Community News
FROM THE
Head of School
As you know, Darlington is a beautiful place in the spring. Trees bloom, the grass is green, the air crisp and clear, and the swans enjoy the lake like they own campus. This spring, however, we also saw that it was a little bit lonely and much too quiet without the energy of our students filling these spaces on a daily basis. While school continued virtually last spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic and our students and teachers continued to do great work, we are thrilled to be back on campus this fall for the 2020-2021 school year. Time away always provides an opportunity to reflect and be reminded of what is important. What we saw and were reminded of repeatedly was the fact that there is strength in community and that our strength is our
community. Our community has worked hard this spring and summer to make sure that our campus environment is as safe and healthy as possible. Throughout this issue of Darlington Magazine, you will see examples of the steps we have taken regarding sanitation and cleanliness, social distancing, and the wearing of face coverings, in addition to innovation in the delivery of our academic program to accommodate students both on and off campus. We celebrate some of our healthcare heroes who have been on the front lines and highlight alumni supporters who have had their own unique challenges and realizations during this pandemic. Lastly, this issue includes the Honor Roll of Donors, which celebrates those who financially support Darlington in good times and in difficult ones. We could not fulfill our mission without you. Above all, I hope you will see the strength of community as we all engage the uncertainty that has been placed before us. It is a privilege to work at Darlington and we are thrilled to continue providing this opportunity to our students. Many, many people make this happen on a daily basis, and that is even more evident this year. So, I close with a thank you to our students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, donors and supporters. You make the Darlington dream a reality and we are grateful!
24 participate in Leadership Darlington Twenty-four alumni representing five states and seven cities in Georgia participated in the school’s Leadership Darlington program in March. “Leadership Darlington is a prestigious and competitive opportunity for alumni to engage with their alma mater and school leaders on an in-depth, personal level,” said Vicki Vincent, director of alumni relations. “The program is designed to increase the number of alumni actively engaged with the school and develop the next generation of Darlington’s leadership.” Members of the Leadership Darlington Class of 2020 included Allen Babcock (’00) of New York, N.Y.; Ben Bagley (’00) of Rome; Ellen (Collier) Beasley (’04) of Athens, Ga.; Bailey Brock (’13) of Atlanta; Bo Cherry (’07) of Houston, Texas; Avery Cypress (’14) of Rome; Dr. Will Edwards (’07) of Rome; Alex Ezell (’94) of Blacksburg, Va.; Katharine Flory (’82) of Columbus, Ga.; Virginia (Johnson) Guth (’79) of Rome; Ivey Harrison (’99) of Greenville, S.C.; David Hoyt (’04) of Rome; Barry Hurley (’83) of Fort Payne, Ala.; Emily (Griffin) Johnson (’02) of Rome; Wynn Jones (’84) of Atlanta; Brad Large (’05) of Gates Mills, Ohio; David Ledbetter (’88) of Rome; Matt Sawhill (’96) of Statesboro, Ga.; Richard Song (’85) of Richmond Hill, Ga.; Gregory Thomas (’07) of Rome; Mac Trotter (’74) of Atlanta; Patrick Wilson (’08) of Atlanta; Dani (Baker) Wilson (’11) of Cedar Bluff, Ala.; and Ashley Wright (’96) of Brevard, N.C. Over two days, participants obtained an integrated view of Darlington, including the internal and external forces that affect the school’s direction and the challenges it faces. The program featured a keynote address by Darlington trustee Hank Linginfelter (‘79), retired executive vice president of AGL Resources. To apply for Leadership Darlington 2021, contact alumni@ darlingtonschool.org.
Honorary Chairman Hank Linginfelter (’79) speaks to the Leadership Darlington Class of 2020.
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Darlington Magazine
