Perspectives Summer 2010

Perspectives Summer 2010

Noye’s Fludde

23

The magazine of Ashley Hall

Summer 2010

Welcome

from the Head Dear Friends, This issue of Perspectives should be arriving in your mailboxes just as we begin the first school year of our second century. We hope this issue gives you a sense of the varied accomplishments of the faculty, the students and the alumnae in the last six months of our Centennial year. We wish the talented and diverse Centennial Class of 2010 well as they begin their next educational experience at university . They are an amazing group of young women who will no doubt succeed in all they pursue and we are proud to call them alumnae.

After a year of reflecting upon our last hundred years, we begin the 2010-2011 school year looking forward to all the wonderful opportunities that lie before us. This year will see the completion of the first phase of Ashley Hall’s comprehensive Master Plan inaugurated in 2005. New play areas and beautiful green spaces now grace what was only mud and asphalt a few short months ago, and our eagerly anticipated Dining Commons nears completion on the corner of Rutledge and Vanderhorst. By the time you are reading the next issue, students will have been enjoying the full benefits of this purposeful planning, sitting down together to a meal in the new facility, designed to promote a return to the values and practices of traditional family-style dining, while cultivating mindful eating habits and providing a venue for instructing our students in healthful meal preparation and sustainable food production. I can’t wait to share that with you.

Possunt quae volunt!

Sincerely,

Jill Muti Head of School

Perspectives The magazine of Ashley Hall

EDITOR Catherine Newman GRAPHIC DESIGN Julie Frye Design, LLC CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Elizabeth Foster John Slepetz BOARD OF TRUSTEES President – Dr. Malcolm M. Rhodes Vice President – Philip L. Horn, Jr. Secretary – Elizabeth Barone Luzuriaga ’80 Treasurer – Henry B. Gregorie III MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Mary Gordon Baker ‘77 Miss Ray Moore Coker ‘59 Sheppard H. C. Davis Jr. Ann W. Dibble ‘70 Terry Becker Fisher Brett Hildebrand Elizabeth Rivers Lewine ’54 Elizabeth Powers Lindh ‘67 Janet Pearlstine Lipov W. Scott Parker Karen Phillips ‘79 Roy Richards Jr. Kaycee C. Poston Dr. Joseph G. Reves Harriet Popham Rigney ‘56 Nella Barkley Schools ’81 TRUSTEES EMERITI Mary Agnes Burnham Hood Martha Rivers Ingram ‘53 Patricia T. Kirkland Hugh C. Lane, Jr. J. Conrad Zimmerman, Jr. HEAD OF SCHOOL Jill Swisher Muti ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs, Dr. Nick Bozanic Assistant Head of School/ Director of Institutional Advancement, Cindy Hay Johnson Assistant to the Head of School, Elizabeth Gordon Executive Assistant to the Head of School, Diane Chancey Interim Chief Finance Officer, Audrey Tamekazu Director, Early Education, Dana Van Hook Director, Lower School (Grades K-4), Amy Woodson Director, Intermediate School (Grades 5-6), Lois Ruggiero Director, Upper School (Grades 7-12), Mary Schweers Director of Admissions, Carolyn Newton Director of Athletics, Frances Slay Director of Facilities, Fred Reinhard Director of Fine Arts, Judith Yarbrough Director of Library, Elayne Reiner Director of Technology, John Yarbrough Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement /Director of Communications and Marketing, Catherine Newman

Table of Contents

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p. 23

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p. 39

Noye’s Fludde

Sections

23 Students showcase their diverse talents

The Class of 2010 27 In their own words –

Graduation and senior projects

Alumnae Weekend 2010 40 Centennial Capstone event draws

alumnae back to campus

3 Oh Ashley Hall 9 Academe 13 At Large 17 Sporting Life 36 Advancement 39 Alumnae Weekend 45 Alumnae Awards 47 Announcements and Class Notes

Possunt quae volunt 172 Rutledge Avenue Charleston, SC 29403-5821 (843) 965-8482 Fax (843) 965-8461

Oh Ashley Hall

Accompanied by Fourth Grade recorders, Kindergarten students performed the traditional Maypole dance in salute to the spring season. A recital by Lower School violins also accompanied the dance.

Competition is always fierce between the Upper School Purples and Whites.

At Upper School Play Day this year the teams got all wet playing pass the purple sponge.

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In 2009-2010 Juniors chose a wide array of internship positions. These internships will segue into year-long research next year culminating in their Senior Projects. Betsy Cribb interned as a proofreader at Skirt Magazine and Ansley Roberts explored the fields of international business, global affairs, and public policy through the Business School at The American University in Cairo, Egypt.

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Upper School students participated in a wide array of activities during their 2010 Winterim study including a team skills building trip to Black Mountain, NC, a self-defense course, a course in auto maintenance and repairs, and a trip to The Charleston Museum.

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Oh Ashley Hall

Amy Jenkins, an employment lawyer and Ashley Hall parent, Jennet Robinson Alterman ’70 and Jane Perdue, CEO of the Braithewaite Group, led a lively discussion on women in the workforce as part of the Centennial Women in Leadership series.

During their trip to Atlanta Sixth Grade students were awed by the new Georgia Aquarium.

Third Grade students were immersed in a semester long study of sustainability and green living. As part of this study they toured Ashley Hall’s new Library and Science Center to understand its green components and visited the Charleston County Recycle Center to learn more about the recycling process. They then took all this information and wrote and performed a series of skits to help teach the rest of the student body how to live in a more environmentally friendly way.

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OH ASHLEY HALL

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As part of a study on traditional Charleston iron-worked art and industry, local blacksmith, Ed Berry, brought his tools to campus to work with the Upper School 3-D design students. Above, Nancy Langston, Upper School art teacher, works with Catey Warren ‘11 and Charlotte Neyle ‘10 to forge (heat and shape) iron.

Jill Muti and Lilla Lane ‘01 presented the Hugh C. Lane Jr. Parent Volunteer Award to Bonnie Jennings who Lilla described as “a quiet, dependable and tireless volunteer who steps up whenever there is a need.” Bonnie’s commitment, energy, and her service in many capacities with the Parents’ Association were just a few of the reasons she was chosen as the recipient.

Gabriella Herres ’18 and her pony, Sesame Street, won the Lane Hall cup at the 2010 Ashley Hall Horse Show.

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Oh Ashley Hall

The Red Choir Celebrates a Harmonious Year

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pectacular concert venues, sold-out performances, national recognition, being part of a 300 voices-strong ensemble, singing in front of audiences over 700 people: these are just a few of the achievements that the Red Choir could have claimed to describe their year in 2009-2010; however, Choral Director, Robin Garner, prefers to think of it as the year of innovative collaborations for the Choir.

In October 2009, their performance of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy from the spotlighted balcony of Ashley Hall’s magnificent new library to a crowd of more than 700 Centennial guests set the tone for what would be an extraordinary year for this choir of 33 girls. Later on that month, they participated in what would be the first of many of their heralded collaborations at the North Carolina Independent School Choral Festival in October. This festival brings together choirs from its member schools, and this year the Red Choir was one of only 8 school groups invited to perform. Here the girls had the opportunity to rehearse with other excellent groups and then perform in

“It was important for the students to participate in mixed ensembles. I wanted the members of the Red Choir to hear and feel the sound of the male voice. The resonance and range of the male voice opened a new sound to the Red Choir. Most of our students will attend co-ed colleges/universities, and my hope is that they will continue to sing. These collaborative experiences in Upper School will prepare them for future music study in university.”

Dr. Robin Garner, Choral Director a final concert, in which all participating choirs sing together in a mixed ensemble. For some of the girls in the Red Choir, this was the first time singing in an ensemble with male voices, and it proved to be a vital learning opportunity. Garner states, “It was important for the students to participate in mixed ensembles. I wanted the members of the Red Choir to hear and feel the sound of the male voice. The resonance and range of the male voice opened a new sound to the Red Choir. Most of our students will attend co-ed colleges/universities, and my hope is that they will continue

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to sing. These collaborative experiences in Upper School will prepare them for future music study in university.”

Next came the annual conference for the Southeast Division of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), a nonprofit, music-education organization whose central purpose is to promote excellence in choral music through performance, composition, publication, research, and teaching. Its membership comprises more than one million singers across the United States, and the Southern Division represents 11 states. From its hundreds of member

Oh Ashley Hall

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men’s choir photo here

2009-2010 was a year of collaboration and stand out performances by Ashley Hall’s Red Choir.

choirs the ACDA auditions thousands of individuals to form a prestigious 300 member ensemble known as the Honor Choir to perform as the highlight of the conference. Seventeen members of the Red Choir and seventh and eighth grade choirs prepared audition CD’s for the selection committee, and an unprecedented 11 were selected for this opportunity.

Those 11 then traveled to Memphis for

the conference and for three days faced challenging and rigorous rehearsals for their final performance in front of hundreds of experienced choral directors.

Other collaborative concerts in 20092010 included singing with the College of Charleston’s Men’s Choir and the Cane Bay High School Choir, providing even more opportunities for the girls to sing in large and mixed ensembles.

The zenith of this year came in March when the Red Choir performed with the Charleston Men’s Choir. Lon Shull, an Ashley Hall dad and Director of the Charleston Men’s Choir, and Garner had discussed the possibility of collaboration between the two groups and determined that this was the year to bring it to fruition. They decided that the program presented by this merged ensemble should reflect the lighter side of choral performance and so chose an array of all Broadway tunes. In the end, all of the Choir’s hard work, their hours of rehearsal, their experience in mixed ensembles, and the innovative thinking of their director certainly paid off as this performance received a standing ovation from the sold out crowd at Charleston’s Sottile Theater. AH

Academe

Members of the 2009-2010 Math Team, Susannah Schools ’12, Mira Patel ’10, HK Kim ’10, Celeste Jilich ’10, and Rebecca Rosen ’11, earned accolades at several meets around the state.

A study of Japan and its culture culminated for the First Graders in Mrs. Bolden’s class with the desire to create a relaxing Zen garden for the school. After several weeks of research and interviewing a landscape designer, the students finalized their plans and built their garden. Parents attended a special ribbon cutting on this new tranquil space that is now enjoyed by the entire school.

To demonstrate their mastery of a unit on simple circuitry, Fourth Grade students designed and wired their dream rooms. Above Ann Sheridan shares her well-lit arcade.

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Academe

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Dr. Sunhil Patel, Co-Chair of the Neurosciences Department at MUSC and father of senior, Mira Patel, worked with Upper School Biology students during a study on the anatomy and physiology of the human brain.

Dissecting a squid was just one facet of the two-week-long science study Meghan Ward, science faculty member, designed especially for the multi-age class boys.

10 Summer 2010 Perspectives

Academe

Ashley Hall’s Book Festival Turns a New Page

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or years the Parents’ Association Book Fair offered a week of book sales for pleasure reading and an opportunity to purchase books for specific teachers. Heavily stocked with books appropriate for younger readers, the main purpose of the fair was to raise money for the library by earning purchasing credits with Scholastic Books. The evolution and close examination of the collections within Ashley Hall’s new library, and the recognition of a need by Library Director, Elayne Reiner, for a campus-wide celebration of literacy and pleasure reading sparked a reexamination of this event.

“We want students to view the reading of a book as an opportunity to relax and center themselves. A great book could inspire a life-long love of reading and provide a haven as their lives become more hectic. The Book Festival offers us

“We want students to view the reading of a book as an opportunity to relax and center themselves. A great book could inspire a life-long love of reading and provide a haven as their lives become more hectic. The Book Festival offers us a chance to reach our girls in that way.”

