Some people would say that insects really bug them, but not our zoology students or first graders! Upper school zoology students captured and identified a variety of insects, including butterflies, wasps, dragonflies, and grasshoppers. They visited first graders to show them their collections. First graders have been learning about di erent habitats and created informative presentations and dioramas about an animal of their choice. Our girls enjoyed this fantastic opportunity to learn from each other and spend time together.
Photograph by Jayme Lewis
Photo by Kaveh Sardari
dear friends,
I have a unique perspective when I talk about Hutchison to parents, teachers, prospective parents, alumnae, and donors. I know all the workings of the school, and I also work with a board of trustees and leadership team who know where we are currently and can envision where we can go next. is past year, we were focused on the security of our campus, and a er much work and community support, we were able to build a new security center (see page 28) and implement a number of additional security measures. is is just the beginning of the transformation our campus will undergo in the next 5-10 years, and I feel fortunate that I am able to lead during this time.
anks to our transformative programs under the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, our students are able to have unique perspectives of the world they live in, whether by visiting Boston and New York to delve deeper into career areas that are of interest to them, or further a eld to Italy and Costa Rica to learn about and understand other cultures (see pages 14 -17). We believe it is part of our job to make sure our girls have exposure to experiences both in Memphis and elsewhere. ese experiences expand their worldviews and open up new opportunities.
Our alumnae bring what they learned at Hutchison and beyond to life in their careers in a number of unique ways. Shea Sisk Wellford ’87 serves as president of the law rm where she works—the rst woman to be appointed to that position. She also serves as the rst woman on the rm’s executive committee. She’s worked hard to be in those positions, and her voice brings a change of tone and perspective. Brittany-Rae Gregory Rivers ’08 didn’t know when she accepted a new job in March of 2020 that the world was about to change in a big way, but she brought her passion for creative writing and storytelling, which she nurtured at Hutchison and in college, to her work in this new world and continues to o er her unique perspective. I encourage you to see what’s di erent about your perspective and how that might impact the world. Odds are, it is unique.
Warmly,
Kristen Ring, Ed.D. | President and Head of School
MISSION
Hutchison School is dedicated to academic excellence and to the parallel development of mind, body, and spirit as it educates young women for success in college and for lives of integrity and responsible citizenship.
HUTCHISON MAGAZINE
JANUARY 2024
PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF SCHOOL
Kristen D. Ring, Ed.D.
EDITOR
Max Maddock Director of Communications mmaddock@hutchisonschool.org
CONSULTING EDITOR
Lori Guy Director of Strategy lguy@hutchisonschool.org
ALUMNAE DIRECTOR
Mary Aubrey Landrum Stafford ’10 mstafford@hutchisonschool.org
DESIGNER
Barbara Himber
PHOTOGRAPHY
Cathy Barber, Jessica Coulson, Brandon Dill, Danielle Katz, Melanie Melugin, Gabrielle Prewitt, Kaveh Sardari, and various Hutchison constituents.
Hutchison Magazine is published by the Hutchison Communications Office.
Please forward address changes to:
HUTCHISON SCHOOL 1740 RIDGEWAY ROAD MEMPHIS, TN 38119 or khouston@hutchisonschool.org
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Hutchison Receives Highest AP School Honor Roll Distinction
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Two Seniors Recognized by College Board
Hutchison earned Platinum distinction on the 2023 AP School Honor Roll, a recognition given by the College Board. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Our Platinum distinction reflects our commitment to providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximizing college readiness.
The College Board named seniors Lauren Coleman and Zelia Cedeño-Avila National African American Recognition Program Scholars. This program recognizes academically exceptional African American students who have scored in the top 10 percent of the state on the PSAT or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP exams by their junior year. To qualify, they must also have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
National Merit Commended Scholars
Jordan Deupree ’24, Lara Eason ’24, Anne Hartmann Lewis ’24, and Corinne Rhodes ’24 have been named National Merit Commended Scholars based on their junior year PSAT scores, recognizing their outstanding ability and potential for academic success in college. This makes them eligible for special scholarships o ered by corporate sponsors.
Artwork by Maude Burrow ’25 Displayed at Teen Arts Festival
“Ring” “Playground Days”
In November, the Teen Arts Festival at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library featured two works by Maude Burrow ’25: “Ring” and “Playground Days.” The festival celebrated the talents of young artists through a juried art exhibition.
Jordan Deupree ’24
Anne Hartmann Lewis ’24
Lara Eason ’24
Corinne Rhodes ’24
Lauren Coleman ’24 Zelia Cedeño-Avila ’24
Stepping Up to Serve with Hutchison Service Saturday
Hutchison middle and upper school students and parents volunteered at two Service Saturdays this fall. They served at the Forrest Spence 5K and the Church Health Community Kitchen. Hutchison Service Saturday is a new Hutchison Serves program that will happen four times during the academic year. These opportunities will provide actionable ways to demonstrate to our girls that service is an extraordinary way to build community while giving back.
Hutchison Thanks First Responders
One of our top priorities is to ensure the Hutchison community feels safe and secure. In November, we hosted a Cop Stop, inviting members of the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheri ’s O ce, and Memphis Fire Department for some of Chef Willie’s famous fried chicken and fixings. Our girls showed gratitude for their hard work. Students wrote messages thanking them, prepared sweet treats for them to take home, and welcomed them with big smiles and warm hellos.
Meriel Rowland ’24 Signs to Run Track for The University of Alabama
Meriel Rowland ’24 signed her National Letter of Intent at a signing ceremony in November. Rowland, one of the most decorated athletes in Hutchison history, has won multiple track regional championships, several cross country regional championships and holds three school records. She selected Alabama over several other Division I programs. In December, Rowland also was the top female finisher in the St. Jude Marathon 5K.
Cross Country Competes at State
The Hutchison cross country team finished third in the region and made it all the way to the State tournament.
Varsity Soccer Advances to State Tournament
The Sting had another successful season in 2023, making their second consecutive State tournament semifinal appearance. Hutchison defeated Pope John Paul II 1-0 in the State quarterfinal match hosted at Dobbs Field, thanks to a goal from Molly Browne ’26 Unfortunately, the Sting couldn’t get past the eventual State champions, Baylor, and lost in the semifinal in Chattanooga.
Golf Team Goes to Sta te
Sting golf saw a terrific season from 8th grade sensation Catherine Bowie ’28, who shot an opening round of 73 and led the team to a fourth place finish in the State tournament.
Middle School Tennis Team - State Champs
Our middle school tennis team finished strong as the Shelby League and Tennessee Gold Division Champions! The team won their division at the Tennessee Middle School Tennis State Championship event hosted by USTA Tennessee and TMSAA in Murfreesboro over fall break. In the Shelby League tournament, our girls won the team, singles, and doubles titles. Ann Smith ’28 and Maggie Mavar ’28 placed 1st and 2nd in singles, and Margaret Campbell ’28 and Whitney Bricken ’28 won doubles.
