asking the hard questions, undertook numerous studies and a long-range planning process. That process led to the unanimous vote by the board of trustees in March 1997, led by the first female Board Chair Mazie Strickland Froelich ’51C, to phase out the junior college program and focus all energies and resources on becoming an outstanding four-year high school boarding and day school for girls. The board’s decision to close the college was announced to a standing room only crowd of students, faculty, and staff in the Chapel on March 6, 1997, followed by a press conference on the steps of Smedes Hall announcing a new era at Saint Mary’s School. Reaction was strong on all sides – both from those heartbroken by the announcement and from those who saw it as the right choice to preserve Saint Mary’s as an educational institution for girls moving into the 21st century. Throughout the planning and decision-making process surrounding the changing times at Saint Mary’s in the 1990s, both Jenkins and the board of trustees remained strongly committed to the school remaining all-female, true to its original mission of providing an excellent education for young women. With a new direction mapped out for Saint Mary’s, the final college class members graduated in one last college commencement ceremony in the Grove in May, 1998. The group of less than 50 college sophomores who stayed on with tremendous grace and courage for the final year with the goal of “sending Saint Mary’s College out in the style it deserves,” filled the last year of the college with a joyful focus on closing out the beloved college traditions of the Cold Cuts, the Order of the Circle, social clubs, and athletics, while helping transition the Student Government Association and marshals to the high school. With the foundation in place for a promising future at Saint Mary’s School, Jenkins retired in 1999 after 13 years of distinguished leadership.
The final college Cold Cuts in 1998 helped "send the college out in the style it deserved."
“Dr. Jenkins has led Saint Mary’s for 13 years with focus and determination,” said Board Chair Aurelia Fulton Stafford ’48HS ’50C in statement upon accepting his retirement. “I am grateful for his leadership of Saint Mary’s during times of significant change.” Jenkins came to Saint Mary’s to lead Saint Mary’s College, but his great legacy, along with the leadership of the board of trustees, will forever be the bold and necessary decision made and the foundation built for the successful transition to Saint Mary’s School.
A Bright Future and Promising New Direction Indeed, thanks to the leadership, support, and vision of many who came before, Saint Mary’s was well positioned at the close of the 20th century to carry its time-honored mission of excellence in education for girls into not only a new century, but a new millennium. With a new course charted as an all-girls high school, Saint Mary’s future held new energy, relevance, and promise. Mary Virginia Swain ’77C
In the next issue: The Heritage of Saint Mary’s: 1998-2017 Sources Significant excerpts from The Heritage: The Education of Women at St. Mary’s College, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1842-1982, by Martha Sprouse Stoops, professor emerita of history Saint Mary’s publications and news clippings, 1969-1999
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Reflections
on the tenure of
Monica M. Gillespie, Ph.D.,
13th head of school by Jeannie Norris
Gillespie entered Saint Mary’s School 14 years after the school set its sail toward being a topnotch college preparatory boarding and day school for girls. The Beyond Imagination Capital Campaign, which had just closed, was the capstone initiative in realigning the school to its renewed mission, and the successful campaign generated new opportunities for Saint Each beginning Mary’s. Through Dr. Gillespie’s thoughtful and demands an ending unwavering leadership, the school began to Every ending leverage the potential that had been created, and promises a beginning the results have been impressive.
Those who lead schools for high school girls are the lucky ones. During these formative adolescent years, a girl says goodbye to her middle school self and hello to the young woman she is becoming. What an auspicious time to work with others in providing guidance and direction in girls’ lives. Monica Gillespie, Ph.D., arrived at Saint Mary’s in the summer of 2012 to lead the school and continue its longstanding legacy of preparing young women for college and life. Building on the work of those who came before her, she led with vision and grace, and hundreds of girls have grown strong and confident because of the environment she helped to create. One girl summed up what it has meant to have Dr. Gillespie in her life, “She has heard us and cared about us … she has helped us become strong women.”
In Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, the king says, “Begin at the beginning … and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” Dr. Bruce R. Coriell, Gillespie’s time at Saint Mary’s has come to an Chaplain, Colorado College end, and she leaves with our deepest gratitude for all she has accomplished on behalf of girls and Saint Mary’s School. She will enjoy a new Whether through new initiatives to strengthen program, providing beginning as she continues her career at the Frances Parker School more opportunities for faculty professional development, or working in San Diego. She leaves Saint Mary’s with a new strategic plan in to develop and implement a new strategic plan, Dr. Gillespie’s place; faculty and students eager to return in the fall; constituents commitment to advancing Saint Mary’s School and her dedication to committed to ensuring the school’s bright future; and new leadership doing what is best for girls has moved the school forward on a trajectory in incoming Head of School Brendan O’Shea. In other words, she of continued growth and sustainability. leaves the school poised to accelerate toward making all its dreams The arc of change for an organization is about an evolving cycle of come true. How lucky we are. alignment, mobilization, and acceleration toward desired goals. Dr.
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Now is such a time … Go now and commence
Highlights 2012-13 to 2016-17 Overall • • • • • • • • • • •
Monica Gillespie presided over the yearlong 175th anniversary at Saint Mary’s.
Monica Gillespie and Chief Marshal Mary Gordon Utt '13 at the installation of Dr. Gillespie as the 13th head of Saint Mary’s School.
Net tuition revenue increased by 27%* Overall enrollment increased by 13% ø Boarding enrollment increased by 22% ø Domestic boarding enrollment increased by 28% ø Ninth grade boarding enrollment increased by 62% ø Ninth grade total enrollment increased by 33% ø Total applications increased 21% ø Boarding applications increased 38% ø Retention increased from 90% to 94% ø Net assets increased by $4.6 million* New structure for auxiliary programs created, resulting in a 24% increase in auxiliary revenue*
Program
• Expanded the global academic exchange program to include St Mary’s School for Girls, Perth, Australia • Created a leadership initiative to strengthen student engagement and enhance leadership development for girls • Increased course offerings in the Visual and Performing Arts department • Reinstated four AP courses in world languages and studio art and added new elective courses • Established Exploration Days as high-impact learning experiences that take advantage of local resources • Initiated the seasonal boarding program • Redesigned the school’s weekly academic schedule to support student learning and allow for in-service professional development days for faculty • Established the Think Tank as part of renewed emphasis on faculty and staff professional development • Increased benefits for faculty and staff; including a three percent annual salary increase for faculty and staff to more closely align with independent school industry standards and attract highly qualified candidates
Facilities and Infrastructure
Bishop Michael B. Curry, Chaplain Ann Bonner-Stewart, Dr. Monica Gillespie, and the Rev. Daniel R. Heischman, executive director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, following the installation of Dr. Gillespie as head of school in 2012.
• Renovation of Sarah Graham Kenan Library to meet the current needs of students and faculty • New and improved lighting in the Grove and the Hannah Smith ’12 Quad • Improvements to Binder Health Center building • Improvements to tennis courts and visitor area • Renovations to Ann Moore Bacon Gym including new athletic director’s office and other upgrades • Renovation of Rankin Terrace • Comprehensive engineering study of technological infrastructure and securing of grant monies to implement Phase I of Technology Upgrade Plan
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Monica Gillespie immersed herself in campus life, working here in the Saint Mary’s community garden with other campus volunteers.
Highlights 2012-13 to 2016-17 (continued) Institutional Advancement
• Created and began implementation of a new strategic plan • Designed and completed a “Best School” project to provide a comprehensive data-driven analysis of operations and program • Implemented a comprehensive student retention program (STAR: Student Awareness and Retention Team) • Secured grant monies in support of financial aid with focus on middle-income families • Established a partnership with the United Way of the Greater Triangle as part of signature project “MLK Day of Service” • Established a new iteration of the Marketing and Communications department • Developed and implemented the “Courage” marketing and branding campaign • Launched a new iteration of Saint Mary’s Board of Visitors to engage the broader community and elevate Saint Mary’s expertise in girls’ education
Dr. Monica Gillespie, second from left, helped establish a partnership with the United Way of the Triangle for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students pictured at the 2014 MKL Day of Service in Bacon Gym are, left to right: Linh Nguyen '15, Julie Bell '17, Sophia Barsanti '15, Bailey Griffin '17, Grace Vojnovich '17, Catherine Sugg '17.
Fundraising and Constituent Engagement • $16.1 million raised** • More than $4 million raised annually** • Annual Fund goals exceeded each year** • Annual Fund increased by 26% ** • Grant, Foundation and Endowment growth in excess of $2M** • Maintained and grew alumnae attendance across the country with annual event attendance reaching 2,363** • Inaugural Grandparents & Grandfriends Day launched • Grandparent giving increased by 293%** • Saint Mary’s Mary Lou Jones Athletics Hall of Fame launched • Launched Alumnae Giving Circles • Total annual giving pledged to the Annual Fund by Alumnae Giving Circles is just under $290,000 for Fiscal Year 2018.
* 2011-12 to 2015-16 ø Based on 2016-17 enrollment ** 2012-13 to 2015-16
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Head of School Brendan O'Shea at the 175th Anniversary Gala
BRENDAN O’SHEA BEGINS TENURE AS SAINT MARY’S 14TH HEAD OF SCHOOL Saint Mary’s School welcomes Brendan J. O’Shea to campus as he begins his tenure as the 14th head of school, effective July 1, 2017. The school also welcomes his wife, Roberta, and daughters, Janie and Frances, to the Saint Mary’s family. “It is an honor and privilege to join the Saint Mary’s School community as head of school,” says O’Shea. “Saint Mary’s is purposeful in providing a top-notch education while instilling important character traits in the girls it serves.” “The fondness and passion with which alumnae and families speak about their Saint Mary’s experience is a testament to the strength of the school and the shared experience of its students, even across generations. I am eager to begin my work for Saint Mary’s, and I look forward to meeting alumnae, students, families, and friends of the school.” A native of Baltimore, O’Shea is a graduate of the Gilman School. He graduated from the University of Virginia, where he earned a B.S. in commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce and an M.Ed. in administration and supervision from the Curry School of Education. O’Shea is a seasoned independent school educator and leader. He began his educational career at Woodberry Forest School, an all-boys’ boarding school in Orange, Va. During his 16year tenure at Woodberry Forest, O’Shea served in numerous senior administrative positions, including director of admission; assistant headmaster for admission, marketing, and financial aid; and assistant headmaster and dean of academic affairs. These positions involved O’Shea in virtually every area of school administration. He directed the school’s daily operations and administered its academic program. He was responsible for hiring faculty members and managing the school’s processes for faculty professional development and evaluation. O’Shea’s roles also allowed him to work closely with the school’s board of trustees to set policy, and to plan for the school’s future. Throughout his
tenure at Woodberry, O’Shea continued to work closely with students, parents, and faculty in every position he held. In 2004, O’Shea was appointed headmaster of Charleston Day School, a co-ed, K-8 school in Charleston, S.C. As headmaster, O’Shea designed and managed a successful capital campaign that resulted in the construction of the new Student Academic Center at Charleston Day School. He also led two successful accreditations for Charleston Day School and has served on numerous SAIS/SACS accreditation teams. Many members of the Charleston Day School community have commented that O’Shea’s leadership will always be distinguished by the culture of welcome, care, and civility that he has fostered at the school. “What is unique about Brendan is his intrinsic ability to make connections,” says Saint Mary’s Board Chair Gloria Taft Becker’92HS. “He has a natural ability to connect people and ideas. He is an innovator, an educator, and he holds a deep appreciation for single sex education. I look forward to the connections he undoubtedly will make here at Saint Mary’s School—whether it is connecting our traditions with the innovative needs of a 21st century education, his personal connection with our girls, parents, faculty, staff and alumnae, or building a stronger connection of our campus with the broader community, these are just some of the connections I am confident he will make that will benefit our culture and momentum of academic excellence.” Saint Mary’s School welcomes the O’Shea family, as Brendan O’Shea begins his tenure as the 14th head of school. Pictured, left to right: Brendan, Janie, Frances, and Roberta O’Shea.
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ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
COMMENCEMENT 2017: Handkerchief drops on historic 175th session
The sights and sounds of Pomp and Circumstance filled the Grove Sunday morning, May 21, 2017, as 77 seniors graduated from Saint Mary’s School. Head of School Monica M. Gillespie, Ph.D., presided over the commencement exercises. It was a glorious Saint Mary’s commencement day in the Grove, as the graduates turned their tassels and Saint Mary’s rings.
Kristin Cooper, first lady of North Carolina, delivered the commencement address.
In keeping with Saint Mary’s tradition, Student Government Association President Jane Brown ’17 of Raleigh, and Senior Class President Lauryn Durham ’17 of Greensboro marched at the head of the line of, otherwise alphabetical, seniors. As the graduates made their way to the center sidewalk for the official procession, underclasswomen presented each graduate with an iris to carry and later place in the Class of 1987 urn before stepping onstage to receive her diploma.
Head of School Dr. Monica Gillespie offered parting remarks to the graduates.
Valedictorian Lindsey Schneider ’17 of Raleigh, delivered the valedictory address. Mary Ashburn Mann ’17 of Wilmington, N.C., delivered the senior commencement address, having been elected by her classmates as the senior commencement speaker.
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Following the speeches, special commencement awards were presented. The Chorale and Voice Ensemble offered special music, Homeland, tune by Gustav Holt, arrangement by Z. Randall Stroope.
Following the final singing of the year of the School Hymn, Chief Marshal Suiter Ragland ’18 stood at the top of the steps of Smedes Hall, directly beneath the lantern adorned with Saint Mary’s blue ribbons, to drop the handkerchief and declare the 175th session at Saint Mary’s to be officially closed. After the traditional handkerchief drop, the marshals walked into Smedes and closed the doors on another Saint Mary’s commencement. Baccalaureate preceded the commencement exercises in the historic Saint Mary’s Chapel with Chaplain Ann Bonner-Stewart presiding. By all accounts, Saint Mary’s commencement embodies personal
In a longtime Saint Mary’s tradition, Chief Marshal Suiter Ragland ’18 dropped the handkerchief at the conclusion of commencement and declared the 175th session at Saint Mary’s to be officially closed.
Kristin Cooper, first lady of North Carolina and former Saint Mary’s parent (Natalie Cooper ’11), delivered the 2017 commencement address.
touches of academic excellence, personal achievement, friendship, tradition, grace, honor, dignity and courage that are hallmarks of the Saint Mary’s experience.
Once again, Saint Mary’s graduating class boasts 100 percent college acceptance to a broad range of outstanding colleges and universities around the nation and abroad.
Once again, Saint Mary’s graduating class boasts 100 percent college acceptance to a broad range of outstanding colleges and universities around the nation and abroad. Members of the Class of 2017 have chosen to attend 44 different colleges and universities in 16 states, the
Mary Ashburn Mann ’17 was elected by her classmates to be the 2017 senior commencement speaker.
District of Columbia, Australia, Canada, and Scotland. The graduates leave Saint Mary’s School as resilient lifelong learners, well prepared for college and life. Mary Virginia Swain ’77C
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AWARDS
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Emilie Hoke ’17 of Raleigh was the recipient of the 2017 Cooper Medal, in recognition of achieving the highest G.P.A. for the year.
Lindsey Schneider ’17 of Raleigh was valedictorian and the 2017 recipient of the Niles Medal for finishing with the highest G.P.A. over her years at Saint Mary’s.
Eliza Barsanti ’17 of Plymouth was voted by her classmates to receive the Margaret and Ann Highsmith Medal, awarded to a graduate who exemplifies the Christian idea of helpfulness to others motivated by her genuine love for all members of the school community.
Julia Bell ’17 of Dallas was chosen to receive the King Medal, awarded each year to the graduate, who, in the opinion of the faculty, has most consistently practiced good citizenship at Saint Mary’s and inconspicuously served as an example to others.
Lillian Brimberry ’17 of Raleigh received the Catherine Ruth Proctor Award, presented by the Saint Mary’s chapter of the National Honor Society in recognition of the student making the greatest scholastic advancement over the past four years. Brimberry also was the recipient of the 2017 Georgia Lee Kinsey Award, presented by Saint Mary’s Chapter of the National Honor Society to the graduate who has accomplished the greatest scholastic advancement over the past two years.
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Jiayun Lillian Liu ’17 is the 2017 Marian Drane Graham Award winner, as chosen by a committee of alumnae, students and faculty. This award was established in 1968 as a memorial to Marian Drane Graham, Class of 1919, wife of Frank Porter Graham, former president of the University of North Carolina and a former U.S. Senator. The award is made each year to a graduate who exemplifies Marian’s “reverence and humility of spirit, scholarship without pride of excellence, zest for life, faith and fortitude, and all-around development in the course of her radiant and nobly useful life.”
CONGRATS TO THE CLASS OF 2017 on their college decisions!
Arizona State University
Auburn
Baylor
Boston Campbell Coastal College University Carolina
College of Charleston
Cornell
East Emory GeorgeDavidson Carolina Eckerd Furman town College University College University Dartmouth
Holy Cross
Howard Meredith Methodist
Penn State
Rhodes Princeton College
University Sewanee Sweet Briar
University University University UNC of of of Asheville Colorado Georgia Melbourne Boulder
NCSU
Northeastern University
Texas Tech
University University of British of Alabama Columbia
UNC Chapel Hill
University University University Virginia University Commonof St. of of of Notre Andrews wealth Wisconsin Toronto Dame University Scotland
NYU
UNC -
UNC -
Wake Forest
Wofford College
Charlotte Wilmington
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NEWS BRIEFS Saint Mary’s joins TEALS computer science and coding program Saint Mary’s School has been selected as an official Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) site for the 2017-2018 academic school year. Focusing on computer science and coding initiatives, TEALS is a program that recruits, mentors, and places passionate hightech professionals in high school classes to teach as volunteer instructors. In fall 2017, these computer science experts will join Saint Mary’s Instructor of Mathematics Matt Watson in a team-teaching model of the school’s new introduction to coding course. TEALS provides training and, using outlines based on the award-winning UC Berkeley CS10 course, adapts the course specifically for Saint Mary’s students. You can read more about TEALS on their website at www.tealsk12.org.
Saint Mary’s Annual Fund Campaign honored with CASE Awards Saint Mary’s School’s Annual Fund was recognized in February for its 2015-16 direct mail campaign with three awards from the Council for Advancement in Support of Education (CASE) District III. Saint Mary’s was among 10,000 members from 500 institutions that submitted more than 1,000 entries overall in the annual CASE District III communications awards competition. Saint Mary’s was the only independent school recognized in these categories, which is significant to be acknowledged among large and small universities in research and liberal arts institutions, independent schools, community colleges, and HBCUs. Saint Mary’s competed against many larger institutions, including Clemson, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Central Florida, Emory University, Duke University, N.C. State University, the University of Virginia, and others. The school was awarded an Award of Excellence in the category of Annual Fund Publication for our appeal brochure featuring young alumna Kendall Hamilton ’15; a Special Merit Award in the category of fundraising campaigns for the Our Legacy. Her Future direct mail campaign; and a Special Merit Award in the category of branding/identity program or campaign for the Our Legacy. Her Future direct mail campaign.
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Saint Mary’s students partnered with Cisco on several coding events, including this coding class in East Park Science Building.
Saint Mary’s partners with Cisco Saint Mary’s partnered last fall with Cisco, a worldwide leader in networking and IT, through its Connected Women program. Students made site visits to Cisco, participated with the help of Cisco mentors in the national Hour of Code, created binary bracelets and other STEMrelated art pieces, and enjoyed an up-close tour of Cisco’s Network Emergency Response Vehicle. Additionally, several students attended a private Cisco event for the showing of the documentary, CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap. Preparing girls for college and life remains the mission of Saint Mary’s School. Part of the preparation for college and life is demonstrating the importance of collaboration and partnership, as well as sparking new interests and ideas in students. Saint Mary’s position in a thriving, urban environment allows the school to be an extension of the greater Raleigh community. Saint Mary’s remains committed to sharing outside opportunities with its students, as well as inviting community partners onto campus to learn and explore alongside students, faculty, and staff.
GLORIA TAFT BECKER '92HS NAMED BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR Saint Mary’s School is pleased to announce the appointment of alumna Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS as chair of the Saint Mary’s School Board of Trustees. Becker joined the Board of Trustees in 2009 and has held several key positions during her tenure, in which she has provided dedicated leadership and service to Saint Mary’s School. Becker has served on the Executive Committee, Development Committee, Admissions Committee, and Governance Committee and took a lead role in forming the Risk Management Committee of which she has served as chair for the past five years. In 2014, Becker was appointed chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of which she led a committee of 26 members, including alumnae, parents, trustees, faculty, staff and students. The committee gathered data, surveyed all related constituencies, studied the trends impacting independent schools, and considered possible strategic directions for the future of the school. Saint Mary’s School is guided by and continues to benefit and grow today from the vision and imperatives of this strategic plan. Becker has served as secretary and most recently as vice chair of the Board of Trustees from 2015-2017, and was honored to serve with outgoing board chair Theodore DuBose Bratton. This past year, she served on the Head of School Search Committee that selected the new head of school, Brendan J. O’Shea. Becker is excited and proud to begin her role as chair, working with O’Shea, and looks forward to a strong partnership that will continue to foster, strengthen, and carry out our school’s mission of preparing young women for college and life with academic excellence and personal achievement. “Saint Mary’s School is a place where girls thrive,” says Becker. “Our talented faculty and staff have placed us on the forefront of modern education and continuing this growth is of vital importance to me.” Becker has a deep devotion to Saint Mary’s School. Both of her sisters attended Saint Mary’s School, and she is the daughter of Saint Mary’s alumna and former trustee, Cheryl Lee Taft ’68C.
Becker benefited from and believes in the transformational power of an all-girls education, and she is excited that her daughter, Eleanor, will join the Class of 2021 this fall, continuing a long Saint Mary’s family tradition. After graduating from Saint Mary’s high school in 1992, Becker attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received a B.A. in Art History in 1996. She received her juris doctorate, cum laude, from Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, in 2000. For 17 years, Becker has worked as a civil defense litigation attorney representing businesses, hospitals, and health care providers throughout North Carolina. After working for a large firm in Raleigh for 10 years, she, and four of her law partners, started Batten Lee, PLLC. Her current practice focuses on health care and corporate litigation. In addition to her service to Saint Mary’s School, Becker is active in the wider community. She was raised in the Episcopal church and currently serves on the vestry at Christ Church in Raleigh, where she is involved in children and outreach ministries. Dedicated to the values of the YMCA of the Triangle, Becker serves on the Board of Advisors and is co-chair of the Annual Fund for Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer. She and her husband, Michael Becker, live in Raleigh with their three children, Eleanor, Chesson and Thomas. Saint Mary’s congratulates Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS on her appointment as board chair and thanks her for her distinguished service to the School.
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PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
SMS Science Olympiad teams place at 2017 Regional Saint Mary’s varsity and junior varsity Science Olympiad teams enjoyed a successful showing at the 2017 Regional Division competition in Fayetteville early spring semester. The varsity team placed seventh of 19 teams, and the junior varsity placed second of eight teams. The totals included seven first place finishes in the categories of Chem Lab, Duct Tape Challenge, Optics, and Remote Setting.
AP Art students exhibit at Cary Fine Arts League Exhibit Two Saint Mary’s AP Art students won awards at the Fine Arts League of Cary’s Exhibit at Meredith College in May. Virginia Laurie ’18 received a $1,000 scholarship to Meredith College for pen and watercolor painting Promenade Pluvieuse, which was created while she was on an exchange trip to Lyon, France, with the school. Kennon Later ’18 won the photography award for her piece, Bugatti 1935. She took the photo at an exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Her passion for car design is an interest she shares with her father. Clare Gelber ’18 exhibited her piece, A Sprinkle of Gems, and Amber Morse ’18 exhibited Romance De La Luna.
Livvy Barnes ’17 wins regional writing awards Livvy Barnes ’17 won two regional awards in the 2017 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. Barnes won honorable mention in poetry for her poem, A Curse, and a Silver Key in science fiction/fantasy for her story Graveyard Girl. She wrote both pieces in her creative writing class last year and both were published in the 2016 Muse.
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Annabel Bloom ’18 receives Sons of American Revolution Citizenship Award Annabel Bloom ’18 received the 2017 Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award and scholarship. Her work teaching ballet to refugee girls for five years, volunteering as an actor for history films, as well as her leadership at Saint Mary’s School, were noted among the reasons she was selected for the award.
Carly Rein ’20 wins Ocala horse competition Congratulations to Carly Rein ‘20 and her horse, Pilot, for their outstanding showing in February at the 2017 Hits Ocala Winter Circuit competition in Ocala, Fla. Rein won three championships - one first place of 28 horses, one first place of 24 horses, and the classic with 37 horses.
