Some hallmark characteristics of the Class of 2017 are the girls’ deeply compassionate spirit, strength, and tenacity - along with the energy, talents, creativity, and student leadership they have brought to Hutchison. These same qualities were evident in their college explorations.
TOP HONORS
Sophie Merchant was awarded Senior Year, Top Honors and Four Years, Top Honors.
SECOND HONORS
Francie Sentilles was awarded Senior Year, Second Honors and Four Years, Second Honors.
IDEAL HUTCHISON GIRL
Kate Grace Cunningham was named the Ideal Hutchison Girl, as the senior who best represents the Ideal Woman as described in Proverbs 31.
EDWARD P. RUSSELL AWARD
Stewart Nichols was given the Edward P. Russell Award as the senior who, through leadership and devotion to the School’s founding ideals, brings honor to herself and to the School.
MEG THOMAS STUDENT SPEAKER
Sarah Austin was the Meg Thomas Student Speaker at commencement, shown here with Meg Thomas Crosby ’88.
COMMENCEMENT GUEST SPEAKER
Connie Popwell ’06 gave the Commencement Address.
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Class of 2017 Memories
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Class Highlights
Members of the Class of 2017 explored and pursued admission at a wide variety of colleges and universities. This fall, members of the senior class will attend 33 unique colleges in 16 states and the United Kingdom. In addition to traditionally popular schools such as the University of Mississippi, Southern Methodist University, and Vanderbilt University, seniors were admitted to such diverse schools as Agnes Scott College, University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Cornell University, to name a few.
This year’s seniors were awarded more than $11.9 million in scholarships over four years. Eighty-eight of these scholarship offers are worth $50,000 or more, and 33 offers worth $100,000 or more. They also received 54 offers of acceptance to Honors programs at 16 different schools.
With the help of our dedicated college counseling team and school administrators, our seniors have made thoughtful and informed decisions about which colleges will best serve their individual interests and talents, where they will be challenged, learn from inspiring professors, develop life-long friendships, and enrich campus life through their academic, service, and social contributions. We look forward to seeing where their journeys take them from here!
Congratulations to the 18 middle and upper school girls who won Scholastic Writing Awards in the recent Alliance for Young Artists & Writers competition!
Molly, a nationally recognized midfielder, signed her National Letter of Intent to play Division I soccer. She credits Hutchison with helping her build a strong work ethic and providing training and recovery opportunities in the Crain Center.
One of the best ways to narrow down career interests is through experience, and the Institute for Responsible Citizenship provided our freshmen and sophomores with a closer look at the possibilities.
When our girls come together to serve, amazing things happen. During their service retreat, our 10th graders built strong bonds while making a positive impact across Memphis.
For her myExperience capstone project, Maya Pentecost ’26 adapted Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” into a one-act dark comedy. She wrote the script, designed the production, and collaborated with a cast and crew of Hutchison students and faculty in our arts program and the Institute for Responsible Citizenship to bring it to life.
Through the performing arts, Hutchison inspires girls to become strong communicators, creative thinkers, and compassionate leaders in every part of their lives.
Four rising seniors participated in high-intensity summer programs in subjects including international studies, technological innovation and business, education, and visual arts.
Rising juniors who are part of four myExperience cohorts in Hutchison’s Institute for Responsible Citizenship – global civic engagement, entrepreneurship, STEM, and art and design – explored their respective fields of study on a trip to Miami.