PERSPECTIVES THE MAGAZINE OF ASHLEY HALL
S P R I N G 2 01 6
"Social justice means everyone should be extended equal respect. People should not be judged or stereotyped by their appearance or background."
TA B LE O F CO N T E N TS
1 ASHLEY HALL BOARD of TRUSTEES 2015—2016
PERSPECTIVES T H E M A G A Z I N E of A S H L E Y H A L L
OFFICERS Chairman | Wade Scott Parker Vice Chairman | Brett Hildebrand Secretary | Heidi Ward Ravenel ’74
SPRING 2016
TABLE of CONTENTS
Treasurer | Hugh C. Lane, Jr.
02 Headlines | Head of School, Jill Muti
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
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Susanne Buck Cantey ’95 Emmie Aichele Dawson ’70 Ann W. Dibble ’70 Ceara Donnelley Randolph J. Friedman Kenneth W. Harrell Philip L. Horn, Jr. Laurie A. Host ’73 Elizabeth Powers Lindh ’67 Kevin W. Mooney Sunil J. Patel, MD Anne Tamsberg Pope Barton A. Proctor Jerry Reves, MD (Immediate Past Chairman) Artie I. Richards
Open The Windows
08 Beautifully Said 10 All In It Together 16
Asking The Hard Questions
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Her Presidential Inaugural Speech
22 Alumnae Profile: Andrea Zucker '99 25
Barbara Bush Visit
28
The Loyalty Fund
30
The Social Scene
32
Class Notes
36
News from the Alumnae Relations Office
Emily Moloney Swanson John E. Thompson TRUSTEES EMERITI Mary Agnes Burnham Hood Martha Rivers Ingram ’53 Patricia T. Kirkland Elizabeth Rivers Lewine ’54 Karen Jenkins Phillips ’79 J. Conrad Zimmerman, Jr. HEAD OF SCHOOL Jill Swisher Muti
EDITOR Paula Edwards Harrell harrellp@ashleyhall.org GRAPHIC DESIGN Stitch Design, Co. stitchdesignco.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Dr. Nick Bozanic, Stephanie Hunt PHOTOGRAPHY: Meredith Adkins, Anne Jervey Rhett Photography, Wendy Robbins
Please forward any address changes to: Ashley Hall | 172 Rutledge Avenue | Charleston, SC 29403
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“(Miss McBee) clearly understood, and fully believed, that a 'just' world was only achievable when society valued ethical responsibility and lived with an observant eye to the world and the manner in which it treated its citizens.”
H E A D LIN E S
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Dear Ashley Hall Family,
J IL L MUTI Ashley Hall Head of School
As we began work on this issue of Perspectives with its theme of social justice, I couldn’t help but think of Mary Vardrine McBee who founded Ashley Hall in 1909. Miss McBee and her progressive world view set the stage for a culture of inclusion and social responsibility at Ashley Hall. In the early 1900s few women were leading the charge for change as vigorously as Miss McBee did. Most obvious and meaningful to Ashley Hall was her tireless dedication to the college preparatory education of young Southern women.
Miss McBee pushed to alter the plight of not only women
conscious responsibility that is manifested in a young
and their limited opportunities but also society at large.
student’s thoughts and actions and to inculcate a strong
Considered a maverick in Charleston with her impassioned
desire to achieve a more “just” society. In a peek inside the
desire to break down barriers and social norms, Miss
Upper School humanities course, Class, Race, and Gender,
McBee served on the board of the local hospital and was
we offer you a view of the manner in which our senior girls
instrumental in establishing the Charleston Free Library,
have grappled with the complex topics of global oppression,
later to be known as the Public Library. She clearly
heated racial issues, and gender inequity. In fact, we
understood, and fully believed, that a “just” world was only
recently saw this spring—in dramatic form—the theme of
achievable when society valued ethical responsibility and
individual and societal rights explored in a riveting theatrical
lived with an observant eye to the world and the manner in
performance by our student ensemble of The Burial at
which it treated its citizens. It is this perspective that Miss
Thebes, an adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone from 2,000
McBee impressed upon the school’s early 20th century
years ago.
student body through her own actions and experiences of cultural exploration. She is known to have traveled widely
Sophocles’ words remind us that a quest for social justice
with the girls, even unwittingly becoming stranded in Europe
is not a new world imperative, but rather one civilization
for a short period of time at the beginning of World War II.
has faced throughout eternity. This is precisely why it is
Our girls still reap the benefits of her vision and progressive
crucial that we are diligent about weaving this value into
thinking today!
all that we do at Ashley Hall. In fact, it is our duty to hold true to our enduring mission, founded and championed
It is precisely because of the history and tradition of this
by pioneers like Miss McBee, as we continue to educate
remarkable educational institution that we are called to
the future generations of girls to be independent, ethically
take on sensitive topics and issues in a manner that serves
responsible, and prepared to meet the challenges of society
to inform our students and nurtures strong leaders for
with confidence.
tomorrow. In the article, Open the Windows (page 4), we are reminded that the function of a school is to cultivate
Kind regards,
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This year, Ashley Hall’s first grade class made significant contributions towards a more just world. Through their support of Water Mission, a non-profit dedicated to providing safe water solutions to global communities, the girls participated in the annual Walk for Water and raised more than $2,000 through campus fundraisers. The amount raised is equivalent to providing four families with a flushing toilet.
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It is no longer possible—if in fact it ever was—to regard any field of human understanding as ethically neutral. Learning is, after all, an activity engaging not only the mind but also the body: learning (or the absence of it) informs how we conduct ourselves in the world. As an activity, learning has consequences that reach far beyond the walls of any classroom, consequences that cannot be measured by standardized tests but only by the singular test of one’s own experience of one’s actions. From this perspective, the journalist and social critic Sydney J. Harris’ remark that “The whole purpose of education is to turn
In order for a school to perform this transformation of mirrors into windows, it must promote curricula that affords students daily opportunities to engage with others in ways that foster that “ethical dimension.”
mirrors into windows” is especially cogent. This metaphor of turning away from self-regard and toward an opening outward onto the world that simultaneously permits the outer world to
Such practices need not be especially dramatic. The musician’s
enter us. This reminds us so clearly that the function of a school
daily rehearsal of basic scales and skills might not captivate an
is to cultivate conscious responsibility for one’s thoughts and
audience, but such practice is the only way for that musician to
deeds. This engagement with the world beyond the obsession
achieve the level of competence and confidence required for her
with one’s own interests and desires is crucial for our moral and
to one day give a captivating performance.
ethical development. As the late 18th-century German poet Novalis suggested, “The seat of the soul is where the outer world
In much the same way, an Ashley Hall student’s daily
and the inner world meet. Where they overlap, it is in every point
participation in a Harkness Table discussion gradually
of the overlap.” Or as the late Italian philosopher and novelist
strengthens her ability—and willingness—to listen with both
Umberto Eco once put it—somewhat more succinctly, “The
critical and compassionate understanding of others’ points of
ethical dimension begins when the other appears on the scene.”
view. Even the pre-schooler’s practice of observational drawing
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encourages her to look out upon the world around her with
These offerings, as well as our established STEAM program
eager attention rather than to submit passively to a prescribed
in the Intermediate Program and Upper Schools, enable
‘paint-by-numbers’ project.
students to gain direct experience of those technologies that are shaping and reshaping the world around them. At the same
Sydney Harris’ metaphor applies with special cogency to the
time, and no less importantly, we offer students—through our
role of technology in the classroom. On the one hand, all of
PAWS program—developmentally appropriate guidance in and
those ubiquitous screens we spend so much time in front of
instruction in the ethical issues arising from the use of these new
can and do function as mirrors in which we gaze upon our own
technologies, particularly those tools that can both enhance and
reflections, the existence of others noted only in so far as they
imperil our social interactions.
enhance our self-regard with a quick click of the ‘thumbs up’ icon. Not to mention, of course, the all-too aptly named “selfie.”
