JK girls screamed with excitement as Lauren Pharr Parks '02 showed them the animal bones from her collection as a forensic anthropologist.
After her presentation, JK girls got to take a closer look at all of the bones. They observed the different sizes, and they used their critical thinking skills to determine if the animal was a meat or plant eater.
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Hutchison Alumna Shares Animal Bone Collection with JK Girls Studying Fossils
JK girls aren’t scared of these bones! They were fearless and loved being scientists as they took a closer look at the animal bone collection of Lauren Pharr Parks ’02, alumna and mom to Patty Mae ’36.
Junior kindergarten girls watched in awe and with excitement as Lauren Pharr Parks ’02 showed them the skulls of animals including a horse, cow, pig, alligator gar, coyote, and rabbit. Parks is a leading forensic anthropologist, holds a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University in geography/anthropology, and owns her own consulting firm. When she heard that her daughter's class was learning about bones, fossils, and dinosaurs, Parks was happy to give Patty Mae and her classmates a glimpse of her work and how it is related to their studies.
The girls enjoyed comparing the sizes of the skulls and bones from other body parts of some animals, such as teeth, hips, and shoulder bones. One thing the girls have learned in their classrooms is the difference between herbivores and carnivores. Looking at the skulls that Parks brought in gave them the opportunity to determine what each animal ate based on the shape of their teeth. The girls’ teachers were very impressed with their knowledge.
JK girls became interested in the bones of other animals after studying the human body. The girls studied the heart earlier this school year, and JK teacher Amanda Valentine said they were intrigued after hearing how certain animals have large hearts, slow heartbeats, and big bones, like the elephant.
In this study, they got to be paleontologists! The classes looked at fossils to see what scientists have learned from the different bones of extinct animals, leading to a further study of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. “We studied how the fossils teach us about the world and what we can learn from animals’ bones, footprints, and fossils, even though the animals are extinct,” Valentine said.
The teachers have tied the study of dinosaurs into classroom centers as well. Girls have sorted bones by size, designed prehistoric habitats, and made dinosaur eggs. Dance teacher Louisa Koeppel even had the girls move as if they were dinosaurs in ballet class; they stretched up into the trees to eat leaves like herbivores, dipped into the water to eat fish like carnivores, and soared in the air with dinosaur wings. This study exemplifies how our early childhood teachers follow a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to learning, which encourages each girl to engage in self-directed, exploratory learning to gain both knowledge of herself and the world around her.
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.