The Bear Facts

Harpeth Hall Upper School Newsletter

For Students, Parents and Faculty

May, 2006

http://hh.harpethhall.com/bearfacts

 

 

The Class of 2006

We will miss each of you very much!

We send you off with our love and best wishes for great success.

 

 

RELAY FOR LIFE, a Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society

         

 

Energetic and focused, HH senior Meg Beasley (pictured with mother, Margaret Martin) successfully organized a major event in support of the American Cancer Society.  Over $44,000 was raised by Meg and her fabulous team of student volunteers from HH and MBA.

 

  

HH faculty, parents, alumnae and friends who have survived cancer participated in the Survivor’s Walk, the first lap of the night, to kick off Relay for Life.

 

            

Ellen Regan was in charge of the Survivor’s Dinner and Walk.  Survivors wore special ribbons or t-shirts, walked the first lap alone, and were joined by family members for the second lap. Above, Sandra and Kara Earthman, and Katie and Ellen Regan.

 

   

Rising juniors and rising sophomores supported Relay for Life.

 

              

Rising seventh and eighth graders wore special t-shirts for the event. 

 

Bubbles, games, movies, face painting, even a surprise visit from the sprinkler system, kept participants entertained all night.

 

Andrew Martell and Ben Stennis entertained with Ben’s group of musicians.

 

  

Faintly, the picture above shows the luminaries which spelled out HOPE on the bank of the track.  When the field lights were turned off, hundreds of luminaries lit the track for the laps walked in silence.  This was a very emotional part of the 12-hour event.  Each of the luminaries had been purchased in memory or in honor of someone whose life had been touched by cancer.  Argie Johnson chaired the luminary project.

When dawn came, tired and proud students cleaned up the event site and delivered extra food to the Nashville Rescue Mission.  What better way to begin the summer than giving time and energy to support such a worthy cause. 

A standing ovation for all HH and MBA volunteers, parents, faculty and friends who made this happen.

 

Step Singing and Graduation

As the Class of 2006 processed from Souby Hall to the library steps for the final events of their senior year, there were smiles and tears as the girls realized the significance of these beautiful and meaningful year-end traditions.

  

 

Lady of the Hall, Ellen Regan laughed at the witty speech delivered by Mr. Joe Croker.  Seniors sang “Lean on Me” as their final message to their schoolmates.

 

    

Cate Tidwell, Tenth Grade Representative, and Rebecca Barden, Eleventh Grade Representative;

Ambassadors on hand to give out programs.

 

       

 

Krissie Binkley, Twelfth Grade Representative; Meredith Was, Ninth Grade Representative; Court on the Ann Scott Carell Library steps.

 

      

 

Juniors and seniors arriving for Step Singing.  The graduating seniors officially pass their leadership role to the rising senior class at this annual celebration.

 

 

Graduation on Monday, May 22 followed Sunday’s Step Singing Ceremony.  More white dresses, but with red roses and green diplomas added.

 

   

 

        

 

Zoe Stein (center picture), selected by her classmates, delivered a heartfelt final speech on behalf of the Class of 2006.

 

     

 

Faculty members proudly formed an honor guard for the new graduates as they left the front lawn of  Souby Hall.

 

Souby Hall’s back lawn was beautifully prepared for the reception following graduation.

 

         

 

 

 

 

We love you, girls!

 

 

Almost Alumnae Luncheon

     

The Harpeth Hall Alumnae Relations department hosted a luncheon for seniors and their mothers. Senior Class President Krissie Binkley spoke, followed by alumna and mother of Molly Campbell (2006), Becky Irvin Campbell, class of 1971.

 

Athletic Awards Banquet

To celebrate and recognize the dedication of HH Upper School athletes, parents, coaches and students gathered for the annual Athletic Banquet.

 

Awards Day Includes Annual Intramural Song Competition

Angkors won the song competition with an original version of “It’s Raining Whales”.

 

Students were recognized for academic and extracurricular excellence, leadership, concern for others, citizenship, and outstanding personal character.  This final gathering of the student body for the year ended with the Class of 2006 leading the Alma Mater.

 

Sunday Afternoon Concert

 

Mrs. Nancy Turner, Music Director, directed the Upper School chorus at the beautiful Spring Concert.

 

CONGRATULATIONS

TO…HH’s Lacrosse Team for a third consecutive state championship title!!

 

TO…Kaity Krupp (10) who is participating in Junior State of America’s Junior Statesmen Summer School held at Princeton University to study political issues.

TO…Molly Robert (11) who won third prize for her poetry in a city wide writing contest sponsored by the Nashville Public Library.

TO… Katherine Morgan (12) who was awarded a college scholarship from ACE Mentors Program of TN for students interested in design, construction, or engineering.

TO…Mrs. Jacquie Watlington and the HH Spirit of Service volunteers who won the Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE)’s National Service Learning School Award (Honorable Mention). Harpeth Hall’s contribution will be featured in the September issue of Connections, the CSEE publication.

TO… the following girls who received recognition for their great efforts on the Grand Concours, the National French Exam:

            French I:           Kelly Earthman 9th in Tennessee

            French II:         Katie Schull                  8th in Tennessee, 8th in US

            French III:        Annie Killian                 2nd in Tennessee, 5th in US

                                    Mary Julia Bressman     5th in Tennessee, 8th in US

                                    Lauren Zielske  9th in Tennessee

                                    Becca Hill                     10th in Tennessee

            French V:         Melissa Neal                6th in Tennessee, 10th in US

                                    Emily Hassell                9th in Tennessee

TO…Sarah Steeves (11) who played viola with Huntsville Youth Orchestra and was invited to participate in UT Knoxville's Honors Orchestra the weekend of May 19-21. Sarah is also a member of MBA's orchestra.

