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The enthusiasm and sisterhood of GPS students was on full display during the first day of classes for the 2016-17 school year.
The 111th year of education at Girls Preparatory School began Tuesday, Aug. 16, with students giving the faculty and staff a standing ovation as their teachers entered the Frierson Theatre.
As has become custom at GPS, gowned faculty led in the 89 members of the sixth grade class to cheers, applause, and high fives as they walked into the Frierson Theatre and made their way to their seats. The music of “We’re All in This Together” from High School Musical naturally adds to the students’ enthusiasm at the first assembly of the year, and some administrators on stage could be seen dancing and singing to the music.Chris Smith, Chair of the Board, welcomed the school community on behalf of the trustees, encouraging the students to “take advantage of every opportunity,” and Elaine Milazzo, principal of the Middle School, echoed the school’s mission when she prayed that every girl would lead a life of integrity and purpose.
“Have you ever been in a school that begins the year with this kind of excitement?” Head of School Autumn Graves asked the new students and faculty before recognizing those new to the campus. The student body of 605 represents 33 zip codes and 56 prior schools.
After senior Leah Baxter and junior Margaret Lim took the stage to be congratulated as
recipients of the Grace McCallie and Duffy-Jarnagin full merit-based scholarships, Dr. Graves challenged the audience to think deeply about the theme for the year, “Love.” She challenged the girls to “think about words and actions,” reminding them that they are “part of a community that will love you” through the ups and downs. “Join me in ignoring the cynics and working instead in a context of love,” she said.Senior class president Tia Kemp told the assembly that each senior has a necklace with a jigsaw puzzle piece that represents how each senior is part of a whole. After giving Dr. Graves a necklace of her own, Kemp said that at the end of the year, the pieces will be put together into a beautiful photo that will represent the love that they hold for one another. “We hope to reflect the love and positivity” that is the year’s theme, she said.
A demonstration of love and support for each other came after the assembly when the former 8th graders, the Class of 2020, walked across the lawn to the Upper School as freshmen, surrounded by their Middle School friends and welcomed by their new peers.
Debb Fager, baker extraordinaire and mother of two GPS alumnae, provided colorfully iced heart-shaped cookies for advisories at the day's end.
Click here for more images from the first day of school. Click here for a video of the opening assembly.
