Phoebe Norcross ’13, an architectural designer in New York, served on the design team for an award-winning tech headquarters in Shanghai, China.
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Phoebe Norcross ’13 Makes Her Voice Matter
Hutchison Now highlights recent graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Phoebe Norcross ’13, an architectural designer for Ennead Architects in New York.
Did attending an all-girls school prepare you for times at work when you are the only woman in the room?
Going to an all-girls school taught me to pay attention to nuance in a conversation. The few times I have been on a male-dominated team, I've noticed the team often speaks over each other and competes for time to voice their opinions. Often the whole team agrees on what is important, and the underlying messages are the same, but a layer of nuance is needed to pull the ideas together. I love being able to help synthesize multiple ideas into one clear approach.
How did your Hutchison experience help you get to where you are today?
Hutchison equipped me with the curiosity to listen and ask questions. My biggest culture shock at the University of Arkansas was that even in some of my smaller classes, people were afraid to speak up. Hutchison taught me that any question or comment was a way to start a conversation and explore a subject more deeply. In college, I was always the first person to ask a question, not because I wanted credit, but because I wanted to make it easier for others to jump into the conversation.
During my first year working professionally, the roles reversed, and I realized everyone was willing to be the first person to speak. I took on a listening role to understand how the conversation dynamics work. As I grow more confident and comfortable at work, I speak up more intentionally when I actually know the answer to a question. When I don't know the answer to a question, I'm learning to ask follow-up questions to better understand what my colleagues need from me.
When did you decide to become an architect?
I was 5-years-old the first time someone asked me “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I said, “I want to be an architect.” My dad is an architect, and while he never pushed me toward the profession, he always demonstrated passion, excitement, and dedication to the work. As I got closer to college, I realized architecture had always been my default answer. I went through a lot of questioning trying to decide if I was pursuing architecture because my dad loves it so much or because I love it so much. Each profession I researched felt like something I could accomplish with architecture or something I could maintain in parallel to architecture. So, while I chose to be an architect when I was 5, it is a decision to which I have continued to make a commitment.
Why is it important to be able to pursue your interest in art during your free time?
Creating art has always been an important part of my life. Art helps me explore thoughts and observations in a tangible way that I can't easily express in words. When I paint, draw, collage, and photograph my surroundings, I am capturing the beautiful parts of the world in a way that can be shared with other people.
Phoebe Norcross ’13 received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arkansas in 2018. She joined Ennead Architects in New York City in 2018 as an architectural designer. She is pursuing her architecture license.
Nine Hutchison upper school girls served the Memphis community during the Church Health Youth Service Council’s inaugural year and will continue to serve on the council next school year.
Jordan Deupree ’24 and Bailey Wiener ’24 have been recognized for their leadership in their selection for the Next Gen program, which provides students with mentorship and opportunities to learn more about the Memphis business community.
Hutchison alumna Dr. Kelly Rodney Arnold ’96 had the honor of serving as the commencement speaker for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s College of Arts and Sciences ceremony in May 2024.
At Hutchison, Zelia Cedeño-Avila ’24 stepped out of her comfort zone to try many different things and hone in on her interest in science and math, from serving as Technology Council president to creating a robotic scarecrow for her myExperience capstone project. A lifelong learner, she will bring her knowledge and skills to Vanderbilt University, where she plans to study mechanical engineering.
Three upper school students will participate in high-intensity summer programs in subjects including emerging technologies, international studies, and computational physics.
A discovery in one science class led Izzy Ellis ’24 to delve deeper into her interest in biology and map out a path for college and beyond. Along the way, she nurtured other interests, from athletics to civics. An aspiring oncologist, her dream is to find a new, innovative treatment that could help save lives.
Hutchison world language students participated in the 2024 U of M Language Fair, sponsored by The University of Memphis Department of World Languages and Literatures. Demonstrating their knowledge of Spanish, Hutchison had a total of 12 students win awards at the fair.
AP Scholar and National African American Recognition Program Scholar Lauren Coleman ’24 explored her interest in science and the environment at Hutchison. She hopes to make a difference through a career in sustainability.
J’oules Williams ’24 is a member of Memphis Parent magazine’s inaugural 10 under 20 class. The award celebrates youth who strive to make a difference in their community and change the lives of others for the better.
Adela Calzada ’24 has attended Hutchison since pre-K, and she said it allowed her to blossom into a leader who also makes Hutchison feel like home for her peers.
Our inaugural graduating class of the myExperience program presented their capstone projects with confidence, poise, and enthusiasm at our first myExperience Senior Showcase.
Excelsior! Demonstrating their knowledge of Latin, Hutchison had a total of 10 students win awards at the Tennessee Junior Classical League Convention.
Jayla Dorsey ’24 was a dedicated member of the varsity basketball team all four years of her high school experience, and she credits her coach, teammates, and Hutchison community members for believing in her.
Avery Webb ’26 enjoyed the opportunity to shadow Rep. John Gillespie in Nashville as he interacted with state officials and legislators, and she even got to meet Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Mary Catherine Hughes ’10, a development associate at the Nashville Repertory Theatre.