HHFocus

HArp e t H HAll fAll 2018

Inspiration for Girls who Dream Big and Go Far Harpeth Hall Alumnae across the nation making meaningful contributions to their communities and the world

Admission

Admission Preview Day Sunday, november 4 for prospective students and their families interested in learning more about the middle school, grades 5-8, and the upper school, grades 9-12. registration begins at 1:30 p.m. Program begins at 2 p.m. Please visit harpethhall.org for more information.

admiSSion checkliSt September -- Start-Application-Process-at-HarpethHall.org/applying -- Participate-in-an-admission-event,-including Introduction to Harpeth Hall-session,-small-group-tour,-or-student-visit

November -- Attend-Admission-Preview-Day-on-Sunday,-November-4 -- Sign-up-for-ISEE-testing-at-iseetest.org

December

-- Attend-Alumnae-Perspectives-Panel-on-December-4

January -- Submit-online-application-by-January-7 -- Submit-supporting-materials-by-January-25-

Harpeth Hall’s mission statement

About Harpeth Hall students

Learn more about Harpeth Hall

harpeth hall is an independent college preparatory school for young women where each student realizes her highest intellectual ability in the sciences, the humanities, and the arts, and discovers her creative and athletic talents. harpeth hall develops responsible citizens who have global perspectives and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world. With a tradition of excellence and a commitment to life-long learning, harpeth hall educates young women to think critically, to lead confidently, and to live honorably.

• 700 students

We know selecting a school for your daughter is an important choice requiring careful consideration. harpeth hall’s innovative curriculum, accomplished faculty, and caring community celebrates the power of girls. a campus visit is the best way to experience the transforming power of a harpeth hall education. We encourage you to attend admission Preview Day on November 4. To be included on our mailing list, please inquire at harpethhall.org. We look forward to welcoming you to campus!

• 15 percent of the student body identifies as a student of color • Student body for the 2018-19 school year represents 37 zip codes, 5 religions, and 121 sending schools • 17 percent of the students receive some level of financial aid (awards range from $900 to $28,300) • $12.3 million – amount of college scholarship dollars awarded to the Class of 2018

3801 hobbs road | Nashville, TN 37215

Want to learn more? Visit us online at HarpethHall.org.

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Table of Contents

What do these women have in common?

A doctor, an artist, an entrepreneur, a teacher, a magazine editor, a law clerk for the Supreme Court of the United States, an aerospace engineer, a communications executive, an actor, a neuroscientist, a construction project manager.

The answer is Harpeth Hall.

Meet 14 women who are living our mission and making meaningful contributions in cities and communities across the United States. We are proud to profile these outstanding people in varied roles, industries, locations, and stages of their careers because we think they are all examples of Harpeth Hall alumnae who think critically, lead confidently, and live honorably.

These alumnae provide insight into their career paths from their foundational years at Harpeth Hall to where they are today. They offer inspiration to all and advice for young women starting their careers. They also relay some of the wisdom and helpful guidance they received on their own journey.

We also recognize our newest alumnae, the Class of 2018,

Who have now embarked on the next phase of their educational journey. We are deeply proud of their accomplishments and the example they have set for the classes who will follow. These women represent the more than 6,000 alumnae in 49 states and 30 countries who dream big and go far!

Harpeth Hall provides girls and young women in Nashville with the foundation for a bright future.

We are equally proud of our role in Nashville’s history and excited about what the region’s evolution means for Harpeth Hall’s future. With new Nashvillians come fresh ideas, new conversations, movement, momentum – at Harpeth Hall our students develop a deep love of learning, they value a strong community, and they believe brave girls and purposeful women can change the world.

We invite you to visit Harpeth Hall,

A school where we educate girls and young women to think critically, to lead confidently, and to live honorably. We send our graduates into the world to make a positive difference.

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Admission Preview Day

3

Welcome from The Head of School

4

Harpeth Hall Alumnae Living the Mission

ALUMNAE PROFILES 5

Liza Darwin and Tobi Lee

6

Christina Mishu Rosean and Brianne Frazier

7

Sabin Nettles and Meghann McConnell Myers

8

Mary Laird Warner Stewart and Adrienne Thomas

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Whitney Downs Hermandorfer and Kimia Ferdowsi Kline

10 Willa Fitzgerald and Catherine Workman 11 Elizabeth Hightower Allen and Blair Carter

HHfocus is a special supplement created in partnership with The Harpeth Hall School and Nfocus Magazine.