Mia Gerdts ’19 wins piano competition Mia Gerdts ’19 performed in the Young Artist Auditions Honors Recital during spring break and was selected as a winner in the Intermediate I category. The competition was held at Meredith College in Raleigh.
Tra My Ha ’18 plays in piano masterclass Tra My Ha ’18 played in a masterclass presented Jan. 14 by nationally renowned teacher Sheila Page from Philadelphia.
Sebin Youn ’18 accepted to UGA Summer Business Academy
Juliette Ellis ’17 recognized in Raleigh Fine Arts Society Literary Contest Congratulations to Juliette Ellis ’17 on being recognized as one of 19 local students earning honors, out of more than 600 submissions, in Raleigh Fine Arts Society’s 2017 Literary Contest. Ellis won honorable mention for her short story, The Garrison Falls. The awards were presented during an evening at the North Carolina Museum of History, which included a writers’ workshop, reception, and keynote speech by North Carolina author John Claude Bemis. Juliette is pictured on the Juliette Ellis ’17 and author John Claude Bemis aisle of the second row.
Rising senior Sebin Youn ’18 was accepted into the 2017 Summer Business Academy at University of Georgia’s Terry School of Business. The Terry Business Academy is a highly selective, pre-collegiate program. This intensive one-week program exposes some 30 high school juniors and seniors to various fields of business. Participants learn about different business majors and career paths and visit corporate headquarters to meet executives and professionals in various industries.
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PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS SMS Students excel in National History Day competition Margaret Fountain ’18, Sabrina Ma ’19, and Monica Pan ’19, who won first, second, and third places, respectively, in the senior paper category at the Central Piedmont History Day regional contest in Greensboro earlier this month, represented Saint Mary’s School in the senior paper category at the 2017 North Carolina History Day state competition at the North Carolina Museum of History, Saturday, April 29. Ma received the military history prize for her paper, A Turning Point of The Hundred Years War: Joan Of Arc Took a Stand in France’s Victory. Fountain’s paper, Scotland’s Bravehearts: How William Wallace and Robert the Bruce Stood up for Scotland, won first place in the Central Piedmont competition. Pan’s paper, How the Chinese Took a Stand to Improve Their Economy, Religion, And Global Status Through the Silk Road, won third place in the district competition. “I am extremely proud of the year-long effort and accomplishment of these girls and other Saint Mary’s students who participated in this year’s NHD competition” says Diana Williams, director of Kenan Library and sponsor of Saint Mary’s National History Day program. “The students spent hours throughout the year researching and writing their papers, meeting with judges as part of the series of competitions, and revising and improving their papers along the way.”
MusicShare Club performs at The Cardinal Saint Mary’s MusicShare Club organized a visit to The Cardinal, a beautiful retirement center in Raleigh where a number of Saint Mary’s alumnae reside. Eight students led by Club president Dora Yang ’19 performed a variety of music for flute duet, violin solo, guzheng solo, and piano solo to appreciative residents.
Instructor of Music Terry Thompson with members of the MusicShare Club, who performed for residents of The Cardinal in Raleigh this spring. Pictured standing, left to right: Lucy Liang ’19, Mindy Yao ‘20, Terry Elizabeth Thompson, Dora Yang ’19, Julie Zhang ’19, Yubin Kwon ’19, Olivia Ng ’17; seated, left to right: Tra My Ha ’18, Judy Pan ’19.
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Top: National History Day participants, from left to right, Monica Pan ’19, Sabrina Ma ’19, and Margaret Fountain ’18, at the North Carolina Museum of History. Right: Margaret Fountain ’18, Monica Pan ’19, and Sabrina Ma ’19.
SMS students present at #Lead Like a Girl conference Two students from Saint Mary’s Introduction to Operations Research class, Addy Quattlebaum ’17 and Lucy Wyche ’17, presented at the 2017 Lead Like a Girl conference at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, N.J., April 8. The students explained to an audience of peers and educators how math can be used to solve real-world problems and make decisions, presenting examples of student projects from the course and offering an overview of the multi-criteria decision-making process. Ninth graders Gracey Falk ’20 and Claire Smith ’20 also attended the conference. “Saint Mary’s Math Instructor Dr. Krista Holstein created the operations research class to provide a new and innovative way for students to look at math and its uses in life,” said Wyche. “In the class, we used multi-criteria decision making, binary programming, linear programming, and integer programming. We learned how to use Excel and other programs, and used specific criteria to help make logical and informed decisions using math. Our final semester project was to create a business or make a major life decision by combining the programs and creating a proposal.”
The Saint Mary’s contingent at the 2017 #Lead Like a Girl Conference in Princeton, N.J.: left to right: Gracey Falk ’20, Math Instructor Dr. Krista Holstein, Lucy Wyche ’17, Addy Quattlebaum ’17, Science Instructor Ann Marie Davis, and Claire Smith ’20.
FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS
Saint Mary’s art teacher in SCOPE ’17 exhibit Congratulations to Instructor of Art Colin Murasko whose photograph The Velvet Cloak Inn was accepted to the SCOPE '17 juried exhibition exploring the southern landscape. The photo was taken during demolition of the historic hotel this spring.
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ATHLETICS Emily Benton ’17 to play soccer at Methodist University Saint Mary’s School graduate Emily Benton ’17 of Ivanhoe, N.C., has committed to play college soccer at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., where she will enroll for the 2017-2018 academic year. The commitment was celebrated in a ceremony held in Chan-Poyner Hall at Saint Mary’s School, Feb. 3, 2017, in conjunction with NCAA National Signing Day. Benton is the daughter of Amanda and Joe Benton of Ivanhoe. Benton was a member of the varsity basketball, soccer, and volleyball teams at Saint Mary’s School. In 2016, she was voted soccer team MVP and was named to the Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference (TISAC) All-Conference and first team All-Region soccer teams. She earned team MVP and TISAC All-Conference honors in volleyball in the fall of 2016. She was named to the All Saints Team for 2016-2017. She played club volleyball for N.C. Elite in 2016.
Gracey Falk ’20 named lacrosse All-American Congratulations to Saints lacrosse goalkeeper Gracey Falk '20 on being named a 2017 Brine National High School All-American. By this honor, Falk has been selected to represent the state of North Carolina at the National Lacrosse Classic to held July 18-21, 2017, at the River City Sportsplex in Richmond, Va. Falk is a rising 10th grader at Saint Mary's, so the future continues to look bright for Saints lacrosse, which enjoyed its best season in history this spring with 10 regular season wins, the number six seed in North Carolina Independent Schools Athletics Association (NCISAA) state playoffs, and top 10-15 rankings throughout the season in the News & Observer’s weekly rankings.
Emily Benton ’17 is pictured with her parents, grandparents, and sisters at the ceremony in which she committed to play soccer at Methodist University.
Jala McCormick ’20 is conference track champion Saint Mary’s track ace Jala McCormick '20 won the Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference (TISAC) championship in the 300 meter hurdles with a personal best time of 51.48 seconds, beating her own school record by four seconds.
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Saints swimmers win state/conference championships Congratulations to Saint Mary's swim team on an outstanding end to a great season with a fifth-place finish at the 2017 NCISAA state meet, Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, including three individual state championships (two for Abby Arens '20 and one for Caroline Crouse '20) a state record (Abby Arens '20), five podium appearances, seven medals, points in every event (one of two teams to do so), and contributions from every swimmer. Naomi Thombs '19 won the Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference (TISAC) 50 freestyle championship. Abby Arens '20 won conference championships in the 200 IM and also the 100 breast stroke, in which her time was fastest of all the TISAC girls and the boys. Saint Mary’s swim team enjoyed a winning season, finishing with a 10-1 regular season record.
SAINT MARY'S REMEMBERS
Former Saints soccer coach Jimmy Rogers and the victorious 2001 varsity soccer team with the NCISAA state championship trophy at the end of the title game.
Rogers led Saint Mary’s to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) state soccer championship in 2001, when the Saints ended Greensboro Day School’s run of six consecutive state championships with a 1-0 victory in the championship game played in Charlotte. Rogers was a distinguished attorney by trade, but his true passion was as youth soccer coach, including a storied stint as a most beloved head soccer coach at Saint Mary's from 2000-2003. During his relatively short time at Saint Mary's, he coached the Saints to three consecutive regular season TISAC conference championships, three consecutive
James R. Rogers III, former Saint Mary’s soccer coach known to his players as “Jimmy,” died at home, Feb. 11, 2017, surrounded by his family after an illness.
TISAC conference tournament championships, the 2001 NCISAA state championship, and to the state championship game in 2002 when the Saints fell in a heartbreaker by one PK to Greensboro Day to earn state runner-up honors. His 2001 conference and state championship team finished the season 21-1-1, and the other teams also finished with few losses. Rogers coached many Saint Mary's girls who went on to play bigtime college soccer. Rogers was a great coach who knew how to get the best out of his players and teams, but what we will remember is his big heart and fun loving spirit that made the journey to the championships so much fun along the way.
SUPPORTING SMS
2016-2017: a Blue Ribbon Year in Donor Giving By Lauren Gerber, Director of Annual Fund and Major Gifts
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As our fiscal year ends, we find ourselves in deep reflection on all we have accomplished this year, and the many things we continue to celebrate, because of the generous support of our donors. Wonderful gifts were given throughout the 2016-2017 year to support capital projects, scholarships, academic programming, grounds maintenance, and more.
(new exterior building security cameras and residence hall emergency phones) and lighting (four light poles adjacent to the Hannah Smith ’12 Quad and Bacon Gym) on back campus. And, reunion giving was kicked off by members of the Class of 1978 who generously named another one of our much-needed campus lights.
Ann Penton Longley ’52C and the Dickson Foundation, Inc. generously came forward to jumpstart the necessary Phase I renovations to Cruikshank Hall. Through a generous grant, the Isabel James Lehto Foundation, Inc., made possible the installation of security systems
Tommy and Gray Clark Stoughton ’78HS ’80C and Bill and Tiffany Miller Clark ’82HS honored Gray and Bill’s late mother, Gray Proctor Clark ’52HS ’54C, through a generous memorial gift which supported the installation of the new Heritage Walk in the center of the Grove, of-
Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
fering a new area for additional recognition of loved ones through the purchase of pavers. All gifts towards the naming of pavers will support the beautification of our campus and grounds. Throughout the year, several alumnae and friends purchased engraved pavers in honor of their Saint Mary’s families, alumnae, and girls, which will line the walk. The Ragland Foundation once again stepped forward to provide a substantial grant for the Ragland Technology Program. This program, funded by the foundation, provides upgrades to Saint Mary’s technology, offering our students improved access to online resources, as well as enhanced access for students using a variety of wireless devices. In February, an anonymous alumna generously offered a $175,000 Challenge gift that would be made if alumnae could raise a matching amount by June 30. To encourage their classmates, the Young Alumnae Advisory Board launched a March Mania social media campaign, resulting in just under $2,000 raised in 10 days. In April, Grandparent Annual Fund Chairs Larry and Clare Garden Maddison ’64C, stepped forward to encourage grandparents and grandfriends to make their gifts, which resulted in more than $30,000. Many alumnae also answered the call this year by sending personal emails, making phone calls, and asking their classmates to give, including Vicky McKenzie Armes ’62C, Diane Gupton Becton ’77HS, Lynn Boyce Purdie-Brennan ’62C, Margaret Hambrick Glaze ’87C, Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS, Rebecca Pace ’85HS, and Jean Redding ’72HS. With such encouragement, numerous alumnae in reunion classes made not just one gift to the Annual Fund, but a second or third gift as well. In total, more than $181,000 was raised, totaling more than $356,000 overall.
Anne and David Allen, chairs of the Parent Annual Fund Committee, announced overall parent participation of 71 percent this year, which resulted in more than $300,000 given by parents to Saint Mary’s. Senior Parent Chairs Laurie and Sam Sugg presented a check to Dr. Monica Gillespie during the Class of 2017 Senior Dinner, representing senior parent gifts totalling $82,188 made in honor of their senior daughters. Immediately following, senior class president and vice president, Lauryn Durham ’17 and Hannah Ueland ’17, presented a check from the Class of 2017 totaling $5,158.25 in pledges to the Annual Fund payable over five years and representing 94 percent participation by the graduates. Since Dr. Gillespie’s retirement from Saint Mary’s was announced last year, alumnae, parents, friends, faculty, and staff have made gifts to the Saint Mary’s scholarship program in her honor.
On June 3, the Office of Development announced a record $1.6 million raised for the Annual Fund because members of the Saint Mary’s community came together.
Saint Mary’s 175th Anniversary Gala celebration was a wonderful and historic event held May 12, 2017. It was made possible because of the generosity of our many sponsors (see page 35) and the gifts of time and talent from numerous alumnae volunteers and business owners. At the event, Gala co-chairs Laura Norris Raynor ’69HS ’71C and Joan Comer Johnston ’87C announced the Gala Committee would present a gift back to Saint Mary’s of $50,000, thanks to the generosity of both vendors and sponsors of the celebration. Another generous gift made possible through the 175th Anniversary Gala was the beautiful painting Faith, Hope, and Love by Ellen Rodman Hathaway ’79HS ’81C. Each Gala attendee received a print for their home as a remembrance of the evening. The next morning, during the reunion chapel service, alumnae gave an offering to the Chapel Fund totaling almost $2,000.
Saint Mary’s also celebrated the addition of 31 new members in the Giving Circles during an event at the home of Dan and Sallie Thorpe Cahill ’87HS ’89C the evening before the Gala. Two years ago, alumnae and trustees began to discuss ways to increase leadership giving to the Annual Fund. In meetings that continued through the summer of 2015, the women developed the idea of Giving Circles, alliances that would bring alumnae together as investors in Saint Mary’s future. The late Barbara Eagleson Cain ’65C was the first alumna to join, and by February 2016, a total of five Circles had been established. Today, we celebrate 42 Giving Circle members and an annual total of just under $290,000 pledged to the Saint Mary’s Annual Fund.
If you would like information on the Alumnae or Parent Giving Circle levels, contact Julie Ricciardi in the Development Office at 919-424-4114 or jricciardi@ sms.edu. On June 3, the Office of Development announced a record $1.6 million raised for the Annual Fund because members of the Saint Mary’s community came together in new and different ways to help raise funds for this special institution and the girls educated within our gates. We are well on our way to increasing our Annual Fund goal to $2 million and look forward to partnering with alumnae and friends as we strive to continue the historic legacy that is Saint Mary’s School. To find a complete list of donors for the 2016-17 fiscal year, check the Annual Report to arrive in donor mailboxes this fall.
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SUPPORTING SMS
A Note From the Board Chair I am proud that Saint Mary’s, a school that means so much to so many, continues to thrive in its 175th year of setting the bar for excellence in young women’s education. On this storied, historic campus, Saint Mary’s flourishes, thanks to a dedicated community of alumnae, faculty, staff, families, and friends, many of whom have volunteered on the committees that made this event possible. I extend my sincere gratitude, particularly to our cochairs, Laura and Joan. The uniqueness of this school lies in the women and men across generations who have remained as devoted to Saint Mary’s as its progressive founders. Today is a celebration of a cherished past, and of the extraordinary legacy that propels us into the future. Ted Bratton, Board Chair
Committees and Chairs Gala Chairs Laura Norris Raynor ’69HS ’71C & Joan Comer Johnston ’87C Honorary Chair & Honorary Committee Blanche Robertson Bacon ’53HS ’55C, Chair Olive Camp Johnson ’44HS, Kitty Sigmon Hunter ’40C Eve Hargrave Smith ’53HS, Aurelia Fulton Stafford ’48HS ’50C Margaret Cheatham Williams ’50HS ’52C Board of Trustees Sallie Harris Glover ’81HS ’83C Alumnae Council Libby Holding ’78C Parent Association Heather Moore Thompson ’88HS ’90C Logistics Claire Bryant Heather Clark Warren ’89HS ’91C
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Attendance and Sponsors Josie Rawl Hall ’74C Lyn Maness Wes Ragland
Decorations Nancy Church Coles Hines Jones ’79HS ’81C Paige Marsh
Program and Historic Video Ruth E. Perry Holding ’81C Mary Hannah Wyman Jones ’84HS ’86C Blanche Spencer Williamson ’76HS
Communications Liza Roberts Anna Zevenhuizen ’07 175 Boutique Millicent P. Mooring ’94HS
SUPPORTING SMS
With Deep Appreciation Thank you to our alumnae, students, faculty, staff, parents, grandparents, friends, Giving Circles, leadership, and our incredible community of sponsors for your unmatched loyalty and ongoing tremendous support that will carry us into the next 175 years!
Dodransbicentenial Circle
The Rivers Agency
Scott & Molly Mahoney
Blanche Robertson Bacon ’53HS ’55C
Alex & Alexandra Robertson
Lyn Maness
First Citizens Bank
Wyndham Robertson ’53HS ’55C
Marsh & McLennan Agency
Ralph & Linda Kerr Moore ’69C
Tommy & Gray Clark Stoughton ’78HS ’80C
Laura, Hurley, Markus & grandson Robert
Julian H. Robertson, Jr.
Cassie Warrington ’93HS ’95C
William & Aurelia Stafford Monk
Steve & Ashley Richardson Allen ’81C
The Margaret Cheatham Williams ’50HS ’52C Family
Ben & Sue Battle Moore ’63C
Smedes Benefactor Zack Hampton Bacon, Jr. Richard L. & Maureen Chilton, Jr. Tracy Woolard Mayo ’88C Russell & Sally Dalton Robinson ’51HS Sherwood & Eve Hargrave Smith ’53HS Wake Stone Corporation
Newcomb & Company Larry & Debbie Robbins
1842 Friend Balentine
Thomas Dittmer & Frances M. Schultz ’76HS ’78C
Joe & Mary Catherine Benson Grew ’01
Aurelia Fulton Stafford ’48HS ’50C
Rob & Linda Grew
William & Lee Archibald Taylor ’78C
Ellen Rodman Hathaway ’79HS ’81C
Mark & Nancy Kerr Thomason ’73HS ’75C
Hubert & Emmett Haywood
Wake Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry
Ken & Martha Howard
Tim & Laura Ward
Caroline, Caroline, Rob & Wyndham Williamson Julian & Beth, Pell ’18, Blanche ’21 & Elizabeth Williamson
Jim & Kee Hood Marshall ’75HS Rodney & Elizabeth Rasberry Pitts ’79C
Lee & Margaret Longley White ’79C
Saint Society
Robbie & Jennifer Jones Stallings ’90C
Blanche Spencer Williamson ’76HS
Bill & Melanie Hood Rankin ’77HS Henry & Tracey Fodor Smith
Mike & Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS
Jeff & Wende Szyperski
Ted & Margaret Bratton
Smedes & Rosemary Adair York ’62C
Doug & Mary Jane Bryant, Richard & Claire Bryant
Stately Oaks Patron
John & Mary Louise Bizzell Burress ’56C
Pat Baryenbruch & Laura Ford
Mary Clara Capel ’76HS ’78C
Mary Grady Burnette Koonce ’54C
The Eure Family, Van Eure ’73HS ’75C & Shelley Eure Belk ’77HS
Martin & Mary Boney
Glenwood Real Estate Agency Jim & Mary Flagg Nimocks Haugh ’76C Leigh A. Lawrence & Ann-Cabell Baum ’87C Ann Penton Longley ’52C John & Lane Turner Nash ’72HS ’74C W. Trent Ragland Family Risher & Fairfax Crow Randall ’56C Buddy & Sue Warburton Redd ’56C Lauren Sessoms Rivers ’90C
Cameron Smith Callaway ’80HS, Evie Smith Davis & Marlin Smith Dohlman ’77HS Mac & Kim Norfleet Collie ’88C Fleur Philip & Carter Warren Franke ’75HS ’77C Betty Debnam Hunt ’47HS ’49C Olive Camp Johnson ’44HS Ran and Joan Comer Johnston ’87C, Stephen F. Later
Witherspoon Rose Culture
Honorary Trees in honor of the Class of ’81C in honor of the Class of ’07 in honor of Theo Wilkes Coonrod in honor of the Granddaughter’s Club in memory of Henry McIlwaine Read in memory of Georgia Lee Kinsey ’81C in honor of in honor of Georgette Campbell, Professor Emerita of Biology in honor of my mother, Mary Grady Burnette Koonce '54 C in honor of Sherwood H. & Eve Hargrave Smith ’53HS in honor of their daughters Margaret Ivy Johnston ’20 & Martha Luck Johnston ’20 in honor of their daughters Alex Mahoney ’13, Mary Kate Mahoney ’18, & Megan Mahoney ’20 in honor of the Saint Mary’s Development Office in honor of Laura Norris Raynor ’69HS ’71C
CALENDAR 2017-2018 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Celebrating Saint Mary’s 175th year | Save the dates and join us for these special events.
For a complete calendar of events throughout the school year, visit www.sms.edu. Regional alumnae events will be added to the Alumnae web page as they are scheduled. All alumnae are welcome at all events. Print and electronic invitations will be sent. If you do not receive your invitation, please let us know. Visit the Alumnae Events web page for more information and to register online. Contact Margaret McGlohon ’81C, director of alumnae relations, at memcglohon@sms.edu or 919-424-4171 with questions. Events are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances, and changes will be announced as soon as possible.
August 28
Classes begin for the 176th session September 19
October 11
Installation Ceremony of Brendan O’Shea, 14th Head of School and Reception
Smedes Parlor Concert 8-9 p.m.
October 11-12
September 21
October 13
Admission (Prospective) Triangle Moms' Coffee
Board of Trustees Meetings Board of Visitors Meeting October 17
October 26
Charlotte Alumnae Event October 31
All Saints Eucharist Chapel November 1
Chapel Hill Alumnae Event November 2
Durham Alumnae Event
September 28-29
November 3
Alumnae Council Fall Meeting
Smedes Parlor Concert 8-9 p.m.
September 29-30
October 18
November 3-4
Southern Pines Alumnae Event
Fall Theatre Production, Mean Girls
October 19
November 8
Just for Dads Admission Event
Granddaughters Club Induction
October 24
November 9-10
Current Family Weekend October 3
Greensboro Alumnae Event October 4
Winston-Salem Alumnae Event October 5
Chorale Music Theatre Review October 6
Admission Day Student Shadow Day
Atlanta Alumnae Event October 25
Augusta, Ga., Alumnae Event
Founders Day Chapel
Admission Overnight and Visitation November 12
Nashville, Tenn., Alumnae Event
ant You don’t w ! s this October 11 to mis
Installation Ceremony of Brendan O’Shea as the 14th Head of School and Reception 36
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December 3
37th annual Lighting O’ the Grove, Lessons and Carols Service
April 27-28
Reunion Weekend For Classes Ending in 3 and 8
November 13
Lexington, Ky., Alumnae Event November 29
New York City Alumnae Event November 30
Boston Alumnae Event December 1
Admission Day Student Shadow Day December 1-2
Orchesis Fall Concert December 3
37th annual Lighting O’ the Grove, Lessons and Carols Service December 5/6/7
January 30
Smedes Parlor Concert 8-9 p.m. February 3
Four Seasons Chamber Music Concert February 8-9
Alumnae Council Winter Meeting February 14-15
Board of Trustees Meetings February 23
Granddaughters Club Luncheon March 2-3
Spring Theatre Musical, Bring It On
Charlottesville, Richmond, Virginia Beach Alumnae Events
March 16-17
January 15
April 10
January 15-16
April 13-14
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Admission Overnight Visitation
Admission Special Invitation Weekend
April 18-19
Board of Trustees Meetings April 19
Chorale Spring Concert April 20
Grandparents & Grandfriends Day April 26-27
Alumnae Council Spring Meeting April 27-28
Reunion Weekend for Classes Ending in 3 and 8 May 4
Admission 7th Grade Sneak Peek May 20
Commencement for the 176th Session
Smedes Parlor Concert 8-9 p.m. Orchesis Spring Concert 37
EVENTS
INAUGURAL MARY LOU JONES ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
April 7, 2017 At Saint Mary’s School - SmedesEmory Parlor and Bacon Gym
The inaugural class of inductees into the Mary Lou Jones Saint Mary’s Athletics Hall of Fame, the undefeated college tennis teams of 1975-76 and 1976-77 and coach Mary Lou Jones. From left to right: Margaret Scott Freeman ’77HS, Prince Dixon Witt ’78HS, Mary Foy Ragsdale ’77HS ’79C, Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Martha Boisseau Mattheisen ’78C, Kathy Sawyer Mann ’78HS ’80C, Mary Lou Jones, Beth Dortch Beswick ’73HS (representing her sister, the late Hunter Dortch ’76HS), Anna Neal Blanchard ’76HS, Lanier Brown May ’78HS ’80C, Mabel Geoghegan Pace ’76HS, Kim Davis Winslow ’76HS, Beth Taylor Russell ’77HS; Kneeling: Amy Lipsitz ’78HS, Emily Bass Baumgartner ’75HS ’77C, Marty Marshall DeVine ’76HS ’78C.