Caroline Schaefer ’08
Janae Rayford
Cathy Adams Tonya Faulkner
Helen Guyton ’05
Lucy Wesson ’74
Lynn Erickson Jay Rapp
Katy Nair
John Reynolds
Glenda Akers Donna Budynas
Gwendolyn Adaway
Lauren Colpitts
Marianna Heimbach
Thomas Jones
Jesse Cresswell
Roxie Sharp Catherine Kastner ’85
2023-2024 Board of Trustees & Leadership Team
The board welcomes the following new members: Jason Farmer and Palmer Smith.
Hutchison appreciates the service of our retiring board members: Dr. Reginald W. Coopwood, William R. Tayloe, and Todd Watson.
2023 - 2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
e Hutchison board of trustees is the guardian of the school’s mission. In partnership with the head of school, the board sets the vision and strategy for the school and ensures sound nancial management and proper stewardship of resources.
Dr. Kristen Ring
PRESIDENT & HEAD OF SCHOOL
Edward J. Dobbs
CHAIR
Ragan Crawford
Magness ’88
VICE CHAIR
Craig L. Weiss
TREASURER
Will Deupree III
SECRETARY
Emily Bryce Bowie ’00
Jenny Werner Carter ’89
Allison Cates
Chris Crosby
Jason Farmer
Megan Wellford Grinder ’91
Jason Higginbotham
Betsy Horn
Dr. Shari Je eries
Hardin Barton Kimmel ’92
Veazey Gully Krausnick ’78
Andrew R. McCarroll
Michelle Nelson Miller ’84
Richard C. Moore, Jr.
Palmer Smith
Sequoia Taylor ’04
McLean T. Wilson
Julie Aaron Wunderlich
Paul A. Young
2023 - 2024 LEADERSHIP TEAM
Great schools are distinguished by exceptional teamwork and collaboration across the organization. Our faculty and sta are led by a dynamic group of individuals known as our leadership team under the guidance of the head of school.
Dr. Kristen Ring PRESIDENT & HEAD OF SCHOOL
Catherine Chubb ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dr. Alyssa Villarreal ACADEMIC DEAN
Elizabeth Chisholm
Jordan ’86
EARLY CHILDHOOD HEAD
Katharine Duerr Kent ’95 LOWER SCHOOL HEAD
Trey Wilson
MIDDLE SCHOOL HEAD
Adrienne Forgette UPPER SCHOOL HEAD
Tonya Faulkner
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT INCLUSION & BELONGING
Nick Simpson
DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP
Caroline Schaefer ’08
ATHLETICS DIRECTOR
Sarah Wright DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Melissa Baker
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Lori Guy DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY
Max Maddock
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Laura Shy ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
DIRECTOR
Jason Farmer
Palmer Smith
Gee Whiskers and Leapin’ Lizards, thank you for bringing magic to the Hutchison stage!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR
Dorothy Orgill Kirsch ’51
PLAYBILL SPONSORS
Annie’s Coat: Indigo Hoovervilles:
Vicki and Jim McCullough
Orphans’ Hot Mush: Hollis & Burns
Oval O ce:
Drs. John and Shari Je eries
Oxydent Hour of Smiles Radio Show: Laura Beth and Matt Gabriel
Orphanage Sweatshop: Germantown Dermatology
Sandy:
Ginger McCullough ’97 and Lance Wilson
PATRON SPONSORS
Drs. Veronica Ahmadian and Reza Ahmadian
Jennifer and Jay Campbell
Catherine and Mark Chubb
Michelle and Chris Clothier
Brenda and Fred Grinder
Cara Baskin ’96 and Justin Grinder e Crump Firm
Photos by Brandon Dill
Tomorrow, Tomorrow …
We love ya, cast and crew members of Annie ! Students in grades 3–12, faculty, and alumnae gave four amazing performances of our fall musical. Annie, the Broadway musical, was created based on a popular newspaper comic strip from the 1920s. The musical tells the story of an orphan who is chosen to spend the Christmas holidays with billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. At a challenging period in American history, Annie represented hope and optimism by declaring that “the sun’ll come out tomorrow!” What an appropriate sentiment for ANY era! Thank you, Annie, for reminding us that we can find the sunrise in the darkest of times.
photo by Melanie Melugin
CAST AND CREW talked about their experiences in working to bring Annie to life.
AYRAH KASHMIRI ’24 | ANNIE
What were your favorite things about playing Annie?
I loved being able to serve as a role model for all of the younger girls and getting to work with a dog. What was it like to work with a dog on stage? I choreographed his blocking, from how he sat to how he ran to me. It was di cult, but incredibly rewarding.
What do you like about theatre?
I enjoy performing and being a part of something bigger. The most beautiful thing is that you get to see the impact of what you’ve created.
ZELIA CEDEÑO-AVILA ’24 | CREW
What made you interested in working sound for productions?
I was fascinated by what it takes to handle all the microphones and operate the sound board.
What do you enjoy about being on the tech crew?
I love the feeling I get after a show, especially the joy. Things don’t always go smoothly, but as long as the crowd enjoys it, that’s what matters.
How does it feel to be a senior and student leader within Hutchison theatre?
It’s surreal. I remember the former students who trained me, and now it’s my turn to be a mentor. I’ve learned a lot, and it’s fun to think about where I can take this in the future.
ELOISE MCDONALD ’28 | JULY, A STAR-TO-BE, ENSEMBLE, AND DANCE CAPTAIN
What do you like about theatre?
I enjoy acting, dancing, and singing. Being on stage makes me feel accomplished. What made you excited to perform in the show?
BRANNON CHUBB ’25 | MISS HANNIGAN
How did it feel to play Miss Hannigan?
It was fun to step outside of my comfort zone when it comes to acting because I usually play characters on the “good side.”
What was your favorite scene?
I loved being in all the dance numbers! It was fun to be on stage for most of the show, switch between the various roles, and act as di erent characters.
What was your favorite song that you were a part of?
I loved “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” because my dadportrayed Bert Healy, and we got to make fun of him. I was excited to perform with my dad on stage and do something together that we both love.
LOUISE PIETRANGELO ’32 & KAYLEI WHITE ’32 | TESSIE & KATE
How did it feel to be in your first show at Hutchison?
Kaylei: It made me feel happy and comfortable. I was able to get over my stage fright.
Louise: I enjoyed making a lot of friends and becoming part of a big theatre family.
What was your favorite part of being in Annie?
I loved the scene at the end when I walked into the Warbucks mansion and didn’t notice that President Franklin D. Roosevelt is there. I bowed to his feet after realizing it, and it was hilarious to me, because my teacher, Mr. Reynolds, was playing him.
What do you like about theatre?