ABOUT HARPETH HALL 12 Alumnae Network

Best regards,

13 Harpeth Hall 14 Class of 2018 College Matriculation 15 2018 National Champions

Jess Hill Interim Head of School

16 Is Harpeth Hall the school for you?

HARPETHHALL.ORG | FALL 2018

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Living the Mission

Living the Mission harpeth hall alumnae have charted many different paths since graduation. Dreaming big often leads them far from the corner of Estes and hobbs road. Still, what binds their stories is the educational foundation they gained at harpeth hall and also its mission, which is the cornerstone of the school. To summarize the mission: Harpeth Hall educates girls and young women to think critically, to lead confidently, and to live honorably. adrienne thomas '03

This is a collection of profiles of women who embody harpeth hall’s mission and are representative of the best our school has to offer. The paths they have travelled and the passions they have pursued challenge them daily. They think, lead, and live in ways that inspire us all. It is a privilege to recognize, support, and celebrate harpeth hall alumnae at all stages of their lives.

We encourage you to visit harpethhall.org to learn more about the harpeth hall School and our outstanding alumnae.

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atlanta, Ga

Blair Carter ‘07

liza darWin ‘06 new York, nY

marY laird Warner steWart ‘82

huntsville, al

denver, Co

Brianne Frazier ‘96

meGhann mCConnell mYers ‘98

Catherine Workman ‘97

saBin nettles '09

Christina mishu rosean ‘07

toBi lee ‘08

elizaBeth hiGhtoWer allen ‘85

Willa FitzGerald ‘09

kimia FerdoWski kline ‘03

WhitneY doWns hermandorFer ‘05

Washington, d.C. Washington, d.C. Chicago, il

santa Fe, nm

new York, nY

houston, tX

st. louis, mo Charlotte, nC

new York, nY

Washington, d.C.

Alumnae Profiles

Liza Darwin

Tobi Lee

Vassar College: Bachelor of arts in English, Minors in Political Science and Italian residence: New York, NY Co-Founder, Clover Letter and Vp of editorial Content, awesomeness harpeth hall Class of 2006

Washington University in St. Louis: Bachelor of arts in Political Science University of North Carolina, Charlotte: Master of arts in Elementary Education residence: Charlotte, NC teacher and Department Chair, KIpp Change academy harpeth hall Class of 2008

after holding editor positions at media companies like NYloN and MTV, and working as a freelance writer for Vogue and refinery29, liza quit her full-time job to launch a startup company. Clover letter is a news platform and global community where gen Z girls can share the issues that affect them the most. In spring 2018, Clover letter was acquired by awesomeness, an la-based entertainment company. Now liza works with her co-founder to grow Clover under the awesomeness umbrella to reach more girls from all over the world and expand their footprint into video, podcasts, and more.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today? harpeth hall taught me how to write! I entered college feeling confident about my writing ability – whether it was a five-paragraph essay or a news item for the school paper. other skills I learned include working efficiently (not procrastinating!), public speaking, and how to lead. harpeth hall also taught me that while it's important to believe in yourself, it's equally important to ask for help when you need it – and to support others when they ask you for help or advice.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Quitting my job to launch a startup was the biggest risk I've ever taken. Building, growing, and eventually selling my company, with zero business or business school experience, has been an amazing adventure. My biggest accomplishment, however, is providing a platform that we grew from scratch for hundreds of thousands of girls. I believed in myself and felt strongly that young people deserved more than the media was giving them.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career?

You can't have real success without failure along the way. as awful as it can feel at the time, failure is just part of life. The payoff from taking a risk is always better than not taking the risk at all. My first boss told me, "You won't get anything unless you ask for it." This has proven true in every single job I've had; it applies to salary negotiations, work responsibilities, and beyond. Very rarely has any amazing opportunity fallen into my lap; the best ones are the ones you work for.

“Very rarely has any amazing opportunity fallen into my lap; the best ones are the ones you work for.”

Describe what you do in your profession.

Each day, I have the pleasure of teaching math and reading to some of the best and brightest young children. Teachers are facilitators, role models, assessors, coaches, advisors, planners, first responders and so much more. While each day can be dramatically different than the previous one, I do my best to consistently ensure that my students leave the classroom knowing more than they did the day before with questions that leave them curious about the world around them. This is what makes learning so exciting for my students.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today?

During my years at harpeth hall, I recognized the importance and impact of service and giving back to my community, which has grounded me in my work throughout the years. The strength of the community lies in those who work to build and grow the community. The harpeth hall mission statement describes developing responsible citizens who will make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world. I feel that serving others and fostering a love of learning is my purpose for my community.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career? find someone in your career path that embodies where you would like to be five to ten years from now. Connect with them, have a conversation and listen to their story. It is important that you mold your own path, but if you can learn from someone who has been there before and has succeeded, it may be helpful as you begin your own career.

