Hutchison Magazine - January 2026

LEARNING IS BUZZING AROUND CAMPUS

Top: Lower school girls are learning about the life cycle of bees and helping to harvest honey from the bees on the Katherine and John Dobbs Farm.

Middle: Middle school members of the Tome Student Literacy Society share their love of reading with our early childhood girls.

Bottom left: Ninth graders explored veterinary careers firsthand during a recent off-campus visit. Bottom right: Lower school girls build and prepare to program their own custom robots.

dear friends,

As you know, life is a series of pivots. Some we plan; others happen, and we make the best of them. What may feel like misfortune at the time often becomes a valuable lesson in hindsight.

The alumnae profiled in this issue all made course changes to get where they are today. In 2020, Elizabeth Blankenship-Singh ’08 shifted from a successful career in fashion design to pursuing her MBA, a move that led to a new career in finance. She now focuses on investing in companies centered on sustainability, a long-time passion of hers. Her story, on page 24, tells how she even made a significant change before she graduated from Hutchison.

For Gabrielle Arkle ’12, the turning points were incremental. A visit to an aviation museum as a young girl sparked her dream of becoming a pilot. After graduating from Hutchison, she enlisted in the Army and trained as an air traffic controller. Not content to direct flights from the ground, she worked her way up through the ranks, became an officer, and attended flight school. She now pilots Chinook helicopters. Read her profile on page 32.

Kristen Farmer Davis ’99, who now leads Hutchison’s Institute for Responsible Citizenship, once envisioned a career in advertising. An internship at the Make-A-Wish Foundation and conversations about the Peace Corps led her to Mali, West Africa, and changed her trajectory. Her years in the nonprofit sector have given her a unique perspective and the ability to help our students discover what truly excites them. Read a Q&A with her on page 16.

We strive to teach our girls that life is full of redirections. Like a science lab experiment with unexpected results, these moments are opportunities for learning, change, and growth. Some are subtle; others are life changing. How has your life changed because of pivots you’ve made?

May we all keep learning.

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 2026

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

DIRECTOR OF ALUMNAE STRATEGY

Caroline Schaefer ’08 cschaefer @ hutchisonschool.org

DESIGNER

Barbara Himber

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jessica Coulson, Brandon Dill, Amanda Gentile, Danielle Katz, Melanie Melugin, Gabrielle Prewitt, Melanie Thortis, 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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Senior Produces Play on Wiener Theater Stage

For her myExperience capstone project, Maya Pentecost ’26 adapted Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death into a one-act dark comedy. She wrote the script, designed the production, and brought it to life by collaborating with a cast and crew of Hutchison students and faculty in our arts program and the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. Scan the QR code to watch a short video about her experience.

Upper School Girls Explore Their Futures

Upper school girls watched veterinarians in action at a pet hospital, spoke with legal professionals in the courtroom and at a law firm, created rooms at an interior design firm, and experienced additional career paths during Career Exploration and Career Shadow Day. Through the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, our freshmen and sophomores explored a wide variety of career paths by hearing from professionals and participating in hands-on activities. We are grateful to the businesses and organizations that helped our girls gain invaluable insights into their futures. Thank you to our alumnae—Annie Tauer Christoff ’96, Cecile Shoemaker ’00, Martha Campbell Robertson ’05, Lee Smith Yates ’02, Sarah Rose Watkins Williams ’10, Anna Burch Wunderlich ’96, Mollie Speer Baird ’99, Taylor Kinard Nelson ’14, Susannah Herring ’96, and Kendra Powers ’10—for welcoming our 9th-grade groups into their workplaces and those who hosted 10th graders for Career Shadow Day.

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Bringing Latin to Life Through Competition

For the first time, Hutchison hosted the 18th Latin Fall Festivus in November, an annual half-day competition for Memphis-area students designed to promote Latin and spark enthusiasm for classical studies. Approximately 200 students participated in a wide range of events, including academic testing, art contests, mythology competitions, costume and catapult contests, certamen, chariot racing, and classical-themed athletic challenges. Hutchison students placed in a number of the competitions.

Local Girls’ Schools Explore North Carolina Colleges

Dr. Kristen Ring Joins National Conversation About School Leadership

“More than ever before, kids need structure. They need to know where lines are, what expectations are. We need to be engaging directly with them and asking them, ‘How are you doing?’”

During an Independent Schools Management webinar on school leadership, Head of School Dr. Kristen Ring shared with educators how Hutchison is responding to evolving student and institutional needs with clarity, consistency, and care. A major focus of the conversation was the rising need for structure and support in students’ lives. Dr. Ring described Hutchison’s commitment to creating consistency for girls. She highlighted Hutchison’s advisory program, annual surveys to ensure every girl has a trusted adult, and the school’s decision to remove phones from campus to create a more focused, supportive learning environment. She emphasized the importance of normalizing counseling and increasing access to learning specialists and licensed clinicians. While the panel covered several complex issues, Dr. Ring’s contributions centered on a consistent theme: leading with intention, compassion, and a commitment to doing what is best for our girls.

Girls from Hutchison, St. Mary’s, and St. Agnes came together to tour six colleges and universities in North Carolina alongside peers and college counselors from all three schools. They visited Davidson College, Duke University, Elon University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest University.

Bees Return to Hive

Thanks to former Hutchison parent and beekeeper Alex Dunlap, father to Hannah ’25, bees are back at the Hive! As second graders studied bees, they got to harvest honey with Dunlap’s help and bring it home to their families.

CFO Named Finalist for Memphis Business Journal Award

Chief Financial Officer Melissa Baker was named a finalist for the Memphis Business Journal’s CFO of the Year award and was featured in the publication. Baker models missiondriven leadership that is grounded in transparency, trust, and disciplined financial stewardship.

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Senior Signs to Play Division I Soccer

Molly Browne ’26, daughter of Hutchison varsity soccer coach Clint Browne, signed to play soccer at the University of South Alabama. After tearing her ACL over the summer, Molly used her senior season to lead from a new perspective: coaching teammates, studying the game, and growing as both a player and a person.

Soccer Wins Regional Championship

The varsity soccer team took home the TSSAA D-II AA West Region Championship. They reached the state quarterfinal, facing Girls Preparatory School to close out their season.

Golf Athlete Wins Regional Championship

Last year’s golf individual state champion, Catherine Bowie ’28, was the TSSAA D-II AA West Regional Champion. She earned individual medalist honors with a 4-stroke victory. She placed in the top 5 at this year’s state tournament in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Volleyball and Cross Country Compete at State

Hutchison’s volleyball team made it to the state tournament for the first time in many years, advancing to a quarterfinal match against Christ Presbyterian Academy. Hutchison’s cross country team was the regional runner-up, and seven girls made a strong showing at state: Caroline Fisher ’29, Carlisle Martin ’29, Morgan McMahon ’28, Lily Simpson ’26, Leni Jane Johnston ’29, Zoe Kate Howell ’29, and Dove Ward ’29, shown with Coach Scott McKee.

