Katie Davis ’21 Makes Waves Studying Marine Science
The aspiring scientist shares how a middle school field trip inspired her to pursue her dreams.
Global travel through Hutchison can provide life-changing experiences. A trip to the Bahamas in 2017 as a middle school student with Dr. Becky Deehr and Donna Budynas showed Katie Davis ’21 that she could pursue a career in marine science. Nine years later, Katie Davis ’21 is working toward her Master of Professional Science in Marine Mammal Science at the University of Miami, one of the leading marine research institutions in the country.
“Hutchison helped prepare me not only for my undergraduate studies but also for my professional career. I am grateful every day for the amazing teachers and staff who helped shape me into the woman I am now,” Davis said.
“Hutchison helped prepare me not only for my undergraduate studies but also for my professional career. I am grateful every day for the amazing teachers and staff who helped shape me into the woman I am now,” Davis said.
This past summer, she joined crews for shark tagging trips on research vessels. On the boat, she assisted with docking, bait, gear, and workups, as well as shark handling. She did all of this as an intern with the Macdonald Lab and Shark Research Conservation Program, studying seasonal shifts in symbiotic organisms associated with lemon sharks.
“Over these trips, I have seen and worked with some amazing, beautiful sharks ranging from great hammerheads, tigers, and bull sharks to nurse, bonnet, and blacknose sharks,” Davis said. “While I was at Hutchison, I remember my teacher in Upper School, Mr. Lofton, telling me he would not be surprised if he saw me on Shark Week one day. Now I am one step closer to that dream.”
Her journey started with a Hutchison school trip, and she continues to gain hands-on experience and conduct research through global travel, from working with dolphins at Dolphin Life Key Largo to exploring the Galápagos Islands.
“Over these trips, I have seen and worked with some amazing, beautiful sharks ranging from great hammerheads, tigers, and bull sharks to nurse, bonnet, and blacknose sharks,” Davis said. “While I was at Hutchison, I remember my teacher in Upper School, Mr. Lofton, telling me he would not be surprised if he saw me on Shark Week one day. Now I am one step closer to that dream.”
Her journey started with a Hutchison school trip, and she continues to gain hands-on experience and conduct research through global travel, from working with dolphins at Dolphin Life Key Largo to exploring the Galápagos Islands.
Read More
-
Katie Davis ’21 Makes Waves Studying Marine Science
The aspiring scientist shares how a middle school field trip inspired her to pursue her dreams.Read More -
Six Upper School Girls Attend Tennessee Governor’s School Summer Programs
Six rising juniors and seniors participated in high-intensity summer programs in subjects including humanities, engineering, and the arts.Read More -
Celebrating Hutchison’s Upper School Award Winners and Honorary Inductees
This page will recognize Hutchison’s 2025-2026 upper school award winners and honorary inductees as we announce their achievements.Read More -
13 Students Receive Recognition for National Latin Exam Scores
Six middle and seven upper school girls who study Latin were recently recognized for their achievements on the National Latin Exam.Read More -
35 Middle School Girls Inducted into National Junior Honor Society
The National Junior Honor Society marks our commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.Read More -
Hutchison Farm Director Receives Garden Club of America Award
Ali Chesney was presented with the Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals furthering the early environmental education of youth.Read More -
Ava Jones ’26 Signs to Play Basketball at the University of Pennsylvania
One of our most highly decorated athletes, Ava’s accolades speak for themself: Daily Memphian Player of the Year, Commercial Appeal All-Metro Player of the Year, a TSSAA Miss Basketball finalist, four-time All-Region selection, and a 1,000+ career point scorer.Read More -
Hutchison Nominated for Nine High School Musical Theatre Awards
Hutchison’s fall 2025 production of “Hadestown: Teen Edition” received a variety of nominations, from ensemble recognition to technical awards.Read More -
Catherine Chubb Receives University of Memphis M Club Award
Hutchison’s assistant head of school is the first recipient of the Lynn Parkes Award, which is given to a former student-athlete who has had a profound impact on the community through women's athletics.Read More -
Gaby Nair ’14 Says Hutchison Paved the Way for Recent Ph.D. from Princeton
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Gaby Nair ’14, Ph.D., a Postgraduate Research Associate in Politics at Princeton University, where she recently completed her PhD in political theory. She is also a former Morehead-Cain Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Read More -
Upper School Girls Experience State Politics Through Youth in Government
Hutchison girls experienced a day in the life of state legislators and officials through Youth in Government.Read More -
Learning Is the Real Win in March Mammal Madness
Our seventh graders competed in March Mammal Madness as part of Dr. Becky Deehr’s life science class.Read More -
Hutchison Names Nationally Renowned Coach as Head of Lacrosse Program
Hutchison is thrilled to announce that Kristan Ash will be leading the Hutchison lacrosse program. She steps into the role of Varsity Head Coach starting in the 2026-2027 school year.Read More -
Twenty-Nine Sixth Graders Become Published Poets
Poetry by 29 sixth graders will be published in this year’s edition of the “Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans.”Read More -
Seniors Present Capstone Projects at myExperience Senior Showcase
Our 21 graduating seniors of the myExperience program presented their capstone projects with confidence, poise, and enthusiasm.Read More -
Kristen Farmer Davis ’99: Guiding Students to Discover What Matters Most
We asked Kristen Farmer Davis ’99 about some of her past experiences, how those influence her work with Hutchison students today, and what she’s excited about in her new role.Read More -
Early Childhood Experiences Set the Tone for Lifelong Learning and Success
Hutchison’s Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum weaves critical skills development throughout the school day. As girls progress to the next grade and beyond, they revisit the same traits that they first learned in Early Childhood.Read More -
Hutchison Writers Earn 35 Scholastic Writing Awards
Congratulations to the 18 middle and upper school girls who won Scholastic Writing Awards in the recent Alliance for Young Artists & Writers competition!Read More -
Hutchison Senior Named Finalist for TSSAA Miss Basketball
Congratulations to Ava Jones ’26 for being named a finalist for the DII-AA Miss Basketball honor!Read More -
Gabrielle Arkle ’12: Determined to Fly & Complete the Mission
It’s a special memory for Gabrielle Arkle ’12. When she was younger, she visited the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. The museum features more than 150 restored aircraft representing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation.Read More
1/20
Hutchison School
Connect
Hutchison is the leading private girls school in Memphis for ages 2 years old through twelfth grade.
