The Lovett School Magazine, Fall 2024

OUR STUDENTS THRIVE BECAUSE OF YOU

Every day, our students thrive in learning and in life because of Lovett’s distinctive academic programs, talented faculty, and extensive extracurriculars. When you give to the True Blue Fund, you ensure a meaningful Lovett experience for every student.

SUPPORT LOVETT’S TRUE BLUE FUND TODAY BY VISITING LOVETT.ORG/TRUEBLUE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.

73 | ALUMNI

THE LOVETT

DEMONSTRATING DIFFERENCE

Dear Lovett Community,

As we embark on another school year, it is my pleasure to share with you some exciting updates and highlights in our community. Our journey at Lovett continues to be one of growth, excellence, and forward-thinking firmly rooted in the educational vision of our founder, Eva Edwards Lovett. As you read through the pages of the magazine you will see our commitment to academic excellence, student mental health, employee engagement, and multiple reflections of how Lovett alumni are thriving in learning and life.

By all measures, Lovett is thriving. The class of 2024 is launched. Our new Rogers Playground in the Lower School Dell complete with a treehouse, an accompanying “nest”, climbing wall, and additional greenspace is finished, and we look forward to opening a new 350 space parking deck in January, solving once and for all Lovett’s parking frustrations. We are extraordinarily grateful to our community for their commitments to True Blue, which had a record year and the unprecedented commitments to date towards our Centennial Campaign. The investments our community is making in Lovett rival that of any independent school in the country. I hope you enjoy the stories that follow, all of which demonstrate the added value of a Lovett education where academic excellence is achieved through curriculum rooted in skill building, created by dedicated faculty who inspire and ignite young minds.

This magazine demonstrates the Lovett difference, from students celebrating a successful summit during Junior Outdoor

Experience (JOE), an experience that evidences that academic excellence and strong mental health are not mutually exclusive at Lovett, to a reprint from a national publication celebrating our belief that supporting our educators and staff is paramount to our success. We are proud to further prioritize student mental health and well being this year by enacting our new phone policy, effectively banning the use of cellphones during the school day. This is an effort to ensure seven hours of learning and face-to-face interaction unencumbered by social media and its triggers. Lovett is already a livelier and more engaged campus without the extra distraction.

On behalf of our entire Lovett community we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our outgoing Board Chair, John O. Knox ’88. Under his steadfast leadership, Lovett reached new heights. At a time many institutions have faltered, John O.’s commitment to our mission has been truly remarkable. We are equally excited to welcome John Staton ’84 as our new Board Chair. We look forward to his leadership and the perspectives he will bring to our institution.

As I start my seventh year as Lovett’s Head of School, I do so with gratitude. The opportunity to work with colleagues who share a commitment to teaching young people how to think critically while simultaneously developing emotional intelligence is enormously rewarding. The balance of challenge and nurture at Lovett is evident in the classroom; it is this unique blend that results in excellence at Lovett.

Meredyth Cole HEAD OF SCHOOL

John C. Staton III ’84 (left) and Outgoing Board Chair John O. Knox, Jr. ’88 (right).

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

Dear Lovett Community,

The start of this school year marks my first as chairman of the board at Lovett. I will be leading 28 trustees, as we work with school leadership to ensure that Lovett is living out its mission, and that we are positioned to be the school of choice in Atlanta. Alongside Head of School Meredyth Cole, as a board we strive to ensure that our Whole Child approach to education is carried out in the classrooms and hallways alike. As a Lovett graduate, and a parent of Lovett Alumni, I know firsthand how a Lovett education prepares future leaders and well-rounded individuals for the world.

In this issue of the Lovett magazine, we will explore one of the values that underpins everything we do at the school: Purpose. Purpose at Lovett is the source of motivation for learning, the discovery of self, and the foundation of a meaningful life. Throughout these pages, you’ll hear stories of purpose, from first graders who tackle the question of “How am I connected to others?” to upper schoolers who embrace the Challenge Success program to ensure mental well-being is a priority.

We are also featuring women in philanthropy. You’ll meet five prominent donors who support the mission of Lovett to educate the whole child with their generous gifts to the school. These amazing individuals are doing so much for Lovett and the Atlanta community with their philanthropic initiatives.

With three children who recently graduated from Lovett, I can confidently say that Purpose was instilled in them at a young age, and they have taken that to heart as they entered college and the workforce. I know future generations of Lovett graduates will do the same.

John C. Staton III ’84 CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

WELCOME, NEW TRUSTEES

Lovett welcomed four new members to the Board of Trustees. These individuals bring tremendous experience personally and professionally while wholeheartedly championing our mission of educating the whole child.

JORDAN CLARK

[ PARENT OF ALUMNI: ’01, ’04, ’07 ]

Jordan Clark is the proud father of three Lovett grads and grandfather of three current Lovett students. He and his wife Patti have lived in Atlanta since 1986. Jordan attended public schools in Lumberton, N.C., and then studied and earned degrees at Davidson College (BA), UVA (MFA), and UNC (MBA). He has made his career as a real estate developer. He is the 2003 founder of Clark Ventures, an Atlanta-based multifamily developer, owner, and operator. Previously, he served as CIO at Gables Residential, a Real Estate Investment Trust that he co-founded and helped take public on the NYSE in 1994 and before that (1986-94) he was the Atlanta City partner for Trammell Crow Residential. His involvement at Lovett includes nine years as a part-time Upper School teacher (2004-2012, 2018-19) where he founded the AP Art History program. For six years he was invited to speak at the Lovett-sponsored American Studies Institute and was later recruited as a lecturer at the Lovett Evening Education programs. In 2006, he and Patti endowed the Upper School Excellence in Teaching award. Current or previous board assignments for Jordan include his role as Trustee at Gables Residential Trust, the Furman University Board of Trustees, the Davidson College Board of Visitors, and the Wood Center for Real Estate Studies at UNC.

DAVID GHEGAN ’89

[ PARENT OF ALUMNI: ’22, ’23, ’23 ]

A veteran corporate attorney with more than 25 years of experience, David regularly counsels public and private companies and their boards of directors in connection with corporate governance, securities disclosure matters, securities offerings, and mergers and acquisitions. David routinely advises investment banking firms and serves as underwriters’ counsel in connection with various public and private securities offerings. David also devotes a significant amount of his practice representing financial institutions and is experienced in formation and capital-raising activities of community banks, mergers and acquisitions, and bank regulatory matters. David’s professional and community involvement includes membership in the Georgia Bankers Association; Atlanta Bar Association; Business and Finance Section, Past Chairman; Breakthrough Atlanta, Chairman; Visiting Nurse Health System, Board member; and Founder of Chrysalis Club. David is a graduate of the Emory University School of Law ’97, the University of Virginia ’93, and the Lovett School ’89. David and his wife Barb are parents to three Lovett graduates.

AMY GITHENS

[ PARENT: ’27 ]

Amy Githens has over 20 years of experience working with charitable organizations of all sizes. She spent 15 years with The Coca-Cola Company and The Coca-Cola Foundation as Director of Global Community Affairs where she managed global grantmaking with specific focus in the areas of women’s empowerment, education, arts and culture, and disaster relief through The Coca-Cola Foundation. Amy has recently served as a consultant for the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Meals On Wheels Atlanta. Prior to The Coca-Cola Company, Amy worked in Human Resources for Arthur Anderson and King & Spalding. Amy currently serves on the boards of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, the Peachtree Battle Alliance, and the Buckhead Chapter of the Young Men’s Service League. Amy has volunteered extensively at Lovett including serving True Blue for many years and as VP of the Middle School LPA. Amy graduated with a BS in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. Amy’s son John is in 10th grade and has been at Lovett since the first grade. She and her husband, Jeff, are forever grateful for the tremendous environment that Lovett has provided for their family.

KEN SNUGGS

[ PARENT, ’27, ’32 ]

Ken Snuggs was born in Virginia and grew up in Rome, GA. He is a graduate of The Georgia Institute of Technology where he received his degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Ken is a careerlong entrepreneur. He co-founded and operated four highly successful technology businesses, most notably Cumberland Group and Abacus Solutions. He is currently sharing his extensive expertise and experience as an investor and strategic advisor in the technology sector. Ken and his wife Sara have two children at Lovett. Ken is an avid golfer, tennis player, and pickleball player.

2024-25 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CHAIR

John C. Staton III ’84

VICE CHAIR

Frank H. Briggs III

SECRETARY

Megan Apple Stephenson ’93

TREASURER

Leonard W. Wood, Jr. ’94

TRUSTEES

David B. Allman ’72

Yetty Levenson Arp ’64

Garry L. Capers, Jr.

Jordan Clark

Aimee Simmons Connolly ’95

Sylvia Looney Dick

Elise Blitch Drake

David Ghegan ’89

Amy Githens

Justin P. Jones ’97

Mark Kauffman

John O. Knox, Jr. ’88

Amy Rollins Kreisler ’88

Nikunj R. Lakha

Don M. Leebern, III

Alison E. Lewis

Eileen Keough Millard ’80

James T. Mills, Jr. ’74

Wade W. Mitchell ’88

C. Vaughn Nalley IV ’90

David W. Rice Ph.D.

Ken Snuggs

Peter E. Thomas, Ph.D. ’84

Michael Woocher

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Spence Pryor (General Counsel)

Russ Richards ’99

LOVETT SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Meredyth Cole

ASSOCIATE

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Chelle Wabrek

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

Ashley Treiger, Ed.D.

INTERIM HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Aaron Hill

HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

Patrick Boswell

HEAD CHAPLAIN

Reverend Colin Brown

CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER

Matt Gould

CHIEF OF COMMUNITY AND CULTURE

Tommy Welch, Ph.D.

CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

Jessica Sant

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

John Mongelli

CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

Chorlana Francis

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Gray Kelly

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Randy Lieberman

ACADEMIC RESOURCE DIRECTOR

Carrie Stafford

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Roney Eford

DIRECTOR OF FINE ARTS

Jay Freer ’78

HEAD OF ENROLLMENT

Melinda DeMaria

the lovett school magazine FALL 2024

SENIOR EDITORS

Anna Keller

Communications Manager

Lara Kauffman

Director of Alumni Engagement

Starr Pollock

Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

CONTRIBUTORS

Adekale Ande

Lloyd Brown ’75

Melinda DeMaria

Anita Hua

Elizabeth Jones

Jillian Mason

Kim Morgan

Danielle Terzer

Fran Turner

GRAPHIC DESIGN & ART DIRECTION

Dawn Stein

PRINTING

Bennett Graphics

PHOTOGRAPHY

Art of Life Studios

Alice Park

Paul Ward

Faculty, staff, student, and parent photographers

Lovett Magazine is published by the Communications Office twice a year and is mailed free of charge to alumni, parents, and friends of The Lovett School.

For general information, please email communications@lovett.org.

To submit alumni news, email alumni@lovett.org or visit love.tt/alumniconnect.

©2024 The Lovett School, 4075 Paces Ferry Road, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30327-3009.

The Lovett School, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including, but not limited to, race, color, gender, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or gender identity and expression, with respect to qualified persons in the administration of the School’s employment practices, admission policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, or other school administered programs.

This publication is printed by an fsc-certified printer on paper that is 30 percent post-consumer waste and 50 percent recycled, processed chlorine-free.

CAMPUS NEWS

Marine Biology students studied coral bleaching and researched the effects of warming seas during Lovett’s summer on-location course in The Bahamas. See Page 24 to learn more.

FACULTY CELEBRATING

FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

ALUMNI 50TH CLASS REUNION AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

Allison Williams

CHARLES E. OAKLEY SERVICE AWARD

Fran Turner

LICHTENSTEIN EXEMPLARY SERVICE AWARD

Merrill Andrews

LOUDERMILK FAMILY FOUNDATION COACHING AWARD

Mike Harner

LOYAL LION AWARD

Ebony Rogers

Keith Wachtman

OUTSTANDING

CO-TEACHER AWARD

Yvette Hubbard

Lydia Smith

PEEBLES LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE AWARD

Amy Darsey

ROLLINS FAMILY

MASTER TEACHER AWARD

Mary Kay Waterman

Alex Douglas

Jonathan Newman

Vernon Smith

Meadow Bond Smith ’87

Megan Mansour

STEPHEN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

Brice Ezell

SURDYK AWARD

Cordell Taylor

WOODWARD AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

Molly Mitchell

Bailie Monahan

Larken McCord

Ally Wickman

UPPER SCHOOL EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD

Jennifer Blake

2024 O. WAYNE ROLLINS QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE GRANT RECIPIENTS

10 YEARS

Robert Amar

Brent Greer

Christopher Haddox

Anita Hua

Maxwell McDowell

Rodney Moreland

Jack Parrish

Elizabeth Perkins

Symphony Romaine

Diane Staats

20 YEARS

Jim Buczek

Lance Oubs

Katherine Schneider

Christopher Ward

40 YEARS

Barbara Edmundson

WELCOMING NEW FACULTY & STAFF!

Dr. Tawheedah Abdullah

MS English Department Head

Molly Adam

MS Math Teacher

Rose Baldwin

MS Choral Director

Danny Bayless US Science Teacher

Hunter Branch ’14

LS Lead Teacher

Catherine Breed

LS Religion Teacher

Anais Briggs

LS Associate Teacher

Caroline Brillhart

LS Associate Teacher

Rev. Colin Brown

Head Chaplain

Shelbi Bryant

LS Associate Teacher

Kavita Chaudhary US Science Teacher

Latryce Cole US Math Teacher

Brandy Cox

LS Associate Teacher

Melinda DeMaria Head of Enrollment

Management

Taja Diaz

LS Associate Teacher & Girls Head

Basketball Coach

Rodney Eford Director of Athletics and Physical Education

Katie Girard

LS Associate Teacher

Tamara Hamilton

MS Executive Functioning Specialist

Kevin Henderson

MS Social Studies Teacher

Kimberly Hooper

LS Associate Teacher

Valerie Hyder

MS Science Teacher

Shay Jenkins

MS Science Teacher

Erik Kofoed US Band Director

Annie Miller

LS Associate Teacher

Albert Nascimento US English Teacher

Kit Proudfoot Athletic Field Supervisor

Devan Rees

MS Math Teacher

Elliott Reid US History Teacher

Olivia Rocamora

US Language Teacher

Carlie Ann Santos

LS Associate Teacher

Meghann Scott

MS Religion Teacher

LK Sleat

MS Dean

Mya Sullivan

LS Associate Teacher

Avery Tuggle

US History Teacher

Barbara Uterhardt Productions & Facilities Director

Mikinzie Versteeg

LS Associate Teacher

Katherine King Wahl ’86

MS Social Studies Teacher

Maggie Wise LS Counselor

YEARS OF LOVE FOR LOVETT 40 4 o

Kim Johnston comes from a long line of educators—her grandmother, aunts, and cousins were teachers. So it was a natural fit for her to start teaching in 1979. Now, after 40 years at The Lovett School, she bid farewell to her 2nd graders and has moved into retirement. We sat down and chatted with Mrs. Johnston to learn more about her passion for teaching and the legacy she left behind.