Dance Team Member Performs in Disney Parade

Elizabeth Adams ’26, a captain of the varsity dance team, performed in a Disney Christmas parade over Thanksgiving Break as a Universal Dance Association All-American. Each high school dancer auditioned for placement in the parade order, and Elizabeth ranked 10th overall, receiving a leading position near the front.

2025-2026

Board of Trustees & Leadership Team

2025 - 2026 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The 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 financial management and proper stewardship of resources.

Dr. Kristen Ring PRESIDENT & HEAD OF SCHOOL

Ragan Crawford Magness ’88 CHAIR

Chris Crosby VICE CHAIR

Craig L. Weiss TREASURER

Emily Bryce Bowie ’00 SECRETARY

Jenny Werner Carter ’89

Chris Clothier

Will Deupree III

Edward J. Dobbs

Jason Farmer

Malaney Cross George ’06

Amanda Eckels Goetze ’94

Megan Wellford Grinder ’91

Jason Higginbotham

Betsy Horn

Dr. Shari Jefferies

Hardin Barton Kimmel ’92

Veazey Gully Krausnick ’78

Lindsay Horner Lewis ’99

Palmer Smith

Dr. Jamila Smith-Young

Susan S. Stephenson

Sequoia Taylor ’04

McLean T. Wilson

2025 - 2026 LEADERSHIP TEAM

Great schools are distinguished by exceptional teamwork and collaboration across the organization. Our faculty and staff 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

Katy Nair

UPPER SCHOOL HEAD

Ross Spain

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

Tonya Faulkner

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT

CULTURE AND BELONGING

Kristen Farmer Davis ’99 DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP

Caroline Schaefer ’08 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNAE STRATEGY

Sarah Wright DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Melissa Baker CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Lori Guy DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY

Laura Shy ENROLLMENT

MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Max Maddock

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

The board welcomes the following new members:

Malaney Cross George ’06

Lindsay Horner Lewis ’99

Hutchison appreciates the service of our retiring board members: Andrew R. McCarroll

Michelle Nelson Miller ’84

Julie Aaron Wunderlich

SPECIAL THANKS FOR THE GIFT OF SOUND We extend our appreciation to Ginger McCullough ’97 and Lance Wilson for their generous support of the Hutchison Theatre Department. Their recent gift enabled the installation of a state-of-the-art microphone system, ensuring clear, professional sound for every production. This lasting contribution will enrich both our students’ educational experiences and the enjoyment of our audiences for years to come.

Way Down in Hadestown

Hutchison’s production of Hadestown: Teen Edition was an adaptation of Anaïs Mitchell’s acclaimed folk opera, reimagining the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The story follows the young lovers, Orpheus and Eurydice, and also features the intertwined love story of Hades and Persephone. The show explores themes of love, hope, sacrifice, and resilience set against a backdrop of American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz. It asks what we would risk for love, and whether art and song can truly change the world, even for a moment.

A Show of Discovery

Hutchison girls in grades 5 through 7 presented Disney’s Moana Jr. The musical is an adaptation of the hit animated film and follows the strong-willed Moana as she embarks on a journey to save her village and discover her heritage. She sets sail across the Pacific Ocean, encountering the legendary demigod Maui, and together they learn to harness their inner strength and navigate the treacherous waters of the unknown to restore balance to the world. The story speaks to courage, self-discovery, and the strength it takes to listen to your own voice, even when it goes against the tide. Book Adapted by

Susan

THE WIENER THEATER transformed into Moana’s home island with the help of Hutchison alumna and parent Meghean Warren Warner ’04 leading the set design and painting. “Some of my happiest memories with friends from Hutchison are on this stage. It’s joyful to be back in this space, helping in a different capacity. It’s like I’m home.” We are grateful to Meghean and all of our parent volunteers for sharing their time and talents to make productions like this possible.

Hutchison Alumnae Inspire

Next Generation of Sting Athletes

by Danielle Katz

Ever since she left the court her senior year, Greer Bryant ’14 knew she would return to Hutchison as a volleyball coach. She went to law school and now works as an attorney at Butler Snow LLP, but the pull never faded. Now she’s back working with seventh and eighth graders, teaching them what she calls the mental aspects of the game. For Bryant, it’s important to give back to what was such a meaningful part of her time as a student.

“ It was resilience and being able to learn from failure that taught me so much when I was playing.”

– GREER BRYANT ’14

This year, 10 Hutchison alumnae have returned to the courts and fields where they once played, clipboards replacing jerseys, but the connection runs deeper than ever. From third and fourth grade lacrosse to upper school basketball and volleyball, they’re teaching the next generation of Sting athletes. While our alumnae coaches earned state championships and national awards when they competed as students, what matters most now is something else entirely: helping girls build the character traits that have carried them through life so far—confidence, resilience, independence, and sportsmanship.

Reconnecting with Our Alma Mater Dear

When Rachel Kimery ’18 was asked to return to Hutchison as head JV volleyball coach and assistant varsity coach, her answer was immediate: “1,000 percent, yes.”

“My memories from volleyball are special to me, and I hold them close to my heart. It’s something that I want my girls to be able to experience,” Kimery said. “I hope they learn a lot of life lessons along the way, and that volleyball truly is more than a sport.”

For Shelton Wittenberg ’14, Hutchison athletics was her “safe haven.” She was incredibly shy as a little girl, but when she put on a jersey and stepped onto the field or court, she felt like she was the biggest person out there, even though she was always one of the smallest. Known as “Coach Witt” to her middle school soccer and lacrosse players, she’s an associate

attorney at Baker Donelson’s Memphis office. But several afternoons a week, she’s back at Hutchison, watching that same transformation happen in younger girls.

“Nothing makes me happier than seeing confidence grow throughout a season,” Wittenberg said. “It is important to recognize and nurture the strengths of each girl because I know that so much growth in life can be achieved through athletics.”

For Hallie Robison ’16, she hopes to continue a multigenerational impact. An associate attorney at Lewis Thomason, she is the daughter of alumna and lower school teacher Beth Halliburton Robison ’82. Several years ago, Hallie returned to Hutchison to help coach middle school lacrosse. “Hutchison has given our family so much. Coming back, coaching, and being involved is just natural,” Hallie said.

“ At the start of the season, they’re shy, they’re nervous …

B y the end of the season, they’ve been in competitive situations … I feel comfortable saying, ‘ It’s all you. You’ve got it. ’ ”

– HALLIE ROBISON ’16

“It has been great to be able to be connected—getting to know the girls and see what has changed but also see what has stayed the same.”

It’s not just about the girls; it’s also about honoring those who helped these alumnae become who they are today. Nora Tillmanns ’19 wrapped up her first season coaching a fifth and sixth grade soccer team with Frances Cates ’21. “I was always grateful to the coaches that I had, and the people who work at Hutchison, like [Assistant Athletics Director] Jill Allen, motivated me to come back,” Tillmanns said.