Hall of Fame inductee Mary Lou Jones – former coach, professor, chair of the Physical Education department, and dean of students - in the new Saint Mary’s Athletics Hall of Fame in the Bacon Gym lobby named in her honor.
Left to right: Lee Kirkland King ’86HS ’88C, Martha Boisseau Mattheisen ’78C, Mary Lou Jones, Margaret Scott Freeman ’77HS, Marty Marshall DeVine ’76HS ’78C, Emily Bass Baumgartner ’75HS ’77C
Mary Lou Jones, left, and Bonnie Bell McGowan ’75C, right
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The sold-out Hall of Fame induction brunch filled Smedes-Emory Parlor with inductees, former tennis players, families, and friends, as Saint Mary’s launched its new Athletics Hall of Fame with the induction of the inaugural class – legendary coach Mary Lou Jones and her undefeated college tennis teams of 1975-76 (18-0) and 1976-77 (16-0). The teams never lost in competition with colleges and universities around North Carolina, including wins over teams from the ACC’s Big Four – Duke, N.C. State, UNC, and Wake Forest.
The inaugural class of Hall of Fame inductees in the Hall of Fame in the lobby of Bacon Gym: kneeling, left to right, Kathy Sawyer Mann ’78HS ’80C, Amy Lipsitz ’78HS, Beth Dortch Beswick’73HS (representing her sister, the late Hunter Dortch ’76HS), Lanier Brown May ’78HS ’80C; standing, left to right: Margaret Scott Freeman ’77HS, Marty Marshall DeVine ’76HS ’78C, Mabel Geoghegan Pace’76HS, Emily Bass Baumgartner ’75HS ’77C, Kim Davis Winslow ’76HS, Prince Dixon Witt ’78HS, Coach Mary Lou Jones, Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Anna Neal Blanchard ’76HS, Beth Taylor Russell ’77HS, Mary Foy Ragsdale ’77HS ’79C.
The new Hall of Fame in Bacon Gym features one of Coach Mary Lou Jones’s best-known quotes. Pictured, left to right, are classmates Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Emily Bass Baumgartner’75HS’77C, Ann McVeigh Thelin ’77C.
Van Eure ’73HS ’75C, Mary Lou Jones, Shelley Eure Belk ’77HS Hall of Fame Coach Mary Lou Jones and Mary Virginia Swain ’77C
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EVENTS
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. January 31, 2017 At the home of Lyle Hohnke and Alleen Cater ’63HS ’65C
Seated, left to right: Verna Gates ’75HS, Tora Kessinger Johnson ’57C, Nancy Gillespie Kimberly ’81C; standing, left to right: Tiffanie Agee ’02, Margaret McGlohon ’81C, Aleen Cater ’63HS ’65C, Julie Ricciardi
CHATTANOOGA, TENN. February 1, 2017 At Hennen's
Left to right: Julie Ricciardi, Susie Weber McGinness ’66HS, Lee Joyner Moore ’79C, Elizabeth Williams Martin ’79HS, Margaret McGlohon ’81C
NASHVILLE, TENN. February 2, 2017 At the home of Allison Kerr ’75C
Pictured front row, left to right: Elizabeth Martin ’12, Sara-Kinard Moyd ’14, Meredith Miller ’12, Allison Kerr ’75C, Margaret McGlohon’81C; standing, left to right: Andra McClard Perkerson’87HS, Mary Stuart Smart ’10, Esther Taati ’13, Loftin Johnson ’08, Christian Lail ’12, Taryn Travis ’15, Beth Ryan Winstead ’78C, Julie Ricciardi
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CHAPEL HILL
April 5, 2017 At the home of John and Caroline Detgen Hughes ’82HS
Left to right: Katherine Herring Christophe ’77HS ’79C, Caroline Detgen Hughes ’82HS, Maura Moylan Sullivan ’87HS, Janie Cameron Wagstaff ’74HS ’76C, Melrose Whitfield Fisher ’72HS ’74C, Val Tullai Williams ’74HS
Carolyn Fuller, Carolyn Borden, Margaret Vermillion, Val Tullai Williams ’74HS
Diane Tyndall ’08, Lucy Bratton Doak ’72HS, Lucy Falk, Randy Smith
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EVENTS
LAKE GASTON
April 25, 2017 At the home of Betsy-Tom “BT” Homewood Brown ’73HS ’75C
Left to right: Molly Peebles Squire ’77HS ’79C, Claire Dickie Forsyth ’77HS, Bambi Conger Edwards ’82HS, Betsy-Tom Homewood Brown ’73HS ’75C, Susan Conger ’73C
Katherine Tierney Canady '88HS '90C and Margaret McGlohon ’81C
Ann Jones Montgomery ’92C, Kerri Strickler Combs ’89HS ’91C, Julie Ricciardi, Bambi Conger Edwards ’82HS Anna Murphry Kreienbaum ’56C, Grace Jones Fishel ’48HS, Glenn Norman Dickens ’56C
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NEW BERN
April 26, 2017 At the home of James and Anne Cooper Schout ’69C
Joe Archie, Juliet Smith Barrus ’66HS ’68C, Sarah Ellen White Archie ’57HS ’59C, Georgia Fuller Johnson ’59C
Elsie Homes Dickie ’79C Elly Wilkins Johnson ’03, Frances Garris Jilcott ’68C, Sissy Holman Chesnutt ’77C
Julie Ricciardi, Gail Foster Jessup ’87C, Duffy Beasley Gibbs ’68C, Hofler Clement ’60C
Standing, left to right: Mary Stallings Parrish ’64C, Libby Reese Ward ’55C, Willa McKimmon Dickens ’65C, seated: Patty Starr Willis ’50C, Dora Winters Taylor ’43C
Anne Cooper Schout ’69C, Margaret McGlohon ’81C
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EVENTS
DALLAS, TEXAS January 26, 2017 At the home of Jill Djordjevic ’95C
Left to right: Julie Ricciardi, Jill Djordjevic ’95C, Dottie Lipscomb ’78C, Margie Hicks Sasser ’06, Emily Stocks Walker ’04, Margaret McGlohon ’81C, Sara Dowling Bishop ’85C
HOUSTON, TEXAS
January 2017 At the home of Alisa Evans-Murray ’88HS ’90C
Houston alumna Ann Scott Arthur ’81C and Margaret McGlohon ’81C
Alisa Evans-Murray ’88HS ’90C, Margaret McGlohon ’81C, Emily Smith ’01, Sara Alvarez and Remy.
AUSTIN, TEXAS January 24, 2017 At the home of David and Theo Coonrod
Left to right: Julie Ricciardi, Alaina Boyle ’04, Nina Yi, Emily Smith ’01, former Head of School Theo Coonrod, Hanna Johns ’07, Arden Piacenza ’06, Anne Kenan Barnard ’02, Margaret McGlohon ’81C
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WASHINGTON, N.C. March 29, 2017 At Elmwood 1829 B&B
Greenville, N.C., alumnae and friends traveled by trolley car to Washington, N.C., for a Saint Mary’s gathering at Elmwood 1829 B&B. Pictured: Tommy Stroud, Torrey Green Stroud ’68HS, Richard Taft, Cheryl Lee Taft ’69C, Louise Johnson Clement ’81HS ’83C, Charles Young, Catherine Garrett Young ’77C, William Monk, Jane Darden Brown ’71C, Nelson Blount Crisp ’56HS, Catherine Grant Powell ’40C
Left to right: Catherine Winfield Pfeiffer ’81C, Katherine Howdy Tate ’83C, John Tate, Nelson Blount Crisp ’56HS
Dill Walker Lynch ’54C, Catherine Grant Powell ’40HS
Carol Brown Nash ’77HS, Su-Su Aycock Corbitt ’76C, Will Corbitt
Lynn Pritchett Harrington ’95HS ’97C, Nan Wilson McLendon ’70HS, Penny Gillam Sermons ’72C
Left to right: Leslie Speros, Sallie Mann Scales ’68C, Nancy Armstrong Murray ’73C, Mary Charles Godwin Coppage ’43C, Lind Coppage Graves ’71C
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EVENTS
WILSON, N.C.
April 4, 2017 At the home of Ben and Ginny James Eagles ’89HS ’91C
Left to right: Ginny James Eagles ’89HS ’91C, Libby Eagles, Kate Eagles '21, Julieanne Arnold Thomas ’94HS ’96C
Left to right: Eliza Pittman Stephenson ’94HS ’96C, Margaret Sydnor Jenkins ’83HS, Carol Cantwell Putney ’63HS ’65C
Karen Apostolou Gliarmis ’79HS ’81C, Elizabeth Smith Skinner ’80C, Jane Bratton Fleming ’76HS ’78C
Ann Farmer Barnes ’61HS ’63C, Harriet Conger Glover ’52HS ’54C, Emily Anderson Cunningham ’60C
Jill Sparks Pittman’89C, Lauren Worthy Taylor ’08
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Charlotte Bikle Daniel ’91C, Betty Bacon Bikle ’59C, Ann Bikle Bissette ’86C
FRANCES VANN CLUB March 7, 2017 At the Player's Retreat
Members of the Frances Vann Club, former and current alumnae employees, held their annual meeting at the Player’s Retreat in Raleigh, March 7. Front row, left to right: Heather Moore Thompson ’88HS ’90C, Selden Gray Steed ’85C, Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Jill Sparks Pittman ’89C, Carolyn Hicks Baggett ’73C, Lou Johnson Johanson ’58C, Gretchen Fracher Hardage ’65C, Elizabeth Hardy Hogan ’81C, Nancy Helms ’69C, Julie Ricciardi; top row, left to right: Josie Rawl Hall ’74C, Elizabeth Patteson Dixon ’80HS, Margaret McGlohon ’81C, Weldon Jackson Byrtus ’92C, Frances Gilliam Fontaine ’69C The club is named in honor of Frances Vann '34C, who worked at Saint Mary's for 50 years following her graduation.
GRANDDAUGHTERS CLUB LUNCHEON February 24, 2017 At Saint Mary’s School, Smedes-Emory Parlor
Current members of the Granddaughters Club along with mothers and grandmothers gathered for the annual luncheon in Smedes-Emory Parlor.
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EVENTS
LOS ANGELES April 18, 2017 At Sofi Greek Restaurant
MARSHAL REUNION April 3, 2017 At Saint Mary’s School, Smedes-Emory Parlor
Saint Mary’s alumnae gathered at Sofi Greek Restaurant in Hollywood, California, Tuesday, April 18. Attending were Hannah Barker ’04, Jennifer Collins ’81C, McNair Currie Maxwell ’59HS, Kim White ’85HS, and Alicia Sedwick ’78HS with Lauren Anderson Gerber, director of the Annual Fund and major gifts, hosting the gathering.
Saint Mary’s 2016-2017 marshals hosted a marshal alumnae reunion, April 3, in Smedes-Emory Parlor. Pictured, front row, left to right: Lynn Cowell Ives ’85HS ’87C, Emily Brooks Rowe ’04, Hope Voelkel ’17, Mary Gordon Utt ’13, Elizabeth Hardy Hogan '81C; second row: Ella Bristow ’17, Jane Ives ’17, Ashton Vermillion ’17, Leann Kelly ’17; third row: Margaret Brooks Duke ’03, Sallie Thorpe Cahill ’87HS ’89C, Emily Szyperski ’14, Helen Williamson ’13; fourth row: Betty Anne Queen Bush ’71C, Weldon Jackson Byrtus ’92C, Yorke Wooten Sartorio ’75C, Virginia Claire Tharrington ’06; fifth row: Eliza Pittman Stephenson ’94HS ’96C, Annie Gray Sprunt ’83HS ’85C, Bonny Harris Herrington ’81C, Coles Hines Jones ’79HS ’81C, Sallie Harris Glover ’81HS ’83C; top row: Clare Garden Maddison ’64C, Frances Gilliam Fontaine ’69C, Anne Gregory Pace ’81HS, Scottie Grine Frantz ’81HS ’83C
SAN FRANCISCO April 7, 2017 At Laurel Court Restaurant
Seated, left to right: Jane Cheshire-Allen ’68HS ’70C, Dorothy Manly ’68HS; standing, Lora Elder ’93HS, Mary Lawrence Hicks ’78C, King Risley Sams ’50HS ’52C
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I DIDN’T KNOW
WHAT WAS POSSIBLE.
NOW I DO. ____________ Mary Hunter R., 10th grade ____________
It takes courage to try new things. Like Mary Hunter, we at Saint Mary’s believe in giving girls the chance to expand their boundaries and discover what’s possible. That’s why we offer AP and honors courses, three languages, arts programs, 11 sports, leadership opportunities and real-world experiences — so girls are inspired to explore, discover and achieve more than they ever imagined.
DO YOU KNOW A GIRL WHO IS READY TO FIND HER COURAGE AT SAINT MARY’S SCHOOL?
Contact our Admission Office for more information or to schedule a personal visit. 919-424-4100 or admission@sms.edu.
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MILESTONES IN MEMORIAM Anne Mosby Cover ’33HS, October 4, 2016 Letty Lassiter Wilder ’33HS ’35C December 21, 2016 Lossie Taylor Noell ’37HS ’39C, February 5, 2017 Anne Rust Patteson ’37HS ’39C, February 6, 2017 Eleanor Jackson Burleson ’37C, September 9, 2016 Kay Goold Killian ’40C, June 28, 2016 Helen Caufield Simpson ’40C, November 29, 2016 Mary Frances Johnson Shepherd ’41C, April 17, 2017 Betty Drysdale Todd ’42HS, February 7, 2017 Jane Thurston Smallman ’42C, April 8, 2017 Elizabeth Stribling ’42C, February 24, 2017 Florence “Tonni” Ferguson Dickey ’43HS April 22, 2017 Stella Lassiter Murphy ’43HS, December 4, 2016 Jeannette Simpson Andrews ’44HS, January 23, 2017 Sara Stockton Hill ’44C, October 20, 2016 Maria Legg Southerland ’44C, May 1, 2017 Georgia Stathacos Xenakis ’45HS ’47C, December 29, 2016 Catherine "Kitty" Weaver Conyers ’45C, January 29, 2017 Anna Cutts Reece ’45C, January 1, 2017 Betty Terry Streb ’45, March 11, 2017 Marie Kiger Lewis ’46HS, March 13, 2017
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Margaret “Pegge” Misenheimer Folger ’46HS ’48C, April 4, 2017 Martha Van Patten Ripley ’46C, April 17, 2017 Mary “Betty” Hobby Boone ’47C, March 6, 2017
Anna “Kay” Overstreet Arthur ’57C, May 23, 2017 Mary Neal Bolch ’60C, February 6, 2017 Virginia “Ginger” Speagle Lutz ’62C, March 13, 2017
Jane Lewis Nelson ’47C, May 7, 2017
Mary Anne Creech McIntire ’65HS, former Alumnae Council member, January 27, 2017
Anne Baker Culbreth ’48HS, October 14, 2016
Barbara Eagleson Cain ’65C, trustee, March 15, 2017
Elizabeth “Toy” Lorey ’48HS, October 19, 2016
Mallery Knee Pittman ’70C, April 8, 2017
Anne Harmon McGregor ’48HS, January 9, 2017
Marguerite Morrow ’70HS ’72C, December 1, 2016
Margaret Almand Peck ’48HS, October 24, 2016
Anne Ingram ’72HS, May 28, 2017
Susannah “Susie” Dell Patton ’49HS ’51C, July 27, 2016
Mary “Phyllis” Williamson Norwood ’73C, January 16, 2017
Ann Whitener Peden ’49C, May 24, 2017
Mary Smith McDaniel ’74C, December 27, 2016
Elizabeth Ellis Guion “Teensy” Tolson ’49C, March 19, 2017
Miriam Fletcher ’76C, January 16, 2017
Margaret Dunn Toms ’51C, May 29, 2017 Edith Conyers Shanklin Woodruff ’51C, March 22, 2017 Marian Faison Townsend ’52C, March 9, 2017 Ann Fain Bowen McCown ’52HS, April 24, 2017 Mary Bernhardt “Mary-Bern” Wolfe Decker ’54HS, April 7, 2017 Katharine Bisanar Holding ’54HS, December 2, 2016 Martha Good Edmunds ’55C, November 8, 2016 Lynda Lee Sykes Hull ’56HS, March 21, 2017 Jeanne S. Dunn ’57HS, April 24, 2017
Marilyn Ellerbe Broderick ’82C, May 29, 2017 Anne Elizabeth “Beth” Lambeth ’85HS, April 8, 2017 Susan Cobb Brumley ’87HS, January 4, 2017 Lou Kiefer, former security guard March 9, 2017 Jimmy Rogers, former soccer coach February 11, 2017 R. Peyton Woodson III, former trustee January 5, 2017 Martha Yates, former staff December 22, 2016
MARRIAGES Nancy Dawson Rascoe ’52C to Paul Stevenson, April 16, 2017 Ann Lynch ’57HS ’59C to Russell G. Barlowe Sr. November 16, 2016 Barbara Bryant ’88HS ’90C to Jonathan Baynes, May 21, 2017 Amy Towery ’90HS to Daniel Dustin Mosteller, April 22, 2017 Anne Finley ’91C to Jamie Kimmett, April 29, 2017 Jane Singleton ’92HS to Jay Myers, April 9, 2017 Anne Kochersberger ‘99 to Benjamin Ross Locklair, October 1, 2016 Lindsey Suggs ’01 to Geoffrey Gregg, July 23, 2016
Family and friends gathered at the Saint Mary’s Chapel, May 6, 2017, for the marriage of Gabie Craig ’10 and Rob Frantz.
BABIES Claudia Bishop Stubbs ’93HS ’95C, a daughter, December 29, 2016
Laura Chilton Midgett ’99, a daughter, Ana Catherine Dickens ’02 to John Massengill, December 2, 2016 April 22, 2017 Nancy Cobb Harvin ’96HS, Ann Rogers Smyth ’05 to Reed Staub, twin daughters, April 29, 2017 February 11, 2017 Annie Sellers ’07 to Aaron Greene, Kathryn Calder Barmore ’01, a daughter, May 13, 2017 March 28, 2017 Carolyn Bacchus ’09 to Adam Stapleton, December 17, 2016 *Sara Bailey Stocks ’09 to Kep Pate, December 31, 2016 *Gabie Craig ’10 to Rob Frantz, May 6, 2017 Emma Powell ’10 to Bryce Pike, May 20, 2017 Alise Willis ’10 to Brandon Wood, January 14, 2017 Blair Barnett ’11 to Danny Diamond, April 29, 2017 Hannah Moore ’11 to Edgerton Harris, June 3, 2017 *Bailey Warren ’12 to Mitchell Mayer, April 29, 2017 *Married in Saint Mary's Chapel
Cassie Gilbert Rice ’03, a daughter, December 13, 2016 Louisa Walker Trouche ’03, a son, December 22, 2016 Jenna Nash Hollmeyer ’04, a son, January 29, 2017 Sarah Simons Team ’04, a daughter, February 13, 2017 Kristen Yates Umstead ’05, a daughter, January 11, 2017
Lindsey Suggs Gregg ’01, a son, May 26, 2017
Hattie Walter ’05, a daughter, December 13, 2016
Austin Nash Coley ’01, a daughter, June 3, 2017
Hannah Allen Myers ’07, a daughter, May 25, 2017
Corisande Samuels Nadeau ’01, a son, February 14, 2107
Amy MacGill Yarborough ’07, a daughter, April 11, 2017
Katie Stuart Power ’02, a son, April 9, 2017 Katie Harrell Ostendorf ’03, a daughter, April 19, 2017 Cassie Criswell Anderson ’03, a son, December 3, 2016 Katharine McEnery Pittman ’03, a son, March 27, 2017
Sidney Dawson Dozier ’08, a daughter, April, 2017 Libby Farrell Ducey ’10, a son, April 17, 2017 Alexandra Minor ’10, a daughter, June 14, 2016
These milestones were compiled based on information received by the school by June 1, 2017. Every effort is made to include everyone for whom we have official confirmation by press time. If we missed you or your loved one, please send an official announcement to mvswain@sms.edu, or mail to Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Saint Mary’s School, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, for inclusion in the winter 2018 magazine.
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CLASS NEWS CLASS NEWS It’s all here – the latest and greatest news from alumnae in odd-year classes. Saint Mary’s extends a special thanks to the dedicated class secretaries who compiled and crafted these class newsletters, many who have served for decades. Even-year classes will be featured in the winter 2018 magazine. Alumnae in these classes will receive information to facilitate the reporting of news to class secretaries or directly to the school.
CLASS NEWS POLICIES Due to the uncertain nature of certain types of news, Saint Mary’s does not publish news of wedding engagements or pregnancies. We publish news of marriages, births, adoptions, or deaths, based on published news reports or direct phone or email contact with the Alumnae Office from the parties or immediate families. Please remember to include Saint Mary’s in your wedding announcement in the newspaper and please send birth announcements to the Alumnae Office for inclusion in the milestones section. Saint Mary’s Class Notes are published for each class once each year. Due to the extended nature of the production schedule for the magazine, class news is meant to be a once-a-year general update of your news for the previous year. We cannot guarantee the exact timeliness of your news, so please keep our advance deadlines in mind when submitting news. Saint Mary’s School reserves the right to edit class news for content, length, and timeliness. Photographs may be submitted for consideration for the class news to mvswain@sms.edu or Mary Virginia Swain, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Photos must be high-quality prints or digital .jpeg photo files of at least 300 dpi. Group shots should include Saint Mary’s alumnae (and spouses and children) only and must include a detailed listing of everyone pictured, including full names and class years.
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1943
HIGH SCHOOL
Anne Damtoft Campbell writes from Black Mountain, where she is living in a retirement village named Givens Highland Farms. She would love to hear from any of her classmates.
1945
COLLEGE
Randy Gardner Newcomb ’44HS ’45C lives in a condominium in Raleigh. “I am in good health, for 90, and enjoy family, friends, and neighbors.”
Class of '47C 70th Reunion Mary Hinkle Butner-Covington, left, Sis Silver Cheshire, right
1947 HIGH SCHOOL AND 1949 COLLEGE
Frances Drane Inglis ’47HS ’49C writes from Edenton, where she enjoys seeing all the other SMS “girls,” and is enjoying this stage of life. Her three children and five grandchildren are all working hard and “no news is good news.” Frances Minter Wooten ’49C planned to move into The Cardinal at North Hills in Raleigh this spring, and hopes to see some old Saint Mary’s friends there. Shirley Frew Ivie ’47HS reports that she is still living in Richmond, Va. Ann Duncan Story ’49C is enjoying her home in Brevard. “College Walk is a super place to live! Great people, excellent care!” Her husband, Vince, died in May 2016, and she has had several serious falls, so staying upright has become very important. Fortunately, nothing is broken! She sends her best to all! Molly Oakey Brodie ’49C reports that she is still living in Wilmington. Anne Townsend Overman ’47HS ’49C is still in Virginia Beach, Va., and was looking forward to the gala and Reunion Weekend, hoping to see many classmates. Lelia DuPre’ Barrett ’49C writes from Augusta, Ga. Her two granddaughters are attending Florida State University and University of Georgia. She was pre-
70th Reunion Betty Debnam Hunt, left, Anne Dewey Heartt Gregory, right
paring to host, for the 15th year, a supper party in connection with the gala for Phinzy Swamp Nature Park, on the flood plain of the Savannah River. Marion Turner Hubbard ’49C reports from Greensboro that she is still working. She attended her 65th reunion in Chapel Hill and enjoyed a trip to Paris and Normandy last fall.