Q: HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN AT LOVETT AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?

A: My teaching career began 45 years ago when I was teaching in the public school system in Clayton County. I carpooled with several teachers to this very large elementary school. When a few of them found jobs in other industries, I knew I didn’t want to make that drive by myself. Since I lived in Buckhead, I heard about an opening at Lovett, interviewed, and took the job. I’ve probably taught more than 800 students over my 40 years at Lovett!

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT TEACHING AT LOVETT?

A. There are so many things. I think the first thing is always the children, just the connection and how much I’ve loved them. I love the bond with parents especially when they have multiple children that have gone through 2nd grade with me. Then, most of my dearest friends are people that I’ve met through Lovett. We even have a book club together. So the connections with families and fellow teachers is really special. I just have so many wonderful memories. Sometimes I feel like a celebrity when I’m at the grocery store and little kids are running after me saying ‘Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. Johnston!’ That just makes you feel so good.

Q. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE RETIRING AFTER SO MANY YEARS?

A: To be honest, I’ve kind of been an emotional mess! Because I’ve loved this place so much. Teaching is a passion, so I’m going to miss it terribly. But I also know I can’t keep going because it takes so much energy. And that’s the only way I know how to do this—just come in and give it 100%. So I know it’s time. I know I’ll be coming back to visit the children and teachers.

Q: WHAT LEGACY DO YOU HOPE YOU ARE LEAVING WITH YOUR STUDENTS?

A: It’s hard as a Lower School teacher to be passionate about every single subject. So for me, I had to just go with my heart and focus on reading and writing, especially poetry—I love the language and rhythm. The kids don’t have to worry “do I have a capital?” or “do I have a period?” Instead it just comes from their hearts. I’ve really loved teaching poetry. So my love of language and reading is what I really hope continues. I think a lot of children leave my room loving to read and appreciate poetry.

Q: WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST ABOUT LOVETT?

A: I adore reading aloud to the kids. I’m going to miss reading to them so much. You can see when they are really into a

book, and they just lean into you and you know when you’ve got them. I’m also really going to miss that connection with kids and all the people at Lovett. But my son went here, so I know I’ll keep in touch because there is that alumni connection too.

Q: WHAT’S NEXT? WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO DO IN RETIREMENT?

A: I know I’ll read a lot—I love historical fiction. I like to garden and cook. And my husband and I will travel some. And I’m finally going to remodel my kitchen— something we’ve put off for years! And of course, I have my book club that I will keep up with that includes some of my colleagues from Lovett!

MRS. JOHNSTON’S FAVORITE BOOKS & AUTHORS

FOR KIDS:

• Authors: Cynthia Rylant, Beverly Cleary, and Jane Yolen

• Poets: Kristine O’Connell George and Rebecca Kai Dotlich

FOR ADULTS:

• The Nightingale and The Women by Kristin Hannah

• Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

• Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan

• Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

• Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin

A FOND FAREWELL

Students in Mrs. Johnston’s 2nd grade class made her a retirement gift full of letters and poems.

2023-2024 RETIREES

Tony Biello Security

John Crookston Upper School

Ricky Davis

Athletics

Betsy Dimmel Lower School

Kim Johnston Lower School

Mike Lanning Grounds

Joanna Link Lower School

Karen McLeavy Upper School

Chuck Melito Upper School

Jill Melito

Athletics

Angela Mitchell Upper School

Andrea Morgan Middle School

Kevin Randolph Upper School

LOVETT WELCOMES

TO THE RIVERBANK

Each year, Lovett welcomes new families to our community during an on-campus celebration. Rally on the Riverbank is an opportunity to mark the start of a new journey and for families to meet other new families, as well as current students, parents, and administrators. The Lovett Admission Team is committed to enrolling and graduating exceptional students from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. This commitment strengthens the educational experience for each individual and for our community. Our promise to these new Lions is that upon graduation, they will enter the world ready to thrive as thinkers, problem-solvers, and creators.

RENOWNED AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, AND HISTORIAN VISITS LOVETT

GLENN SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTS ALEX KERSHAW

| By Anna Keller

INApril the Lovett community welcomed Alex Kershaw to campus as part of the 2024 Glenn Speaker Series. Kershaw is a New York Times best-selling author, journalist, and historian. He has reported for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, AARP Magazine, The Guardian, and many other newspapers and magazines. His 2012 book, The Liberator, is now a four-part series on Netflix. Kershaw is also a popular public speaker and designs and leads history tours around the world.

Kershaw spoke to an auditorium of about 150 students, parents, faculty, and staff, in a conversation led by Lovett History Department Chair Kevin Randolph. They discussed the power of journalism, Kershaw’s journey to becoming a renowned author, and the importance of studying history and its patterns. Specifically, Kershaw emphasized the impacts of talking to those who have lived through historic, life-changing experiences, including World War II veterans. His passion for studying World War II plays out in The Liberator, which tells the true story of a group of soldiers who become some of the most heroic fighters of the European invasion.

During his visit, Kershaw also spent time with Upper School students, sharing his real-world experiences with aspiring journalists and historians here at Lovett.

“When students hear firsthand from people who’ve experienced success, they’re able to draw inspiration from their career path and see yet another example of the possibilities,” said Lovett American Studies Coordinator Mark May-Beaver. “Alex Kershaw serves as a prime example of someone who has merged his passion with his vocation in service of a cause much bigger than himself.”

The Glenn Speaker Series was established in 2004 with the purpose of welcoming speakers and scholars who engage the Lovett community as part of educating the whole child. In the 20 years since, Lovett has hosted several worldrenowned speakers, including Sarah Burns, Jon Meacham, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Wes Moore, and Bob Woodward.

LOVETT OFFERS “AN EDUCATION OF DOING AND CREATING AS OPPOSED TO A TRAINING IN MEMORIZING AND REPEATING.”

Eva Edwards Lovett, New Deal in Education (1933)

Eva Edwards Lovett founded Lovett so students could learn through the act of doing and creating, rather than just sitting and memorizing information. These are a few recent examples of how today’s students are learning by living through experiences!

LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS EXPLORE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

| By Paige Kimbrel, Lower School Lead Teacher

Lovett first graders studied the question “How am I connected to others?” by learning about empathy and then seeing where the trait shows up in our community. Students identified various groups within the Lovett community and defined what empathetic leadership looks like.

Lower School Assistant Division Head Amy Darsey, as well as Upper School students Gabrielle Tobin ’24, Joshua Stewart ’24, and Coi Kilcrease ’25, shared examples of how they lead with empathy in the community. Students were able to explore parts of their identity that make them unique and compare their findings with each other to make meaningful connections rooted in love and belonging.

First graders were then asked how they can show up as empathetic leaders in our Lovett community. Children partnered with each other to create characters and a comic strip that explains how empathy shows up in their everyday lives at Lovett. At the end of the unit, students understood that they can be community leaders at Lovett, and their actions can make a lasting impact on others.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS DELVE INTO DIFFERENT RELIGIONS

| By Anna Keller, Communications Manager

Middle School students have the unique opportunity to learn about different religions firsthand.

The Eighth Grade World Religions class has units dedicated to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The units on Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism culminate in a trip to a sacred space associated with those traditions.

During a visit to the local mosque, Al-Farooq Masjid, students observed the host school participate in 2:00 p.m. ritual prayers and learned about the five pillars of Islam and the six pillars of faith.

As part of the Buddhism unit, students visited Drepung Loseling Monastery. A monk spoke about his journey to becoming a member of a religious order and explained how members express their spirituality and display the core tenets of Buddhism. They also toured a local synagogue and learned how the Torah is read. A Rabbi shared how his community is being impacted by the recent unrest in Israel and spoke on the experience of being a Jew in America.

The experiences allow students to see how different faiths are lived out today. They foster empathy and understanding in the students and broaden their perspective.

SENIORS APPLY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO REAL-WORLD PROJECTS

| By Kim Morgan, Senior Projects Coordinator

Ten students embarked upon Senior Projects last year, allowing them the opportunity to pursue an educational objective or experience that could not be fulfilled within Lovett’s curriculum, as they approached graduation and prepared to enter the adult world.

Ideally, a Senior Project is a culmination of a student’s academic career at Lovett and allows them to synthesize important lessons that have been learned or further develop a special talent or interest that has been honed throughout one’s high school years. Through Senior Projects, students may investigate possible careers, test their skills in the marketplace, and explore the wider world beyond Lovett. In keeping with the School’s philosophy, Senior Projects encourage “service to others, moral and environmental awareness, and a sensitivity to issues of global significance.” The experience reinforces Lovett’s values and strategic plan by promoting interdisciplinary and experiential learning, creativity, intellectual curiosity, and love of learning.

As in previous years, the 2024 Senior Projects covered a wide range of interests culminating in a variety of final products, including a free health clinic addressing community needs and artwork that communicates how cultural isolation and private education have affected a sense of identity.

LOVETT STUDENT GABRIELLE TOBIN RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO HER COMMUNITY

A VISIONARY WITH A SERVANT’S HEART

| By Danielle Terzer

When Gabrielle Tobin ’24 turned 10 years old, she didn’t want gifts or toys for her birthday. Instead, she asked for school supplies or cash that she could donate to local county schools. Since that birthday, the recent Lovett grad has continued fundraising for schools, started a STEM project for math tutoring, and founded a non-profit that helps offer a summer math program to seventh grade students.

Tobin’s inspiring, longtime commitment to serving her community has earned her recognition in a House resolution from State Representative Kim Schofield.

“I, on behalf of the members of the Georgia Legislatures, honor and recognize Gabrielle as a visionary with a servant’s heart who demonstrates commitment to community engagement and volunteerism, by helping to create educational opportunities for all, encouraging leadership among youth, and innovation and entrepreneurship through a local, national and global perspective,” said Representative Schofield. “I express sincere appreciation to Gabrielle Tobin for her many contributions to the success of her STEM project For Math’s Sake: Peer-to-Peer Videos and all the lives locally and globally she has impacted in a positive way.”

In addition to the resolution, Tobin’s dedication has led her to be named a finalist for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s 2024 Citizen Honors Awards. The Citizen Honors Awards recognize “Americans whose exceptional courage and selfless service embody the values of the Medal of Honor: courage and sacrifice; commitment and integrity; citizenship and patriotism.”

A LONG-TIME PASSION FOR SERVICE

Tobin has been passionate about service from a young age. Her community outreach has focused on raising donations for school supplies, serving local students with STEM tutoring, and creating educational resources and programs to improve math proficiency.

“Every year since my tenth birthday, when it is time to celebrate myself, my gratitude propels me to recognize others,” Tobin said, referencing the donations to schools that she’s made which have now surpassed $10,000.

In 2020, when schools were closed due to Covid-19, Tobin introduced the project, “For Math’s Sake: Peer-toPeer Videos,” at Betty Gray Middle School to connect with students virtually. Tobin and her peers, including Lovett students Megan Jones, Samar Kibe, Nicholas Roesel, and

Joshua Stewart, created videos explaining the sixth grade math curriculum to Middle School students in an effort to improve math proficiency in a fun, stress-free environment. The project has grown to a national level, impacting more than 13,000 students in school districts in Georgia, North Carolina, and the Bahamas.

“We are always happy to celebrate Georgia’s students and the ingenuity they bring to the classroom...The For Math’s Sake: Peer-to-Peer Videos project is an example of how young leaders can contribute to education and help their peers engage in learning mathematics in fun, engaging ways,” said Richard Woods, Georgia’s State School Superintendent. “Gabrielle is a leader among her peers and has set an example for others to follow.”

As a result of her dedication, Gabrielle became the youngest recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award and Young Women of Distinction from the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. The Girl Scout Gold Award is given to an individual who completes a minimum of 80 hours towards developing and implementing a project that makes the world a better place. It is the highest and most prestigious award in Girl Scouting. The Young Women of Distinction honor is awarded to the top projects.

In 2023, Gabrielle’s nonprofit, the 40 Mustard Seeds Foundation, partnered with Breakthrough Atlanta to offer a new summer math initiative to seventh grade students. Gabrielle developed the initiative and led a team of high

school students in creating weekly lesson plans and games. They also assisted students in creating peer-topeer math videos covering the topics they learned over the summer to be used throughout the school year as a refresher or tutorial.

At Lovett, Gabrielle was the co-president of the National Honor Society, a varsity gymnast, and served on the Student Service Board and the Student Diversity Leadership Council. She now attends Emory University where she plans to continue her local partnerships and anticipates involving the University in her community service projects.

“I am very grateful for the recognition my community service has received,” Gabrielle said. “Hopefully, the recognition will encourage both youth and adults to become more involved and see that you truly only need the ‘faith of a mustard seed’ and a willing heart to change the world!”

LOVETT STUDENTS

TRAVEL T H E WORLD

| By Fran Turner, Director of Civic and Global Engagement

During the spring break trip to Tanzania in March 2024, (above) students experienced the flora and fauna of this unique region of the world; (top right) Lovett student Megan Jones participated in a village ceremony during the spring break trip to Tanzania in March 2024; and (bottom right) Lovett students pitched in and learned from residents of the villages they visited.

What is the best way to study a second language? I suspect that Eva Edwards Lovett would agree with language teachers who say students learn best when they have the opportunity to experience the culture firsthand and actively engage with native speakers.

In fact, experiencing the world beyond the classroom walls helps students of any subject understand the relevance of what they’re studying and activate their inherent interest and desire to learn. So I am especially grateful to the Lovett teachers who spent their spring vacations shepherding Upper School students through the French countryside, and to those who traded a restful week at the beach to lead Lovett students through villages in Tanzania and marketplaces in India. It’s adventures like these that inspire curiosity in developing brains and spark a lifelong desire to learn.