Elayne Reiner, Library Director a chance to reach our girls in that way,” says Elayne Reiner, Library Director.

Refocusing the Book Fair to its new instantiation as a Book Festival required several edits. The first was to find a new partner company, and since Barnes and Noble had been working with Ashley Hall to support the visiting writers of the Guest Writers Series with book sales, it was a natural next step to partner with them. Barnes and Noble provided the books, which this year were thoughtfully chosen, grade-level appropriate plea-

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sure books that appealed to students of all ages, for sale on campus during the Festival week. They also offered special codes for in-store and online purchases, and their local stores hosted Ashley Hall student artists who debuted their work to the public, and Caroline’s Carolers who led a sing along.

In addition, several opportunities for the students to interact with published authors were scheduled during the week. Author of two New York Times Bestsellers, Doug Stanton, spoke with students in Ashley Hall’s Military History course about his experiences in Afghanistan researching Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan. His firsthand account of his investigations afforded Ashley Hall students a unique opportunity to gain insights and information otherwise unavailable to the general public, while providing them with an invaluable demonstration of how serious research really works.

Later that evening Stanton gave a reading from Horse Soldiers as part of the Ashley Hall Guest Writers Series.

Several local authors, including Ashley Hall dad, John Thompson, who recently published his first novel, The Armageddon Conspiracy, participated in the Festival. They signed copies of their

n Sharing a favorite book was one of several Big Sister/Little Sister events during the year.

books and worked with students to share more about the local literary community.

Making the Book Festival a success involved a number of helping hands.

“Co-Chairs, Julie Walters ’83 and Cathy Jenkins, along with the Parents Association were incredibly supportive of this expansion, and we can’t thank them enough for the continuing support they provide to both the Library and the Book Festival,” Reiner acknowledged. There are big plans for the Festival in the coming years including its expansion to a campus-wide, curricular event. An even wider selection of recommended books will be available for purchase, including summer reading titles, books recommended by peers, and those that have been enjoyed by generation after generation of young women.

“I hope our students see the Book Festival as an opportunity to discover and experience different genres of reading, not just the latest bestseller they get from a friend, but books that have spoken to generations of Ashley Hall girls. Books that make them think and that make them enjoy thinking,” states Reiner as she considers the titles to offer next year. She also plans to have additional opportunities for

Academe

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New York Times bestselling author, Doug Stanton, leads a discussion with Military History students during his visit as part of the Guest Writer Series.

Local authors who participated: Nicole Seitz author of four novels including Saving Cicadas, The Spirit of Sweetgrass, Trouble the Water and A Hundred Years of Happiness.

Marjory Wentworth Poet Laureate of South Carolina and author of Shackles and several poetry collections including: Noticing Eden, Despite Gravity, and The Endless Repetition of an Ordinary Miracle.

Bert Hudnall author of Cutting Through the Chaos of College Admissions and Musings From God’s Lieutenant.

Merrie Southgate ’74 author of The Agnes Pflumm Trilogy Ashley Hall dad, John Thompson, was one of the local authors featured during the Festival. local authors and the Charleston literary community as a whole to get involved.

In the end, this transformation of a small fundraising fair to this vibrant festival of literacy has to be celebrated as one of Ashley Hall’s greatest rewrites. AH

John Thompson author of The Armageddon Conspiracy Nick Bozanic author of This Once: Poems 1976-1996 Beth Webb Hart best-selling author of The Wedding Machine, Adelaide Piper and Grace at Low Tide.

Prioleau Alexander author of You Want Fries With That? A White-Collar Burnout Experiences Life at Minimum Wage Jonathan Miller author of The Adventures of Sammy the Wonder Dachshund

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At Large

Ashley Hall once again shone in the 2010 Dragon Boat Festival to promote wellness among cancer survivors and their community. Ashley Hall had five teams this year; one from each grade 9-12 and one faculty team. Here the Senior boat team celebrates after placing fourth in their division.

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity is one of Ashley Hall’s community partners for service. Here Seniors work to complete a community center in Hollywood.

As part of Ashley Hall’s ongoing relationship with the South Carolina Aquarium First Grade students had an opportunity to get their hands dirty as they learned about nutrition while preparing food for the aquarium’s visiting penguins.

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At Large

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The entire student body got involved in a fund raising drive in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Student leaders spearheaded and managed the entire drive and determined that the contributions should be used to help purchase a water purification system through Water Missions International.

Ashley Hall students from all divisions, faculty, staff, and parents joined together on Martin Luther King Day to celebrate the school’s commitment to diversity.

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At Large Lower School Students Had Big Red Shoes to Fill

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he mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is “to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.” This quote inspired Second Grade Teacher, Sharon Rains, who saw the chance for Ashley Hall Lower School girls to make a difference in the lives of other children. By the fall of 2009 the Lower School Community Action Plan, based on her idea to help RMHC, was in place led by Sharon, Christine Macpherson and Amie Pierce.

After learning about how they could help RMHC, Lower School girls started collecting tabs from aluminum cans.

Soon they were recruiting friends, families and businesses to help and by the end of the year had collected 172 gallons of tabs with two families giving more than ten gallons of tabs. Additionally, each month different grade levels (K-4) visited the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) bringing their tabs, baskets of books to share, student artwork for the walls, and student created items for the families and children. The Lower School also sponsored two non-uniform days and presented a check to the RMH along with new linens.

The Lower School students’ efforts soon sparked a community wide desire to make a difference for the families of RMH. First the Lower School Faculty participated in the “Prepare-AMeal” Program for families staying at the RMH. Then for four days during Winterim groups of seniors and Upper School faculty members made lunch for the resident families. In April a group of first through third grade students gave

First grade students pose with the Ronald McDonald clown on one of their many service visits to RMH. a violin performance at the RMH, while that same evening their parents provided the evening meal. Sharing a meal with resident families was an experience that touched all who participated. They heard personal stories, made connections, and gained a better understanding of the day to day lives of temporary residents of the RMH. This year of service culminated with the presentation to Ashley Hall’s Lower

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School of a special “Red Shoe Award” by RMHC. Barbara Bond, Ronald McDonald House Executive Director and CEO presented the award stating, “For the entire 2009-2010 school-year, Ashley Hall integrated Ronald McDonald House Charities programs into their school activities. Students, staff, and faculty at the school have come together to collect books for the RMH library, artwork for the halls, make lovely notes for the

At Large

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“For the entire 2009-2010 school-year, Ashley Hall integrated Ronald McDonald House Charities programs into their school activities... All of these acts of kindness have helped make the Ronald McDonald House more of a home away from home and directly impacted the lives of the families of critically ill children being treated in our local hospitals.”

Barbara Bond, Ronald McDonald House Executive Director and CEO

families, bring beautiful pots of homemade flowers, bring beautiful vases of real flowers, mountains of towels, make homemade thank-you notes for RMH to use to thank its volunteers, baked cookies, brownies and sweets, collected loads of pop-tabs, prepared numerous homemade dinners and lunches for RMH families, raised money for RMH which directly supports families staying here, and collected RMH wish list items for daily use in the House. All of these acts of kindness have helped make the Ronald McDonald House more of a home away from home and directly impacted the lives of the families of critically ill children being treated in our local hospitals.”

This special relationship with RMH, begun by an inspired faculty member and ignited by the efforts of Lower School girls, sparked in the entire Ashley Hall family the desire to make a difference. It also gave students the opportunity to experience service to others, to see themselves as part of a bigger community, and is just one more way that Ashley Hall continues to fulfill her mission directive to create ethically responsible women. AH

Congratulations to seniors Marie Fogle, Mira Patel, and Celeste Jilich who, after participating in the Prepare-A-Meal Program, were selected to serve on the Ronald McDonald Junior Board.

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Sporting Life

Basketball Honors

Basketball Top Row: Coach Katlyn Petit, Ellen Hudson Brown, Catey Warren, Rossi Anastopoulo Bottom Row: Sallie Hutson, Jamie Harrell, Nancy Hagood, Amelia White, Emily Gabriel Not Pictured: Gamble Ouzts

Head Coach: Lauren Arent Assistant Coaches: Ashley Watamura and Katlyn Petit Most Valuable Player – Jamie Harrell and Catey Warren Most Improved Player – Rossi Anastopoulo Coach’s Award – Nancy Hagood Best Defensive Player – Amelia White Spirit Award – Gamble Ouzts SCISA All – Conference –Jamie Harrell SCISA All-Star Team – Jamie Harrell SCISA All State Team – Jamie Harrell HSSR All State SCISA Team – Jamie Harrell

Sailing Honors

Coach: Cathy Swanson Most Valuable Sailor – Nancy Hagood and Mary Massalon Most Improved – Helen Smythe Coach’s Award – Charlotte Lazarus Undefeated SAISA North Champions

Sailing Top Row: Charlotte Lazarus, Cecelia Lipman, Coach Cathy Swanson, Nancy

Hagood, Mary Massalon Middle Row: Ellinor Walters, Sara Mac Swanson, Helen Smythe, Isabelle Luzuriaga, Danielle Feerst Bottom Row: Chloe Plunkette, Sarah Jean Hinson

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Equestrian Honors

Equestrian Top Row: Mae Rose Naylor, Katie Kelly, Ali Condon, Abbie Gibson,

Winnie Davis, Caroline Moseley, Molly Mead Bottom Row: Allison Andrews, Christina Kearse, Caroline Andrews, Caroline Ravenel, Dupre Moseley, Sara Ravenel

Coaches: Betsy Moseley, Heidi Ravenel, and Hillary Sadler MVP – Winnie Davis Most Improved – Mae Rose Naylor Coach’s Award – Dupre Moseley Winnie Davis Qualified for the Zone Four Nationals and finished as Reserve Champion IEA Zone Four and Region Four Finals-Third in Region

Softball Honors

Softball Top Row: Coach Debbie Vaughn, Kristi Dayemo, Charlotte Lazarus, Shannon Laribo, Coach Marc Hall Middle Row: Robyn Do, Sarah Jean Hinson, Celeste Jilich, Anna Lanford, Rebecca Howell, Lauren Hall, Marie Fogle Bottom Row: Julia Brown, Megan Clore, Ann Hill

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Head Coach: Marc Hall Assistant Coach: Debbie Vaughn Most Valuable Player – Celeste Jilich Coach’s Award – Robyn Do Most Improved – Emily Brown Best Offensive Player – Charlotte Lazarus Best Defensive Player – Lauren Hall SCISA All Region Team – Celeste Jilich and Charlotte Lazarus SCISA North-South All Star Team – Celeste Jilich

Sporting Life

Soccer Honors

Soccer Top Row: Assistant Coach Andrea Muti, Maggie Nevers, Weezie Hefner,

Charlotte Morrow, Elizabeth Dougherty, Caroline Andrews, Head Coach Eva Baucom, Fleming Hall, Elitza Koutleva, Morgan Schweers, Macon Bianucci, Assistant Coach Tim Allega Middle Row: Caroline Ravenel, Allie Highfield, Helen Smythe, Nancy Hagood, Rebecca Rosen, Tiffany Dayemo, Caroline Bergmann, Isabelle Luzuriaga, Julia Puckette, Katie Morrison Bottom Row: McNair Zervos, Madeline Martin, Charlotte Williams, Emily Gabriel, Betsy Cribb, Margaret Legerton, Caroline Lowery

Head Coach: Eva Baucom Assistant Coaches: Tim Allega, Andrea Muti Most Valuable Player – Elizabeth Dougherty Most Improved Player – Morgan Schweers Coach’s Award – Charlotte Williams SCISA All-Region Team– Elizabeth Dougherty, Charlotte Williams SCISA All- Star Team – Elizabeth Dougherty