It is a great way to express myself. I also love the community because everyone is welcoming and nice. Everybody brings a di erent talent and skill, and it’s nice to see each person shine in her own special way.
Louise: The choreography and stunts were fun to work on and perform!
Kaylei: I loved the funny scenes when we messed with Miss Hannigan. What were you most excited for people to see?
The song, “It’s the Hard Knock Life”—it was full of surprises!
Learning Independence …
Hutchison’s Institute for Responsible Citizenship features an intensive, multi-year experiential learning opportunity for highly motivated students called myExperience. This past summer, rising juniors and seniors who are part of this program explored their respective fields of study on trips to New York and Boston. Two cohorts—global civic engagement and entrepreneurship—visited New York, while the other two—STEM and art and design—traveled to Boston. The students planned both trips and took charge, researching the experiences in their respective cities, determining what they wanted to do, making reservations, planning out their transportation, and budgeting and tracking all expenses.
new york
Above: The global civic engagement cohort got an inside look at New York City Hall and visited the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Throughout their first year in the cohort, students held discussions about what it means to be a global citizen, the strength of the international community at the United Nations, and the impact of events on American history, such as how the September 11 attacks a ected travel and international politics.
I
learned about how cooperation contributes to global civic engagement and how there are many di erent ways to help a community or the world at large no matter what your interests or passions are.
— CHLOE SIMPSON ’25
Above: A highlight of the global civic engagement and entrepreneurship cohorts’ trip to New York was touring the United Nations Headquarters. For some students, it was especially meaningful because they participate in Model UN at Hutchison.
Left: While in New York, the two myExperience cohorts met up with Hutchison alumnae to talk about their experiences and hear advice.
“The goal of these trips is to help girls broaden their perspectives, learn the executive and organizational skills of planning, make connections with professionals, and gain inspiration for their culminating projects,” said Nick Simpson, director of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship.
Students also considered their possibilities after Hutchison, visiting at least one college, including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, Columbia University, and New York University. The girls also enjoyed special experiences along the way, such as seeing the Broadway show Wicked and cheering on a Red Sox win at Fenway Park.
boston
The art and design cohort saw a variety of artistic interpretations on their trip to Boston. Students were amazed by the impressive art collections at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Institute of Contemporary Art.
It was interesting to see the di erent types of art and how various artists have di erent interpretations. — OLIVIA LESTER ’24
In Boston, the STEM cohort was wowed by an artificial intelligence-controlled dog at the Museum of Science. This came as no surprise to their advisors because the cohort had several student-led discussions about robots and AI during the previous school year.
Jamila Smith Gramsey ’02 gave Dr. Ring and the STEM and art and design cohorts a tour of the software, engineering, and design company EPAM, where she is an innovation consultant, and spoke to the girls about careers in design strategy.
Above: The STEM cohort toured Northeastern University and several other schools. Left: The art and design cohort attended a performance of the Boston Ballet.
… and Exploring the World
Middle and upper school students stepped out of their comfort zones and broadened their perspectives as they experienced new people, places, and cultures on trips to Costa Rica and Italy over fall break. These trips were organized by the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, which is planning to o er more global travel opportunities in the future. The Institute’s goal is to help our girls grow and prepare for a world full of international opportunities by giving them a taste of what it’s like to traverse the world. “The best preparation we can give our girls to be independent, responsible citizens is to help them understand what it means to be part of a global community,” said Nick Simpson, director of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. “The greatest way to understand humanity is to break bread and talk with other people.”
costa rica
Costa Rica has some of the biggest turtle nesting in the world, and it was great to see a group of people coming together to help an endangered species.
— ABBY LIVINGSTON ’28
During the cooking class, I practiced my Spanish skills and vocabulary. What I didn’t understand, I was able to use context clues to pick up things based on what the instructor was doing.
— MADDIE KYLE
’27
It was cool to see the di erent ways people go about their daily lives in di erent parts of the world.
— KATE SCOTT LOFTIN ’27
Seventh, eighth, and ninth graders had an amazing time in Costa Rica visiting Arenal, San Jose, Alajuela, Tortugero, and the Tarcoles River. Students witnessed a baby sea turtle release, soared through the rainforest on a zip line, made patacones and pico in a cooking class, and explored beautiful natural sites such as Manuel Antonio Park and the Poas Volcano. They also tried di erent local fruits and snacks and got to see monkeys, iguanas, turtles, sloths, a caiman, and even a gladiator beetle.
A group of 10th and 11th graders explored historical sites in Rome and Florence, where they discussed the history of the Roman Empire and the impact of the Renaissance. In Rome, the girls took in famous landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon, and also took a day trip to Vatican City. In Florence, they visited Il Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria, and were able to witness the magnificent panoramic view of the city from the Piazzale Michelangelo.
It was interesting to see what I’ve learned in Latin coming to life. It was cool to see the Latin inscriptions everywhere and be able to translate them.
— SARAH BETH CUNNINGHAM ’26
italy
It was incredible to realize that history took place in the very room or space we were standing in. — MILLIE MALONE ’25
A CHANGE OF TONE:
How a Move to Memphis Opened Up a New World
by Max Maddock
When she was 15 years old, Shea Sisk and her family picked up and moved from Marianna, Arkansas, to Memphis. “It was a significant life change, to say the least … academically, socially, leaving behind all of my friends and coming to a new city,” Shea Sisk Wellford ’87 said. She said her parents empowered her to choose the school she would go to, and she picked Hutchison, but admits it was daunting. “My school in Arkansas was completely fine, but it was not a challenge.”
One of her first memories, in 10th grade, was in an English class taught by Billie Anne Williams, who asked the class to write a five-paragraph essay. “I thought, ‘I don’t know what she’s talking about,’ ” Wellford remembered. “I went up to her after class, and said, ‘Mrs. Williams, I don’t know what a five-paragraph essay is.’ She held my hand throughout the 10th grade year and helped get me comfortable with the structure of writing.
“I had to work hard to learn how to study and learn how to succeed academically. By my senior year, I was in AP classes, and doing well.”
Whatever Williams taught her must have made an impression, because Shea decided to major in English at Vanderbilt. She admits, though, that she did not have a solid plan as she approached her senior year of college. “I kept all of my options open,” Wellford said. “I think I took every standardized test for graduate school that I was qualified to take. I applied to law
school and also applied to graduate school for English. I considered going to journalism school at Georgetown. In the end, I decided to go to law school.”
No one in her family had ever attended law school, but Wellford recalled that her father and grandfather would recount how they sometimes went to the courthouse in Marianna to watch trials, a sort of small-town entertainment. “I remember hearing those stories as a kid and thinking that would have been so interesting to have experienced.”
It was a kind of foreshadowing of her career.
Nowadays, not only is Wellford an accomplished attorney and shareholder at the Memphis firm of Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, P.C., but she was named the firm’s president in 2022 and serves on the three-member executive committee. In a profession where men generally hold the majority of leadership positions, these are both significant accomplishments. Before her tenure on the executive committee, there had never been a woman appointed.