Building Confidence through Competition

One of the first things Kimery tells parents is that she wants her volleyball players to end the season with more self-esteem than they had when they started. It’s something that sparked her confidence when she was at Hutchison. “Being recognized in high school as a leader of my team helped me see that I am capable. It gave me the confidence to go for what I want in life because I know that I have the skills,” she said. Robison also sees a wide range of confidence levels in her fifth and sixth grade girls at the beginning of the season, but by the end, they all feel more assured. “At the start of the season, they’re shy, they’re nervous, and they haven’t really played lacrosse games,” she said.

“By the end of the season, they’ve been in competitive situations where they’re tied with a minute left, and they step up and win. In those tight situations, I feel comfortable looking at a player and saying, ‘It’s all you. You’ve got it,’ and then they’ll go out there and they succeed, and it’s the most rewarding thing.”

2025 - 202 6 ALUMNAE COACHES AT HUTCHISON

Ainsley Ayres Beasley ’07 middle school lacrosse

Greer Bryant ’14

7th/8th grade volleyball

Frances Cates ’21

5th/6th grade soccer

Bridget Boyer Crenshaw ’13 5th/6th grade lacrosse

Jayla Dorsey ’24

upper school basketball

Malaney Cross George ’06

3rd/4th grade lacrosse

Rachel Kimery ’18

upper school volleyball

Hallie Robison ’16

5th/6th grade lacrosse

Nora Tillmanns ’19

5th/6th grade soccer

Shelton Wittenberg ’14

middle school soccer and lacrosse

Wittenberg said her coaches challenged her and pushed her farther than she thought she could go. Now, that’s what she hopes to do for her teams. “It is amazing to see them not only grow individually as players, teammates, and persons through the experiences on the field and at practice, but also grow together as a team,” she said.

Becoming Resilient and Bouncing Back

Although our coaches do like to win (who doesn’t?), the reality is that our girls aren’t going to win every game. With help from our alumnae, Hutchison athletes have to figure out how to recover from setbacks and challenges. “I try to make sure that my team always knows that whatever happens on a Tuesday doesn’t matter on a Wednesday,” Robison said. “We’re always looking forward to the next practice to talk about what we learned and what’s next.”

Greer Bryant said resilience is crucial in volleyball. She describes the sport as similar to a game of chess, calling it a mental game. “You might mess up a play or miss your serve. You have to bounce back,” she said. “It was resilience and being able to learn from failure that taught me so much when I was playing.”

Nora Tillmanns played soccer and ran on the cross country and track teams, and through Hutchison athletics, she learned how to carry herself in a variety of situations and be a good teammate. “Even if I gave it my best on the field and it didn’t turn out the way I wanted, it’s always important to turn around and make sure that your teammates and your opponents, whether you win or lose, are doing ok,” she said.

“Whether it was through wins or through losses, I learned how to be the best version of myself in every scenario possible. You represent who you are on and off the field, and you represent Hutchison as a community.”

“ Whether it was through wins or through losses, I learned ho w to be the best version of myself in every scenario possi ble. You represent who you are on and off t he field, and you represent Hutchison as a community.”

– NORA TILLMANNS ’19

Robison learned and saw firsthand that hard work pays off. “If you build the team, bond, and work hard together, you will see results and can achieve some awesome goals,” she said. This has happened for her both as a Hutchison athlete and as a coach. When she was a student, Hutchison’s varsity lacrosse team won the state championship during all four years she was in upper school. One of her favorite memories as a coach was seeing her middle school lacrosse team win the city championship several years ago.

Giving It Your All … In and Out of the Game

The lessons these coaches learned at Hutchison have carried them far beyond the playing field. Bryant credits Hutchison with giving her a head start in the legal field. “When you get to law school, it’s a lot of analysis. So many students get to law school, but they’ve never been taught how to think, analyze, and apply rules to a problem. I learned that at Hutchison,” she said. “This benefited me all through college, and especially when I got to law school, I attributed my success more to that than I did even my college experience.”

In representing Hutchison and themselves, what matters most is that our girls leave everything out on the field or on the court. “If you don’t try at all, there’s a 100% chance you’re not going to

Watch to see how our alumnae are guiding our girls to grow not only as athletes but as leaders.

get it. But if you give any effort or any hustle, there’s always a chance you will,” Kimery said.

Kimery, who serves as Director of Marketing and Communications at Kimery Wealth Management and was recently recognized by Women We Admire as a top woman leader in Memphis for 2025, credits Hutchison with teaching her how to navigate the world around her. “Hutchison helped me learn my own brain and how to push through my learning disabilities. Being able to have the resources at school, like my learning specialist, Mrs. Gretchen Gintz, helped me understand how I can be my most successful self,” she said.

An aspiring healthcare professional, Tillmanns said Hutchison prepared her for the real world and gave her an edge. “I don’t want to be the smartest person in the room. I want to learn as much as I can in every situation, and I want to walk away knowing that I did my best and gave my all physically, mentally, and emotionally,” she said.

For Robison, she can’t pinpoint one exact way that Hutchison shaped who she is. She is grateful

for the entirety of her Hutchison experience in helping her realize her path. “Hutchison is in every part of who I am. I am a product of Hutchison, and it helped me in every aspect,” she said.

“It helped me develop my personality, academically and socially. It helped me become all of these things that have come together to make me an attorney and to make me a lacrosse coach. Hutchison made me into who I am today by being present every day and learning.”

“ I was extremely shy as a little gir l, but when I put on a jersey and stepped onto the field or court, I felt like I was the bi ggest person out there , even t hough I was always one of t he smallest. ”

– SHELTON WITTENBERG ’14

“ Being recognized in high school as a leader of my team he lped me see that I am capable . It gave me the confidence to go for what I want in life because I know that I have t he skills. ” – RACHEL KIMERY ’18

Guiding Students to Discover What Matters Most: A Conversation with Kristen Farmer

Davis ’99

KRISTEN FARMER DAVIS, A 1999 GRADUATE OF HUTCHISON, returned to Hutchison in January 2024 to work in the Development Office. In June of 2025, she was named the Director of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. The Institute is Hutchison’s comprehensive program for leadership, service, and career discovery, integrating civic engagement and ethical decision-making into a broader framework of responsible citizenship. We asked Davis about some of her past experiences, how those influence her work with Hutchison students today, and what she’s excited about in her new role.

Q: You’ve had a wide-ranging career from the Peace Corps to non-profit leadership and now education. What connects all of those experiences for you?

A: Each new experience built on the previous one. When I was a student here, I never would have imagined my path would be as winding as it’s been, but there was always something that pushed me toward what came next. When I look back, the through line is believing in people’s ability to be great and helping them reach their potential.

