SUMMER 2025
The Magazine of Hammond School
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear Hammond Families:
As another successful year at Hammond ends, it’s difficult not to notice the cyclical nature of schools and the school year. We who live in this world are guided by this rhythm, fueled by the promise of new opportunities for the year ahead and educated and enriched by the experiences we’ve had before. The circle of school life is predictable and consistent, but the moments within each year are anything but predictable, and certainly consistently changing from year-to-year.
As I reflect on this rhythm, it reminds me of the cycle of our own lives, away from school. Growing up in Florence, SC, I enjoyed many of the experiences and fun our students do, understanding the culture and joy South Carolina has to offer. I ventured out for high school, college and various professional opportunities, only to cycle back to the state that raised me, possessing the same charm and hospitality that formed my values. The circle of my travels, returning home, has so many new experiences, perspectives and lessons, filling the circumference, broadening my views and reaffirming my love for this place.
Our hope is for our students to seek new challenges and opportunities, continuing to push themselves out of their comfort zones, utilizing the skills and lessons carefully cultivated throughout their Hammond experience. We hope they spread their Skyhawk wings to new places and impact new communities in exciting ways. However, whether their journeys lead them away for good, or they return to the familiar, they will always be included in the Hammond circle.
Go Skyhawks!
Sincerely,
Andrew M. North Head of School
Proudly Introducing The 59th Graduating Class
The Class of 2025: Life Beyond Our Gates
In true Hammond fashion, the Class of 2025 has been quick to invest themselves outside the classroom and in life beyond our gates.
They are philanthropists – They are Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts Silver Award recipients, election poll workers, and zoo exhibitors. They’ve coached youth sports and Special Olympics, volunteered at therapeutic horse barns, funded cleft palate surgeries, and cared for the less fortunate on five different continents.
They are artists – Among them are creative writers, visual artists, instrumentalists, music production specialists, and break dancers. They’ve studied art history in Paris, starred in commercials, and sung in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and even Austrian fortresses.
They are explorers and creators – They’ve skied the alps, climbed glaciers, and participated in international language immersion programs. They’ve created their own weather stations, sold their clothing designs, 3D printed e-bikes, and started their own medical device courier business.
They are researchers – They’ve completed yearlong projects studying the foster care system, microplastics, climate change, and AI regulation. They’ve worked under faculty to study railroad feasibility, aortic valve calcification, and Egyptology. One student even traveled to Ecuador and Galapagos to study sharks.
They are multi-sport, accomplished athletes – Eleven students will continue their careers on the collegiate level in basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, and volleyball. Too many to count were all-region and all-state, a few are Hammond record holders, and some are even SCISA individual state champions. Among them are pre-professional soccer club players and nationally decorated water skiiers.
They are future-focused – They’ve sought out internships in law practices, engineering and architecture firms, floral studios, the department of mental health, vet clinics, and the United States Senate. They have been elected to State Comptroller General at Boys State and traveled to Romania and India to shadow medical practitioners.
And finally, to put it simply, they are Skyhawks – Among their most memorable experiences are Lower School Fun Day, class trips to Nantahala and Costa Rica, the corn hole tournament, and South Campus trips with Mr. Mancke and Mr. Rice’s Ecology Class. They count themselves fortunate to have experienced the unending support of Hammond faculty. One student said: “My teachers always believed in me even when I doubted myself.”
“ “
They know they’ve been challenged by the Hammond experience and recognize, as one student said, “that as soon as you think you have put in your maximum effort or stepped outside your comfort zone, Hammond will push you the extra mile, showing you that you’re capable of more than what you had imagined.”
And most especially, they are grateful for Hammond’s unwavering sense of community that is difficult to put into words. But one student captured it well when she said, “When I came to Hammond, I could never have imagined I would be leaving with so many friendships, emotions, and gratitude.”
The Class of 2025 represents an exceptionally diverse array of identities, passions, and lived experiences. They have impacted life at Hammond more than we can put into words, and they won’t soon be forgotten. Graduates, you have proven that you are ready to chart your own course and apply your talents in any way you wish. We can’t wait to see what you’ll do next. Congratulations.
BY CAROLYN STODDARD
HONORS
Seniors of Note
Honors and Awards
JOHN ADGER MANNING AWARD
Named for Hammond founder and first Board Chairman, The John Adger Manning Award is given to the senior who best exemplifies the traits of character, leadership, and enthusiastic participation in the life of Hammond School.
WALKER-CLARKE SCHOLAR/ATHLETE AWARD
The Walker-Clarke Scholar/Athlete Award is generously sponsored by the Walker and Clarke families. This award is designed to recognize a senior male and a senior female who have excelled in both academics and athletics during their careers at Hammond.