In 2017, Wellford was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, which describes itself as the “preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America.” To be nominated as a fellow to the organization requires a track record of proven work as well as recommendations from colleagues, judges, and even opposing counsel. It’s something Wellford is most proud of.
“ Hearing a woman’s voice is different and catches others’ attention—people listen. It’s a change of tone and your perspective can be unique. ”
Photo by Brandon Dill
Wellford with husband Alex at her induction as president of the Memphis Bar Association.
She’s also served in numerous positions within professional organizations, both locally and nationally, including with the Memphis Bar Association, where she has served in all the leadership roles, including president. Last year, she was named to the Memphis Business Journal’s 2023 Best of the Bar awards for her work in civil and commercial litigation.
GETTING HER FEET WET
Mrs. Williams’ high school assignment wasn’t the only thing that was daunting to Wellford early on. She remembers that after graduating law school and passing the bar, she showed up at Martin Tate to a threefoot stack of paper files on her desk and a note that simply read, “Welcome Aboard!” Among those papers were a couple of General Sessions cases due to start in only a month or two. Fortunately, during her last year of law school, Wellford interned with Memphis Area Legal Services, assisting their attorneys with a couple of cases, so she had been in court before. Still, for these beginning cases at Martin Tate, she remembers waking up about 20 times the night before her first trial.
by Brandon Dill
and I also started to specialize in construction law.
“It was just a matter of, ‘I’m going to do this,’ ” Wellford said. “Then for the next one, I think I was still nervous, but I did it. The more cases I tried, the easier it became. It wasn’t like flipping a light switch, but it was just the mindset of, ‘okay, I can do that.’ I just kept pushing forward as the cases got larger and more important from a monetary and business issue standpoint. It definitely was a learning process.”
When she was a young associate at Martin Tate, she explored many di erent areas of law, from business transactions, real estate, trusts and estates, to litigation. “I decided I liked litigation and started to focus on business litigation and individuals with business-related problems,
“With civil and commercial litigation and arbitration, it is necessary to be an e ective writer and to communicate well with the court. The foundation that I received at Hutchison, starting with that five-paragraph essay, made a huge di erence, and I built on that by learning persuasive writing. I don’t know if I went into this kind of law because I had those skills or if I developed those skills more because this is the area of law I practice, but my Hutchison background certainly made me confident that I could be e ective and successful.
“There are many lawyers who don’t like to write but are very good on their feet. I just happen to enjoy both aspects, and with the type of law I practice, you must be able to do both.”
Wellford said that even though women have tipped the scales in becoming the majority of law school graduates nationwide, the data shows that women are still in the
“ There are many lawyers who don’t like to write but are very good on their feet. I just happen to enjoy both aspects, and with the type of law I practice, you must be able to do both. ”
Wellford practices civil and commercial litigation and enjoys learning about all of the di erent aspects of her clients’ businesses.
Photo
“ The more cases I tried, the easier it became. It wasn’t like flipping a light switch, but it was just the mindset of, ‘okay, I can do that. ’ ”
minority as far as equity partnerships and leadership roles at law firms.
“I think it’s a testament to my law firm that I’m in the position of president and shareholder,” Wellford said. “I have partners who encouraged me as a lawyer regardless of the fact that I am a woman. When I started practicing 29 years ago, I encountered, outside of my firm, a lot of biases about female lawyers being perceived as good at only certain things. The perceptions have changed dramatically in the years since then—I am seeing much less of that today.”
e ectively, no matter what kind of law you are practicing.” She credits the experienced attorneys at Martin Tate with being supportive and encouraging her.
Even though she’s still often the only woman in the room, she believes it can be a real plus. “Hearing a woman’s voice is di erent and catches others’ attention—people listen. It’s a change of tone and your perspective can be unique. In my early years, with clients, I went from being a curiosity to someone they trusted and whose advice they would follow.”
BRINGING OTHERS UP
Like many other professions, Wellford said, mentoring is vital to being a successful attorney. “You learn the law in law school and then you learn how to practice law through practicing, and you need a mentor to be able to do that
She said she feels a responsibility to mentor others as they come along, but that she also benefits from the relationship: “I don’t ever want to be in the position in which I think I have all the answers,” she said. “I always tell the associates or younger partners who I’m working with, ‘just because I say this is our argument, or this is what I think, or this is what the law is, I want you to argue with me about it if you think there’s a better way, or if you think I’m wrong.’ I welcome that. I learn so much from that dialogue, and from working with others.
“It’s great to see other attorneys who have a di erent style than I have. I watch them in court, and I learn things from them. They may be approaching issues with a completely di erent style of arguing that is equally as e ective. Much can be learned from that as well.”
As an attorney, Wellford is well versed in making a case for her clients but realizes the importance of civil discourse—a skill that Hutchison teaches through the Institute for Responsible Citizenship.
“It’s so important to be able to have civil discourse, to be able to truly listen to someone without formulating a response in the moment or interrupting. And then to be able to communicate back to them in a way that they can listen to you so that you can have a discussion that may or may not get you to an agreement, but that may get you closer toward an understanding of the other person’s perspective.”
She also likes to quote the politician Howard Baker, whose father told him: “You should always go through life working on the assumption that the other guy might be right.”
FRIENDSHIPS FOR YEARS TO COME
The transition to Memphis and a new school when she was 15 years old wasn’t easy, but out of that grew lifelong friendships. “I didn’t know anyone here. I had a big sister, Kathie Johnson Alexander ’87, who was assigned to me at Hutchison. She is one of my closest friends to this day. I still see her regularly.”
Because she hadn’t had foreign language classes previously and was slightly behind in math when she started
Wellford with her friend and Hutchison “big sister” Kathie Johnson Alexander ’87, who helped Shea adjust to a new school when she moved to Memphis at age 15.
at Hutchison, Wellford studied French and math with the class of 1988. “I keep up with people from both of my classes and others on a regular basis. Some of my closest friends are people whom I’ve been friends with since I started at Hutchison. I treasure those relationships.”
She has made Hutchison a philanthropic priority because the school helped her family when they needed it. “When we first moved here, my family had some economic di culties and Hutchison provided financial aid,” Wellford explained. “My initial giving was motivated to pay back what had been given to me so that those funds would be available for another student to receive a Hutchison education. I continue to give because of my experience at Hutchison and the foundation it gave me for success later in life. I also want to support programs such as the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, as well as other initiatives and enrichment activities that Hutchison o ers to empower girls for the future.