1951
COLLEGE
Louise Milliken Howard ’51C Caroline Cobey Goodwin ’49HS ’51C writes from Winston-Salem. She and Bob were married 66 years ago in the Saint Mary’s Chapel. They have three daughters, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. June Bullard Winston writes that she has had two hip replacements this past year and can now walk erect again, which is a wonderful accomplishment! Another great-granddaughter was added
attend the Saint Mary’s 175th birthday gala in May. Jean Lang Glover writes with sad news of the death of her husband, Edmond C. Glover III, on July 14, 2016. They were married for 63 years. Their Class of '52C 65th Reunion Left to right: Mary Jo Paul Browning, Frances daughters, Jean Garvey Wilson, Ann Penton Longley, Lois Perry Sawyer, Anne Benton PowRuth Glover ley, Margaret Cheatham Williams, Nancy Dawson Rascoe Dalton and Lisa Lang Glover, to her family in 2016. She also has two greatgrandsons. In recent past issues, I was sad to have been very helpful during this time of read about the deaths in 2016 of four of our transition. Life for me in Savannah remains classmates: Kit Armistead Latimore, Laura about the same. I am still involved in volunChapman Rico, Edith Rogers Cameron, and teer work. Our children live in New Orleans, Caroline Heath Davis. Through their person- Chicago, and Richmond, Va. They visit ofalities and accomplishments, these classmates ten and we travel to see them when possible. represented many of the qualities of the ide- Many thanks to those of you who sent news. I al Saint Mary’s student. I am sure they are miss you when I do not hear from you. There greatly missed. It was lovely to receive best are fewer of us each year, so let’s try to stay in wishes from Nancy Woodruff Broadwell and touch. With love to all, Louise Sonoko Yamamoto Taylor. Nancy stays busy with church and other activities, including keeping up her exercise. She was planning to HIGH SCHOOL Susie Robinson Morrison writes that she lives in a retirement community in Kennett Square, Penn., “Where all things are possible!” She misses Saint Mary’s and would love to hear from Saint Mary’s friends.
1951
1955
COLLEGE
Page Cole Hoyle ’53HS stopped by campus in November with granddaughter Smedes Rose Covil. The two are pictured on the porch of Smedes Hall, where Page lived her senior year. Covil is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Saint Mary’s founder, the Rev. Aldert Smedes, on her mother’s side of the family. It was Covil’s first visit to Saint Mary’s, and Page reports that she loved seeing the beautiful campus. Covil is a Furman University alumna and received her master’s degree from Parsons School of Art and Design in New York in May.
Patsy Moore Upton writes from Hillsborough, “John and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary April 1, 2017. We are thankful to be in good health. John will retire from a 20-year second career in June. We have a few short trips planned and are very fortunate that our daughter and her family live only four miles from us.” Lee Kohlsaat Hitchcock has published a book: Same Time…Same Station, an epic love and life story and memoir. “My husband, Peter Tilden Hitchcock’s legacy lives on with Same Time…Same Station. Feeling our relationship was special, he wanted me to write about our strong love and the compassion we shared during 54 years, and to include
love letters that kept us close. Peter wanted to reach out to those coping with Parkinson’s. It is amazing how he accepted the disease—to live in the present, enjoying life. I hope my words are inspiring, uplifting, and even challenging. Peter passed away May 14, 2013. Several people, including my publisher, have asked me to write a sequel to Same Time… Same Station. We will see!” Lee’s book is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, etc., and she appreciates comments! Lee lives in Jackson, N.J.
1955
HIGH SCHOOL
Barry Bowen Gilmer ’55HS ’57C Dear Girls (!), Unfortunately I received very few responses for news, but here it is! Gail Edwards Dupree hopes all her classmates are well and happy! She is still dividing her time between the Triangle and Emerald Isle, playing a lot of duplicate bridge and going to tournaments. She plans to take her son, grandson, his wife and three great-grandchildren on a Disney cruise in June. They are all getting very excited. Gail is also planning a trip to South Africa in January on the Crystal Symphony. “Feeling good with no health problems for which I’m very grateful!” Jane Walker Kerewich has moved to a Westminster Canterbury apartment and loves it. Says she keeps mighty busy. Jennie Proctor Schwoebel ’57C says she is looking forward to getting together with Marilyn Zschau ’57C, who has had an amazing career as opera singer. She is living in Connecticut, after living many years in Europe. Gerry Cates, their voice teacher at Saint Mary’s, encouraged her to have a professional career as a classical singer and Jennie is forever grateful to her for her support. Gerry died some time ago. Margaret Burnside Kapner writes that she keeps busy with her grandchildren, in Lake Worth, Fla., and doing some errands for friends who don’t drive. She has also gone back to taking a watercolor painting class once a week, which she really enjoys! Carol Biggers Dabbs reported that she spends her summers in Blowing Rock, keeping John Dabbs, Ltd., her gift shop, going. It is in its 45th year in Charlotte! She says trips with her family are her biggest joy. She is planning one now as she is “crawling slowly towards the big 80!” Dotty Pierson Bailey
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CLASS NEWS ocean. Bill and I still manage a trip out of the country every year. Last year we went to England on the Queen Mary and then drove through Devon and Cornwall. (Reminiscent for me, as Allene Keith Wright and I crossed on the old Queen in 1963). This April, we are going to France. Well, if my math is still working, 2017 minus 1937 equals 80. This means that most of our class are celebrating the big birthday this year. I am also reminded that Carolina won its first NCAA basketball championship in 1957. What a year!”
1959
COLLEGE Class of '57C 60th Reunion Front row, left to right: Carol Biggers Dabbs, Marilyn Zshau Baars, Coleman Jenkins Dance, Jennie Proctor Schwoebel; second row: Betsy Brinkley Amis, Jane Walker Kerewich, Mittie Crumpler Landi
and her daughters were supposed to go to Cave Springs, Ga., to visit her brother, Sam, but she did not feel well, so had to cancel. She is in the process of seeing doctors and having tests. She sees Jane Best Wehland ’55C at church during the warmer weather but Jane lost her husband recently, so this past Sunday was the first time she had come to the coast. As for me, Barry Bowen Gilmer, I think all of that news is extremely interesting and I am just so glad to hear from you all. The sad news I must report is that our classmate, Judy Liggett Adcock, died last year. She was living in Greenville, S.C., but I seldom saw her these last few years as her memory issues took their toll. I am just trying to kick along! All my orthopedic problems and procedures have left me pretty “gimpy” as far as traveling/sitting in a car or sitting anywhere for that matter! Have had to give up my two loves of hiking and big time gardening. Am still trying to do my photography but have to be very careful to go where I can sit often and have had to completely revamp to much lighter equipment. Anyway, I’m still here and loving life. My grandchildren and children are the best in the world, of course, and I enjoy them immensely. Happy 175th anniversary to my beloved Saint Mary’s and to all of you! Barry
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1957
COLLEGE
Jane “Chip” Augustine Rabon reports that she just returned from a terrific sailing adventure on the Star Flyer, a four-mast clipper ship. She sailed from Jamaica to St. Maarten. This was her fifth voyage on the Star Clipper line.
1959
Coleman Jenkins Dance ’55HS ’57C en- HIGH SCHOOL joyed her reunion and the 175th Gala at Saint Memrie Mosier Lewis is still living between Mary’s in May. “A great time with great Connecticut and New York, busy with landfriends!” Jane Best Wehland lives in Ra- scape design work. She has five wonderful leigh. Sadly, her husband of 58 years, Chuck, grandchildren, ages six to 17. McNair Currie passed away last July. Jane is coping, and is Maxwell enjoyed attending the Saint Mary's thankful for good health, a nearby daughter, alumnae gathering in Los Angeles hosted by wonderful neighbors, and a loving, support- Lauren Gerber, director of the annual fund ive Episcopal church close by. She hopes to and major gifts. attend her 60th reunion at Sweetbrier this year. Betsy Brinkley Amis writes, “This is a wonderful year for Saint Mary’s. How lucky we were, the Class of 1957, to have our 60th reunion coincide with the 175th Anniversary of the school. Nothing new from me. Our children and grandchildren are here in Pittsburgh, so we are lucky to be able to share their lives. Sadly, we have given up our summer trips to Nags Head, because of distance and time conflicts. We miss our yearly visits to North Carolina, but we now enjoy Rehoboth Beach Class of '62C 55th Reunion Front row, left to right: Malinda Swin(in Delaware), closer, with eford Roberts, Vicky McKenzie Arms, Lynn Boyce Purdie Brennan; a much more age-friendly second row: Rosemary Adair York, Tot Hofler Williams
SAINT MARY'S BOOK CORNER
Marion Purcell Whatley - 55th Reunion
1961
COLLEGE
G.G. Saunders Buxton ’61C Hope this letter finds everyone well and enjoying life. Only a few of our classmates wrote this time, but I hope to hear from all the rest of you next time. It is fun to hear from everyone. Mary Lou Dorris O’Brien and Buzz moved to Greensboro in August 2016 and are living at Wellspring Retirement Community. Their daughter, Julia, lives in Greensboro, so they are happy to be there. Betty Lynch Hammond went to Hawaii with friends in April 2016 and had a wonderful time. She still goes to the family beach house on the South Carolina coast. Her grandchildren range in age from three to 25, and she has a hard time keeping up with them all. Betty loves being back in Virginia Beach, and also makes many trips to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to see friends and family there. Anne Swindell Wyche still loves retirement. She went to London this past fall, and then sang for a week at Canterbury Cathedral with her choir. In March, she returned from a trip to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. While in Jordan, they had an armed guard/ trained soldier/policeman with them. This summer, she plans trips to Spoleto and to Cincinnati, where she will see three of her seven grandchildren. Arden Fobes Scott is living
in Southern Pines, and happy to be home in North Carolina. Unfortunately, her husband, Jack, is not well, which makes it difficult to visit with old friends. She did have a lunch with Charlotte Thorne Grant and Molly Cooper Safrit, which was special. Kay Shipman Schoellhorn writes of the sad loss of her husband on January 11, after 18 years of marriage. She resides in Raleigh, as do all of her children, Katherine White Messenger ’84C, Eleanor White Hunter ’87C, and Allison White Sullivan ’87HS. She has five grandchildren. Mary Ellen Hunter is a freshman honor roll student at East Carolina University. Jack Messenger is a state champion swimmer and leader on his track team, off to college this fall. Hank Messenger is very involved with soccer and basketball, and Stewart Messenger is a cheerleader and is running track. Matthew Sullivan is playing year-round soccer and seasonal basketball. A very busy time for all! Kay often sees many Saint Mary’s friends, such as Molly Cooper Safrit and Frankie Stutts Boyd. I have two grandchildren who have finished their first year of college. Saunders’ daughter, Shepard Barnes, is at UNC-Chapel Hill, and Courtnay’s son, Trip Gilmore, is at Hampden-Sydney. Time flies! Look forward to hearing from all of you next time, and don’t forget to give to the Annual Fund! G.G.
1963
COLLEGE
Sue Battle Moore ’63C Dearest all, obviously, the SMJC Class of ’63 is M.I.A. this year! While I received sparse responses, they were both informative and positive. Ever faithful Lea Lea Hall Ivey from Oxford reports a wonderful two-week driving tour of Germany with daughter June Ivey Manning ’87C and granddaughter Daisy. The trip was a special one for June since she got the opportunity to visit her birthplace, Bitburg. From Lake Alfred, Fla., another newsletter faithful, Florence “Flo” McNeer Hamilton is joyous over being a great-grandmother to Abri Lynn Allen, daughter of Flo’s granddaughter, Kayla Hamilton. Flo’s other grandchildren range in age from 14 to 22. Emma Grace Bailey (14) spent last summer in New York studying with the Joffrey Ballet Company. William Bailey (17) “sports” a size 18 shoe and stands 6’5” tall and is not surprisingly being scouted
Sara N. James ’65HS ’67C publishes Art in England: The Saxons to the Tudors: 600-1600 Sara N. James’s Art in England fills a void in the scholarship of both English and medieval art by offering the first single volume overview of artistic movements in Medieval and Early Renaissance England. Grounded in history and using the chronology of the reign of monarchs as a structure, it is contextual and comprehensive, revealing unobserved threads of continuity, patterns of intention, and unique qualities that run through English art of the medieval millennium. By placing the English movement in a European context, this book brings to light many ingenious innovations that focused studies tend not to recognize and offers a fresh look at the movement as a whole. The media studied include architecture and related sculpture, both ecclesiastical and secular; tomb monuments; murals, panel paintings, altarpieces, and portraits; manuscript illuminations; textiles; and art by English artists and by foreign artists commissioned by English patrons. Sara N. James ’65HS ’67C, Ph.D., is a professor emerita of art history at Mary Baldwin University. She is a faculty member at the Osher Life Long Learning Institute at the University of Virginia, and has served on the faculty of the University of Virginia and Norfolk State University. She has also served as an expert leader for Smithsonian Enterprises: Smithsonian Journeys. She holds a B.A. in art from Mary Baldwin College, an M.A. in humanities (Medieval Studies) from Old Dominion University, and a Ph.D. in art history from the University of Virginia. ISBN: 9781785702235 | Published by Oxbow Books | Year of Publication: 2016 | Lan55 guage: English, 352p, H280 x W216 (mm)
CLASS NEWS LEADING LADIES OF SAINT MARY'S Sarah Graham Kenan 1893HS North Carolina, Saint Mary’s benefitted from generosity of quiet philanthropist 1876-1968 The Sarah Graham Kenan Library at Saint Mary’s was dedicated October 11, 1966, in honor of Mrs. Kenan, a philanthropist from Wilmington and a member of the Class of 1893. Construction of the library at Saint Mary’s was made possible by Mrs. Kenan’s charitable foundation. Mrs. Kenan, born in Wilmington, N.C., was the daughter of Mary Hargrave and William Rand Kenan, a native of Kenansville, the namesakes of Kenan Memorial Stadium at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Kenan Family, immigrants from Ireland, arrived in colonial North Carolina in the 1730s, settling first in the Duplin County area and later moving to New Hanover County. Mrs. Kenan attended schools in Wilmington and New York City and graduated from Saint Mary’s in 1893. In 1912, she married her cousin, Graham Kenan of Wilmington, who practiced law in Wilmington and New York. After the death of her husband, she purchased a house on Market Street in Wilmington, to be near her sister, Jessie Kenan Wise. Mrs. Kenan affectionally called the house, Sunnyside. After Mrs. Kenan’s death in 1968, her nephew, James Graham Kenan II, deeded the home to the state of North Carolina for the trustees of Wilmington College (now the University of North Carolina at Wilmington). The 7,500-square-foot mansion on the corner of 17th and Market streets is the official residence of the chancellor of UNC-W. The home has nine fireplaces, six bathrooms, molded ceilings, and more than a dozen rooms. Mrs. Kenan was the sister-in-law of Henry Morrison Flagler who, with John D. Rock-
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efeller, founded the Standard Oil Company. The Flagler fortune was left to Mrs. Kenan’s sister, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler Bingham. Upon Mary Lily’s death in 1917, the money was divided equally between her siblings: her sister, Sarah Graham Kenan; her brother, William Rand Kenan Jr.; and her sister, Jessie Kenan Wise. As benefactors of sister Mary Lily Kenan Flagler Bingham’s estate, the remaining Kenans created charitable foundations that have greatly benefited North Carolina academic institutions throughout the state. Mrs. Kenan traveled extensively, spending time in Palm Beach and St. Augustine, Fla., as well as Wilmington in winter and Lake Placid, N.Y., in summer. She also traveled abroad and was an avid art collector. The Sarah Graham Kenan Foundation reported gifts to the Catherine Kennedy Home in Wilmington, the Duplin County Board of Education, New Hanover County private schools, the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, Duke University Medical School, the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Saint Mary’s, Thalian Hall Commission in Wilmington, Durham Academy, the Kenansville Board of Education, The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and St. James Episcopal Church in Wilmington. In 1930, Mrs. Kenan helped the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill start the Southern Historical Collection. In 1965, Mrs. Kenan established the Graham Kenan Professorships at UNC in the school of law to honor her husband. Three years later, she created additional professorships that benefited the law, medical, and business schools. Mrs. Kenan’s portrait hangs in the lobby of the Sarah Graham Kenan Memorial Auditorium at UNC-W, a 1,000-plus seat performance venue opened in 1970 as a gift from the Sarah Graham Kenan Foundation, Inc., one of several structures at UNC-W funded by the trust set in her name.
Sarah Graham Kenan 1893HS
“Because Mrs. Kenan lived a quiet life and shunned publicity, most of her philanthropic activity went unnoticed,” wrote Ida Brooks Kellam in 1968. “Nonetheless, during her lifetime, gifts to charitable foundations and educational institutions exceeded $12 million,” (some $80-$100 million in today’s dollars). Mrs. Kenan died March 20, 1968. The funeral service was held at St. James Episcopal Church in Wilmington. She was interred in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington, where her parents are also buried. The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust has continued to generously provide substantial grants that have made possible extensive facility and interior renovations to Kenan Library in recent years which have also made it possible to host visual art exhibits, literary events, and other programs throughout the year. Sources: Sarah Graham Kenan, by Ida Brooks Kellam, 1988, from the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, 6 volumes, edited by William S. Powell; Copyright ©1979-1996, Printed with permission of University of North Carolina Press The Heritage: The Education of Women at St. Mary’s College, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1842-1982, by Martha Sprouse Stoops The Carolina Story: Virtual Museum of University History, UNC-Chapel Hill
by major colleges for football. Always one to keep in touch with SMJC friends, Flo reports having talked with Landon Harris Nowlin, Marty Fales Stanfield, Kay Miller Pollard, and Becca Kendrick over the past year. Plans were to see Landon and husband Charles, who were spending a few months in Florida. Over this past summer, Flo has had a major medical issue but is doing great now. And thankfully so! Susan Foy writes, “I lived in Washington, D.C., for one year in 1969, but I came back to Richmond and boarded with a wonderful family and friends there for 18 years. I have lived at Brookdale Imperial Plaza since 1993.” From Rocky Mount, I proudly announce that my granddaughter, Grace Battle Thompson ’18, has just been elected president of the Student Government Association for next year. She follows in the footprints of her mother, Heather Moore Thompson ’88HS ’90C, who held the same position. As difficult as it is to imagine, next year—2018—will be our 55th reunion! Ladies, “start your engines” and make your plans to be in attendance. Until then, my best to all. Sue
1963
HIGH SCHOOL
Alleen Cater ’63HS ’65C writes, “Things are fine in Birmingham, Ala. It was my delight to host a gathering of Saint Mary’s alumnae at my home in January. We had a wonderful evening, and I would have loved it if I could have repaid a bit of the gracious hosting that my Raleigh classmates have provided for the last 50 years. I hate that I missed the glorious 175th anniversary celebration, but I was on garden tours in Italy for three weeks in May, with a quick side trip to Copenhagen to visit cousins. Two surgeries on tendons in my right hand have tested my patience, but in the grand scheme of things, the situation is an extended annoyance, nothing more, especially since I’m left-handed. People see my odd-looking splint and offer to open doors for me! I am well aware that others are dealing with far more serious health issues; the ones I know about are in my prayers for healing.” Jean Healy Neville writes from Chapel Hill, “I am enjoying retirement by serving on two volunteer boards and tutoring. Regular tennis games with friends, and walking and hiking with my husband, keep me physically active
as well as traveling when we can. Can’t wait to see classmates in May.”
1965
COLLEGE
Trudie Turner Arrington ’65C Hello Fabulous Class of ’65! Hope all is well and that you’re having a good year and smiling about our dear Saint Mary’s celebrating 175 years. I love to hear the news and share. Jackie Myers Brown writes that she and Mike are planning to move to the Durham/ Chapel Hill area within the year. One of their daughters lives in Durham and the other in Charlotte. She says it will be great to be back home in North Carolina. Kay Symons Patterson writes that her husband, Blair Patterson, died on February 1, 2017. His health had been failing for a long time, so she chooses to view his death as a blessing. Her granddaughter, Eliza Dunn Tillman, is in sixth grade at St. Timothy’s in Raleigh, and looking forward to going to Saint Mary’s in two more years. She loves going to SMS for various activities they have for younger girls. Kay’s grandson, Rollie Tillman IV, is a sophomore at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh and is a busy 16-year-old. Kay is so proud of them both. She adds that she was so sorry to hear of our classmate Barbara Eagleson Cain’s recent death. Barbara worked so hard for Saint Mary’s and was a very special person. Gretchen Fracher Hardage writes from Raleigh about her retirement. She is staying busy volunteering and visiting grandchildren in Winston-Salem (ages 8, 10, 13). Gretchen had a special “happening” in November: Leslie Wharton Marcello ’66C came to Raleigh and contacted everyone that had been on First Holt. Betsy Wilson Bradley and Gretchen had been hall counselors. Eight of the 12 met for lunch! Amazing turnout, with much laughter and joy at being able to get together. For Gretchen it had been many years since seeing everyone! They hope to do it again, when maybe all 12 can get together. Barbara Hall Wullschleger writes from Sarasota, Fla., sharing that they had a rough year last year: Sears (her husband) went in December to get a new hip. All went well – except he got MRSA too! Four operations and nine months later, he got his new hip. All is well now. To celebrate, they took two cruises – one in November in Europe
and one in January in the Caribbean. Alleen Cater shared that things are fine in Birmingham, Ala. It was her delight to host a gathering of Saint Mary’s alumnae at her home in January. They had a wonderful evening, and she notes that she would love it if she could repay a bit of the gracious hosting that her Raleigh classmates have provided for the last 50 years. She adds, “I hate that I missed the glorious 175th anniversary celebration, but I was on garden tours in Italy for three weeks in May, with a quick side trip to Copenhagen to visit cousins. Two surgeries on tendons in my right hand have tested my patience, but in the grand scheme of things, the situation is an extended annoyance, nothing more, especially since I’m left-handed. People see my oddlooking splint and offer to open doors for me! I am well aware that others are dealing with far more serious health issues; the ones I know about are in my prayers for healing.” Thank you to one and all who sent in news –mighty short this year, come on! We surely did have a wonderful experience at Saint Mary’s. Trudie
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Joan Wickham Sugg ’65HS ’67C Charlotte Smith Purrington writes from Raleigh. Their daughter, Lindsey, was married July 30, 2016, to Mike O’Hara. The newlyweds live in Raleigh, where Lindsey is a soloist with the Carolina Ballet. The Purrington’s daughter Ginna is a pediatric diabetes counselor at Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital in Durham, a part of the Duke system. Son George is back south now. He completed his MBA at Kenan Flagler at UNC-Chapel Hill and works and lives in Raleigh. “We are blessed to have them all so near. Ward and I travel, hit the beach, and work in our garden (which was decimated in hurricane Matthew last fall).” Charlotte sends sad news of the death of Mary Anne Creech McIntire on January 27, 2017. Mary Anne passed away at home in Raleigh, and memorial services were held in both High Point and Raleigh. Charlotte attended and said that Mary Anne’s daughter gave a lovely talk. Mary Anne’s career was in banking and finance. Libby Keller ’65HS ’67C was looking forward to attending the College Class of 1967 reunion in May. She is still working as a primary care pediatrician in Boston, which
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A SAINT MARY'S SISTERHOOD
CLASS OF 1967
Friendships and Memories By Stacy Watkins Erb ’67C In the past decade or so, our contingent of Saint Mary’s sisters continues to find ways to be together, more and more. Alumnae sisters Julie Livingston Smith, Libba Carter Wolfe, Molly Leary Rabb, Poogie Austin, Kathy Frazier Fountain, Jane Patrick Stuchell, Sue Gelston Mink, Stacy Watkins Erb, Harriett Hodges Schnell, Fleet Gregory Hurlbatt have been meeting at beach houses, river houses, motels, you name it – just so we can be together. Why? Because we realize we are always better people after spending some time with our Saint Mary’s sisters. It always seems that our jaws are sore on the way home because we laughed so much. We have run short of Kleenex because we have cried so much. We play ‘60s music and shag dance, just as when I learned to shag at Saint Mary’s as student. We tell stories and eat and eat. We not only remember the girls we were, we become those girls again for just a few days before we head home to reality. Each gathering makes us want all of our ’67 sisters to come together again. Let’s share just one more chapel or assembly! And, yes, we have thanked Saint Mary’s for being such a welcoming crucible of ideas and gifts for women. Thank you, Saint Mary’s, for respecting and honoring us as women; giving us the space to be leaders and citizens both. Thank you to our parents for having the foresight to invest the money in the virtues of a Saint Mary’s education and/or for just the good fortune to get it right. No matter how it happened, we would never give it up! We said goodbye to Jane Patrick Stuchell in the fall of 2013. Now, that was hard, and still is. There are some things you cannot explain. Yet, I can see Jane smiling at her granddaughter Jane who has her same beautiful blue eyes.