Track Honors

Track Top Row: Rossi Anastopoulo, Walker Buxton, Sallie Hutson, Miller Bianucci,

Hannah Poulnot, Elizabeth Scarborough, LaVonne Marshall, Katie Kelly, Mina Rismani, Isabella Alfaro Middle Row: Michaela White, Grayson Frizelle, Ellinor Walters, Cecelia Lipman, Molly Rhodes, Lauren Smith, Morgan Lee, Alyssa Bush, Jillian Gaskins, Sierrra Bell Bottom Rom: Waylon Henggeler, Audrey Hamilton, Bailey Horn, Liz Walters, Leila Alfaro, Alissa Melsopp

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Varsity Track – Runner-up State Champions Coaches: Gail Bailey and John Slepetz Coach’s Awards Outstanding Athlete in Field Events Hannah Poulnot and Jillian Gaskins Outstanding Athlete in Track Events Miller Bianucci and Isabella Alfaro Track and Field Rookie of the Year Michaela White Track and Field Athlete of the Year Lauren Smith SCISA All State Team – Lauren Smith, Miller Bianucci, Hannah Poulnot State Champion High Jump – Lauren Smith State Champion 3200 meter – Miller Bianucci State Champion 4x100 Relay Team – Lauren Smith, Hannah Poulnot, Elizabeth Scarborough, Rossi Anastopoulo State Champion 4x800 – Isabella Alfaro, Waylon Henggeler, Molly Rhodes, Miller Bianucci

Sporting Life

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Congratulations

Taken from the nomination essay written

by Amanda Murrell, Director of College Counseling:

Nancy Hagood ’10 is winner of the 2010 Bill Simpson Award, the highest individual honor presented to a student athlete in the South Carolina Independent School Association.

The Simpson Award was presented to Nancy at the school awards ceremony on May 28, by SCISA Executive Director, Larry K. Watt. Mr Watt noted that Nancy’s qualifications for the award were the best he’s ever seen.

The Bill Simpson Award In November of 1989, SCISA established an annual award to be presented to an outstanding graduating student who best exemplifies the academic and athletic qualities that Mr. Simpson represented.

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“Gifted” and “Powerful” are adjectives that arise again and again in teachers’ descriptions of Nancy. Her Honors Pre-Calculus teacher commented “She is naturally intuitive when it comes to math. She often provides alternative solutions to problems by thinking about them in a unique way.” In English she has been described as “a powerful thinker and writer” and as someone who exudes confidence and passion and is intrinsically motivated to learn.

Nancy’s contributions have been no less significant outside the classroom. She has been involved in almost all facets of athletics at Ashley Hall, serving as a member of the Athletic Association and participating in basketball, soccer, sailing and cross country.

Nancy received the Coaches Award twice in basketball and was the co-recipient of the Coaches Award for soccer her junior year…..

She has been a member of the varsity sailing team since 8th grade (a team that went undefeated last year), and was the team’s MVP her senior and sophomore year.

Sporting Life

Varsity Equestrian Team – Not Horsing Around

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s many an old annual will attest, Ashley Hall students have been competing in equestrian events for much of the last century, but always on an individual basis. This year was the first time the school fielded an equestrian team to compete in the Interscholastic Equestian Association (IEA). If this first year’s results are any indication, the rest of the nation better be on the lookout for Ashley Hall.

Sophomore Winnie Davis placed second in the Varsity Intermediate Equitation (over fences) division of the IEA National Finals held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA. Davis bested 18 other elite Intermediate riders from around the nation to earn runner-up honors in her class and was named National Reserve Champion.

“I absolutely loved it,” said Davis, commenting on her first season in IEA competition. “It’s different from anything I’ve ever done before.”

Davis has been riding since the age of 4 and riding competitively for 8 years, but the IEA introduced her to some new twists.

“You don’t ride your own horse in IEA competitions. The horses are provided and every rider participates in a draw to select a mount. It’s really a great test of a rider’s knowledge and skills. You get a report on your horse’s history and tendencies, a quick, get-acquainted ride during which you’re allowed to take them over two jumps, and then you’re immediately off to your competition round. It can be pretty stressful.”

Her score of 84 points (out of a possible 100) was only one point behind the eventual class champion.

“I thought I might be able to place as high as fourth or fifth this year, but I had a nearly flawless round and when I finished and our coach, Hillary Sadler, told me I was at the top, it was so exciting.”

Davis is no stranger to big show pressure. As far back as third grade, she and her pony, Oatey, were prominent contenders on the national riding scene.

“That horse taught me how to ride,” said Davis, National Reserve Champion, Winnie Davis ’12

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Sporting Life

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“The team and individual riders have done so well in their first year of scholastic competition.

We’re very proud of their team accomplishments and Winnie’s individual success. We’re also especially grateful to two parents, Betsy Moseley and Heidi Ravenel ’74 , who did all of the organizing and other groundwork to form the new team and guide us through the competitions.”

Franny Slay, Athletic Director “She (Oatey) had all the big-time show experience and she really taught me everything.”

Riding for Ashley Hall is Davis’s first experience as a member of an equestrian team.

“I didn’t know what to expect because riding has always been such an individual pursuit for me. It was great to get to know all of the girls on the team, and a lot of fun to have someone else to cheer for. Both of our teams did so well and it is just our first year.”

The combined Varsity and Junior Varsity team qualified for the IEA Zone Four and Region Four Finals (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina) where they finished third in the Region.

Ashley Hall’s Middle School team also qualified for Regional finals. They were Regional Champions and qualified for the Zone Four Finals, held in March at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. Eighth Grader, Sara Ravenel, also qualified as an individual rider for the Zone Four finals.

“The team and individual riders have done so well in their first year of scholastic competition,” said Ashley Hall Athletic Director, Franny Slay. “We’re very proud of their team accomplishments and Win-

nie’s individual success. We’re also especially grateful to two parents, Betsy Moseley and Heidi Ravenel ’74, who did all of the organizing and other groundwork to form the new team and guide us through the competitions.”

The Ashley Hall 2009-2010 Varsity/ Junior Varsity Equestrian Team members were seniors: Caroline Ravenel, Caroline Andrews, Dupre Moseley, and Christina Kearse; junior Rhett Bissell; sophomores Winnie Davis, Ali-Rose Condon, and Abbie Gibson; and freshmen Molly Mead and Caroline Moseley.

Ashley Hall’s 2009-2010 Middle School team members were eighth graders Sara Ravenel, Mae Rose Naylor, Katie Kelly, and seventh grader Allison Andrews.

“This sport spans our entire scholastic year,” said Slay. “That takes a lot of time and dedication from these riders because they are just as busy and involved with school and outside activities as any other student. They kept their eyes on the prize and after seeing the results of year one, I can’t wait until next season because that bar has been set pretty high!”

AH

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THE SCHOOL

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Noye’s Fludde

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February, Ashley Hall treated Charleston to

four performances of

Noye’s Fludde, the famous

children’s opera, based upon the biblical story of

Noah and the Ark. The presentation represented

the culmination of several months of study, preparation, and rehearsal by the Intermediate

School Student Body, as well as a select number of Upper

School student actors and Lower School musicians.

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oye’s Fludde was written in 1957 by the English composer, Benjamin Britten. It is based upon a sixteenth century mystery play. Mystery plays were among the earliest theatrical works written in medieval Europe. They were based on biblical stories and were performed at church festivals with accompaniment of instruments and songs. They reached their height of popularity in the 16th century before the emergence of professional theater.

“Noye’s Fludde, like the Ashley Hall Christmas Play, comes from the Chester Cycle of Mystery Plays,” said Intermediate School Director, Lois Ruggierio. “Our Intermediate School students studied the Mystery Plays in their Language Arts and History courses. They learned about the original biblical account of the flood, about the version of the story in the Epic of Gilgamesh, about the Mystery Play, and about Britten’s treatment of the story. They gained an understanding of the Mystery Plays’ historical importance. They even tried their hands at writing their own poetry and dialogue as creative writing exercises. They also learned Hugh Chesterman’s poem, Noah and the Rabbit.”

“In Math and Science classes, students studied music theory and researched the animals they would portray in the production. It was a true cross-curricular experience,” said Ruggiero.

Definitely one of Britten’s grandest achievements, Noye’s Fludde combines amateur and professional forces. The staging is relatively simple, and the cast is largely dominated by the presence of young performers. More than 100 Ashley Hall students took part in the production, portraying the vast array of animals, as well as singing the roles of Noye’s sons and their wives, and six gossips, whose meddling and drinking nearly cause Mrs. Noye to miss the boat.

In addition, dozens of students, trained

by Ashley Hall dance instructor, Stephanie Christiansen, performed as the waves, rain, wind, sun, stars, and the moon.

All of the papier mache, animal masks worn in the performance were designed

ORCHESTRA

Jill Muti, Conductor Violin Javier Orman Tomas Jakubek Viola Sam Kuczynski Cello Yun Hao Jiang Bass Judith Yarbrough Trumpet Ethan Rutland Greg Schoonover Timpani Ray McClain, Jr. Percussion Huey Waldon Molly Lofton Ron Wiltrout Piano Robin Garner Emily Harding Organ, Solo Recorder Julia Harlow Soprano Recorder Elsa Dixon Erika Stancliff Ursula Stuercken Paige Wisotzki Alto Recorder Judy Selby Helen Watson

“We asked our students about their experiences associated with studying, preparing for and performing such a complex undertaking. Their responses were almost unanimously in favor and most would welcome the opportunity to try something like this again ... I’d say that’s a success!”

-Lois Ruggiero, Intermediate School Director

and constructed by Intermediate School students during art classes and in special sessions held during the school’s Winterim under the instruction of art teachers, Carol Wellein and Nancy Langston.

In keeping with Britten’s intent to blend the talents of amateur and professional performers, three professional actor/singers covered the key roles, and the orchestra was composed both of professional and student musicians.

The role of Noye was performed by baritone, Art Bumgardner, adjunct professor of voice at the College of Charleston. Mrs. Noye was sung by mezzo soprano, Shanelle Woods, a graduate of Charleston Southern University. The voice of God was portrayed by Joy Vandervort-Cobb, a College of Charleston theater teacher.

The orchestra was made up primarily of student performers on strings, recorders, and

percussion augmented by a professional string quintet, a recorder, two pianists, an organist, and a tympani player. Ashley Hall Head of School, Jill Muti, conducted the orchestra, and drama teacher, Maida Libkin, directed the opera.

The story unfolds swiftly from God’s initial command to Noah to build the Ark, to the actual construction of the Ark, to the Flood and to the final pacification of God with man. As in a typical medieval drama, the seriousness of the topic also has its farcical moments. The comedic relief is provided by Noah’s unsuccessful attempts to convince his wife of the situation’s seriousness. Finally, she has to be carried bodily by her sons into the Ark only to start complaining again to her husband.

Three hymns define the architectural structure of Britten’s opera, and much of the musical

24 Summer 2010 Perspectives

STUDENT ENSEMBLES Violins Meaghan Bonds Louisa Byars Anna Faliero Sophie Faliero Eliot Hall Claire Hildebrand Ally Noone Ann Sheridan Natalie Smith Croft Stoney Eva Wong

Violin Instructors Tiffany Rice Mary Taylor Lauren Eastlack Recorders Anna Bitter Adelaide Dixon Kimmie Edwards Abigail Hamilton McKenna Hardy Hannah Reuther Madeline Richmond Recorder Instructor Elsa Dixon

n material is derived from the initial hymn, “Lord Jesus, Think On Me.” In between, Britten places a number of set pieces tied together by brief recitatives. The different situations provide Britten with the opportunity to explore orchestration and the manipulation of several unusual instruments: slung mugs for the rain, a recorder for the whirls of the wind, etc. The audience becomes an integral part of the performance, since the congregation is asked to sing the three hymns with the rest of the cast.