HERBERT B. BARKS, JR. AWARD
The Herbert B. Barks, Jr. Award is presented to seniors who represent integrity and are recognized by faculty for their witness to exellence and goodness.
CHARLES A. JAMES & CLARA S. JAMES HUMANITARIAN AWARD
The Charles A. James and Clara S. James Humanitarian Award recognizes a member of the senior class who by example leads, inspires, and engages the Hammond community in the pursuit of humanitarian service.
Immanuel Johnson
Hailey Inman Brewer LaMotte
Logan Rivers Drew McCall
Christina Rizos
Isabella Aguilar Peden Brabham Elle Brewer Aspen Brooks Elizabeth Cannon Jack Croft
Alex Dubey
Barron Cruea Ali Dorrington Grier Eaddy Arrington Earle
Wyatt Joye
Kinson Holland Hailey Inman Immanuel Johnson Kelly Grace Lalumondier Brewer LaMotte
Theodore Lumpkin
Anna Claire Liester Zamam Lone Illeana Lopez
Drew McCall Chandler McNair
Logan Rivers
Alex Ngo Maxine Palisin Michael Rice
Christina Rizos Harper Satterfield
Niya Evans Vaughn Evans
Zachary Head Adelaide Helmboldt Jai Haltiwanger
Darien Um
Eliza Spratlin Andrew Turner Mike Tyler
Grace Webb Kate Weston Sophia White
Theodore Lumpkin Sophia White
Harper Evans
Cole Glenn
COLLEGE BOARD NATIONAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM AWARDEES
Isabella Aguilar
Aspen Brooks
Immanuel Johnson Illeana Lopez
Logan Rivers
COLUMBIA URBAN LEAGUE YOUNG & GIFTED AWARD
Aspen Brooks
Arrington Earle
Niya Evans
Jai Haltiwanger Kinson Holland Immanuel Johnson
Rivers
Mike Tyler
KENSLEY FULLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Zamam Lone
KINSEY BLACK-JONES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Grace Webb
HONOR GRADUATES
Isabella Aguilar
Peden Brabham
Aspen Brooks • Elizabeth Cannon
Jack Croft
Barron Cruea >
NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS
Aspen Brooks
Cole Glenn
Wyatt Joye
NATIONAL
Zamam Lone
Theodore Lumpkin
Michael Rice
MERIT COMMENDED SCHOLARS
Harper Evans Christina Rizos
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR CANDIDATES
Aspen Brooks Wyatt Joye
Cole Glenn
DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS
Athletics Elle Brewer, Jack Croft, and Grier Eaddy
English Sophia White
Fine Arts Ali Dorrington
History Harper Satterfield
Math Cole Glenn
Science Michael Rice and Christina Rizos
World Language Harper Evans
PUBLIC POLICY AND SOCIAL CHANGE GRADUATES
Aspen Brooks
Ali Dorrington
Cole Glenn
Adelaide Helmboldt
Kelly Grace Lalumondier Illeana Lopez
Theodore Lumpkin
Drew McCall
Logan Rivers
Christina Rizos
Harper Satterfield
Isabella Aguilar
Charles Alexander Allen
Natalie Jade Bouknight
Helen Peden Brabham
Barrett Reagan Brazell
Davis Austen Brazell
Elle Francis Brewer
Aspen McKinley Brooks
Caroline Elizabeth Butler
Elizabeth Wilson Clare Cannon
Caroline Addison Cavanaugh
Creighton Andrew Cook
Arden Manning Cooper
John Edwin Croft
Barron Davis Cruea
Emma Grice Davis
Ali Elizabeth Dorrington
Madeleine Quinn Goolsby
Benjamin Edward Grimsley, Jr.
Jaiden Mikel Haltiwanger
Zachary Taylor Head
Adelaide Elizabeth Helmboldt
Kinson Gerald Holland
Ellison Lilly Ingram
Hailey Addison Inman
Lindsay Matics Jackson
Adis Michael Jamison
Kirby Bjontegard Johns
Immanuel Albert Johnson
Wyatt Ashley Joye
Dorothy Dayton King
Benjamin James Kirkpatrick
Jaden Rome Kline
Kelly Grace Lalumondier
Andrew Joseph McCall
Toddie Chandler McNair
Ava Rae Miller
Alexander Chanh Ngo
Riley Katherine Niemeyer
Maxine Teagan Palisin
Alexander Dae-Young Park
Danil Alexey Petrov
Joseph Manning Redd
Michael Blair Rice, Jr.
