GPS Celebrates Opening Day 2026

Few ‘first days’ are met with the same level of enthusiasm as Opening Day of school at GPS. First day at college? Excitement mixed with homesickness. First day on the job? Anticipation mixed with trepidation. But your first day of school as a Bruiser? When everyone is so excited to see you and can’t wait for you to join the sisterhood? Magical! 

From the moment you step out of your car to the cheers of your teachers and coaches to your first steps into Frierson Theatre, you know this place is special. 

Today’s celebration was no different. After the faculty and staff made their entrance, the senior Cats gave a standing ovation to their sixth-grade Rats with a specially curated walk-up song: “Can’t Stop the Music.” 

Dean of Spiritual Life Angelina DeVincenzo opened the assembly with a blessing for the new school year, saying, “Grant us courage to be our truest and most authentic selves in all moments.”

Then Head of School Megan Cover welcomed students and introduced new faculty and staff. She recalled this summer’s FIFA World Cup and how we can learn from what separates a group of talented athletes from a truly great team.

“Great teams have discipline,” she said. "They work hard when no one is watching. They trust one another. They know their roles and step up when someone else needs them. They learn from mistakes, celebrate one another's successes, and rally when things aren't going their way. Most importantly, they play for something bigger than themselves.” 

Megan challenged GPS to treat this year like our World Cup.

She reminded us to remember our values and to expect excellence in all we do. After sharing our institutional goals for the year, Megan asked the faculty and staff to stand as a show of unified support for each girl in the room. 

“Every adult standing here has chosen to invest in you,” she said. “We care not simply about what you learn, but about who you are becoming. We believe in you. And because we believe in you, we will support you and challenge you.”

Part of that challenge includes some charges: 

• Wear our uniform with pride.
• Live our values.
• Work hard.
• Be present.
• Take care of one another.
• Win with grace.
• Meet disappointment with strength.
• And above all, show up—for yourself, for each other, and for GPS.

“Alone, we can be limited by our own strengths and talents,” Megan said. “But together, we can draw upon the unique offerings of others. That is our sisterhood. That is our team. And that is GPS.”

The Opening Day assembly concluded with senior members of Class Leadership Council sharing their focus for the year: Relationships. Chairwoman Nora Cate Armstrong introduced the topic, and the other members of the council took turns speaking on it.

Areli Vincent, Jolie Wilson, and Mailande Wilson each shared how important relationships are with the people in our community, ourselves, and our school. Nora Cate concluded by saying, “The relationships we build—with each other, with ourselves, and with GPS—shape both our own experience and the community we create together. As we enter this new school year, we hope you not only continue to strengthen old relationships but build new ones.”

After singing the “Alma Mater,” students, faculty, and staff came together on Smith Courtyard for the ceremonial crossing of the lawn for the newly minted freshman Class of 2030. As the girls in green made their way from Davenport Middle School into the Rotunda of the Upper School, they were greeted by their upper school classwomen with hugs and cheers.

Next up? Each class spends the next two days getting to know each other and their teachers better during Class Retreats. Let the magic of the 121st year of GPS begin!