My grandfather used to say, “You’re not better than anybody else, and no one is better than you.” My mom reminded me that he also added, “And it’s your responsibility to make sure everyone else feels that way.” That idea really shaped how I see the world… thinking about equity, seeing greatness in people even when they don’t see it in themselves, and helping them get where they want to go. When I think about every job I’ve had, that belief shows up again and again.

Q: Your time in the Peace Corps was a formative experience. What drew you to that?

A: I thought I was headed for a career in advertising. That was my major at the University of Texas, with a minor in business. All of my volunteer work in college kept pulling me toward service and working with kids. I remember I was at an internship fair when I was in college and I was in line to talk with someone at a major advertising agency, but the line was long. There was a shorter line for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I talked to them and fell in love with the concept. I ended up interning with Make-A-Wish, and then I knew I wanted a career that was nonprofit focused.

I had a roommate in college who talked a lot about joining the Peace Corps and encouraged me to do so too. At first, I didn’t really think it was for me, but I talked to a Peace Corps representative on campus and as soon as I did, I knew it was what I wanted to do. I’d never traveled internationally, but the Peace

Corps suddenly made sense. My parents were a little apprehensive at first, but eventually supported me.

Q: What was it like once you arrived in Mali in West Africa with the Peace Corps?

A:

I didn’t really get nervous until I left training and went to my actual village. Then it all hit me at once. The first few weeks were rocky, but I quickly fell in love with the people and the place. Studying French at Hutchison and in college helped me learn the local language. About a year in, I got very homesick and wondered if I could stay another year. The Peace Corps staff encouraged me not to go home but to have someone visit instead. My mom and a good friend visited me and that changed everything. By my second year, my language skills were better, I had stronger friendships, and it became a truly phenomenal experience.

I learned far more than I taught. Living and working in a community, seeing how people supported one another, and experiencing so much joy with so few material things completely changed how I think about life.

Q: What lessons from the Peace Corps shape how you work with students today?

A:

One of the biggest lessons was not to make assumptions. I was once teaching a workshop with a friend and we were using Roman numerals. About halfway through the lesson, we realized that the villagers did not know Roman numerals, but we assumed that they did. Once we figured that out, we were able to adjust the lesson so that they understood. That experience has stayed with me.

When I work with students now, I try to be very intentional about not assuming they know how to do something or that they’ve had certain experiences. If they don’t, that’s not a failure, it just means they need support. That mindset is especially important when you’re helping young people explore interests, make decisions, and try things that feel unfamiliar.

A: You’ve also worked with youth through other organizations. How did those experiences influence your approach?

A:At the Fresh Air Fund, we worked with students who had very limited access to resources, but the goal was similar to what we do here at Hutchison in the Institute: helping young people discover what they’re passionate about and imagine what’s possible for their future. We focused on exposure, reflection, and motivation, giving them experiences that helped them see new paths forward.

At Youth Villages, I worked in everything from recruiting to business development. Seeing how decisions were made, how data was used, and how intentionality mattered at every level really shaped me. Sitting on the hiring side of the table also gave me insight that’s incredibly helpful when I work with students on résumés, interviews, and career planning.

Q: How do those experiences translate to working with Hutchison students, who have access to many opportunities?

A: I learned that no two people are the same. Some students know exactly what they want to do and just need encouragement or access. Others have so many options that they need help narrowing things down and reflecting on what actually excites them. Sometimes what looks like a lack of motivation is really fear or uncertainty.

What’s unique about Hutchison is the level of individual care. The culture here ensures that students don’t fall through the cracks. That support gives them a huge advantage, but they still need help making intentional choices about how they spend their time and energy. What excites me about this role is the opportunity to give them that help.

(continued)

My grandfather used to say, ‘ You’re not better than anybody else, and no one is better than you.’ My mom reminded me that he also added, ‘And it’s your responsibility to make sure everyone else feels that way.’ That idea really shaped how I see the world … thinking about equity, seeing greatness in people even when they don’t see it in themselves, and helping them get where they want to go.”

Q: How would you describe the purpose of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship?

A: The Institute offers students meaningful experiential learning opportunities, but just as important is the reflection that surrounds those experiences. We’re focused on helping girls understand what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and what they’re learning from it.

Whether it’s career exploration, leadership development, service, or a self-directed project such as myExperience, the goal is to help students build decision-making skills, develop self-awareness, and articulate their growth. It’s about creating a through line and helping girls write their own stories, and the IRC team is here to help them make those decisions.

Q: Students’ engagement in their myExperience project is a hallmark of the Institute. What makes it so powerful?

A: The myExperience project allows students to pursue an area of interest over several years and design something that’s truly their own. There’s no single right outcome. It’s about depth, ownership, and intentionality.

When students talk about myExperience in a college interview or elsewhere, they’re able to clearly explain what they explored,

INSTITUTE FOR

Scan the QR code to hear Kristen Davis describe what girls can accomplish through the Institute of Responsible Citizenship and from students who have lived it.

what they learned, and how they grew. That level of reflection and self-direction is a huge differentiator, but more importantly, it helps them understand themselves.

Q: How does your perspective as a Hutchison alumna influence your work?

A: As an alumna, I have very high expectations for our students. I know what Hutchison girls are capable of because I’ve seen it and lived it. That gives me confidence to raise the bar and ask a lot of them. I don’t hesitate to challenge students because I believe deeply in their potential. I’m not sure I would feel that same level of certainty if I hadn’t experienced this community myself.

Q: What does “responsible citizenship” mean to you personally?

A: To me, it’s about living intentionally in community, understanding your role, your strengths, and how you want to contribute. Leadership doesn’t look one way. Some leaders are more visible, while others are quiet and work behind the scenes.

Responsible citizenship is about empathy, accountability, and decision-making. It’s knowing where you fit, how you want to show up, and having the initiative to do so. Our job is to help students figure that out and give them the support they need to live it out. Responsible Citizenship is about

Responsible Citizenship

Building on Hutchison’s long tradition of empowering young women to lead, the Institute allows girls to discover how their individual talents and contributions can lead to rewarding careers and a life of purpose. The Institute provides a purposeful framework to harness the energy and curiosity of youthful idealism. We empower girls to change their world through a variety of opportunities.

Leads, Serves, and Invests are foundational Hutchison programs that embody the school’s commitment to living lives of purpose.

myExperience is a comprehensive three-and-a-half-year initiative for upper school girls to elevate their civic engagement and leadership skills in a structured co-curricular learning opportunity.

Videos by Danielle Katz

Get a sneak peek into the Hutchison experience, from the classroom to campus life. Scan the QR codes below to watch our latest reels.

REMEMBERING A WAVE

A special wave between our first graders and seniors brings back treasured memories for Ellie Bailey ’26. She started as a shy girl and now serves as senior class vice president and a member of the varsity soccer team.

THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS

Each year we celebrate the life and legacy of Liza Wellford Fletcher ’06 by choosing a senior to wear her number five. Lilly Hussey ’26 embodies so much of what Liza was all about.