Logan Taylor Rivers
Christina Maria Rizos
Harper Elizabeth Houser Satterfield
Lochlin Wilkes Saunders
Mekhi Carrington Smith-Brown
Elizabeth Grace Spratlin
Alex Dubey Harper Evans > Vaughn Evans
Cole Glenn • Zachary Head
Adelaide Helmboldt
Immanuel Johnson > Wyatt Joye • Kelly Grace Lalumondier Anna Claire Liester
Zamam Lone • Illeana Lopez
Theodore Lumpkin • Drew McCall • Chandler McNair
Alex Ngo Maxine Palisin Michael Rice
Rivers
Christina Rizos
Satterfield
Eliza Spratlin
PALMETTO FELLOWS
Peden Brabham
Dubey
Alexandra Lynn Dubey
Grier Faulks Eaddy
Arrington Alexa Earle
Michael Everett Edens, Jr.
Marjorie Harper Evans
Niya Amiracle Evans
Vaughn Wentworth Evans
Jackson Johnathan Fuller
Nicholas David Glenn
Noah Matthew Goddard
James Rawlings Brewer LaMotte, Jr.
Virginia Grace Laney
James Adams Lay
Stuart Collins Lee
Anna Claire Liester
Zamam Bashir Lone
Valerie Illeana Lopez
Theodore Elliott Lumpkin
Edward Luke Martin
Sarah Tennent Marzagao
Mathew Preston Springs
Andrew Jack Turner
Micheal David Tyler, Jr.
Chanthoney Darien Um
Kathryn Grace Webb
Reese Cameron West
Beatrice Grace Weston
Katherine Meares Weston
Sophia Elizabeth White
Thomas Oliver Young III
Asaiah Mekhi Mathis
From Kindergarten to Counselor:
A Journey Through the Country of Study Program
BY KATHRYN REDDIC DANIELS '11
I was five and a kindergartener in Ms. Tuller’s Bearcubs classroom when I first participated in the Country of Study program. It was 1998, and the Country of Study was Australia. I’m sure I can blame my five-year-old brain (and not the Country of Study program itself) for the fact that I don’t have many memories of that experience. The first Country of Study I do remember, however, was the very next year: 1999 - China. Like so many Skyhawks before and after me, I had the joy and privilege of being taught by Mr. Mancke during my time as a student. That year, he was the faculty member who was selected to travel to China, and I’m sure you can imagine the magic with which he brought the country to life for us upon his return. The vivid memory of a Chinese Dragon Dance through the Lower School hallways hasn’t faded for me, even all these years later.
I was fifteen and a sophomore in the Select Ensemble when I first visited Austria. It was 2008, and our post-Christmas concert tour took us through Salzburg, where we performed a concert in the Salzburg Cathedral and sang, spontaneously, on the gassen, plätze, and straßenecken whenever the moment felt right, our breath fogging in the winter air. I had a solo (a version of “Silent Night” that still ranks among my favorites) and got to sing it in historic churches where the sound reverberated off the marble in ways seemingly impossible in American venues. I would return to Austria two years later on my final Select Ensemble tour, this time to Vienna.
I was thirty and in my fifth year as a College Counselor when my name was drawn as the Upper School faculty traveler to Austria through the Country of Study program. This was a remarkably full-circle moment, and I treasured the chance to be able to participate in this program that has meant so much to me and to return to the country I first loved at fifteen. My husband, Justin, (a 2009 Hammond
graduate who took part in thirteen Countries of Study himself) accompanied me on the trip, and it was full-circle for him, too, as he had studied abroad in Innsbruck, Austria one summer during his time at the University of Georgia.
We spent most of our time in Vienna and Salzburg but also visited Innsbruck and Zell am See and took day trips to Werfen and Mauthausen. The latter was the most impactful day of our entire expedition, as we spent hours of reflection and remembrance inside the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Our trip was a beautiful mix of the serious and the lighthearted - between Holocaust memorials and astounding remnants of the Hapsburg Empire, we took apfelstrudel-making classes, saw Giulio Cesare in Egitto at the Vienna State Opera, and paraglided through the Alps. We ate wiener schnitzel and goulash, listened to Mozart’s music in Mirabell Palace, visited the sites where the Sound of Music was shot, and hiked up a mountain to trek through the largest ice cave in the world. Perhaps unsurprisingly given my role at Hammond, I stopped at three Austrian universities and spent half a day with a College Counseling colleague at the American School of Salzburg. We took trains, cable cars, and even funiculars, walked until our feet went numb, and refueled with pretzels and gelato for the miles still ahead.
Upon my return, I was asked to present six times in Upper School Assembly - a tradition I’ve watched from the audience for nearly two decades. Needless to say, I knew I had big shoes to fill. Of course, part of my job was to share what I did and learned about Austria, but I approached the task with a larger goal in mind. Before my trip, Jody Lumpkin offered a piece of wisdom that stuck with me. He reminded me that the Country of Study program isn’t just
Hamp Smith '09 and Kathryn Reddic Daniels '11 in Salzburg, 2008.