The implications of these and related developments are not strictly speaking technological in themselves so much as they
But it is also the case that these same technologies can serve
are matters of ethical and judicial significance. It is in courses
as windows onto the world, helping us to see directly into the
such as Class, Race, and Gender, Advanced Placement American
lives of others in ways never before possible—for good and for
History, and Human Rights and International Law that many of
ill. Such access to the lives of others has conjured entirely new
these issues are addressed. Similarly, consideration of the range
ethical challenges, challenges arising at ever-earlier ages, before
of possible consequences arising from environmental changes
children have developed the emotional and intellectual maturity
such as global warming, toxic waste, and excessive consumption
to comprehend fully the implications of their on-line behavior.
of natural resources must be and are integral to the study of the sciences themselves.
That is one reason why Ashley Hall has adopted a formal Digital Citizenship Philosophy as an instrument for articulating
It is certainly the case that both the curricula and the culture
our code of right conduct and for establishing a conceptual
of Ashley Hall constitute an environment suitable for the
framework for implementing policies defining appropriate
conversion of self-conscious ‘mirrors’ into self-aware and
use of technology both in and out of the classroom. It is also
self-confident ‘windows’. For only when we open ourselves to
why we strive to work with parents to monitor student use of
others can we really begin to experience the world as a feeling
social media, even as we continually review and assess our own
subject. Purely objective, abstract knowing is divorced from
curricular applications of technological tools and practices
human—humane—existence. We must escape the too narrowly
at every grade level. The benefits of social media are easily
constraining demands of the self—that very narrow “I”—in order
matched by their potential dangers, so it is incumbent upon all
to enjoy the fullness of being in the world.
of us charged with the education of children to be vigilant in insuring that students understand the lasting consequences
In her discussion of this past year’s Academy Award winning
of their on-line behaviors before they are granted access to
film Son of Saul, Katalin Balog, reflecting on the Danish
those tools.
philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, notes: “There is less of a tendency for modern humans to live thoroughly immersed in
On a more fundamental and more practical level, Ashley Hall
life, experiencing it, and more of a tendency of being mostly
provides students essential training in 21st-century skills
distracted by its abstractions, by all the ways our culture
ranging from basic keyboarding to more advanced applications
conceptually frames our existence as individuals, Democrats
in math and science, as well as in disciplines demanding
and Republicans, man and women, one percenters, workers,
extensive research. Beginning in the fall of 2016, Ashley Hall will
consumers, and so on. And here, as a result, is the problem:
be offering Advanced Placement Computer Science and a new
by becoming less subjective, we become more cut off from
course in the mathematics of complexity and interconnection,
sources of meaning and value.” (The New York Times,
a component of which will be instruction in computer coding.
February 28, 2016)
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So, in all we do, from global studies programs to our various
At Ashley Hall we strive to restore ourselves to that more thorough immersion in life.
visiting artists events, from the
So too, our Community Action Initiative, our student-run
Early Education Center’s liberating
activities, all remind us that we are not isolated individuals but
Reggio-Emilia practices to the
Philanthropy Board and even our Big Sister–Little Sister fully engaged citizens of the world, striving always— and in all ways—to become an agent in service to the solutions we seek
recycling programs in every
rather than a perpetuator of the problems that bedevil us.
division, Ashley Hall emphasizes
Our success in this important endeavor depends finally upon our
the vital importance of turning
communal commitment to Ashley Hall’s mission to produce an
one’s attention outward.
prepared to meet the challenges of society with confidence. All of
educated woman who is independent, ethically responsible, and us must continuously renew our determination to practice the rewarding habits of mind and spirit that combined will enable
Above left: Select Upper School students traveled to Russia in January
us to face seemingly overwhelming difficulties with confidence.
for a global conference for high school students. Similar to Model United
Throughout this issue of Perspectives you will discover just how
Nations, the conference focused on water scarcity and international terrorism. Above right: STEAM programming comes to life in the Lower School classroom.
this commitment to “making windows” is being realized every day at Ashley Hall.
✌
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Beautifully SAID
N AT I O N A L B OO K AWARD-WINNING PO E T AND ACT IVIST, NI K KY F I N N E Y, H E ADLINE S S PRING WRIT E RS S E RIE S
B E AU T IFU LLY SA ID
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On March 9, Nikky Finney mesmerized a capacity audience gathered in the Sottile-Thompson Recital Hall to hear the poet read from her distinguished body of work. The Upper School’s History Department Chair, Mary Webb, provided a beautiful introduction for Ms. Finney that set the stage for what was one of the most memorable installments in the school’s Writers Series. Upper School faculty member and alumna, Mary Web '76.
It is with great pleasure that Ashley Hall welcomes poet and
create a mental image that will stop you in your tracks.
historian, Nikky Finney. She is the author of four books of
Begin each poem with a quickened heartbeat, prickling palms, a
poetry, On Wings Made of Gauze (1985), Rice (1995), The World
feeling of anticipation, even a slight sense of tension because
is Round (2003) and is the National Book Award Winner for poetry for Head Off and Split (2011). As many have done before
Nikky Finney is visual and visceral, a
me, I urge you to listen to her 2011 acceptance speech for the
photographer on two levels, documenting
National Book Award on YouTube. The speech opens with an eloquent history lesson on the deliberate suppression of literacy
life from behind the lens and using words
through South Carolina’s early slave codes.
to create indelible pictures.
In 2007, Ms. Finney also edited the collection, Black Poets Lean South. She is the recipient of the PEN Open Book Award and
In fact, she uses an old blackboard and chalk when writing. She
the Benjamin Franklin Award for Poetry. She currently holds
needs that board, she is writing in three dimensions.
the John H. Bennett, Jr. Chair in Creative Writing and Southern Letters at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
If you think that there are no images more devastating than the photographs taken during Hurricane Katrina, then read the
In her preface to her poetry collection Rice, she states, “My first
images in her poem, Left.
breaths were drawn, my first words coaxed on a triangle patch of sandy land called South Carolina. This was land that the Indians
In Dancing with Strom Ms. Finney watches from her vantage
first inhabited and that Black folks, Africans, had made. I was
point on a balcony above the dance floor as a primary proponent
born to a land thick with Spanish moss and swamp, cypress and
of segregation dances below her at her brother’s wedding.
live oak, and in its day, slavery and many a rice field.” She spent her early years on the coast where both her mother and her
For ten seconds I consider dancing with Strom.
father were active in the community and in civil rights.
