Frederick Gunn School Voices
Tabitha Simmons P’22 with sons Dylan McDean, left, and Elliott McDean ’22, right.
For more than 170 years, the vision Frederick Gunn articulated has inspired the lives of all of us who are a part of The Frederick Gunn School community. In January, we caught up with Tabitha Simmons P’22 to inquire about her family’s experience at Gunn. Simmons is a New York-based stylist, designer, creative director, a fashion editor at Vogue. She has two sons, Dylan and Elliott McDean ’22.
Q: Why did you choose The Frederick Gunn School?
Q: How has Elliott grown in his time at The Frederick Gunn School?
A: I remember when Elliott and I did quite a lot of tours; we
A: He’s actually really enjoyed learning much more than where he
did day schools as well as boarding. He saw the engineering
was. He has recognized his strengths and weaknesses, and I think he’s
department [at Gunn] and his eyes lit up. He really loved
become a lot more independent. It sort of sets you up for college. I’ve
that. He loved the community and the atmosphere of the
seen a real shift in that. He’s really self-advocating. I think he’s really
school. We loved that it was small. It has great advantages
enjoyed school.
because you know everybody in the school. He’s friends with freshmen as well as seniors. He’s doing entrepreneurship,
Q: What are your hopes and dreams for Elliott?
which he’s absolutely loved. I think Mr. Becker is a
A: I want my children to be really happy and well-adjusted. I hope he
phenomenal Head of School. I think he’s brilliant, and he’s
does something that he loves. I hope he takes on something he really
another reason we chose the school.
loves in college. I hope he does something he’s really passionate about so he won’t have to work a day in his life.
Spring 2022
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