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

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Joanna Rutter: Director of the Upper School As Director of the Upper School, Mrs. Joanna Rutter is a very important figure to the students at Harpeth Hall. She is an advisor, a disciplinarian, and a friend to many. She also serves as hostess at the annual wine and cheese parties, and she plays an important part in formulating school policy. Mrs. Rutter, however, is most often a disciplinarian, and she regrets that more students do not know her personally. She realizes the importance of her disciplinary role to the school, and she feels that self-discipline coupled with proper priorities and well-made decisions can help students achieve their goals here at Harpeth Hall and throughout their lives. Mrs. Rutter herself has had to make decisions and set priorities when, at the age of thirty-two, she returned to college after having seen her four children enter school. After receiving her bachelor ' s and master ' s degrees, she accepted a position at the Charlotte Latin School where she served for nine rewarding years. She then found herself faced with another opportunity and challenge last year when she accepted the position of Director of the Upper School at Ha rpeth Hall. She is pleased with the changes that have taken place during two years here. These changes include the recent curriculum changes and the new unstructured study hall that allows students with acceptable grades to use their free time as they wish. Mrs. Rutter has proven herself to be supportive of the faculty and has tried to encourage students to achieve their potential in a demanding but supportive atmosphere.

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David E. Wood: Headmaster Striving to continue the academic excellence at Harpeth Hall is just one of Mr. David Wood ' s goals for the school. He also endeavors to develop new courses and opportunities for the benefit of the students. In addition, he seeks to increase the endowment of Harpeth Hall to aid in reducing the large tuition while increasing the salary of the faculty. Although Mr. Wood ' s main responsibilities involve the overall operation of the school and the hiring of new faculty, he also participates in various aspects of school life. For example, Mr. Wood cheers the Honeybears to victory at athletic events. He has taken part in the summer musicals, My Fair Lady and The Music Man , and he even judges the costume contest at the biology department ' s Frog Day in November. Mr. Wood participates whole-heartedly in all aspects of school life, and he takes a special interest in each girl at Harpeth Hall. He shows his interest through personalized notes to girls who make the Honor Roll or to those participating in plays and by being available throughout the day for students seeking advice or a friendly person to talk with. Following his graduation from Davidson College in North Carolina, Mr. Wood taught at Battle Ground Academy. After a long period as Director of Admissions at Vanderbilt, he became headmaster at U.M.S., a boys ' preparatory shcool in Mobile, Alabama. Mr. Wood has since made a very successful transition from the all-male school, U.M.S., to Harpeth Hall.

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Polly Fessey: Middle School Director For the past sixteen years Miss Polly Fessey has directed the Middle School with devotion, enthusiasm, and an instinctive sense of responsibility. Not only does Miss Fessey maintain her demand- ing job as Director of the Middle School, but she is also involved in extracurricular activities. In past years Miss Fessey has served as treasurer and secretary of the Mid-South Association of Indepen- dant Schools who awarded he r an Honor Citation. She participates in the Cumberland Valley Girl Scouts program and various church committees. For years students and faculty have turned to her for advice. Miss Fessey ' s career at Harpeth Hall has never lacked new learning experiences. In 1980 Miss Fessey served as Harpeth Hall ' s first Interim Headmistress for the Upper School. Miss Fes- sey commented that, This gave me a greater understanding of how everything works at Harpeth Hall. There was more detailed information to understand in the Upper School. Along with her efficient manner and responsibility, Miss Fessey has always exud- ed warmth, understanding and an air of charm with whomever she associates. In addition to these qualities and responsibilities. Miss Fessey ' s biggest job is to help the students be motivated and enjoy school. Miss Fessey feels that, The girls are different than they were sixteen years ago. They ' re more knowledgeable about things be- cause they have greater exposure to television and news.