“BEEING” CURIOUS IN COMMUNITY

As part of their study of bees, pollination, and plant development, our own second grade honeybees were buzzing with excitement as they harvested honey from the Katherine and John Dobbs Farm beehive.

A TRADITION BUILT ON TRUST

Honor is about choosing integrity, growing through challenges, and striving to be your best self. Honor Council leaders Kennon Humphreys ’26 and Scottie Arnold ’26 talk about what the Honor Code means to our community.

LIGHTBULB MOMENTS

Hands-on experiments in the science lab often lead to interesting moments of insight. Learning that mistakes are sometimes part of the process helps our girls become resilient and creative.

SMALL ACTS HAVE AN IMPACT

During the 10th grade service retreat, our girls learned that service isn’t just about what you give; it’s about who you become in the process. They built connections with one another and with the city we love.

&

Grandparents’ Grandfriends’ Day!

Joy and pride filled the air on campus when students welcomed their grandparents and grandfriends to get a glimpse of their lives at

by Max Maddock

Purpose: with Pivoting

DESIGNING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

If there’s one thing Elizabeth Blankenship-Singh ’08 knows about, it’s pivoting. It’s something she has done successfully several times and something she believes Hutchison prepared her well for. When she delivered the commencement speech to Hutchison’s graduating Class of 2025, she even structured her comments around the idea. She reminded graduates that the foundation they had built at Hutchison “doesn’t just launch you into your next chapter; it prepares you for every pivot you’ll face throughout your life.” She added: “And trust me, there will be pivots— some intentional, others unexpected.”

Hutchison sparked in me the ability to always stay curious and to enjoy learning new things.

Blankenship-Singh had her first pivot before she even graduated from Hutchison. There were two subjects she was passionate about: art and English, especially creative writing. Thinking about college, she assumed she’d major in one of those two subjects, and was considering Vanderbilt, where one of her brothers had attended. Between her junior and senior year, she enrolled in summer classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. She said it was mostly for fun, but it turned out she loved the experience and asked her parents if she could attend FIT for college.

“I came back to senior year at Hutchison, I told Mrs. [Gwen] English, and she helped me,” Blankenship-Singh recalled. “In addition to all the classic test scores, essays, and a regular application, I had to submit a full portfolio of fashion drawings and several garments that I sewed as part of the application process.”

She excelled in her four years at FIT and decided to continue immersing herself in fashion by enrolling in graduate studies at Central Saint Martins in London. FIT and Central Saint Martins are often considered among the top schools for fashion design, but they have different emphases. She explained that while FIT skews toward technical competence, such as pattern drafting and draping, Central Saint Martins is known for a creative focus and has produced a number of famous European designers. She had missed some of that creativity while at FIT and wanted to complement her technical proficiency.

She spent a year in London, then returned to New York to look for work. During high school, she had followed a luxury New York fashion brand called Proenza Schouler, which she learned about when the brand collaborated with Target in 2007 on a modestly priced resort wear line. At Central Saint Martins she was asked to write down where she wanted to work, and Proenza Schouler was at the top of her list. The only problem: there were no jobs available at the company.

“I couldn’t get Proenza Schouler out of my mind,” she explained. “So, I pivoted, and I emailed them and said ‘I’ll intern for you for free, if you just let me come in.’ They said yes. By the second week of my internship, they hired me full time as the assistant designer.”

Blankenship-Singh worked for a total of seven years in the fashion industry and was passionate about her work. Her designs appeared on magazine covers, and her work took her to Los Angeles, Italy, Japan, and other locales. In 2019, one of

the products she designed, a tie-dye turtleneck, was named the ninth most popular product in the world.

“It’s satisfying to create something out of nothing,” she said. “That’s why so many people will work in fashion for so long, because those wins feel so good. Once a quarter it’s really gratifying because you have a physical, tangible outcome that shows all the hard work you put in.”

Nevertheless, working in fashion required long hours and the pay was subpar, she admitted. There was something else that was nagging at Blankenship-Singh.

“Because I always liked to make things, I was keenly aware of what happened to the things that I made. I knew that whatever gets made eventually gets discarded,” Blankenship-Singh said. “I personally recycled. I tried to avoid creating as much waste as possible. I was conscious about my own personal decisions. It was hard to reconcile that with what I was spending my time doing.

“I was in the factories, and I could see what was happening when a garment was made, how much waste came out on the back end, and how many garments were unsold. That’s what eventually drove me away from fashion. I wanted to finally marry my personal sustainability beliefs with my career.”

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANOTHER PIVOT

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Blankenship-Singh was already thinking of making a change. She had considered asking Proenza Schouler to help pay for a master’s degree in sustainability at Columbia University. “Once COVID hit and everyone’s lives changed, it opened up my mind to the possibility of actually doing a full pivot and leaving my career.”

She remembered discussing ideas with her father and with her oldest brother, Brent, who mentioned that some business schools were waiving their Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) requirements due to testing centers being closed. He suggested she should apply to an MBA program.

“I said, ‘Why would I go to business school? That’s not at all what I want to do.’ Then, every night for a week, I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” she explained. “I had this idea about setting up a fashion manufacturing business to be zero waste, leveraging a lot of the resources I already had. I said to myself, ‘Okay, I actually have a reason why business school could make sense, because I have an idea, but I don’t know how to execute on it.’ ”

She wondered whether her FIT transcripts and her SAT score from junior year at Hutchison would be enough for admission. She took a leap of faith and applied to the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. Her application to Darden must have been impressive.

“I applied on a Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, I had an invitation to interview. I interviewed the following Monday afternoon, and by Tuesday morning, I got a phone call saying I had been accepted,” she recalled.

She described Darden as a perfect fit. Instead of teachers lecturing, students took the lead, grappling with business problems that they had to find solutions for. She discovered that problem solving was an “inherently creative endeavor.”

While she was formulating business solutions for her classes, she was also working hands-on running a business. In 2020, Blankenship-Singh started a clothing company that produced garments on demand from the leftover textiles of luxury brands.

“That was the best thing in the world for me personally, because it forced me to do everything from A to Z, be scrappy, and learn how to do new things that were very hard,” she said.

The company saw some good sales as well as some lackluster sales. Making the garments on demand was an expensive, manual labor process. She remembered talking with one of her investors about what to do and wondered how to find technologies that could solve some of the problems her business had. In 2023, she crunched the numbers and projected that her business wouldn’t make a profit in five years, or possibly even ten. After some soul searching, she decided to close it.

“My company just wasn’t in the right time or place to be successful,” she said. “I think I was honestly operating two years too early.” She noted that there is now a company in Portugal doing on-demand clothing production that uses artificial intelligence (AI), which reduces the expense of manual labor.

The failure of her company, she added, is the main reason she’s in her current job.

INVESTING IN A MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD

Today, Blankenship-Singh is a Director of Investments at Overlay Capital, a multi-asset class investment firm focused on the built environment, with core strategies in energy and waste and materials. Overlay invests across private credit, private equity, and venture capital, backing technologies and

platforms that modernize critical infrastructure and enable more resilient systems.

