Dr. Cooper has enjoyed his time as a teacher at Harpeth Hall. “I’ve loved every minute of being here,” said Dr. Cooper. “I love teaching girls. I love the relationships they have and how they support each other.”

Although this is his last year at Harpeth Hall, he has left a long and lasting impact on his students and colleagues.

“He was always more concerned with learning and listening to other people’s opinions than with imposing his own. That is a really rare way of being and, in my opinion, a beautiful way of being,” said Senior Bonnie Scott.

Indeed, many of Dr. Cooper’s students sing his praises and assert that he will be dearly missed.

“I will miss his sweet smile and greeting of hello when I pass him in the hall,” said Senior Leslie Rolfe. “He will be remembered for his sincere kindness and gentle spirit.”

Mr. Springman, one of Dr. Cooper’s closest friends since their first days at Harpeth Hall, said, “I will miss his quick wit and great sense of humor. He also has been a valued member of the History Department, and we will all miss his wisdom and expertise.”

Dr. Cooper remains a favorite among students. Throughout his years at Harpeth Hall, he has maintained a reputation as a dedicated and thoughtful teacher.

“We all love him so much because of his sweet personality. Every now and then he will throw in a feisty comment that will make us laugh,” said Junior Cici Rutherford.

Not only is Dr. Cooper known for his charming disposition, but also for his contagious passion for history. He plays an integral role in helping students gain a deeper understanding of history while learning to love it.

“I looked forward to Dr. Cooper’s class every day!” said Senior Sarah Hill. “He was always encouraging and cheerful, and he made history clear and relatable.”

Although he majored in accounting, Dr. Cooper went back to school to earn his teaching degree. When asked about this change in profession, Dr. Cooper said, “I always realized the importance of education, and I had a feeling I wanted to teach. After a while, I decided I wanted to teach and went into what I loved, which was history.”

Outside the classroom, Dr. Cooper has affected life at Harpeth Hall in unexpected ways. As Mr. Springman said, “Many in our community are unaware that it was Dr. Cooper’s idea to add soup spoons to the dining hall— something he reminds us of often.”

Dr. Cooper will be missed after he retires from Harpeth Hall, but his genuine love of history will endure for years to come.

Try to recognize the other member of the History Department in this vintage photo.

Powder Puff, Step Singing and graduation compose the triple-crown of Harpeth Hall’s end-of-the-year traditions. Each tradition has evolved from distinct origins to recognize specific students or life landmarks.

Powder Puff, the annual flag football game between juniors and seniors, started in 2004 as a friendly competition between Harpeth Hall and St. Cecilia. The Student Council later restricted the game to Harpeth Hall’s upperclassmen, fueling the rivalry between the juniors and seniors. This tense sports event continues today with Student Council support, which includes brightly-colored T-shirts available for purchase.

Step Singing is the oldest tradition unique to Harpeth Hall, and it dates back to the May Day celebration at Ward Belmont Seminary School. May Day included a song each year that was sung on the steps of the academic building. This musical tribute morphed into the current Step Singing ceremony. Step Singing now entails the junior class singing a song for the seniors and accepting leadership responsibilities on campus.

Dean of Students Marie Maxwell said that earlier Step Singing celebrations also included “a daisy chain of the numbers forming the graduation years, a tea before the event and a performance of the sophomore play each year.”

Sophomore Carolyn Edwards reflected on one unique aspect of Step Singing: the crowning of the Lady of the Hall. Recognizing the Lady of the Hall makes Step Singing her favorite annual Harpeth Hall tradition. Edwards said, “I think it is equally important to honor students who possess strong character and set a positive example for their classmates as it is to award students for their academic and artistic achievements.”

After attending Step Singing, all Upper School students are required to return the following day for graduation.

Graduation at any high school is the event students anticipate from the first day of their freshman year. It symbolizes the closing of one chapter in a Harpeth Hall student’s life before she begins her adventures in college and beyond. Each year, the celebration attracts over 2,500 guests who flock to campus to show their support for graduating nieces, granddaughters, neighbors, babysitters and friends. Unlike most high schools’ lengthy graduations, though, the Harpeth Hall ceremony lasts under 80 minutes from start to finish.

Graduating students at Harpeth Hall, as at many other independent girls’ schools, wear long white dresses instead of a cap and gown. The celebration has remained almost unchanged over the years, with senior girls processing down Souby Lawn behind an honor guard of faculty while all guests sit in white lawn chairs.