In 2023-2024, Lovett students explored the world. Close to home, they volunteered around the city, tutoring students at Agape Youth & Family Center, serving dinner at Central Presbyterian’s Night Shelter, cleaning up a neighborhood in partnership with the Westside Future Fund, and packing bagels to deliver to hungry Atlantans. They rafted the Chattahoochee, backpacked in the Pisgah National Forest, and visited lawmakers in the nation’s capital. Venturing farther, Lovett lions of all ages traveled to Ecuador to experience Lovett’s cloud forest preserve, took cooking lessons in Nice, dance lessons in Delhi, and

Left: Students walked in the steps of the apostle Paul as part of the May 2024 Religion and History on-location course in Greece. Above: Lovett students got a closeup view of the Taj Mahal as part of their spring break trip to India in March 2024. Below: Marine Biology students studied coral bleaching and researched the effects of warming seas during Lovett’s summer on-location course in The Bahamas in June 2023.

tried their hands at ceramics in the village of Usa River, not far from Mount Kilimanjaro. They walked the path of the apostle Paul in Greece, and researched the effects of warming seas in the clear blue water of the Exumas.

Preparing students for learning and for life means helping them build skills to navigate the world they will enter in just a few short years. Thanks to Lovett’s dedicated faculty and staff, to much-needed trip financial aid dollars, and to parents who are willing to let their students experience the uncertainty of the wider world, Lovett students build confidence, independence, and cultural fluency that serve them well in college and beyond.

ARTS FINE

Lovett’s art, music, and drama courses offer an incredible range of ways for students to tap into and develop their creative sides. But what happens on the stage or in the studio doesn’t stay there. Several Upper School Lions reflected on how their experience in the fine arts has shaped their Lovett experience.

ART

“Lovett’s art department has provided me with the opportunity to explore my creativity through classes, clubs, and activities ever since Kindergarten. In Lower School, I remember one of my favorite days of the year being Lovett’s Spring Arts Festival. In Upper School, I have continued to develop my love for art by taking Printmaking, Painting, Drawing, Digital Photography, and Honors Visual Arts. The school has provided me with access to various materials and mediums throughout my time at Lovett. I have also built a sense of community with other art students and faculty, which has made my Lovett experience unique.”

Naya Saigal ’25

“Being a part of Lovett’s art department has definitely been one of the biggest, if not the greatest, highlights of my Lovett journey. The main reason why I’ve loved being involved in art at Lovett is the faculty and students I was able to meet through this involvement. All of the people I’ve met through classes and extracurriculars have really profoundly impacted the way I view art and enriched my time here as a student, expanding upon traditional academia to something more. The opportunity to have been a student of the Fine Arts has truly been an invaluable and rewarding experience.”

Christine Lee ’24

“My experience with the Lovett arts department has been nothing short of amazing. My journey has significantly impacted my Lovett experience by introducing me to an uplifting creative community where I know I always have a place. The arts department allows me to fully take advantage of the school’s opportunities, helping me to showcase my art in places like the High Museum. However, what I cherish most about being involved with art at Lovett is the people. From teachers to peers, I have met lifelong role models, mentors, and friends. The people make the place, and the Fine Arts department has truly shaped my Lovett journey.”

Ava Brown ’24

“The Lovett School’s Fine Arts department has provided an opportunity to learn new skills and perfect my artistry. I explored different mediums from painting, drawing, photography, design, and production, to even ceramics, which has been one of my favorites. I have gotten a chance to explore so many ways of art and I think more people should be involved in the fine arts. After the Fine Arts Fair and Lower School showcasing each of the fine arts classes, I’ve been excited to take them personally; each class is a calming outlet for me to learn and enjoy the work I do.”

Sterling Halad ’24

PHOTOGRAPHY

“I have a strong passion for photography and the photo classes I’ve taken at Lovett have definitely been my favorite classes of all time. I’ve taken Digital Photo, Photo 1, Photo 2, and I plan to take Honors Photo 3 next year. The teacher and classmates I’ve been with are all wonderful, and we get along extremely well. I’ve expressed my love for the photo classes so much that I’ve even inspired other classmates to take the class. Even though I’m not currently taking a photo class, I still think about photography often and I’ve even borrowed film equipment so that I can shoot on my own and develop it during my free periods, because I can’t wait to be back in the class next year.”

Emory Black ’25

THEATER

“I took my very first theater elective in seventh grade, and ever since then I’ve absolutely fallen in love with both the art and Lovett’s department. As a sophomore who just finished her sixth production, I can say with certainty that I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the feeling of being part of an ensemble, whether it’s on stage with all of my friends or working backstage to make all the moving parts fall into place. I’ve worked on both stage management and acting, and I love doing both. Honestly, I just love participating in the program in whatever way I can, from helping grab shoes for actors to understudying and actually performing on stage. Being a part of theater is truly a part of me, and I’m so grateful to have gone to a school with a department that fosters that kind of involvement in the arts. All of my teachers and advisors who I’ve encountered through the program have been so kind to me, and the theater department at Lovett is such an easy group of people to love. All of this has encouraged me to continue acting, as everyone has created a perfect environment for growth and success in the arts!”

Ansley Hall ’26

“From making sound effects as an ensemble member in The Metamorphosis to performing in over ten Lovett productions, including starring in Disney’s Newsie’s as Jack Kelly, Lovett’s theater department has been a highlight of my Upper School experience. Through theater classes, studying Uta Hagen and famous playwrights, workshops with world-class guest teachers, and trips to New York to introduce us to our creative possibilities, Lovett Theater has developed the shy, new student who started at Lovett into a confident senior ready to take any acting challenge, public speech, or school presentation. Although the 14 to 18-hour-long rehearsal weeks are demanding, I am incredibly grateful to Lovett’s theater department for giving me a second home filled with fun, amazing mentors, and lifelong friends and fueling my hunger to not only improve as an artist but also as a person looking to learn more about humanity.”

Joshua Stewart ’24

“Without question, the Lovett Theater Department has made the most positive impact on my time as a Lovett Lion. On stage, I get to share my gifts with the broader community and challenge myself to do justice to the pieces of art we get to bring to life in the Hendrix-Chenault Theater. Off stage, I have had the incredible opportunity to create a second family in the Theater through the years. I am eternally grateful for the love and joy, as well as the support through the hard times. We are silly, wild, hardworking, and dedicated to having each other’s backs.”

Megan Jones ’24

DANCE

“I have been a part of Lovett Dance since seventh grade, and I have loved it, because it allows me to express myself in a new way. Dancing at Lovett inspired me to take ballet classes outside of school so I could improve my skills. This year, Honors Dance is a new class that Lovett offers, and it has been such a great experience being in a class of people who all care so much about dancing. Some of my favorite Lovett Dance pieces and memories have been made this year in Honors.”

Imani Kenner ’24

“Being able to dance alongside such talented dancers and have the opportunity to be mentored by Ms. Metzger and Coach Aaron James has provided me with an out-of-the-ordinary experience in Lovett’s dance program. I entered the fine arts dance program in the second semester of seventh grade, and ever since, I have fallen in love with the art; however, dancing in the Upper School had been a personal challenge since, entering my freshman year, I was the youngest in my class. Despite this setback, I tried my best and continued to dance in the Honors Dance course during my sophomore year. While I continued to be the youngest in my class, my very talented seniors and juniors pushed me to continue my dance journey with the program. I would especially like to thank Ms. Metzger for placing her confidence in me and Coach Aaron James for encouraging me to audition for the inaugural Varsity Dance Team.”

Christina Dahabreh ’26

MUSIC

“I have really enjoyed participating in band throughout my time at Lovett. The directors create a community that not only teaches musical proficiency but also gives students opportunities to learn real life lessons that can be applied outside of the classroom. Lovett band is a place where mistakes and growth are supported. Band has helped me increase my confidence when playing in front of other people, which is also an important skill in other settings. Overall, my experiences in band are very valuable to me, and I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing community.”

Fiona White ’27

“My experience with Lovett’s band department has truly shaped my journey here. From picking up the flute in 4th grade to becoming the first flautist in the honors Ellington Jazz Band, it’s been an incredible ride. What makes Lovett’s band special is our exceptional teaching staff—they not only teach music but also instill a sense of excitement and camaraderie. Their innovative teaching methods and unwavering support have not only honed my musical skills but also fostered a sense of belonging within the band community. Moving from Lower to Upper School, I’ve experienced continuous growth, especially after finding my passion for jazz. Discovering jazz was a revelation, igniting a newfound passion and allowing me to explore a whole new dimension of musical expression. Despite the unconventional choice of instrument, joining the jazz band has been a highlight, solidifying my place in the Lovett community as both a musician and a friend. Through it all, I’ve found not just a hobby but a family united by a love for music and a shared commitment to excellence.”

20 20 UNDER

THREE LOVETT STUDENTS NAMED TO ROUGH DRAFT ’S 20 UNDER 20 LIST FOR 2024

SCAN THE QR CODE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Atlanta news outlet Rough Draft named Michael Doller ’24 and Rylie Tatum ’24 to its 20 Under 20 list for 2024, and Kamari Carter ’25 was recognized as a runner-up. Each year, the organization honors students for their ability to “juggle their education while giving back to the community in meaningful ways.”

Michael launched Atlanta’s teen chapter of Once Upon a Room. He led his team in raising over $20,000 to support more than 15 hospital room makeovers to help enrich the lives of pediatric patients suffering from serious illnesses.

Rylie is president of Lovett’s Girl Up club and helped collect more than 14,000 personal care items for underserved girls and women in Atlanta. She also works to encourage young women in STEM by giving presentations and serving as a mistress of ceremonies for the annual LEGO League Robotics Showcase.

Kamari is also involved in Lovett’s Girl Up Atlanta Chapter as the vice president and co-led its Period Poverty Product Drive, collecting over 14,000 units of feminine hygiene products.

ADVANCEMENT YEAR AT A GLANCE

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING EVERY STUDENT’S JOURNEY!

Students are at the core of Lovett’s mission, and the generosity of our community throughout the 2023-24 school year helped Lovett provide a robust learning experience for each and every student. Each charitable gift played a vital role in sustaining Lovett’s commitment to excellence for our students and our faculty. Thank you to all of our donors for growing the True Blue Fund, building upon world-class academic programs, enhancing innovation across campus, strengthening support for our valued faculty, and ensuring that a Lovett education is accessible to every eligible student who seeks it.

$65.6 M TOTAL PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT IN FISCAL YEAR 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)

$3.4 M TRUE BLUE FUND TOTAL in Fiscal Year 2024

1,640 students and 234 faculty impacted by YOU!

Thank you to the 163 donors who are leading the way in fulfilling historic aspirations for our school as we near Lovett’s Centennial in 2026, ensuring Eva Edwards Lovett’s vision will be carried forth into our school’s second century with promise and strength.

$67.5 M

TOTAL ONE LOVETT COMMITMENTS TO DATE

$54.3 M

CAMPUS TRANSFORMATION AND UNRESTRICTED GIFTS

Committed to building a new, reimagined community center that will serve as the heart and soul of campus and provide greater connectivity for students and faculty.

$4.7 M FACULTY SUPPORT

Committed to Lovett’s endowment to attract and retain exceptional faculty and leaders.

$3.6 M STUDENT SUPPORT

Committed to Lovett’s endowment for student financial aid, taking into account the true cost of the Lovett experience for all families.

$4.5 M ESTATE COMMITMENTS

Committed to Lovett’s Legacy Society which includes donors who have newly documented gifts through their estate planning to support the School’s endowment.

$511 K SPECIAL PROJECTS

Committed to support special projects and other initiatives that impact our students and faculty.

Please note that the financials provided are unaudited. Lovett’s annual audit will conclude in September 2024. Audited financials will be included in the upcoming FY24 Donor Impact Report.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR TAXES!

REDIRECT THE GEORGIA INCOME TAXES YOU

ALREADY PAY TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS

Georgia offers an exceptional education tax credit program, allowing you to utilize your state income tax dollars to provide tuition assistance for deserving students seeking a Lovett School education. By participating in this opportunity, you play a pivotal role in strengthening our school in countless ways. Your involvement enhances our financial well-being and furthers the continuous improvement of our educational offerings—all without any additional cost to you

Through our esteemed partner Student Scholarship Organization, Georgia GOAL, you can make a difference by contributing funds that directly support deserving students’ access to our exceptional educational environment, and you will receive a 100% Georgia income tax credit in exchange for your contribution!

FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

Consult your tax advisor about this powerful and popular tax credit program. Depending on how you will pay your 2025 taxes, there are two opportunities for pass-through businesses to make a substantial impact on our community through GOAL.

TAX FILING STATUS

Pass-Through Owner (not making HB 149 election)

CONTRIBUTION LIMIT

$25,000

Pass-Through electing to pay tax at the entity level (HB 149) 75% of annual tax liability

1. SALT WORKAROUND (HB 149 ELECTION) METHOD

GOAL tax credit is claimed at the entity level, under the name and FEIN of the pass-through business Georgia pass-through businesses may elect to pay state income tax at the entity level, thereby enabling the pass-through owners to avoid the $10,000 SALT deduction limitation on their earnings from the business. The tax impact from this election can result in significant cost savings for the business owners.

• For businesses making this election, they may contribute up to 75% of their state income tax liability to GOAL, empowering many more families to seek the K-12 education they desire for their children!

• The electing pass-through entity may not be required to claim any business purpose for the payment besides satisfying Georgia’s tax liability!

2. BUSINESS EXPENSE (NOT MAKING HB 149 ELECTION) METHOD

GOAL tax credit is claimed at the individual level, under the name(s) and SSN(s) of the pass-through business owner (and spouse, if applicable)

Pass-through owners can receive a tax credit for up to $25,000 if they anticipate paying that much income tax as a result of their pass-through ownership.

• These pass-throughs can also deduct contributions to GOAL if they qualify as ordinary and necessary business expenses.

SIGN UP FOR YOUR 2025 GOAL TAX CREDIT AT: WWW.GOALSCHOLARSHIP.ORG

GOAL will guide you through the remaining steps until your contribution is due in mid-March 2025, within 60 days following approval by the Georgia Department of Revenue. Let’s make every GOAL count!

Note that applications exceeded available credits in 2024, resulting in each applicant being approved (or prorated) for only 63% of the amount requested. GOAL anticipates oversubscription and proration again for 2025.

