Foxcroft's New Head Opens the School's 101st Year

“I tell you this story not only because it’s embarrassing and funny, but because it marks a significant turning point in my life. I was embarking on a new journey,” said McGehee. “I realized that every time one of his siblings or his mother or father told this story to yet another guest around the table, they were not making fun of me; rather, they were welcoming me into their circle. This was the point in my life when my story became woven into their stories, my life part of the fabric of their life, and I became a member of the McGehee family.”

McGehee likened that journey to the adventure of a new school year in which girls from across the country and around the world -- some of whom have never lived away from home before -- come together and take on new roles and challenges.

“Here, we will make new stories together and we will be richer for these stories,” she said. “We do not give up our old stories or the friends that are part of our growing up; rather our past lives and our future lives will be woven together through new stories, made with and told to new teachers, new teammates, new roommates and new friends. Here our stories will combine with Foxcroft stories told over the past one hundred years by women who have accomplished many amazing things in their lives and who care very deeply about the next 100 years of our School.

“I encourage you to look out for that new girl or to connect in a new way with a classmate; to know that everyone has a story to contribute, whether New Girl, Old Girl, faculty, staff or alumna,” McGehee continued. “I encourage you to ask others what their stories are, to tell us your story, and to make as many new stories as you can with as many members of the Foxcroft community as you can.”

The Convocation service, attended by students and parents, faculty and staff, also featured musical performances by seniors Stephanie Z., Molly M., and Hannah A., junior Patia F., and the Foxcroft Chorale. Student Head of School Lilly P. '15 welcomed everyone with her opening remarks and eight of her classmates presented readings that ranged from quotations from Eleanor Roosevelt, the noted 20th century First Lady and activist, and Charlotte Haxall Noland, who founded Foxcroft in 1914, to poet Mary Oliver and the Bible.

Foxcroft’s 2014-15 student body includes 155 students representing 19 states, the District of Columbia, and 14 countries. Some 30 percent of Foxcroft students receive financial aid and four percent receive merit scholarships. Seven new faculty and staff members, including classroom teachers Dr. Meghen Tuttle, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Southern California, and Abigail Rowlands, a graduate of the University of the South, join the Foxcroft community this year. Like more than 80 percent of their colleagues, Tuttle and Rowlands live at the School, along with 72 percent of the students. In keeping with the strong sense of community Foxcroft is known for, the 44 day students also have beds and rooms in the dormitories and are all invited to stay on campus for the first month and several nights a week throughout the school year.