Kathryn and Justin Daniels '09 in Austria, 2024.
about teaching students about a country or telling them what they could do if they visited. It’s about teaching them how to travel - how to engage with the world outside our comfort zones as thoughtful, global citizens.With that in mind, I invited students to consider what it really means to travel. We talked about the tension between being a “tourist” and trying to blend in as a “local.” We discussed how the sweet spot may lie in embracing the role of a “traveler” - someone who isn’t afraid to do something labeled “touristy,” but who approaches each experience with curiosity, thoughtfulness, and a desire for authenticity. To that end, I told them about the Austrian concept of Gemütlichkeit, which has no English translation. The closest definition is, “A state of happiness derived from belonging, contentment, and coziness.” It’s about connecting with people and savoring the moment, whether you’re sipping coffee in a cafe, hiking through the Alps, or taking in a classical music concert in the park. Austrians do this exceptionally well, and I saw it every single day I was there. As I told students, this idea gives us an excellent North Star in our quest to be travelers. Being a traveler means allowing yourself to be present, to engage authentically, and to find joy in both the grand adventures and the simple moments. You can experience Gemütlichkeit anywhere, and with anyone, if you have the right attitude, and that is the beauty of travel and,
ultimately, the message of Hammond’s Country of Study program.
I was thirty-one and in my sixth year as a College Counselor when I stood before the students in Upper School Assembly to share my experiences: not as a wide-eyed kindergartener or a teenage choir member, but as someone entrusted to pass on a legacy. Whether or not our students someday visit Austria, my hope is that they remember something deeper: not just what to see, but how to see it. To be curious, present, and open. To think not just about how we can move through a place, but about how a place can move us. That’s what my own Country of Study teachers gave me, and I can only hope I’ve done the same for the next generation of Skyhawks.
Note: In yet another full-circle moment, Kathryn wrote an article for this magazine in 2011, her senior year, following the Select Ensemble's trip to Auschwitz. That article can be found by scanning the adjacent QR code.
SNAP SHOTS
Kathryn taking an apfelstrudel-making class.
We counted 100 days... each one better than the last.
We danced.
We wore red...with Skyhawk pride.
We were Hammond.
The 2024–2025 school year took us everywhere—up mountains, across oceans, and into new ideas. We danced, we discovered, we cheered each other on. From the rapids of the Nantahala to the streets of Vienna, we stepped boldly out of our comfort zones and into the world. And no matter where we landed, we carried our Skyhawk spirit with us.
We carried each other.
We were birds of a feather.
We were the
GOAT.
We slid into new adventures.
We wowed Austria.
Love is in the air
BY CISSY POPE
"I wanna grow old with you..."
Sam Riber '09 and his fianceé, Lissy Alden, met at a Shabbat dinner in New York City—a Friday evening Jewish meal filled with food, friends, and conversation. The two were seated next to one another and that Friday dinner eventually led to a first date.
On that first date, Lissy casually made a reference to Adam Sandler, a name that resonated with Sam. "You might say he's been a part of our relationship from the beginning," recalls Sam. "The Wedding Singer is one of my favorite movies of all time...it's a deep story, and the song describes how I felt. I wanted to sing her the song, but not necessarily on a plane ... and I certainly never intended for it to go viral."
That shared reference would later inspire one of the most talkedabout proposals of the year. On a flight from Charlotte to Mexico, Sam stood up midflight and serenaded Lissy with "I Wanna Grow Old With You,” the sweet and unexpected love song from The Wedding Singer.
With the enthusiastic help of American Airlines flight attendant Teri Ramirez—now a friend and guest at their upcoming wedding—the moment was captured on video and quickly went viral, racking up over eight million views on Instagram, with coverage in People Magazine, the New York Post, The Today Show, and a Valentine’s Day appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show. In a heartwarming twist, fellow passengers and crew members wrote heartfelt notes of congratulations, marriage advice, and well wishes—transforming the flight into an unforgettable celebration at 30,000 feet.
ambulatory surgery center. He also teaches Sports and Entertainment Finance as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina.
Lissy brings her own impressive resume to the partnership. Raised around the globe—Chicago, Michigan, Taiwan, Japan, California, and Thailand—she’s the daughter of a Ford executive and a graduate of Cornell and MIT’s Sloan School of Management. She currently leads MYNDY, a company focused on mental and organizational fitness, helping individuals and companies enhance productivity and well-being by training the mind the way we train the body.
Sam credits much of his success to the education and mentorship he received during his years at Hammond. “From third through twelfth grade, I was surrounded by teachers who truly cared and who pushed me to think deeply. Dr. Ragan especially comes to mind— we still keep in touch. He taught us to see the world through a broader cultural lens, and that made a real difference when I left South Carolina.”