What advice would you give to a harpeth hall graduating senior? "fail forward." This particular phrase is important because it serves as a reminder that at some point in life you will experience some type of failure at something. It's what you choose to do after experiencing that failure that will determine whether you move forward and learn from it.

“Find someone in your career path that embodies where you would like to be five to ten years from now. Connect with them, have a conversation and listen to their story.” harpethhall.org | fall 2018

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Alumnae Profiles

Christina Mishu Rosean

Brianne Frazier

Miami University: Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology rush University: Doctor of audiology residence: Chicago, Il audiologist, advocate Children’s hospital harpeth hall Class of 2007

Georgetown University: Bachelor of arts in English Johns hopkins University: Master of arts in Writing residence: Washington, DC Director, executive and Strategic Communications, Nissan harpeth hall Class of 1996

as a Doctor of audiology, Christina specializes in the identification, management, and treatment of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. In her role at advocate Children’s hospital in Chicago, she cares for patients of all ages, newborns to seniors, and she works with other professionals on multi-disciplinary teams.

Brianne “Brin” frazier is the director of executive and strategic communications at Nissan Motor Corporation, where she writes for the company’s top executives and helps to develop and execute Nissan’s communications strategy. She joined Nissan in 2012 and was previously based at its global headquarters in Japan, where she was the speechwriter for Chairman and former CEo, Carlos ghosn.

Prior to Nissan, she served at the U.S. Justice Department for three years as chief speechwriter to attorney general Eric holder. She began her career at the White house in President Clinton’s office of Speechwriting.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today?

I developed a strong work ethic, and I learned to think outside the box. harpeth hall also helped me develop strong writing skills that I use routinely in my medical reports.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Earning my doctorate degree and having my research published in a prestigious medical journal.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career?

Don't be idle. get experience. It doesn't matter if it's not exactly what you want to do. Varied experiences will pay off later in ways you cannot imagine.

What advice would you give to a harpeth hall graduating senior?

Work hard, but strive to also have balance in your life.

“Harpeth Hall also helped me develop strong writing skills that I use routinely in my medical reports.”

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today?

The importance of clear, well-structured writing. The many, many, many 5-paragraph essays I had to write at harpeth hall were a great foundation!

What is your proudest accomplishment?

During my time as the U.S. attorney general's chief speechwriter, I was proud of the team that I led, the growth that I saw from the youngest writers, and our ability to work well together in an extremely fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

During my time living in Tokyo, I was proud every time I could have a coherent conversation with my very basic Japanese skills!

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career? find ways to add value and make your bosses' lives easier, no matter what job you are given. Seize every opportunity to learn something new and show your worth.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student?

Even though there will be many demands on your time, try to take advantage of the many opportunities that harpeth hall offers to try and learn new things.

“Seize every opportunity to learn something new and show your worth.”

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Alumnae Profiles

Sabin Nettles Boston College: Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience Washington University in St. Louis: Neuroscience Doctoral Student residence: St. louis, Mo harpeth hall Class of 2009 as a neuroscience doctoral student at Washington University in St. louis, Sabin works in a research laboratory investigating gene regulatory mechanisms and pathways that contribute to the development and maintenance of the mammalian brain. By combining genetic, genomic and biochemical approaches in mouse models, she works to identify and dissect these gene regulatory pathways in neurons. a broad goal of her laboratory’s research is to understand how disruption of transcriptional regulation can lead to neurodevelopmental diseases, including autism spectrum disorders.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today?

The harpeth hall mission statement: “Think critically, lead confidently, and live honorably” has left an indelible impression on me. as a neuroscientist, I aim to implement these objectives on a daily basis. When I am developing hypotheses, designing experiments, and interpreting results, I am challenged to think critically. When I am teaching scientific concepts to elementary school students, working with undergraduate students in the lab, or giving presentations or seminars, I strive to lead confidently. furthermore, as I work to implement initiatives that will educate and develop the next generation of scientists and promote diversity and inclusion through my research, I am seeking to live honorably.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career?

Identify a mentor in your field or profession and take the initiative to establish a mentormentee relationship. outline your goals and aspirations with your mentor and seek guidance on developing a plan to accomplish these endeavors. I have been fortunate to have smart, passionate and committed mentors throughout my life who have helped me validate my true passion for science, bolster my confidence, and identify my voice as a scientist and scholar. furthermore, each mentor has challenged me by setting ambitious goals and milestones while also celebrating my successes and achievements.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student?

I encourage you to go beyond the scope of the traditional curriculum and find your passion. Engage and participate in activities that interest you outside of the classroom. one of my first pursuits in scientific discovery began at harpeth hall in 7th grade when I participated in Science olympiad competitions. for the first time, I had to problemsolve in real time and work with my peers to complete various tasks and challenges.