His Confederate hands touch
every shoulder, finger, back that I love.
It was, however, after leaving South Carolina for Talledega College that Nikky Finney began to explore what is, in her
Read this in juxtaposition with her reflections on the removal
words, the “great intersection between art, history, and culture”.
of the Confederate Flag from the State House Grounds in her
It was here that she was inspired by Hale Woodruff’s Amistad
poem, A New Day Dawns.
Murals and began to find her niche as a writer. Whether she is describing the balancing act of her role as In the evocative words of author Thomas Sayers Ellis, “No
a daughter or revealing the tightrope walk of many black
one opens a vein on a page with a sharper… set of senses than
Southerners, she excels. Nikky Finney reveals our complicated
Nikky Finney.” As you will hear tonight every word is curated,
history through her eyes. Ashley Hall is honored to
its meanings parsed. You never know which word or words will
welcome her.
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ALL IN IT TOGETHER A Conversation on Education, Opportunity and Making a Difference with Jill Muti and Ben Navarro
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Less than two miles from Ashley Hall’s historic, oak-shaded campus, there’s an equally historic school, one with no tree canopy, no centuries-old architecture. It’s boxy and brick and sits boldly right up-front on the curb, and it’s barely seven years old. The pre-k through 5th grade Meeting Street Academy is historic because it’s the first of its kind in South Carolina—breaking new ground in breaking barriers to achievement.
Charleston businessman Ben Navarro founded Meeting Street Academy (MSA) with a radically simple notion: all children, regardless of zip code or family income, deserve an excellent education, and all children, when given the proper resources, have the ability to excel in the classroom. Think of it as a variation of Ashley Hall’s PQV—girls with the will have the ability—except at MSA, where Navarro and his team have invested private funds to ensure adequate educational and support resources, it might better be augmented as all children who have the opportunity, and the will, have the ability. In 2014, Ashley Hall and MSA formed a mutually beneficial partnership that underscores Ashley Hall’s commitment to community engagement. The partnership achieves four goals: first and foremost, it offers MSA graduates who meet Ashley Hall admission requirements the opportunity to continue on a strong educational path (today there are six MSA scholars at Ashley Hall); it gives students at both schools opportunities to interact and broaden their peer groups; it allows Ashley Hall’s Offshore Leadership Program participants to further hone leadership skills through mentoring and tutoring younger MSA students; and it leverages Ashley Hall resources to enhance enrichment opportunities within the community, such as offering an afterschool strings program for MSA students. There is also hope that this unique coming together of an established independent school like Ashley Hall with a start-up public/private initiative like Meeting Street Schools might serve as a model for bridging educational opportunity gaps in Charleston... and beyond.
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The following excerpts from a conversation between
BN: Exactly. I don’t think we have a responsibility to
Jill Muti (JM) and Ben Navarro (BN) reflect on how
the children of our country to guarantee success, but
this partnership continues to evolve and how this model
we sure as heck have a responsibility to guarantee an
might expand and reap broader benefits. Throughout
opportunity. And if you look at kids who happen to be
the conversation, Muti’s and Navarro’s shared vision
born into a certain neighborhood and thus never have a
and passion for educational excellence is a common
chance to get a great education—how can that possibly
theme, as is their belief that investing in excellence
be fair? How can we possibly live with that?
and opportunity for all children, regardless of whether they attend an independent, well-resourced school or a
JM: Especially in a nation we call a democracy.
struggling public school, is fundamental for democracy.
When we’re talking about how to build a community generationally, it has to be through education. It just
BN: You know, Jill, I clearly remember when you teared
does. After we first met, I wanted every girl who came
up talking about your passion for these Meeting Street
through MSA to have the opportunity to come to Ashley
kids and their potential—you made me tear up, too! But
Hall if she met the criteria. But I knew that if I really
the fact that the community of Ashley Hall was the first
wanted this to work we needed a compelling way to
to step up and want to help was crucial because it got
stabilize funding for the program.
others in the community excited too, and it helped solve my main concern: I knew how to give these MSA kids a strong start (with great teachers and all the MSA-extras that we provide from pre-k through 5th grade), but a strong start doesn’t mean a strong finish. What kept me up at night was what the heck was going to happen to them after the 5th grade? We were going to spend $125,000 per kid but who was going to be the steward of that investment once they were finished at MSA?
We have six MSA kids at Ashley Hall today, and this has really been the blueprint for how other schools can interact with us. It allows us to say “Look, this works…” – Ben Navarro
JM: I was very excited that you were so open to taking a look at what were the very best early childhood education practices, to looking at our Reggio-Emilia
So I asked myself, could we come up with an
program and creative play and to exploring what it could
amortization schedule that would take an MSA girl all
mean for our two schools working together. I believe
the way through Ashley Hall after 5th grade, and could I
more than anything else that great education should be
connect a donor to make that happen? And I could.
a right in a great democracy. It’s simply not acceptable that if a three or four-year-old doesn’t get certain
So I talked to my husband, Lorenzo, and said I really
basics by the time they’re five or six, they already have
wanted us to be the first scholarship donor, and he said,
challenges that for some will be insurmountable. We
“Absolutely!” Then I went to the Board of Trustees with
know, for a fact, that if you don’t invest in kids when they
this model, and by the end of the board meeting, I had
are young, you then are constantly trying to make up for
the program funded for the first year. For our donors, it’s
lost opportunities, and this is what is so exciting to me,
been great because it’s an opportunity to affect a child’s
and to our faculty, about what you and MSA
life in a very demonstrative way for a reasonable amount
are addressing.
of money.
TH A LL E IN LE A ITR N TO INGGE TH S PIR E RA L
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Swim lessons are an exciting part of the Ashley Hall and Meeting Street program.
BN: We have six MSA kids at Ashley Hall today, and this
that level of commitment from someone who actually
has really been the blueprint for how other schools can
understands education and understands what we’re
interact with us. It allows us to say, “Look, this works,
trying to do is incredibly powerful.
these kids can do the work, and they can fit into your school culturally.” This has been huge in helping place
JM: For these partnerships to be successful, we have to
MSA graduates in other schools after 5th grade, which
recognize the strength of what we all bring to the table.
we successfully did last year.
What’s really beautiful about this partnership is that it’s been exactly that, a partnership. Our girls coming off our
And I would argue that what your donors are doing is
leadership program work with the 3rd graders at MSA
making an investment in the child and also a heck of an
on their campus and ours. That benefits everyone—to
investment in the future of Ashley Hall. I don’t think its
have a meaningful role doing something purposeful in
any different from fixing up a building or having another
the community and learning very specific skills.
resource available to kids. If you look at the world we live in today, at the political climate and the divisiveness—it’s
BN: One of the things I admire most is that it’s never
a lot about the haves and the have-nots. So how do we
felt like one group is coming over to help the other. It’s
make it a fair system? By giving them access.
always felt like an interaction.
