FALL 2010
In the very first yearbook of The Ethel Walker School— The Pepperpot—there is a wonderful description of Ethel Walker and her first class of students at dinner one evening:
A MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL BESSIE SPEERS
“On a certain memorable evening in October, a solemn little group of eleven girls took their places about a cheerful and pretty table. At the head of the table sat Miss Walker, bravely trying to conceal with smiles her inner agitation and terror.”
All of us who are teachers and educators can relate to this vignette because it so honestly portrays the amazing privilege and responsibility of educating the minds and hearts of talented students, whom we want so much to prepare for life. In 1911 The Ethel Walker School opened its doors to ten girls, seven teachers, and one dog. Because of the courage and vision of our founder, we now are entering the 100th year of The Ethel Walker School and will celebrate the Centennial in style on October 1, 2011—a date corresponding to the very first day of School 100 years ago! As the 16th Head of Walker’s, it is an extraordinary privilege to invite you to celebrate this Centennial milestone with friends, alumnae, students, parents, and trustees from all over the world. We have talented and diverse committees planning many activities and events leading up to our
Centennial Celebration. This year begins with a Founder’s Chapel on October 6. This first Centennial newsletter presents highlights of the year’s activities scheduled to follow that opening event. We look forward to sharing photos with you throughout the year and hope that our Centennial newsletters will keep you abreast of Centennial plans for the year ahead. We want to bottle the excitement for you and send it to you throughout the year. We always welcome your ideas and of course hope that you will mark October 1, 2011, on your calendars now. Our Centennial Co-Chairs are hard at work on this birthday party of a century and look forward to sending you an official invitation. In the meantime, we are proud to present our Centennial logo, which was designed by the North Charles Street Design Organization, a Baltimore firm, in collaboration with the
Centennial Co-Chair Committee and School. The logo embodies the grace and elegance of Walker’s without being too formal or austere. Walker’s is grounded in academic excellence, which is central to our mission. We also believe in educating the whole person in mind, body, and spirit. The Centennial logo represents the strength of our mission with the solid pillar of the Sundial in the center, while around the perimeter are references to the history and tradition that make this community strong and vibrant. We are also committed to marking Walker’s Centennial in a way that reaches beyond our campus and ourselves. My belief is that a true Centennial must reaffirm Walker’s commitment to making a difference in the world; certainly countless Walker’s alumnae have done so effectively in their communities by using their determination, intellect, and passion.