PRIDE! RIVERBANK

| by Adekale Ande, Sports Information Manager

GIRLS SOCCER

Girls Soccer Head Coach Virginia Seiler Kerns ’11 (pictured below) lead the Lions to an undefeated season, finishing 21-0. Lovett won its sixth state championship in program history and its third title in the last four years. Lovett outscored its opponents 151-9 during the season. Four players earned First Team All-State Honors: Olivia Aiken ’24, Katelyn Nixon ’25, Ridley Newton ’25, and Mary Parrish Green ’25. Girls Soccer was one of the few Lovett teams to complete a perfect season.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Head Coach Mike Harner earned his 100th win as the head coach of Lovett in an away contest against Stockbridge on February 6, 2024.

TRACK

William Zelnak ’24 became the first triple jump state champion in school history and first athlete since 2021 to win individually for Lovett. Zelnak owns the school records in high jump (6’5”) and triple jump (47’9.5”). Zelnak will be jumping and competing at Georgia Tech.

WRESTLING

Cael Kusky ’25 and Chris Mance ’25 become just the third and fourth Lovett wrestlers to become three-time State Champions. Elle Kaufmann ’26 became a two-time State Champion and the first girl to win consecutive State Championships.

CLASS OF 2024 COLLEGE SIGNINGS

Eleven members of Lovett’s Class of 2024 signed to play sports at the next level in college. These students impacted Lovett through feats in the classroom, in the community, and in their respective sports. The Class of 2024 consists of nine different colleges and universities, seven Division III athletes, five different sports, three Division I athletes, and one NAIA athlete.

Julian Cassinelli

Swarthmore College Lacrosse

Allie Steel

Hamilton College Volleyball

Charlie Olivier

Hampden-Sydney College Lacrosse

Davis Dickson

Rhodes College Lacrosse

Emma Duffield University of Georgia Volleyball

Christopher Cooper II

Oberlin College

Football

William Sams

Rhodes College

Baseball

Kennedy Campbell

Xavier University of Louisiana Volleyball

Brian Stephens

Rhodes College

Baseball

Ana Gore

Kennesaw State University

Softball

Daniel Sams

Harvard University

Baseball

FEATURES

As we draw closer to Lovett’s Centennial celebration, we’re looking back on the history and evolution of the structure that has always served as Lovett’s closest link to the Chattahoochee River, Kilpatrick Stadium. See page 46 to read more.

COUNTDOWN TO

| By Jillian Mason, Centennial Celebration Manager

100

Entrepreneurs, artists, Olympic athletes, astronauts, and humanitarians—for nearly a century, Lovett has graduated world changers who positively impact their communities and the many lives they touch along the way. While the scope of our campus and programs have evolved over time, Eva Edward Lovett’s quintessential vision of helping students thrive in learning and life has remained true since she established the School in 1926. In 2026, Lovett will launch a celebration of its centennial—an historic opportunity to recognize Lovett’s extraordinary past while setting the stage for our School’s bright future.

Celebrating Lovett’s Centennial allows us to honor and recognize the foundation of Mrs. Eva Lovett’s teachings and the history and legacy of our institution, all while acknowledging the dedication and contribution from generations of students, faculty, and staff who have shaped Lovett’s identity over the decades. A Centennial celebration also provides an opportunity for current members to feel a sense of pride and connection to their community, fostering a deeper appreciation for the values and traditions that define us. It serves as a catalyst for reflection and renewal—a time to pause and really appreciate where we’ve been and what we’ve accomplished.

While the school’s evolution over the past century is evident in its academic advancements and physical expansion (from Peachtree Place, to Myrtle Street, to West Wesley Road, to our current new-and-improved campus), lesser-known changes have also significantly

CELEBRATING LOVETT , S CENTENNIAL ALLOWS US TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE FOUNDATION OF EVA LOVETT , S TEACHINGS AND THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF OUR INSTITUTION, ALL WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEDICATION AND CONTRIBUTION FROM GENERATIONS OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF WHO HAVE SHAPED LOVETT , S IDENTITY OVER THE DECADES.

shaped its current identity. One notable transformation is the integration of technology into education and how the Covid-19 pandemic revolutionized teaching methods and student learning experiences. Lovett has also implemented more inclusive policies promoting community, culture, and equity, fostering a more welcoming and supportive environment for all. Added curricula and outreach programs like Service Initiation for Ninth Graders (SING) have helped students build meaningful connections to both local and global communities while making positive societal impacts. These changes, though not always immediately visible, have played a crucial role in shaping the vibrant and forward-thinking institution we know today.

While not giving too much away, I can say that our Lovett community can anticipate some unique and very festive events during the Centennial year. From curated historical exhibitions showcasing the school’s journey through the decades to Alumni reunions that rekindle old connections and forge new ones, there will be something for everyone. Expect vibrant cultural performances, engaging academic & historical symposiums, and other centennial-related events that highlight the school’s multifaceted achievements. We want to deepen ties with stakeholders and amplify the celebration’s impact beyond the Riverbank. The next couple of years promise to be filled with memorable moments that honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future!

Above Left: West Wesley Road NW from 1936-1960. Above Right: 921 Myrtle Street in 1930 (top); 32 Peachtree Place, Lovett’s first location, in 1927 (bottom). Top: Eva Lovett. Opposite: Paces Ferry Road Campus during the 1970s.

THE WHOLE CHILD

PR MISE

ACHIEVEMENT

WELL-BEING AT LOVETT

| By Anna Keller, Communications Manager

What does success mean at Lovett? It’s not simply about grades, awards, or college acceptances. At Lovett, success is defined by the cultivation of intrinsic motivation—the internal desire that pushes students to pursue their passions, overcome challenges, and find fulfillment in their achievements. This deeper, more personal understanding of success goes beyond external accolades, encouraging students to explore their unique strengths and values. By fostering an environment where personal growth and well-being are prioritized, Lovett empowers students to achieve success on their own terms, grounded in a sense of purpose and self-awareness.

Over the past two years, Lovett has partnered with Challenge Success, an organization dedicated to promoting balanced and healthy development in schools across the nation. This collaboration stems from a growing awareness of the stressors that our students face daily and the desire to equip them with healthy strategies for managing this stress. By working together, our entire school community— students, parents, educators, trustees, and administrators— is identifying the challenges our students encounter and devising solutions that align with Lovett’s commitment to nurturing the whole child.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES

The pressures of academic performance, social expectations, and personal aspirations can be overwhelming, especially for adolescents. Research from Jonathan Haidt’s, The Anxious Generation, underscores this reality by highlighting how today’s youth are grappling with unprecedented levels of anxiety and stress. Haidt’s work points to several contributing factors, including the pervasive influence of social media and the relentless pursuit of success defined narrowly by grades and accolades.

Lovett’s partnership with Challenge Success has allowed us to take a closer look at these issues within our own community. A team of nearly a dozen Lovett students, parents, and educators has been actively engaged in this initiative, exploring how to best prioritize well-being while recognizing and celebrating each student’s unique identity and individual definition of success.

“The beauty of partnering with Challenge Success is that we can use community-wide feedback to shape the lives of our students for the better,” says Jessica Sant, Lovett’s Chief Engagement Officer. “Bringing together diverse perspectives not only informs our approach to school dynamics like achievement and excellence but also ensures that student voice and well-being are central to our mission of delivering on the whole child promise.”

[ LOVETT STUDENTS] SPEARHEADED MULTIPLE INITIATIVES, INCLUDING ORGANIZING A FISHBOWL DISCUSSION WHERE STUDENTS OPENLY SPOKE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND ANXIETY, AND TEACHERS WERE INVITED TO LISTEN FROM THE SIDELINES.

STUDENT-LED INITIATIVES AND INSIGHTS

Lovett Upper School students have taken a leading role in this collaborative effort. Kennedy Crane, Copeland Stukes, and Anna Mefford have been part of the Challenge Success program since its inception in 2022, with recent graduate Christopher “CJ” Cooper ’24 joining the team in 2023. They spearheaded multiple initiatives, including organizing a fishbowl discussion where students openly shared their experiences with mental health and anxiety, while teachers listened and gained valuable insights from their perspectives.

The students also organized a Teacher Shadow Day, where teachers were able to spend a day learning about the Lovett experience through the eyes of a student.

“Teachers noticed that students were doing a lot more, and they hadn’t realized how easily stressed students could get because their schedules were fully loaded,” said Stukes. “I think they now understand what we’re going through. I think it’s important to help them understand us so that they can better help students be more actively engaged.”

One of the most significant findings from the work with Challenge Success came from a comprehensive survey of middle and upper school students, as well as parents of students in grades 4-12. This survey explored various topics including workload, involvement, classroom engagement, and belonging and compared the results to a national dataset. The most notable and widespread issue that emerged both at Lovett and across the country was a lack of sleep.

THE SLEEP DEFICIT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

According to experts, middle school students should be getting around 10 hours of sleep each night, yet the average Lovett middle schooler gets only 7.9 hours on weeknights. The situation is even more concerning in the Upper School, where students are recommended to sleep for nine hours but typically get just 6.8 hours. This sleep deficit is a critical issue, as Haidt’s research emphasizes. He notes that insufficient sleep is closely linked to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, creating a vicious cycle where stress leads to poor sleep, which in turn exacerbates stress.

Left to Right: Copeland Stukes ’27, Kennedy Crane ’27, Anna Mefford ’26, and Christopher “CJ” Cooper ’24

Parents can play a crucial role in breaking this cycle. Doctors recommend establishing a consistent bedtime routine and limiting screen use at night. The American Psychological Association also advises parents to model healthy coping strategies, helping their children find effective ways to manage stress and improve their sleep quality. As part of our Challenge Success efforts, Lovett conducted a reflective exercise with middle schoolers, asking them to anonymously complete the phrase “I wish my parents knew….” Their responses were poignant.

A similar project was done in the Upper School, where a handful of students and faculty were asked two questions about defining success. Their responses were recorded in a video, which was produced and edited by Mefford. Scan the QR code to watch!

A SHIFT IN POLICY FOR THE SAKE OF WELL-BEING

Recognizing the profound impact of technology on student well-being, Lovett has taken a bold step with a new policy that restricts the use of smart devices during the school day for all students. Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, students in grades K-5 do not bring smart devices to campus, while students in grades 6-12 are required to secure their phones throughout the school day. This policy is a direct response to the data and insights gathered through our work with Challenge Success and is designed to foster a more present and engaged learning environment.

Research has shown that excessive screen use can negatively affect academic performance, social development, and mental health. By removing the constant distractions of smartphones, Lovett aims to create a space where students can fully immerse themselves in learning and build stronger connections with their peers and teachers.

I WISH MY PARENTS KNEW…

HERE WERE SOME OF THE RESPONSES:

…what being my age is like nowadays with beauty standards, relationships, pressure, academic expectations, etc.

…I can be more responsible than they think.

…I am not my brother.

…how hard it is to balance everything, while still trying to be a good daughter and keep my grades up.

…that I am always trying, and I never want to make them disappointed in me.

…I needed another dog for support.

…that I’m stressed and overwhelmed with all of my schoolwork even though I may not show it.

…it means a lot when they ask what’s happening in my classes.

…how much I appreciate them.

Above: Responses to “I wish my parents knew…” posted on the wall for parents to see.

“At Lovett, we believe that the school day should be a time for students to immerse themselves in learning and meaningful connections,” says Head of School Meredyth Cole. “By eliminating the reach of smart devices, we are giving our kids the gift of presence—helping them to explore what it means to manage technology intentionally and focus on what truly matters.”

BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT

Implementing this policy represents a significant shift for students and families, and Lovett is committed to providing the necessary support to ensure a smooth transition. Parents are encouraged to engage in open conversations with their children about the benefits of this policy and to reinforce healthy technology habits at home. Sara Friedman, Lovett’s Director of School Counseling K-12, emphasizes that the goal is not to demonize technology but to help students learn how to use it in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from their lives.

“This policy is about empowering students to take control of their time and focus on what truly matters at school and beyond,” says Friedman. Lovett has also taken additional steps to support this initiative by providing alarm clocks to all students in grades 6-12, encouraging them to leave their phones out of the bedroom at night. This move promotes better sleep hygiene and reduces the risks associated with late-night screen time.

“THE GOAL IS TO USE WHAT WE’VE LEARNED TO FIND SOLUTIONS AND HELP STUDENTS GET MORE OUT OF THEIR SCHOOL

LOOKING AHEAD: REDEFINING SUCCESS

As Lovett continues to explore the positive impacts of a more intentional approach to technology use, the broader goal remains clear: to redefine success in a way that encompasses not just academic and extracurricular achievements but also emotional resilience, mental wellbeing, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships. The work we’ve done with Challenge Success is a testament to our commitment to this holistic vision, and the new phone policy is just one of many steps we are taking to create a healthier, more balanced school environment.

grade.

Lovett Upper School teacher Jennifer Reynolds, who is actively involved in Challenge Success, reflects on the ongoing process of change: “The goal is to use what we’ve learned to find solutions and help students get more out of their school experience. There’s so much more to success than what kids can do in the classroom, and it’s important to incorporate actionable strategies to help facilitate learning for the whole child.”

Lovett is excited to embark on this journey with our entire school community—students, parents, alumni, teachers, and staff—as we collectively redefine what success means. By broadening our vision of success and prioritizing well-being, we are not only enhancing our students’ academic performance but also contributing to their development as thoughtful, balanced human beings who are prepared to thrive in learning and in life.

Below: Lovett alarm clock issued to students in 6th-12th

ALONG THE RIVER’S BEND THE LION’S DEN

| By Lloyd Brown ’75

THE HISTORY OF KILPATRICK STADIUM

Lovett has always had a relationship with water, whether it is the pond that greets visitors to the campus or the Chattahoochee River that flows along the western border. Faculty member James E. Warren recognized this, choosing to include the words, “By the ancient river gleaming, down the pleasant shores of home” in the lyrics of the Lovett Hymn.

The Lovett campus of 2024 is very different from the original campus that opened in the fall of 1960. Virtually every building has seen major renovations or has been torn down and replaced with a structure that better serves the needs of the students and faculty of the School.

One structure that has always served as Lovett’s closest link to the river is the Martin E. Kilpatrick Stadium. At the beginning, Lovett did not have a stadium for its athletic activities, as construction of the academic buildings was a priority. From 1960 to 1965, the school’s football games took place at Joe Bean Stadium at St. Pius.