But to be clear, this takes leadership and Ashley Hall
JM: Yes, we’re really doing it together, because we are all
stepping up makes an enormous difference. To have
in this together! (continued on page 15)
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Enhancing the Partnership The Carolina Strings Academy (CSA) has been making beautiful music in the Charleston community for more than a decade. An offshoot of Ashley Hall’s renowned arts program, the CSA reaches beyond the school’s student body, offering students from around the Lowcountry the opportunity to experience exceptional music instruction in violin, viola, cello and guitar. Enter strings instructor, Liz Dinwiddie. Just in her first year as Director of the CSA at Ashley Hall, Liz’s wealth of experience, including a Doctorate in Music Education from Indiana University, has allowed her to cover extensive territory in a short period of time. When she learned about the Ashley Hall and Meeting Street partnership, she knew exactly what needed to happen. “At IU, there was a professor who partnered with local under-resourced elementary schools and taught music. She then trained grad students, including myself, to work with her as part of a teacher training program. It was hugely popular and very successful. I saw dramatic changes in these young minds through the power of music. I had a strong feeling this could work with MSA.”
"Social justice means
Beginning this past fall, Liz and Upper School strings students who serve as teaching assistants have been visiting MSA twice weekly for an after-school strings
that no matter what race,
class. For an hour each day, they work with a group
gender, sexual orientation,
anywhere from 6 to 14 students due to the after-
of 2nd through 5th graders—a group that could range
religion, or nationality you are
school nature of the program—who have no formal
identified with, you are human
themselves to its possibilities.
"
and will be treated as such.
music training but week after week beautifully open
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BN: I had a strong hunch when we started the school that every kid could be successful in the classroom but I didn’t have the facts to back it up. Ten years later, it’s a slam-dunk. Every kid in the MSA first graduating class went to an excellent school. They’re proving they can do it. For a girl who grows
“It’s truly a win-win situation,” explains Head of School,
up on the East Side of Charleston to be able to attend a school like Ashley Hall with the caliber of its
Jill Muti. “The goal is to help prepare these MSA
graduates and reputation in the community is game
students, through exposure to music and arts education,
changing. It’s game changing for them, but I think
for success in all future pursuits, whether they are at
it’s also game changing for Ashley Hall.
Ashley Hall, the School of the Arts, or elsewhere. Under the tutelage of Liz, the program also provides terrific
JM: The real beauty is that "everybody wins…" It can
teaching experience and pedagogy skills to our Upper
be hard to be an independent school educator and
School strings students. I think they’re enjoying it as much as the MSA students.”
want to make a difference in the broader community, but to have the outlet to try some things and be part of a larger dialogue is to a great degree what Ashley
Molly Brockinton ’19 began playing the violin in kindergarten and now mentors the MSA music students. “I can completely relate to their experience,” says Molly. “The frustration of practice and then the joy of making beautiful sound. Watching them grow and feel more confident is the best feeling! “
Hall has always been about. What I’m interested in is can we, through real programs and trial and error, leverage this in a larger way to change the state of education in SC?
Yes, we in the independent school world can play a part in what
As the Ashley Hall and MSA partnership continues to grow and evolve, so does the opportunity for impact. From MSA students performing in the annual Strings
happens next for these kids (after 5th grade) but the dialogue needs
Fling to designing a special summer program between
to be larger. I’m excited, though,
the two schools, the possibilities are endless—as is the
that in Charleston our partnership
spirit of any great artist!
is creating a model that is already Upper School students work with young musicians from Meeting Street Academy.
expanding, and I’m optimistic that in time it will expand elsewhere too. - Jill Muti
✌ ONLINE EXTRA!
TO VIEW ADDITIONAL EXCERPTS OF THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN JILL MUTI AND BEN NAVARRO, GO TO WWW.ASHLEYHALL.ORG/ STUDENT-ADVANTAGE/
AS K IN G TH E H A R D Q U E STIO N S
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ASKING THE
It’s the beginning of a new school year. A group of Senior girls gather round the Harkness Table eager to begin a class—a journey if you will—that will have them grappling with complex social issues and ultimately sharpening their ability to critically access social constructs and barriers to equality: oppression and privilege, race relations, gender issues. Those are challenging issues. But the girls are eager to dive in, opening themselves up to the consideration of other views and potentially refining their own personal belief systems in the process. Launched in 2013, Class, Race, and Gender is a semester-long humanities elective. “The class produces a great number of
CLASS, RACE, AND GENDER EXAMINED
questions with no easy answers,” shares instructor, Carolyn
THROUGH THE UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Newton. “And because of the scope of their societal impact,
Opposite: Political cartoon drawn by Lizzie Russler ’16 in response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
these issues really can’t be approached individually. The group dynamic is the beauty of the course.” Through efforts such as the school’s carefully curated Global Studies Program, Ashley Hall girls are well on their way to becoming engaged 21st century global citizens. However, inherent to this global society are systems of oppression that leave even the most evolved populations perplexed. The intent of the Class, Race, and Gender course is to explore the patterns of classism, racism, and sexism, by investigating how these patterns create belief systems that support oppression across these global societies. Students thoughtfully examine cultural forces such as politics and socio-economics in order to analyze how social constructions of race, class, and gender often create barriers that prevent progress of any sort from taking place. Tackling this complex content requires serious preparation. Students read source materials to ignite conversation, works such as Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich, a book exploring the livability of the American minimum wage, and Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s memoir Colored People, an account of growing up in West Virginia during the Civil Rights movement, along with various TedTALKS related to the subject matter. “These resources serve as the launching pads for informed conversation,” says Mrs. Newton. “The content is not meant to be regurgitated but critiqued and carefully considered by the girls. They are asked if they think the writers show bias and, if so, why? These are the types of questions posed.”
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Top: Kennedy Green ’16, Lizzie Russler ’16, and Alice Hua Lisiman ’16 continue conversation post class. Bottom: Journaling provides reflection of the student’s intellectual journey during the course
AS K IN G TH E H A R D Q U E STIO N S
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During the first week of class, the girls crafted their own debate
would never happen in China,” she said. “This meant I had to
guidelines: listen carefully; allow thoughts to be completely
keep myself from thinking culturally and more from a personal
expanded before jumping in; stay away from stereotypes; don’t
perspective. That was challenging for me.”
generalize; and perhaps most importantly, don’t be afraid to disagree. As far as faculty guidance is concerned, Mrs. Newton
Ongoing throughout the semester, the girls kept journals, an
gently steers the discussion, relying for direction on the girls’
analysis of their individual intellectual journey of developing
enthusiasms and the expert course readings. Therefore the
an increased awareness of the intersections of race, class, and
outcome of the class lies in the student’s hands.
gender. “It’s interesting to look back at the semester and the territory that was covered. I kept asking myself ‘What role do
When asked what attracted them to the course, a select
I play?’,” said Lizzie. “I don’t have all the answers, but I have
group of girls from this year’s class mention “I’m interested in
learned, in the words of poet Ranier Maria Rilke to ‘Be patient
political science and current events,” and “I thought it would be
towards all that is unresolved in your heart and try to love the
challenging,” to the more practical “I knew it would help me with
questions themselves.’”