Libba Carter Wolfe ’67C and Lee Avery Catts ’67C are pictured with Sonny and Cher at the Velvet Cloak Inn in Raleigh during their Saint Mary’s student days. Stacy Watkins Erb ’67C recalls, “That Sunday, the state fair was in full swing. Sonny and Cher were a hit with their number one single, ‘I Got You, Babe.’ It was a Sunday and, instead of studying, Libba, Lee, and Julie headed over to the Velvet Cloak to try to get a glimpse of Sonny and Cher. They got a glimpse alright, as they spent the afternoon with the duo at the Velvet Cloak as they packed!” The photo is poignant 50 years later, as the Velvet Cloak Inn was demolished this spring to make way for luxury apartments for college students. (Photo by Julie Livingston Smith ’67C)
It is my privilege to share the story of our Saint Mary’s sisters who have stuck together through all these years. As our School Song says, “Hail, Saint Mary’s!” College Class of 1967 friends enjoy a get-together at High Rock Lake, Salisbury, N.C. Pictured seated, left to right: Sue Gelston Mink, Molly Leary Rabb, and Julie Livingston Smith; standing, left to right: Harriet Hodges Schnell, Libba Carter Wolfe, Poogie Austin, Allison Erb, and Stacy Watkins Erb.
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CLASS NEWS
Class of '67C 50th Reunion Front row, left to right: Jean Healy Neville, Clarine Pollock Powell, Sally James, Harriet Hodges Schnell, Sue Gelston Mink, Stacy Watkins Erb, Virginia Thompson Smith, Kathy Frazier Fountain; middle row: Joan Wickham Sugg, Evan Aretakis Atkins, Susan HannahKeown, Julie Livingston Smith, Betsy Crawford-Leavitt, Molly Leary Rabb; back row: Janet Hicks Bethune, Margaret Stevens Lawler, Libby Keller, Poogie Austin, Martha Garrett Massey, Anna Holbrook Donald, Christine Hurst Copley
she finds rewarding and interesting. She notes that the stresses of increasingly burdensome requirements and restrictions, however, are leading her to consider retirement, when she hopes to spend her summers at Martha’s Vineyard and travel more to exotic places. She says her family is well and thriving. Paul is 32 and Emma is 29. Libby and her husband have six wonderful grandchildren from David’s older three kids.
1967
COLLEGE
Joan Wickham Sugg ’65HS ’67C Stacy Watkins Erb writes, “It is my privilege to add to the already wonderful report that I know Joan Wickham Sugg will send. I just want to give some emphasis to a part of our SMJC story. In the past decade or so our southern contingent of SMJC sisters from the class of ’67 find ways to be together more and more. Julie Livingston Smith, Libba Carter Wolfe, Molly Leary Rabb, Poogie Austin, Kathy Frazier Fountain, Jane Patrick Stuchell, Sue Gelston Mink, Stacy Watkins Erb, Harriett Hodges Schnell, Fleet Grego-
ry Hurlbatt - these alumnae sisters have been meeting at beach houses and river houses and motels and …you name it, just so we can be together. Why? Because we have always been better people after spending some time with our sisters. It seems always our jaws were so sore going home because we laughed so much. We ran short of Kleenex because we cried so much. We played ’60s music, and we shagged (as a girl from Virginia, Saint Mary’s is where I learned to shag!) and danced and told stories and ate and ate. We not only remembered the girls we were, but we became those girls we were just for a few hours before we headed home to reality! And every time together also made us want all of our sisters to come together again—lets just have one more Chapel or Thursday meeting. And yes, we have thanked Saint Mary’s for being such a welcoming crucible of ideas and talents for women. Thank you for respecting us and honoring us as women, giving us the space to be leaders, and citizens both. And thank you to our parents for ponying up the money, for having the foresight to see the virtues of an SMJC education and/or just the good luck to get it
right. No matter how it happened, we would not ever give it up...ever! In the fall of 2013, we said goodbye to Jane Patrick Stuchell. Now that was hard. And still is. There are some things that you just cannot explain. Yet, I can see Jane smiling at her granddaughter Jane, who has her same beautiful, blue eyes!” Jean Healy Neville writes from Chapel Hill, “I am enjoying retirement by serving on two volunteer boards and tutoring. Regular tennis games with friends, and walking and hiking with my husband, keep me physically active as well as traveling when we can. Can’t wait to see classmates in May.” Sally James has published Art in England The Saxons to the Tudors: 600-1600, with Oxbow/Casemate. It came out in the fall of 2016. She has retired from Mary Baldwin after 25 years as a professor of art history, but is now working as a study leader with Smithsonian Journeys, the travel division of the Smithsonian. She traveled to Britain last August and is headed to Italy twice this year. She is also teaching a course in the University of Virginia’s continuing education program and participating in art association and Renaissance Society of America and Canada conferences. “I am enjoying our children and eight grandchildren. They keep me young!” Sally planned to attend Reunion Weekend in May. Libby Keller ’65HS ’67C was also looking forward to attending the reunion. She is still working as a primary care pediatrician in Boston, which she finds rewarding and interesting. She notes that the stresses of increasingly burdensome requirements and restrictions, however, are leading her to consider retirement, when she hopes to spend her summers at Martha’s Vineyard and travel more to exotic places. She says her family is well and thriving. Paul is 32 and Emma is 29. Libby and her husband have six wonderful grandchildren from David’s older three kids. Virginia McSwain Carson retired in June 2016 as president of South Georgia State College. The Georgia Board of Regents named her President Emerita and she was recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges (SACSCOC) with a meritorious service award. The Phi Kappa Theta International Honor Society gave her the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award. Virginia and her husband, Francis, have moved to Madison, Ga.,
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CLASS NEWS to be closer to family. They feel fortunate to be able to enjoy their children and five grandchildren. Molly Leary Rabb and her husband, Rusty, are still living in Richmond, Va., and love having children and grandchildren nearby. She enjoys seeing many Saint Mary’s friends around town, at Virginia Beach, or on travels. “Saint Mary’s might have only been for two years, but the bonds are strong and the ‘girls’ are fantastic.” Meredith Maynard Chase writes from Columbia, S.C. She and Bo have an exciting travel calendar this year, now that she has healed from an ankle fracture and he has recovered from minor surgery. They will also spend time at Pawley’s Island. She keeps busy with pro bono work for her church and charities. She leads two Bible study groups and co-directs the seniors’ ministry at their church. Gardening is her passion. Annie Lee Mobley Redd lives in a retirement home in Greenville, S.C., and loves it there. “I don’t have to lift a finger!” Her daughter, Tess, lives nearby with her husband and two children, Olivia (11) and Aidan (8). Tess is in pharmaceutical sales. Annie Lee’s son, Ellis, and his wife live in Charleston, where he is an art department coordinator for movies and television series. “I love to travel and my favorite trip was to the Holy Land with my church.” She is very active in her Sunday school class and senior adult activities at Covenant United Methodist church, where she sang alto for 50 years. Janet Hicks Bethune reports that she is enjoying a “second career” as a sales associate with Worth New York. “Both of my children live and work in Raleigh, so family gatherings are frequent. Amazingly, it is only 48 minutes from my house on the western side of Rocky Mount to North Hills in Raleigh. In many cities, that is commuting time!” Janet hopes everyone comes to the reunion. “SMS has never been stronger or more successful in its mission to prepare young women for the future!” Evan Aretakis Atkins was also looking forward to the 50th reunion, where she planned to take part in the alumnae bazaar. After retiring from the Washington & Lee News Office and from real estate, she is now painting and is a member/owner of a gallery in Lexington, Va., called Artists in Cahoots. “I have a lovely little studio in downtown Lexington where I paint most of the time. Other times I am playing tennis and golf, gardening, and hanging
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out with children and grandchildren.” Joan Wickham Sugg says her year began on a delightful note when she and Sally James unexpectedly ran into each other at a seminar at the North Carolina Museum of Art called The British are Coming. “Needless to say, talk soon turned to Dr. Mabel Morrison.” Joan enjoyed a trip to Cuba last year. The trip featured an interesting Class of '67HS 50th Reunion Front row, left to right: Martha Hall Michaels, visit to a two-room, Jan Wellons Branch, Susan Johnson Hedgpeth; second row: Mardy Gray Choate, Kay Kramer Currin, Margaret Morrison Hamilton, Kathy Manley Bell, rural schoolhouse, Jane Melton; third row: Marty Brennan Spry, Margaret Highsmith Dickson, former sugar and Liz Bryan, Margaret Burn Petrey, Ellen Braddy Owens coffee plantations, and old, old cars in Havana. “I rode to our farewell dinner in a red 1946 Ford convertible, a car as old as me!” She also took a historic HIGH SCHOOL tour of Pennsylvania, D.C. and Virginia. She Martha Hall Michaels was looking forward says, “The acting bug is alive and well.” The to her 50th reunion! “My husband Paul and I Tar River Players presented Charlotte’s Web, are having those coming for the weekend to with Joan playing “Sheep” and A Christmas our home for a casual bocce dinner party.” Jan Carol with Joan as Mrs. Dilber. Her needle- Wellons Branch reports that things are great point guild at Calvary Church finished their in Smithfield. She and John spend as much hassocks in May, but Joan continues to keep time as possible at Atlantic Beach. Their boys her hands busy with needlepoint, cross stich, are both married and living in Raleigh, so they and knitted Christmas tree ornaments for the get to see the grandchildren often. Morgan (5) church’s Backpack Buddies Program. The pro- will start at Aldert Root Elementary in the fall gram supports 80 students at a middle school (“maybe later to Saint Mary’s!”) and Andrew in Tarboro. Like much of Tarboro, the school is two, both the children of James. John III has was adversely affected by Hurricane Matthew. a daughter, Wells. Jan still enjoys painting and Joan’s own family in Savannah, Ga., was is learning to play bridge. She enjoyed her retragically affected by the terrible storm. Her union.
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son-in-law was killed when a tree fell on their home. “Fortunately, Carol and my grandchildren had gone to stay with friends in Anderson, S.C., or they probably would have been killed as well.” Hunter (6) will be attending starter camp at Camp Sea Gull this summer. Joan says Brynn (2) fits Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream beautifully: “Though she little, she is fierce!”
1969
COLLEGE
Liz Burleson Hudson ’69C Greetings to all of you ladies, and a happy birthday to Saint Mary’s! What an accomplishment for a school to be founded 175 years ago and still going strong. I know we all treasure our memories and friendships from our years there. Not a lot of news this time and I am afraid that it is because my email was
not correct in the mailing. However, I did hear by mail from three of our classmates so I will relay their news. Sally Simpson Neblett retired in December 2016 after 32 years as court administrator for the 6th Circuit Court of Virginia. Congratulations! She is enjoying not having a schedule and being free to do “fun things”. Her son, Ron, is married and living in Richmond, Va. Her daughter, Sallie Sterling, is living in Centerville, Va. Anne Graham Rowe is living in Edenton, and doing well. She sends her best to all of you. She has a daughter, Emily who is a real estate agent in Raleigh. Anne keeps busy with her pet sitting service and volunteer work for the DAR, the Edenton Women’s Club, and her church. She invites everyone to come visit her! Teresa Rhodes Rosenberger says life is moving along well in New Hampshire. She was thrilled to attend a Saint Mary’s alumnae function in Boston, where she saw Woody Bobbitt Lawson ’70C and met some recent graduates who are now at Boston College. Sue Willingham Upchurch is in Blairsville, Ga. She says that her health and her life are good. She is enjoying volunteering for different organizations in the area. Her family is nearby and they enjoy get-togethers. I, Elizabeth Burleson Hudson, had a big year for change. My husband, Walt, and I moved from Richmond, Va., to the retirement home he built on top of a mountain in Collettsville (below Blowing Rock). We love the Coves River Club development and are enjoying the spectacular views and wonderful people who live here. I am active in the Lenoir Service League and our church in Morganton. I work once a month in the Lenoir Thrift Store, and Walt and I do Meals on Wheels in Morganton. I have taken up horseback riding again after 40 years and enjoy the stables we have on site. The sad news is that my mother, Eleanor Jackson Burleson ’37C, died unexpectedly last September in Alexandria, Va. She was 98, but had been in good health, so it was very hard on me. I really miss her. Hope everyone is doing well. I missed all your news. My email is lizziebhudson@gmail.com. Would love to hear from all of you who live in our area, Charlotte to Ashville. Have a great summer! Liz Burleson Hudson, Class Secretary
1969
HIGH SCHOOL
Amy Carr Thullen ’69HS Patsy McLaurin Hoch writes, “This year has been another very full year for us. We’ve added two more grandbabies, Tyson Ellis Keefer on August 5, and Griffin Garrett Hoch on September 14, bringing our total to four! To be able to enjoy our growing family, I retired for the second time as of October 1, 2016, and am playing lots of golf, traveling, and researching for my first book, “Woodlawn Plantation.” It’s an untold story. Until I was asked to write it, I didn’t realize that our Inlet summer home was the oldest residence on the Inlet! So please let us know when you are in or near Murrells Inlet, S.C., and Greg and I would love to visit!” Louisa Rogers writes, “I escaped the wet West Coast and spent the winter in Guanajuato, Mexico, as usual. Love this beautiful, vibrant city! My latest project is giving talks in Spanish to working moms on health and wellness. I plan to be at the 50th reunion in 2019 and hope to see many of you there!”
1971
COLLEGE
Betty Anne Queen Bush ’71C What a great reunion party our class had last year. Thank you, Gail Perry, for once again opening your charming home! A good time was had by all! Laughter, wonderful food, memories galore, and fun, stepping back into those college years. On to my job as “press secretary.” Sweet Holly Dearstyne Norwood wins for being the first to respond on the blue sheet. Sadly, though, she wrote just two days after her dad died and her mom died this past December. Gads! We are all in that place aren’t we? Caring for those who once cared for us. After 12 Wisconsin winters, bubbly Beth Franz and hubby Mark have scampered down to Bradenton, Fla. They LOVE it! ”The sand and sea soothe the soul!” Beth retired from showing Australian Shepherds several years ago, yet still has seven…seven…seven? retired show dogs. Whew! And, since she is now closer, she promises to come to our next reunion! I’m pretty sure she needs to sing for us! Beth says, “Life is good!” Beth, we have missed you! Dianne Wyatt Brawley is now in little Washington, one block from the Pam-
lico River. She and Barry bought a 110-yearold farmhouse… lovely and quiet! Daughter Molly is a chef in Raleigh and son Lee is a boat builder for Fountain Boats in Washington. Jackie Mooney Adams and hubby are retired from the State of North Carolina. They are now investing time in church-related activities. She is presently singing in the adult choir, directing the children’s, and also coordinating the Historic Edenton Pilgrimage and the Edenton Christmas tour for their church. Pant, pant… Both kids have their master’s, one in education and the other in piano performance. Her daughter is head of the applied lessons program at Trinity School in Raleigh and teaches in her home as well. Her son is director of admissions at the Highland School in Birmingham, Ala. Lillian James Smith ’69HS ’71C and husband Percy are still in Wilmington. Their children live in Wilmington and in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Susan Carroll Alexander enjoyed a visit to Charlotte with Winston Cobb Green and Jane Moore Lazurus. Mallie Bridger Vandiver was their super hostess. Kate Ballagh Young joined them for dinner one evening and they all had a great time catching up. Carol Harrison Marshall’s letter was one of true reflection. She and her husband—he as principal and she a teacher for 22 years at the same elementary school—have both retired. They relish their time now with their five grandchildren and like many of us, ponder at how our own children grew up in a blink. Carol helps out at church, enjoys her tea roses in their yard of continual blooms, and thanks her husband, who is now in the Presidential Range. He is an avid Appalachian Trail hiker. They are looking forward to an upcoming trip to another national park soon. I could not help but think of your notes this morning as I was reading a little book by John Piper, Life as a Vapor. (From James 4) We are as frail as a mist, here for just a little while. Each of us acknowledged our fleeting days. But do we realize…what we do, where we go, what we choose or are convicted by… does it make a difference? YES! He doesn’t waste anything —so why would James write this and the Lord save it? He wants us to have the right view of life: it’s short. And the right view of Him. “Scripture puts a premium on how we think and how we talk. This is not surprising. Above all the animals, humans were created in the
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CLASS NEWS image of God with thought and language beyond comparison. This gift is not gratuitous. It is meant to make the glory of God known. If He wills, we act. We have minds and tongues to speak this truly for all the world to hear.” If you follow me on Facebook you will see a photo from Thanksgiving with my mom. My two sons were here with my five granddaughters. Daughter Lauren is still waiting to be swept off her feet. She’s in Nashville, Tenn. I gave up being an active Realtor… too techy. Still have my license but much prefer helping clients fluff their home for market. I’m good at that! Thankful I’m in cahoots with super Realtor, Katie Jo Lawrence Redhead ’71HS ’73C. Love my Saint Mary’s girlfriends! I love my Bible study group, spend time with mom, teach Sunday School every now and then, and dig in my yard. I share dōTERRA Essential Oils and teach those who are open to alternative methods to stay healthy without an over load of pharmaceuticals.
1971
HIGH SCHOOL
Janet Burhoe-Jones writes, “Daughter Janny wed in April. She works for Outward Bound. I live near Asheville and am a professional grandmother of three (thanks to New Bern daughter Josie who married Lucy Bratton Doak’s ’72HS son). Trina Johnson Blanton reports that life in Raleigh is good. Both of her daughters are married: Frances lives in Raleigh, and Kate lives in Roanoke Rapids. Frances had a baby boy in September. “Tom and I are enjoying family and time at Atlantic Beach!”
1973
COLLEGE
Lynn Johnson Titchener ’73C Dear, dear, dear - so many ladies, so few responses. Twelve? Are you kidding me? Some cheeks should be crimson with shame! But it’s all right. I am up to the task of making your news still juicy and sweet. Remember, though, whether or not you have great big news, every spring we need to hear from you, so we can get your name in print! A pat on the back and a great big kiss to those who know how to make me and your classmates happy by contributing! Though you may not believe it, your friends want to know what you are up to. I am
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the vessel to whom you may direct your funny stories, fantabulous voyages, and joyous milestones any time! Where am I going? The imprint on my computer chair is embarrassingly exact. We are all so busy, it’s mesmerizing. Grandparenting, traveling, marching—you name it! Thank you for taking the time to re- Class of '72C 45th Reunion Left to right: Susan Midgette Stone, Lynn Lacy Jones Poston, Libbie Bynum Ward, Ann Elliott Newbern, Dell Parker Paschal, spond, those who Peaches Rankin did. Thank you for responding next time, the rest of you. Please remember these numbers: 2018 (our reunion year!), 45 (years ago), 55 (your speed limit driving to Raleigh next spring), and 65 (your age when we all get together again!) - or close to it. Start packing. No excuses, and I mean it! Thank you for entertaining me. Now I will attempt to entertain you! Raleighite Ann Beland Brooks divides her time between Raleigh and Emerald Isle. A part time job at a bridal boutique keeps her busy, as does her new granddaughter, Carter! Beland Class of '72HS 45th Reunion Front row, left to right: Ruth Ann deRedon, Alicia Dees Taylor, Bonnie Schaefer Bevan, is now “BeBe” – and she is smit- White Jane Flanagan Cipau; second row: Coco McConnell Killian, Betten with the little cherub. Caro- sy Manly Jernigan, Becky Clark; third row: Lane Turner Nash, lina basketball is still Ann’s fa- Julie Parker Funkhauser, Jean Redding, Jane Howell Sharpe, Nell Turlington, Melrose Whitfield Fisher vorite winter thing. She, Candy Three grandbabies keep Jane centered. Cora, Currin Taylor and Sarita Hardy Cawiezell attended the Saint Mary’s 175th born last August, brother Auggie, and Wells, Anniversary Gala on May 12. Ann is also cel- born last November. Keep reading, as grandebrating being cancer free for six years! Jane babies are all of a sudden the “new news!” Hight McMurry is in Wilmington, and con- Shhhh – don’t tell Elsie Thornhill James, but tinues to speak on actions that make the differ- her better half, Arthur, sent in her news. Frankence in winning in business and in life, based ly, I think this is refreshing! We should make a on her book, Navigating the Lipstick Jungle: new rule that your husband or boyfriend or Go from Plain Jane to Getting What You Want, partner or whatever should contribute the Need, and Deserve. Recently, she was the key- scoop! How fun would that be? Your news note speaker at the seventh annual Women’s would be so skewed…so wrong! Anyway, ElLeadership Conference in Bangkok! Wow! sie is working out, swimming, and volunteer-
SAINT MARY'S REMEMBERS ing in Raleigh, of course. She also attended the SMS Gala in May, even though she is expecting. Yes! Four-legged Hattie, a fine young Boxer, has joined the James family! The two-legged children, McCauley James ’08, and August, are here in Raleigh and gainfully employed. All good. Always faithful and punctual, Libbie Hall Farias actually snailmailed the blue form to me. You get the prize! But you must show up at the reunion next spring to claim it! Recently retired, Libbie is busy studying in BSF, teaching little ones in Sunday School, and volunteering all over the place. Still in Fuquay-Varina, she and her husband, Len, enjoy exploring waterfalls and UNC-Chapel Hill football - interesting combo, yes? Two daughters, Katie and Emily, are in Morganton and Charlotte respectively. Hannah “Shug” Dawson Gage recently saw Margie Worthington in Wilmington and says she looks great and recently had a show (she’s an artist) with 45 pieces. She saw Leslie Pretlow Emerson recently and reports that Leslie is enjoying retirement and being a grandmother. Shug also had a good visit recently with Anna Howard Fenner Rives. She’s just moved into a new house in Chapel Hill and loves it. Her next-door neighbor is Sean May, yes, the former UNC basketball player. Shug was planning her final UNC-Chapel Hill commencement, and will end her 16 years on the UNC Board of Governors. She is looking forward to seeing friends, traveling, and reading junk instead of education publications. Mary Legg Moore is gearing up for two celebrations, to be reported on here next year. We have a contest brewing: who has the most grandchildren? Ask Missy Taylor Manning and Margy Perdue Price! Missy is in Raleigh, and she and Tommy have seven grands! They are having loads of fun at home and at the beach. Margy wins, though (this time), with eight. She is “hanging out” in Alexandria, Va., and will finally retire this year from teaching fourth grade after 26 years! Jackie Taylor and husband Donald enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren, boating, and traveling. They are both active community volunteers in Greenville, N.C., with Jackie serving as secretary of Vidant Health Foundation and active in the hospital’s current Cancer Cure Campaign. Henni Towler Corbin has moved from Raleigh to Pinehurst! Fore! And, “neigh!” She extends an open invitation to any and all who want to come visit! Nancy Armstrong Murray and Gray are down south in Chocowinity, living the “quiet life” on the Pamlico River. Nature is one busy woman, so if she can take time to send news - just saying. Gray is retired and is spoiling Nature upside down and backward, bringing her coffee, making her lunch, cooking, cleaning - what? All because he loves her, of course, but also because Nature is a dedicated teacher at Montessori Charter School and must not be late! Oldest one there? Pshaw. More grandbabies! Clementine (Madison’s daughter), and Gray IV are her loves, along with youngest son Sam. Who best to follow Nature than Katie Jo Lawrence Redhead? Still ruling the roost in the real estate world, KJ and her firm, Tyler, Redhead, and McAlister, are rocking Greensboro, big time! Last summer, she and John trekked to the great Pacific Northwest to visit Orcas Island. Katie Jo’s absolute favorite spot on earth is Wrightsville Beach (I second that emotion). Ah, the salty air! Ah, the humidity! Oh, the curly hair! Moving west, so good to hear from Cam Young Choiniere, who is in Winston-Salem, and is a graphic design wizard. Very involved in political marches and rallies both in North Carolina and in D.C., Cam says she is more of an activist than a
Saint Mary’s remembers trustee Barbara Eagleson Cain ’65C Saint Mary’s lost a devoted alumnae leader, ardent supporter, and friend of the school when Barbara Eagleson Cain ’65C of Wilmington, N.C., died March 15, 2017. Barbara was in the last year of serving her second term on the Board of Trustees, was a member of the Heritage Society, was an inaugural member of Saint Mary's Giving Circle, was a past member of the Alumnae Council, and was a generous donor and alumnae event organizer. She was particularly admired and respected by the staff at Saint Mary’s for her positive attitude and genuinely warm, supportive, and vibrant nature. As a student, Barbara was on The Belles newspaper staff, a member of the Young Republicans Club, a member of the choir, active as a Sigma, a member of Orchesis, and a May Day participant. Barbara was a leader in her hometown Wilmington, N.C., community, including active membership in St. James Episcopal Parish. Barbara was born in Wilmington, N.C., August 8, 1945, the daughter of Thomas Neely Eagleson and Ada Underwood Eagleson (later Rountree). She leaves behind her husband, Michael Gent Cain, daughter Frances Browning Cain, of New York City, son Michael Gent Cain Jr. of London; stepdaughter Lindsey Cain Louchheim, of Charlotte, Vermont; and stepdaughter Alexandra Cain Kenna of Winchester, Mass. She is survived by her stepbrother George Rountree III of Wilmington and his wife Sylvia Rountree. She is predeceased by her mother Ada Underwood Eagleson Rountree, her father Thomas Neely Eagleson, her brother Thomas Neely Eagleson Jr., her stepfather George Rountree II, and her stepsister Isabel Rountree Simmons. Barbara was a lifelong communicant of St. James Church, Wilmington. During her lifetime, Barbara served on many non-profit boards helping the various causes in which she deeply believed in. Her most recent attention had been as a trustee of Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh which she had attended for junior college. Barbara graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1968 and received a master’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1975. Barbara cared deeply about her children, stepchildren, their friends and children, and her many friends - all of whom she counseled freely of her opinions. While we miss Barbara personally as a mother, wife and friend, we will miss her caring opinions most deeply. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations could be made to Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh or Saint James Church Wilmington Foundation Fund. A memorial service was held at Saint James Church, Wilmington, in March. Interment was planned for the Chapel in Siasconset, Nantucket, in early June.