However, a brass quintet has recently replaced a piano as the musical accompaniment.  Head of School Ann Teaff summed up the purpose of the graduation ceremony when she said, “It is a beautiful testimony that shows how loved Harpeth Hall girls are all over our community.”

All three of these sustained traditions are intended to honor students and their dedication to their school. Together they represent a cherished part of the end-of-year celebrations at Harpeth Hall.

Each year, Awards Day honors deserving individuals who have worked their hardest. It is important to understand that these girls have gone above and beyond expectations; they deserve to be rewarded. It is in the process of rewarding, however, that the bulk of the honeybear population is left behind. There must be a solution to the disparity between the awardees and their peers. Academic accolades, although impressive, do not celebrate an individual’s character or integrity.

Girls who have not excelled in five AP courses but who know exactly what to say to a struggling friend or what it takes to comfort a peer after a loss will often leave empty-handed. Those who consistently participate in community service outside Harpeth Hall will again be passed over, as the same officers of various service clubs receive commendations.

As a whole, this staff does not believe that celebrating more girls for different kinds of success would dilute the traditional awards. Instead, it would provide a more diverse and accurate representation of the accomplishments in our halls. There must be a way to raise up not only those who have succeeded academically but also those with strong characters. For example, the Lady of the Hall recognizes a senior who represents the highest ideals of the school. Each year, a student is nominated by her peers and teachers not only based on her academic achievement, but on her merit, integrity and attitude.

Harpeth Hall is able to successfully provide a positive environment for each girl who is a student here. Academic success is something to be praised, yes, but it is the community that makes this school a stand-out institution.

When students detail the reasons they have loved their time here, the majority will provide stories and explanations of their peers and teachers. A few positive memories may include the celebrations after conquering an AP test, the relief after completing the 96 Equations lab, or the joy that comes with listening to Mr. Croker’s audio comments about a final term paper. Though these brief moments contribute considerable happiness, they are often dismissed in the face of Awards Day.

Why must we continue to lift up those who are well-aware of their scholarly achievement instead of recognizing more girls who make a profound impact in their classmates’ lives?

A girl’s character is more important than her resume. In the end, Logos wants all of you to feel appreciated. Know that this includes those of you who will receive pewter cups and necklace charms for your success and those of you who will go home empty-handed. We are proud to call each and every one of you our classmates and friends.

“What happened was our original business plan did not work out the way we thought, so there was only a slim chance that we would have been able to pay back the entire debt on schedule,” said Symphony Board Treasurer Kevin Crumbo.“We felt it would have been irresponsible to run out of cash later, so we decided we needed to renegotiate the debt right now.”

As of early April, the Nashville Symphony’s board chair and president stated that they had not received notices of foreclosure. They are negotiating to restructure the debt, but there have been no developments since then. The financial issues seem to be on hold, and only time will tell the symphony’s eventual fate.

“At this point we’re observing, and we’re watching closely,” said Mayor Karl Dean. “It is an amazing part of the cultural options that are offered here in Nashville, and we want to see that continue.”

The city is known for its country music; however, classical music also plays an important role in the vibrant cultural life of Nashville. The capital’s classical music scene would not be the same without the Viennese inner atmosphere, grand Neoclassical architecture and ideal acoustics of the Schermerhorn Center. All of these features place Nashville on the world map for classical music, attracting world-renowned classical performers like pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and soprano Renee Fleming. As a result, many citizens believe that losing the Schermerhorn Center would be a tragedy for Nashville.

“The Symphony Center is not just an entertainment venue, but a center for the education of the arts,” said instrumental music director Lori McDermott. “It is a bridge to the community for the youth and elderly. Music drives our spirit, our moods, and it is for me what makes us human. Without the programs and venue the Symphony Center provides, we lose some of that passion and humanity in our community.”

In addition, the loss of the Schermerhorn would affect students who seek true concert hall experiences. For now, the city waits as the Board of Directors sort out the Symphony’s finances with its lenders.

A crude bomb detonated right by the finish line, directly affecting the remaining runners and spectators of the race. The explosion killed three and injured over 260. Seconds later, another bomb went off and chaos broke out.

Investigation began immediately as the FBI gathered evidence near the scene. A Lord & Taylor store caught footage of two young men with backpacks walking towards the finish line. To continue the investigation, the FBI made the difficult decision to inform the public.

“The nation is counting on those with information to come forward and provide it,” said Special Agent Richard DesLauriers.