Elizabeth leads the firm’s equity investments, spanning early-stage innovation through growth and control-oriented investments, with a particular focus on upgrading waste systems, materials recovery, and energy infrastructure.

The newest fund Blankenship-Singh manages has four key focus areas, with recycling and sustainability at top of mind:

1) Waste management infrastructure (the processing of trash)

2) Metals

3) Construction and demolition materials

4) Textiles

increasingly sophisticated and accurate. This is important because trash that doesn’t get recycled ends up in landfills, which, she said, are filling to capacity.

She said many MRF sort lines previously used a robotic arm, which mimicked a manual sort process. Now they are using an AI-powered optical sorter that’s able to identify the chemical composition of every single thing that goes through the system, making the sort more accurate.

“A lot of these technologies have been in development for several years. However, with the rise of AI and the increase of computing power in the past four years, that’s changed everything. Since MRFs have been able to adopt these super smart AI algorithms, they’re able to sort 1,000 items a minute

As part of her work overseeing investments, Blankenship-Singh visited a material recovery facility in Athens, Georgia, that Overlay Capital owns. She was able to see firsthand how the adoption of AI technology is helping to sort trash more accurately, resulting in less material going to landfills.

“Right now, everything that is created, is eventually thrown away. That’s called a linear process,” Blankenship-Singh explained. “My entire focus is on upgrading and improving infrastructure to allow for us to move into a circular ecosystem.”

An example of this type of investment is Overlay’s acquisition of 15 Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), called “murfs” in shorthand. These facilities are in every city, and it’s where trash goes to be processed. Blankenship-Singh said that with the advances in artificial intelligence, trash sorting is becoming

instead of 40 items a minute in a manual sort.”

In addition to investing in the actual MRF facilities, Overlay has invested in the AI sorting technology. The result is that the MRFs are becoming more efficient and profitable, less material is being sent to landfills, and more material is being recycled and reused.

Blankenship-Singh believes she has a unique perspective in her role. “A lot of venture investors have never been company founders, and because I have that experience and

STAYING CURIOUS AND SAYING “YES”

Blankenship-Singh recalled that when she was working in fashion and she was drawing, painting, or doing something creative, she was usually listening to a book or a podcast about a subject she didn’t know much about, such as biotechnology.

She also read The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal daily, habits she said she started in high school.

“Hutchison sparked in me the ability to always stay curious and to enjoy learning new things,” she said.

My Hutchison education was the foundation for everything else.

“If I hadn’t had a fantastic education there, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of these other things.”

Additionally, she tried to push herself beyond what she knew. “The reason why I was successful at Proenza Schouler is because I constantly said ‘yes’ to doing other parts of the work, because I knew I was capable of doing them,” she added. “I was in charge of the design process, but I also was in charge of the product development process. I worked in the factories, which is a completely different skill set.”

understanding, I’m able to connect with founders in a slightly different way. It makes me better at my job. I know how much change I can make by investing in early-stage companies that are doing innovative things.”

She admits that she misses the painting and drawing that she did daily in her fashion career. “However, to be a venture investor, you also have to be creative,” she said. “What I have to do is imagine what the world will look like in 10 or 20 years.

“While I am in finance now, and I’m running a fund as the investor, I’m investing in something that I’ve been passionate about my whole career, and even before my career. Everything’s come together to lead to this point.”

Other keys to her success? Whether it’s working late hours, learning something new, or running her own company, she credits grit and perseverance for seeing her through. She believes humility has played an important role in her life and career, because when she’s pivoted, she’s often started out not knowing much and then learned as she went along. Perhaps most important, she said, is being kind. Teachers and colleagues who have mentored her have shown her kindness during the transitions, and she’s learned that kindness helps in business negotiations too.

As she explained to Hutchison’s graduates in her commencement speech, “Every pivot required courage, and each time, I leaned heavily on my Hutchison foundation with the confidence to step forward even when I couldn’t clearly see the path ahead.

“That’s the power of a strong foundation. It doesn’t just prepare you for the next step, it empowers you to pivot boldly, purposefully, and repeatedly into the unknown.”

Every pivot required courage, and each time, I leaned heavily on my Hutchison foundation with the confidence to step forward even when I couldn’t clearly see the path ahead.

Her Voice | Her Vision | Her Hutchison

At Hutchison, every girl discovers her voice, cultivates her vision, and grows into the young woman she is meant to be. The Hutchison Fund supports the people and programs that make our school extraordinary: our faculty, academics, arts, athletics, and opportunities that enrich every girl’s experience. Thank you for giving our girls the opportunities that shape her voice, her vision, her Hutchison.

2025- 2026 Hutchison Fund Chairs

Lauren and Scott Douglass

Ruth ’39, McLean ’37, and Ann Towery ’35

Hallie and Ned Biggs

Evie ’37 and Eleanor ’34

Lauren and Matthew Gant

Mary Steele ’29

Each of our three girls started at Hutchison in Early Childhood, and we know firsthand how special these first years on campus are, the warm welcome each girl receives, the joy of discovery in the classroom, and the foundation for a lifetime of learning. — Douglass Family

Your gift supports the programs, faculty, and experiences that help our girls thrive. Scan the QR code or visit: www.hutchisonschool.org/give

For more information about how you can give to Hutchison, please contact Olivia

at ocollins@hutchisonschool.org

We give for our girls, for the girls who will follow, and for our community as a whole.

—

Biggs Family

The Hutchison community has embraced us fully and completely and has shown our family such holistic support—we are all in!

— Gant Family

by Max Maddock

It’s a special memory for Gabrielle Arkle ’12. When she was younger, she visited the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. The museum features more than 150 restored aircraft representing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation.

“They had tours of the planes, and when I was probably seven or eight, World War II vets led the tours,” Arkle recalled. “I remember at the end of the tour, I walked up to a World War II vet, and he looked down at me, and he gave me a pair of flight wings, and he said, ‘One day, you can be a pilot, too.’ That’s always stuck with me—the thought, ‘I can be a pilot, too, one day.’ ”

That one day is now. After completing U.S. Army aviation school in 2024, Lieutenant Arkle was assigned as a Chinook helicopter pilot for the Army, stationed with the Mississippi National Guard in Meridian, Mississippi. If you’ve never seen a Chinook, it is a massive helicopter and distinctive because instead of just one rotor it features dual rotors, one in the front and one in the back. The dual rotor design makes the aircraft extremely stable and versatile, but most importantly, results in significant lift capabilities. The Chinook can lift up to 50,000 pounds and has a cargo area that can accommodate up to 32 people. It’s a workhorse that is used for troop and cargo transport, special operations, and in humanitarian aid missions.