This experience encouraged me to pursue opportunities that would expose me to various scientific disciplines.

“Go beyond the scope of the traditional curriculum and find your passion.”

Meghann McConnell Myers University of Mississippi: Bachelor of Business administration in Marketing University of tennessee College of Law: Juris Doctor residence: houston, TX Legal Counsel, projects and technology, Shell Oil Company harpeth hall Class of 1998 Meghann is an attorney supporting the Projects Team within Shell's Projects and Technology group, which provides technology, engineering, and construction management for major capital projects across Shell's entire investment portfolio.

Projects range from the construction of offshore drilling platforms and subsea infrastructure, to onshore chemical plants, refineries, and solar facilities. her work includes drafting and negotiating major construction contracts, advising the business and Contracting and Procurement team on disputes and claims management, giving presentations on issues relevant to construction projects and updates in case law, and general project delivery and management support.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I am very proud of the transition I made from working in a law firm to being an in-house counsel. I worked extremely hard to advance in my career in the law firm, even after starting a family, in order to set myself up for success in the corporate environment. It is hard to balance work and family, and as the mother of two (soon to be three!) children, I wanted to show them that you can still have an extremely rewarding and challenging career while having a fulfilling home and family life. It is not easy, but I am thankful for the opportunities and support from Shell to make it happen.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student?

Take advantage of all the incredible things that harpeth hall offers. Travel during Winterim, volunteer, take some elective classes that interest you, take on a leadership role in an extracurricular activity - just get involved. harpeth hall offers so much more than just an academic education - if you take advantage of broadening your horizons, you will leave there feeling confident, prepared and ready to take on the world.

“The best lesson I learned from Harpeth Hall, and still use today, is the value of using your voice and making sure you are heard…You have to be confident in what you have to offer and that your opinion is valuable, because you can be easily overlooked if you don't speak up.” harpethhall.org | fall 2018

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Alumnae Profiles

Mary Laird Warner Stewart

Adrienne Thomas

princeton University: Bachelor of arts in art history Vanderbilt University School of Medicine: Doctor of Medicine residence: Denver, Co associate professor, pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, National Jewish health harpeth hall Class of 1982

Spelman College: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Dual Degree Engineering Program North Carolina a&t State University: Bachelor of Science in architectural Engineering residence: atlanta, ga assistant project Manager, Batson-Cook Construction harpeth hall Class of 2003

Mary laird is a specialist in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine practicing in Denver, Colorado for the last 20 years. Currently at Swedish Medical Center she attends in the medical and neuro critical care units and does inpatient pulmonary consultation. She has served as Critical Care Division Chair and ICU Director, and is the president-elect of the medical staff.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today? harpeth hall certainly gave me a rock-solid foundation in math and science that prepared me for pre-med courses in college. Meanwhile, the English program and serving on the yearbook staff enabled me to hone writing skills that I use today in research articles and professional communication. Working in the Vanderbilt Diabetes research lab through harpeth hall’s Winterim program sparked my interest in medicine. But perhaps most important: serving on harpeth hall’s honor Council provided me a firm foundation in ethics.

What are your proudest accomplishments?

Three stand out. first, leading the transformation of a small, open intensive care unit in a community hospital into a much-needed 68-bed multidisciplinary unit with dedicated intensivist staffing. Second, contributing to national clinical research trials. Third, developing a critical care curriculum for medical and surgical residents.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career?

Identify a mentor. Be open to different directions and challenges your career may provide. Continue to learn new skills and subjects. Make time for yourself, your family and your community.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student?

Take charge of your harpeth hall experience. always give your best effort in your classes, even if it doesn’t come easily. learn from your mistakes and seek help from your teachers and peers. Join a club or try out for a new sport or arts group. Support your friends at their plays, dance concerts, and sports play-offs. Cherish your time at harpeth hall because it passes all too quickly.

“Serving on the Harpeth Hall Honor Council provided me a firm foundation in ethics.”

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adrienne coordinates and supervises all aspects of commercial construction projects.

The most important goals for adrienne are to ensure that the project is delivered to the client on time, on or under budget, and to make sure that a safe environment is constantly maintained. While she has to spend a lot of time in the office, she values the experience gained by walking the field and learning from the trade contractors.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today? harpeth hall challenged me to think critically and problem solve. I never expected to become a math and engineering major when I was in school, but I was equipped with the tools I needed to succeed. harpeth hall taught me that I have a voice, and I have a responsibility to not only advocate for myself, but to also advocate for others.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

In my career, I have had the opportunity to work on many notable and large scale projects throughout atlanta including the International Terminal at hartsfieldJackson atlanta International airport, the National Center for Civil & human rights, and most recently, I worked on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium starting from the preconstruction phase all the way through opening day. It is easy to forget all the stress and long hours once you can enjoy the finished product.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career? always keep the next step in mind. remember to show your employer that you are willing to take on new responsibilities and assignments. Show your hunger for growth and progression, and ask for feedback so that you can work to improve yourself, not only for the company, but for your own personal growth. lastly, it is important to take time for self-care and always nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student?

