Commencement 2009

Headmaster Randy Tucker welcomed family and friends to the school’s 103rd Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15, noting the uniqueness of the members of the Class of 2009 in their positions as leaders and role models. He described their GPS education as one that included a commitment to the development of technological and decision-making skills, and a study of the world that “will impact their lives like no other generation of GPS graduates.”

Before the conferring of diplomas by Fred Decosimo, a member of the GPS Board of Trustees, leaders from the Class of 2009 were recognized: Valedictorian Chelsey Smith, Salutatorian Amanda Wheelock, Honor Council President Allie Conn, Student Council President Hillary Holmes, and Senior Class President Molly Schimpf. Mr. Tucker, Associate Head Rickie Pierce, and Middle School Principal Elaine Milazzo then presented awards for outstanding character, leadership, integrity, enthusiasm, and love of GPS to Hillary Holmes, Chloe Spitalny, Amanda Lee, Danna Myatt, Roxie Friberg, Megan Givens, Jasmine Brown, Laura Wagner, and Mandie Macaluso. Class Day exercises on Thursday, May 14 honored seniors Callie Smith, Emily Blevins, and Frances Heald with major awards.

Mr. Tucker presented the Headmaster’s Award for Elite Accomplishments in the Fine or Performing Arts to Roxie Friberg. A dancer with Terpsichord, she was most admired at GPS as an accomplished pianist, and she will attend the University of Southern California as a Piano Performance major. She has attained high levels in her chosen art form through dedication and commitment, received numerous scholarships from the Chattanooga Music Teachers Association, and studied and performed at the Brevard Music Festival and International Keyboard Institute and Festival.

In her Valedictory address, Chelsey Smith likened her class to a kaleidoscope, each person “her own shape- bright, colorful, original, unique, individually beautiful- yet we all come together to make a brilliant picture.” Eleanor Bright, the other senior speaker, was chosen by her classmates to reprise her chapel talk.

The Class of 2009 will attend 49 different colleges and universities in 20 states and received almost $5 million in merit-based scholarships.

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