In “A Composer of Our Time,” an article published in 1952, Benjamin Britten stated his artistic belief: “I am first and foremost an artist, and as an artist I want to serve the community…It is not a bad thing for an artist to try to serve all sorts of people.

That is why I personally enjoy writing pieces for special occasions, music for children or amateurs…trying to pour into these restricted bottles my best wine.”

“Noye’s Fludde is the perfect introduction to children’s opera for a school like Ashley Hall,” said Jill Muti. “Part of our educational mission is that of exposing as many children as possible to artistic works and ventures which are easily understandable and accessible but at the same time that provide a very high artistic level and instructional potential. The best way to teach

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“Noye’s Fludde is the perfect introduction to children’s opera for a school like Ashley Hall. Part of our educational mission is that of exposing as many children as possible to artistic works and ventures which are easily understandable and accessible but at the same time that provide a very high artistic level and instructional potential. The best way to teach the arts is through “hands on” experiences; to have children perform, participate in the event and let them become aware that the arts are demanding but are also fun, especially in an interdisciplinary setting as the one presented by Britten’s Noye’s Fludde.”

-Jill Muti, Head of School the arts is through ‘hands on’ experiences, to have children perform, participate in the event and let them become aware that the arts are demanding but are also fun, especially in an interdisciplinary setting as the one presented by Britten’s Noye’s Fludde.”

The Ashley Hall presentation of Noye’s Fludde was held in the Memminger Auditorium and played two sold-out public performances as well as two special performances for students from Memminger Elementary and Meeting Street Academy.

In May, more than two dozen students reprised their animal roles in leading the Children’s Parade of Piccolo Spoleto.

“We asked our students about their experiences associated with studying, prepar-

ing for and performing such a complex undertaking,” said Ruggiero. “Their responses were almost unanimously in favor and most would welcome the opportunity to try something like this again ... I’d say that’s a success!”

Head of School, Jill Muti, directed the blended orchestra of student performers and professional musicians.

25 Summer 2010 Perspectives

CAST

Intermediate School students designed and created their individual animal masks. Above, Imani Muhammad puts the finishing touches on her toucan.

The sun, the moon and a star rise as the audience joins the cast to sing the final hymn.

Ashley Hall girls in their animal masks led the Piccolo Spoleto parade to kick off the festival.

26 Summer 2010 Perspectives

God Noye Mrs. Noye Sem Mrs. Sem Ham Mrs. Ham Jaffett Mrs. Jaffett Gossip Gossip Gossip Gossip Gossip Gossip

Joy Vandervort-Cobb Art Bumgardner ShanelIe Woods Olivia Hipp Rachel Dawson Danielle Feerst Kiri Taylor Savannah Dixon Haleigh Foster Clayton Buckaloo Eleanor Byars Grayson Frizzelle Mozie Frizzelle Shelley Vohr Ginna Wallace

ANIMAL PAIRS Alpacas Bears Beavers Bitterns Buck and Doe Camels Cats Chipmunks Cock and Hen Cows Cuckoos Dogs Donkeys Doves Duck & Drake Eagles Elephants Foxes Giraffes Goats Herons Horses Koalas Leopards Lion & Lioness Llamas Marmosets Mice Monkeys Otters Owls Pandas Peacocks Pigs Polecats Rabbits Rats Ravens Redshanks Sheep Skunks Squirrels Swans Toucans Wolves Zebras

Ashby Bland, Emma Jordan Caroline Puckette, Giselle Libby Zoe Watson, Rylee Puckhaber Moriah Dodson, Auburn Jeffries Lizzie Russler, Stafford Mullin Erin Goedecke, Scout Taylor Spencer George, Ellie Eason Ella McElwaine, Emma Tumbleston Parker Walters, Bee Robbins Charlotte Basala, Sydney Laribo Nicole Eyraud, Mary Hope Chakeris Courtney Schnorr, Audrey Hamilton Ginny Ravenel, Madeline McQuillan Hannah Reed, Carter Bitter AshIyn Brown, Kate Brooks Lizzy Walters, Leila Alfaro Angel Washington, Mary Alston Herres Fiquet Krueger, Helen Renken Hannah Ackerman, Karolyn Brown Kennedy Proctor, Cinnie Saunders Sydney Crews, Anna Hildebrand Elizabeth Ouzts, Gwyn Niemann Mia Halsey, Emily Richards Morgan Lee, Alida Sinkler Victoria Hipp, Guinevere Rudnick Taylor Harvey, Clari Edwards Sloane Miller, Kaitie Uebelhoer Eliza Rawl, Elizabeth Harrell Elizabeth Puckette, Alyssa Canfield Savannah Soltys, Sonny June Way Eliza Quinn, Heather Witherow Caroline Outten, Lili Gregorie Lydia Cook, Maddie Schutte Amelia Parker, Madeline White Reily Jimenez, Taylor McClarty Abbi Tucker, Annie Lee McLaurin Olivia Norman, Lani Chavin Julia Meyers, Abby Cates Emily Ockerman, Virginia Rose Doran Bel Thompson, India McCarty McCrae Nistad, Rebecca Edson Grace Anne Gasperson, Susanne McDonald Maya White, Isabel Eicher Imani Muhammad, Gyles Laney Victoria Owsley, Liza Thompson Jessica Bush, Alissa Melsopp

DANCERS Dove Moon Rain

Raven Star Sun Thunder Waves Wind

Abbi Tucker Madeline White Grace Anne Gasperson, Gyles Laney, Susanne McDonald, Elizabeth Puckette Kaitie Uebelhoer Lydia Cook Moriah Dodson Rylee Puckhaber, Zoe Watson Carter Bitter, Caroline Puckette, Emily Richards, Maya White Reily Jimenez, Taylor McClarty, Annie Lee McLaurin

2010 THE SCHOOL

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Congratulations to the Class of 2010 The young women who comprise the Class of

educated independent, ethically responsible challenges confidence.

2010 are the embodiment of the fulfillment of the Ashley Hall mission: To produce an

the

of society with

27 Summer 2010 Perspectives

woman who is and prepared to face

Educated

College Acceptances for the Class of 2010

Ethically Responsible Nancy Hagood First Honor Graduate

“...We must use Ashley Hall’s gifts to us to build our own lives and careers. We must live in a way that we can give back to Ashley Hall, to the giving tree, and to the rest of the world. We have been given great gifts of love, compassion, friendship, and knowledge. How will we use these gifts?

How will we pass them on to others? Winston Churchill once said, ‘We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.’ It is now our turn and our responsibility to pass on the lessons of love and friendship that we learned at Ashley Hall and to take the gift of giving into our worlds ahead.”

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Academy of Art University Agnes Scott College The University of Alabama American University Appalachian State University Auburn University Berry College Belmont Abbey Boston College Boston University College of Charleston Clemson University Columbia College Davidson College DePaul University Elon University Emerson College Emory University Erskine College Flagler College Florida Atlantic University Fordham University Furman University The George Washington University Georgetown University University of Georgia Goucher College Hamilton College - NY University of Hawaii at Manoa Howard University London College of Fashion Loyola University Chicago Macalester College Maryland Institute College of Art University of Mississippi New York University The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill University of North Carolina School of the Arts North Carolina State University Northeastern University Northwestern University Oberlin College Oglethorpe University Oxford College of Emory University Palm Beach Atlantic University Presbyterian College Queens University Randolph-Macon College Rhodes College The American International University in London (Richmond) University of Richmond Roanoke College Samford University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design Sewanee: The University of the South Shaw University University of South Carolina Southern Methodist University University of St. Andrews (Scotland) The University of Texas, Austin Tulane University University of the Arts London Vanderbilt University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University University of Virginia Wake Forest University Wells College Wofford College

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Challenges with Confidence

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Mira Sunil Patel Second Honor Graduate

“I would like to leave you two important values that I have learned in the past thirteen years at Ashley Hall--the first being, whatever you choose to do, give it your 100%.

Sheer luck and talent alone will not help you reach your goals, for it is hard work that pays off the most in the end.

Remember there are no short cuts, and that there is nothing as rewarding as hard work, patience, and persistence.

It may not always seem easy to put your greatest effort into everything you do, but follow your passion and learn to think beyond the textbooks. Sometimes you may lose, but don’t give up. It’s not worth it. You may even make a few wrong turns, or end up at a completely wrong destination, but that’s ok. As my dad always tells me, “It is from our mistakes that we learn to make the greatest successes.”

Independent

Hayley Esther Daen Second Honor Graduate “…we must strive to be a little less like the Mock Turtle and a little more like Alice. Alice fearlessly slides down the rabbit hole, ready for whatever comes her way. She does not pause for even a moment before immersing herself in the world of Wonderland. The colleges and universities that we will attend in the fall will make up our Wonderland. We have to be brave and decisive, adventurous and curious.”

Commencement Speaker Heidi Ward Ravenel ‘74

she had to fight for what she wanted and the men on staff expected that from her. They called her aggressive, (she was really just assertive) but she called me her secret weapon, and would send me in her place to many meetings. The men on senior staff thought I was a sweet, shy little Southern girl in my late twenties, so when I stood up to them and quietly but firmly insisted on whatever point or concession my boss wanted, they were so surprised that they would always go along with it. My boss was amazed that I had the confidence to argue my point and stand up to some of the most powerful men in the country, but I learned THAT confidence here at Ashley Hall, where ALL girls are leaders. That is also YOUR legacy as you go out to pursue your dreams: You can hold your own anywhere.”

“…you have been so well‐educated and so vitally challenged here that you can hold your own anywhere.

You are confident and you are used to being leaders; so take that confidence girls, and OWN IT in college, in the workplace and in life. Ashley Hall gave me great confidence to stand up for myself and my ideas and beliefs. When I worked in the Reagan White House, my boss was the highest ranking woman on the White House staff. She was twelve years older than I, and had come of age in the era of women’s liberation. Because of that, she felt that 29

Summer 2010 Perspectives

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SShowcase enitheorClass ofPr oj ects 2010’s Diverse Interests A

Humanities initiative designed to necessitate the further implementation and exploration of knowledge gained during Junior Internships culminated this year in an array of Senior Projects, reflecting the diverse interests and passions of the Class of 2010. Having deliberately chosen internships that would segue into focused, research driven, and reflective projects their senior year, members of the Class of 2010 prepared for the year long development of their individual projects. Under the mentorship of Chris Hughes, Nick Bozanic and Libby Russler, students presented a prepared lecture with citations on their individual projects every other week throughout the course of their study as a facet of their senior level English courses. At the end of the academic year seniors presented the culmination of their projects to a panel of their peers, faculty and adults.

Dupre Moseley:

Equine Medical Journal: Veterinary and Horse Owner Perspective

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s a horseback rider for many years, I decided last May to intern at Edisto Equine Clinic with Dr. John Malark, DVM. It was then that I realized that I wanted to focus on equine medicine for my senior project, an equine medical journal. In the journal, I have incorporated two distinct perspectives on veterinary medicine: that of the scientist and that of the horse owner. In other words, I wanted to learn more about the science of equine medicine and write about my findings in a more user-friendly way. My equine medical journal, Equine Medicine: Science and the Horse Owner, provides information on many common equine health problems and reinforces the importance of equine care in today’s world.