DETERMINED TO FLY & Complete the Mission inspiration

Arkle had additional inspiration for joining the military and wanting to become a pilot: her father and her grandfather, both of whom had a passion for aviation. Her father works at FedEx headquarters, and Arkle said she fondly remembers going to the company’s annual parties for employees that would take place at the airport hangars where she’d get to see the FedEx planes up

If you stay determined, you can accomplish a lot, and that has served me well. I honestly think that’s what ’s gotten me through … knowing my worth and having that determination to get things done, and not taking ‘no’ for an answer.

close. Her grandfather served in the Army and encouraged her to join the military, hoping she’d become a pilot.

To date, Arkle has been in the Army for nine years. After enlisting, she went through advanced individual training, where she completed four months of air traffic control school. In 2020, she was deployed to Kuwait with the Pennsylvania National Guard for nine months. She was a sergeant in charge of a team of other air traffic controllers, an experience that she said helped her develop leadership skills.

Besides remembering the intense heat of Kuwait, she said being there was mentally challenging because they would often work eight- or 12-hour shifts, and sometimes only have one day off each week. The base was busy, with air traffic from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps—which, in retrospect, she explained, provided a great learning experience.

She admitted being away from home was difficult, too. “It definitely took a toll on me, not being able to hug my friends and family or talk to them face to face for a year,” she said. “I did have the support system of the other soldiers who were there with me. I made lifelong friends on deployment. There are four of us who have stayed close. We talk weekly and go on a girls’ trip every year.”

While at Louisiana State University, Arkle obtained her Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) commission as a U.S. Army Reserve Officer. When she decided to become an officer and work toward being a pilot, Arkle knew that the bulk of Army aviation involved helicopters. Beyond her air traffic

“

control experience, flying wasn’t totally new. She previously had some civilian flight hours learning to fly small planes. “I could have switched branches at that point, because my enlistment was finishing. I could have gone with the Air Force. But I’ve had a good experience with the Army, so I decided I would stay and fly helicopters.”

She had a hurdle, though. Her vision didn’t meet the standards to be a pilot, so Arkle had LASIK eye surgery. “That sounds like a small thing,” she said, “but there are so many things that can hold you back from doing what you want to do. You can easily turn away and say, ‘Well, I don’t have this quality, or I can’t do it because of this.’ It’s easy to get discouraged, but there’s usually a workaround.

“If you stay determined, you can accomplish a lot, and that has served me well. I honestly think that’s what’s gotten me through both school and various promotions—knowing my worth, having that determination to get things done, and not taking ‘no’ for an answer.”

Reaching New Heights

Even with determination, the path wasn’t always easy.

“Flight school was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It was harder than college,” Arkle said. “It was a fire hose of information. I was just trying to get as much in as I could, in the amount of time I had.”

She said flight school takes a year and a half to complete, and students fly every single day. In addition to the actual

mental fortitude

flying, there is a lot to learn about regulations, emergency procedures, navigation, the mechanics of a helicopter and how it operates, maintenance, airspace regulations, weather patterns, and much more.

“You have a long day and then you have to go home and study. I think the most difficult part that people don’t realize is that training to become a pilot is almost 85 percent studying and taking tests.”

Arkle said flying a helicopter is a bit more challenging than an airplane, not the least of which is learning to hover, which she described as a very difficult task. There’s mental stress, too, because you’re responsible for a multi-milliondollar aircraft. The upside, she explained, is that helicopters are extremely versatile because you can land in places that an airplane could never land and because you can change course much easier and faster.

For the Chinook helicopter, there are always two pilots: a pilot in command, who is physically flying the helicopter, and a mission manager, who is managing the flight computer, navigation, and other complex aircraft systems. The Chinook, for instance, has five screens to monitor. As a new pilot, Arkle serves as a mission manager, but her goal is to one day become certified as a pilot in command.

Arkle said the two things she’s constantly considering are how to accomplish the assigned mission and how to take care

of her crew. She knows the mission is the priority, but having been enlisted, she can understand the needs of her crew as well.

“We do external loads, picking up cargo outside the helicopter. There are crew members who are in the back of the helicopter with a hook, and you don’t want to let them down. There’s a lot of pressure,” she said. “As the pilot, you’re responsible for the safety of the whole crew and the performance of the helicopter, and you want to make sure you’re doing your job so that they can do their jobs and together you can accomplish the mission.

“For me, besides the physical aspect of learning how to fly a helicopter and having some tasks that are difficult, the toughest challenge is making sure you have the mental fortitude and a calm mindset to be able to assess situations properly and then listen to your crew.”

She said that a big part of the equation is trust. “The enlisted get the job done, and the officers are the ones who give out orders. You don’t want to break that trust. Officers are supposed to take care of their soldiers, because then the soldiers trust you and can complete the mission.”

One thing that hasn’t changed, she said, is the thrill of flying. “I’ve been flying a helicopter for a couple of years now, and it doesn’t get old. I go out and do a low-level flight over the trees, and it’s still a rush every time I do it.”

one thing that hasn ’t changed is the thrill of flying. I ’ve been flying a helicopter for a couple of years now, and it doesn ’ t get old. I go out and do a low-level flight over the threes, and it ’ s still a rush every time I do it.

“

critical thinking

“… An Environment Where I Felt Like I Could Do Anything …”

There were two important things Arkle learned at Hutchison that she said will serve her for the rest of her life. One is critical thinking. “Hutchison teaches all the girls to be independent and think for themselves,” she said. “Critical thinking is important for officers in the military, as we’re making decisions for a lot of people whose lives are in our hands. We have to be able to think on the fly.”

She also gained a sense of ambition. “Hutchison always encouraged us to make the most of our education and make the most of our lives. In my Army career, I enlisted and then I made sergeant in three years, which is fast for the Army, but that’s because I was ambitious and wanted it and so I pushed for it. After that, I pushed to become an officer.

“Hutchison teachers and administrators fostered an environment where I felt like I could do anything. I never felt like I was going to be limited by anything in life other than what my goals were and how hard I worked.”

One person she credits is Katy Nair, who is now Hutchison’s upper school head. “She was someone who was always in our corner,” Arkle recalled. “She was such a motivator. She would tell us that she was proud of us. That means a lot when you hear it from your parents, but your parents are supposed to say that! Hearing those words from a teacher really made a difference. She encouraged us to have lofty goals and shoot for whatever we wanted.”

On November 11, 2025, Arkle returned to Hutchison to give a Veterans Day speech to the upper school. She shared her experiences and reflections on service, leadership, and believing in yourself. Her grandfather was in the audience and after the assembly, he talked about how proud he was of her.

Even though Arkle is also proud of where she is now, she has more goals for the future. Her number one priority right now is to become a pilot in command. She expects that it may take two years. After that, she would like to work toward becoming an instructor pilot, teaching advanced tasks to new pilots who move from flight school to a unit. That might require another two to three years.

“I think an instructor pilot can have the most direct influence on how the unit develops and how new pilots develop,” she explained. “I would like to make sure that pilots behind me have a good mentor and reflect the culture of the unit that I would want.”