As the academic campus filled out, the Lovett Board of Directors began looking towards the construction of a stadium to host the sports activities of the School. They felt that having an oncampus athletic facility was important for the development of the whole student, as sports help to develop character and the concept of teamwork. Board Member Martin E. Kilpatrick was chosen to lead the fundraising campaign to build this stadium.

The decision of where to build the stadium was not an easy one, as the topography and the limited space on

the campus were not favorable. The back of the school property was most desirable, as it left plenty of room for the academic campus to expand in the future. The tract of land along the river was seen as the best choice, as the rules for building structures within a flood plain would prohibit any type of academic buildings on the site. However, stadiums normally have seats on both sides of the field. This would not be possible along the river. After much discussion, it was decided that stadium construction would get underway in 1965, with an unconventional design for those times, of having all seats on one side of the stadium. Construction on the stadium site began after a very successful building campaign, and the facility opened in time for the 1966 football season. Its original design incorporated the stands, with a structure housing one concession stand, a press box, and restroom facilities at the top of the stands. A cinder track was later added for track and field events.

Ironically, that long ago decision is what makes Kilpatrick Stadium so unique. It provides a beautiful backdrop for sporting events. It also has provided Lovett with a unique competitive advantage. Visiting teams use the river side of the field as their sideline. This puts them far away from their fans and cheerleading squads, depriving them of the energy they would otherwise feed on.

Just like the academic campus, Kilpatrick Stadium has gone through several renovations over the years. A 1975 project saw a pair of locker rooms added to the top of the

stadium, with facilities for both the home and visiting teams on each side of the press box building, as well as an auxiliary concession stand. A second major construction project in 2015 replaced the structures atop the stands. This present structure includes an enlarged press box and a wider entry concourse underneath the press box, as well as redesigned restrooms, ticketing windows, and concession facilities. An all-weather track has also replaced the cinder surface to make it more usable on inclement weather days.

Most people have referred to Kilpatrick Stadium as the “football stadium”. This is somewhat of a misnomer, as the facility has hosted a wide variety of events over the years. In the athletic realm, this includes soccer, track and field, lacrosse, and even field hockey. Kilpatrick Stadium has also been a stadium of champions over the years, as it was used by state championship teams in football, boys soccer, girls soccer, lacrosse, and track and field. It has also been used for field days by the Lower and Middle Schools, the 30 years of the Run ’n Lovett fundraiser, and other events.

In the 57 years of the stadium, the waters of the Chattahoochee have completely flooded the field twice. Most recently, in September 2024, flooding from Hurricane Helene left the field completely underwater. During recordbreaking flooding in 2009, the field was left unplayable for several weeks. This resulted in “the Battle of Buckhead” game against Westminster being moved to Woodward Academy, as Fritz Orr Field at Westminster was flooded by the waters of Nancy Creek.

Left: Kilpatrick Stadium under construction in 2014. Top Right: Enlarged press box and a wider entry concourse were added in 2015. Bottom Right: The Chattahoochee River floods Kilpatrick Stadium in 2009.

COACH BILL CONLEY (A NOTED ARTIST) DREW A SKETCH OF A LION TO STAND NEXT TO THE SCOREBOARD ON THE VISITOR’S SIDE… THE FINISHED LION WAS TALLER THAN THE SCOREBOARD AND… LOOMED OVER THE VISITING TEAMS FOR 10 YEARS.

It is hard for visiting teams to miss the fact that they are in the Lion’s den when they play at Kilpatrick Stadium. When the stadium opened in 1966, Head Football Coach Bill Conley (a noted artist) drew a sketch of a lion to stand next to the scoreboard on the visitor’s side of the field. The finished lion was taller than the scoreboard and was constructed of foam material. The lion loomed over the visiting teams for 10 years, perishing in a mysterious fire in 1976. Today there are two lions represented in Kilpatrick Stadium. The Pride of Lovett plaque is affixed to the building at the top of the stands. It was donated by the Lovett Classes of 1992 and 1993. The Young Lions statue sits behind the north end zone. It was underwritten by the fathers of Lovett football players. One additional Lovett spirit item in the stadium is the Victory Bell donated by Dot and Tom Campbell. It is rung after each Lovett score and after Lovett victories.

Kilpatrick Stadium became much more than a sports facility during the recent pandemic. Many classes were held in the stands when students first returned to campus, as it was an outdoor facility which could allow for social distancing. It also was pulled into duty for several campuswide events, including the all-school chapels at the beginning and end of the school year, as well as the graduation ceremonies.

The stadium would not exist in its present form without the efforts of many special people. Martin Kilpatrick spearheaded the fundraising efforts to build the stadium in 1965, and the stadium was named in his honor in 1980. Two other Lovett legends also are honored at the stadium. Lovett coaches Bill Conley and Charles Oakley were there for the inaugural season of the stadium and for more than 30 years after that. In 2001, the field was officially named ConleyOakley Field during the halftime of the Homecoming game with both coaches and their families present. Kilpatrick Stadium will always be Lovett’s closest link to the Chattahoochee.

Top Left: Graduation in Kilpatrick Stadium in May 2023. Bottom Left: Students participate in the Run ‘n Lovett race in Spring 2023. Below: Longtime Lovett head football coach Bill Conley.

TUNE IN TO THE LOVETT PODCAST!

LIVING LOVETT: STORIES FROM THE RIVERBANK

Whether you’re an alum, a parent, a teacher, or a friend of our school, you know firsthand the strength and vibrancy of the Lovett community. To celebrate this spirit, we invite you to listen to Living Lovett: Stories from the Riverbank, the official podcast of The Lovett School. The show shines a light on the many voices that make our school so unique, from parents, students, educators, and trustees to alumni and school leaders.

With over 7,500 direct downloads across five successful seasons, Living Lovett education podcasts worldwide. Each episode offers an intimate look into the experiences and stories that have shaped our community. Whether you want to reconnect with old memories or learn something new, this podcast is for you.

And the excitement continues! We’re thrilled to announce Season Six of more perspectives that capture the heart and soul of our riverbank campus. We are exploring the changes happening at Lovett, engaging in important discussions about communication and student development, and hearing from special guests with unique insights into a Lovett education.

We invite you to tune in and join the conversation wherever you listen to podcasts. Celebrate the Lovett spirit and hear more stories that continue to define our shared legacy.

SEASON 6 STREAMING NOW!

Here are a few highlights from our upcoming season, releasing this fall:

SEASON 6 PREMIERE: LOVETT FOR A LIFETIME

Mary Louise Kelly ’89 — Lovett Alumna and NPR’s All Things Considered host joins us on the Season 6 premiere of Living Lovett.

Mary Louise takes us through her 13-year journey at Lovett, including pivotal moments that sparked her passion for writing and storytelling, to life lessons learned from legendary Lovett teachers.

FAITH-BASED LITERACIES

A Conversation with Lovett’s New Head Chaplain and K-12 Religion Coordinator — Meet Lovett’s new Head Chaplain, Reverend Colin Brown, and Sandra Switzer, long-time Upper School religion teacher and newly appointed K-12 Religion Curriculum Coordinator, as they discuss Lovett’s evolving vision for K-12 religion and spiritual formation. Learn how they aim to foster faith-based literacies, encourage meaningful spiritual exploration, and create alignment across all grade levels while building on Lovett’s rich traditions.

WELCOMING FUTURE LIONS

Insights from Lovett’s New Head of Enrollment — Meet Melinda DeMaria, Head of Enrollment and Admission at Lovett, as she discusses her first impressions of her new community and her hopes to build a welcoming and inclusive environment for future Lovett families. Tune in as she shares her vision for the admission process, what Lovett looks for in prospective students, and how the school is preparing to shape the next generation of leaders.

EXPLORING PERSPECTIVES

How Historical Understanding Shapes Modern Issues — Join us as we sit down with Dr. Jeff Turner, Upper School History Department Chair, and Kai Parham, Middle School History Faculty member. Discover how they are equipping students to understand complex societal issues, sift through reliable information, and develop critical thinking skills amidst the dynamics of the unfolding presidential election season. Learn how they help to grow informed and engaged global citizens.

TUNE IN!

Scan the QR code to view the full list of episodes and start listening today!

ALL-TIME MOST DOWNLOADED EPISODES:

SEASON 1

Episode 5: Meet the Parents

SEASON 2

Episode 7:

Recognizing Excellence in Teaching

SEASON 3

Episode 7: It’s About Fit: Comprehensive College Counseling at Lovett

SEASON 4

Episode 7:

Growing the Whole Child: Nurturing Spiritual Formation in Kids

SEASON 5

Episode 1: Demystifying Lovett’s Admission Process

MASSAGES, MAMMOGRAMS, AND DENTAL CARE:

HOW LOVETT SAVES TEACHERS’

| By Elizabeth Heubeck, Staff Writer, Education Week

Teachers in the United States are notoriously short on time. They work an average of 53 hours per week, compared to 46 hours for other professionals, according to a 2023 nationally representative survey of K-12 public school teachers by the RAND Corp. Annually, they spend 200 more hours at work than their teaching peers worldwide, according to 2022 data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. And, among the 86 percent of 1,800-plus K-12 educators surveyed by the EdWeek Research Center last December who said they were considering leaving their job, about half identified “amount of workload” as the reason.

Long and demanding workdays, coupled with very little flexibility regarding when they can take off during the school year, leaves little time for teachers to do even some of the basic things that are critical for their personal health and wellness—like maintaining a daily exercise routine or getting to annual doctor’s checkups and preventive screenings.

But some schools are trying to ease that burden in creative ways.

The Lovett School tries to get ahead of the cumulative effects of stress to teachers by providing some significant benefits to its employees designed to save them time and enable them to attend to their health and wellness needs. Funding for the benefits comes primarily from the school’s general budget (as opposed to ESSER funding, a grant, or other less permanent income stream), signaling the school’s commitment to them.

Many public and private schools might scoff at the notion of paying for extraneous perks out of their general budget or simply feel they cannot do it financially. Or they might consider those efforts less of a budget priority than student-centered initiatives around improving reading and other academic skills.

Still, some estimates put the toll of teachers’ unmanaged stress—which negatively affects their personal health and teaching performance—at billions of dollars to U.S. schools annually. When looked at that way, the upfront costs of time-saving health and wellness employee benefits may be worth considering, experts say.

[LOVETT PROVIDES] SOME SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO ITS EMPLOYEES DESIGNED TO SAVE THEM TIME AND ENABLE THEM TO ATTEND TO THEIR HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEEDS. FUNDING FOR THE BENEFITS COMES PRIMARILY FROM THE SCHOOL’S GENERAL BUDGET… SIGNALING THE SCHOOL’S COMMITMENT TO THEM.

“We really try to understand which benefits meet the needs of our employees,” said Chorlana Francis, the school’s head of human resources. “And we know that when teachers are finished with school at the end of the day, they’re trying to manage their time.”

Here’s how Lovett gets employee input on perks, and some of the time-saving benefits for teachers they’ve implemented to date:

TEACHER FEEDBACK DRIVES DECISIONS AROUND PERKS

At Lovett, employee feedback drives a lot of decisions around perks, especially those related to health and wellness—beyond the usual medical, dental, and vision insurance benefits that employers offer. “We make decisions based on employee feedback, not on what other schools are doing,” said Francis. “Employees consistently tell us: Don’t change the benefits.”

The school gets that feedback a couple different ways. It administers engagement and wellness surveys. It also hosts on-campus benefits fairs during school hours. This lets employees learn more about current offerings like the time-saving TextCare, a service that connects employees via text message to a care provider within five minutes for minor ailments.

During these fairs, the school sometimes brings in vendors to gauge employees’ interest in adopting new perks. Recently, employees tested out the services of Stretchlab, a one-on-one assisted stretch studio.

Above: Employees at The Lovett School meet with health benefits representatives during a mini benefits fair on May 8, 2024. Opposite: Lovett provides on-site seated massage, facials, mammograms, and dental services to employees.

EXPANDING FREE, ONSITE MASSAGES AND YOGA

The school also offers employees free, onsite massage services. Given the popularity of the 15-minute massages, the school recently increased their frequency from quarterly to monthly. Free, onsite wellness classes (including yoga and pilates) at the end of the school day reduce the need for teachers to figure out when and how to squeeze exercise into their schedules.

Scheduling medical appointments presents a particularly big challenge to teachers, whose work hours tend to mirror those of many health care providers.

At Lovett, twice-a-year onsite dental and mobile mammography clinics (hosted by companies that accept employees’ insurance plans) eliminate the stress of scheduling these important services.

“It’s really useful for people when they don’t have to run to the dentist,” said Heidi Gray, who teaches 9th- and 11th-grade history at Lovett and has worked at the school for 23 years. “Educators have very specific demands related to convenience, because of our schedules. And I think Lovett has been good at identifying things that employees want.”

Originally published in Education Week on May 10, 2024.

LOVETT COLLEGE COUNSELORS HELP LAUNCH STUDENTS INTO LIFE POST GRADUATION

| By Anna Keller, Communications Manager

IN the four years since graduating from The Lovett School, Sarah Packman ’20 has traveled the world and enrolled in one of the most prestigious universities in the country. While she’s already checked several items off her bucket list, it’s clear that she’s just getting started.

Packman graduated from Lovett at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Partly in an effort to avoid online classes, she participated in a Sea|mester Gap Year Program, where she sailed across the Atlantic (and back!) on a 112-foot sailboat, all while earning college credits. The boat was crewed by 24 college students and six professional staff members. After this voyage, Packman was hired by Sea|mester’s sister company, Actionquest, as an assistant sailing and scuba instructor in the British Virgin Islands, spending all day, every day on the water.

In 2021, Packman enrolled at Harvard University, where she is double-majoring in Earth & Planetary Sciences and Physics. However, this hasn’t stopped her from continuing to travel the world. During Spring 2024, she studied abroad at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, which is located next to the Great Barrier Reef, making it an ideal place for studying tropical marine science. She took a wide variety of Australian-focused earth and marine science classes as well.

We sat down with Packman, as well as Director of College Counseling Anita Hua, to learn how Lovett prepares students for life after graduation.

SARAH PACKMAN ’20

Q: WHO WAS YOUR COLLEGE COUNSELOR AT LOVETT? HOW DID THEY HELP YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO NEXT?