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CLASS NEWS politician . She has a pink hat. Her son, Ian, is in D.C., and her three other babies are boxer pups! Cam’s husband, Laurent, is an urgent care practitioner. News from Morganton comes from Amy Durham Asbury, living the good life! Amy’s esthetics practice is six years strong, complete with a professional therapist, massage therapist, and soon a wellness coach. Congratulations—you are blessed indeed! Three grown children make Amy proud: Ross, Ellen, and Milly, who is the mom of sweet Wesley. To this grandson, Amy is Mamy or Meme. I vote Mamy! Saint Mary’s memories are precious and still bring smiles. I believe you are not alone there, Mamy. We have a winner! From way out west in California comes the most creative explanation for my having to beg and plead for news. Thank you, Robin Gaither! She explains that all of you planned to not send in news so I wouldn’t have to write this letter in the middle of planning my own two daughters’ weddings! It was a conspiracy! Well, I never. This makes perfect sense, Gaither! But you have to know that I will always share the news, no matter what. I’m on a lifelong mission to keep us all connected. It’s important that we stick together, right? We cannot let our time together 45 years ago just go poof. Gaither has been to Cuba— solo—no big group or anything, no hotels. What? Three weeks. Who does this? Gaither also “does golf “ and volunteers teaching ESL. Please say that one of your four trips to North Carolina every year (to Rocky Mount to see her mom, and to the Outer Banks) will include Raleigh next spring, 2018, for our 45th reunion! Thank you for your heartfelt support. My news is always last, because you all always come first. The wedding world is rocking, and I am so grateful that I love what I do. Creating uniquely personal and fun wedding invitations, drawing maps and illustrating booklets for that special day, is keeping me happy and very busy. Please visit www.lynnarto.com to get inspired! Just to get the shakes out, I am still teaching water fitness classes four times a week. Wonder if Saint Mary’s needs to incorporate an aquatic exercise program for the girls? Hmmm. I’ll ask! Both of my daughters are now married. We pulled off two Asheville weddings in six months and I am exhausted! Thank you. (I just took a bow). Liza is now a Deckelbaum, and Winnie is now
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a Coyle. Bring on the grandbabies! They will both always be the best part of me. And my beautiful, smart, loving mother, Mary Lynn Lewis DeLany ’44C is our biggest fan! She rocks our world, and has been her class secretary since forever! Love you, Mom! Hey—see you and you and you and you and you at our 45th reunion, next spring. Remember those numbers: 2018, 45 - 55 - 65. Love, serious love, see you soon in the grove of stately oak trees, Lynn. P.S.: My ’73 SMC college onyx class ring was stolen last November. If anyone has one you don’t want, please consider selling or whatever, to me.
1973
HIGH SCHOOL
Barbara Egerton Tillery ’73HS I want to thank everyone who wrote to share news with us. We seem to be leading busy, fulfilling lives, and I am happy to report the news you have sent. Leigh Ann Raynor writes that she will be retiring in June after 38 years in ministry in the United Methodist Church. She will be living in Thomasville, Ga. During the month of July, Martha Woodard Pearlman will be working on an archaeological excavation in Genzano, Italy, at the Villa of the Antonines. She says if you saw the movie, “Gladiator,” starring Russell Crowe, this is the villa where Marcus Aurelius and Commodus spent their summers. (I can’t answer for everyone else, but I’m impressed, Martha!) She has worked on this excavation before, for two weeks, but this year she’s able to work for the whole excavation! She’s still teaching Latin at a high school in New Jersey but is beginning to think about retirement. “Life is good,” wrote Anna Johnson Smith. She reports that she and Steve enjoy traveling and recently sailed on a cruise from Barcelona to Dover! She is very blessed to have two of their three children living in Raleigh. Daughter Bess, her husband, John Pitt, and their children, Liza and Hayes, live in Raleigh, as well as son Stevie and his new bride, Allison Scott. Anna Miles, the Smith’s middle child, lives in Chattanooga, Tenn., with her husband, Grayson Garrett, and their baby girl, Smith. All are healthy and happy. Anna’s sisters, Trina Johnson Blanton ’71HS and Jane Johnson Brady ’74HS ’76C, also live in Raleigh, and they are so lucky to still have their parents, who now live
at The Cypress. Though slowing down at 89 and 90, the elder Johnsons are still enjoying life! Anna says she loves seeing so many Saint Mary’s friends—Sugar Cheshire McOwen ’73HS ’75C, Bettie Henderson Goodwin ’73HS ’75C, Sarah Wesley Fox, Carolyn Eskridge and Gin-gin Brogden ’75C among others. Terri Jansen Senter lost her mother in May 2016, at the age of 93. About six weeks later, on July 8, her first grandson was born. She says that gives each of her children a child and one granddaughter and one grandson for her and Bill. Yet another classmate has a growing family. Susan Rogers Cassedy writes, “Our lives are mostly the same, but we have added a beautiful baby girl to our boy family! Our oldest son gave us little Mallory Gray on February 5. She joins her brother and family in Delray Beach, Fla.” In honor of Saint Mary’s 175th anniversary, JoAnn Nance Small finally read The Heritage, written by Martha Stoops. She says, “This is beautiful book that, I am embarrassed to say, has been on my shelf for 34 years. It’s not a quick read, but a fascinating witness to the history of our school, North Carolina, and our nation, as seen through the eyes of these teenage girls from 1842 to 1982. Diaries, letters, and historic references all agree—the Saint Mary’s Chapel is one of the most beautiful places in North Carolina. I have been blessed with special friendships from my class— and friends from other classes abound! Hope to see you May 12 or at our next reunion!” Gina Doty DeMarsh continues to work as a church assistant at Hayes Barton United Methodist in Raleigh. She also continues with her knitting, and has sold some of her work at Christmas Glen. She volunteers for NAMI, and enjoys regular exercise, art classes, and bread baking. Catherine Phillips Winslow reports that she is still in Raleigh, working as a teacher’s assistant in a K-2 autistic class. Every day is new and different! She lives with her very lively 89- and 86-year old parents, who are still active at their church and in the community. In April, she went on a mission trip to Belize at Holy Cross Anglican School, along with 14 others from St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. They taught VBS, tutored, painted, hammered, and assisted in the sewing center at the school. As for her sons, Chase (28) is in Greensboro, where he is general manager of Lamborghini
Carolinas, and John (26) is in D.C., working as an actuarial analyst for IAT Insurance. She says “It’s such a joy when your children are happy and pursuing their dreams!” Beth Clifton Morrison enjoyed visiting her cousin in Maine, and her son Wes for two weeks in Sydney, Australia. She is very thankful that her daughter Juliana lives nearby. As for me, Barbara Egerton Tillery, 2017 has been a tumultuous year so far. On January 21, an EF-3 tornado destroyed or heavily damaged 90 percent of William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss., where I have worked since 1994. My office and the copy room I supervise were in the oldest building on campus, which is now demolished. Our three oldest buildings on campus have been razed. If such a thing happened to Saint Mary’s, the loss of history and tradition in Smedes Hall alone would be enough to break one’s heart. The whole WCU campus and the surrounding neighborhoods look like war zones, but we are slowly building back. I have been relocated to a trailer, and it’s working out quite well. Then, in February, I went to Lake Tahoe for our annual ski trip, but came home with a very mysterious illness that was eventually diagnosed as scarlet fever! In April, Tim and I went to Ohio for his mother’s funeral. I am certainly hoping the rest of 2017 will be better than the first few months! And I’m also hoping that 2017 is finding all of you in a good place, both spiritually and physically. Barbara
1975
COLLEGE
Patricia Holt Parker ’75C Cacky Daniel McKenzie reports that 2016 was a big year for them! On May 10, she and Ray welcomed our second grandson, Harrison Moore McKenzie (parents: Collier and Meredith). Little West (3) is so loving and the best big brother! “We get to see them at least once a month, since they live only two hours away. At the end of May, I finally retired from teaching--yay! On October 29th, Katie married Carter Williams in Charleston, S.C. We love Carter and his family and had a wonderful wedding weekend! They live in the TriBeCa area in N.Y.C., and we love to visit them when we can.” Christie Murphy Gustafson reports all is well in Maine. “One year, three months, and eight days until retirement!”
Her oldest son married his beautiful high school sweetheart last August in Kennebunkport, Maine, after a nineyear courtship. Younger son Sam just moved back to Portland, Maine, after living in Denver for 15 months, making Mama very happy! Christie and her husband, Gus, are embarking on a Viking River cruise College Class of 1976 friends gathered for a weekend reunion at Holden on the Baltic in Beach in February. Pictured from left to right: Margaret Smith Chesson, Mary Kosterman Hopkins, Anne Mayo Evans, Tracey Fountain Hall, Kate Holmes, June and declare, “ Jean Walston Neese, Hope Tyndall Hancock, and Sally Pleasants Farrar. Life is grand!” All is well in Pinehurst. Still teaching yoga and enjoying all life has to offer here, especially golf! My oldest daughter, Kate (Pat Moon), lives in Portland, Ore., and released her first album last year. Her sister, Paton (a.k.a. Wildonewandering), loves life in Santa Monica, Calif., and wherever she finds herself! Love and happiness to all, Trish
1975
HIGH SCHOOL
It has been a year full of big events for Ann Watters Matteson. Daughter Dorothy Matteson Pierce ’04 had a son named Smith Rhodes Pierce. Ann’s other daughter, Margaret Matteson Richards ’07, was married in November 2016. Ann enjoyed seeing so many friends at Saint Mary’s 175th Gala. Patricia Kerlin is moving to Marlinton, W.V., for at least a year and would love to hear from anyone in the area. Her e-mail is pkerlin@mindspring.com. Lisa Forman Francis writes, “My husband, Paul, and I are in the process of moving from Oak Ridge to Fairview (near Asheville). Paul is retiring this summer, and we’ll be making the beautiful North Carolina mountains our permanent home. Daughter Kelsey lives there, and we are looking forward to being close to her again. Our plans are to travel, making long trips across the United States, and spending more time in England, where Paul is origi-
Class of '77 40th Reunion Left to right: Lou Whitmire Catania, Debbie Goodson Bunn, Mary Virginia Swain
nally from. We’re excited about having a chance to do more hiking and kayaking, our favorite outdoor activities!”
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CLASS NEWS
SAINT MARY'S REMEMBERS
1977
COLLEGE
Richard Peyton Woodson III, former trustee Saint Mary’s School pays tribute to former trustee Richard Peyton Woodson III, who died January 5, 2017. Woodson served as a member of the Saint Mary’s board of trustees from 1979-1984. He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, Princeton University, and the Stanford School of Business, where he was president of his class. Woodson was honored to serve his country in World War II, flying 26 missions as a B-17 pilot in the Eighth Air Force in the air war over Europe. In June 2016, the French government, “with endless respect and affection, in recognition of his noble contribution during World War II,” honored him with the Legion of Honor Medal. Woodson married Martha Avison, and the couple settled in Raleigh where he took a role in the family insurance business, Occidental Life Insurance Company of North Carolina and British-American Insurance Company. His greatest honor was to serve as chairman of LOMA, the industry’s largest professional organization. In addition to the board at Saint Mary’s, Woodson served on many boards and committees including Shaw University, the North Carolina Symphony Society and its foundation board, United Arts, West Raleigh Rotary Club, the Family Health International Foundation Board, and FHI360, a company that has tacked the challenges of family planning and the spread of HIV/ AIDS in more than 70 countries worldwide. He served as chair of the Mayor’s Committee on Community Relations to bring about peaceful integration of Raleigh’s spaces and services. In 2013, Woodson was inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame. Woodson was predeceased by his wife, Martha Avison Woodson, after 58 years of marriage. He is survived by daughter Shelia W. Horine and husband Stace, son Richard P. Woodson IV and wife Susan, Martha Woodson Dunnagan ’80HS and husband Clay, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, as well as other relatives.
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Mary Virginia Swain ’77C Hello, classmates! This spring marks 40 years since we graduated from Saint Mary’s College. In class news, Becky Flythe Watts reports that life could not be better, as she celebrates 29 years of marriage and 37 years of her career at Genband, where she continues to enjoy the work. Becky’s son, Neil, graduated from N.C. State in computer science last year and is working for the State of North Carolina. Lou Whitmire Catania loves her job as theater director at Saint Mary’s and invites us all to take in the plays in Pittman Auditorium. Lou has truly revitalized our theater program, and the shows are spectacular and delightful! Lou’s daughter, Elizabeth Boardman Service, was married to William Gold Brooks, November 18, 2016, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh. Corneille Little, who moved back to Raleigh six years ago, is happy to have both of her children and a grandson living in Wake County. She teaches elementary art at Poe Magnet Elementary School as well as adult evening classes in her home art studio. According to Caroline Holt Sterling, who takes the evening classes, it is a ton of fun! She also hosts week-long summer art programs for young artists, ages 9-13. “Life is good,” says Corneille. Martha Phillips Mazur keeps busy with gardening, painting, tending a beehive, and running her flower business Artfully Arranged. She enjoys working with brides, mothers of brides, and several corporate clients. Martha’s husband, Gary, feels honored to be the creator of the beautiful hand-laid brick sidewalks at Saint Mary’s. His latest masterpiece is the main walkway through the middle of the Grove where the graduates march at commencement each year. Their son, Ryan, helped on this important project. Martha’s parents (92 and 87 years young) live with Martha and Gary, and both children, Ryan and Emma, work in Raleigh, all of which she considers blessings. Martha sees Anne Boone Shelton Urquhart as often as she can, and reports that Anne Boone lost her mom in January, just shy of her 99th birthday. Karen Hines Cousins lives on her farm in Enfield, where she is growing organic produce, eggs, and rare breed sheep. She recently converted a historical barn into her
Class of '77HS 40th Reunion Front row, left to right: Katherine Allen Gray, Jennett Carver Skipper, Mary Craig Timberlake Brown, Molly Peebles Squire; second row: Mary Jane Given Devins, Jane Watson Rigsbee, Georgia Worthington Sullivan, Carol Brown Nash, Pricilla Gillam Laite, Sally Pelletier, Melody Lancaster Mitterling
College Class of 1978 friends gathered for a reunion at Figure Eight Island to celebrate the birthday of Liz Wright James. Standing, from left to right: Lee Archibald Taylor, Jane Bratton Fleming, Libby Holding, Ann Cochran Culley, Elizabeth Stewart Long, Kappy Carr Black, Donna Sherrill Steele, Lydia Brooks Whiteside; seated, left to right: Liz Wright James, Dillon Robinson Manly, and Sally Dillard Cohen. The group even broke out their Cold Cuts album and sang along. The beach reunions are a time for classmates to reconnect with Liz, who has battled multiple sclerosis for years. Liz’s husband, Alex, brings her from Greensboro to the reunion trips, and it is a highlight for all. A documentary, House of Love: The James Family Film Project, premiered in Greensboro in 2015, and tells the story of Liz and Alex and their two sons, who both have muscular dystrophy. Alex is the caretaker of Liz and the boys and, in the midst of tremendous challenge and adversity, their lives are miraculously filled with joy and love - an inspiration to their entire community in Greensboro.
new residence. She also teaches yoga. I loved seeing Emily Bass Baumgartner when she, and many other teammates, came to campus in April for the induction of our undefeated 1975-76 and 1976-77 tennis teams into Saint Mary’s brand new Mary Lou Jones Athletics Hall of Fame. Coach Jones and our team members were honored as the first class of inductees and are thrilled and humbled to be the ones chosen to launch the Hall of Fame that will continue in the years to come and honor other great teams and individual athletes. We are proud to have represented our classes of the ’70s when we were the mighty Saint Mary’s College Sprites! Clearly, our team mascot struck fear in the Tar Heels, Wolfpack, Blue Devils, and Demon Deacons when they knew the Sprites were on the way for a big match! Ann “Bootie” McVeigh also came to the Hall of Fame brunch on April 7 to cheer us
on. It was an amazing and beautiful brunch event in the large parlor and a special reunion of many old friends who shared Saint Mary’s and SMC tennis together. Along with teammates from the years surrounding ours, 1977 College classmate Meredith Reid Graves was also on the team and engraved on our team plaque in the Hall of Fame in Bacon Gym lobby, as well as our team manager Tori Bradsher, but they were unable to attend the event. I recently celebrated my 30th year on the staff at Saint Mary’s and continue to love the work I do in public relations and communications, including editing this magazine and managing our social media. I have lived in one of the residential faculty townhomes for almost a decade, and life at Saint Mary’s is meaningful and busy. Mary Virginia
1977
HIGH SCHOOL
Katherine Herring Christophe ’77HS ’79C writes, “Temporarily retired. All three kids have graduated and are employed. Yay.” Highlights of her year include meeting 2016 goals: hiking over 500 miles and biking 200-plus, a week in the Canadian Rockies and a solo day trip from Richmond to Williamsburg on bike. Also, she enjoyed a bucket list trip to Cuba (a tour and painting trip). Her concert bucket list knockoffs included Pitbull, Barbara Streisand (one of our high school favorites), Coldplay, George Clinton, Parliament- Funkadelic and more. Current concert plans include Bruno Mars with four great friends. She adds, “Til is still driving at almost 90, and Cris is happy with amazing friends. It’s our 40th reunion wow!” Molly Peebles Squire ’77HS ’79C reports that all is well. Her older sons, Peebles and Barker, are keeping her busy with happy plans. Her youngest is in VCU dental school and is doing great too. “Hall is working harder than ever, with so many things being messed
up with medicine these days, but he loves his patients and that is what keeps him going! I enjoy seeing Claire, Pooh, Jane, and Susan from time to time and look forward to seeing many, many more in May! So very thankful for the many, many blessings of Saint Mary’s!” Mary Foy Ragsdale ’77HS ’79C writes that she is living with her mother in Smithfield. “Mother has the eye disease, macular degeneration, and has lost quite a bit of her vision. I have also been working on a daily basis during the week as a nanny since the summer of 2015, for a wonderful family in Raleigh - my favorite job ever!” Mary Foy enjoyed attending the Athletics Hall of Fame brunch and awards ceremony in April, as she was manager of the 1976-77 college tennis team inducted into the Hall. Ellis Efird Furst lives in Wilmington and writes that she installed a mural called The Centurion and the Snake Crusher, at Coastal Christian High School.
1979
COLLEGE
Windy Tillman Pratt ’79C Hello to my friends in the College Class of 1979. Hope you are all well. I was happy to hear from several of you for this class update. Dana Darden Copeland says she visited SMC for the first time in 20 years and was amazed at how good the campus looks! She is still teaching first grade and is happy to report that son Darden is attending law school this fall. Lynn Jones Dixon and her husband, Will, just celebrated 18 years of marriage and are staying busy with their C12 ministry. They have four grandchildren and enjoy spending time with their family at their cottage in Marshallberg, where they fish, crab, and take the boat to Cape Lookout. She had fun joining tennis friends in April for the Saint Mary’s Hall of Fame induction of Mary Lou Jones and two undefeated teams from the ’70s. Lynn says she continues to thank Ms. Jones for changing her serve! I keep up by phone with Karen Dearing Ferebee, who is now grandmother to two little boys and busy building a house in Kiawah, S.C. Tricia Kelly Pinkard has had fun travelling in the last year to Lake Como and Tuscany (no George Clooney sightings), spending Christmas in Park City, Utah, (one Robert Redford sighting), and Southern Pines (Windy and Mike Pratt sighting - com-
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CLASS NEWS plete with a tour of our chicken coop)! She and Bob travel interesting places with binoculars in hand to bird watch, and she looks forward to her summers at Squam Lake, N.H. (a.k.a. On Golden Pond, with many loon sightings). Mary Foy Ragsdale is living in Smithfield with her mom, who is suffering from macular degeneration. Mary Foy is a nanny for a wonderful family in Raleigh and says that is her favorite job ever! Julie Cook Stewart reports that she enjoyed a visit with Ann Howard Foster and Regina Lazorik Brown in Raleigh. She teaches Reading Recovery four days a week and is very active in her church’s LAMBS program, which provides a weekend meal for 240 children in the community of Waycross, Ga. Katherine Herring Christophe ’77HS ’79C writes, “Temporarily retired. All three kids have graduated and are employed. Yay.” Highlights of her year include meeting 2016 goals: hiking over 500 miles and biking 200-plus, a week in the Canadian Rockies and a solo day trip from Richmond to Williamsburg on bike. Also, she enjoyed a bucket list trip to Cuba (a tour and painting trip). Her concert bucket list knock- offs included Pitbull, Barbara Streisand (one of our high school favorites), Coldplay, George Clinton, Parliament- Funkadelic and more. Current concert plans include Bruno Mars with four great friends. She adds, “Til is still driving at almost 90, and Cris is happy with amazing friends.” Molly Peebles Squire ’77HS ’79C reports that all is well. Her older sons, Peebles and Barker, are keeping her busy with happy plans. Her youngest is in VCU dental school and is doing great, too. “Hall is working harder than ever with so many things being messed up with medicine these days, but he loves his patients and that is what keeps him going! I enjoy seeing Claire, Pooh, Jane and Susan from time to time and look forward to seeing many, many more in May! So very thankful for the many, many blessings of Saint Mary’s!” I am in Southern Pines, still working as a registered client associate at Stifel and still doing a lot of calligraphy. Mike and I have just finished some needed renovations to our house and are loving our garden, chickens and sweet dog, Georgia. Our boys are happily married one in Charlottesville, Va., and one in Raleigh. Life is good. Blessings to all of you. Hope you all get to stick your toes in the ocean this summer. Peace. Windy
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1981
COLLEGE
Allison Gilbert Holmes ’81C Mary Hollinshed Smitherman wrote that she is still teaching fourth grade in Hendersonville. She was going to San Francisco over spring break with Linda Branscome and could hardly wait. Mary said that she loved seeing all of us at the reunion and many thanks to the gracious hostesses. My condolences to Mary Wilcox Myers on the death of her motherin-law. My condolences to Martina Scifres Jamison on the death of her husband, Bill, May 20, 2016. My condolences to Ellen McGown Schwab on the death of her father-inlaw. My condolences to Eva Atwill Robbins on the death of her brother, Steve. My condolences to Margaret Taylor Kendrick on the death of her mother. Ruth E Perry Holding’s daughter, Perry Holding Bailey ’09, got married to James Bailey in the Bahamas at the end of May 2016. Elizabeth Brooks Little’s son, Mark, just graduated from Charlotte Country Day this spring and is headed to Clemson in the fall. Her daughter, Emma, has just gotten her license and will be a junior next year. The family is headed to Jackson Hole, Wyo., for a family vacation before Mark goes off to school. Jennifer Collins has a new venture. She has partnered with EVOLV Atlanta Acting. Jennifer offers a series of workshops for young actors using the award-winning Chubbuck Technique. Top agencies in Los Angeles have been working with Jennifer to get their clients packaged and ready for auditions. Jennifer is an expert at coaching young actors (ages 13-20) and creating professional demos which open doors to representation and work. Jennifer was in The Conjuring 2. She had a small, but poignant, role. Jennifer also let me know that she has a supporting role with dialogue in the movie Superstrata, coming out in 2017. She will be playing a homeless woman. Jennifer will appear two times, begging for food. Jennifer also had the pleasure of working on the comedy film, Starf*cker, with Andy Dick and Erik Fellows. She plays the role of Rebecca, the casting director. Her most recent film, The Possessed, is a horror film directed by Shawn Anthony with Bonnie Aarons from the Conjuring 2. Jennifer also has booked the movie, Robb’s Problem. She was headed over
to England for a visit. She is looking forward to seeing her 86-year-old mother. Her mother struggles from a stroke she had 10 years ago. Thanks for alternative medicines, her cognitive impairment is not that bad. Jennifer recommends that we take our I-carnitine, which actually repairs the brain. In the 33 years that she has been acting, she continues to study and go to class, as well as teach. It is her passion! So happy for Jennifer! Elizabeth Hardy Hogan’s son, Hardy, graduated from Broughton High School this spring and is headed to the University of Georgia. Brett Clyde Doty’s mother died on August 4, 2016. There was a private service for her in Windsor. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Brett. Tosh Pratt Carden’s father passed away on August 31, 2016. He was at Holly Hall Plantation, surrounded by his family. Mr. Pratt was 89-years-old. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Tosh. My condolences to Grace Brown on the death of her mother in February 2017. Bonny Harris Herrington let me know that she is raising a soon-to-be 16-yearold son. She said she is enduring the blessings of a driver-in-training. Her husband, Robert, retired from the Navy as a captain, and is still piloting for American Airlines. Bonny is still trying to figure out what she wants to do when she “grows up.” They spent winter break in San Francisco. They rented bikes and rode across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito. They had great fun and returned to San Francisco by ferry. They also visited Muir Woods and brought back a baby sequoia tree. Gigi Taylor Schweikert says that their four children are Ashley (21), graduating from George Washington this year, Genevieve (20), a junior at University at Colorado Boulder, Marielle (18), graduating from high school this year, and William (15), a freshman in high school. Gigi is the president and COO of Lightbridge Academy Franchise Company. They have 86 schools in five states open or under development. Gigi is a regular parenting contributor to FOX news. She has 18 published books and is an international keynote speaker on child development, parenting, and leadership. She is headed to Guam and New Zealand to speak this year. Katharine Pate Krueger sent word that her main news is that they are finally in their new home and are enjoying it. She says that building was a daunting experi-
SAINT MARY'S REMEMBERS ence and one that she hopes not to repeat any time soon. Right after they moved in, Hurricane Matthew decided to visit, and they had to evacuate. They were nervous because they had so many boxes stored in their lower level, and officials were calling for record flooding. Katharine and her family were blessed that the waters didn’t come close to their house, but they were on pins and needles the whole time they were gone. There was no damage to the home, thank goodness. Next year, they will be empty nesters with all that implies. They hope to fill that huge gap with picking up their neglected hobbies and more travel. Speaking of travel, Katharine hopes that more of her Saint Mary’s friends will call her when they come to Charleston. She is only 20 minutes away from downtown and would love to see friends when they are visiting in Charleston. Carla Freshwater Buckhold was kind enough to call Katharine when she came to town and they got together for fun drinks and dinner. It was so good to see her after so many years and they picked up right where they left off. Margaret McGlohon is enjoying serving as the alumnae director at Saint Mary’s. The best perk is seeing classmates while on the road, be it in Charlotte, Greensboro, Richmond, South Carolina, Atlanta or at the coast. She still lives in a school condo on Hillsborough Street and looks forward to welcoming our new head of school to Saint Mary’s, and introducing Bren-
dan to alumnae next year. You can find Margaret at school or down at Atlantic Beach. Ashley Richardson Allen wanted to say “happy 175th birthday to Saint Mary’s!” She enjoyed seeing everyone at the Saint Mary’s gala. Her four children are all married and settled and grandchildren are arriving. She has two grandsons and more are expected soon. Ann Scott Arthur sent word that she and David moved to Houston, Texas, in January with Salarius Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a start-up biotech company. She says that the weather so far has been fabulous and the people are extremely friendly. Ann is still writing mortgages, but is also playing more tennis and golf. She would love to reconnect with anyone living in Houston or passing through. Emily Winfield Bondy sent me information about her family. She says that Courtney is loving her first year at East Carolina. Malone is enjoying every ounce of her junior year at Rocky Mount Academy. Paul is still enjoying the work with Boice-Willis, and Emily is still teaching yoga and Pilates. Claudia Wooten has taken a job in marketing for the Blockade Runner in Wrightsville Beach. She loves it and comes to Raleigh every month and sometimes every two weeks. We have gotten together with some of our Raleigh classmates and had a great time catching up and trying new restaurants. One of these days, I will remember to get a photo at these dinners to share with our class. I have taken a new job. I am now a preschool teacher. I teach two-year-olds three days a week. I was sad to leave the wine industry but wanted a new adventure. My kids are off to college next year. Stuart is off to Carolina and James is off to State. We will be empty nesters. It will be kinda’ weird around my house next year. Remember to keep me posted on your news. Allison
Lou Kiefer, longtime security officer The Saint Mary's family lost a beloved friend Thursday, March 9, when Lou Kiefer, retired, longtime, beloved security officer, died after a long battle with cancer. Kiefer was a Vietnam veteran who served the nation with courage and served Saint Mary's with special distinction. Kiefer was truly loved by all for his kind, generous, and gentle nature, all while making us feel completely safe in our surroundings. The Stagecoach staff dedicated the 2007 yearbook to Kiefer. The dedication read, “Lou Kiefer is one of the most beloved members of the Saint Mary's community. Joining the Saint Mary's community in 1990, Lou has given 16 years of service to our campus by keeping it safe. This year's Stagecoach staff unanimously decided to dedicate the 2007 yearbook to Lou as a small token of appreciation for everything he does for us all. Lou not only works long nights and weekends protecting Saint Mary's girls, he offers comfort and golf cart rides to students and families at SMS. Lou serves as a role model to all who are privileged enough to know him!”