“I think the transition from a small town to Memphis was a life challenge that taught me many things. I brought those skills to my legal career. In my first 10 years or so while I was in the process of maturing in my profession, I probably didn’t recognize some of the challenges or biases that were out there—I just determined that this is what I was going to do. And I was going to become competent at doing it and this was how I was going to practice law, period. I know that attitude came from both of my parents, who told me from a young age, and encouraged me strongly throughout my life, that ‘you can do whatever you want to do.’ ”
As an attorney, Wellford is well versed in making a case for her clients but realizes the importance of civil discourse— a skill that Hutchison teaches through the Institute for Responsible Citizenship .
Inset: Wellford received a certificate of recognition from the Tennessee Supreme Court for her pro bono work from Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Je rey Bivins (left) and Chief Justice Holly Kirby.
Left: Wellford and husband Alex attended a dinner at the United States Supreme Court when she was president of the Leo Bearman, Sr. Inn of Court to receive an award recognizing the Inn’s achievements.
As part of our recent security upgrades, we completed construction of a new security center at the main entrance to our campus on Ridgeway Road and added a new security vehicle for our security team. These security enhancements were made possible through generous charitable contributions from parents, grandparents, and friends of the school.
photo by Cathy Barber; inset by Danielle Katz
A Love of Writing Extends to Public Service
by Max Maddock
IT WAS EARLY MARCH 2020, and Brittany-Rae
Gregory Rivers ’08, Ph.D., had accepted a new job as the communications director with Next Century Cities (NCC), an organization whose mission is to advocate for broadband internet connectivity for all communities. By mid-March, shutdowns began to occur across the nation to help curb the spread of COVID-19, and many people started working remotely and using the internet to communicate with family and friends. Before she had started work in earnest, the significance of Rivers’ job had been amplified. “It became very apparent how critical the internet was at that point in the pandemic,” she said.
As everyone adjusted to “virtual meetings,” Rivers and her team continued to help educate mayors and local government o cials in various communities about the importance of broadband and how their voices could and should help inform policy.
She believes social media helped to some degree. “I am a social media, pop culture kind of person. I feel like that helped me build up or at least maintain a communications network and expand my interests. The pandemic also showed us how to create intentional community.”
These days, even though Rivers is still able to work remotely, she’s happy that people can come together when needed. NCC serves as a platform between local leadership and federal agencies, and while some meetings can be handled as video calls or webinars, there are times when inperson meetings can’t be replaced, such as when they escort people on visits to Capitol Hill to talk with their representatives about why the internet is so critical.
She admits it was di cult at first. “The pandemic was a challenge because before that, relationships were built by seeing people at press conferences, meeting up for co ee, or going to happy hours after work. That was how you built a strong rapport,” Rivers said. “At first it was such a shock. I was thinking, ‘How am I going to be a communications person when I can’t meet with people in person and have them see my personality and understand my interests?’ You can only do so much via a video conversation, and a lot of people were burned out on video at the time.”
Rivers majored in English and creative writing at Wellesley College in Massachusetts and knows how a personal story can help move the needle when seeking funding. “A big part of the work that we do is help people tell their stories,” Rivers said. “You can tell people about numbers, but personal stories help people contextualize what’s happening. For instance, how does being disconnected impact a family, their livelihood, or their ability to achieve their goals?
“NCC touts itself as a bipartisan organization,” Rivers continued. “We truly try to meet leaders and communities where they are and help them in the way they tell us is best for their community. If they say they want to be heard at the national level, then we’re trying to help them get to
Left: photo by Kaveh Sardari
the national level, whatever that might look like for their community and in whatever direction that may lead.”
My two area s OF RESEARCH ARE CENTERED ON MATERNAL HEALTH AND HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND THE ROLE THAT BROADBAND AND DIGITAL SKILLS HAVE IN HELPING TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITHIN THOSE COMMUNITIES.”
Sometimes it’s also as simple as showing how essential the internet can be across the board. “I think there’s a misconception that the internet is a wealthy, urban thing, but farmers in very rural areas, for example, need the internet these days to run their farms.”
The pandemic helped to underscore one more key benefit of the internet: Rivers, who has twin three-year-old sons, managed her pregnancy and the birth of her children during the pandemic, so she experienced firsthand how vital the internet was for telehealth appointments and access to maternal health information. “Much of what I learned about maternal health while being pregnant came from social media. It helped me understand what kind of questions to ask. Telehealth was critical to me having a healthy pregnancy and postpartum journey, so it’s something that has become a passion point of mine in my work.”
She continues to help advocate for maternal health issues today. In addition to producing the usual communications tactics such as newsletters, social media posts, news bulletins, and press releases, Rivers said that she is involved with research as well. “My two areas of research are centered on maternal health and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the role that broadband and digital skills have in helping to connect people within those communities. Last year, I wrote a report specifically looking at the U.S. maternal health crisis and the role that telehealth could play in helping to address the crisis.”
A Spark for Writing at an Early Age
Even though she considers Tennessee her home state now, Rivers’ family moved from Los Angeles to Memphis when she was in fifth grade. She originally attended Snowden in Midtown before transferring to Hutchison in the ninth grade. Rivers knew from looking at materials about Hutchison and seeing the campus that it was where she wanted to be.
“I remember my dad describing Hutchison as having college-style classes,” Rivers explained. “I didn’t know what that meant at the time, but I was into academics as a kid, so it excited me that I could be doing something that big kids were
doing. The campus also seemed pretty to me.”
Rivers recalled that when she was about six years old, she read the book Harriet the Spy, which she later learned was written by Hutchison alumna Louise Fitzhugh ’46. “The main character journaled daily about the people and situations that she encountered, and I started to do the same thing,” Rivers recalled. “I have to say that I really came to love storytelling and its impact while at Hutchison. I often tell people that Mrs. Kelly (Newberry) helped me to become a confident and opinionated writer in her Honors English and Heritage classes. This is something that I took with me to Wellesley, and it definitely influenced my decision to pursue my passion and major in English and creative writing.”
Her interest in Wellesley also came about from a Hutchison connection. When Rivers started at Hutchison in 2004, she was introduced to a senior named Sequoia Taylor ’04 who was about to graduate and attend Wellesley College. “That was the first time I had heard about Wellesley. I admired Sequoia and thought she was a good role model. When it came time to apply for college, I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll apply to Wellesley because Sequoia goes there. It must be a good place.’ Once I got accepted into Wellesley, they had an admitted students day, and I stayed in Sequoia’s dorm with her. She sold me on Wellesley.” Taylor is now a member of Hutchison’s Board of Trustees.
At Hutchison, Rivers had a penchant for science, math, and Spanish and originally thought she would pursue a premed track. At Wellesley, though, she became more and more interested in creative writing, even though she wasn’t sure how she would apply that in a career. She also gravitated toward media studies courses and developed an interest in the role that communications plays in shaping popular culture and institutions. “It just seemed to be a more natural fit,” she explained.