✌
the college interview process.”
Though they may have approached the class for different reasons, they all concur that the
LIZZIE RUSSLER AWARDED MOREHEAD-CAIN SCHOLARSHIP
experience garnered from the semester was far more than what
Ashley Hall is pleased to announce that Lizzie
was expected.
Russler ’16 has been awarded the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship at the University of North Carolina. Next fall she will join Ashley
“I brought with me this American ideal,” says Lizzie Russler ’16.
Hall alumnae and Morehead-Cain Scholars,
“that the best person gets what they work hard for in the end.
Rossi Anastopoulo ’13 and Caroline Lowery ’12
However, I quickly began to realize that’s not always the case.
in Chapel Hill. The Morehead-Cain is one of the
Because of historical influences, the societal scales of balance
oldest and most distinguished merit scholarships
can be tipped in favor of one person, one class, one gender, and it’s hard to correct that. This can be seen with the Syrian refugee crisis, female sex workers in Thailand, and race relations right
in the nation, with accomplished students from around the world competing to earn a four-
here in Charleston. This inbalance repeats itself over and over
year full-ride to UNC with generous stipends for
again until it’s ingrained in a society.”
summer travel, research, internship and service opportunities, and entrée into the elite Morehead
Along with Lizzie, seniors Kennedy Green and Alice Hua Lisiman chime in on the impact of the class. “I want to pursue a degree in childhood education and development in college. For me, the take away from the class is the importance of education, especially beginning at a young age, to create a more just world,” said Kennedy. Alice, from Nantong, China, is one of Ashley Hall’s international boarding students. “This type of conversation
network. It’s a coup for any school to have a Morehead Scholar among its graduates, let alone three in five years. Ashley Hall is proud of this remarkable accomplishment—PQV, Lizzie!
PE R S P E C T I V E S, SP R IN G ’16
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H E R PR E S ID E N T IA L IN AU G U R A L S PE E C H
21
In Chris Frisby’s 11th grade Honors American Studies
on the Supreme Court?” current United States Supreme
class, history is given relevance in episodic fashion,
Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “When there
focusing on those critical moments in our past that
are nine!”
altered the course of this nation. “I want to capture the attention of my students in a more focused way,”
Given this powerful comment as provocation, the
shared Mr. Frisby. “Using primary sources such as the
girls were then asked to compose their own inaugural
inaugural addresses of Presidents Lincoln, Reagan and
speeches, focusing on three societal challenges they
Clinton to frame up our discussions allows the girls the
would tackle in their hypothetical presidencies. “On the
ability to better understand the country’s political and
whole, I was greatly impressed by what the students
economic landscape at the time in which these
created. They identified important issues and came up
speeches were given.”
with thoughtful and nuanced solutions to some of the great problems of our day.” Rising to the top as areas
During a recent class, Mr. Frisby noted that, thus
of emphasis for their governments were gun rights, the
far in history, the country has only seen men—all 43
environment, and terrorism. The gap between rich and
presidents—deliver this type of speech. He further added
poor also loomed large, while other topics of concern
that when asked “When will there be enough women
ranged from childhood obesity to the minimum wage.
✌
BELOW ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE STUDENT’S PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL ADDRESSES
“Just as America must work internationally, we must also work domestically; specifically work to achieve equality.
“For too long, we have lived in a society that has grown
As a nation with such great achievements, it is astonishing
tolerant to the growing divide among the races in
that we still have not achieved gender equality. The pay
America. We have seen this in Ferguson, the AME Mother
gap between men and women must be diminished. The
Emanuel Church shooting, and even rising controversy
fact that men and women can perform the same task
growing around artists’ performances. I refuse to live and
at the same caliber and be paid differently is a grave
provide for a country where only half of America can feel
injustice. I vow to fix this.”
safe in their skin, let alone a hoodie.”
– President Elizabeth Ouzts
– President Elise Coleman
“I believe that as a nation, we must strengthen and tighten
This being said I do not believe it is just for a man
our laws on gun control to reduce and prevent gun
or women, to have the ability to buy a gun and kill
violence. Having been born and raised in Charleston, South
innocent citizens attending church for worship or children
Carolina where grandparents hang guns in living rooms and
attending school or any of the other various cases seen
fathers go hunting on the weekends, I am a strong believer
too often in our nation. I deem this problem worthy of our
in the Second Amendment and ‘the right to bear arms.’
nation’s attention.”
– President Lani Chavin
PE R S P E C T I V E S, SP R IN G ’16
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ALUMNAE PROFILE
Andrea Zucker ‘99 Andrea Zucker ’99, lives in Washington, DC with her
not-for-profit world professionally with The Coastal
family and works as Outreach Coordinator for Nexus
Community Foundation, United Way of America, and
Global Youth Summit (www.nexusyouthsummit.org),
United Way International. She also works with the
an innovative not-for-profit that seeks to bridge young
InterTech Group, Inc., a privately owned company that
communities of wealth and social entrepreneurship.
incorporates philanthropy and community involvement
As a writer, activist, and social impact investor,
into its corporate philosophy. Andrea taught briefly in
Andrea believes that all people have the potential to
the DC public school system and is passionate about
harness personal gifts to find their own unique ways
equal access to educational resources. She also serves
to give back. Her parents stressed the importance of
on the board of SAFE, Securing America’s Future
community involvement and impressed upon her that
Energy, and is devoted to creating a better environment
the ultimate role of human beings is to help repair the
through reducing dependence on oil and promoting
world in whatever ways possible.
innovations in the clean energy sector. In the spare time she has, she is gradually pursuing an M.F.A. in Creative
Andrea was shaped by early experiences in community activism through Youth Service Charleston and Operation Understanding and went on to work in the
Writing at American University. PQV, Andrea!
✌
A LU M N A E PR O FILE
23
On June 20, 2015 following the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, The Post and Courier featured an opinion editorial written by alumna Andrea Zucker ’99. We have reprinted this poignant and heartfelt piece with Andrea’s approval and her request that it be in memory of her dear friend and fellow Ashley Hall alumna, Tonisha Bell Alston ’99, who passed away in March of 2015. Tonisha’s brave spirit and community leadership should continue to serve as inspiration for all of us.
D ON ’ T BE A BYS TA N DE R T O H AT E —E V E N YOU R S ! On Easter 1998, a 16-year-old white, Jewish “Ashley Hall
I sat with boys and girls who are now men and women (many
girl”—my younger self—sat in the pews of Emanuel AME with
of whom became public voices of inspiration to help promote
my cohort from Operation Understanding.
equality and end discrimination): Clay Middleton, who has used his voice in the political world to serve South Carolina well;
Six African American and six white high school students sat
Amy Wyland, who advocates for equal rights; and Tonisha Bell
side by side, in a church central to community organizing
Alston—of blessed memory—who worked tirelessly to raise
and activism since the era of slavery, learning about
health awareness in the African American community through
our differences and, more importantly, celebrating our
Closing the Gap in Health Care, just to name a few.
connections. Today, a different sound resonates in Emanuel AME—the sound Our races and exact religious beliefs were different, but we
of deeply pained tears mourning the loss of great and innocent
sat together with the intention of building common ground
community members: Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Depayne
and building a generation of leaders who would help to
Middleton Doctor, Ethel Lance, Susie Jackson, Cynthia Hurd,
eradicate discrimination in all of its disgusting forms.
Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Sharona Coleman-Singleton, Myra Thompson and Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr.
But our difference had no bearing in that moment. Unified, awed voices singing a hymn filled the historic church’s high
These irreparable losses were born out of the vicious hate of one
ceilings with a blend of sounds so harmonious that things like
man—a man whose beliefs mirror the hate of so many others and
skin color briefly melted away. Love hung heavy in the church,
whose crime has many institutionalized cousins that we have
like the humidity in Charleston’s air—the same air that runs
seen clearly through the deaths of Michael Brown, Walter Scott
through my blood even now that I live in Washington, DC.
and Freddie Gray.
PE R S P E C T I V E S, SP R IN G ’16
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(Andrea Zucker Opinion Editorial Continued)
Charleston runs thick in my veins. I bleed knowing that this hate
My racial IAT (Implicit Associations Test) revealed that I have a
still weaves its way through my city, my state, my country, my
slight bias toward light-skinned people.
world. I will use that result to question my reactions in everyday How easy it is to be distracted by the beautiful architecture
situations in order to change that piece of myself.
of our city. To be enchanted by the buildings we restore and preserve. To be awed by our progress and growth. To be charmed
Then ask, “How can I be vocal with my support of my Charleston
by the nice manners of our people. To enjoy the creative talents
brothers and sisters?”
of our warm Charlestonians. Then, do it. But hidden behind our picturesque front doors, we all have work to do to end the institutionalized acceptance of hate and to show
You don’t need permission. You don’t need any reason other
that the love of all people is the progress that matters most.
than it’s the right thing to do.
We must make Charleston transcend the hate, bias and senseless violence pervasive in our society, first by taking a closer look at
In 1962, in Emanuel AME, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of
ourselves.
making the “American dream a reality”—a dream of freedom and the opportunity for upward mobility for all people. We must not
Start by asking yourself, “What are my internal biases and how
let the pursuit of that dream slip away.
can I confront them?” We all have internal biases. Do not ignore your own.
As my father, Jerry Zucker, so often told me, we must not stand idly by. We must take a stand. I charge each of you to take that
Explore and work to change any part of you that might harbor
stand by not tolerating hate in the closest quarters of one’s self or
hate.
in one’s family, friends, colleagues or community institutions.
Encourage your friends and family to do so as well.
I send my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this despicable crime.
Visit the Implicit Project website https://implicit.harvard. edu/implicit/takeatest.html, where you can take tests to
We must make our dear Charleston as beautiful on the inside as
measure attitudes and beliefs you may be unwilling or unable to
it is on the outside, so I hope you will join me in vowing not to be
recognize.
a bystander to hate, not yours and not mine.
None of us is immune to implicit bias.
BARBARA BUSH
25
PE R S P E C T I V E S, SP R IN G ’16
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Top left: Mrs. Bush, with son Neil, was given a specially framed copy of her senior picture. Top right: A special moment. Bottom: Head of School, Jill Muti, and students from the Global Studies Program join Mrs. Bush in the Rutledge House.
BARBARA BUSH
27
Students enjoy time with Mrs. Bush.
We were thrilled to have alumna and former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush ’43 visit campus on February 17. Over 30 years have passed since her last time on
“As a student at Ashley Hall, I received
Rutledge Avenue and she seemed thoroughly impressed
a solid foundation with great emphasis
by the school’s progress. “McBee House and Shell House
on Latin, math, and Shakespeare, which
were the two buildings that come to mind during my time here. What a beautiful campus you now have,”
helped prepare me for the future.”
said Mrs. Bush at a special assembly held in her honor.
— Barbara Pierce Bush ’43
Students, faculty and staff, and Board of Trustee members enjoyed hearing Mrs. Bush speak fondly of her time at Ashley Hall where she served as captain of the Purples and also played the role of the speaking angel in the school’s annual Christmas Play. Exuding her signature warmth and wit, Mrs. Bush graciously answered numerous questions from the students covering both political and personal areas of interest. Head of School Jill Muti closed the program by honoring Mrs. Bush with the Distinguished Alumnae Award and an Ashley Hall Alumnae pin which she wore proudly throughout the rest of the day. Following the assembly, Mrs. Bush toured the Rutledge
travel abroad experiences, impressing upon them the importance of a global perspective and sharing with them how much travel had enriched her life. Her campus tour was rounded out with a stop at McBee House for a peek inside her old boarding bedroom (which now serves as an administrative office!) When asked about her favorite Ashley Hall memory, Mrs. Bush playfully answered, “I have lots of great memories of my time here. Particularly receiving letters from a young man named George Bush!”
House for Global Studies, meeting with international boarding students and day students involved in the school’s global studies program. Having served as a global ambassador with her husband during their time at the US Embassy in China, followed by the White House, Mrs. Bush talked with the girls about their studies and
ONLINE EXTRA! TO VIEW EXCERPTS FROM THE ASSEMBLY FOR MRS. BUSH, GO TO WWW.ASHLEYHALL.ORG/ STUDENT-ADVANTAGE/
PE R S P E C T I V E S, SP R IN G ’16
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CHANGE ON THE ASHLEY HALL CAMPUS COMES FROM YOUR SUPPORT! We know Ashley Hall is a special place. This was reaffirmed mid-
Two senior parents chose to anonymously recognize this
March during the school’s annual Loyalty Fund Week, a time
accomplishment with a celebratory lunch and an additional gift
dedicated to celebrating the philanthropic spirit of our campus.
to the Loyalty Fund made in honor of the class.
This year the Ashley Hall community exceeded all expectations. ALUMNAE RALLY! We are so thankful for such a dedicated
The centerpiece of the campaign was a special challenge set by
alumnae base. Many rallied around this challenge, especially the
an anonymous donor (or angel!) of $25,000 if 250 gifts were
Class of 1970! Congratulations!
made during the week. Parents, grandparents, alumnae, faculty and staff all rose to the occasion in true purple and white fashion,
PQV TO PARENTS! Thank you to our parent community
not only meeting but exceeding this challenge. Here are a few
who recognize the importance of the exceptional learning
highlights from the week:
environment Ashley Hall provides its student body. Sixth grade parents were top givers during this campaign. Way to go parents!
HISTORY-MAKING SENIORS! This special class continued
Thank you to everyone who helped meet the Loyalty Fund Week
to make their mark on campus with 100% Loyalty Fund
Challenge. THIS TREMENDOUS EFFORT BRINGS US
participation—the first in Ashley Hall history. Each girl made a
CLOSER TO MEETING OUR $1,075,00 GOAL BY
personal donation to assist in the Loyalty Fund Week challenge.
JUNE 30, 2016.
PQV, Class of 2016!