Sam went on to become the first Hammond student to attend the University of Pennsylvania, and later earned his MBA from Stanford. “Hammond gave me the foundation I needed, not just academically but personally. I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
From an unforgettable proposal 30,000 feet in the air to a purposeful career rooted in service and education, Sam Riber continues to surprise, inspire, and make headlines—all while staying grounded in what matters most.
Though he never imagined the proposal would become a global headline, Sam embraced the moment. “It wasn’t about going viral. I just wanted to do something meaningful—and a little bold.”
Sam now lives in Philadelphia, but continues to spend part of his time in Columbia, where he oversees a healthcare medical practice and
Lissy and Sam are planning a July 12th wedding in Philadelphia, and afterward, will head north to Maine as part of their shared goal of visiting every U.S. National Park--one trail at a time. The couple is planning a honeymoon in Bhutan this fall. Enjoy their viral proposal by scanning the QR code. We want to grow old with Sam too!
Campus Notes
A Lasting Legacy: New Scholarship for Hammond Alumni at USC
Thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from the South Carolina State Fair, a new scholarship has been created at the University of South Carolina to benefit Hammond graduates. The Cantey-Heath Scholarship Fund honors former State Fair
President J. Cantey Heath, who served from 1990 to 2005, and celebrates the strong ties between the Heath family, Hammond School, and USC.
The scholarship recognizes academic achievement and is open to worthy Hammond graduates attending USC, regardless of college or major. It is renewable based on academic performance and was established to support students who embody the values shared by both institutions.
The Heath family’s connections run deep. Cantey Heath Jr. ’77 and Libby Heath ’79 are proud Hammond alumni, as are grandchildren Mary Heath Barr ’13 and Cantey Heath III ’15 . Cantey Jr., served on Hammond’s Board of Trustees, and dedicated 36 years to USC, where he played a key role in alumni relations, fundraising, and university leadership— culminating in his service as secretary to the Board of Trustees.
According to Cantey Heath, Sr., "My children and grandchildren had wonderful experiences at Hammond and Carolina. They were well-prepared to pursue success. I am grateful to both institutions and to the South Carolina State Fair.
We at Hammond are proud to be part of a scholarship that reflects such a meaningful legacy—and grateful for the opportunity it creates for future students at both Hammond and USC.
She came for the summer... and decided to stay.
At Hammond, we take pride in the caliber of students we graduate and the experiences that shape them along the way. While many leave their mark, some do so in ways that feel especially full circle. Logan Rivers is one such student.
Logan’s Hammond story didn’t begin as a student, but as a volunteer. She stepped onto campus as a junior counselor at Hawk Ridge, an unpaid opportunity to work with young children and hone leadership skills. She loved the energy on campus, the connection with younger students, and the collaborative spirit among staff. Her summer experience left such an impression that she asked her parents if she could transfer to Hammond. Logan became a Skyhawk, and the school has been better for it ever since.
From the moment she enrolled, Logan brought her full self to every corner of campus life. She fully embraced the Hammond experience and availed herself of every opportunity. Whether she was in the classroom, on the playing field, or serving others, Logan showed up— prepared, thoughtful, and ready to make a difference. Her ability to lead with kindness and efficiency earned her the Polly Howser Leadership Award as a freshman, a rare honor recognizing exceptional leadership potential. She delivered on that promise in every way.
Academically, Logan thrived on challenge. She pursued the most rigorous course load available, excelling in everything. Her teachers described her as intellectually curious, self-motivated, and fully engaged in the life of the mind. She didn't simply complete assignments—she elevated classroom conversations, bringing others along with her.
Athletically, Logan is a force. Recipient of the WalkerClarke Scholar/Athlete Award, she was a five-year varsity soccer player and four-year captain, earning accolades at every level—including state honors and Olympic Development Program selection. She lifted teammates, set the tone, and played with grit and grace. She brought that same spirit to track and field, helping the team earn regional and state titles. Beyond the classroom, Logan’s heart for service set
her apart. Her commitment to Dance Marathon, a student-led fundraiser supporting Prisma Health Children’s Hospital, spanned all four years of high school. As this year’s chair, she helped lead one of the most impactful philanthropic efforts at Hammond. But her dedication didn't stop there. She organized community drives with her sister and served because it brought her joy. That's just who she is.
If you've ever met someone who makes you feel like you’ve always been part of each other’s lives, you've met Logan. She takes time to get to know people by listening. She makes others feel special because, to her, they are. Even with an overly-packed schedule, Logan gave everyone she met her undivided attention. And while she stands tall, her true gift is that she makes others stand even taller.
Logan made us stronger as a school simply by being a part of it. Her story began with a summer job—and grew into a legacy. As she moves on to American
Shine a Spotlight on Our Skyhawks: Nominate an Outstanding Alum Today!
