12 minute read
Community News
F R O M T H E 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.
Board of Trustees elects three, names life trustee
Three new members joined in Rome and are the parents of Henley Darlington’s Board of Trustees in May (’30), Harper (’31) and Virginia (’31). and one life trustee was named. He is the son of Life Trustee Betty
Gretchen Corbin is president and Ledbetter and the late Bob Ledbetter CEO of Georgia Lottery Corp. She and Sr (’53) and grandson of former her husband, David, live in Rome and Headmaster and President E.L. Wright. are the parents of Savannah (’20) and Parrish Owens (’04, LD ’13) is vice Elsa Quay (’22). president of corporate development at
Wright Ledbetter (’85, LD ’19) is G&L Holdings. He is a former member chief operating officer/president of R.H. of the Alumni Council and helped Ledbetter Properties. A class agent and create the Linda (Grizzard) Owens (’79) former staff member, he served on the Bold Girl – Bright Dreams Scholarship Centennial Celebration Committee in honor of his mother, a former Board and has been a Career Day speaker and chair. He and his wife, Cat, live in event host. He and his wife, Kelley, live Atlanta and have a son, James Parish III. He is the grandson of Life Trustees Vernon and Gaynelle Grizzard.
Larry Williams (’67) is managing director of Fifth Third Bank. He has served numerous terms on the Board of Trustees and has been instrumental in the school’s fundraising efforts for nearly three decades. Among other initiatives, he served on Second Century Campaign’s National Cabinet and cochaired the Extra Mile Campaign. He and his wife, Yeardley, live in Atlanta.
Gretchen Corbin
Wright Ledbetter
RUMPUS
Neal Yin (’20) and his dormmates from Summerbell House perform “This is America” during the RUMPUS Lip Sync competition in January. One of the most anticipated events each school year, RUMPUS is a weekend-long competition between the students in each of Darlington’s dorms. Day students join boarding students to represent the houses in a series of events that challenge the mind and body, and points are earned based on performance, theme, and spirit. This year, the ladies of Thornwood House came out on top to claim the coveted title of RUMPUS champion. As always, the weekend promoted teamwork, unity, sportsmanship and tons of fun as the Darlington Community came together as a family.
Parrish Owens Larry Williams
Shrek, played by Owen Payne (’21), and Donkey, played by Siji Soetan (’21), take in the moonlight as Shrek dreams about life as a hero in “Who I’d Be” during Darlington’s presentation of “Shrek The Musical” in February. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, “Shrek The Musical” is a Tony Award-nominated fairy tale adventure that brings all the beloved characters from the film and the book by William Stieg to life on stage. The show featured a company of 62 Upper School students, with 27 actors on the stage, 12 student musicians playing in the pit, and 23 techies serving in various roles as costume and set crew members, spotlight operators, stage managers, assistant directors, puppeteers and extras.
Coach Atha celebrates 150 career wins
Head football coach Tommy Atha in addition to teaching in the history celebrated his 150th career win on department. Since being named head the road last fall with the Tigers’ 21-6 coach in 2002, he has led the varsity victory against North Cobb Christian. football team to the state playoffs This win sent them into the region 17 times and coached them to three championship undefeated. consecutive region championships
“That was an exciting night for sure,” from 2009-2011. Additionally, they said Atha, who also serves as assistant had a semifinal appearance in 2009, athletic director. “To be honest, I didn’t quarterfinal appearances in 2017 and realize that was number 150. I knew we 2018, and were named sub-region were around there somewhere, but I was champs in 2019. overwhelmed when they put up that big “It has always been a great honor for banner and handed signs to everyone. me to be able to coach and teach at My wife, Cathe, and Athletic Director Darlington,” said Atha. “We certainly Eddie Guth pulled that off without me have always tried to reflect the mission having any idea. I think that number of the school in the football program is a testament to the commitment my and, as a result, we have been able to coaches, players and Darlington School maintain success for a long time. We have in the success of the program.” continue to strive every day to keep that
Atha’s career at Darlington began going and get better every time we take in 1993 and during his tenure, he has the field.” also coached girls’ basketball and track
The Darlington Fund tops $1 million to reach goal
Thanks to the generous support of giving has always been the top priority, our community and the hard work of this year truly illustrated how critical many volunteers, The Darlington Fund The Darlington Fund is. We are beyond met its goal of $1,190,000 to support the grateful, this year more than ever.” educational experience for our students Support of The Darlington Fund and teachers. allows the school to maintain the
“Despite all the challenges of a global health and safety of the campus and pandemic, we are so appreciative of community as well as provide the the support of our alumni, parents, programming that so unique to the grandparents and parents of alumni, Lakeside. With students and teachers faculty and staff, friends, and spending the spring away from foundations who helped us reach our campus, the focus of Darlington’s end2019-2020 Darlington Fund goal,” said of-the-year annual giving campaign Julia (Douglas) Thomas (’07, LD ’15), became the 115 new alumni from the director of annual giving. “While annual Class of 2020.