Security guard Lou Kiefer is pictured with members of The Stagecoach staff who dedicated the 2007 yearbook to him. Pictured, left to right: Ellie Cosgrove ’07, Lou Kiefer, Annie Sellers Greene ’07, Cathleen Beal Hipp ’07.
Class of '82HS 35th Reunion Front row, left to right” Caroline Ragsdale, Julia Walker Barge, Britt Vice Kirkbride, Landon McKinney Smith; second row: Ashley Patterson Silverman, Llewellyn Sherrod, Ashley Dimmette Cole, Heidi Turner Parker, Anne Cobb Rasmussen; third row: Ruth Findlay Reynolds, Judy Douglas; fourth row: Sandra Ray, Mary Horton, Bambi Conger Edwards, Beth Morris Gobble
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CLASS NEWS at Home Moravian Church. She has one son at N.C. State and one son who is a freshman in high school. I’m still living in Atlanta and traveling to Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina for Jim Thompson fabrics. I’d love to hear your news. Email me at madgilbert1963@gmail.com. Madeline
1983
COLLEGE
Lorie Goldston Garland ’81HS ’83C Sara Watson Jones writes that she and husband Dennis are still living in Tabor City. He owns his own business, and she spends her time in church, civic clubs, and volunteering. “We are empty nesters now. Daughter Molly graduated from Meredith College and works at SAS Institute. My daughter, Charlotte, graduated from Elon and now works in Brisbane, Australia. I love running into my SMC classmates when I’m out and about!” Libby Ward Smart is still in Charlotte. Class of '87C 30th Reunion Left to right: Row 1: Elizabeth Twohy, Ginger Shew Doherty, Margaret Hambrick Glaze, Marcy Everette Voelkel, Gail Foster Jessup, Martha Anne Allen DuBose, Row 2: Molly Williams Harris, Susan Gregory, Dawn DeBruhl Boyer, Holly Stephenson Thomas, Row 3: June Ivey Manning, Carol Ann Brake, Katherine Respess, Joan Comer Johnston, Elizabeth Gardner, Eleanor White Hunter
1981
HIGH SCHOOL
Madeline Gilbert ’81HS Marilee Eagles Reed enjoys living in Raleigh. She’s commuting to Goldsboro, where she is a pharmacist. She also enjoys traveling down to her house at Atlantic Beach. She and her kids went skiing for Christmas. In January, she took an annual trip with Bettine Bikle Boyd ’81HS ’83C to Palm Beach. While there, they ran into Sydney Brown Cadonne ’81HS ’83C and her husband, Michael. Sydney and Michael took a trip to Shanghai and Tokyo. Congratulations to Sydney’s daughter, Suejette Black ’13, on being named a Phi Beta Kappa at UNC-Chapel Hill. Carol Burhans Burns has had a busy year. Daughter Lauren got married and then Carol and Jimmy took a fun trip to Japan. Nancy Christian and Cathy Gupton Jurgensen celebrated a double birthday at Chuy’s in Raleigh with Gigi Johnson, Anne Nelson Boney, and Nancy Burton Wiggins. Nancy flew over to London to celebrate daughter Carson’s birthday. Marilee Eagles Reed and I had a great time catching
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up together on a girls’ weekend to DeBordieu, S.C., in February. A month later, she had me over for dinner when I was in Raleigh for work. Gigi Johnson’s second daughter is going to UNC-Wilmigton. Loren Neuhoff Mumford’s daughter, Ashley, got accepted to UNC-Charlotte. She’ll be in the Belk School of Business and can’t wait to live in the big city! Zaida Clay Harris’s daughter, Katy, is playing golf for Ole Miss. Zaida and Phil are busy traveling to Katy’s golf tournaments. When not going to tournaments, Zaida is selling real estate with Signature Property Group in St. Simons, Ga. Robbins Bobbitt is director of sales for Howard Hanna Real Estate in Upper St. Clair, Penn. Harriet Ashby Bond’s youngest son, Robert, graduated from Christ School and is now at the College of Charleston, where daughter Ashby Bonds ’13 is. Son Jack is at Clemson. Mary Duke Grubbe is celebrating her three-year anniversary of selling eSBe Designs and owning her own business. Congrats Mary Duke! Margaret Norris writes that she is living in Winston-Salem, working as the director of Christian education
1983
HIGH SCHOOL
Suzanne Via Dillon writes from Winston-Salem, where she is a part-time life coach. Her son, Alexander (25) works in Winston-Salem for Flow Chevrolet, and son Patrick (23) will graduate from Radford University in December. She enjoys visits with Sterling Talley Wheless, Robin Bryant Bost, and Elizabeth Rouse Borden. Molly Brooks is living in Aspen, Colo. She has earned a graduate certification as a Master Herbalist and holistic health practitioner. Her oldest child is a freshman at University of Denver. Her middle child is a high school senior and hopes to attend UNCChapel Hill. Her youngest is a junior in high school and a competitive skier. She was a forerunner on the alpine skiing World Cup Finals race course in Aspen and was Giant Slalom Colorado High School State Champion! Sydney Kepley Kempson lives in Raleigh, where she sees Caro Ealy Humphrey ’83HS ’85C and Caroline Johnson Douglas as much as possible and enjoys seeing so many SMS girls around town. She sees even more now that daughters Grace Kempson ’18 and Izzy Kempson ’20 are at SMS. “It’s quite an experience to be back on campus, and the girls love it.”
1987
1989
Chrissy Bolin Rand ’87C Marcy Everett Voelkel says she has had a pretty uneventful year, but she does not see this as a bad thing. “I am happy and healthy with a 25-year marriage and three great kids. In May, Hope Voelkel ’17 finished up at Saint Mary’s School and follows her two brothers, Carter and McLean, at UNC-Chapel Hill. Peter has gotten game tickets, so we enjoy Chapel Hill even more. Hope was fifth generation at Saint Mary’s, and will be the 13th family member to attend UNC-Chapel Hill. Carter finishes up this year, with a double major in economics and management in society, and McLean is a business major with a minor in philosophy and politics. These years are very exciting and moving fast. I am nervous about being an empty-nester, but know I will adjust. Life goes on! I am still dabbling in the arts, often with Eleanor White Hunter.” Marcy hosted a festive reunion party for our class in May, and we had a strong turnout for the reunion and a fun evening together. Catharine Hawes Hamrick writes from Evanston, Ill., with news of her daughter, Anna, graduating from the University of Texas with plans to teach at the elementary school level next year. Daughter Sophie is graduating from high school and will attend the University of Alabama next year. That leaves Catharine at home with son Jackson (who will be a sophomore in high school), Patrick (their goldendoodle) and Pippa (a dachshund mix). Eleanor White Hunter enjoyed our big 30th reunion. “I can’t believe it! It seems like yesterday. I feel very fortunate to have kept in touch with most of my SMC girl friends. I loved being with Kiki Pullen West and daughter Anna over Christmas. We celebrated Kiki’s Big 50 with high tea at the Carolina Inn with our daughters (each other’s god children). I am also blessed to see and be creative with Marcy!”
Laura Query ’89C Jill Pittman Sparks writes, “Hello to all! This past year has been one significant event after another. My son, William, graduated from McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., and is now finishing his first year at East Carolina. He seems to be loving college life! My daughter, Grey Pittman ’20, attended Grand Western Tour last summer after her ninth-grade year at Fike High School in Wilson. Now, I am so very proud to say she is completing her sophomore year at Saint Mary’s School, as it celebrates 175 years! Words cannot describe the pride I had moving her into ‘Cruik’ last fall as a new sophomore. I adore knowing she travels the same brick walkways to class, the dining hall, to Smedes, etc., that I/we did 30 years ago! In addition, by being back on campus, with its same, yet enhanced Class of '92HS 25th Reunion Left to right: Anne Glenn Rettiger, Jill Grahek, Gloria Taft Becker appearance, the memories and feelings came back instantly. Life for me is good. I continue to work at BarHIGH SCHOOL ton College in Wilson – going on my eighth Heath Dalton Parker ’89HS ’91C year! Oh, and did I mention that I moved back It was great to hear from so many of you, and I to Raleigh? Yes, another significant event! hope that everyone is doing well! Hunter GroSo, if you are in Raleigh—let’s get together gan Rogers and her husband, Richard, live in and reminisce about our Saint Mary’s stories. Raleigh. Her oldest son is a sophomore at UNCCheers!” Jennifer Stone writes from Rocky Chapel Hill, and her daughter, Jackie Rogers Mount to say she has recently started a home ’17, graduated this May from Saint Mary’s staging business called “Stone House StagSchool. Their youngest, Jon Douglass, will be a ing.” She is working in Eastern North Carofreshman at Sanderson High School next year. lina, from Raleigh to the coast, and she loves Hunter is a registered nurse on a trauma and it! She has also been traveling with her boysurgery unit at WakeMed Health and Hospitals. friend. Recent trips included Nevis/St. Kitts, She is also serving on the Saint Mary’s Alumnae South Korea, China, and Cuba. They plan to Council. Jennifer Brooks Epley has gone back visit France and Africa this summer. to work full time at United Charitable, where she is glad to be back in the non-profit world. She is still running her boys around in the D.C. area! Robyn Goss Bennai lives in Wake Forest with her four children. She has two boys and two girls. They hosted a Danish exchange
COLLEGE
1987
HIGH SCHOOL
Michelle White Porter and husband Lee are in Greensboro, where son McGhee is a senior in high school and looking forward to attending Elon University. Their daughter, Claibourne, is a freshman at Virginia Episcopal School.
COLLEGE
1989
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CLASS NEWS student this school year, so she actually has five kids for now! Robyn’s oldest is going to college next year. Like most, they have lots of activities—soccer, basketball, or tennis—most every afternoon and weekend. She says she is trying to find time to paint as much as possible in the midst of the chaos. Ginny James Eagles is excited to report that her daughter, Kate, will attend Saint Mary’s School this year! Sally Pridgen Spiegel’s renovation business is on fire—she has even been approached for television! Keep an eye out for more! In the fall, Sally’s daughter, Ava Blane Spiegel, joined the Saint Mary’s Class of 2019, saying she “felt called to SMS”. She appreciates the accessibility of her teachers, and loves her academic advisor, advisory group, field hockey, and running track. Sally has enjoyed experiencing what life is like for an SMS girl today through her daughter, and reconnecting with Margaret McGlohon ’81C and Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, as well as fellow SMS parents like Hunter Grogan Rogers, Jill Pittman Sparks ’89C,
Ashley Langley Smith ’90HS, and Heather Moore Thompson ’88HS ’90C. And, having her SMC roommate, Catherine Scott Lackey, just around the corner from the school has been helpful —should a girl need a new mouth guard or such! As for me, Heath Dalton Parker, I am the vice president of community with a startup software company called myBeeHyve, and an independent consultant representing Rodan + Fields skincare products. I live in Raleigh with my husband, Thad, and our two children Kate (9) and Owen (7). It’s been a wild and crazy year, with a job change and chasing kids around. I look forward to hearing news from all the high school ladies of 1989 soon, either by email, snail-mail or in our Facebook group! P.S.: Heather Smithwick Haley and Carolyn Bullock Walker? Yep, still fabulous!
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COLLEGE
Gina Hamill Donahoo ’91C Anne Finley Kimmett reports that she was married April 29 to a wonderful man she first met in elementary school. After 35 years, they were brought back together and she says he was worth the wait! The happy couple lives in Staunton, Va.
1993
COLLEGE
Dow Perry Crowder ’91HS ’93C Amy Albertson Paschold reports that her boys, John (14) and Will (10), are getting big and into everything. They are both playing tennis like their mom, and will go to Camp Sea Gull again this summer. Husband Chris is busy as an oncologist with VA Oncology. Amy is busy with work as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. She’s been there 20 years! She travels all over with work and hired a new
SAINT MARY’S PROUD As part of a legacy of generations of women who have benefitted from a Saint Mary’s experience and gone on to live lives of purpose and intention, Saint Mary’s alumnae stand tall and proud from coast to coast and continent to continent. Here are some ways you can show your pride for your alma mater and inspire others about Saint Mary’s:
• Include Saint Mary’s on your resume or whenever you are listing or discussing your education. • Remember to wear that beautiful Saint Mary’s ring. • Get some Saint Mary’s gear at our school store, shop1842, and wear it often. • Send Saint Mary’s your news so we can share it with others. We love to hear about your personal and professional aspirations, achievements, and milestones. • Mentor a Saint Mary’s student through an internship. • Like/follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn • Keep the Alumnae Office apprised of your current contact information. • Attend your Reunion Weekend.
