News
Getting to Know the Parent Council
Each summer, members of the GPS Parent Council gather on campus to plan engaging events, fundraisers, and more for the upcoming school year. Their dedication to our school is commendable, especially when you learn about all they are doing!
Meet the Leadership Team
This year, the GPS Parent Council underwent a restructuring to ensure roles, responsibilities, and projects closely align with our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, Empowering Girls for a Changing World: Investing in the Future of GPS.
Under the guidance of Coughlin Haverty Cooper ’88, P’20, GPS Director of Special Events and Parent Engagement, the 2024-25 GPS Parent Council is led by President Wendy Ransom P’27, with Kamri Busby ’08, P’28 acting as vice president and president-elect. Past-President Amanda Miller P’24’27 offers invaluable experience, Christi Feeney P’25 serves as treasurer, and Holly Smith P’30 manages their marketing and communications.
Fundraising
As Fundraising Chair, Amy Grogg P’28 oversees planning for all of the Parent Council fundraising initiatives, which include Bruiser Eats, The Golden Buckle, The GPS Online Auction, and the newest addition: Interlude!
Bruiser Eats | Chair: Lindsey Sharpe P’27,’27, Co-chair: Velvet Hernandez-Johnson P’28
Bruiser Eats is designed to take the occasional pressure off of cooking. Families can sign up for restaurant gift cards or a take-home meal with proceeds benefiting GPS. This year, Parent Council has partnered with local favorites like Vine Street Market, Hart & Hive, Mexiville, and more.
Golden Buckle | Co-chair: Cathy Pierce P’26, Co-chair: Suzanne Haltman P’30
Located on the lower level of the middle school building, The Golden Buckle is our uniform and spirit gear resale store. Throughout the year, uniforms, sweatshirts, one-of-a-kind items, and other gently used items are resold to parents and students.
GPS Online Auction | Chair: Julie Buhrman P’23,’25, Co-chair: Brooke Haluska P’30
Want to choose your Chapel Talk date? What about a special parking place close to the front of school? Then don’t miss the GPS Online Auction! Each year, GPS items are placed up for a week of online bidding. Save the date for March 24–28!
Interlude | Co-chairs: Lauren and Peter Boehm P’23,’28
Our 2024-25 fundraiser, Interlude—a casual, adults-only concert featuring Yacht Rock Schooner, benefits GPS and provides girls with unparalleled opportunities across academics, athletics, arts, and more. Save the Date for March 29!
Community Engagement
In addition to fundraising, the GPS Parent Council is tasked with engaging parents, students, and faculty. This year, Tiffanie Wilson P’29,’31 oversees the parent programs, while Kimberly Fiorello P’27,’30 works with student and faculty engagement.
GPS Garden Club | Chair: Amanda Miller P’24,’27, Co-chair: Lynn Shelton P’21,’22, Co-chair: Catherine Debord P’27
Garden Club offers parents a rewarding way to connect with the school community while nurturing our campus’s natural beauty. Members of this group regularly help weed, seed, and cultivate the garden beds alongside Dr. Brandon Noel and his environmental science students.
Parent Speaker Series | Co-chair: Tara Poole P’28, Co-chair: Brenda Grant P’25, Co-chair: Emily Jenkins P’25,’29
Through this series, both virtual and in-person speaking engagements give parents helpful tools to navigate their daughters’ adolescence with grace and guidance.
GPS Dads | Co-chair: Jessica Crutchfield P’26, Co-chair: Kristy Presley P’28
We love a #GirlDad! The GPS Dads program fosters community and connection among fathers, father figures, and male supporters of GPS. Through casual events, the initiative aims to strengthen relationships and offer support through shared experiences and activities.
GPS Book Club | Chair: Blaire Cannon P’24,’28, Co-chair: Nicole Lewis P’30
Current parents, past parents, alumnae, faculty, and staff are invited to join the quarterly book club in The Ben. This year’s books have included the thriller The Night We Lost Him and the endearing Theo of Golden.
May Day Welcome Station
Parents are invited to participate in the cherished tradition of May Day, where their involvement can help enhance this beautiful celebration of character, integrity, and community. Join us in contributing your time and talents to honor our seniors and the May Court.
Faculty and Staff Appreciation | Chair: Kelli Hand P’28, Co-chair: Courtney Brunetz P’26
GPS faculty and staff work tirelessly for the students, so Parent Council honors them with special events and surprises throughout the year, including pop-up coffee trucks, holiday Sweets and Treats, and Appreciation Week.
It’s a Wrap! Holiday Gift Wrapping Station | Chair: Samantha Lunn P’29, Co-chair: Christy Smalley P’31
Cue the elves! During the holidays, it can be hard to squeeze everything you need to get done into your schedule, so the GPS Parent Council is here to help! New last year, It’s a Wrap allows faculty and staff to bring holiday gift items to be wrapped and ready to take home at the end of the day!
Coordinate Tailgate | Chair: Tammy Lawrence P’27
In partnership with the McCallie Parent Council, this year kicked off with a joint tailgate potluck that brought hundreds of families together to cheer on the Big Blue!
Sunrise Surprise Student Breakfast | Chair: Rachel Adams P’25,’28, Co-chair: Betsey Kates ’97, P’28,’30, Volunteer: Gideon Thomas P’28
Each year, the Parent Council surprises GPS students with a special breakfast to celebrate their hard work. Chicken biscuit, anyone?!
Parent Ambassadors | Dara Bechtol P’29, Ginger Birnbaum P’27, Jules Downum P’29, Tracey Julienne P’24,’27, Megan Manning P’30, Jennifer Pond P’29, Devin Sprouse P’30
From leading prospective families on campus tours for admission to encouraging involvement and attendance at GPS arts and athletics events, these parents are our biggest cheerleaders.
Grade-Level Communications
Becky Armstrong P’27,’27 is chair of the class representatives. She helps guide content and strategy for communications shared with parents in various grades. Each grade has parent representatives who share reminders in a GroupMe, whether that means a reminder to RSVP to an upcoming event or a note about a dress down day; the parent Facebook group also shares useful information. Additionally, their grade-level parent coffees serve as an opportunity for families to get to know each other better.
Class Reps
Sixth | 2031
Anne Carr
Anne Carr
Kim Dickens
Allison Elkins
Seventh | 2030
Samantha Dmochowski
Samantha Dmochowski
Maggie Eaton
Eighth | 2029
Amy Boren
Amy Boren
Amanda Bowen
Ninth | 2028
Lisa Moore
Lisa Moore
Meghan Respess
Tenth | 2027
LaToya Bonner
LaToya Bonner
Denise Huang
Eleventh | 2026
Sarah Buiel
Sarah Buiel
Danna Senowech
Twelfth | 2025
Courtney Reynolds
Courtney Reynolds
Jennifer Stribling
New Initiative
Margaret Caldwell ’91, P’28, Parent Council secretary, oversees this year’s newest initiative: Bruiser Cares.
Bruiser Cares | Chair: Jessica Middlebrooks P’26,’30, Co-chair: Heather Powell P’27, Co-chair: Beth Rowlett P’24,’30
Bruiser Cares provides compassionate support to families facing challenges, offering services like meal trains and other essential resources to help them navigate difficult times.
Work never stops for the GPS Parent Council as this group of tireless volunteers connect GPS families to one another and the school, as well as provide support to GPS faculty, staff, and students while upholding the mission, vision, and values of the school.We appreciate all you do!