“With them in mind and with the help of some of our wonderful donors, the All In for Our Seniors challenge was born,” said Douglas. “Every new gift that came in was matched one to one. So many of our donors were inspired to increase their gifts, knowing their support would be matched. We are truly indebted to our 1,337 Darlington Fund donors and thankful for the hard work that our Board of Trustees, Alumni Council, class agents, and volunteers put forth last year.”
35 alumni participate in Career Day
Career Day kicked off in January with Career Day breakout sessions covering a keynote address by Will Harbin (’95), a broad range of interests were led CEO of Global Worldwide, a maker of by Katy (Clawson) Allan (’00), Allen mobile games, followed by breakout Babcock (’00, LD ’20), Trip Booker (’96, sessions with 34 alumni. LD ’19), Brooke Brinson (’88, LD ’14),
“We were thrilled to welcome Will Bill Carroll (’88), Dr. Will Edwards (’07, back to Darlington for Career Day," LD ’20), John Foster (’69), Jonathan said Vicki Vincent, director of alumni Gilreath-Harvey (’07, LD ’19), Josh relations. “I hope his story resonated Graham (’03), Megan (Cox) Henry (’97), with students and inspires them to look Angelyn (Waddell) Hill (’99), Robert for opportunities and to pursue their Hortman (’99, LD ’18), Dr. Chas Jackson own curiosities.” III (’98), Dr. Cline Jackson (’98), Mike
Prior to Global Worldwide, Harbin Jones (’04, LD ’16), Thomas Kuckhoff co-founded KIXEYE, a pioneer in (’09, LD ’19), Katherine (Powers) free-to-play gaming which invented Lightner (’08), Bryan Lowe (’99, LD ’18), the MMORTS (Massively Multiplayer Chad Lumpkin (’99), Jennifer Peacock Online Real-Time Strategy) genre. He (’07), Chrissy Robertson (’94, LD ’16), has frequently been covered by The Wall Mark Rogers (’94, LD ’12), Annie Rosen Street Journal, Financial Times, USA (’02, LD ’18), Blake Segars (’99, LD ’19), Today and Forbes. He was also named to Scott Shepard (’87), Jeff Snider (’92, LD Vanity Fair's “The Next Establishment” ’19), Dr. Frank Stegall (’02), Craig Stiegel and San Francisco Business Times’ “40 (’69), Dottie Vincent (’07), Ed Watters under 40.” (’83), Martha Wilkinson (’83), and
Darlington Connects to foster engagement through career connections
Jennie Wright (’99, LD ’16).
Darlington’s Advancement Office can lend your expertise to a current and Alumni Council have partnered to student or recent graduate. You can create a new program that aims to help connect with others in your field or alumni make meaningful connections your geographic area, virtually or in through their careers. person, by using the information in
“Every one of us has countless our ever-growing Alumni Directory. Darlington connections, especially in Or you can volunteer to be one of our the work world,” said Julie (Wilson) guest speakers at Career Day. These are Lucas (’97), chief advancement officer. just a few of the ways we are already “By supporting each other’s careers and connecting people. life goals, we are better connecting our “This is something that our alumni students, alumni, parents, parents of expressed interest in right away, and we alumni, and grandparents.” are excited to grow the program with
Still in its early stages, Darlington your help,” she continued. “If you have Connects offers numerous ways to get ideas about different ways Darlington involved. can help you connect and grow in your
“You can share more about your career career, I’d love to hear from you.” in a Darlington Connects spotlight on To get involved or share your ideas, the school website,” said Lucas. “You email connect@darlingtonschool.org.
Will Harbin ('95)
“Sponsored biannually by the Alumni Council, Career Day is a great way for Darlington to not only connect with our alumni and keep them engaged, but to show our students the importance of staying plugged into the Darlington Community and giving back,” said Vincent.
Golden Circle
Cathy (Sapp ’70T) and John Harrison (’70) have generously initiated membership in Darlington’s newest giving society, The Golden Circle, with their lead gift of $100,000. The Golden Circle includes donors who have contributed gifts of $50,000 or greater in celebration of their 50th Reunion. While these gifts honor the value and impact of a Golden Tiger’s Darlington experience, they are also paramount in preserving the future of the institution. To learn more, contact Carson Raymond at craymond@ darlingtonschool.org.