Packman: Anita Hua was my college counselor extraordinaire! More than anything, Mrs. Hua gave me the confidence to go after what I really wanted in the college admissions process. She also taught me the importance of telling a concise-but-still-interesting story in my common app essay—a skill that I still use in essays to this day!

Q: TELL US ABOUT YOUR GAP YEAR. WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF DURING THAT YEAR, AND HOW DID IT PREPARE YOU FOR COLLEGE?

Packman: The experience gave me so much more confidence in myself going into my freshman year of college. I wasn’t as worried about finding the “right” friends or activities, as I already had my gap year friends and experiences to back me up. Also, it made me realize that I’m truly passionate about the climate and environment, leading me to quickly change out of my political science major as soon as I got to Harvard.

Q: TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE APPLYING TO COLLEGES. HOW DID YOU END UP PICKING HARVARD?

Packman: I actually strongly disliked Harvard the first time I toured it! I thought my tour guide was pretentious. However, my mom was very wise, and she told me I should give Harvard another try because it checks all my boxes: it’s very close to a major city but still has a defined campus, there’s a strong sense of school spirit, there are lots of support resources specifically for freshmen, and there’s lots of flexibility in fulfilling the general education requirements. Plus, as my mom pointed out, I like school—and everyone at Harvard likes school, too. I toured it a second time, fell in love with it, and applied Early Decision.

Q: WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART ABOUT THE TRANSITION TO COLLEGE?

Packman: The hardest part about the transition to college was definitely the rapid influx of choices. Suddenly, I needed to choose how to fill my time when before, my schedule was more or less given to me. What classes should I take? Which social events should I go to? What do I even wear every day?? However, I soon came to

realize that very few choices are as important as they first seem, and even fewer are irreversible. There’s no “perfect” combination of classes or extracurriculars, and if you realize you made a mistake, you can (usually) sign up for stuff after the deadline has passed.

Q: WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WISH YOU COULD GIVE YOURSELF WHEN YOU WERE A STUDENT AT LOVETT?

Packman: If I could give my past self one piece of advice, it would be to not focus on social dynamics and friend group drama as much. Lovett is an amazing place with amazing resources, but social pressure (or the desire to be in the “in group”) sometimes prevents people from fully enjoying them. Another lesson from my gap year: when you leave high school, friend groups and popularity really don’t matter anymore. All that matters is that you surround yourself with people you like to be around; those people tend to support you unconditionally.

ANITA HUA

Q: HOW DO LOVETT’S COLLEGE COUNSELORS PLAY A ROLE IN HELPING STUDENTS FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO COLLEGE? WHAT DOES THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

Hua: While much has changed about our office over the last decade, one thing has remained the same: we are #teamstudent. As our mission states, we work with students toward self-examination, goal-setting, decisionmaking, and self-advocacy in the search for options that will allow them to continue their learning beyond high school. Students and families begin to work more formally with our office during 10th grade to utilize our robust advisory program and gain support for course registration. Our programming is intentional and designed to meet students where they are in their process.

With that being said, there is no one-size-fits-all formula for college admission; there are a lot of nuances involved. Every student is different, every college application process is different, and ultimately, every student’s options are different. Our work with families is inherently a personalized approach. As students and families embark on the college search experience, they are flooded with information, and it can be difficult to filter what is true, relevant, and helpful. That is where our office comes in, and we are honored to serve as a source of trusted expertise and encouragement.

This process should be equal parts reflection and skillbuilding for our students. We support them, but we do not make decisions for students and families. We try our best to guide, advocate for, cheer on, and ask questions when necessary. As a senior in high school, college enrollment or taking a gap year will serve as one of their first big decisions in their young life, but it will not be their last. We are dedicated to this process, from start to finish, alongside students and their families.

Q: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE A COLLEGE COUNSELOR, AND WHAT STEPS DO THE COUNSELORS TAKE TO FOSTER POSITIVE AND TRUSTING TWO-WAY RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STUDENTS?

Hua: Strong relationships do not happen overnight, which is why we assign college counselors as early as we do. The relationship is a partnership that relies on counselors, students, and their families to come together. The taxing part of our role is riding what can feel like a rollercoaster with students and families while also combatting all of the outside influences that our families navigate. We try our best to keep families informed and extend as much encouragement as possible, but we must also

WE ARE #TEAMSTUDENT … THERE IS NO ONE-SIZEFITS-ALL FORMULA FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION; THERE ARE A LOT OF NUANCES INVOLVED. EVERY STUDENT IS DIFFERENT, EVERY COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS IS DIFFERENT, AND ULTIMATELY, EVERY STUDENT’S OPTIONS ARE DIFFERENT. OUR WORK WITH FAMILIES IS INHERENTLY A PERSONALIZED APPROACH.”

acknowledge their fears and angst about the college application process. I worry that the noise of this industry perpetuates the idea that our students’ self-worth is tethered to an outcome, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our students are incredible and we hope that we can play a role in helping them (and their families) come to this realization.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A COLLEGE COUNSELOR?

Hua: While I have too many to choose from, I would say my favorite part about being a college counselor

is developing long-term relationships and wrapping students into the special moments in my life.

Members of the Class of 2019 attended my wedding. Members of the Class of 2023 hosted a baby shower for me when I was expecting the arrival of my baby girl. I get to work with one of my former students from the Class of 2015 every day. Visits during the academic year when students are on break, text messages and Facetime sessions with life updates, lunches and dinners to catch up on all of life’s happenings, and invitations to attend events for students long after they have graduated from Lovett are gifts that I cherish. It’s truly special to be in this position.

2024 CLASS OFCongratulations!

THE LOVETT CLASS OF 2024

Austin Abdallah

Jack Adams

Frances Aiken

Olivia Aiken

Ava Aleman

Parks Allgood

Malia Allmon

Harrison Armentrout

Avery Arnold

Brooke Babbit

Annabeth Bell

Noelle Bowman

Charlie Briggs

Bo Broach

Ava Brown

Hannah Brown

Kennedy Campbell

Drew Carnegie

Colin Carroll

Mikayla Carter

Daniel Casas

Julian Cassinelli

Kaitlyn Castellaw

Alex Chen

Ben Childs

Christopher Cooper

Mary Dudley Cornett

Leah Cox

Ane Phan Coy

Grace Dangar

Connor Davis

Landon Denker

Ayanna Desai

Davis Dickson

Eloise Diffley

Michael Doller

Katherine Scott Drake

Emma Duffield

Lewis Dunn

Grey Eikhoff

Virginia Evans

Avery Fallon

Gibbs Feinour

Kathryn Ferguson

Topher Ferrara

Blake Fielden

Christopher Fornasiero

Margaret French

Sarah Garrett

William George

Sarah Britton Givens

Thomas Godfrey

Ana Gore

Harrison Gough

Isabella Gray

Justin Griffin

Devan Gupta

Sterling Halad

Alex Hall

Jackson Harlow

Natalie Harris

Chase Herbert

Sellars Holder

Tyler Hong

Wiley Houk

Tatum Hunt

Lola Hyman

Bella Infante

Anna Jaje

Megan Jones

Hollis Jordan

Ella Kamerschen

Imani Kenner

Samar Kibe

Dylan Kilroy

Palmer Kloberdanz

Lexi Knotts

Mimi Knox

Elise Kuzniak

Christine Lee

Alec Lesley

Preston Lusink

Logan Lutz

Daniel Mann

Jennie Matos

Kiran Menachery

Olivia Millians

Harrison Mitchell

Michael Mitchell

Celia Morton

Will Muir

Corey Nelson

Ryan Ohde

Charlie Olivier

Noah Ottinger

Zora Payne

Trey Peterson

Tyler Phillips

Dorian Pinkston

Kate Pope

Mary Frances Pope

Olivia Pryor

Matias Raponi

Kathryn Roche

Nick Roesel

Emily Rosenfeld

Daniel Sams

William Sams

Helen Sands

Logan Schwartz

Helen Shearer

Parker Silliman

Victoria Simms

Ellie Smith

Harrison Smith

Andrés Sosa

Clay Stedman

Allie Steel

Brian Stephens

Joshua Stewart

Kate Strang

Charlotte Stukes

Charlotte Summers

Ava Tabor

Danica Tai

Rylie Tatum

Joshua Ticer

Gabrielle Tobin

Maggie Tucker

Walker Turner

Anika Valia

Eliza Van Winkle

Burke Volkmann

Ania Wallace

Luke Wallace

Xavier Walsh

Cackie Watt

Abigail Weeden

Wright Williams

Graham Woocher

Caroline Wood

Thomas Yabroudy

Emma Yoder

William Zelnak

MATRICULATION LIST

HONORS & AWARDS

VALEDICTORIAN AWARD

Helen Darby Sands

SALUTATORIAN AWARD

Bella Hope Infante

GWYNNE ADAMS BURROWS AWARD IN ENGLISH

Palmer Grace Kloberdanz

JAMES E. WARREN AWARD IN CREATIVE WRITING

Nicholas Waid Roesel

MATHEMATICS AWARD IN ADVANCED CALCULUS

Joshua Lucas Ticer

MATHEMATICS AWARD IN STATISTICS

William Brent Zelnak

HISTORY DEPARTMENT AWARD

Wright Ketchum Williams

MARVIN HOWARD FLOYD AWARD IN BIOLOGY

Ayanna Anish Desai

MARVIN HOWARD FLOYD AWARD IN CHEMISTRY

Bella Hope Infante

MARVIN HOWARD FLOYD AWARD IN PHYSICS

Dylan Byrne Kilroy

MARVIN HOWARD FLOYD AWARD IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Devan Chandra Gupta

WORLD LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT AWARD IN SPANISH

Walker Anne Turner

WORLD LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT AWARD IN CHINESE

Danica Emily Tai

SIMONE CRONK AWARD IN FRENCH

Andrés Alejandro Sosa

CATHARINE LOUIS LOVELL ’66 AWARD IN LATIN

Catherine Hallowell Watt

ENGINEERING AWARD

Wade Harrison Mitchell

BIBLE AND RELIGION AWARD

Michael Turner Mitchell

FAITH AND LEADERSHIP AWARD

Blake Riddle Fielden

12TH GRADE FEMALE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AWARD

Alexandra Elizabeth Steel

12TH GRADE MALE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AWARD

Julian Hamilton Cassinelli

JOHN A. RABBE

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD

Eloise Catherine Diffley

WILLIAM C. CONLEY DISTINGUISHED ATHLETE AWARD

Ana Larissa Gore

MONTAGUE LAFFITTE BOYD, JR. AWARD IN CHORAL MUSIC

Daniel David Mann

VINITA THERRELL LEAKE ART AWARD

Olivia Austin Pryor

FRIENDS OF THE ARTS AWARD IN PERFORMING ARTS

Justin Lloyd Griffin

Avery Claire Fallon

FRIENDS OF THE ARTS AWARD IN VISUAL ARTS

Ava Layne Brown

Sterling Elizabeth Halad

KATE FLOURNOY EDWARDS ART AWARD

Christine Soeun Lee

HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL AWARD

Ayanna Anish Desai

Charlotte Adams Stukes

BOBBY TRAIN ’83 FRIENDSHIP AWARD

Blake Riddle Fielden

SENIOR CLASS FACULTY AWARD

Mr. Nikolas Howell

DAN DALKE AWARD FOR CHARACTER

Christopher Joseph Cooper II

FACULTY AWARD FOR SERVICE

Gabrielle NauJeam Tobin

PARENT ASSOCIATION AWARD

Sterling Elizabeth Halad

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARD

Megan Alexis Jones

VERNON B. KELLETT AWARD IN THE HUMANITIES

Samar Sinh Kibe

ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION CUP

Joshua McKoy Stewart

EVA EDWARDS LOVETT FOUNDER’S MEDAL

Leah Denise Cox

SENIOR EVENTS

The days leading up to graduation are full of fun and meaningful events. Whether seniors were making waves in the pond or gathering at Closing Chapel, graduates and their families enjoyed a festive final few weeks on the Riverbank.

COLLEGE TSHIRT DAY

[MAY 1, 2024]

The College Counseling Office hosted Senior Celebration Day where seniors wore their college t-shirts to school.

POND JUMP

[MAY 10, 2024]

Seniors make waves at the annual pond jump—one of the most cherished Lovett traditions.

CLOSING CHAPEL

[MAY 10, 2024]

As the school year came to an end, the Lovett community gathered for reflection and celebration.

NEW ALUMNI DINNER

[MAY 16, 2024]

The Alumni Association officially welcomed the Class of 2024 into the alumni community.

SENIOR COMMUNION SERVICE

[MAY 18, 2024]

On the morning of graduation, seniors and their families took part in the Senior Communion Service.

WALL SIGNING

[MAY 18, 2024]

Continuing a more than fifty-year tradition, seniors signed the walls at Loridans House. Each signature marked the Class of 2024 as Lions for life. As always, graduates whose older siblings or parents went to Lovett initialed by the signatures left in years’ past.

THE BLACK ALUMNI COUNCIL’S GRADUATE RECEPTION

MAY 14, 2024

The annual reception for Lovett’s African American/Black graduates was hosted by the Black Alumni Council and honored 17 members of the Class of 2024:

Malia Allmon

Kennedy Campbell

Mikayla Carter

Christopher Cooper

Leah Cox

Justin Griffin

Alex Hall

Megan Jones Imani Kenner

Jennie Matos

Zora Payne

Dorian Pinkston

Joshua Stewart

Rylie Tatum

Joshua Ticer

Gabrielle Tobin

Ania Wallace

A tradition rooted in the celebration of Lovett’s first Black valedictorian, Renuka Hines Gandhi ’04, the event was originally organized and sponsored by parents of Black students in the junior class. In 2021, the Alumni Association established the Black Alumni Council, who now organizes the event.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BLACK ALUMNI COUNCIL, VISIT WWW.LOVETT.ORG/ALUMNI/ALUMNI-LEADERSHIP

MAY 18, 2024

2024 CLASSof Graduation

The Class of 2024 and their friends and families gathered on Lovett’s campus to mark the close of their time at Lovett and celebrate all they have accomplished together. Along with receiving their diplomas, the class heard from Helen Sands, the valedictorian, and Leah Cox, who received the Eva Edwards Lovett Founder’s Medal. Here are excerpts from their remarks.