I would want to stress the importance of time management due to the workload but also encourage them not to limit themselves. Try out different sports and join campus clubs.

This encourages exposure to disciplines outside of your comfort zone and gives you the opportunity to develop friendships with girls you would not have otherwise encountered.

"Harpeth Hall taught me that I have a voice and I have a responsibility to not only advocate for myself, but to also advocate for others."

Alumnae Profiles

Whitney Downs Hermandorfer princeton University: Bachelor of arts in Sociology George Washington University Law School: Juris Doctor residence: Washington, DC Law Clerk, the Supreme Court of the United States harpeth hall Class of 2005 as a law clerk for The Supreme Court of the United States, Whitney’s role is to provide research assistance and legal analysis to the Justice for whom she works. That work could involve reviewing and providing summaries of cases and the parties’ positions prior to oral argument, as well as assisting the Justice as he drafts opinions in cases.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today?

I learned the importance of having confidence, not being afraid to take on academic or personal challenges, and being willing to accept leadership roles.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest academic accomplishment is graduating as Valedictorian of my law school as my family looked on. My proudest professional accomplishment is being selected to serve as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Samuel a. alito, Jr., which was made possible by my earlier clerkships with Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh on the D.C. Circuit as well as Judge richard J. leon on the D.C. District Court. My proudest accomplishment overall, however, is being a mom to my daughter.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student? relish the opportunity to be surrounded by such a large group of confident, fearless, and talented young women. although it may be intimidating at first, try your best to view your classmates as your resources and to draw strength from their abilities and examples.

“Relish the opportunity to be surrounded by such a large group of confident, fearless, and talented young women.”

Kimia Ferdowsi Kline Washington University in St. Louis: Bachelor of fine arts in Painting, Minors in Persian and Business San Francisco art Institute: Master of fine arts in Visual art residence: New York, NY painter/Curator, Wythe hotel harpeth hall Class of 2003 Kimia works as both an artist and a curator in New York. She is represented by Turn gallery in NYC, Marrow gallery in San francisco, and 68 Projects in Berlin, germany. In addition to creating her own paintings and exhibiting in the United States and abroad, Kimia curates the art collection at the Wythe hotel in Brooklyn, NY. She directs a residency program at the Wythe that gives artists the opportunity to stay at the hotel, create art, and exhibit in their event spaces.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today?

In my junior and senior years, I remember feeling overwhelmed by five advanced Placement (aP) classes and extracurriculars and thinking I would never finish my workload. The need to push myself and to step outside my comfort zone prepared me for all the seemingly insurmountable deadlines and projects that were awaiting me after graduation. looking back, I realize that the adults in my life knew I could take on the workload and saw that potential in me - it was up to me to rise to the occasion and prove them right. learning to bite off more than you can chew and surviving is an invaluable lesson. The pressure I was under was incredibly empowering and gave me the courage to continue pushing myself in college, in graduate school, and in New York.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student?

There are millions of girls your age who don't have access to education. They are married off as young as age 12 or expected to work instead of going to school. always take full advantage of the incredible resources to which you have access, not only for yourself, but for all the girls whose families can't send them to school or don't value their minds.

What advice would you give to a harpeth hall graduating senior?

Write thank you notes to all your teachers who made a difference in your life. Tell them

how they helped you and why their influence was significant. as you go out into the world, find as many opportunities for gratefulness as you can, and acknowledge them.

I would never be where I am today without anne Blackburn, Joe Croker, Dr. Jack, ginny Maddux, or the great rita Kaplan.