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Senior Project Samples: In their own words Marjorie Hanger: Dining for Women

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ver the summer, I read the novel 3 Cups of Tea, which focuses on the importance of educating women and how their role in society can help promote peace. This book was not only eye-opening but would become the source of my inspiration for my senior project. I decided to become a chapter leader with Dining for Women. DFW functions primarily through “chapters” throughout the United States. A chapter consists of a group of women who meet monthly to discuss that month’s designated country. The countries discussed are underdeveloped, third world countries. The DFW philanthropic model is based on the philosophy that by informing and educating women in wealthy nations, women in impoverished countries can become empowered and inspired. The

members in each chapter meet monthly, share potluck dinners, and learn about a pre-selected charity. Members donate the money that they would normally spend for a meal at a restaurant. After learning about the selected organization and the women living in a specific country, members combine their donations with all other chapter donations

across the country. I selected a group of young, altruistic Ashley Hall girls to join me in this journey. We learned about Tibet, India, Rwanda and Bangladesh and the women that live there.

Julie Kucharski: Julie K Designs

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ver the course of the year, I learned how to design, manage, and produce a fashion collection as if I were a real designer.

My senior project has encouraged me to follow my dreams and think outside the box. I studied fashion merchandising, public relations, fashion show production, pattern making, fashion sketching, fashion photography, and new sewing techniques.

In the end, I was able to showcase a runway show with sixteen different outfits that I have finished throughout the year.

31 Summer 2010 Perspectives

n Olivia Hipp: Locavore

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decided to make a magazine called Locavore for my Senior Project.

It would be about what makes Charleston unlike any other place on Earth. Having been born and raised downtown, I have grown up exploring every bit of Charleston—every cobbled alley, every delicious morsel, every secret garden, every view, every corner store, and every weathered Charleston character I found with a story to tell.

Not only have I explored Charleston, I have cherished it. It being my senior year, I have been forced to think about leaving this beautiful city, and I have discovered how much it really means to me. Senior project at Ashley Hall presented me with an opportunity to share my enthusiasm for Charleston, and thus was born Locavore! I want to help even locals discover the richness of this place we call home, and why, as Frank Simmons of Simmons Farm says, “Charleston is on the map!”

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Mira Patel:

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Bollywood Fusion

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ndian music and dance has been a huge part of my cultural experience while growing up. Along with my personal experience, my interest in different forms of Indian music and dance has served as the driving force behind my senior project. Throughout the year, I have explored Bollywood cinema, modern and classical music and dance, and the western influences that have contributed to Bollywood entertainment. My final project is a dance performance that has incorporated a fusion of some of my favorite classical and modern forms of dance and music.

As a lover of Charleston, it is plain to see why supporting the local salespeople is necessary, whether it’s buying farm-grown vegetables or choosing a locally-run coffee shop over Starbucks. In doing so, you are not only supporting your local economy, but also being environmentally friendly by cutting back on transportation and getting a fresher product. So when the term locavore was mentioned in my AP Environmental Science class, it stuck with me. To be a locavore is to try to consume only local products, primarily with regard to food. However, the word consume comes from the Latin “consūmere” literally meaning “to take up”. I, therefore, took locavore to a broader sense. In my mind, to be a locavore is to “take up” local goods, and, the way I see it, there are plenty of goods in Charleston to feast all your senses on.

Part of my project was also to market my magazine, and I have had many people from Ashley Hall express interest in buying a copy but not know how to follow through.

If you would like to buy one of the color, perfect bound copies, please email me your address and send a check for $35 to 194 Tradd St., Charleston, SC.

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CAROLINA String Academy

By Adam Parker The Post and Courier Sunday, May 16, 2010

The violin program is the school’s latest move to enhance and cross−pollinate its curriculum with arts education, according to Head of School Jill Muti.

And it’s showing such promise that the school is expanding the program to include viola and cello, more students and, now, members of the community who can sign up for private and class lessons.

It’s even got a name: The Carolina String Academy of Ashley Hall.

Until now, the program has catered only to students and their parents. Staff members Judith Yarbrough, fine arts coordinator; Mary Taylor and Lauren Eastlack, violin teachers; and Tiffany Rice, a violin teacher who started the program in 2005, have run a 90−minute after−school group class for students and another for adults that include ensemble playing, theory lessons, solo performances and monthly recitals.

The initiative was inspired and informed

by Rice’s teacher at Indiana University, the strings pedagogy expert Mimi Zweig, who started the university’s Jacobs School of Music Summer String Academy 26 years ago.

Muti said developing a similar program in Charleston makes sense for Ashley Hall, which requires all musicians on campus to be performers and trained educators, and which benefits across the academic spectrum from the pedagogical lessons students

33 Summer 2010 Perspectives

What began as an effort to provide students at Ashley Hall with an early opportunity to learn the violin has evolved six years later into a fully formed music study program open to the public.

learn in strings class.

Additionally, Muti said, early music education at the school can have a communitywide benefit.

“It can help establish a sustained approach to arts education in the Lowcountry and influence young students to appreciate it. It’s a reflection on society,” she said, “Learning that language opens up different worlds.”

Rice added that it also helps change parents’ views of the arts, encouraging them to pay more attention to them and, in turn, share in their children’s experiences.

“Currently, the strings program is obligatory for kindergarten students. In later grades, students can opt in and continue their lessons. About one−fourth of them do,” Rice said.

Fourth−grade students in the strings program had a chance to play with profes-

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“It’s a reflection on society. Learning that language opens up different worlds.” sional musicians in March when the school mounted a production of Benjamin Britten’s children’s opera, “Noye’s Fludde.”

One of them was Natalie Smith. She and her sister, Sarah, who is in second grade, are in the strings program. So is their mother, Sandra Smith. “The girls joined the program in kindergarten. They were issued violins to take home and instruments to keep at school,” Smith said. “They have two group lessons and one private lesson a week. And they practice at home nearly every day.”

“The lessons have challenged them; it’s difficult to play the violin, especially at the beginning,” she said. “But I always tell them anything that you want to be good at takes hard work.”

Their mother should know. She said she signed up for an adult class recently because she thought it would be fun. “It is fun, but it’s also eye−opening,” Smith said.

She is able to better appreciate the talents, and patience, of her daughters.

Before, she took for granted that their efforts were simply part of a necessary daily routine.

“Now I’m more forgiving, more understanding about what they do,” she said. “I can help the kids a little more.”

And Natalie and Sarah think it’s totally cool that mom is sawing the strings, too.

For more information about the Carolina String Academy of Ashley Hall please visit ashleyhall.org.

Article reprinted with permission from the Post and Courier.

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Laribo is “In That Place”

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omewhere right now, hundreds make that thousands - of aspiring playwrights are hunched over keyboards furiously pounding out screenplays and dreaming of cinematic glory.

Most of these works will never be read by a single other person, and nearly all of those that actually do get submitted to agents, directors, or film competitions will be summarily rejected after a cursory glance, if they even get that much attention. The odds against being noticed are lotteryesque.

“I want to be a screenwriter, and having a jury of professional artists, actors, directors, producers, and educators choose my screenplay as the best is such an inspiration.”

Ashley Hall rising senior Shannon Laribo has beaten those odds. Her original screenplay, In That Place, was awarded the Golden Crescent, the top prize in the screenwriting competition of the Charleson International Film Festival. Just being selected as one of the 25 finalists out of the hundreds of competition entries could be viewed as a moral victory; winning it all is a whole different level of validation.

“I want to be a screenwriter,” said Laribo, “and having a jury of professional artists, actors, directors, producers, and educators choose my screenplay as the best is such an inspiration.”

In That Place is the story of an aspiring writer dealing with family conflicts whose best friend teaches him that life

isn’t about defying those who hurt you, but about focusing on your dreams.

“The screenplay began as a short story I wrote for an eighth grade assignment,” said Laribo. “I began rewriting it as a screenplay in the ninth grade and it became a work in progess. Even now, I see parts of it that I can still improve.”

Laribo is president of the Ashley Hall film club and is always on the lookout for opportunities to increase her knowledge of writing and of the film industry.

To that end she has volunteered with the Charelston International Film Festival and looks forward to furthering her education in college. She’s also eager to enter more competitions and has already completed a second screenplay.

Competition on a large scale is noth35 Summer 2010 Perspectives

ing new to Laribo who has twice been a state finalist and, last year, a national semifinalist in Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation competition that draws more than 100,000 entrants each year.

The magic of language in all of its expressed forms, its ability to captivate an audience or readers through word choice, sound and rhythym, conveying ideas, action and emotion is what appeals most to Laribo and what she strives to capture in her own work.

“I want to be a great storyteller,” said Laribo. She already is.

A D VA N C E M E N T

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Passionate, Experienced, Dedicated Julia Forster and John Thompson, Co-Chairs of the Centennial Loyalty Fund, led the campaign to unprecedented success last year, increasing unrestricted donations to Ashley Hall by 14% in a year when the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) reported that giving was down roughly 15%. They also secured the highest parent participation percentage in the history of the school at 73%. It was the perfect storm for this campaign as these two passionate and experienced fundraisers harnessed the excitement of the Centennial.

In 2000 when Julia and John began to look at schools for their daughter, Liza, Ashley Hall quickly became their pick, and once Liza began they knew they had made the right decision. “We knew from day one that Ashley Hall was the right place for Liza. As soon as she entered Felicia Craig’s classroom, she blossomed,” says Forster. After researching the benefits of single-gender education, consulting with Julia’s mother, an esteemed educator herself, and observing Liza assert herself in an all-girl classroom, their decision to keep her at Ashley Hall for her entire school career was easily made.

When you ask Julia and John what it is about Ashley Hall that makes it a place they want to volunteer their time and talents, they immediately agree that it is the amazing faculty who work so hard to create highly individualized, nurturing, learning environments for each of their students. “Every teacher who has taught Liza has created a great personal relationship with her. This relationship allows her teachers to push Liza to do her best in a way that is positive for her.

They don’t encourage her to measure herself against her peers, but against what is her best, and in the process they build her confidence in her own abilities. They teach with a lot more carrots than sticks,” Thompson says.

Both John and Julia have seen the outside pressures that are put on girls when success is measured by getting the highest grade and attending the “right” colleges in some of the highly competitive, independent schools in the Northeast. Here at Ashley Hall they see the girls’ success measured by each student’s individual abilities and passions. Success is different to each girl.

That is important to them and drives their desire to ensure Ashley Hall’s faculty has every resource available.

With Julia’s experience in fundraising (she is currently the Director of Development for Spoleto USA) and John’s longtime service on several nonprofit boards (The MUSC Foundation, Charleston Collegiate, The Berkshire School and Donors Choose) volunteering to help the school raise money was the natural fit.

Both understand that the cost of the program offered at Ashley Hall is not covered by tuition alone and budgeting can be very challenging for a non-profit. In addition to just raising money to cover this shortfall, the participation of the Ashley Hall parent community in support of the school was vitally important to them. “Each parent needs to understand that it is not just their tuition that makes it possible for their kids to have such a great education. An 36 Summer 2010 Perspectives

entire community of alumnae, grandparents, faculty, and staff all donate to enhance their child’s education. By giving at whatever level they can, parents honor what others have given and become a part of that giving community.

A high level of support by our parents brings the community together-makes it stronger and better,” John states. “I was very moved while making fundraising calls when several parents I spoke to made gifts that I know were truly sacrificial for them. Whether that gift was $20 or $2,000 it speaks volumes to the strength of this community’s belief in Ashley Hall. Thank you to all that gave so generously to the campaign, with very special thanks to all the first time donors!”