As we all venture into our new lives, let your memories be your guide as to who you are and who you want to be. Let your experiences at Lovett guide you as you move forward. Let Lovett be a home to you, but in the words of Henning Mankel, ‘You can have more than one home. You can carry your roots with you, and decide where they grow.’ So take your memories, take your roots, take the blueprints that Lovett gave you, and go build new homes and new families. Whether the home is a new city or just a transition to a college dorm, or whether the family is new friends, mentors, or new faith communities, look for those people who will not only be there for you, but will build you, push you, and teach you lessons. To the Class of 2024, look around at your neighbors and relish in the fact that we built this home for each other, and we would not be here if it weren’t for each and every one of us. I am so proud of all of you, so go forth and create new memories, and build new homes wherever you may go!”

Helen Sands, Valedictorian

To the Class of 2024, our teachers and loved ones, your love for the world should never be in short supply. From the smallest blade of grass to the clouds in the sky. From the water in the Chattahoochee to a person living over 6,000 miles away. Love hard, love long, Love it. Author Britt Reints wrote that, ‘Our greatest solutions will not come from fear and anger, but from love, empathy, creative energy. From knowing we are all worthy.’”

Leah Cox, Eva Edwards Lovett Founder’s Medal Recipient

GRADUATES & THEIR ALUMNI PARENTS

First row, left to right:

Frances, Andrew Aiken ’93 and Olivia

Kimberly Arp Babbit ’88 and Brooke

Second row, left to right:

Taryn Chilivis Bowman ’87 and Noelle

Charlie and Beverly Freeman Briggs ’92

Third row, left to right: Mark Brown ’90 and Hannah

Chris Castellaw ’92 and Kaitlyn

Krissi Temple Gore ’90 and Ana

First row, left to right:

Genie Ison Gray ’88 and Isabella

Tricia Grant Hunt ’92 and Tatum

Anna and Michael Jaje ’89

Second row, left to right: Hollis and Rob Jordan ’87

Reid Knox ’96 and Mimi

Alec and Alec Lesley ’93

Third row, left to right:

Olivia and Alex Millians ’86

Harrison and Wright Mitchell ’88

Fourth row, left to right:

Bobby Mitchell ’89 and Michael

Robert Peterson ’94 and Trey

First row, left to right: Kate and Brad Pope ’91

Kristi Kinnett Roche ’89 and Kathryn

Second row, left to right: Dale Sands ’91 and Helen

Kent Regenstein ’63, Logan and Paige Regenstein Schwartz ’92

Third row, left to right: Ellie and Meadow Bond Smith ’87

Rebecca Warner Strang ’93 and Kate

Fourth row, left to right: Maggie and Kent Tucker ’95

Leonard Wood ’94 and Caroline

Not pictured: Price Muir ’91 and Will Alex Van Winkle ’82 and Eliza

ALUMNI

Lovett’s inaugural Alumni Weekend brought Lions from all graduating classes back to the Riverbank for a fun-filled celebration. It was great to visit with many alums!

RIVERBANK CHAT

LOVETT GRADUATES GO ON TO DO AMAZING THINGS. FOR THESE TWO LIONS, THEIR TIME ON THE RIVERBANK HELPED THEM FIND PURPOSE IN LIFE AS AN ADULT.

KATRINA MERRITT WALKER ’88

Katrina Merritt Walker is an English Language Arts Teacher and Department Chair at Decatur High School. She has an M.A. in Secondary Education and Teaching from Emory University and an MBA from the John M. Olin School of Business of Washington University in St. Louis. She graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a B.A. in East Asian Studies.

Q : TELL US ABOUT YOUR LIFE TODAY.

After graduating from Harvard, I took a route through Corporate America—including a stint at IBM—before figuring out that my passion lay in teaching. I have just finished my 24th year as a public high school English Language Arts teacher. In addition to that work and civic involvement, my husband and I have raised three kids, who are all now in their 20s and have found their passions in fields that range from entertainment to sports to medicine.

Q : WHAT ACTIVITIES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN WHILE AT LOVETT?

I laugh, thinking about how busy those years were for me and how even busier kids seem today. I played basketball for five years, ran track for four, and ran Cross Country for one year. I played violin in the Orchestra and was the stage manager for a school play.

Q : WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU LEARNED AT LOVETT THAT HELPED DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE TODAY?

The importance of opportunity and access. The need for curiosity and perseverance. Being at Lovett is an opportunity: it is a school rich in resources, both human and material. Those resources give students access to meaningful holistic development rooted in deep, purposeful learning and robust arts and athletics programs. Lovett also is a school that challenges students and staff to be and

bring their best. Achieving that excellence requires curiosity and perseverance. You have to ask questions—the right questions—and you have to pursue the answers and drive towards results despite the difficulty.

Opportunity, access, curiosity, and perseverance define my sense of purpose. Professionally, I have found my purpose in teaching. I was fortunate enough to be among the 10% of American students educated in a private K-12 school. Our society cannot thrive though unless the other 90% of students are also getting a rigorous education. As a teacher I strive to create a classroom environment that prepares students for life’s opportunities, that gives them access to other perspectives, that inspires an ongoing desire to learn and that emboldens them with the knowledge that they can transcend challenges. I hope that with these skills students become citizens who tackle the problems we face and find solutions that yield the greatest good for the greatest number.

Q : TELL US A STORY ABOUT A MEANINGFUL MOMENT OR PERSON AT LOVETT THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE.

I will share two things, an experience and a person. The ability to communicate effectively is crucial, and the English classes at Lovett taught me to write proficiently. The frequency of essays, the focus on grammar (and diagramming sentences!) gave me a deep appreciation for the structure of language (five years of Latin helped too,

lol). The opportunity for revision and the specificity of the feedback were also key.

As for the person, [retired Middle School Faculty and Coach] Ms. Sara King made a huge impact on me. I came to Lovett in the 8th grade. I can remember waiting for one of my parents to pick me up one late afternoon. Ms. King came over to me as I sat alone on a bench and struck up a conversation. She learned that given my parents’ work schedules I often waited. She invited me to try out for the basketball team, offering me the opportunity to use those afternoon hours in a more fun and purposeful way. Being on the team helped me connect with people who are friends to this day. That invitation changed the course of my time at Lovett. It was followed by invitations to join the track team and the Cross Country team, which only deepened the impact. With her infectious enthusiasm and purposeful inclusion, Ms. King showed me the power of welcoming people in.

WHILE IT IS EASY TO TAKE PRIDE IN THE PRIVILEGE THAT LOVETT REPRESENTS, HUMBLE YOURSELF ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT HAD YOUR PRIVILEGES HAVE SOMETHING TO TEACH YOU.

Q: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR TODAY’S LOVETT STUDENTS?

Wherever we are in place and time, we are in danger of living in a bubble. Do not default to your bubble. Get your news from more than one source and from more than one perspective. Read about experiences that are different from your own, set in places and times that are not your own. Strive to develop authentic relationships with people who are not like you, where “authentic” means spending time in their environments to get a fuller sense of who they are in those spaces. Ask “How?” and “Why?” questions. Problems and opportunities exist within a context. You cannot solve a problem unless you understand the historical context of how it got to be one. You cannot evaluate an opportunity unless you understand how and to what extent it is a broad-reaching benefit. While it is easy to take pride in the privilege that Lovett represents, humble yourself enough to realize that other people who have not had your privileges have something to teach you. Listen more than you speak. And finally, take joy in life. We have this one life to live. Make the most of it.

PATRICK KEOUGH ’14

Patrick Keough graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Architecture and a concentration in furniture design. While at Notre Dame, Patrick was selected by the faculty as a recipient of the Rambusch Prize, given for the best solution to a problem related to a religious architecture project and a St. Joseph Award in Furniture Design for excellence in furniture design and construction.

Q : TELL US ABOUT YOUR LIFE TODAY.

After graduating from Lovett and then the University of Notre Dame, I moved back to Atlanta where I’ve been working in a boutique custom residential architecture firm while I pursue my license as a registered architect. I married my wife, Kate, whom I met in college, in 2022 and we spend much of our time with family, often trying to keep up with nieces and nephews.

Q : WHAT ACTIVITIES WERE YOU INVOLVED IN WHILE AT LOVETT?

Wrestling, football, tech theater, Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL), Lovett ULTRAS, Boy Scouts, and Vestry.

Q: WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU LEARNED AT LOVETT THAT HELPED DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE TODAY?

When I think about purpose, I turn to my faith and my education for answers. Both have led me to the understanding that we are meant to serve others. However, that is a vague concept which can become more or less clear based upon the stage of life or situation in which we find ourselves. Thus, it is understandably difficult for a young person to define their purpose. So how do we teach students to do just that? I could point to numerous examples of service throughout the Lovett community: 9th grade SING, canned food drives, PAL, Eagle Scout projects, Breakthrough Atlanta…the list is extensive. Yet, I would contend that there is something more essential and permanent that Lovett taught me which I’m able to apply in my daily life and my own search for purpose.

I think most alumni would agree that it’s the intangible characteristics we develop, rather than specific knowledge, which we carry with us from our time at Lovett into the world. One of those characteristics is RESILIENCE; the ability to face difficulty and persevere. Whether it be in the classroom, preparing for an American Studies exam, forgetting your lines on stage in front of friends and family, leaving the field after a loss, or hiking through a rain storm in the Pisgah wilderness, we must learn to be resilient. Resilience is vital in the pursuit of one’s purpose. In all our lives, we face adversity that we must overcome. Without resilience, we become dejected and lose sight of that which God calls us to do. With resilience, we can achieve great things, big and small.

What I appreciate most about Lovett is the community of teachers, students, parents, and alumni who support each other through hardships and celebrate together in good times. It is the resilience of the community which allows each member to flourish, and in this way we serve others.

Q: TELL US A STORY ABOUT A MEANINGFUL MOMENT OR PERSON AT LOVETT THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE.

I would summarize my Lovett experience with the difficulty of answering this question. Words seem to fall short in expressing my gratitude for the teachers and coaches who each had a profound impact on my education and development as a person. By holding us accountable and pushing us to try hard, fail, and try again, we learned how to be resilient. There are two people that I want to acknowledge in particular:

Technical Theater Director and Teacher Michael Halad was the kindest, funniest, most patient person I’ve ever

met. Known to the Techies as ‘Uncle Mike’, his laugh would brighten any day. Whether you were upset about a tough AP history exam, having difficulties in a friendship, or just not looking forward to Cardio Day, his theater shop was a bastion of positivity, a refuge from the emotional struggles of young life. It was his influence that led me to explore my creativity and pursue architecture. It was there that I found my passion for building things and it spurred a lifelong query into how things work. Mike was someone who truly knew his purpose and lived it every day. For that reason, I will never forget him.

Ken Rau’s Latin class was the academic equivalent of the wrestling mat. Every day you show up, and you get out what you put in. We would grapple with vocabulary, translate great authors, and learn about the culture that would become the root of western civilization. As in wrestling, we would learn and study as a team, but the exams were a test of individual work and merit was hardearned. As intense and effective as Coach Maldonado or [football] Coach Muschamp might be, Mr. Rau also had a gentle way of motivating us to always give 100%. This

I THINK MOST ALUMNI WOULD AGREE THAT IT’S THE INTANGIBLE CHARACTERISTICS WE DEVELOP, RATHER THAN SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, WHICH WE CARRY WITH US FROM OUR TIME AT LOVETT INTO THE WORLD. ONE OF THOSE CHARACTERISTICS IS RESILIENCE ; THE ABILITY TO FACE DIFFICULTY AND PERSEVERE.

introduction to the classics would be another stepping stone on my path to study classical architecture in college, but it was the resilience and work ethic I learned in his classroom that endures. Beyond academic success, his dedication to teaching and uncompromising integrity are what inspire me to serve others. And for that, I will always be grateful for the great ‘Magister Rau’.

Q : WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR TODAY’S LOVETT STUDENTS?

Whatever your purpose in life, you must be resilient to achieve it. Remember, your community shapes you, but you also shape your community.

ALL ALUMNI WEEKEND

APRIL 26-27, 2024

A NEW TRADITION BEGINS! FIRST ANNUAL ALL ALUMNI WEEKEND

The Alumni Association’s inaugural ALL Alumni Weekend brought Lions from all graduating classes back to the Riverbank for a fun-filled celebration including a Friday night Kickoff Party, Conversation & Coffee with Head of School Meredyth Cole, an Alumni Family Chapel with Chaplain Emeritus Steve Allen, and a family picnic in the School’s new playground.

Russ Richards ’99 President

Allison Dick Blaisdell ’02 President-elect

Kurt Hohlstein ’76

Larry Jackson ’77

Melissa Warmack Howard ’80

Mark Brown ’90

B.J. Crane ’93

Cameron Davis Glass ’99

Morgan Snellings Rogers ’03 * Michelle Domanico Oppenheimer ’04

Kyle Collins ’06 *

Chris Riley ’06*

Lea Sedehi Domanico ’08 * Hannah English Hilario ’11

Charlotte Muller Vidal ’11 * Maria Todd ’12*

Brant Wells ’13 * Devyn Edelstein ’16 * indicates new for 2024-25

LOVETT ON THE ROAD

MARCH 14, 2024

ALUMNI NIGHT IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Lovett’s Washington, D.C. area alumni and guests met up at The Cosmos Club for a regional gathering sponsored by the Alumni Association. Friends old and new connected with one another and visited with Head of School Meredyth Cole, hearing her good news from the Riverbank! Special thanks to host Dr. Andy Lemer ’63.

OCTOBER 20, 2023

SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2024! The annual family-friendly pre-game celebration will have a new twist this fall—Pero’s Pizza!

2023

THE DATE!

next Golden Lions gathering is Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Capital City Club in Brookhaven.

CLASS NOTES

Aaron Schunk ’16, pictured with Asst. Varsity Baseball Coach

Jamie Palmer at Coors Field in Denver, made his Major League Baseball debut this summer. See page 88 to read more.

1975

Saralee Cowles Boteler is loving retirement, and still spends much of her time riding and showing her 19-year-old Arabian horse, Prince. She traveled to Portugal in July for her nephew’s, Brooks Cowles ’10, wedding to Kenly Cowles. 80+ of their friends made the trip, including a number of Lovetteers. She is looking forward to the reunion!

1979

Sam Evins and John Allman ’75 reconnected at the Heads Collegiate Forum in Colorado Springs. Long after being schoolmates, John and Sam worked together in Lovett’s Upper School for years.