“Always take full advantage of the incredible resources to which you have access, not only for yourself, but for all the girls whose families can't send them to school or don't value their minds.” harpethhall.org | fall 2018

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Alumnae Profiles

Willa Fitzgerald

Catherine Workman

Yale University: Theater Studies residence: New York, NY actor harpeth hall Class of 2009

University of Colorado, Boulder: Bachelor of arts in anthropology and English literature University of Colorado, Boulder: Master of arts in anthropology Duke University: PhD in Evolutionary anthropology residence: Washington, D.C. Senior Director, Wildlife, National Geographic Society harpeth hall Class of 1997

Willa is an actor in TV, film, and theater. She is also currently working on her own, writing projects for film and TV. as an actor, a large part of her daily job responsibilities includes reading scripts, taking meetings, and auditioning. She defines a “great year of work” as six months of actual shooting. Structuring her time throughout the other six months of the year, maintaining productivity and momentum, is one of her biggest challenges. “It's also part of the reason I started writing again. Being able to sit down, go to work, and crank out pages whenever I want to/need to is essential. It keeps me creatively sated,” she says.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today? one of the most important lessons I learned at harpeth hall was the value of community: a group of peers who support you, challenge you, and guide you.

Being a lone wolf in the world is unnecessarily difficult. find the people who encourage you to be big, be bold, be fearless. find the women, and the men, who want you to stake a claim.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

In the beginning of my career, I said “yes” to everything, which was important and necessary. I had to build a body of work - a resume. But my proudest accomplishment has been learning to say “no.” a mentor of mine early on told me that we are more defined by what we say “no” to. Exercise your right to choose only what excites you and stirs passion.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career? find a mentor. Choose someone in your profession, someone who has a work/life balance that you admire, or someone who simply sees you fully for who you are. ask for advice, ask for guidance.

What advice would you give to a harpeth hall graduating senior?

In college you have the opportunity to cast a wide net. You can explore so many fields of interest and possible trajectories for your life and career. So explore! Don’t stay inside your comfort zone. College is this wonderful, closed, safe space before you enter the “real” world, so treat it as such. Try new things and see what works, and if something doesn’t work, move on and know that experience was formative in shaping the person you are becoming.

“Exercise your right to choose only what excites you and stirs passion.”

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National geographic awarded its first grant in 1890, and today invests more than $15 million annually in grants for those pushing the boundaries in research, conservation, education, and storytelling. Directing the Wildlife grant portfolio, Catherine is responsible for the investments National geographic makes in projects focused on discovering, understanding, and conserving the planet.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today? harpeth hall taught me leadership, grammar, confidence, critical analysis, and the importance of asserting my own individuality and finding power through collaboration. I learned to be ambitious in the best sense of the word and intellectually curious. I learned that intelligent conversation and good books are two of the finest pleasures in life, and combining them is even sweeter. The harpeth hall faculty challenged me in personal and professional ways that took me years to fully appreciate, and I can trace back my interest in academic and professional achievement to the very high standards those scholars set.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I am proud to pursue a career that allows me to live my values. I am honored to help National geographic invest its resources in people and projects that help discover, research, and conserve the planet's wildlife and wild places. I'm proud that I work with a team and an international set of colleagues who believe in solutions for a healthier and more sustainable planet for humans and wildlife.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career?

Think carefully about what job opportunities align with your passions. I tell young women to learn a hard skill or two that make them more marketable and to apply for the jobs they want, even if the fit isn't 100%.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student?

Take advantage of your time with your teachers. The harpeth hall faculty are dedicated, smart, and remain among the best educators I had throughout my education, including my college and graduate school years. heading to college, I did not know about anthropology, and yet I earned a Bachelors, Masters, and PhD in the field. open yourself to the idea that you may have not yet found what you want to be or do.

“I encourage women to apply for the jobs they want, even if the fit isn't 100%.”

Alumnae Profiles

Elizabeth Hightower Allen University of North Carolina, Chapel hill: Bachelor of arts in English residence: Santa fe, NM Features editor, Outside Magazine harpeth hall Class of 1985 as an editor at Outside Magazine, an active lifestyle magazine dedicated to adventure, sports, wellness, and the environment, Elizabeth edits long-form features. She brainstorms feature ideas, approaches writers, and works with those writers to publish interesting and entertaining stories. “Working on a monthly is great, because you're always immersed in a new topic, from wildlife poaching to the world's tastiest vegan burger,” she says.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today? grammar from Dr. Marney! The English faculty instilled in me a deep love of literature, more so than even my college professors. also, I believe there's a strong ethical core that grounds each harpeth hall student. That honor code never leaves us, and it's invaluable in our careers. finally, I think harpeth hall instills in its students a facility with communication, both verbal and written, that allows us to convey our ideas strongly while welcoming other perspectives.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My family. I waited a long time to have a child. I was having a lot of fun in my career, and when we had our daughter, I made a conscious choice to "lean out" for a short time. I pushed for more flexibility and continued working at a high level at Outside, where I have been for 20 years, while being present and active in my daughter's life.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career? one, pursue what you love. I remember flailing after college in interviews at large bureaucratic organizations, but I sparked when I started working at magazines. Second, as former head of school ann Teaff told students during a panel in which I participated, go deep. go to graduate school, keep learning about what you love, push until you are an expert and can be valued as such. finally, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student?