TO…Whitney Hayden and Emily Hassell (2006) who will both have artwork on exhibit in the Andrea Conte Gallery at the Frist from October 27 until January 7, 2007.  This show is the result of a statewide competition of the Advanced Placement Studio Art program in which 31 pieces were chosen from over 600 entries.

TO… Carolyn Caire, Lauren Caire, Courtney Vick, Lacy Magee, Gabby Gioia, Taylor Parrish, Lauren LeRoy, Morgan McVicker, Anna Spoden, Elle Delfavero, Sarah Joy Crouch, Diana Beckner, Ashleigh Davis, Nicky Hughes Hallett, Brenna Newport, Dede Nesbitt, Alex Bryant, and Meredith Was.  Each of these girls qualified for and participated in the State Tennis or Track and Field competition at MTSU.

       

Gabby Gioia placed first in the triple jump; Courtney Vick was 8th and Lacy Magee 3rd in the discus; Carolyn and Lauren Caire reached the semi-finals in tennis.

 

Construction Underway

Upper School offices and classrooms are vacant, grades are turned in, and summer is here.  BUT… the campus is not still!  A road has been cleared in Souby lawn for construction traffic to travel as the Wallace Building renovation begins. 

Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Horton and Mrs. Maxwell are now housed in the Ann Scott Carell Library for the summer.  The Business Office has moved to the dining hall area to make room for College Counseling, Winterim and Service Learning to occupy the second floor of Souby Hall.

Desks and classroom equipment not needed in the new building were donated to Lewisburg Christian Academy, a new school for pre-K through 12th grade.

 

Calendar Correction for Next Year

Please make the following correction to the 2006-2007 calendar sent with the last Bear Facts:

Tuesday, January 23 is the first day back from Winterim for students; faculty will have professional development on Monday, January 22.

Additional dates:

Freshman Mixer, 7:30-9:30, September 9

Winter Formal, 8:00-10:30, January 27

 

 

College Counseling Notes

 

National College Fair Notes

The greatest number ever of Harpeth Hall sophomores and juniors attended the NACAC National College Fair at the Convention Center Sunday, April 30.  We were excited to see so many of our students taking advantage of this excellent opportunity to meet representatives from colleges and universities around the country. Several of the representatives made a point of stopping by the Counselors' Table to say how much they enjoyed talking with Harpeth Hall students.  One representative said, "I would guess that 90% of the students who visited my booth were from Harpeth Hall and they are all so polite." 

If you were not able to attend the spring college fair, there will be another one in October, as well as many opportunities to meet with the representatives who will be visiting our campus during the fall semester.

 

Talking About Testing

Sophomores - Next October, you will again take the PSAT as a practice test for the SAT, and some of you will be designated National Merit Semi-finalists or Commendees as a result of your scores on the test this year.  Though a strong college preparatory curriculum is the best preparation for these tests, data shows that advance test preparation has been helpful for some students wishing to achieve their best score on this test.  Many students have found it helpful to buy a practice book such as The Official SAT Study Guide for the New SAT and take practice tests on their own at home.  Others have benefited from test preparation classes or individual tutoring sessions.  This summer Richmond Tutors will continue to offer a special program of test preparation for our students.  Some financial assistance is available if needed. In addition to Richmond Tutors, Mrs. Paine has a list of other tutors who have worked with Harpeth Hall students in the past.  Please feel free to contact the College Counseling Office for more information.

 

Juniors - Most of you will be taking the SAT or ACT again next fall.  If you are interested in practicing for these tests on your own over the summer, we encourage you to order The Official SAT Study Guide for the NEW SAT online from the College Board. Richmond Tutors will continue to offer a special program of test preparation for our students as well, and some financial assistance is available if needed. In addition to Richmond Tutors, Mrs. Paine has a list of other tutors who have worked with Harpeth Hall students in the past.  Please feel free to contact the College Counseling Office for more information.

 

Juniors - Mark Your Calendars!

August 21 is the date for the half-day Senior College Workshop.  All seniors will meet in the Richards Room from the end of registration until noon to review important information regarding the applications and admissions process.  An admission representative will speak to you from the perspective of the university admissions office about the process, and you will have the opportunity to read and evaluate some college applications yourself.  There will be lots of time for any questions you might have followed by a picnic lunch with Ms. Teaff.  More information will be included in the summer mailing.

We have enjoyed getting to know each of you better this spring and look forward to working with you this fall. 

 

Juniors!  Get ahead on your college application process this summer!

Mrs. Paine and Ms. Byers, the new Director of College Counseling will be at school intermittently throughout the summer to meet with families and students.  The new temporary offices will be upstairs in Souby Hall.

Please feel free to contact either Ms. Byers or Mrs. Paine if you have any questions over the summer months, need a transcript sent to a school to which you are applying, or would like to schedule a meeting.

 

Below are some general recommendations for making good use of the summer.

 

"           Write to colleges and universities you are considering for information and applications. 

"           Make copies of the applications you receive and begin filling out the copies. Whatever work      you can do on your applications in advance will save you time next fall.

"           Begin developing ideas and writing drafts for required college essays.

"           You may apply to some schools with rolling admissions beginning in June.  If you need to have   your transcript mailed, email Mrs. Paine and she will be in touch with you about how to get that            done.

"           Organize your information.  Develop a filing system and make a list of application deadlines,       standardized testing requirements, and tasks to be completed.  WRITE THE DEADLINES ON      A CALENDAR!

"           When possible, plan to visit a few colleges to which you are interested in applying.  Have a "      meaningful summer experience"!

"           READ! READ! READ!

 

SENIORS!!!  We will miss you!  DO come back and see us next year and have a GREAT, GREAT SUMMER!!!

 

 

 

WELCOME TO THE UPPER SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2010 !!