At Hammond, we know our alumni are among the best and the brightest. Their achievements, leadership, and commitment to excellence reflect the very spirit of what it means to be a Skyhawk. That’s why each year at Homecoming, we proudly recognize two exceptional graduates with our Distinguished Alumni Award and Young Alumni Award.
Now through Friday, August 15, 2025, we invite you to nominate a deserving alum who embodies the values and vision of Hammond School.
Award Categories
distinguished alumni award
The Distinguished Alumni Award Honors a Hammond graduate whose career achievements and lifetime of service exemplify excellence, integrity, and loyalty. This individual serves as a powerful role model and a source of pride for our entire school community.
young alumni award
The Young Alumni Award celebrates a graduate aged 40 or younger whose professional accomplishments and leadership continue to elevate Hammond’s reputation and inspire the next generation.
How to Nominate
It only takes a few moments to spotlight someone extraordinary. Scan the QR code above to make a nomination.
Whether it’s a classmate, colleague, or mentor, your nomination helps us honor the many ways our alumni are shaping the world—and leading with Skyhawk pride. Thank you for helping us celebrate their remarkable impact!
Let’s show the world what it means to be Hammond Strong.
The Talon Society
We’re so grateful for all our forward-thinking friends who have planned a special gift to us in their will or estate. The Talon Society was established to honor and recognize these visionaries.
We warmly invite you to join this distinguished group by making a gift that will carry our mission forward for generations to come. For example, you can:
• Honor someone special with a tribute gift in your will.
• Make us a beneficiary of your insurance policy or retirement plan.
• Consider a gift of real estate or appreciated stock.
Have you already made a gift?
Please tell us about it! Even if you wish to remain anonymous, knowing about your plans helps us prepare for the future. We’d also like to welcome you into Talon Society. Your privacy is guaranteed.
Leave a lasting statement about who you are and what you care about.
hammondschool.org/giving/legacy-giving 854 Galway Lane • Columbia, SC 29209
Interested?
Contact us today for more information about how you can make a gift that endures for future generations.
Elaine Arnold
Director of Institutional Advancement earnold@hammondschool.org 803-399-9918
Class Notes
1973
Michael Howard recently published his third book, Under the Helix Kelpies
1976
Patty Brunton Scharko received the 2024 South Carolina distinguished Veterinarian of the Year Award. Pictured with Patty is Dr. Boyd Parr, who hired her to return to South Carolina, and College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Steve Marks. Patty works with Clemson’s new College of Veterinary Medicine and looks forward to welcoming the first class of students Fall 2026.
1977
Pam McCain Pearce is married to Bobby Pearce and has lived in Charleston since 1985. The couple celebrates 39 years of marriage, have three children, and six grandchildren, four years of age and under. Pam retired in 2022 after almost 25 years in the financial services industry as a Senior Vice President and Senior Wealth Advisor with Truist Bank.
1978
military experience. The book can be purchased through Amazon or other booksellers.
1981
Deans Richardson Fawcett is soon to be a grandmother of four future Skyhawks! She’s staying busy working on the Daniel Rickenmann for Mayor campaign and serving on the boards of Riverbanks Zoo, Hammond, and Camp Cole.
1989
Laura Herlong Rickenmann received Hammond's 2024 Distinguished Alumni award. She is a pediatrician who has made a tremendous impact on the Columbia community, serving her patients with unwavering dedication. She also supports her husband, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, in his public service. Laura is a proud Hammond parent to alumnas Carlyle and Ellie.
1992
2004
Jeff Parrish and his wife, Camlin, welcomed their son, Jeffrey “Ansel” Parrish, Jr., on April 14, 2023. The couple lives in Columbia.
2005
Sadie Bettis Williams '06 and Blake Williams welcomed a daughter, Louise Elizabeth in 2024. Louise joins big brother Bettis (3). The family lives in Columbia where Blake is a partner at Nelson Mullins.
2007
Christopher Daniels and his wife, Dana, welcomed a daughter, Theresa “Tessa” Hope Daniels on April 26, 2024. Tessa recently celebrated her first birthday. The Daniels live in Atlanta, Georgia.
published a
Willis Cantey received this year’s Hammond’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni award. He is CEO of Cantey Tech Consulting, a company that operates in 17 states. In addition to his business success, Willis is a dedicated community leader. He and his wife, Susanne, are the proud parents of Waring and Willis.
Mary Rogers McMaster Herskovitz and her husband, Samuel, welcomed a daughter, Lucille DuBose (Lucy DuBose) on September 19,2024 in Mount Pleasant. Lucy and her brother, James Dargan Herskovitz, are excited to be back in Columbia near grandma, grandpa and all of their cousins!