✌
PE R S P E C T I V E S, SP R IN G ’16
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I N S TA G R A M
instagram.com/ashleyhall_pqv
AT A S H L E Y H A L L
KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON ALL THINGS ASHLEY HALL BY FOLLOWING ALONG ON SOCIAL MEDIA
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM: Mrs. McCarty’s second
grade science class traveled to the Columbia Museum of Art this week to visit the Georgia O’Keefe exhibit currently on display. The trip merged the worlds of science (O’Keefe is
@ashleyhall_pqv
known for her flowers and plant life) and art for an upcoming project. The girls certainly look like natural art enthusiasts! #theperfectobservationposture #deepinthought #learnlikeagirl #girlswiththewill
SMART AND FAST!:
PQV to our Cross Country team
for winning the State Championship this weekend! Way to go girls!#girlswiththewill #runlikeagirl #statechampions#pantherpride #gopanthers (October, 2015)
BINGO AND BALLROOM SUCCESS: Thanks to
the Parents’ Association for a great time on March 5 with their Bingo and Ballroom “throwback celebration!” The event raised $75,000 for faculty professional development! #welovefranksinatra #pqvpa
TH E S O C IA L S C E N E
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FA C E B O O K
LEFT: As a member of this year’s senior
facebook.com/ashleyhall.pqv facebook.com/AshleyHallAlumnae
project class, Spencer George ’16, is spending her year researching the multifaceted elements of feminism. Spencer
THINKER TINKER MAKER:
is an avid writer and maintains a blog
“Who Are
at http://notyourgirl.org/. In addition
You?” can be found boldly written on
to her senior project work, she was a
the wall in Lane Hall—in purple Legos!
featured author in the February issue of SKIRT! Charleston Magazine. She wrote
Leveraging STEAM, English, and
an article about the importance of self-
wellness curriculum, 5th and 6th grade
RIGHT: Did you know that an
girls will use this Lego wall to express
actual bear lived on our campus?
their thoughts, react to literature, or solve a math problem. The “Who Are You?” theme led to Lego’s spelling out “You are perfect!” and “Creative!” We can’t wait to see what goes up next! #buildlikeagirl #everyoneloveslegos #girlswiththewill #pqv (January, 2016)
His name was Frederick and he belonged to the Witte family during the early 1900s. Students from the Early Education Center recently found two teeth and we think they just may be Frederick’s! #howcoolisthat #thebeartoothmap #frederickthebear #findingsfromtheeec #theashleyhallbearcave
love and acceptance. Congratulations Spencer! PQV! #girlswiththewill #notyourgirl
PE R S P E C T I V E S, SP R IN G ’16
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Class Notes
Ashley Hall Alumnae, we love hearing from you! Please share professional or personal achievements or special stories by contacting Amy Jenkins ’82 at jenkinsa@ashleyhall.org or online at www.ashleyhall.org/alumnae/
’53
Esther Hoshall Beaumont was honored by Drayton Hall for her gift of an open-sided building to be utilized for student study. She named the building in honor of George McDaniel, the long-acting Drayton Hall Executive Director, who has retired.
’43
Barbara Pierce Bush, former First Lady, enjoyed a visit to campus in late February. She attended a student assembly and toured the Rutledge House for Global Studies and the McBee House.
’49
Lynn Stoddard Roes is still living at home and keeps in contact with her friends from the Class of 1949. She has been a widow for nine years.
’50
Sarah Mahony FordRijswijk’s ninth great-grandchild, Elizabeth L. Norvell, was born in 2015.
Martha Rivers Ingram was honored by Governor Nikki Haley with The Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor that is given in South Carolina. Neltie Sanders Linker was escorted by her grandson, Sanders Graham Walker, to his Citadel ring ceremony. During the ceremony, a full sword salute was given.
’55
Virginia Reid Platts and her husband, Jimmy, have moved back to Charleston and are excited to reconnect with friends from Ashley Hall and Charleston High.
’57
Linn Whitelaw Ong lost her husband, Beale Ong, MD, in the summer of 2015. Her older granddaughter is a junior at Dartmouth College and her second oldest is in engineering at Duke University.
’60
Kitty S. Griffith has moved back to Atlanta after the death of her husband. She says the growth is confusing and the traffic is terrifying.
’61
Sally McCrady Hubbard is disappointed to be missing Alumnae Weekend this year but she is the program chair of a conference that weekend. She would love to meet for lunch next time she is in Charleston visiting her niece, Allston McCrady. She has published two books, Uganda Impressions: April 2014 and Yesterday’s Water: A Caregiver’s Poem Journal.
’64
Stanley Smith Reahard and her husband, Bo, split their time between Summerville, South Carolina and Leland, Michigan. When they are not traveling the country in their 45-foot motor home, they are enjoying time with their 2-year old granddaughter who became a big sister in February, 2016.
’66
Grace Wilson Phillips is looking forward to her 50th reunion in April. She and John have been doing a lot of traveling and enjoying their six great-grandchildren.
C LASS N OTE S
33
Elaine Berol Taylor just returned from another amazing safari in Tanzania and Kenya. She “adopted” two baby elephants from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Elaine is still judging orchid shows with the next one being in Guatemala.
’67
Gay Murrill had a great time in Cuba on the Ashley Hall trip with Head of School, Jill Muti, and other alumnae. She is excited for the next adventure!
’71
Missy Craver Schenck’s daughter, Anne Izzard Mead ’00, and her husband Stephen are now Directors of Green River Preserve.
’73
Eva Ravenel recently saw Betsy Rivers ’73, who had just finished her second marathon. Way to go, Betsy!
’74
Beverly Stoney Johnson is still close with all of her Ashley Hall friends. Her son, Lawson, now works at the Bank of South Carolina in West Ashley.
’81
Katharine Hendrix is a freelance medical writer and spends two months living in Costa Rica each year where she writes, surfs, and teaches yoga. She has taught yoga in Charleston for over 10 years.
’82
Maria DeGuzman is a professor of English and Comparative Literature and the Director of Latina/o Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her mother, Elizabeth T. DeGuzman, passed away at the age of 91 on March 26, 2015.
’84
Caroline C. Sinkler hit the quarter century mark with her business, Frametastic, in May 2015 and celebrated her own half century mark in November. Her travel has included participating in the Ironman in Dublin 70.3 where she swam in 50 degree water to get her 50th celebration started!
’86 Recently, alumnae from the classes of 1980, 1981, 1982 enjoyed a trip to New York, complete with a visit to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. We love the McBee plaid inspired scarves!
Janie Stuart Ball has been engaged in creating art for as long as she can remember. Her desire to be a professional artist led her to Rhode Island School of Design, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Art and a Bachelor of Graphic Design. Her
paintings have strong graphic compositions. Each painting is composed of thoughtful shapes of color which when visually combined by the viewer “paint” the image, be it representational or abstract.
’92
Angela M. Colyer is the Director of Operations at One80 Place in Charleston.
’03
Rebecca N. Grantham
graduated from College of Charleston with a Masters in Education in Teaching, Learning and Advocacy on May 15, 2015. Lydia L. Handsfield is now a scientist working in Aukland, New Zealand.
’06
Elissa G. Bostain is now a licensed architect. She is working as a project architect in Charleston at Liollio Architecture. She celebrated her licensure with a two week backpacking trip to Eastern Europe last summer.