Put aside any worries about popularity or coolness and immerse yourself in the things that excite you. Don't get so caught up in achievements and college admissions that you don't enjoy the carefree aspects of being young. There is so much pressure on teenagers today, and I am grateful that harpeth hall has put new emphasis on teaching girls how to manage stress throughout their lives.

“That honor code never leaves us, and it's invaluable in our careers.”

Blair Carter Depaul University: Bachelor of arts in Public relations and advertising University of tennessee, Knoxville: Bachelor of Science in aerospace Engineering residence: huntsville, al aerospace engineer, U.S. army aviation and Missile research Development and engineering Center harpeth hall Class of 2007 Blair works as a code developer and project lead for a missile simulation that helps our military design and acquire defensive interceptors that protect our country from intermediate and long-range ballistic missile threats.

What did you learn at harpeth hall that you still use today? at harpeth hall, I learned to have a strong work ethic and to take on challenging assignments even when I wasn’t sure I could complete them.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I am proud that I wasn’t afraid to go off the beaten path when I realized the first career I chose wasn’t a good fit for me.

What advice would you give a young woman starting her career?

Take the job from which you think you’ll learn the most, even if it’s not the highest offer you receive.

What advice would you give to an incoming harpeth hall student?

Your harpeth hall teachers are some of the most nurturing people you’ll ever know.

They are always there for you when you need help or advice.

“At Harpeth Hall, I learned to have a strong work ethic and to take on challenging assignments even when I’m not sure I can complete them.”

harpethhall.org | fall 2018

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Alumnae Network

43 4

WASHINGTON MONTANA NORTH DAKOTA

7

OREGON

32

WISCONSIN

WYOMING

3

12

ARIZONA

19

12

TEXAS

7

KENTUCKY

TENNESSEE

VIRGINIA

118

SOUTH CAROLINA

60

139 ALABAMA

48

17

RHODE ISLAND

MARYLAND

4

15

50

53

WASHINGTON, D.C.

53

NORTH CAROLINA

3618

ARKANSAS

28

MASS CONN

DELAWARE WEST VIRGINIA

78

13 NH

NEW JERSEY

49

MISSOURI

50 4

31 INDIANA

79

OKLAHOMA NEW MEXICO

34

OHIO

40

KANSAS

CALIFORNIA

25

PENNSYLVANIA

ILLINOIS

COLORADO

68

MICHIGAN

IOWA

8

UTAH

NEW YORK

8

NEBRASKA NEVADA

150

27

15

1

7

209

VT

SOUTH DAKOTA

IDAHO

4

4

MINNESOTA

16

3

MAINE

GEORGIA

164

82

284

MISSISSIPPI

LOUISIANA

264

HAWAII

FLORIDA

215

COUNTRIES AUSTRALIA BELGIUM BERMUDA BRAZIL BULGARIA CANADA CHINA COLUMBIA COSTA RICA DENMARK DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FRANCE GERMANY HONG KONG INDIA

INDONESIA IRELAND ISRAEL ITALY JAPAN KENYA NETHERLANDS NEW ZEALAND SCOTLAND SINGAPORE SOUTH AFRICA SPAIN SWEDEN TURKEY ZAMBIA

1 ALASKA

Alumnae Network The harpeth hall alumnae Network includes friends, mentors and business and community leaders throughout the country and the world who remain connected to harpeth hall well beyond their years as students. regardless of distance in geography or years from campus, alumnae are always a part of the harpeth hall community.

We are proud of our alumnae of all ages and stages of their lives and careers. our current alumnae Network includes more than 6,275 women in 49 states plus Washington D.C. and 30 countries. We encourage and promote connections between our graduates through alumnae events, opportunities for involvement, and career mentoring.

We encourage you to visit our website at harpethhall.org to learn more about our school and community.

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fall 2018 | harpethhall.org

Harpeth Hall

Harpeth Hall Today’s Harpeth Hall students and the generations of women who have come before and who will come after them, they are Harpeth Hall. They are the extraordinary girls who come here to know themselves fully and honestly, and who will realize their dreams. They lead lives of intention and purpose, lives of profound consequence.

Why a girls’ school?

• 2/3 of students at all-girls’ schools expect to earn a graduate or professional degree.

• Girls’ schools empower students to become bold leaders.

93 percent of girls’ school graduates say they were offered greater leadership opportunities than peers at coed schools.

80 percent have held leadership positions since graduating from high school.

