Harpeth Hall School - Milestones Iris Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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Janet Hensley Miss Hensley, Dean of Students and Assistant to the Headmaster, has been indispensable for her twelve years at Harpeth Hall. Besides her obvious roles as sponsor of the Student Council, member of the Student-Faculty Committee, and organizer of Winterim, she is also responsible for the daily running of the Upper School. Her little-known tasks include planning the weekly calendar, scheduling exams, and making arrangements for the use of school facilities. On a more personal level, Miss Hensley counsels students, parents, and faculty members. Whenever a problem arises, from ticket sales to academic work, Miss Hensley is always willing to give advice. Though she says Harpeth Hall has been like her family, she feels that her experience here has given her the desire for new challenges and the self- confidence to meet them. Thus, Miss Hensley has accepted the position of Headmistress of the McGehee School for girls in New Orleans. One aspect of the School that attracts her is its similarity to Harpeth Hall — from the plaid kilts to its commitment to academic excellence for women. She also likes the warm, receptive people at McGehee who remind her of those at Harpeth Hall who have supported her over the years. Because Miss Hensley anticipates her new position with excitement and some nervousness, she feels that she, as the seniors, must graduate from Harpeth Hall. Polly Nichols Mrs. Polly Nichols has played several different roles concerning various aspects of the histories of Ward- Belmont and Harpeth Hall Schools. First as a student at Ward-Belmont, next as Director of Alumnae here at Harpeth Hall, and beginning this year as head of the development campaign, Mrs. Nichols has revealed her continuous support for the fine college preparatory education for girls which Harpeth Hall offers. This most recent position acquired by Mrs. Nichols is one which is indeed vital to the survival of our school, for Harpeth Hall cannot operate without monetary sup- port from outside sources. Mrs. Nichols ' job involves the active pursuit of donations to the development cam- paign from private and public contributors who exhibit an interest in Harpeth Hall. Often, Mrs. Nichols trav- els around the region, seeking these contributions by promoting the basis and benefit of a Harpeth Hall education. Through establishing these successful con- tacts and through the subsequent raising of funds for the development campaign, Mrs. Nichols helps to en- sure the continuation of quality scholarship at Harpeth Hall. As the series of Lady of the Hall portraits on her office wall indicates, Mrs. Nichols continues to take an interest in the past and present of the school, as well as influencing the future of Harpeth Hall. 20

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f m Polly Fessey: Middle School Director While working in the Middle School every year but one since it opened in 1968, Miss Fessey has been important not only in directing the Middle School ' s activities but also in maintaining its unique atmosphere a very caring adminstrator, she continues to be amaded at the efforts of the inventive Middle School faculty to bring interesting new ideas and projects to the students. Besides being involved in all aspects of the Middle School from the play in Interim, Miss Fessey is also very involved in all Fesey is also very involved in her church, serving on the Administrative Board and the Finance Committee. This year Miss Fessey has devoted a great deal of her time to the re-evaluation of the school. As the chairman of the Steering Committee, responsible for all planning involved in the evaluation, Miss Fessey has enjoyed working in a different relationship with the others on the committee — Miss Hensley, Mr. Wood, Mrs. Clark, and Dr. Marney. Thus, through her various roles in the administration and through her devotion to her work. Miss Fessey is an essential key to efficiency and happiness at the Middle School.

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Susie Brown Susie Brown, an alumna and previous English teach- er at Harpeth Hall, now serves as Alumnae and Admis- sions Director. With a rearrangement in the adminis- tration and staff this year, this position combines two compatible facets of the Harpeth Hall organization. As Admissions Director, Mrs. Brown interviews appli- cants to all grades, arranges tours for prospective stu- dents, conducts admissions tests, and participates in the selection procedure. Two innovations in the admis- sions process this year include group tours for girls from primary schools and an open house in January for prospective students and their parents. With a Harpeth Hall alumnae body of 23, 000 and an equally formidable alumnae group from Ward-Bel- mont, Mrs. Brown spends a great proportion of her time maintaining contact with these ladies. Through the publication of the HARPETH HALL ALUM- NAE NEWS, Mrs. Brown informs alumnae of Har- peth Hall events and class happenings. Mrs. Brown also directs alumnae gatherings such as the Christmas Alumnae Breakfast, the Spring Alumnae Association Meeting, and individual class reunions. Thus, she asso- ciates with an extensive group of the Harpeth Hall community, assuring strong support from the alumnae and promising quality from students to come. Peggy Herring and Lucile McLean Each year Miss Herring and Mrs. McLean take on the responsibility of administering the finances of Har- peth Hall. However, because of their limited contact with students, many girls under-estimate the vital im- pact these ladies have on the Harpeth Hall community. Mrs. McLean, as business manager, is primarily re- sponsible for managing the school accounts and for assisting treasurers of student organizations. Besides teaching typing to students in the Upper School, Mrs. McLean directs the fall registration and student book sale and is available to students daily throughout the year. As manager of school finances, Miss Herring helps to project and administer the school budget; this task requires shrewd money management throughout the fiscal year as well as foresight for the needs of the coming year. Miss Herring handles all school insurance and benefit plans, financial reports, and audits; more- over, she holds overall responsibility for property man- agement. With such intelligent financial management, Har- peth Hall can be assured of a sound future.