Several of our girls were among a select group of students who danced alongside Collage Dance Collective for this year’s RISE program at Germantown Performing Arts Center.
It’s a good thing Kaitlyn Johnson, ’27 has her “study notes dancing in her head.” This fifth grader has a lot on her plate! She is studying figurative language, diseases of the digestive system, the Civil Rights Movement, PLUS attending four hours of dance rehearsals every night this week.
Kaitlyn, Kylee Gleeton '29, Morgan Perry ’26, and Zoey Sisnett, ’29, are part of the Collage Dance Collective performing this weekend at GPAC. The girls say they are very excited about the opportunity to share the stage with Collage's esteemed group of professional dancers, the only international touring dance company in Memphis. But they also appreciate the hard work required.
“I am balancing my RISE rehearsals with my school assignments by writing my RISE and my school schedules on my whiteboard at home so that l’ll know how my week will be,” says Zoey, who is currently working on comparing fractions in math, learning about nonfiction writing, and studying Memphis history.
Kaitlyn says she uses all her so called “support devices” to keep things in order. “I use my brain, laptop, and my written calendar,” says Kaitlyn.” Oftentimes study notes travel with me on stage while I am dancing. The study notes are dancing in my head!”
Morgan and her classmates are studying plate tectonics (earthquakes and volcanoes) and Greek mythology. Morgan also stays busy with volleyball. “I’m excited about the performance and looking forward to it...just ready for it happen,” she says.
With this sort of discipline and determination, we are confident all four of these girls will “rise” to the occasion beautifully this weekend.
Hutchison has hosted the Collage Dance Collective’s summer workshop for more than six years. The RISE program will showcase the company’s “trademark style of juxtaposing innovation and tradition.”
In these student-led R.E.A.L. discussions, our fourth graders sharpen their conversation skills while learning to support their ideas with evidence and think critically.
Through years of theatre, dance, music, and leadership in the arts, Chloe Simpson ’25 found confidence, community, and her voice. From the stage to the classroom, she embraced every opportunity to grow as a performer, student, and civic thinker.
Maggie’s interest in environmental science and forestry has grown through hands-on learning, inspiring mentors, and community involvement. After 15 years at Hutchison, she’s ready to turn her curiosity and love for learning into real-world impact.
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Mallory Mullis '18, Manager of Leadership Programs at the Dallas Regional Chamber.
Hutchison world language students participated in the 2025 U of M Language Fair, sponsored by The University of Memphis Department of World Languages and Literatures. Demonstrating their knowledge of Spanish and Chinese, Hutchison had nine upper school girls win awards at the fair.
Yes, egg prices are high, according to our fifth graders’ research! Their Mean Monday activity tracking grocery store prices was highlighted on WREG News Channel 3.
Carpe diem! Demonstrating their enthusiasm for Latin and Roman culture, Hutchison had several students win awards at the Tennessee Junior Classical League Convention.
Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—these are the five steps of design thinking that our lower school girls live by in the Design Lab with academic technology specialist Jennifer Stover.
Our innovative middle school STEM explorations class is designed to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through exposure to different types of STEM-adjacent careers and visits from professionals working in STEM careers, we hope to encourage the next generation of female leaders in these fields.
Louise Smythe ’06, who works as a storyboard artist at Pixar Animation Studios and contributed to “Inside Out 2” credits her time at Hutchison for building her confidence and skills.