MIRIAM TITCOMB MEMORIAL FUND Grants for Enrichment

Since 1978, the Miriam Titcomb Fund, an endowed enrichment fund established by alumnae, has made it possible for more than 100 Seven Hills faculty and staff to have meaningful travel and study experiences. These adventures are personally and professionally inspiring for our faculty and staff. Their increased scholarship and enthusiasm enrich the entire school community. We are pleased to share the stories of 2020 recipient Meredith Brown and 2022 recipient Megan Hayes

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Department Chair

MEREDITH BROWN, 2020 RECIPIENT

Brown and her son, Max, flew into Porto, Portugal, and completed a portion of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, alternatively called the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela or the Way of St. James. The Camino is a network of pilgrimage routes through Spain, Portugal, and France, all ending at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in the Galicia region of northwest Spain, at the tomb of St. James. For two weeks, the pair hiked the last 261km (162 miles) of the branch of the pilgrimage, from Porto to Santiago, Spain.

“I have wanted to walk the Camino de Santiago for many years, but I have also wanted to be sure I did so at a meaningful juncture in my life, to be taking a real and a metaphorical journey.

As my children have grown, moving through Lotspeich, Middle, and now Upper, it became clearer to me that the significant moment is when my children, Max first and later Vivian, move on to the Upper School — and that we should share this experience. This pilgrimage was and is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate — and labor — together as we begin this singular stage in our shared life.”

LOTSPEICH LOWER SCHOOL WORLD LANGUAGE TEACHER MEGAN HAYES, 2022 RECIPIENT

Megan Hayes was awarded a Titcomb grant for her experience, “Family Spanish Camp in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica.” Hayes found her calling for teaching and deep love and appreciation for the Spanish language during a study abroad semester in Costa Rica during her senior year of college in 1999.

“This project was a full circle, dreamlike, bucket list experience for me. When I visited my senior year, I loved the biodiversity of the country, education, and peaceful focused culture, and wanted to hone in on my Spanish skills, so it seemed like a good fit. Little did I know, the trip would catapult me into my career as a Spanish teacher and further ignite my passion for Spanish-speaking cultures. Costa Rica holds infinite memories for me, and I am still in touch with my host families and several Costa Rican friends to this day. It was truly amazing to see them again and have the opportunity to introduce them to my daughters,” Hayes said.

Hayes and her family traveled to Playa Tamarindo in Costa Rica and stayed for five weeks. Her daughters enrolled in a summer camp at the Institute for Spanish Language Studies and Hayes discussed pedagogy styles with the teachers. She hopes to collaborate with them again in the future. Hayes and her family were also able to reconnect with her Costa Rican host family from her study abroad days.

ARTS ALIVE

THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL CELEBRATED THE SECOND ANNUAL ARTS ALIVE FESTIVAL ON APRIL 8, 2023!

FIRST THROUGH 12 th GRADE STUDENTS FROM BOTH CAMPUSES SHOWCASED THEIR ARTISTIC TALENTS THROUGHOUT THE HILLSDALE CAMPUS. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ENJOYED THE INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, FOOD TRUCKS, AND

DEMONSTRATION