PE R S P E C T I V E S, SP R IN G ’16
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’08
Boykin Foxworth Anderson has been promoted to account executive for travel and destination at Lou Hammond & Associates. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in computer science from The University of Alabama. While studying public relations at The University of Alabama, Boykin interned with the American Red Cross Chapter of West Alabama. Prior to joining Lou Hammond & Associates, Boykin was a client service associate with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management where she provided operational and investment support to financial advisors. Ashley E. Jackson received her BS in civil engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Tech and her Masters in Architecture. She now works for a structural steel tech company, Prescient Co., as an architectural project manager, in Denver, Colorado. She also just returned home from a trip to Cuba.
’09
Katy H. Tamblyn will receive her Masters Degree in Student Affairs and College Counseling from The Citadel in May 2016. She is currently the program coordinator for the Charleston Council for International Visitors.
’10
Dessane A. Cassell graduated from Oberlin College and was teaching in South Africa on a Fulbright Scholarship. She recently returned to the United States to begin her new job at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Megan D. Clore is currently working at Mueller Law in Austin, Texas. She was recently accepted to Harvard Law School after spending the past year gaining the experience she would need for her application. She credits Ashley Hall with teaching her never to be daunted by what seemed too difficult.
her to travel to Greece twice with Princeton professors on research projects. She welcomed her brother to campus as a freshman last year. Abbie M. Gibson placed third in her division at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Nationals in 2015.
’15
Jennifer Baron, a freshman at John Hopkins University, organized a campus-wide thank you to Johns Hopkins staff who helped students survive this winter’s blizzard in Baltimore. PQV, Jennifer!
Olivia B. Hipp is working as an administrative assistant at William Means Real Estate. Her current interests are French, marketing, real estate, and boating. Lauren D. Smith accepted a Pre-k co-teaching position in New Orleans, Louisiana at Frederick Douglass Elementary. It is a Title I school with 8 girls and 11 boys in her class.
’12
Shira Cohen is the president of the Center for Jewish Life, a peer academic advisor and works for the director of the new Princeton Center for Digital Humanities. She has often commented how incredibly beneficial the unique education in Greek and Latin that she had at Ashley Hall put her ahead of many of her peers. It was the comfort and familiarity she got in the humanities classes with Dr. Davis and Ms. Smith that enabled
Jennifer Baron ’15
C LASS N OTE S
35
IN MEMORIAM:
MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENTS:
’42
’75
Elise Ayers Sanguinetti passed away on November 19, 2014.
’43
Myriam Orvin House passed away on February 9, 2016.
’49
Nancy Luke Riner passed away in May, 2015.
’50
Dolly Myers Small passed away on May 24, 2015.
’53
Lucia Manos Morfesis passed away on August 31, 2015.
’57
Christa Clausen Tear passed away on December 31, 2015.
’64
Sally Means Quantz passed away on August 9, 2015.
’67
Elizabeth Linley Cleveland passed away on January 17, 2016.
Gail Jenkins Holesha married Jim Holesha on October 24, 2015. Their blended family consists of her daughter, Jordan, a son, Austin, and Jim’s two daughters, Jamie and Jenny (and their dog, Maggie). They will continue to reside in St. Petersburg, Florida.
’84
Dede Waring married Joel Anderson Berly, III (“Andy”) on Saturday January 23, 2016 at St. Michaels Church. She was given away by her brother, Charles Witte Waring, III, and her son, Master Julian Andrew Byrne. Dede graduated from Princeton University and the Medical University of South Carolina. She is an endocrinologist at Palmetto Endocrinology in Mt. Pleasant.
’86
Lara Allison married Tristan Jerue on December 1, 2015, at Dataw Island.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS:
’96
Kelley Dwyer McLaughlin and her husband recently welcomed their third child, Hudson Ryder McLaughlin.
’05
Sally McKinney Hall and her husband, Taylor, welcomed their first child, Houston McKinney Hall, who was born July 9, 2015.
’90
Cacky Rivers married in July and is keeping her maiden name. She is in her 7th year in Cacky’s Bride and Aid Wedding Biz! www. cackysbrideaid.com
’01
Marion P. Maybank married James MacEasly on December 5, 2015, at Lavington Plantation. Marion graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and has a career in horse show management.
’07
Kathryn Romaine married Benjamin Crawford on April 18, 2015, in Boston, Massachusetts. They now reside in Massachusetts where both attend University of Massachusetts Medical School. Benjamin is a third year medical Student, while Kathryn is a Registered Nurse studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner.
’08
Boykin Foxworth married Thomas Anderson on January 23, 2016. Thomas is the son of former Ashley Hall faculty member, Anne Anderson.
PE R S P E C T I V E S, SP R IN G ’16
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NEWS from the
ALUMNAE REL ATIONS OFFICE
ALUMNAE SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN!
ANNOUNCING THE NEW
A huge thank you to the 270 alumnae who took
ALUMNAE DIRECTORY!
our survey in December. This is nearly double the
In the survey results you shared your
amount of previous survey responses. Here is a
keen interest in an online directory
snapshot of the results:
that would offer easy ways to connect with fellow Ashley Hall alumnae. The
• Every decade from 1940–2010 was represented.
Alumnae Relations Office is pleased to announce the launch of the
• Geographic breakdown of those who responded
Alumnae Directory within the Evertrue
includes 27 states and 4 foreign countries, with a
Community. The app offers the ability
majority being outside South Carolina.
to find Ashley Hall women across the nation. It also allows you to see what
• We heard that you want to be more engaged,
alumnae live in your area or perhaps
more connected, and that you want us to come
a city you may be planning to visit.
see you!
For younger alumnae—or alumnae young at heart—the app offers the
• Everyone wants to be more connected and 85%
perfect networking tool by utilizing LinkedIn for professional
(an overwhelming response) agree that an online
development purposes. To access the Ashley Hall Alumnae app,
directory will help alumnae connect to each other
go to your app store and search for the Evertrue Community.
and the school.
Then look for Ashley Hall. It’s that easy!
We’re excited to address these needs and enhance the Ashley Hall alumnae experience. Don’t forget we can create opportunities to connect every day. Consider holding impromptu gatherings that bring together Ashley Hall women in your area together, participate in student mentoring opportunities, or volunteer. There are many ways to connect and the goal of the Alumnae Relations Office is to make this easier.
ARE YOU FOLLOWING OUR THROUGH THE GATES ALUMNAE BLOG? Launched this past fall, the Through the Gates blog is produced by the Ashley Hall Alumnae Relations Office and the perfect way to keep up-to-date with the sisterhood. Director of Alumnae Relations, Amy Jenkins ’82, along with a roster of guest writers, will share fascinating bits of Ashley Hall information and take you on the road with national alumnae visits. With Ashley Hall women doing such incredible things around the world, expect great stories to be shared. To follow the Through the Gates blog, go to www.ashleyhall.org/ alumnae/
As always, we welcome your thoughts and ideas. Contact Amy Jenkins ’82 at jenkinsa@ashleyhall.org.
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