Hutchison Helped Natalie Alexander ’25 Embrace Curiosity and Lead with Purpose

A scholar, thinker, and leader, Natalie thrived through curiosity and connection at Hutchison.
When Natalie Alexander ’25 came to Hutchison in ninth grade, she quickly learned that curiosity wasn’t just encouraged—it was celebrated. Whether she was asking big questions in class, co-editing the yearbook, or guiding her peers as Honor Council president, she discovered a school culture that values critical thinking and compassionate leadership.

“At Hutchison, it makes you smart to ask questions because it shows your curiosity and your engagement,” she said. “I love that there is no such thing as a silly question in Hutchison classrooms.”

Natalie said she is grateful for the opportunities that Hutchison provided to help her learn more about herself. She was president of the Honor Council, co-editor of the Hutchison yearbook, and founder of the Hutchison chapter of the National Honorary Beta Club. Her leadership extended across many areas, including Model United Nations, Girls State, the Philanthropic Literacy Board, and the Wilson Society. She also explored her academic interests through the St. Jude High School Research Immersion Program and pre-collegiate experiences with Georgetown University and The New York Times.

Through the St. Jude Research Immersion Program, Natalie worked in the Department of Hematology conducting sickle cell research. She evaluated the relationship between genetics and the risk for pain and stroke in sickle cell disease patients..

“When people think of me, I hope they’ll feel empowered and excited to get involved at Hutchison,” she said. “I’ve tried my best throughout my time here at Hutchison to be somewhat of a trailblazer… to try new things and set up new initiatives so that once I leave, my legacy is still here in different ways.”

Natalie was the inaugural recipient of the Dot Hammons Award for Responsible Citizenship, given to a sophomore participant in the Institute for Responsible Citizenship who exemplifies the qualities of a servant leader. She was part of the global civic engagement cohort, which she said allowed her to expand her knowledge about the world while helping her grow as a person. 

“Whether it’s soft skill development, organizational skills, or civil discourse skills, there’s just so much that the Institute pours into you that you can now go back and pour into others,” she said.

As part of the myExperience program, Natalie went to New York in summer 2023 for her cohort trip. A highlight of her experience was touring the United Nations Headquarters.

Through serving on the Honor Council, a group that upholds Hutchison's Honor Code, Natalie learned to embrace empathy. “There were probably times, especially early on, where I was just thinking to myself, ‘Why would that person do that?’ But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to understand where they’re coming from,” she said. “You’re not judging the person. You’re looking at their actions and trying to mentor them, help them learn from mistakes, and grow. It’s not supposed to be a punishment, but something that makes a person better.”

Another trait that Hutchison and the Institute helped her build: confidence. Natalie not only gained the confidence to aim high in and outside of the classroom, but also leaned into Hutchison’s supportive environment and did her best to uplift her classmates along the way.

“I think it really does begin within yourself. If you don’t have that confidence in yourself to be able to succeed or confidence that you believe that those around you can succeed, then you’re not going to be able to root for others,” she said.


When asked what she wants to do in the future, Natalie said she aspires to be a changemaker in her community. She is interested in a career in global and public health. She plans to major in economics on a pre-medical track. 

“I really do think that Hutchison is an academic powerhouse, and it doesn’t get enough credit for that.”

She had her choice between four full-ride merit scholarships, including the Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia. She will attend Spelman College, where she was awarded the Presidential Scholarship.  “I was looking for things that I enjoyed and appreciated about Hutchison, like the importance of a sisterhood and making sure that I am in a nurturing environment,” she said. “I wanted to continue to be in a student body full of people who are constantly supporting and uplifting each other.” 



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Hutchison is the leading private girls school in Memphis for ages 2 years old through twelfth grade.