Head of School Message

IS OUR STORY. Our personal journey. Our own path however complicated, winding, rocky, or serene. So when the Class of 2019 met to determine the theme of our school year, the senior leaders chose to embrace “Y(our) Story,” realizing that each has a story as unique and special as they are that also contributes to the ongoing 113-year-old narrative of our school. As has been a tradition for more than a century, each senior shared a chapter of her own story during her Chapel Talk. This rite of passage offers a moment for her to boldly own her story and share it with our GPS community. I am always amazed at the composure and professionalism that each possesses, standing in front of her peers, teachers, and guests in Frierson Theatre. Because the senior class has left its mark collectively and individually at GPS, we capture their Chapel Talks in a bound collection and gift it to them during their senior dinner—a memento of their stories and GPS journey. Each GPS girl’s story—begun at our school and then continued in college and life—is made possible by the hundreds of friends who donate to our school via our Impact Fund. Among the lists of our donors, in this issue we profile four generous individuals along with the Class of 1969, who in honor of their 50th reunion last spring, donated more than any other 50th reunion class to date. Read about their generosity on page 46. Others profiled are people like you, who give because they believe in the power of an all-girls education and the opportunities found only at GPS. Two are GPS alumnae; three are parents of GPS girls. All have experienced firsthand what happens when girls are loved, challenged, and told that the options for women today are limitless. I hope their stories inspire you to continue to give to our school in support of all we do for girls. You’ll also read some success stories about events we host each year. Bruiser Bee, our signature fundraiser, adopted a trivia challenge this year, much to the delight of those in attendance. That evening remains one of my favorite memories of my time here. When we introduced the paddle raise, to solicit donations to improve some spaces on our campus, I was brought to tears by the response. By the end of the evening, more than $100K was pledged to give our student center “The Ben” a facelift as well as provide a space for our teachers to relax and engage with each other. See page 49 for photos of the results of these gifts. Our entrepreneurial summit for girls, MBD: Girl Edition, offered two opportunities for girls across the Chattanooga and North Georgia region to come to GPS and experience what happens when girls are challenged in a supportive environment. In only a few hours, the girls made more than $10K in sales at our Holiday Marketplace. During the 24Hour Generator, 50 girls worked together to brainstorm and formulate ideas to solve real-world business scenarios. I urge you to become involved in this initiative as a mentor, a chaperone, or a financial partner. I believe we are showing girls the power in believing in themselves while working with others. Read more on page 52. As head of school, I appreciate every day what your belief in GPS means to each girl, her teachers, her coaches, and those who support our efforts behind the scenes. Please join us for a sporting event, a performance of the arts, or any special event that draws you to our campus. I think you’ll be astounded by what happens at a school

Here’s to the GIRLS!

Dr. Autumn A. Graves Head of School

Executive Committee: Holly Lynch Harwell ’84 Chair Dr. Rebecca Easley Stimson ’73 Vice-Chair Blair Bennington Cannon ’93 Secretary Clay Watson Treasurer

Amy Arrowsmith Danna Bailey ’89 Kerri Martin Bartlett ’75 Charlie Brock Betsy Blunt Brown ’92 Allison Cowan Carroll ’89 Dr. R. Allen Coffman, Jr. Melissa Woodall Curtis ’85 Stacy P. Eiselstein Johnel Angel Evans ’92 Dr. Yancy E. Freeman Jane Kline Jennifer Kline Marclyn Porter Michelle C. Ruest Dr. Annette C. Smith Amy Thomas Ben Vance Dori Thornton Waller ’99 Mary Moncure Watson ’74 Thad Whitfield