1987

Lovett FOTA (Friends of the Arts) volunteer Lesee Googe (center) and fellow alumni at the Friends of the Arts Alumni Reunion held in February, prior to the Upper School musical “Newsies”. Alumni were treated to mocktails and snacks and met the stars of the show. Stay tuned! Lesee and FOTA are planning another alumni reception in February 2025.

1989

Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, invited Mary Louise Kelly, host of NPR’s evening news program All Things Considered, to deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2024 in May.

1994

1994 alumni and their families at the Braves vs. Tigers game in June, left to right: JJ Jaxon, Catherine Mitchell Jaxon, Harper Jaxon, James Jaxon, Jacob Lombard, George Lombard, Trey Peterson ’24, Brant Peterson ’26, and Robert Peterson

1999

Anne Dijamco McGinty has been making waves in the world of entrepreneurship with her podcast, “How I Built My Small Business.” which has been trending into the top 100 Apple Business Podcasts and top 30 Apple Entrepreneurship Podcasts and—according to Listen Notes—has a top 1.5% global rank. With its insightful interviews and practical advice, “How I Built My Small Business” has been recognized as a mustlisten for aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts. Anne’s show features a lineup of impressive guests with fascinating stories and from a diverse range of businesses and voices. From New Zealand’s Olympic surfing coach, Matt Scorringe, to Rochelle Webb’s ’97 social venture Optimist Made, to one of Vogue’s “Best wedding planners around the world,” Alison Hotchkiss, Anne’s podcast has welcomed small business owners who share their inspiring stories and invaluable insights into building successful ventures. Anne is dedicated to delivering high-quality content and empowering entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams. Check it out at: www.annemcginty.com/how-i-builtmy-small-business.

2000

Shara Hughes and longtime Lovett friends at her wedding in September 2023.

2003

Maggie Thrash (center) with members of her classmate ‘fan club’ as well as Jay Freer ’78, Lovett’s Director of Fine Arts, and Fine Arts Faculty Rhoda Griffis. The group gathered together after Maggie’s featured conversation at Charis Books in celebration of the release of her latest book Rainbow Black: A Novel. It’s being praised as “a brilliant, deliriously entertaining novel… Rainbow Black is part murder mystery, part gay international fugitive love story—set against the ’90s Satanic Panic and spanning 20 years in the life of a young woman pulled into its undertow.”

ESPN reporter Coley Harvey was selected to be one of the network’s all-stars covering the summer Olympics from Paris with a primary focus on track and field events but also covering some golf, tennis, and other Gamesrelated news that happens. Coley is pictured here participating in a pre-U.S. Olympic Trials “Media Trials” in Eugene, Oregon.

2004

Huge thanks and a big shout out to the 20th Reunion Host Committee, left to right: Michael Crocker, Julia Gray Kimball, Neeley Odom Bain, Maggie Gage, Anne Russell Calvert Bazzel, Laura Holder Menkes, and Tyler Caswell.

2005

Megan Popkin Woolbright, Jessica Holt Barthmaier, and Sandra Thomann pictured together at SCADstyle 2024 to support classmate Wes Gordon as he received the prestigious SCAD Étoile Award, given to those in the fashion industry who have shown exemplary career accomplishments. After the award presentation, Wes was interviewed on stage by fashion journalist and curator Stefano Tonchi.

AARON SCHUNK ’16 HITS THE MAJORS

On June 30, Aaron Schunk made his Major League Baseball debut with the Colorado Rockies against the Chicago White Sox. A Georgia Dugout AA Player of the Year while at Lovett and University of Georgia All-America two-way star, Schunk was Colorado’s second-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. He received the promotion to the majors on Friday, June 28 and joined the team in Chicago.

2012

Lauren Formica graduated from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a Master in Public Health in August 2023 funded by the Center for Health Security. She was also named a 2024 Emerging Leader in Biosecurity Initiative Fellow.

2015

Rachel Wong was sworn in as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer in July as a public diplomacyconed generalist. After 10 months of intensive Arabic language training, she’s scheduled to depart for her first country assignment in the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon in mid-2024. She holds varying levels of language proficiency in Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, and Korean, and has spent over ten years abroad combined across Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. Rachel received her M.A. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and B.A. from Macalester College.

A 6-1, 205-pound native of Atlanta, Ga., Schunk was promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque where he was batting .291 with 24 doubles, seven home runs, 43 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He had posted a solid Spring Training with the Major League club earlier this year when he hit .273 in 20 games. His versatility around the infield has been a plus the past few seasons, playing mostly third base and second base and then adding shortstop this year. He has not pitched as a professional. During his minor league career, Schunk has played in 442 games with a .270 batting average, 104 doubles, 49 home runs, 265 RBI and 46 stolen bases.

He was a four-year letterman for the Lions and starting shortstop and pitcher including on their 2013 and 2016 state championship squads. As a senior, he batted .402 with 10 home runs, 23 RBI and went 8-4 with a 1.84 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 68.1 innings pitched. In the 2016 state finals, Aaron hit .625, going 5-for-8 with a home run, four runs scored and four walks.

2017

1st LTs Christopher Weaver and Margaret O’Neal ’18, both Army Officers within the 82nd Airborne Division in North Carolina, attended the United States Army Advanced Airborne School together, becoming two of the Army’s newest qualified Jumpmasters!

2019

Amir Bell was selected as the banner bearer for University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business Commencement ceremony, leading his fellow graduates through the procession and onto the next chapter in their lives. Each year, a banner bearer is nominated and chosen based on academic excellence, leadership qualities, and contributions to the Marshall community. Bell, a business administration major, participated in numerous organizations and programs such as USC MOVE (a community of students dedicated to exploring the intersection between business and social good), NABA (National Association of Black Accountants), and the Marshall Student Ambassador Program.

TEP SETH ’18, FIRST CAMBODIAN MASTER’S DEGREE RECIPIENT AT GEORGIA TECH

Embarking on a transformative journey from Cambodia at the age of 15, Tep Seth relocated to Atlanta and enrolled at Lovett where she displayed remarkable grace and tenacity, excelling academically and laying the foundation for her future. Her academic excellence brought her to Georgia Tech, where she studied civil engineering. Graduating in 2022 with a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering, she earned her master’s degree just one year later in Construction and Infrastructural Systems, becoming the first international student from Cambodia to complete a master’s degree at Georgia Tech. Tep’s accomplishments earned her a coveted role as one of Georgia Tech’s four Commencement reflection speakers, who are selected by the school committee based on academic merit and social contributions. She now works as a Civil Engineer for Tesla at the Fremont, California Factory.

MARRIAGES

1. Shara Hughes ’00 and Austin Eddy

September 30, 2023

2. Matthew Koppelman ’03 and Monica Nieves Koppelman

January 27, 2024

3. Alicia Yanker Dawaigher ’04 and Leith Dawaigher

January 13, 2024

4. Elizabeth Bray Donoghue ’05 and Brian Donoghue

May 19, 2024

5. Hunter Edmundson ’07 and Allie Veltri Edmundson

April 27, 2024

6. Hannah English Hilario ’11 and Chris Hilario

March 9, 2024

7. Sydney Lawings Means ’13 and Carlton Means

September 23, 2023

8. Leslie Espenschied Shannon ’13 and Conor Shannon

May 25, 2024

9. Carson Cook Smith ’14 and Spencer Smith March 25, 2023

10. Cleo Chang Graham ’15 and Alex Graham September 16, 2023

11. Hannah Bulvin Hite ’15 and James Hite ’14

May 27, 2023

12. Katherine Sheldon Lockwood ’15 and Carter Lockwood

September 16, 2023

13. Emmett Underwood ’15 and Ann Marie Willis

April 6, 2024

BIRTHS & ADOPTIONS

1. Isabella Lou Rodrik

October 18, 2023

Yomi and Shaune Arp

Rodrik ’94

2. Van Henry Hamilton

November 28, 2023

Madison and Warren Hamilton ’03

3. Raiford Rodgers Long April 22, 2024

Parker and Josephine Phelps Long ’04

With big brother, Reynolds, and big sisters, Josie and Hallie

4 Margot Ashe Simpson October 16, 2023

John and Rachel Avery Simpson ’04

5. Smith Edward Riley

September 27, 2023

Katie Jackson Riley ’06 and Chris Riley ’06 With big brothers, Hunter and McLean.

6. Charlotte Catherine “Lottie” Wood August 24, 2023

Blair and Whitney

Thompson Wood ’06

7. George MacKenzie Emerson February 26, 2024

Katherine and Mack Emerson ’09

8. Margaret Elizabeth “Maggie” Bouck

January 4, 2024

Jasmine and Dan Bouck ’10

9. Shirley Francis Rollins April 3, 2024

Katie Boydston Rollins ’07 and Win Rollins ’07 With siblings Elsie (7), Boyd (5), and Emmy (3)

10. Scottie Claire Snider February 4, 2024

Riley and Lauren Godshall Snider ’11

IN MEMORIAM

Martin “Marty” Arnold - Parent of alumni, grandparent

Lesley Stanfield Becker ’89

Marvin Benson - Parent of alumni

Elizabeth Boyce ’76

Roger “Peter” Bray, Jr. - Parent of alumni

Wallace Spurgeon Briggs ’62

Nelda Burke - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni

Sarah Elizabeth “Sally” Lundquist Bush ’87

Paulette Decker Candler - Parent of alumni

Wayne Arnall Christian - Parent of alumni

Lillian Deakins Clarke ’67

William “Butch” Clark ’68

Anne Pepper Wattles Constantine ’68

Catherine Dennis Costolo - Parent of alumni, former faculty

Mary Ann Davis - Parent of alumni

Theodore “Ted” Debreceni - Parent of alumni

Zul Devji - Parent of alumni

Thomas “Tom” Eddins, Jr. - Parent of alumni

Thomas “Tommy” Eddins III ’80

Richard “Rich” Fagan - Parent of alumni

Sharilyn “Sherry” Greenblatt - Parent of alumni

Douglas Scott Gregory ’83

Larry G. Hailey - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni

Julianne Singer Hancock - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni

William Burke Hare, Jr. - Parent of alumni

Margaret “Teenie” Haverty Harland - Parent of alumni

Thomas “Pearce” Howell ’13

Samuel William “Sam” Johnson - Parent of alumni

Gay Mitchell Kattel - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni

Allison Atkinson Kehoe ’82

Mary Gossett Dalton King ’71 - Parent of alumni

Frank Kinnett - Parent of alumni, Lifetime Trustee, grandparent of alumni, grandparent

Jan Saperstein Kinsler - Parent of alumni

William “Bill” Knapp - Parent of alumni

Harry V. Lamon, Jr. - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni

James “Jim” Clifton Landers ’82

Michael Louis “Mike” McClellan, Sr. ’67

Peter John McEvoy - Parent of alumni

Mary Lu Mitchell - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni, grandparent

Mary Illges Mobley - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni

René Morell - Parent of alumni

Ben Rankin Morris, Jr. ’67

Albert William “Bill” Muir II ’65 - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni, grandparent

Joan “Jan” Portman - Parent of alumni, grandparent, Lifetime Trustee, grandparent of alumni, and great grandparent

Mary Beem Robinson ’63

Lawrence “Larry” Rosenbluth ’85

Linzy “Chip” Oliver Scott III ’85 - Parent of alumni

Thomas “Tommy” Clyde Shepherd, Sr. ’74

Margaret Fortney Sibley - Parent of alumni, former employee

Carl Anderson Smith - Parent of alumni

Jane Reynolds Sterne ’64 - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni

Hugh Dean Stith - Parent of alumni

Irwin “Yutch” Stolz, Jr. - Parent of alumni

Guerry Radford Thornton, Jr. ’68 - Parent of alumni

Kathleen Michaels Wallace ’89

Mary Glasgow Chiles Ware - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni, grandparent

Doris Jane Leonard Warren - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni

Edith “Deedee” Weaver - Parent of alumni

Marc David Weinberg ’72

Claire Johnson Yancey - Parent of alumni, grandparent of alumni

TRIBUTES

FRANK KINNETT (1940-2024)

Frank Kinnett went home to his Heavenly Father on March 23, 2024 at the age of 83. Frank was deeply committed to his community and philanthropic causes; he served on numerous boards, including The Lovett School, High Museum of Art, and Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Frank was a lifelong Atlanta resident, born on October 24, 1940. He graduated from North Fulton High School and earned a B.A. in Economics from The University of The South (Sewanee). After completing his education, he embarked on a successful 60+ year career in the insurance industry. Frank also served honorably in the U.S. Naval Air Reserve from 1962 to 1968.

Frank was predeceased in death by his parents and his brother, The Reverend Kenneth Kinnett. He is survived by his wife, Judy Brown Kinnett; his two children: Kristi Kinnett Roche ’89 (Geddings) and Grant MacKenzie Kinnett ’96 (Sandy); four grandchildren: Kathryn Kinnett Roche ’24, Lauren Elizabeth Roche ’28, Grant MacKenzie Kinnett, Jr. and Frank Mitchell Kinnett; and several loving nieces and nephews.

JAN N. PORTMAN (1929-2023)

Jan Portman, the first female member of The Lovett School Board of Trustees, passed away on November 3, 2023. Born on February 20, 1929, to George and Birdie Newton in Vidalia, Georgia, Jan moved with her family to Atlanta in 1933, where she met her husband, Atlanta architect John C. Portman, Jr.

Jan was an ardent advocate for education. She generously dedicated her time and energy to The Lovett School, where her children attended. Jan volunteered regularly, fundraising and taking on any needed task. Her remarkable contributions included chairing the famed Lovett Fashion Show and helping to develop and distribute the Cook and Lovett cookbook. Feeling ever grateful to the Lovett community and the education it provided for her children and grandchildren, Jan and John donated The Portman Family Middle School in 2008.

Jan is preceded in death by her husband, John C. Portman, Jr.; father, George Newton; mother, Birdie Newton; sister, Melitta Stradley; brother, George Newton; and sons Jae Phillip Portman ’71 and John “Jack” C. Portman III ’65. She leaves behind her children Michael Wayne Portman ’65 (Kate), Jeffery Lin Portman ’77 (Lisa), Jana Portman Simmons ’78, and Jarel Penn Portman ’80 (Traylor), eighteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one on the way.

Photo courtesy of Duane Stork.