Throughout the week after the bombing, there were countless memorial services, vigils and heightened security measures. Senior Ellie Hitt, who was in Boston the Wednesday and Thursday after the bombing, noted that there were SWAT teams in the subway. She was even patted down at the airport.

At the end of the week, the official manhunt commenced after the suspects carjacked a car in Cambridge, MA. The first chase resulted in the death of an MIT police officer, a Boston police officer and Suspect 1.
Boston went under a lockdown on April 19 while Suspect 2 was on the loose; AmTrak lines were closed, and Boston public transportation was halted. That night, Suspect 2 was found inside a stored boat. He was taken into questioning and remains alive in custody.

The two suspects were Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Older brother Tamerlan, age 26, was a champion boxer as well as a devout Muslim. Younger brother Dzhokhar, age 19, was a student at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Dzhokhar is the surviving suspect currently being rehabilitated in a medical detention center.

The Tsarnaev family moved to America in 2002 from a region in Russia near Chechnya, which, according to TIME Magazine, “has been plagued by an Islamic insurgency that has carried out deadly bombings.”

In 2012, Tamerlan traveled to Russia for six months, and some wonder if he was given terrorist orders while he was there. Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel believes that this bombing was simply a reaction to extreme jihadist literature that the culprits were exposed to while living in Russia. She claims that it was done specifically on the day of the Boston Marathon to parallel the Oklahoma bombing of 1995, which also occurred on Patriot’s Day.

The significance of this event is not marked simply by the fear of terrorism. The collaboration of Bostonians and other Americans to uphold the city’s strength is also memorable.

Ellie Hitt said that there were supportive signs around Boston University, and everyone was showing extreme solidarity for the injured marathon runners and spectators. In fact, there were chalk drawings that said “keep running” and “keep going” by the Charles River.

Junior Hayley Gammons said that she “will always remember where [she] was when [she] found out” about the bombing. This bombing, as well as America’s strong and  heart-warming reaction, will go down in history.

Senior Allie Polk has been awarded the Morehead-Cain Scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As one of 64 recipients of the honor, she is part of the three percent selected from 2,000 highly qualified applicants.

Established in 1945, the Morehead-Cain is the oldest and most recognized merit scholarship in the country. According to the official website, the scholarship “provides an undergraduate experience without peer.” Morehead-Cain scholars are given the opportunity to attend UNC for four years and experience four summer enrichment experiences without cost.

“Allie Polk is one of the most remarkable students I have worked with in 12 years of admission and college counseling,” said Amy Evans, her college counselor. “I am thrilled she has been given this opportunity. The program emphasizes moral force of character, scholarship, physical vigor and leadership, and I cannot think of a better match.”

In addition to distinguishing herself academically, Polk participates in two varsity sports. She is also co-Editor-in-Chief of Logos, president of Cum Laude and vice-president of the senior class.

“Allie is the epitome of what the scholarship is supposed to be,” said Dr. Echerd, who earned his Ph.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill. He reinforced the fact that the Morehead is not purely an academic award, but also one that recognizes great leadership.

“The whole journey began with an extensive online application followed by a Skype interview before the final selection weekend,” said Polk. “While visiting campus, I met 111 students from around the world who had also been selected. It felt like Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ knowing that only half would be chosen.”

According to the Morehead-Cain website, the scholarship seeks to “provide a net, then let scholars go, giving them the trust and freedom to pursue their own interests, mine their own potential, determine their own sphere of influence and have their own impact.”

The last scholar from Harpeth Hall was Kate Celauro in the Class of 1998.

Before school let out for spring break on March 15, Ms. Teaff called the entire student body into the theater to announce her retirement. Tears were shed when the news was heard, but smiles appeared when she assured the student body that she would remain in her position for the 2013-2014 school year. During the assembly, she promised to attend every graduation for the classes currently at Harpeth Hall.

The chair of the Board of Trustees, Edie Carrel Johnson ‘60, described Ms. Teaff’s influence as “transformative” in a letter sent to Harpeth Hall alumnae, parents and students. Over the past 16 years, Teaff has raised $80 million for the school with the help of the Board of Trustees and has increased enrollment from 539 to 660 students. She has also added 6.5 acres to the campus, making the total area 40.8 acres. In addition to adding land, Ms. Teaff has built up financial aid from $360,000 to $1.6 million and the endowment from $7.8 million to $30 million.

“My best memory at Harpeth Hall is the magical moment when at graduation I see the faculty sitting to one side of me, the Upper School student body to another and the seniors front and center,” said Ms. Teaff. “This is something I wanted to see before I left the school.”

