Reunion Weekend Welcomes Graduates Back to GPS

A crisp breeze was in the air for this year’s Reunion Weekend—the first hosted in the fall instead of the spring. The season change was made at the behest of alumnae in years past. While all alumnae are always invited and welcome at Reunion Weekend, this year’s event celebrated the classes whose graduation years ended in 3s and 8s.

Attendees at this year’s Reunion Weekend enjoyed two full days of activities, including some new events sprinkled in with treasured favorites. On Friday morning, alumnae, guests, faculty, staff, and students gathered in Frierson Theatre for the Notable Alumnae and Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. From there, alumnae were encouraged to walk the halls of their alma mater to reminisce and to see what has changed and what has stayed the same over the years and to visit the new school store, The Bow.

Later on Friday, the Class of 1973 celebrated its 50th reunion with a special reception at Founders House before heading to DeFoor Patio and Smith Courtyard for a new event—the All Alumnae Family Picnic. Other graduates and their families joined the celebration with dinner from Edley’s, music from DJ McLovin, lawn games, and an area to watch the McCallie vs. Baylor football game.

Saturday morning saw the addition of another new event—Networking Coffees in the Rotunda—hosted by Head of School Megan Cover, the GPS Alumnae Council, and the GPS Black Alumnae Council. At the conclusion of the networking event, guests ventured back to Frierson Theatre for student performances from Terpsichord and GPS Singers as well as a sneak peek of the upcoming Middle School Musical, Cinderella. Later that morning, the Class of 1973 gathered together again for a memorial service to honor and remember their classmates.

All attendees were invited to the Main Gym for Mingling and Mimosas—another new event hosted by the Alumnae Councils—and class photos before the Alumnae Awards Brunch, which again honored the Notable Alumnae and also presented three special awards. During the brunch program, guests heard from Megan about her plans for GPS this year and beyond, with a focus on the new strategic plan, “Empowering Girls for a Changing World: Investing in the Future of GPS.” 

That evening, classes gathered at various venues across the city for their individual reunion year parties, hosted by the Reunion Class Committees. They were a wonderful way for our graduates to connect on a more intimate level with their friends. 

It was a weekend for the books!