Eleven students in the Girls Preparatory School Class of 2017 were honored Friday, April 28, with the highest academic accolade that is bestowed at Girls Preparatory School – membership in Cum Laude.
Emily Ballentine, Leah Baxter, Lori Baxter, Katie Brandao, Isabella Cornea, Sarah McDougal, Kate McVay, Anna Shaw, Delaney Swann, Rebecca Torrence, and Phoebe Warren were introduced by faculty members with whom they have developed a bond of friendship and respect.
Linda Mines, faculty president of Cum Laude, welcomed the student body and families of the inductees, noting that the girls thrived in an environment that encourages independent thinking and were aided by their "cheering families and nurturing teachers."
Faculty who are asked to speak for Cum Laude consider the honor the highest that faculty can achieve. Chosen to speak on their behalf were Jennifer Williams, Dr. Ralph Covino, Katy Berotti, Jenise Gordon, Erin Schmidt, Bryant Haynes, Chris Zeller, Susan McCarter, Dr. Andrea Becksvoort, Todd Wells, and Cathie Kasch.
“Archetypes of Excellence,” as one senior teacher called them, the seniors were compared to kaleidoscopes and sonnets and noted for their perception, dedication, quiet intelligence, discipline, and “genuine ownership of learning.” Whether quoting Einstein, Maya Angelou, or referencing literary characters like Atticus Finch, the faculty praised the inductees as young women of humility and character, and as students who made them better teachers.
According to the faculty, those selected for Cum Laude are “change agents” or are students who “want to explore the world beyond their driveway.” They will take their resilience, healthy skepticism, lack of superficiality, and yes, even a purple belt in jujitsu, to Northeastern University, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Princeton, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, Boston University, Clemson, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, and Georgia Tech.