Thank You to John and Julia for the countless hours they spent planning the campaign, for their willingness to go above and beyond making calls, and for their wise and dedicated leadership, all of which gave Ashley Hall a prosperous Centennial Loyalty Fund Campaign.

There was no year that success was more important, and there was no one else who could have done what you did!

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The Founders’ Circle $7,500 + Esther Hoshall Beaumont ‘53 Lisa and Ted Lamm Elephare Dwelle Zimmerman ‘40* Anonymous

The 1909 Society, Ashley Hall’s oldest giving society, honors donors who annually give $1,500 or more (unrestricted) to the Loyalty Fund. The 1909 Society, founded in 1984 to mark Ashley Hall’s 75th anniversary, is open to anyone and offers special benefits.

Members as of June 30, 2010:

The Head of School’s Circle $5,000 - $7,499 Marietta Wade Aurand ‘41* Christine and Bill Aylward Sarah B. Chamberlain Kendra Charles-Garrett ‘77 and William Garrett Michel and Bryan Faliero Maggie DeLaney Hark ‘53 Fern Karesh Hurst ‘64 Elizabeth Powers Lindh ‘67 Anne and Walter Meier April and Charlie Meier Judy and Fred Reinhard Maureen A. Riopel ‘83 Cliff P. Robertson Judy Webber Ross ‘53 Alice and Mike White Anonymous The Trustees’ Circle $2,000 -$4,999 Marcia and Virgil Alfaro Barbara ‘54 and Archie Baker Elizabeth and Charles Baker Hiroko Yanagida and Frederick Baker Mary Gordon Baker ‘77 and Jim Holland Jennifer and Rob Black Marion ‘61 and Wayland Cato Evie ‘81 and Stephen Colbert Ann W. Dibble ‘70 Colette Elliott-Fehle and Frank Fehle Brian P. Ellis Terry and Dennis Fisher Melissa Clegg and Todd Frizzelle Alice ‘61 and Mike Gaines Cathy and Harry Gregorie Susan and Tracy Harvey Helen ‘81 and Burrow Hill Caroline and Philip Horn John Cook Jansing Shelley Bush Jansing Cindy Hay Johnson Sue Rogers Johnson ‘59 Llewellyn ‘54 and Phil Kassebaum Laurie and Hank Kearse Tara and Kirk King Trish and Tommy Kirkland Croft and Hugh Lane

37 Summer 2010 Perspectives

Elizabeth Rivers Lewine ‘54 Jan and Larry Lipov Elizabeth ‘80 and Jay Luzuriaga Margaret and Ian MacDonald Trish and Dennis McGuinn Nancy and Jay Meyer Betsy and Wayne Moseley Mary and Ward Mundy Jill and Lorenzo Muti Anne ‘78 and Scott Parker Karen ‘79 and Mark Phillips Dorothy A. Poston Joan ‘48 and Edwin Poulnot Marian and Bart Proctor Frances and Trap Puckette Heidi ‘74 and Arthur Ravenel Caroline and Malcolm Rhodes Harriet Popham Rigney ‘56 John M. Rivers Sally ‘54 and Ralph Robinson Sara Beth and Sam Rosen Bobbie Gail ‘54 and Herb Rothschild Del Schutte Lynn and Lon Shull Kaye and T. Scott Smith Lucy and Dauer Stackpole Emily and Steve Swanson Amie L. Tedeschi ‘89 Julia A. Forster and John E. Thompson Laurie and John Thornhill Caroline and Neal Vohr Patience Davies Walker ‘51 Claudia and Duane Wayman Caroline ‘89 and Willie West Elizabeth ‘63 and Jerry Witt Denise and Robert Wyndham Anita G. Zucker The Patrons’ Circle $1,500 - $1,999 Lisa and Bill Aldrich Lynda and Jules Anderson Charlotte Small Bavier ‘39 Caroline G. Bevon Susan and Richard Billings Wiggie and Mark Bitter Mrs. Lloyd G. Bowers ‘38 Gloria ‘51 and Leon Bush Walker ‘85 and Eddie Buxton Mrs. William H. Cogswell III Kerri and Michael Collins Rachel Cosby Conway Maureen and John Corless Amy and Mike Cox D. Louisa Shingler and R. Brad Creger Rebecca Longmire Crowley ‘63 Georgia and John Darby Jane and Harold Davis

n Lore and Sheppard Davis Jennie ‘65 and Dick DeScherer Rebekah W. Drysdale ‘04 Deborah Backus Durham ‘54 Ann and Tom Eason Kim and Mike Faulstich Sandra and Art Field Nora Alston Flynn ‘53 Carrie and Dave Gabriel Mandy ‘60 and George Geils Beth and Paul Geiss Ainsley and Jeff Goldstein Marion ‘54 and Ken Goodman Louise ‘78 and Penn Griffen Betsy ‘77 and Lawton Grimball Derrill ‘51 and Ben Hagood Helen Ann ‘89 and Thomas Harper Jeannie and Ken Harrell Cynthia Strickland Harton ‘71 Mariana ‘77 and David Hay Mary Ann and Henry Hay Dorothy ‘75 and Frank Hefner Constance and Greg Holmes Bernie and Bobby Hood Amy E. Jenkins ‘82 Katharine and Dan Krueger Coleman and Chip Legerton Cynthia and Robert Lowery Sarah and Alex Marshall Yassi and Graeme Marshall Peggy Kittredge and Pat McGinnis Pam and Pat McKinney Mary and Jim McNab Susan Smith Miller and Gregg Miller Piper Parker Moffatt ‘70 Doris Strohmeyer Momeier ‘41* Barbara and Michael Moody Colleen and Kevin Mooney Ethel and Phil Morrow Marti and Shaun Mullen Mary Stewart and John Murphey Susan R. Nevers Kathy and Pete Nistad Mallory and Frank Norvell Sandra and Fleming Norvell Rhett Ramsay Outten ‘82 Catherine D. Poston Chalmers W. Poston Edwin A. Poston Kaycee and John Poston Dale C. Poulnot ‘73 and Jim F. Condon

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Lynn and Lon Shull, Chairs of the Centennial 1909 Society welcomed more than 20 new members to this vital group in 2009-2010.

Caroline ‘70 and Charles Reutter Martha Ann and Rob Robertson Wells and John Ryan Marion and Burt Schools Nella ‘81 and David Schools Karen ‘76 and Rob Shaw Margaret and William Pierre Sovey Renee Conway Stewart Shana and Bobby Stockton Jo and Charles Summerall Beverly and Jack Tankersley Heather and Jay Thompson Debbie I. Tucker Warren G. Tucker Sally ‘38 and Bill Van Allen Andrea and Charles* Volpe Susan and Bob Wall Angela and Frederik Winther Elsa Caire and Rusty Wolfe Barbara and J. Conrad Zimmerman, Jr. *deceased

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Organizations Banbury Fund, Inc. No. 3 The Bank of South Carolina Caroline’s Market and Catering Cliff P. Robertson Ethics Foundation Colbert Family Fund of Coastal Community Foundation of SC Croghan’s Jewel Box Elizabeth C. Rivers Lewine Endowment of Coastal Community Foundation of SC Fannie Mae Foundation Graymad LLC Henry M. Blackmer Foundation, Inc. Holmes Capital Management LLC James O. and Harriet P. Rigney Endowment of Coastal Community Foundation of SC Jansing-Cook Foundation The Jerry and Anita Zucker Family Foundation Inc. John Poston & Co., Inc. Margaret and Julius Burges Endowment for Ashley Hall of Coastal Community Foundation The McKinney Family Charitable Fund Poston Family Fund of Central Carolina Community Foundation John M. Rivers, Jr. Foundation, Inc. PG&E Campaign for the Community Price R. and Flora A. Reid Foundation The Rachel Cosby Conway Charitable Foundation, Inc. Reinhard and Reinhard LLC Southern Border Partners, LLC Wave Management Company

Alumnae Weekend 2010

Capstone to the Centennial Ashley Hall’s Alumnae Weekend 2010 and Capstone to a year of Centennial events was chaired by Alumnae Board member, Elizabeth Felder McDermott ’84. More than 200 alumnae returned to campus to catch up with classmates and celebrate the 100th birthday of Ashley Hall.

Athletic Hall of Fame

Franny Slay ‘80

Lucile Wehman

Gail Bailey ’63

Jill Waldman ‘86

Elizabeth G. Bailey ‘96 Gail Townsend Bailey ‘63/Coach Lisa Mrlik Brush ‘80 Emily Ravenel Farrow ‘33 Mary Gastley, Coach Veatrice L. Green ‘99 Susan Applegate Herrmann ‘58 Jeanne Griffin Hill ‘78 Jane E. Hirsch ‘73 Jenny Sarasohn Horowitz ‘90 Margaret C. MacDonald, former Headmistress Franny Rivers Slay ‘80/Coach Mary Ellis Staats ‘61 Ann Baker Thomas ‘78 Jill Waldman ‘86 Lucile H. Wehman, Coach

Far left, Gail Bailey ’63

The weekend kicked off with the Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame induction and reception. Over 150 guests attended the standing room only induction, followed by a reception on the rooftop of the Library and Science Center. The Athletic Hall of Fame commemorates the exceptional people whose achievement and/or service have made outstanding contributions to sports at Ashley Hall over the past 100 years. In the future, new members will be inducted every five years.

Gail Townsend Bailey ‘63, chaired the Athletic Hall of Fame committee, which began its work over three years ago. Gail and her committee worked tirelessly to narrow down the nominations to sixteen deserving women and spent countless hours researching and connecting with the recipients.

The inductees into the inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame were:

n Jubilee Society Reception Friday afternoon, members of the Jubilee Society (alumnae who graduated 50 or more years ago) came together for a reception to welcome the newest members, the Class of 1960, to

National Alumnae Council Amy Jenkins ’82, Chair of the National Alumnae Council, opened the meeting with a welcome and introductions. Jill Muti gave an update on the dining hall construction and the new playscape, sharing visuals along with an explanation of how these new facilities will impact the daily lives of all of the students. Cindy Johnson, Director of Institutional Advancement, reported

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the group. Thanks to the hard work of Jane Brooks Ball ’60 and Kitty Griffith ’60 who spent months reconnecting with classmates and building interest in the reunion, there was wonderful participation by the Class of 1960 at this event. Jill Muti recognized each member of the Class of 1960 with a special

Jubilee Society pin. After the reception, many of the alumnae enjoyed touring the beautiful McBee House with historian, Ian MacDonald, and reliving school memories of dorm rooms and classrooms.

that the Centennial Campaign for endowment had raised $6 million of the $12 million goal. The discussion of the Council focused on how to best serve the School’s non-local alumnae.

Elizabeth Foster, Director of Alumnae Relations, has plans to connect Ashley Hall college freshman and recent college graduates with alumnae in their geographic area to assist them in their transition to a new city or state. Plans are also underway to develop a website

listing of alumnae, nationally and internationally, who would be interested in being resources for fellow alums in their area. As this council grows and develops, the goal is to continue to develop opportunities for alumnae to participate in the life of the School and to foster professional and personal connections between alumnae.