Focusing on Public Service
During her junior year, Rivers participated in a Wellesley in Washington fellowship and lived in Washington, D.C., for the summer, working with a Wellesley alum at the Department of Labor in the public a airs o ce. “That was the first time that I understood what public relations was and realized it was a
route I could pursue post-college. I liked the relationship building and that there were always special events,” she explained. “I was meeting new people every day. Even while working at the Department of Labor, there would be special guests that we’d help escort. There would be an initiative that they were launching. I liked that I was continually building upon the same skills, but there was always something fresh and new to do.”
After graduating from Wellesley, Rivers decided to pursue a master’s degree in mass communications at Middle Tennessee State University, where she looked at media depictions of HBCUs. She also worked at a public relations firm in Nashville, which helped her gain confidence in that kind of work. After completing her master’s, she wanted to get back to D.C., so she enrolled in a doctoral program in communications, culture, and media studies at Howard University. “While I was at Howard, I studied the role that communications played in the evolving dynamics between residents and university students in the neighborhood surrounding Howard. After I wrote my dissertation, they started a program of community forums, where students, alumni, and residents could come together to communicate about what they wanted from the neighborhood and how they could best forge relationships with each other.”
She also had a unique opportunity while at Howard: she applied for and was accepted as a graduate fellow for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. In this role, she was able to combine her background in research and communications to examine what students at all levels of education needed to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. She said the initiative was about giving students a seat at the table to talk about their needs. “After that summer, I was hooked,” she recalled. “I knew that whether I was in academia or industry post-Ph.D., I wanted to center public service in my career path.” After graduating from Howard and before she started working for NCC, Rivers worked for U.S Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee during his last year in o ce.
Rivers credits Hutchison with nurturing her critical thinking skills, which are central to her work these days. “While I was at Hutchison, the school’s tagline was ‘A Girl’s School of Thought.’ This was centered in our coursework and extracurricular activities,” she said. “At Hutchison, it was important to me to always think—to think outside of the box, to think about things from multiple perspectives, and to think ahead. This is something that I took with me, and I continue to apply to my daily life.”
photo by Kaveh Sardari
INTRODUCING THE
LAURIE FRASER STANTON LOYALTY SOCIETY
To recognize and honor the donors who have demonstrated their commitment and loyalty by giving to Hutchison for 10 or more years, we have established a new loyalty society. The society is named in honor of Laurie Fraser Stanton, the Class of 1965 Ideal Hutchison Girl who went on to serve her alma mater for 50 extraordinary years as a teacher and administrator. Like Laurie, the members of the loyalty society have provided steady and unwavering financial support that has anchored Hutchison for years.
In the fall, we inducted more than 1,000 parents, grandparents, alumnae, parents of alumnae, employees, and friends of the school into the Laurie Fraser Stanton Loyalty Society. Among this inaugural class of inductees were 61 faculty and sta . When asked why they invest time, talent, and treasure into Hutchison, here’s what some of our longtime faculty and sta had to say.
“ I like to put my money where I want to be a part of something. I want to be part of putting something good in the world, and I believe what Hutchison does for girls is extraordinary.”
– Katy Nair | Upper School
Back, L to R: Missy Prewitt, Nikki Wheaton, Caroline Willson, Gretchen Gintz, Lauren Colpitts, Maureen Collins, Jeanie Gibson, Maria Evans, Whitney Miller ’88, Lori Guy, Katharine Kent ’95, Shannon Manzi, Marianna Heimbach, Lane Clanton ’98, Catherine Chubb, Maggie Haire, Mary Aubrey Sta ord ’10, Helen Guyton ’05, Melissa Ivy, Bonner Morgan ’12, Cathy Barber, Donna Budynas, Beth Robison ’82, Lynn Erickson, Kenna Chelsoi, Roxie Sharp; Front: Susan Steinkamp, Kelly Parsons, Molly Prewitt ’05, Laurie Fraser Stanton Elliott ’65, Katy Nair, James Ross, Heather Fontana, and Lucy Wesson ’74
LOYALTY
“ I believe in what we do and the incredible impact we have on the lives of these girls. With my own daughter, I saw what you poured into her, how you championed her, and channeled her gi s.”
– Lynn Erickson | Early Childhood
“ I’ve been at Hutchison for 21 years, and I’ve seen how giving to the annual fund impacts what we’re able to do through our theater program and the experiences we’re able to create for our girls.”
– Jay Rapp | Middle School Arts and Theatre
time/talent/treasure
unwavering support
“ I’m so thankful to be here at Hutchison. Mr. (Louis) Hayden planted a seed in me when he hired me, and I continue to plant seeds (of generosity), because I know they will lead to something special.” – James Ross | Housekeeping Operations
Joy statue art by Abigail Snow ’17
Graduation
CLASS of 2023
by Jessica
Top honors for the Class of 2023: Loralei Forgette received Four Years, Top Honors, and Sarah Bartusch received Four Years, Second Honors. ere was a three-way tie for Senior Year, Top Honors and a four-way tie for Senior Year, Second Honors. e Senior Year, Top Honors recipients were Sarah Bartusch, Loralei Forgette, and Sarah Davis McAllister Katie Frazer, Callie Hutton, Angela Jacobs, and Eleanor Merchant received Senior Year, Second Honors. Kate Wunderlich earned the Edward P. Russell Award, given to a senior who through her leadership and devotion to Hutchison’s founding ideals brings honor to herself and the school. Ana Hunter received the Ideal Hutchison Girl Award, which is presented to a senior best representing the ideal woman as described in Proverbs 31. Isabelle Mansour delivered a speech as the Meg omas Student Speaker, selected by her classmates.
Eleanor Merchant, Sarah Bartusch, Isabelle Mansour, Kate Wunderlich, Katie Frazer, Dr. Kristen Ring, Angela Jacobs, Callie Hutton, Ana Hunter, Loralei Forgette, and Sarah Davis McAllister
photos
Coulson
Kendyl Brown and Dr. Ring
Hannah Good Crowley ’08 directs Vocal Point.