2008
Ali Hymson Brown and Taylor Brown ‘09 welcomed a third son, Rankin McMullan (Mac) Brown, on December 1, 2024. Mac is also the grandson of Bubba Hymson '77
Lauren Sribnick Fell and her husband, Trent, will be moving to Columbia, SC this summer after living in Houston, TX for the past 12 years. Their daughter, Katherine (4), will be starting pre-school at Hammond in the fall.
2009
Anna Beth Lowrey Huffstetler and her late husband, Lucas, welcomed a second child, Elizabeth Lucas Huffstetler (Lucy), born on July 13, 2024. Anna Beth, Lucy and big brother Drew reside in Columbia.
2010
Gavin Fawcett and his wife, Mary Adele, welcomed a baby girl, Adele Hardison Fawcett "Dellie", on June 11, 2025. Proud grandparents are Deans '81 and Peter Fawcett.
Rachel and Norris Laffitte welcomed Ross Alan Laffitte on February 28, 2025 in Kansas City. He joins Nell Duvall Laffitte (4) and Norris Lightsey Laffitte III (Chip, 2).
2011
Perri Shockley Potter and her husband, Bryce, welcomed a son, Graves Kenneth Potter, on December 27, 2024.
Dave Nidiffer and his wife, Kimberley, welcomed a third child, Kathryn “Banks” Nidiffer on June 28, 2024. Banks joins big brother Ford '38 and big sister Kellan '39.
2012
Patrick Fawcett works for the Republican National Distributing Company and is engaged to marry Heyward Clayton this fall.
2013
Elizabeth Buckner is completing her last year as a school psychologist. After advocating for students so hard, she has now enrolled in law school at the University of South Carolina. Completing evaluations, writing reports, and holding individual education planning meetings turned into analyzing systems, policies, and legislation.
Jake Nidiffer married Sydney Morris on July 27, 2024 at Pawleys Island. They reside not far from where he grew up in Columbia with their two labs (Rip and Turk). Sydney practices at Carolina's Dermatology as a Board-Certified Physician's Assistant and Jake is a Senior Associate with Trinity Partners, a Commercial Real Estate Firm.
Will Pope serves as a sales representative for Revvity, a company that creates oncology mutations and liquid biopsy assays for clinical laboratories using immortalized cell lines and CRISPR technology. He recently received the 2024 Award for Sales Excellence.
Les Carroll recently
novel, This Troubled Ground, based on his
Lauren Nelson Sheorn and her husband, Bradley, welcomed Mary Elliott on March 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM, weighing 7lbs 3oz and 20 1/4 inches long! We are tickled pink and so in love!
2014
Jordan Cox moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from the University of Alabama in 2018. He has provided strategic and political consulting to dozens of members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He served on the staff of Congressman Vern Buchanan and was Executive Director to House Republican Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler. Jordan is Special Assistant to the President in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, coordinating congressional strategy and engagement to advance the President’s legislative agenda in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Lt. Drew Moore (USN) and Lt. Sarah Moore (USN) welcomed a baby girl in September 2024.
Donald Fawcett recently married Caroline Schraibman ’15 The couple resides in Columbia, where Donald coaches Hammond's Middle School football team.
2015
Cantey Heath III married May May Henry at Pawleys Island on May 17, 2025. Matron of Honor was Mary Heath Barr '13 and Best Man was Cantey Heath, Jr. '77.
Abigail Reddic Walker and her husband, Hunter, proudly welcomed a baby girl, Eloise Chappell Walker on April 29, 2025. Proud Aunt and Uncle are Kathryn Reddic Daniels '11 and Justin Daniels '09
2016
Anne Fawcett is a nurse and an avid runner, soon to complete her fourth and fifth marathons. She has already finished NYC, St. Jude, Chicago, and is headed to Michigan and Berlin in 2025. Anne is a volunteer for the Hammond Track Team and a counselor at Camp Cole.
and Pediatrics, with plans to pursue Pediatric
and specializes in Adult Congenital Cardiology.
Lou Runge graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in May. He is pursuing a general surgery residency at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Lou and Anne Jenkins are engaged to be married.
2017
Michael Turner and his wife, Donisha, proudly welcomed a daughter, Mikiyah Olivia-Jean, on April 2, 2025. Mikiyah was born in Japan where Michael and Donisha are currently stationed. Proud grandparents are Dean of Students Dr. Michael Turner and his wife, Olivia.
Bailey Lockwood graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina with a Doctorate in Dental Medicine in May 2025. Chosen by his peers and the Dean, he was honored with the Dr. Robert Holmes Legacy Award for clinical excellence and an overall spirit that brings out the best in others. Bailey will begin an Orthodontic Internship at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in Kentucky beginning in July 2025.