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Centennial Capstone Party One of the highlights of the weekend was the Centennial Capstone party which served as the formal culmination of the yearlong Centennial Celebration. The party, chaired by Rhett Ramsey Outten ’82 and Marshall Ann Thomas Lynch ’81, was held dockside at the Spirit of South Carolina tall ship at the Charleston Maritime Center. The waterfront setting was a great way to experience a beautiful sunset and catch up with old friends and former faculty members. Over 200 people attended the event which featured lowcountry fare, musical entertainment and the opportunity to tour the Spirit of South Carolina. Since 2006, Ashley Hall has partnered with the Spirit of South Carolina in a leadership program which includes a yearlong academic course with aspects of History, English, Science, and Math and culminates in a 10-day offshore sailing voyage. Crew members were on hand to share their experiences from the recent Ashley Hall sail.

Eliza Edmunds Cleveland ’66 and Ann Humphreys Gay ’65 enjoy the beautiful evening at the Spirit of South Carolina.

(above) Morgan Thomas and her mother, Ann Baker Thomas ’78, along with Frannie Baker Reese ’84 and her daughter, Annie Reese ’12, at the Athletic Hall of Fame reception. (above left) Mary Logan, Elizabeth McCue Shealy, and Katie Ravenel Reid represent the Class of ’95 at the Spirit of South Carolina party.

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Alumnae Board Members, Elizabeth Felder McDermott ’84 and Marshall Ann Lynch ’81, ready to meet and greet.

Class of ’85 members, Shea Hipp Kuhn, Vida Robertson, Alta Hagan Thorne, and Julie Margenhoff Akers.

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Beloved faculty member, Miels Smith (left), is joined by young alums, Rebecca Blackman ‘02, Elizabeth Finch ’05, Elizabeth Blackman ‘05, Emily Hollings ‘05, Blair Chesnut ‘05, Emily Hanckel ‘05 and in the front, Kate Daniel Latimer ‘05, and Elizabeth Royall ’05.

Debbie Lipman Cochelin ’70 and Lynne Mappus ’70 reconnect at their 40th reunion.

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Caroline Ragsdale Reutter ’70 is flanked by her aunt, Sally Schall Van Allen ’38 (on left) and her mother, Carol Schall Ragsdale ’46 (on right).

Saturday Events

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he tradition of the Saturday morning Bloody Mary/Mimosa Reception and class photos on the lawn continued this year with the addition of a Silent Auction on the lawn. The Alumnae Board Auction Committee, chaired

by Frannie Baker Reese ’84, worked for months to acquire over 50 items for the auction ranging from vacation homes to restaurant gift certificates to artwork to a beautiful handmade cotillion dress. There was something for everyone!

This event added an extra ingredient of fun and excitement to the morning with lots of satisfied shoppers. The funds raised will allow the Alumnae Association to continue its work in supporting Ashley Hall students and alumnae.

Margie Davis Barham ’86 and Genevieve Stevenson Felder ’48 check out the goods at the silent auction.

Suzanne Buck Cantey and Elizabeth Johnson represent the Class of ’95 at the Saturday morning activities.

Family, classmates, friends, and former faculty members of Eleanor Cain Stutler ’80 gather for a memorial service and bench dedication in her memory during Alumnae Weekend.

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Martha Gregg Price ‘60 and Sister Dotterer Rutledge ’60 enjoy celebrating their 50th reunion!

n Davies Auditorium was packed for the Alumnae Awards Luncheon with each table abuzz with classmates catching up and sharing memories. Barbara Rivers ’75, President of the Alumnae Board, welcomed everyone with a blessing and led the school prayer. The group enjoyed a lowcountry lunch provided by Ashley Hall’s own Chef Stephen Boyle. After a delicious dessert of caramel cake provided by Caroline Ragsdale Reutter ’70 of Caroline’s Cakes, Jill Muti took the floor to present her

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Centennial wrap-up comments.

Jill noted with pride the positive influence Ashley Hall has exerted on Charleston for over a century. She saluted Miss McBee for her vision, courage, and perseverance in building and sustaining this legacy and this school.

She congratulated all involved for a triumphant year made possible by much hard work and commitment. And finally, she asked the alumnae to “send us your daughters, your granddaughters, great granddaughters and nieces

The Class of 1960 celebrated their 50th reunion.

Neltie Sanders Linker ‘53 and Betty Hays Terry ’53 are happy to be back on campus for the annual Saturday morning reception on the lawn.

n and we will make of them such leaders, healers, artists, and inspirations as I look out upon today. Do that and I guarantee that in 100 years, the legacy of Ashley Hall will yet endure and we will be readying for a third century.”

What an inspirational note on which to begin Ashley Hall’s next century!

The Class of 1985 celebrated their 25th reunion.

Vista Anne Grayson ’57, committee member for the Alumnae Weekend Silent Auction, displays the donor list for the auction.

Ginny Craver Good ’65 and Cam Webb Stuhr ‘65 catch up with Jill Muti on all of the wonderful updates at Ashley Hall.

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Members of the Class of 2005, Lydia Robins, Chanta Davis, Christina Wolff and Julia Anderson, celebrate their 5th reunion. Christina flew in from Germany to attend!

Alumnae Awards 2010 Crandall Close Bowles ’65 Professional Achievement Award

Given to an alumna who exhibits outstanding achievement in her chosen profession.

This year’s recipient of the Crandall Close Bowles ‘65 Award is Martha Rivers Ingram ’53. Martha’s incredible accomplishments span both her career as a visionary business woman and her commitment to changing lives through philanthropy and service. In 1979, having just completed a 6 year project to build and endow the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, she began in her first official role at Ingram Industries as Vice-President for Public Affairs. In 1985 she joined the Board of Trustees, and in 1995 she became Chairman of and led the company from 1995 to 2008. Ingram Industries Inc. is one of America’s largest privately held companies. It includes Ingram Marine Group and Ingram Content Group which are leaders respectively in the inland marine and book industries. She also served as Chairman and Director of the Board of Ingram Micro Inc., the world largest technology distributor.

Fern Karesh Hurst ’64 Community Volunteer Award This award honors an alumna who exhibits outstanding volunteer and community service.

Jennet Robinson Alterman ’70 was awarded the Fern Karesh Hurst Community Volunteer Award. Jennet, a native of Charleston and the Executive Director of the Center for Women, has committed her life to the improvement of her community, her nation and the world. She has focused her passion for change on the challenges that women face in all facets of life. This passion has driven her to serve in numerous volunteer capacities. She has served on trustee boards and advisory councils for several service focused organizations including the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, The Trident Urban League, The Leadership Institute of Columbia College,

Winners of the 2010 Alumnae awards: Lese Corrigan ’74, Elizabeth Rivers Lewine ‘54 accepting for her sister, Martha Rivers Ingram ’53, Marie Ferrara ‘70, Jennet Robinson Alterman ’70, and Helen Turner Hill ’81.

Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, The Junior League and the Lowcountry Graduate Center. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Spaulding Paolozzi Foundation. In 2003 Jennet was recognized as a Woman of Distinction by the Carolina Lowcountry Girl Scouts, and currently she is the Chair of Ashley Hall’s Centennial Women in Leadership Program, bringing phenomenal Ashley Hall alumnae, parents and students together to debate some of the toughest issues facing women today.

Martha Rivers Ingram ’53 Distinction in the Arts Award Given to an alumna who has been recognized by her peers for outstanding work in the performing or visual arts.

This year’s award winner is Lese Corrigan ’74. Not only is Lese an accomplished artist, but also she is a gallery owner, a teacher, a consultant, and an entrepreneur. Lese is an oil painter whose works, including linocuts, photography, and clay sculptures, are in collections around the world and included in MUSC’s contemporary collection. Lese has been featured in the Post and Courier, The Charleston Mercury and Orient Express magazine as well as Turner South Network’s 3 Day Weekend Charleston. Lese has shared her talents for 22 years with future artists by teaching privately at the Gibbes Museum of Art where she also served as the 2005 Artist in Residence for the Poets and Painters program. As a business woman, Lese has run four galleries in the last 22 years including the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Gallery and served as the first Executive Director and 2009 President of the Charleston Fine Arts Dealers Association. Currently she owns

45 Summer 2010 Perspectives

and manages Corrigan Gallery which represents 17 other artists and presents 6-10 shows a year.

Dewar Gordon Holmes ’26 Alumnae Service Award The Dewar Gordon Holmes award is given annually to an alumna who personifies the characteristics of Dewar Gordon Holmes ’26.

Helen Turner Hill ’81 was awarded the Dewar Gordon Holmes award for 2010.

Helen has served as the Executive Director of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau since 1989 and during that time has given her time and talents to the Charleston community. Helen currently serves as a Board Member for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Wachovia Bank Advisory Board and the South Carolina Tourism Alliance.

She has also served on the Clemson University Board of Visitors and The Commission on the Future of Clemson University. In 2006, Helen was presented with the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest honor for a private citizen, by Governor Sanford. Helen has served on the Ashley Hall Board of Trustees and most recently was Chair of the Ashley Hall Centennial Celebration Committee. She has held numerous positions on the Alumane Board including President, Vice President, Awards Committee Chair, House Tour Publicity Chair and phonathon volunteer. Helen was the recipient of the Crandall Close Bowles award in 2004.

A A

Hall launched its largest fundraising Centennial Weekend October 2009, with a goal of $12 million to build the endowment.

To date, over $7,800,000 has been raised through the generosity of alumnae, parents, and friends. shley

effort to date during

Three alumnae – Esther Hoshall Beaumont ’53, Martha Rivers Ingram ’53, and Elizabeth Rivers Lewine ’54 stepped up to give Ashley Hall $1,000,000 each.

One gift of $950,000, three gifts of $500,000, one gift $350,000, two gifts of $200,000, seven gifts of $100,000, many gifts below $100,000, and several deferred gifts through donors’ estate plans have been received. of

GOAL

$12,000,000

This special Centennial Service Award was given to Marie Ferrara, Ashley Hall Class of 1970. Marie is the Head of Special Collections at the College of Charleston’s Addlestone Library where Ashley Hall’s archives are stored and catalogued. Whether the project at hand called for research, assembling images and articles for our publications and exhibits, designing displays and slideshows, advising on the display and care of artifacts, and even providing emergency technical support and manual labor, Marie’s commitment, expertise and dedication made it all possible.

$11,000,000 $10,000,000 $9,000,000 $8,000,000 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000

Future

Endowment funds help Ashley Hall recruit and support excellent students, attract and retain outstanding faculty, and maintain purposeful and challenging academic programs.

our

The Centennial celebration was a year-long whirlwind of commemorative events including two alumnae weekends, the Centennial Exhibit at the Charleston Visitor Center, a gala Alumnae Reception, the Keystone celebration, the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction and numerous other special ceremonies, receptions, displays, and parties throughout the year. The Centennial was featured in an awardwinning documentary, Perspectives magazine, local media, and on its own website. These events and productions were major undertakings that required the labors of so many people, yet none of these achievements would have succeeded without the expertise, tireless efforts, and never ending hours of one very dedicated individual.

Ashley Hall’s Endowment Campaign

Create

Centennial Service Award

C R EATE O UR F UTUR E

Centennial Campaign Chair – Elizabeth Rivers Lewine ‘53 Honorary Campaign Chair – Hugh C. Lane, Jr. www.ashleyhallcentennialcampaign.org For more information on this campaign, please contact Cindy Hay Johnson at 843-720-2857 or johnsonc@ashleyhall.org.

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Announcements and News Notes Ashley Hall alumnae, we want to hear from you! Please send any and all updates, announcements or news notes to fostere@ashleyhall.org.

Class notes ’46 Lucy Burns Kreischer has moved from Augusta, GA to Murrell’s Inlet, SC to be close to her son and his family.