Shelton Vance, Isabelle Mansour, and Harper Vance
Nyla Johnson, Zain Amro, and Antonella Lejwa
Lilli Eggers, Anna-Margaret Webber, Laura Grace Sta ord, Sarah Bartusch, Eleanor Bridgforth, and Kolby Cohen
Left to right: Kem Wilson Jr., Norma Wilson, Grey Wilson ’27, Charles Snider, Ava Wilson ’23, Brad Snider, Gaines Snider ’23, Carey Wilson Snider ’91, Kiki Blackney ’35, Bradley Snider, Kem Wilson III, Elizabeth Wilson Pelly ’00, Libby Wilson, Evelyn Blackney ’34, McLean Wilson, Kem Wilson IV, and Katherine Wilson Blackney ’95
Parks Renovich, Gaby Yambrek, Hope Riney ’34, and Ella Woodmansee
Lucy Chiozza and Riley Coopwood
Sophie ’17, Eleanor, and Charlotte ’19 Merchant with their mother, Jenny Tibbs ’83
Juliet Tayloe, Ellaynakate Angelakis, McCadden Wilbourn, and Margaret Roux
Morgan Nichols and Carissa Williams ’35
William, William Jr., Juliet, Byars, and Kimberly Tayloe
Alacia Williams and Aleah Smith ’35
Zoe Zerwig Ford
Annabelle Flanders and Calder Trotz
Claiborne Collier and McLain Pogue
Liza Watson and Emma Abbay
Courtenay McAllister, Sarah Davis McAllister, Bess Bartusch, Sarah Bartusch, Laura Sta ord ’93, Laura Grace Sta ord, Claiborne Collier, and Ginger Collier
Tilly Marciano ’36 and Laura Grace Sta ord
Ashley Frazer and Katie Frazer
Gloria Bird and Claudia Damants
Mysha Khan ’34, CQ Gintz, and Grace Conway ’34
Katherine Luter, Aggie Muller, and Liza Watson
Eliza Hussey and Lilli Eggers
Emmy Walton and Palmer Smith ’36
Katherine DiMento, Eve-Elyse Hall, and Arabella Hall
Aggie Muller, Reese Godwin, Mary Faith Sharp, and Angela Jacobs
Sara Byrnes and Sarah Davis McAllister
Elizabeth Wilson Pelly ’00
Ellaynakate Angelakis and Mimi Whitehead ’34
Avery Arkle
Mary Johnston and Rivers Malmo ’35
Olivia McCarver and Ellie Berryhill ’34
Zoe Pelts and Ava-Brown Moore ’34
Brooke Fair and Taylor Smith ’34
Lily Wilson and Elizabeth Benitone ’35
Hollywood Evans, Kennedy Adeogba, and Natasha Berry-Evans
HUTCHISON
2023 GOLF SCRAMBLE
Presenting Sponsor
BLACK AND GOLD SPONSORS
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
STING SPONSORS FG3 Construction | Memphis Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry | Dobbs Management Service | Bank3 Reynolds, Bone, and Griesbeck | Memphis University School | The Marchant Family | AC Electric | The Marston Group, PLC | Colliers | Shoemaker Financial Grind City Realtor | Duncan Williams Asset Management
FLAG SPONSORS Weiss and Glassell Orthodontics | Greenfield Arena
HOLE SPONSORS Zenith Vascular and Fibroid Center | Athens Distributing | Diversified Trust | City Silo Table + Pantry | The Crump Firm Boyle Investment Company
IN-KIND SPONSORS
CONGRATULATIONS TO DOUG MARCHANT FOR HIS HOLE-IN-ONE ON #15!
Hutchison Athletics Director Caroline Schaefer ’08 with Susan Stephenson and Tommy Stephenson
Doug Marchant, Dale Jones, Barry Phillips, Je Drinan
THE HUTCHISON GOLF SCRAMBLE was held at Chickasaw Country Club on Monday, September 18. Over 125 golfers took to the course to raise funds for Hutchison Athletics. Special thanks to the sponsors, players, and volunteers that made this year’s event a big success.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2024 HUTCHISON GOLF SCRAMBLE
SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
2023 WINNERS!
9-HOLE
Closest to the Pin
Nancy Bailey
Longest Drive
Terri Herrmann
Championship Flight 1st Place
Barbie Meloni
Ginger Owings
Stephanie Hayes
Carrie Semmes
18-HOLE
Championship Flight 1st Place
Kittrell Smith
Michael Schaefer
Chris Yarbrough
Eric Beaty
Championship Flight 2nd Place
Frank Lequerica
Brian Leith
Chris Thompson
Rob Phillips
First Flight/ 1st Place
Andrew Phillips
Rob Tayloe
Ben Wunderlich
Jay Keras
Second Flight/ 1st Place
Dennis Ring
Josh Hammond
Morgan Hammond
Edward Dobbs
Closest to the Pin
Phillip Ellis
Longest Drive
Joe Cummings
Putting Contest
William Cox
Janet Wepfer Leavell ’78, Jeanne Bowen Hollis ’75, Selden Early Popwell ’79, Lisa Burkhalter Mitchum ’75
Congratulations to 18-hole Championship Flight winners Chris Yarbrough, Michael Schaefer, Kittrell Smith, and Eric Beaty.
Congratulations to 9-hole Championship Flight winners
Barbie Witte Meloni ’84, Ginger Owings, Carrie Semmes, and Stephanie Fuss Hayes ’82.
Shibahn Singh Rodda ’02, Marie Roberson, Nancy Bailey, Vicki Singh
Thomas Hussey, David Willmott, Tom Hutton, Mark Zizzman
Tommy Stephenson, Chad Cunningham, JP Zdancewicz, George Stuppy
Michelle Bolton, Kathy Albertine, Jeree Wheat, Ali Sinklular
by Paige Miller Photography
THE HUTCHISON TENNIS ROUND ROBIN was held at the Dunavant-Wellford Tennis Center on Monday, October 16. More than 80 tennis players took to the court to raise funds for Hutchison Athletics. Special thanks to the sponsors, players, and volunteers that made this year’s event a big success.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSOR
BLACK & GOLD SPONSORS
IN-KIND SPONSORS
COURT SPONSORS
Nancy Welsh Smith ’68
Jim Keras Automotive
iBank
The Adams Family
The Lewis Family
The Hammons Investment Group of Raymond James
The Mavar Family
The Sherman Family
Haygood Realty
OrthoSouth
First Horizon Bank
American Material Handling
Wright Construction Company
Linda and Gerhard Boehm
Photo
Overall champion Elizabeth Morrow Carlisle ’06 with Dr. Kristen Ring
Natalie McClure, Angie Deupree, Lindsay Horner Lewis ’99, Dr. Kristen Ring, Brooke Parker Justice ’04, Raquel Grady, Hattie Rounder
Lale Adams and Julie Dunavant
Brie Brolin and Sophie Good Edwards ’05
JJ Keras with Dr. Kristen Ring and Phil Chamberlain
Lindsay Horner Lewis ’99 and Molly Beard
90s Party
Golden Bees Social
Ole Miss Tailgate
McLean Schae er Doughtie ’93, Farrar Schae er Vaughn ’95, Kristen Ring, Alex Turner ’91, Amanda Eckels Goetze ’94
Anne Samaha Dunavant ’98, Molly Dorman Flynn ’98
Laurie Morrison Jackson ’90, Jennifer McCarty-Finkel ’90
Sonya Brummet Pollard ’91, Alex Turner ’91, Paula Nolley Mitchell ’91
Chris Wright Wilson ’68, Kristen Ring, Brenda Chandler Cooke ’66
Catherine Chubb, Carey Madison Moore ’64
Christy Smith Muller ’91, Mary Aubrey Landrum Sta ord ’10, Josie Butler ’20, Brooke Grissinger ’20, Bailey Roux ’20, Elizabeth Grinder ’21, Sally Martin ’21, Katherine Redd ’21, Mackenzie Daniel
Dale Meanley Lozier ’65, Mary Aubrey Landrum Sta ord ’10
Young Alums
Back, L to R; Audrey Webster ’09, Shelton Wittenberg ’14, Rebecca Ruleman Mink ’09, Lee Leavell ’09, Rachel Atkins Montague ’09, Sarah Vogelfanger Travis ’09, Neely Leavell ’12, Bonner Williams Morgan ’12, Caroline Hughes Robinson ’12, Jules Jordan ’12, Abigail Snow ’17, Brinkley Raby ’17, Heather Guglietti ’18, Paige Patteson ’19, Kristen Ring, Lucas Crow ’19, Weezie Ste ner Pouget ’11, Anna Lane ’11, Kendra Powers ’10, Amelia Brown Williamson ’10, Katherine Hammond ’10, Katy Nair, Mary Aubrey Landrum Sta ord ’10; Front, L to R; Lauren Ray Easter ’09, Megan Marchant Dillon ’09, Daria Letcher ’17, Irene Keeney ’19, Meredith Taylor ’10, Stephanie Wharton Stephens ’10, Taylor Williams Ivers ’10