Ms. Teaff has attended school— as a student, teacher or administrator— since she was four and wonders what she will feel like on her first day of retirement. She hopes to be riding bikes with her husband that day, so she will not have to think about not being at school.

“I think of my life in terms of semesters,” said Ms. Teaff as she described what she will do with her time. She will spend one semester in a rental in Chicago, IL, where she will visit one of her brothers. She will see her other brother in LaJolla, CA, during the next semester. After that, she will head up the coast to Berkeley, CA, to visit her children.

Select alumnae, parents and board chairs have formed a search committee to hire the new head of school. This committee appointed Carney, Sandoe & Associates to match the correct candidate with Harpeth Hall. Representatives from the company visited campus on May 13 and 14 to gain an appreciation for the school’s community.

The next head of school will be chosen by the winter of 2013. Before the graduation of 2014, Ms. Teaff will teach the new head of school all aspects of the job.

“I cannot believe I am at the end of my career,” said Ms. Teaff. “The days are hard and life goes by quickly, but we need to be in the present.”

Ms. Teaff intends to volunteer once she retires and keep girls’ education as her number one priority.  She would like to work with young women who have not experienced the advantages of an independent school, especially those who have been victims of human trafficking.

Through her partnership with the Lwala Community Alliance, Ann Teaff will continue her mission of impacting girls’ lives for the better.

Q: How did you first decide to apply for this fellowship?
A: Dr. Gardner, the STEM coordinator here at Harpeth Hall, informed me about the opportunity. She has been such an incredible mentor to me throughout my professional career on so many different levels, always encouraging me to look into different things and to stretch. I give her a lot of credit for not just introducing me to this opportunity, but also encouraging me to do it and providing a written recommendation. As I read through the application, it seemed that this would be a wonderful new experience to see a different side of science from a public policy view.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of the application process?
A: Writing all of the essays and gathering information was not as challenging as the interviews. We had 10 days to prepare for three interviews with the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and NASA. It was one of the most intense days I’ve experienced professionally. Along with talking about ourselves, we had to know about the agencies and their role in STEM education.

Q: When and how did you find out that you had won the distinction, and what was your initial reaction?
A: The coordinator contacted me by phone, and I was really excited. And surprised, very surprised. I met a lot of amazing people in the interview process who had applied the previous year, so I was very honored to receive the fellowship on my first application. I was excited and ready to move on to the next thing.

Q: What is your main goal? What do you most want to accomplish with this incredible opportunity?
A: I really want to be a voice for K-12 education. I have worked with both private and public school teachers through the Research Experiences for Teachers program at Vanderbilt, so I understand the challenges they face. I’m just hoping to bring whatever knowledge or background I have to see how we as a whole can make STEM education not just better, but available for everyone.

Q: Are there any aspects about this new position that make you nervous?
A: What makes me most nervous is taking a huge risk in an area I am not super comfortable with. That’s important because I’ve encouraged [my students] to take risks, and I’m trying to do the same thing. It’s a little nerve-racking, but it’s wonderful and exciting.

Q: What is your favorite field of scientific study?
A: I do love chemistry, but integrating biology with chemistry, math and technology has been really eye-opening. I think I would have gone into a more integrated major if that had been available to me.

Q: When did you first develop an interest in science?
A: My grandfather was a chemist, and he made something called “Miller’s Rosy,” a topical substance that you put on for bee stings and skin irritations. I can remember going into his “Rosy Room” in the house, which is what he called it… My father was a chemistry major too, so it’s in the family.

Q: What was your family’s reaction to this amazing news?
A: All four children were thrilled and very supportive, as always. I’ve asked them to take risks and try things beyond what they think they are capable of, and they are excited that I am doing the same.

HIGGINS, WE HAVE A PROBLEM: Ms. Higgins will blast off for Washington, D.C., next year. She aims to push the final frontier of STEM education.

]]> http://www.logosnow.org/goodbye-souby-hall-hello-national-mall/feed/ 0 http://www.logosnow.org/final-say-katie/ http://www.logosnow.org/final-say-katie/#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 17:52:00 +0000 TheJoker http://www.logosnow.org/?p=5149 http://www.logosnow.org/final-say-katie/feed/ 0 http://www.logosnow.org/final-say-sarah-2/ http://www.logosnow.org/final-say-sarah-2/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 21:05:35 +0000 TheJoker http://www.logosnow.org/?p=5141 http://www.logosnow.org/final-say-sarah-2/feed/ 0