’49 Carolyn Powell Shaak continues to teach piano. She recently presented four teacher workshops and has performed in several musicals. She finds great joy in her five grandchildren!

’66

’74

Shipley Dunn Jenkins welcomes all Ashley Hall friends who visit Blowing Rock, NC to stop by her shop, SheShe, on Main Street. It features hand-made items by women for women and is open from May 1 - December 1.

Heidi Ward Ravenel delivered the graduation speech at Ashley Hall’s class of 2010 graduation on May 30, 2010. Her daughter, Caroline, was a member of the graduating class and daughter, Sarah, will be in 9th grade.

’68

’91

Vance Bonner is celebrating the 35th year of her exercise therapy technique, The Vance Stance. Her website is www.thevancestance.com. Vance would love to hear from her Ashley Hall buddies.

Sarah Chanler Ryan lives in Charlotte with her husband, Kevin, and children Laughlin (8), Henry (7), and Maggie (5).

’52

Tommie Thompson Hayes reports that ’72 she is still volunteering at the Henry Mayo Hospital in Valencia, CA and misses the south!

’57 Kitty Bryan Forbes has had poems published this year in several literary journals including The Atlanta Review, The MacGuffin, and The Oxford American.

Linn Whitelaw Ong and her husband had a wonderful trip to Kenya in December to visit their daughter and her family. Her daughter runs a safari business.

Christy Holliday Douglas traveled to Peru on a mission trip in June. Her daughter, Russell, works in New York City for Gilt Groupe and daughter, Holly, is in graduate school at Clemson where she recently received a top new student honor. Son, David, is attending the College of Charleston.

Emily D. Friedman is a neurosurgeon and lives in Oklahoma with her husband Mike and twin sons. She also has a business of raising cutting horses.

’94 Rhett Templeton Ambrite was recently in New York City to pitch her baby-friendly jewelry product line, Templeton’s Timeless Infant Silver, on MSNBC’s business show, “Elevator Pitch”. “Elevator Pitch” is a segment of the “Your Business” show of MSNBC in which entrepreneurs have 60 seconds to sell their wares to a pair of established pros in an elevator. After the minute, the professionals ask questions and tell the entrepreneur if they believe their product is worth investing in. Rhett invented her most popular product, the Heirloom Bijou Bracelet, after her child kept dropping his pacifier onto the floor. The sterling silver pacifier holder converts to a keepsake

’61 Kay Haselden Chandler missed Alumnae Weekend in April because she was in Boston running the 114th Boston Marathon in an amazing 4:33:48!

Diane Cooper Byers is enjoying retirement and her grandchildren and great grandchildren and is caring for her 101 year old mother!

’62 Anne Mackey Norrell has retired to Charleston and her garden after teaching college level English for many years.

Sharon Pearce Wilson ’72 was recently named the No. 1 Sales Associate in South Carolina for 2009 for Coldwell Banker Caine in Greenville. She also recently ranked as a top ten Coldwell Banker sales associate in the 14-state southern region. Sharon has more than 25 years of experience in real estate and is an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), a Certified Residential Specialist and a member of the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI). The president of her company related, “Sharon has always been a one-in-a-million kind of sales associate for her clients and our firm. To be ranked as a top associate not just in Greenville, but across 14 states, is quite the achievement.”

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Lucia Folk ’90 lives in Nashville and works at Country Music Television as the senior director of public affairs. Working with music stars in Nashville, she is in charge of all social initiatives for CMT and CMT One Country. One Country is a volunteer program run through CMT that promotes positive output and volunteer work in communities across the country. With partners such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Miracle Children’s Fund, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, USO and Hands on Network, One Country reaches out to thousands of people in need. Lucia has worked with Food Network star Paula Deen, Trisha Yearwood, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Charleston native Darius Rucker, all in a collaborative effort of helping those in need. “The great thing about the country music business is that it’s all about family and the community,” Lucia said.

“They are just regular everyday people with glamorous jobs.” l-to-r): Lucia Folk - Sr. Director of Public Affairs, CMT; Trisha Yearwood - CMT One Country spokesperson; Paula Deen - Presenter at the 2010 CMT Music Awards; and Jaynee Day, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

bracelet for mom to wear. And most importantly, sterling silver is safe for babies and is virtually indestructible, akey component in avoiding choking hazards.

’95 Sarah Hydrick Ogden recently starred in a caberet directed by Dana Friedman ‘96 in the 2010 Piccolo Spoleto. The show featured an opera, a James Bond medley, and the Muppets. Dana also directed a production, The Island by Hehol Fugard, during the 2009 Piccolo Spoleto. Both Dana and Sarah live in New York City.

’98 Jenny Costa Honeycutt became a certified circuit court mediator earlier this year.

’03

’06

N. Elizabeth Allen will pursue her Ph.D. at Cornell in the fall after working at Milliken Company as a developmental chemist since graduating from college.

Ellen F. Cole recently graduated magna cum laude from Queens University in Charlotte, NC, with a major in business and a minor in French.

Amy E. McKinney, a designer with Margaret Donaldson Interiors, was highlighted in Better Homes and Gardens for the design of her condominium in downtown Charleston. Look for the article, “Smart Style in a Small Package”, in the June 2010 issue.

Catie P. Haar recently graduated from Yale University and will start medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina this fall.

’04 Lindsay N. Wells graduated from the College of Charleston in 2008 with a degree in Arts Management. She is currently working as the Development Specialist at the Roper St. Francis Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Roper St. Francis Healthcare System.

’10 Nancy Hagood competed in the 48th annual Hobcaw Regatta in June and was awarded the Michelle Poulnot Memorial award for the top-performing female sailor. Nancy, who is headed to Georgetown University this fall, also won the award in 2008.

Anupama Yallapragada Bhardwaj ’94, a 2008 US Fulbright Scholar to the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, has been engaged in a global canvass of women entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and over 750 senior executives in private equity/venture capital within high-tech clusters of innovation. Anu has worked on global fundraising and strategy for an early stage US venture capital firm specializing in health care services and health care information technology, an India based private equity fund investing in real estate, and an Abu Dhabi based MENA focused buyout fund, after having spent a decade fundraising for non-profits in North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

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n ’97

Laura Duc Russell ‘02 and baby Ruth pictured with godmother, Betsy Saunders Burgess ‘02.

Birth Announcements ’99 Lanier Simmons Prescott and her husband, Tyler, welcomed their fourth child, Henry Prescott, on March 12, 2010.

’02 Laura Duc Russell and her husband, Ryan, are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Ruth Bolton Russell, born on May 17, 2010.

Wedding Announcements ’96 Helen Barkley Ravenel and Gaines Wardlaw Hammond III were married on May 1, 2010, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Charleston. Helen is a graduate of Clemson University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She is employed by the Moultrie News. The groom is a graduate of Spartanburg High School and Phillips Exeter Academy. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Management from Clemson University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He is the owner of GreenWhistle Commercial Cleaning. Henrietta Ravenel Richardson ‘96, cousin of the bride, was matron of honor. Bride’s attendants included Elizabeth DuPre Brown ‘96, and Jacquelin Bennett Lynn ’96. The couple honeymooned in Virgin Gorda and reside in Charleston.

Roberta F. S. McCue and Andrew Payne Copenhaver were married on March 13, 2010, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Charleston. Roberta is a graduate of Elon University and is pursuing a double Masters from The Citadel. The groom is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the Charleston School of Law. He is a law clerk to the Honorable Dudley H. Bowen, Jr. of Augusta.

Matron of honor was Elizabeth McCue Shealy ‘95, sister of the bride. Jeanne H. Bucknam ’97 was included in the wedding party. The couple honeymooned in South Africa and reside in Augusta.

’99 Sara Elizabeth Jones and Adam Stafford Whitfield were married on March 6, 2010, in First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston. Sara is a graduate of Wofford College and currently works as an event planner at the Mills House Hotel. The groom is a graduate of Clemson University and is a commercial real estate appraiser for Nimmich & Associates. Included in the wedding party was Jennifer N. McCooey ‘99. The couple honeymooned in St. Lucia and reside in Charleston.

’00 Anne Brislin Eiserhardt and William Patrick Brooker West were married on June 12, 2010, at St. Mary’s of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Charleston. Brislin earned a BA in Psychology from Clemson University and is employed by Charleston County Treasurers Office. The groom is a graduate of Clemson University and is a sale representative for Simpson Strong-tie. Elizabeth Carnes Eiserhardt ‘01 was maid of honor. Also included in the wedding party were Ann Kimball Henderson Gustafson ‘00 and Courtney Leigh Parades ‘00. The couple honeymooned in St. Martin and reside on James Island, South Carolina.

’01 Nicole Larin Curé and Sean Ross Williams were married on April 18, 2009, at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, SC, where a reception followed. Both graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Abigail Poole ‘01 and Claire Selby ‘01 were maids of honor. Bride’s attendants included Laura

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Harley ‘01, and Julia Campbell ‘02. The couple honeymooned in California and reside in Bluffton, SC.

’02 Elizabeth Beale Saunders and Michael James Burgess were married on June 12, 2010, at Grace Episcopal Church in Charleston. Betsy earned a BS degree from The College of Charleston and is currently in her second year at MUSC College of Dental Medicine. The groom received an undergraduate degree from The Ohio University and is employed by SAIC. Sarah Martschink Moore ‘02 was matron of honor. Bride’s attendants included Sarah Lee Holleman Lowndes ‘02 and Amanda Grace Oswald ‘02. The couple honeymooned in Riviera Maya, Mexico and reside in Charleston.

Mary Elizabeth Sosnowski and James McDaniel were married on June 5, 2010, at St. Michael’s Church in Charleston.

Liza graduated from Presbyterian College and is pursuing a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston. She is employed by The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, SC. The groom graduated from Pinewood Prep and the College of Charleston. He is a student at Charleston School of Law and is employed

by The Charleston Museum. Trish Sosnowski ‘04, was maid of honor and Cory Sosnowski Prescott ‘05 was included in the wedding party. The couple honeymooned in the Greek Isles and reside on Johns Island, SC.

’05 Cory C. Sosnowski and Corey Prescott were married on April 10, 2010, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Charleston.

Cory graduated with honors from Auburn University and is a Child Life Specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina.

The groom also graduated with honors from Auburn University and is employed by the Medical University of South Carolina. Attendants included Liza Sosnowski McDaniel ‘02, Trish Sosnowski ‘04, and Carrie Prescott ‘02. The couple honeymooned in the Bahamas and reside in Charleston.

Class of ’70

Memorials ’34 Margaret A. Williams Charleston, SC, April 17, 2010

’35 Maria Lee Goodwin Firth Jupiter, FL, February 6, 2010 Harriott Moore Tunnell Charleston, SC, March 5, 2010

Class of ’80 Class of ’05

’38 Louise Boatwright Alexander Ridge Spring, SC, February 22, 2010

’41 Marietta Wade Aurand Solano Beach, CA, April 30, 2010 Doris Strohmeyer Momeier Charleston, SC, March 25, 2010

Class of ’90

’42 Nancy Faulkner Hine Sarasota, FL, January 6, 2009

’48 Pat Sanford Chilcote John’s Island, SC, April 27, 2010 Jeanne Ray Kerr Charleston, SC, May 11, 2010

Class of ’00

’60 Debbie Tarshish Wise Northbrook, IL, May 2008

’66 Pat R. Hines Mayesville, SC, May 30, 2010

’76 June Starke Arlington, VA, July 1, 2009

Class of ’05

’91 Nancy E. Brown Charleston, SC, April 12, 2010

50 Summer 2010 Perspectives

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