Source: The Girls’ School Experience: A Survey of Young Alumnae of Single-Sex Schools © 2016 National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

At Harpeth Hall: We invite girls to an expansive experience. We believe that an all-girls’ environment gives every harpeth hall student the space and the freedom to stretch her mind, to raise her hand, to use her voice and amplify it—early and often.

Both self-aware and self-reliant, our highly capable girls become confident leaders, armed with the motivation to pursue their bravest ambitions and the skills to achieve them.

We develop the whole student. harpeth hall is committed to a student body that reflects Nashville — and to the richness that comes with a diverse, increasingly cosmopolitan population. We celebrate myriad cultures, multiple perspectives, and mutual respect; and, thus, we work actively with parents of qualified daughters to make a harpeth hall education accessible and affordable.

Our graduates dream big and go far. our students are known for being accepted to—and thriving in—the nation’s best colleges and universities. But they certainly don’t stop there. They earn graduate degrees, they launch companies, they become artists, olympians, scientists, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and community volunteers. They leave harpeth hall empowered to take on the world and fully prepared to change it.

harpethhall.org | fall 2018

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Class of 2018

Congratulations harpeth hall Class of 2018

DREAM BIG! GO FAR!

The Class of 2018 consists of 100 young women who received offers of admission to 150 colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad.

Twenty percent of the class was recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation - nine Finalists and 11 Commended Students. This class was offered over $12.3 million in scholarships. Below is the list of the 66 colleges in 26 states plus Washington, D.C., England, and Scotland that our graduates will attend. american Musical and Dramatic academy

george Washington University

Southern Methodist University

University of oxford (England)

arizona State University

georgetown University

Stanford University

University of Puget Sound

Indiana University Bloomington

Syracuse University

University of South Carolina

lehigh University

Texas Christian University

University of Southern California

loyola Marymount University

Tufts University

University of St. andrews (Scotland)

loyola University New orleans

Tulane University

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Miami University

University College london (England)

University of Texas at austin

Mississippi State University

University of alabama

University of Vermont

Northwestern University

University of Colorado at Boulder

University of Virginia

ohio Wesleyan University

University of Edinburgh (Scotland)

University of Washington

olin College of Engineering

University of georgia

Vanderbilt University

Pitzer College

University of Maryland, College Park

Wake forest University

rhodes College

University of Massachusetts, amherst

Washington and lee University

rice University Savannah College of art and Design

University of Miami University of Michigan

Winthrop University

Sewanee: The University of the South

University of Mississippi

auburn University Baylor University Belmont University Berry College Boston University Case Western reserve University Centre College Clemson University Cornell University Dartmouth College Davidson College Duke University Emerson College Emory University fordham University

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fall 2018 | harpethhall.org

University of Missouri

Washington University in St. louis Yale University

National Champions

National Champions Harpeth Hall's 2017-18 Swimming and Diving team was named NATIONAL CHAMPIONS by Swimming World magazine on September 1, 2018.

The extraordinary achievement of being named National Champions comes after a series of many remarkable years under the leadership of veteran coach, Polly linden. The harpeth hall "Bearacudas" won their 21st consecutive Middle Tennessee high School Swim association (MThSS) region Championship in early January 2018. In february, they won their fifth consecutive Tennessee Interscholastic Swim Coaches association (TISCa) State Championship at the University of Tennessee, taking the total to 12 state titles since 2001 — all of which were earned under the leadership of Coach Polly linden, who was named Coach of the Year by theTennessean in 2018.

"What made this team different is that we won first in almost every single event this year. Our best swimmers are the top swimmers in the state and country. It made it exciting because it was a different kind of season. They were breaking national records, and that is not something that happens often or ever," Coach Linden said.

The team includes many state record holders as well as swimmers who broke national records this year: • alex Walsh '20 broke the national independent school record in breast stroke • gretchen Walsh '21 broke the national independent school record in 50 meter freestyle • The 200 meter medley relay team broke national independent school record (alex Walsh '20, Ella Nelson '19, alex Massey '20, gretchen Walsh '21)

harpeth hall was featured on the cover of the September issue of Swimming World magazine.

To learn more about harpeth hall’s outstanding athletic Program, visit harpethhall.org. harpethhall.org | fall 2018

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7 WAYS TO KNOW THAT HARPETH HALL IS THE SCHOOL FOR YOU • You are looking for a school that’s spirited and dynamic, yet unapologetically academic.

• You love teachers who challenge you with probing questions and engaging assignments.

• You crave a community that wants to see your true self and helps you be your best self.

• You try new things, even if you make mistakes because you know we all learn from mistakes, too.

• You work hard and think being smart is cool.

• You learn best in interactive, innovative classrooms.

• You believe brave girls and purposeful women can change the world.

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fall 2018 | harpethhall.org