Along the way, she aspires to make captain, then major, and maybe even colonel.

A saying she often remembers is: “No one cares about your career like you do, so don’t leave it up to other people to advance your career.”

“ “

Hutchison taught me that the limit to my success would always be in my own head. What you believe you can do is your limit. If you have a deep belief in yourself and your abilities and with determination, the sky is the limit.

Graduation

Top honors for the Class of 2025: Angela He earned Four Years, Top Honors, and Chloe Simpson received Four Years, Second Honors. Kate Connell earned Senior Year, Top Honors, and Emily Jackson received Senior Year, Second Honors. Hailey Litzsey 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. Grace Abram received the Ideal Hutchison Girl Award, which is presented to a senior who best represents the ideal woman as described in Proverbs 31. Joy Hillyer delivered a speech as the Meg Thomas Student Speaker, selected by her classmates. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

HUTCHISON 2025 GOLF

SCRAMBLE

Presenting Sponsor

THE HUTCHISON GOLF SCRAMBLE was held at Chickasaw Country Club on Monday, September 29. More than 135 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.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

BLACK AND GOLD SPONSORS

THE HOLLIS FAMILY

STING SPONSORS FG3 Construction | Paragon Bank | Reynolds, Bone, and Griesbeck | The Doug Marchant Family | Memphis University School

Duncan Williams Asset Management | The Marston Group | Pinnacle Bank | Boyle Investment Company | RBC Wealth Management Haynie Electric & HVAC, Inc | Truist Bank

FLAG SPONSORS Green Square Wealth Management | Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC | Haynie Interiors | SAGE Dining Services

TEE BOX SPONSORS The Crump Firm | Weiss and Glassell Orthodontics | Presbyterian Day School | Coolmore Logistics Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC | Germantown Dermatology | Lexus of Memphis

IN-KIND SPONSORS

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE

Doug Marchant

Jennings Pitts Barnes ’05

Paul Berryhill

Chip Campbell

Olivia Delozier

Larkin Grisanti

Dennis Ring

Stephen Rodda

Tommy Stephenson

Natalie Meagle

Matthew Gant

Elizabeth Krausnick Malmo ’06

Jon Wright

Ross Spain, Athletics Director

9-HOLE/LADIES

Championship Flight 1st Place

Marie Roberson

Traci Edwards

Debbie Richmond

Anne Thielemier

2nd Place

Michelle Bolton

Ali Sinkular

Jeree Wheat

Kathy Albertine

Closest to the Pin

Olivia Delozier

Longest Drive

Kathy Albertine

18-HOLE

Championship Flight 1st Place

Michael Schaefer

John Summers

Eric Beaty

Kittrell Smith 2nd Place

Jay Edwards

Harrison Hunt

Andrew Norrid

Scott Burnett

First Flight/ 1st Place

Chad Rounder

Jon Wright

Scott Caldwell

Griffin Elkington

Second Flight/ 1st Place

Chris Thompson

Brittany Thompson

Greg Thompson

Closest to the Pin #3

Vince Mazzola

Closest to the Pin #6

Oscar Edmonds

Closest to the Pin #9

Joe Cummings

Longest Drive

Wilson Baird

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2026 HUTCHISON GOLF SCRAMBLE: SEPTEMBER 21

PRESENTED BY

THE HUTCHISON TENNIS

ROUND ROBIN was held at the Dunavant-Wellford Tennis Center on Monday, October 20. More than 70 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.

2025 Overall Champion | Allison Harris

Section Winners: Allison Bravo | Diana Galdieri

Ruth Wood Garrett ’05 | Allison Harris | Kaci Turner

SPECIAL

STING SPONSOR

IN-KIND SPONSORS

Alumnae who participated in the tournament! Lauren Daniel Carr ’00, Mary Marshall Maxwell ’06, Lauren Pharr Parks ’02, Elizabeth Morrow Carlisle ’06, Sophie Good Edwards ’05, Cathy Crill Herrington ’89, Alexandra Adams Roll ’03, Jennings Pitts Barnes ’05, Martha Campbell Robertson ’05, Russell Wood Chambliss ’02, Caroline Capstick Sones ’02, Ashley Bryce Riney ’02, Whitney Henderson Bricken ’97, Kathy Llewellyn Lohman ’98, Paige Latham Proctor ’84, Jeanne Bowen Hollis ’75, Megan Wellford Grinder ’91, Catherine Talbot Lackie ’00; not pictured: Malaney Cross George ’06, Sarah Akins Reed ’04, and Shibahn Singh Rodda ’02

COURT SPONSORS

Nancy Welsh Smith ’68

Jim Keras Automotive

iBank

Hammons Investment Group of Raymond James

Haygood Realty

Wright Construction Company

OrthoSouth

City Silo Table + Pantry

Germantown Dermatology

The Smith Family

The Campbell Family

The Lewis Family

The Mavar Family

The Sherman Family

Tennessee Tailgate

Eddie and Emma Brandon

Our Alumnae Play a Vital Role in Shaping Hutchison’s Present and Future

Scan the QR code to watch a short video in which Dr. Kristen Ring shares our new vision for alumnae engagement.

We are grateful to Mary Aubrey Stafford ’10 for her leadership as Alumnae Director since 2016, during which she built lasting connections across generations of Hutchison women. In her new role as Director of Leadership and Legacy Giving, she will deepen relationships with alumnae donors by listening to what inspires their generosity, exploring how their philanthropic priorities align with Hutchison’s mission, and communicating the enduring impact of their support.

We are excited to welcome Caroline Schaefer ’08 as our first Director of Alumnae Strategy. In this newly created role, she will help alumnae stay connected to Hutchison by creating meaningful opportunities for them to engage current students and by building professional, regional, and interestbased alumnae networks. Caroline’s work will strengthen the Hutchison sisterhood and facilitate meaningful ways for alumnae to support one another.

To reach our alumnae staff, you can always email alumnae@hutchisonschool.org Follow along at our Instagram account: @hutchisonalumnae

Giving day hutchison

Givinghutchisonday

Giving day hutchison

You are our pride and joy. Keep working hard and never give up. We love you with all our hearts!

Grammie and Papa

Giving day hutchison

Thankful for all of the hard work creating experiencethebestafter-school possible forourgirls!

Giving day @ hutchison

Class of 1998! We are cool, we are great, we’re the class of ’98!

Middle School coaches: Thank you for a wonderful fall season!

If you are interested in volunteering on Giving Day, please contact: Olivia Collins, Annual Fund Director | ocollins@hutchisonschool.org GIVING DAY IS FEBRUARY 5!

Make a gift on Giving Day in honor of someone special in the Hutchison community, and we’ll send them a handwritten valentine. Every gift helps create joyful opportunities for Hutchison girls.

To make a gift for Giving Day, please scan the QR code.

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Hutchison accepts qualified female students regardless of race, color, religion, disability, or national origin.

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