The newest members of GPS Cum Laude are, front row, from left, Murfee Jones, Kate Thel, Margaret Lim, Pierson Brown; second row, Khadija Aslam, Ritika Modi, Tatiana Poggi; and back row, Meg Marshall, Mary Margaret Arrowsmith, Libby Welborn and Meher Memon.
Eleven from the Girls Preparatory School Class of 2018 were honored with the highest academic accolade bestowed upon a GPS student - membership in Cum Laude.
Bryant Haynes, President of the GPS Chapter of Cum Laude, announced that the following members of the GPS Class of 2018 are inductees of GPS Cum Laude Society: Mary Margaret Arrowsmith, Khadija Sohail Aslam, Mary Pierson Brown, Lyla Murfee Jones, Margaret Stacy Lim, Margaret Peterson Marshall, Meher Memon, Ritika Divyesh Modi, Tatiana Regina Ledesma Poggi, Kathryn Sarah Thel and and Elizabeth Houston Welborn, while their classmates, teachers, coaches, friends, and family watched with admiration.
Mary Margaret Arrowsmith, who will attend Davidson College (Davidson, North Carolina) this fall, is introduced by Mr. Bryant Haynes, her physics teacher. Arrowsmith and Haynes have a special connection outside the classroom—as bandmates. She plays the banjo and he the fiddle in the GPS Irregular String Band. Haynes says Arrowsmith will continue playing music when she goes off to Davidson College, having been invited by one of the professors there to join in the old-time music scene. “How appropriate that her musical skills, begun and developed here on the western side of these mountains, go with her over to the eastern side of the Appalachians,” Haynes says.
Khadija Sohail Aslam, who will attend Fordham University (Bronx, New York), is introduced by Jill Pala Pieritz ’97, Computer Science Department Chair. Pieritz compares Aslam’s mind to a Rubik’s Cube—the colorful puzzle Aslam taught herself how to solve as a GPS Middle School student. “When Khadija’s nimble mind undertakes a task, she does not get lost on the journey, but keeps her eye on the end goal,” Pieritz says. “Khadija is both curious and determined. She fearlessly tackles problems that speak to her. The best part is that she has fun along the way.” And her puzzle-solving skills? Aslam can complete the Rubik’s Cube in 14 seconds now.
Attending American University (Washington, D.C.) this fall will be Mary Pierson Brown, introduced by Diane Walker, math teacher. Walker speaks about having Brown in the classroom and how she enriches the significance of classroom interpretations and conversations by making connections that go beyond the scope of the material being presented. “She asks the difficult questions when others may be reluctant,” Walker says. “She is brilliant yet humble. While GPS has given Miss Brown the platform, she has taken full advantage. Miss Brown is a complete product of our GPS values.”
Lyla Murfee Jones is introduced by Callie Hamilton, her history teacher, who describes her student as “unencumbered by ego” and unafraid to learn. “The world fascinates Murfee,” Hamilton says. “It is her life’s curriculum, and natural curiosity will fuel her ever-growing wisdom. Murfee’s prowess in athletics and academics—from cheering to AP courses—comes from hard work, dedication, and hours and hours of practice and study. She carries herself lightly, even laden with medals and awards.”
Dr. Ralph Covino, history and latin teacher and Dean of the Junior Class, receives the honor of introducing Margaret Stacy Lim, who will attend Duke University (Durham, North Carolina) this fall. “Margaret is quiet, thoughtful, and kind,” Dr. Covino says. “She is both driven and humble. Most of all, though, we all know Margaret as a talented musician, a dutiful servant-leader, and a serious scholar.” Lim plays the violin in the GPS Tango string quartet and this year received the Grace McCallie Scholarship, awarded to the rising senior who has maintained the highest GPA during her Upper School years. She’s also a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
Corrie White, English teacher, pays her regards to Margaret (Meg) Peterson Marshall, who will attend the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The president of Partnerships in the Community (PIC), Marshall has a heart for service and a penchant for leadership. “Her intrinsic motivation appears to match Socrates’ belief that, once you’ve turned toward the sun, one must return to the cave and bring all people into harmony without judgment,” White says. “Knowledge, for her, isn’t meant to sit still, fester in the ego of the high achiever. It is meant to be shared, made useful in a relationally wounded world.”
Meher Memon, who will attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville, is introduced by English teacher Katy Berotti. “Earnest but introspective, Meher has worked hard at GPS, balancing and blending responsibilities, seeking classes and clubs to challenge and satisfy her talent and appetite,” says Berotti. As president of Amnesty International at GPS, Memon leads by example. Berotti shares that Dr. Becksvoort, Amnesty sponsor, describes Memon as “kind, strategic and brilliant, leading the group to focus on education and access, moving the club in a new direction with inclusivity and gentleness.”
Head of Upper School Jenise Gordon introduces Ritika Divyesh Modi. Modi plans to attend the University of Miami (Miami, Florida). Gordon shares that Ritika means “of a stream” in its original Sanskrit and says she is strong, like water. “Even though she may seem quiet and gentle, she has the strength to move mountains and carve new paths,” Gordon says. At the University of Miami, Modi plans to major in pre-med, and Gordon once asked her what advice she would give to her ninth-grade self. She simply replied, “Be confident in yourself.”
National Merit Scholarship Finalist Tatiana Regina Ledesma Poggi plans to attend Tulane University (New Orleans, Louisiana) this fall. Her dance teacher Cathie Kasch ’72, Performing Arts Coordinator, describes Poggi as a ferocious warrior princess/superhero, “in pursuit of truth, justice and a better, kinder path for Americans and the world.” A dancer, kickboxer, linguist, singer, debater, Poggi plans to major in legal studies and international relations at Tulane. “Tatiana has a keen sense of what constitutes social justice, and so you would rightfully expect that she fights for the underdog,” Kasch says.
Kathryn (Kate) Sarah Thel is introduced by her tennis coach, Sue Bartlett. President of National Honor Society and Editor-in-Chief of Spectrum, Thel is also a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. She will attend the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana) in the fall. The coach and player first crossed paths on the tennis courts nine years ago when Thel was in fourth grade. “Her racquet was almost as tall as she,” Bartlett recalls. “Kate entered with a shy smile, a calm presence, and an eagerness to learn.”
Caroline Carlin, Dean of the Freshman Class and history teacher, introduces Elizabeth (Libby) Houston Welborn. This fall, Welborn will attend Wake Forest University (Winston Salem, North Carolina). Carlin knows Welborn best from being her varsity lacrosse coach and praises her for her diligence and focus on the field, in the classroom, and as Honor Council president. “No matter the variety of her opponent, an equation in math, a case for the honor council,” Carlin says, “she never backs down. She boldly puts herself in front of the play at top speed and strength, determined to greet the challenge head on.”