2019
Rutherford Fawcett is working for the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Reach out if you’re in the area—he’d love to connect!
2020
John Bailey Moore graduated from Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a United States Marine Corps Officer on March 22, 2025. He is currently in The Basic School in Quantico Virginia until October.
Bailey Leaphart graduated from Davidson College in May and was accepted to the Medical University of South Carolina in Columbia.
2022
Anne Croswell was a biochemistry major at Clemson University and graduated in May from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She will be staying at MUSC for her residency in pediatrics. Because he is a doctor, her father, Holland Crosswell '84, had the honor of placing her hood at the hooding ceremony.
Eanes Lockwood completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Clemson University in 2022. After graduation, she served as a nursing intern for Education Equals Hope in Rwanda and Kenya. She began work as a Registered Nurse at the MUSC in Charleston on the Surgical Oncology floor and the last two years has worked in MICU.
David Max Johns, Jr. graduated from Clemson University Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematical Sciences. Beginning June 2025, he will be working fulltime as a software engineer with Blackbaud.
Passings
We regret to announce the passing of Steve Braswell ’82 on August 28, 2024. At the time of his death Steve was working as a Senior Business Systems Analyst for Blue Cross and Blue Shield and had retired from the National Guard.
Austin Lewis received the 2024 Hammond Young Alumni Award. He is currently completing dual residencies in Internal Medicine
Cardiology
Knox McCutchen married Charlotte Bureau in Pawleys Island, SC at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club on April 5, 2025.
Gus Brabham '90: From Class President to Board Chair
Sometimes life unexpectedly brings you full circle. And that's just what happened to Gus Brabham '90 In 1989, no one could have predicted that the newly-elected Senior Class President would one day lead Hammond's Board of Trustees. Likewise, no one would have been surprised.
From the Class of 1990 to Chairman of the Board, Gus has worn many hats at Hammond—though none quite as memorable as the elf hat he sported while perched on the rooftop during carpool alongside Head of School Andy North. Gus has a way of lighting up a room—and a community.
The proud father of three Hammond graduates, Gus brought more than governance to his leadership—he brought heart. His tenure on the Board was marked by wisdom, optimism, and an unfailing cheerleader’s spirit. He had an uncanny sense of when a kind word, a warm laugh, or well-timed mini bundt cakes could lift a moment—and he delivered every time.
But behind the warmth was a steadfast commitment to Hammond’s mission. He helped guide the school, all while keeping people at the center and joy in the margins.
As he steps away from his official role, we offer a huge Hammond thank-you. His legacy will always be a part of the culture he helped strengthen.
Thank you, Gus, for leading with heart, for showing up (sometimes in costume), and for reminding us all what it means to be a Skyhawk.
TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD
Homecoming
We like to take the show on the road and check in with our college alumni! This year found us at Wofford, Clemson, USC, College of Charleston, and The Citadel. By the looks and sounds of things, these Skyhawks were well-prepared for the college journey and are already making their marks on campuses across South Carolina. Once a Skyhawk, always a Skyhawk!
Holiday Social at the Governor's Mansion
Columbia & Charleston Spring Socials
Who Would Have THUNK it ?
We know that Skyhawk spirit is never in short supply at Hammond, but who would have thought that all you really need to ignite that spirit is two bean bags, a wooden board, and a well-aimed toss.
In March of 2021, when distancing was the norm, Steven Hillard, Director of Student Activities and Experiential Learning, was given a challenge: find a way for students to stay connected—but keep some space between them. The solution came in the form of a simple game with timeless appeal and just the right amount of competition: cornhole.
What started as a creative workaround quickly became a much-anticipated tradition that now defines springtime on campus. Set against the backdrop of NCAA March Madness, the game sparked an unexpected campus phenomenon. Complete with brackets, teams, and a cheering section...March Cornhole Madness was born.
What sets this event apart isn’t just the competition—it’s the camaraderie. Faculty and staff jump into the action, teaming up with and against students in pursuit of the coveted title. The courtyard transforms into a spirited arena where the
familiar “thunk” of beanbags meeting boards is joined by bursts of laughter, surprise upsets, and the occasional highfive between a teacher and a student.
The final round draws a crowd. Students spill out of classrooms, and offices pause to watch the last bags fly. For a moment, everyone is united—students, teachers, staff—not just as spectators, but as part of a tradition that was born of distance, and grew into something that ultimately brought us together.
Each year, as seniors prepare to graduate, many look back on the tournament as one of the more memorable traditions of their Hammond experience. What makes it so memorable isn’t just the game, but what it stands for: meaningful connection, shared joy, and a school culture that values community above all.
Cornhole is a simple game, but in the Upper School, it’s become a symbol of connection and friendly competition— one toss at a time.
CISSY POPE
