Emily Ruch '47 Tells Middle School Girls about Her "Grab Bag Years"

Her book, Grab Bag Years, follows Eliza, a 10-year-old who lives in Memphis during World War II. The character is based on Ruch’s personal experiences during war.

Ruch told students stories about her brother who fought in the war. “When my brother was in Europe fighting, it was snowing, so he dug a foxhole with his friend,” Ruch said. “They covered it with pine branches and called it The Peabody.”

Ruch was part of the last class that graduated under Miss Hutchison. As she spoke with the girls, Ruch reminisced about being chosen as May Queen and described “Kid Day,” a dress up day when seniors dressed like kids. “Hutchison was only two buildings at the time, and all 36 seniors sat on the steps for a photo,” Ruch recalled. “I still have that picture in my bedroom.”

Students asked about Miss Hutchison, and Ruch had nothing but praise for the founder of the school. “She had this brass and ivory bell, and she would ring it when she wanted your attention,” Ruch said. “Can you imagine starting an all-girls school back then?”

After graduating from Hutchison, Ruch attended Duke University and majored in English. She said she has always enjoyed writing and was the only female editorial writer for the campus newspaper.

The girls asked what advice she would give to aspiring writers. “You need to write every day, for 10 minutes a day,” Ruch said. “You will find that you get better and better.”