Full Circle
Three Generations Celebrate Their Ashley Hall Days By Kate Lloyd
Angie Hewitt Chakeris ’89 Mary Hope Chakeris ’17 Sissy Hope Hewitt ’67
! THERE’S
ALUMNAE
!
A PAVING STONE ON THE
WALKWAY SURROUNDING THE PLAYING FIELD AT
ASHLEY HALL
THAT
READS SIMPLY:
GENERATIONS… SISSY, ANGIE, MARY HOPE
T
he message symbolizes the traditions that permeate Ashley Hall and resound in its students, parents, and alumnae. Too, it illustrates the enduring appreciation and respect graduates have for their alma mater as so many, in turn, choose Ashley Hall for their daughters. These traditions, with their occasional variations from one generation to the next, live vividly in the Hewitt and Chakeris families: memories of days gone by, as well as expectations for those yet to be as a third generation girl marks her passage through the school. Sissy Hope Hewitt ’67, Angie Hewitt Chakeris ’89 and Mary Hope Chakeris ’17 were eager to share their thoughts and memories of Ashley Hall. Among abiding school traditions, one is preeminent for all three of these ladies: the Christmas Play. Sissy and Angie sang in the choir and the play’s legacy status was emphasized every year for them as they recall “the telegrams” from past play performers that are read prior to each performance. Last year, Mary Hope embarked on the first of what she anticipates will be many Christmas performances when she was selected as one of the Little Angels. This, after telling her mother, at age two, that she wanted to play that role! Music has always been a strong bond for this Ashley Hall family, and for a special reason: Sissy says her enjoyment of singing “changed her inside” – so much so that she became a music teacher at Ashley Hall. Last year, while teaching granddaughter Mary Hope’s class, her ambition was “to put music into each child’s heart.” It was her final year of teaching “because I wanted to retire while I still loved it.” Giving young children the opportunity to “sing without fear of judgment” and instilling the joy of music afforded her the pleasure of closing
Sissy and future husband David Hewitt
Angie and future husband Costa Chakeris
“Life comes full circle when mothers, daughters, and granddaughters all share family friends that we keep throughout our lives.” her career knowing that she’d passed along a precious gift, both to her daughter and granddaughter, and to her extended family of Ashley Hall girls. Other memories of special people and events abound. Sissy and Angie both learned Latin from the legendary Mrs. Hutto and recall her with great fondness. Mrs. Morgan taught Sissy history, and in later years “always remembered every student she taught.” Angie was in Morgan’s last class to visit Europe – a most memorable excursion since she befriended her future husband, Costa, on the trip. Sometime later, Angie was cast as Snow White in the Junior/Senior play and Costa was her Prince Charming: life imitating art. Sissy remembers being in trouble with Mrs. Duckett in seventh grade, when she wrote her future husband’s name in chalk on the backboard where the girls used to hit ten-
42 Fall 2006 PERSPECTIVES
nis balls. Mrs. Duckett made her wash it off. She smiles when she recalls doing it again two years ago, although this time the students were allowed to draw and write on the board. All three enjoyed the Cypress Gardens field trips that are a continuing Ashley Hall event. “Ashley Hall is more than a school; it is a life-changing experience. Teachers are at the core of every great school. I had teachers that I have stayed in contact with all of these years. My hope is that every Ashley Hall girl finds a teacher that she “connects” with, and stays in touch. Our teachers instill a lifelong love of learning in the girls,” Angie says. Big Sister/Little Sister, Purple and White teams, ensemble singers at dinners – all provide fodder for reminiscing. (The Hewitts/Chakerises are a Purple team family.) Graduation ceremonies, with girls in