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! s t n i a Go S
partner to help her this year. They recently bought a vacation house in Virginia Beach, Va., (closer to home), and are trying to sell their Outer Banks house. In February, Amy ran into Blair Reid Mathis ’91HS in Charleston, S.C. The following week she saw Gracen Glenn Ashton ’91HS in New York City. It’s funny that they were roommates across hall from Amy in high school and she hasn’t seen them since graduation! Jamie Brantley Fernandez de Castro and family are still in Sarasota, Fla. She does a lot of work with her children’s preschool and elementary school. Alex (14) will be starting high school next year. Nicolas (11) will begin middle school. Tristan (9), Natalie (6), and Braden (5) will all be at the same elementary school next year, as it’s Braden’s last year of preschool. Husband Miguel travels a lot during the week, so they enjoy family time on the weekends, going boating or to basketball games. Jamie says that Sarasota is such a great place to live. They ride bikes everywhere and enjoy being outside all year round. They will spend the summer between North Carolina and Georgia, either in camps or hanging out at their lake house. Her parents are still in Raleigh and tell her it’s changing so fast. Mimi Pinner lives in Raleigh and works in marketing for Cisco. She adores being a mom to her precious little girl, Weatherly (5). After a 10+-year hiatus in Boston, Mimi says it’s great to be back in the South. She loves seeing SMC girls as often as she can. Catherine Dalton Feldman says that her big news is that they moved from Raleigh to Wilmington. They are so happy living at the beach! Daughter Elie is 15 and son Dalton is 13. She and Andy have been happily married for 17 years. Being a stay-at-home mom to active teens keeps her busy. Jennie Minges Hobbs and family have finally gotten settled in their new home in Cary. She stays busy running all over the triangle: children William (2) and Betsy (11) are in school in Durham. Husband Ryan is a CRNA at Rex Hospital. Jennie recently started a consulting business helping people choose safer, healthier products for their families. Ann Lee Johnson and Gill have been married for 19 years. Son “little” Gill is starting high school in the fall and loves playing lacrosse. Younger son Smyth (13) loves fly-fishing with his dad. Ann is still teaching at Porter Gaud pre-school. Now that her boys
are teenagers, she loves being with those babies! Kristi Moyer Davis continues her role as vice president and part owner of business Water Guard, Inc. They supply chemicals for water and wastewater treatment plants as well as laundries, pools, pharmaceuticals, farms, processing, and manufacturing plants. Kristi has nearly completed her certification to teach OSHA, HazMat, and DOT classes that will be offered to her customers. As a side note, her company chemically treats the pool at Saint Mary’s, so that is fun! Daughter Kensly is a rising 10th grader. She’s signed up for driver’s education and recently made the lacrosse team. Son Corbin is finishing up elementary school and headed for middle school. Kristi coaches his soccer team; he’s in a U11 league. Happily, Kristi reports she in a great place, doing well and thankful for her kids, company, and health. She’d love to have a get together with the Raleigh gals, or anyone else who can join! Julie Thomas Growney, still happily married to John and living in Raleigh, reports that her life is busy with two girls. Mary Braxton is going to be in high school this fall and Sarah will be an official middle schooler. They plan to spend the majority of the summer at the beach once the girls get home from Camp Cheerio. They were going on a cruise to the Virgin Islands for spring break. It will be the first spring break they’ve enjoyed as a family in a long time. Julie would love to see some Saint Mary’s faces soon! Susan Cathey Strickland is a stay-at-home mom and sports chauffeur for her two boys, Gray (9) and Carter (8). They have a super cute beagle named Kaia who was rescued this past year—she’s the only other girl in this house. Living in Charlotte, Susan still keeps up with Lauren Counts Holcombe and Kristy Bumgarner, whom she speaks to most every day. Valerie Van Oosten Cline still lives in Washington, D.C., and works at Caliber Home Loans. She stays very busy with Aidan (6), in first grade and Caroline (2), in preschool. Valerie says it’s so fun but she is so tired. They were taking a family trip to London over spring break. Valerie and Keven will celebrate their 16th anniversary in July. Dow Perry Crowder: Jason and I are still in Raleigh and I continue to work from home for a pharmaceutical company. Our daughter Lilly (4) is such a girly girl. She fusses if I make her wear pants, and
the twirlier the dresses the better. We took her to Disney in February; it’s truly magical for a little one who loves all things princess. I love keeping up with so many of you on Facebook. I think we are all holding up pretty well! Until next year…xoxo, Dow
1993
HIGH SCHOOL
Claudia Bishop Stubbs ’93HS Greetings, my Saint Mary’s girls! I hope that everyone is well. Here are some class updates! Beth Farr Williams writes that they are living in Hickory, raising three children, Sophie (15), Madeline (12), and Davis (4). She works full time as an attorney with her husband, running their own law firm, “The Williams Law Firm,” in downtown Hickory. They handle real estate and estate work and love helping their clients and community. As a family, they stay busy with school, church, and friends. They love to travel and find new adventures. “Sophie is our adventurer and is always learning something new and exciting- this year she is learning how to fly airplanes!” Grayson Hux Chase writes, “My husband, Jeff, and I just celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. I’m a stay-at-home mom, and our sons Carter (6) and Jackson (4) keep me busy.” They recently moved to a new house in North Raleigh, and are working on getting settled. Jennifer Boleman Ford writes, “After living in the same house for 15 years, we are moving one mile away to be in a better school district. It’s crazy how much stuff you accumulate in 15 years and with three kids! A big plus of our move is that our boys (7 and 10) will be able to ride their bikes to baseball, which is a year-round sport for them. Our daughter (12) is still competing in gymnastics and amazes us constantly with her strength, determination, and resolve (even if she falters, she jumps back up and starts again!). This year has been a blessing for me—new house and now a new job! I’m still with Bank of America supporting communications and employee engagement, but will be doing so in a larger organization.” The Chase’s move gave Jennifer an opportunity to look through old pictures and mementos from her time as Saint Mary’s. “It just renewed my faith in what makes the school so special. Even after 24 years, I can pick up the phone and talk to any classmate—and feel like it was
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SAINT MARY'S BOOK CORNER P.D. James: Companion to the Mystery Fiction English instructor Laurel Young pens P.D. James literary companion At 38, British National Health Service employee Phyllis Dorothy James White (1920–2014) reinvented herself as P. D. James, crime novelist. By the time of her death at 94, she had long been known as England’s “Queen of Crime.” Sixteen of her 20 novels feature one or both of her beloved series detectives—Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard and private eye Cordelia Gray. Her standalone works include the dystopian The Children of Men (1992) and Death Comes to Pemberley (2011), a sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. James’s careful mystery plotting has earned comparison with Golden Age British detective writers such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. Yet James’s work is thoroughly modern, with realistic descriptions of police procedures and the echoes and aftereffects of crime. This definitive literary companion includes more than 700 encyclopedic entries covering the characters, settings and themes of her published writing, along with a career chronology, a chronological and alphabetical listing of her works, and an exhaustive index. Laurel A. Young is an English instructor and residential faculty member at Saint Mary’s School. Series Editor Elizabeth Foxwell, an Agatha Award winner, is managing editor of Clues: A Journal of Detection. The book is available for purchase either though the publisher, McFarland Books, or from Amazon, $39. Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-9791-1 Ebook ISBN: 978-1-4766-2890-5 4 photos, chronology, bibliography, index 288pp. softcover (7 x 10) 2017
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just yesterday that we spent time together. That is a treasure indeed!” Fran Kennedy Seaman writes that her family just celebrated daughter Afton’s first birthday. Their son, Daniel, is in kindergarten. “They are definitely keeping me on my toes. I also have a couple of side gigs, teaching Barre classes in Clayton and keeping up with my handmade jewelry and knitting business, FKS Designs. I’m also in the process of getting back into the travel biz and should have that up and running soon, specializing in fitness and health retreats and girlfriend getaways. Stay tuned!” Heather Gibson writes that she is still living in Raleigh, and loves working as a medical device sales rep. “Not much has changed. I stay in touch with Liz and Bonita and the other SMC girls. I live vicariously through my married friends that have kids.” Susan Young Maddux is still living in Raleigh. She had baby boy, Huck, on August 10, 2016. Susan has three other children, Sydney (4), Mason (6) and Jolly (12). As for me, it has been another crazy and exciting year. I am still working part time doing speech therapy in an area school system. We welcomed Sarah Claxton Stubbs to the world on December 29, 2016. Her brothers, James (9) and John Bayley (6), are so in love with her already (we all are). I never thought that I would be over 40 with a newborn and never did I ever think I would have a little girl of my own! I hope that one day she may be a Saint Mary’s girl, too. It is hard to believe that it will soon be 25 years since we were all in high school together. My Saint Mary’s friends continue to be some of the best and closest friends that I have ever made. I always look forward to our time together. These days, the get-togethers are definitely too few and far between. I am looking forward to the big 175 year gala in May and our 25-year reunion in 2018. I hope that it will allow many of us an opportunity for some much-needed laughter and a chance to reminisce together. Hope to see all of you there! Much love to everyone, Claudia Bishop Stubbs
1995
COLLEGE
Tate Tattersall Garrison ’95C Hello Class of 95C! It is hard to believe it’s time for another update! Mary Kelly Teague wrote to say she’s been living in the Porter’s Neck area of Wilmington for over a year now
and loves it. She says it’s so wonderful being at the beach these past eight years since leaving Raleigh. As for her career, after years in property management, she made a career move into law two years ago. She is working as a legal assistant at the largest law firm in the state and is absolutely thrilled. She says it is such an interesting and amazing field. Her primary role is creating affidavits. On the family front, no kids or wedding bells yet, but she is dating and enjoys her fur baby, Baxter, a sheepdogterrier mix she rescued five years ago. She spends free time in worship and prayer, playing golf, hosting wine dinners, and traveling to visit her parents’ second home near Naples, Fla. She feels God has blessed her and hopes all her SMC ladies have been blessed and are full of love this new year She hoped to attend the Gala and looks forward to seeing everyone soon! As for me, my children and I moved just around the corner in Raleigh, so that occupied the majority of our winter and spring! We were still able to make our annual family ski trip to Telluride, Colo., where both Thatcher (10) and Amelia (8) are mastering the slopes! We are looking forward to another fun summer in Atlantic Beach and both children are attending Camp Seafarer and Camp Sea Gull. Hope to see you all at the Gala! Much love and blessings to you all, t xo
1995
HIGH SCHOOL
Julie Johnson Babb ’95HS Can you believe it’s been over 20 years since we were last students at Saint Mary’s? I’m grateful we have all stayed in touch to some degree! I’m a stay-at-home-mom to my 6 1/2 (the 1/2 part is really important!) son and 2-year-old daughter. As a 40th birthday present, my family recently added Daisy to our house, a mini-golden doodle. She is the best! This year I have taken a part-time job with Crubic, a start-up in Raleigh, and it has me working with an old friend and fellow Saint Mary’s grad, Cooper Thornhill ‘95HS ’97C. Cooper started her job at Crubic last summer. It is keeping her super busy and she is enjoying it! She is also mama to Pepper, a dog she adopted from Saving Grace, where she is also a volunteer. Kitty Watkins Sydnor said good-bye to her precious daddy in March after his battle with Alzheimer’s. It’s
1997
HIGH SCHOOL
Alice Manning Touchette ’97HS Liz Gaither Carter moved her family to Pleasanton, Calif., over the last year. It is still in the Bay area, just a little more suburbia. Her company was recently bought by GE Digital and she was promoted to a vice president of corporate marketing. She has two girls, ages 4 and 6. Life is crazy! Dare Branch Krompecher reports that all is well in Raleigh. She is still practicing some immigration and family law with her husClass of '97HS 20th Reunion Left to right: Josey Harris Kasper, band’s law firm, Krompecher Charlotte Roberts Baroody, Dare Branch Krompecher, Jeanne Jolly McLean Law, and is loving spending time with her boys, Ford (1) and Field (4). Needless been a tough loss. One exciting thing for her, to say things are busy, but she and Amanda Branch Covington ’96HS great! Claire Perkins lives in New Jersey are going to Provence, France, in June for a with two high energy males: one 10-year-old cooking course taught by Patricia Wells. This son and one middle-aged husband, who ofhas been on Kitty’s bucket list and she is ex- ten acts like a 10-year-old son (what Claire cited to cross it off. It is a happy 40th present calls being a single mom of two); and two to herself! Dickens Whitley Sanchez was re- 12-year-old labs, who are more like housecently promoted to associate director of busi- plants than pets. She works at Princeton Uniness development at Clean Design in Raleigh. versity as a healthcare administrator. She is She has three kids (7, 5, and 4) and lives in trying hard to accept her wrinkles and wiggly North Hills in Raleigh. Frances Carstarphen bits, all the while seeking travel to far away Jenkins is still living in Morehead City. She sun-drenched destinations that serve deceis enjoying a busy life with a 12-year- old son, dent food and wine, but mostly chauffeurFord, and 9-year-old daughter, Marian Grey. ing aforementioned 10-year-old to and from She works in insurance underwriting for Am- sports practice and sitting in an artificially lit WINS Group. She is looking forward to the office, planning her next twenty years. Jesnext reunion! Sara McClure Peters would sica Nance Rushing is happily married with like to wish everyone a happy 40th birthday! a little girl (4) and twin boys (18 months). It’s always good to hear what fellow students Alice Manning Touchette is still living in are up to and no bit of information is too small, Alexandria, Va., with her husband and two so please send in info each year. We want to boys: Tommy (4) and George (2). hear from you. Julie
1999
Laura Chilton Midgett and her husband John welcomed their first child in December, a little girl. Parker Dare Midgett was born on December 2, 2016
2001
Louise Beasley Warenda ’01 Jennifer Maupin Alexander and husband Haywood welcomed a son, Thomas “Branch,” on July 22, 2016. He was 7lbs. 2oz., 20.5 inches. Marguerite is a fantastic big sister and rising first-grader. She is excited about another summer at Saint Mary’s sports camp! Jennifer was preparing to share Griffin’s stillbirth story at Duke Hospital as part of a bereavement training seminar. She and Haywood celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary with a trip to Mexico. Kathryn Calder Barmore and husband James had a baby. On March 28, 2017, they welcomed “Calder” Grace Barmore: 6lbs 1oz., 19.5 inches long. At the end of last year, they moved to Wilmington. Travis Manning Berk announced the birth of their second child, Mariana Taylor Berk, on September 8, 2016. Their first, Jones, is 2 1/2 and is good at it! They are living in Valle Crucis. Travis is in private practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist and Adam is on his fourth year of teaching at Two Rivers Community School in Boone. Ashton Burnette lives and works in Raleigh with family and friends. She practices yoga at home, and recently started a new position in sales support with a German manufacturer of tools for industrial automation and robotics. Lindsey Suggs Gregg married Geoffrey Gregg in July of 2016 during a ceremony in Key West. They continue to reside in Wilmington, where Lindsey runs her interior design business, LSG Interiors. Lee Crane Morris took a new job with a local software company as a technical requirements analyst, which allows a very flexible schedule. When she’s not trying to encourage engineers to engage with each other, she enjoys chasing after her 1-year-old son and trying to stay cool for her teenage step-kids. Cori Samuels Nadeau is doing great, enjoying being a stayat-home mom since Lydia was born. Their family has recently grown: they welcomed a son, Liam Michael Nadeau, on Feb. 14, 2017. She can’t wait to see what else is in store! Clara Wortham Robinson and husband Stuart welcomed Stuart “Wesley” Robinson II in October 2015, their second. Clara has recently been accepted to the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of South Alabama and will begin this summer. Stuart and Clara
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CLASS NEWS will also be celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary this summer. Clara is still the clinical coordinator in the Coronary Care Unit at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. They are super happy and enjoying this crazy time as fulltime workers and parents of toddlers! Thanks for the updates, girls. As for me, I took a new opportunity with The Research Triangle Regional Partnership in May. Joe and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary in the Greek islands. Beasley (6) is a rising first grader at J.Y. Joyner and Mary Bruce (3) keeps us constantly laughing. We look forward to time at the beach this summer. Take care. Louise
2003
Class of 2012 15th Reunion Front row, left to right: Lindsay Speros Robbins, Adair Calamos Blount, Hollan Rudolph Young, Anne Kenan Barnard; second row: Vance Denning Horner, Ana Catherine Dickens-Massengill, Hallie Sessoms Kennedy, Anna Johnston Surratt; third row: Stephanie D’Atri, Ellen Johnson Bailey, Jenny Sutton Selph, Erin Smither Morin
Shea Vause Gravely ’03 Shea Vause Gravely reports from Lynchburg, Va., that she and her husband welcomed their second child, Harper Lucille Gravely, on July 16, 2016. Margot Childs Stanley and her husband also have a second child, Elsie Cora Stanley, born October 21, 2016. Jamie Cathell Dunaway and her husband announced the birth of a daughter, Elliot James Dunaway, born November 23, 2016. Cassie Criswell Anderson and her husband welcomed their son, Finn Harnish Anderson, on December 3, 2016. Louisa Walker Trouche and husband Perry welcomed their son, Perry Edwin Trouche III, on December 22, 2016. Katherine McEnery Pittman and her husband welcomed their son, James Stewart Pittman, on March 27, 2017. Reagan Cannon graduated master’s of education in educational leadership in August 2016. Katie Harrell Ostendorf and her husband welcomed their first child in April. Daughter Brooklyn Mae Ostendorf was born on April 19, 2017.
2005
Class of 2007 10th Reunion Front row, left to right: Kat Phillips, Cally Eberle, Blair Michels Baker; second row: Sarah Nolan, Meredith Vaughn Savill, Caroline Donaldson, Elizabeth Dils, Helen Johnson, Lizzie Lowder; third row: Kelsey Moore, Anna Zevenhuizen, Mary Katherine Perry Phillips, Elizabeth Behar, Kate Dickson, Nancy Vander Veer
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Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
Ila Walker Bittner ’05 Julia Corbin Jones moved to Charlotte over the summer last year with her husband, Rob. They welcomed their daughter, Emerson Jones, on October 1, 2016. Katie Skinner lives in Raleigh and works as vice president of Moon and Lola Jewelry. I enjoyed attending the Wake County Young Alumnae gathering this past November and seeing Katie, Katherine Carlton, Hannah Small Jones, and other alums. My husband, Robbie, and I welcomed our son, Bear, on October 20, 2016.
at Midtown events. I’m still loving my job at Red Hat, doing PR and social media. Sending my love to all of you! XOXO, Betsy
2011
Caroline Collie is living in New Orleans, working at Whitney/Hancock Bank. She loves living there! Eliza Brinkley has been in Raleigh with her family since returning from teaching ESL in Haiti for 10 months. She has been doing “odd jobs,” including substitute teaching at Saint Mary’s! She plans to begin studying for her master’s in teaching degree at UNC-Chapel Hill this summer.
2013
Class of 2012 5th Reunion Front row, left to right: Grace Dudley, Ellee Craig, Marwah Alzer, Sarah Scott Worth, Hailey Hart, Hutter Black, Eliza Stoughton, Bailey Jeutter, Catherine Bryant; second row: Kassi Wehbie, Lauren Gosse, Jane Lyle, Catharine Lyle, Margaret Blincow, Berry Williamson, Corrine Rixey, Hayes Snipes, Kelly Rusher; third row: Elizabeth Martin, Suzanne Garner, Sophie Bird, Emma Rizer, Christian Lail, Carrie Coleman; fourth row: Ann Evans, Katie Seymour, Nielsen Smith, Meredith Miller, Duncan Weaver, Jeannette Oakes
2007
Elizabeth Lowder ’07 Lily Tyndall Snow completed her CDC fellowship in Michigan last summer and moved to Baton Rouge, La., where her husband is now on the LSU faculty. She is currently working at the state health department as the epidemiologist for the Louisiana Opioid Surveillance Initiative. “If anyone is interested in meeting up in New Orleans sometime, please let me know! :)”
2009
Betsy Church ’09 Sara Bailey Stocks Pate married Kep Pate in the Saint Mary’s Chapel on New Year’s Eve, and they live in Roswell, Ga. She works at VMware and is getting her master’s degree in computer science from Georgia Tech. Becca Vinson Hamilton and her husband, John, love their life in Atlanta and enjoy the community there. She’s in graduate school, doing counseling and therapy work. She misses Raleigh but loves being able to see lots of amazing Saint Mary’s friends during wedding season!
Caroline Mayberry Stephens and her husband, Wyatt, welcomed a baby girl, Charlie, in May 2016. Caroline works in educational software in higher education for Pearson. Adams Paschal lives in Washington, D.C., and works on the events team for a new start up, Axios Media. Carolyn Bacchus Stapleton married husband Adam in New Orleans in December, with many great Saint Mary’s friends by her side. She works in renewable energy in Portland, Ore. Betsy Bryan Pitts lives in New York City and works at Berman Capital Management, a small hedge fund focused on the retail and consumer sectors. She also volunteers with the New York Junior League, the North Carolina Society of New York and the Duke Club of New York. She plans to get back to North Carolina as much as possible this summer and hopes to catch up with Saint Mary’s friends then! Mary Stewart Bailey lives in Raleigh and is a project manager for am3 adsource. She and Mary Southgate Dickson are roommates. Mary Southgate is a recruiter with Personify in downtown Raleigh. Arrington Clark is my wonderful roommate here in Raleigh. She works for Kane Realty
Sylvia Weir was planning to move to Alexandria, La., in May. She has accepted a permanent position as field forester with the USDA Forest Service at Kisatchie National Forest. She graduated from N.C. State on May 13 in forest management.
2015
Kayla Gwaltney ’15 and Hayley Scialdone ’15 Kayla Gwaltney and Hayley Scialdone were excited to hear from their classmates again this year and cannot believe it has been two whole years since turning their rings to the world. Kayla is still thoroughly enjoying her time at James Madison University. She became a sister of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and has been studying communications with a minor in political communications. She is excited to participate in the JMU “Washington semester” next fall and will be working as a technical writer intern at the First Data Clover office this summer in Marietta, Ga. Hayley is majoring in interactive multimedia and graphic design and minoring in information science at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is looking forward to studying graphic design and architecture in Copenhagen this summer. Madeline Joslin is doing well and loving the University of Vermont, but missing North Carolina! She says Vermont is really as cold as everyone says. She is studying environmental studies with a concentration in human and environmental health. This semester she went to Cuba to study the Cuban health care system, which is one of the best in the world. This summer she is staying in Burlington and interning with an
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CLASS NEWS
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environmental installation artist, helping her create and install, as well as working on her own art project based on environmental health. Sarah Boyce is still enjoying her time at Wake Forest University. She is majoring in communication, with double minors in journalism and sociology. She is excited to intern for Baldwin Advertising Agency this summer in Raleigh, before living and studying in Florence, Italy, for her fall 2017 semester. Grayson Rodriguez is continuing to pursue a major in chemistry and a minor in biology at MIT. She is looking forward to working at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and serving as a counselor for Camp Kesem at MIT this summer. Jacqueline Collie is currently a political science major, minoring in economics, at Wake Forest University. She is living in D.C. this summer, where she will be interning on Capitol Hill. This coming fall, Jacqueline is studying abroad in Florence, Italy. Liddy Blincow was accepted to the Clemson Nursing Program in February. She was one of less than 50 applicants they accepted. Abigail Ueland is a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill, majoring in strategic communica-
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tions and minoring in computer science and entrepreneurship. She can’t believe she’s already halfway done with her college years. Last summer, she loved studying in Florence, Italy, and hopes to visit again soon! This summer, she’s very excited to be living in New York City, working for Red Bull New York, doing brand marketing. She would love to connect with any SMS alumnae living in the city this summer. Emma Wason is enjoying her time at Wofford College. She is currently majoring in government, and plans on minoring in sociology. Next spring, she is planning on studying abroad in Europe. Taryn Travis is enjoying her time at Belmont University. She is excited to get more involved in the Nashville music scene and has been studying the music business. This summer, she is excited to continue her studies and take part in an internship next fall. Bailey Ham is majoring in journalism and mass communications at George Washington University. She has been interning with a head hunting company in downtown D.C. and has enjoyed getting to know the city. She serves as the alumnae relations chair for her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. She will be a “Sailing UA” this summer at Camp Seafarer. Maddy Sullivan still loves Elon. She is a member of Phi Saint Mary’s School Mu with Saint Mary’s classFacebook mate Anna Clark. She has decided to major in communication design with a minor in Instagram business administration and @saintmarysschool hoped to get a summer internship in Durham this summer. Next fall, she is so excited to Saint Mary’s School study in Prague, Czech ReAlumnae Facebook public, for the semester with some of her friends from Elon. Morgan Seidel is still having Twitter a great time at College of @SaintMarysNC Charleston for her sophomore year. She has been working in LinkedIn the drug discovery lab at the Medical University of South Saint Mary’s School Carolina and as a supplemenAlumnae Network tal instructor for the chemistry and Saint Mary’s School department. Morgan has You Tube joined Phi Eta Sigma, an honors fraternity, and is majoring Saint Mary’s School in biology with a minor in
Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
chemistry. This summer, she will be studying abroad in San Salvador, and will be working on the degradation of pharmaceuticals in the fall. Alex Eubanks is enjoying her time at N.C. State University. She is currently in Alpha Delta Pi sorority and is getting involved around campus. She is majoring in business administration. Grace Isley is enjoying her sophomore year at N.C. State. She is studying brand management and marketing with a minor in business. She is excited to study abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, this summer. Relia Monk finished her sophomore year at Vanderbilt University as a medicine, health, and society major. She traveled to Nicaragua for a medical service trip over spring break and loved the experience. She is taking summer classes before heading to Copenhagen, Denmark, next fall. Grace Replogle is enjoying her second year at Dartmouth College and is majoring in psychology and anthropology. She will be traveling abroad to New Zealand to study anthropology at the university of Auckland in the winter of 2018. Maryanne Martini is majoring in public relations and minoring in political science at the University of South Carolina. She was a page for Senator Rankin at the State House and can’t believe she’s is finishing her sophomore year already. She is planning to study abroad in Florence, Italy, in the fall. Lyndsey Jones is majoring in fashion and textile management with a concentration in fashion development and product development at N.C. State University. She and Grace Isley recently visited Grace Wayne in Scotland, where Grace attends school at St. Andrews. Lyndsey plans to study abroad in Italy her junior year to immerse herself in the rich art and fashion culture. Tara Elise Richard was recently admitted to Cox School of Business at SMU. She is double majoring in business management, focusing on sports enterprise and Spanish. She works for head football coach Chad Morris, and with the SMU Football Recruitment Department. She hopes to attend law school post-graduation and eventually become a sports agent. She is a part of the Texas Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi. She holds the position as vice president of fraternity development on the executive board within her sorority, which means she is in charge of rituals, ceremonies, and traditions. She is the only sophomore to be invited to live in the
SUPPORTING SMS Pi Beta Phi house, and she will live there again next year. She just finished up as sing song chair, where she was in charge of 80 new members of Pi Beta Phi and the Kappa Alpha order. She created a 15-minute musical production to compete for $10,000 for Pi Beta Phi’s philanthropy. She was awarded best director and best choreography. Sophia Buehrer is a sophomore at Carleton College, majoring in both computer science and French. She studied in Paris over the spring semester and has an internship there this summer. She planned to visit London and Bath on her midterm break. Kendall Hamilton is majoring in political science and minoring in public relations at Howard University. This year, her soccer team finished first in their conference and Kendall was awarded defensive player of the year. She will be staying in D.C. for the summer, working on Capitol Hill with Congressman David Price. Carson Clay is majoring in health policy at Princeton. She will be interning in the Trauma Surgery Department at Children’s National Medical Center in D.C. this summer, and then will travel to Uganda for a global health project. Augusta Moran is a sophomore at Randolph-Macon College and officially declared as a French and sociology double major, hoping to work as a family-law lawyer in the future. She works as a tour guide on campus and loves meeting future new students! She also worked as a waitress off-campus, at a local restaurant in Ashland, Va. This semester, she is studying French at the Université de Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Remember Saint Mary’s with a special 175th commemorative item from our school store, shop1842. We have a great selection and a range of price points, so there’s something for everyone! Pick up a few commemorative coasters for just $1 each; toast your alma mater with a $15 etched champagne glass; or get cozy in a long-sleeved 175th t-shirt for only $27. Visit www.sms.edu/student-life/saint-marys-school-store or scan the QR code below to see all the available items and place your order.
Happy birthday, Saint Mary’s! 79
Calling all middle school girls:
EXPLORE, E N G A G E ! DISCOVER, Saint Mary’s is offering a series of seven free workshops and sports clinics for middle school girls for the 2017-18 school year. Designed to give girls in grades six through eight the opportunity to build skills, explore new interests, and get acquainted with Saint Mary’s School, these half-day, Saturday morning programs are led by Saint Mary’s expert faculty and staff. Here’s what’s coming! September 23, 2017 Lacrosse Clinic with Director of Athletics and Lacrosse Coach Rob Weltz, Residential and Student Life Coordinator and Lacrosse Coach Meredith Primm, and current Saint Mary’s players September 30, 2017 Girls in Leadership on the road with Director of Student Engagement Katherine Jackson at HQ Charlotte October 7, 2017 Experience Visual Arts at Saint Mary’s with Instructors of Visual and Performing Arts and professional artists Teresa Assenzo and Colin Murasko
March 3, 2018 Experience the Performing Arts at Saint Mary’s with Chorale Director and Instructor of Voice Jennifer Moran, Theatre Director and Instructor of Visual and Performing Arts Lou Whitmire Catania '77C, and cast members from Saint Mary’s March 2018 production of Bring It On March 10, 2018 Soccer Clinic with Director of Athletics Rob Weltz, Saint Mary’s soccer coaches, and current Saint Mary’s players April 14, 2018 Girls in Leadership with Director of Student Engagement Katherine Jackson and a visit to HQ Raleigh
November 4, 2017 Creative Writing with Instructor of English and published author Virginia Boyd
Stay tuned for additional details and registration information. Questions? Contact Assistant Director of Admission Katie Bradbury at 919-424-4013 or cwbradbury@sms.edu.
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IT MEANS SO MUCH TO HAVE HAD MY DAUGHTER AND NOW MY
SAINT MARY’S HAS GIVEN EACH OF US
GRANDDAUGHTER AT SAINT MARY’S. IT IS A SPECIAL BOND WE SHARE.
SO MUCH – AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION,
LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS, AND A LEGACY WE SHARE. Blanche ’76HS, Pell ’18, and Blanche ’53HS ’55C
From its first day on May 12, 1842 until today, Saint Mary’s has prepared young women for the challenges and opportunities of their time. Generations of young women have been and continue to be inspired to use the knowledge, skills, and talents they have cultivated at Saint Mary’s to lead lives of purpose and integrity – fulfilling our founder’s vision, “an educated woman can make a difference.”
Blanche Robertson Bacon ’53HS ’55C knows the power of giving back to Saint Mary’s through her estate. Planning now secures the future of Saint Mary’s endowment, and as we celebrate the 175th birthday milestone in Saint Mary’s history, it is vital that you make plans to join Blanche and other Heritage Society members, so that our school can thrive for years to come. Will you commit to the Heritage Society today? Call our offices for more information on how you can be a part of making history. Julie Ricciardi, Director of Development, 919-424-4114.
900 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603–1689
address service requested
Scenes of Saint Mary’s Faith, Hope, and Love, 2017 By Ellen Rodman Hathaway ’79HS ’81C Acrylic mixed-media on raw canvas mounted on birch Commissioned for the 175th anniversary. The painting hangs in Smedes Hall. 36 x 36 x 3 inches
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Raleigh, NC Permit No. 102