Taylor Williams Ivers ’10, Meredith Taylor ’10, Kendra Powers ’10
Nashville
Bonner Williams Morgan ’12, Neely Leavell ’12, Shelton Wittenberg ’14
Heather Guglietti ’18, Paige Patteson ’19
Back, L to R; Estie Woodall Harris ’79, Kristen Ring, Faith Egedegbe ’22, Talia Morris ’22, Marion McCorkle Bradford ’85, Laurel Scruggs Ditto ’93, Corinne Williams ’17, Elizabeth Coe Wade ’96, Courtney Schae er ’17, Mary Catherine Hughes ’10, Caché Truitt ’14, Collyn McHorris Wainwright ’87, Lauren Stallworth Imbrosciano ’05, Catherine Folk Dowdle ’03, Emily Howe Gianis ’09, Ashley Ferguson Waltemath ’94, Kelly Fisher ’78, Julie Ferguson Trapp ’90; Front, L to R; Paula Ilabaca McGowan ’98, Lisa Patton Southard ’76, Adelaide Thornton ’08, Virginia Grayson ’08, Isabella Beyer ’22, Shelley Grayson ’06, Haley Putman Grisanti ’15, Caroline Pollard Lancaster ’17, Ellen Dennis ’07, Shelley Ploch Spainhour ’05, Alessandra Corona Belmonte ’09
PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING ALUMNAE
Sally Hughes Smith ’64 recently had an exhibition of plein-air oil paintings on display at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens in Memphis. It was her 54th one-woman exhibit!
Anne Kirkpatrick ’77 was sworn in as the first woman to hold a permanent appointment as the chief of police in New Orleans. She previously served as interim chief, when Mayor LaToya Cantrell appointed her. Prior to her move to New Orleans, Anne was chief of departments in Spokane, Washington, and Oakland, California.
Dr. Lisa Stanford ’78 started a new position as Vice Chair in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Professor of PM&R at the University of Pittsburgh.
Susan Springfield ’82, who is senior executive vice president and chief credit o cer of First Horizon National Corporation, continues to be recognized as one of the most influential women in banking. She was recently invited to participate on a Women in Banking panel, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, where they discussed the unique position of being female in finance. The keynote speaker of the event was Penny Pennington, the managing partner of the investment
company Edward Jones. After the event, Susan and Penny discovered they are second cousins—their grandfathers were brothers.
Amanda Johnson Walker ’91 accepted a position as Chief Operating O cer of Nephrology Associates, serving the renal patients of middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky.
Kelly Rodney Arnold ’96 will receive the 2024 College of Medicine Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, the most prestigious award given by the Alumni
Association. The award is selected by committee and recognizes graduates who have achieved distinction in their particular discipline.
Catherine Austin Hook ’99 won the 2023 Nurse Excellence Award in Leadership at the annual nursing celebration at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis. She is a head nurse in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit where she has worked for eight years.
Naja Shabazz ’01 started a new job with the Department of the Navy as an Interior Designer.
Molly McDonald Marciano ’02 and her husband, Riccardo, opened Little Italy in June 2023. They say the restaurant is a celebration of the rich cultural exchange between Italy, Memphis, and New York City, which is quite fitting since Molly is from Memphis, Riccardo is from Italy, and the two met while living in NYC.
Susan Springfield and cousin Penny Pennington
Molly continues to work as a business development manager in medical aesthetics.
Stephanie Foley Eady ’04 is opening her own law practice in Palm Beach, Florida, focusing on residential and commercial real estate law.
Huxley Brown Maury ’04 will start a new job in January 2024 as VP of Human Resources at Mercer Capital in Memphis.
Ann Magnus Sneed ’04 is now the Marketing Manager for Tennis Memphis. She is excited for their growth with the opening of the new Leftwich Tennis Center.
Rebekah Hill Tashie ’04 and husband, Scott, opened their restaurant City Silo Table + Pantry in Little Rock, Arkansas, in September. This is their third City Silo location and first outside of Memphis.
Renee Parker Sekander ’13 is now serving as the executive assistant to new Memphis Mayor Paul Young. She’s been working for candidates across the country for years and now has the honor of working for Memphis’s mayor. She is supporting Young’s transition team to develop action items and recommendations for his first year in o ce, managing his schedule, and serving as his right hand.
Dorothy Oehmler ’14 recently finished her degree in International Theatre Performance and Practice in London. She studied acting, writing, and directing and spent the last year writing Migraine: The Musical, which she successfully showcased as her final project. She plans to stay in London and start work as a dramaturg and script editor, which she says she has been training for since she was at Hutchison when she would help her friends with their scripts.
Maeji Brown ’18 is now a certified group fitness instructor. She finished her MBA in May and shortly after had
surgery to repair a torn labrum in her hip. During her post-operation recovery, she studied for the certification program. She says that fitness has been a great outlet for her since wrapping up her collegiate golf career.
Mary Demere ’19 works in the communications department for the Memphis Grizzlies. Her responsibilities include helping with press conferences, recording and transcribing interviews with players and coaches, and distributing player stats to media and coaching sta .
Irene Keeney ’19 recently joined the Tennessee Shakespeare Company as a Classical Theatre Apprentice.
Emma Nair ’19 recently started as a day-to-day manager in the music industry in Los Angeles. She currently helps manage four artists at Bailey Blues Management.
LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK
Please share your latest professional achievements and news so your fellow classmates will know what you are doing. Send professional news and photos to alumnae@hutchisonschool. org. The deadline for the next magazine is Friday, April 19, 2024
PARENTS of ALUMNAE: If your publication is addressed to your daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumnae Office of her new mailing address at (901) 762-6664.
