WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.586 Standing here fills me with joy and gratitude. 00:00:04.504 --> 00:00:08.675 When I accepted the honor to become the 11th head of Foxcroft School, 00:00:09.217 --> 00:00:14.556 it was because I believed deeply in the power of an all-girls education. 00:00:15.223 --> 00:00:18.226 That belief has shaped my career, 00:00:18.435 --> 00:00:21.855 my values, and led me to this wonderful moment. 00:00:22.981 --> 00:00:25.692 My early conversations with the search committee 00:00:25.692 --> 00:00:30.196 and the Foxcroft Board of Trustees started the process of me 00:00:30.196 --> 00:00:33.199 falling in love with this extraordinary place. 00:00:33.491 --> 00:00:37.245 At my lunch with students, which was exactly a year ago this week, 00:00:37.871 --> 00:00:39.998 in Brick House, 00:00:39.998 --> 00:00:43.668 I first thought to myself, this place feels like home. 00:00:44.836 --> 00:00:46.755 This return to Virginia, 00:00:46.755 --> 00:00:51.342 to girls’ education and leadership captured my heart then 00:00:51.968 --> 00:00:55.096 and continues to fill me with wonder and awe. 00:00:56.222 --> 00:00:58.892 In that lunch with Foxcroft girls, 00:00:58.892 --> 00:01:03.605 I felt a clear sense of being in exactly the right place. 00:01:04.814 --> 00:01:06.983 And later that same day, 00:01:06.983 --> 00:01:11.905 in a quiet moment with my partner, Christine, right here in Miss Charlotte's Garden, 00:01:11.905 --> 00:01:17.243 I fully understood what our founder, Charlotte Haxall Noland, 00:01:17.243 --> 00:01:19.746 envisioned when she spoke of a school 00:01:20.455 --> 00:01:23.708 that girls would want to come to and hate to leave. 00:01:24.250 --> 00:01:27.253 That is exactly how I feel today. 00:01:27.670 --> 00:01:30.673 Miss Charlotte was a visionary ahead of her time. 00:01:31.174 --> 00:01:35.345 In 1914, she dared to imagine a school 00:01:35.345 --> 00:01:38.348 for girls to discover themselves. 00:01:39.516 --> 00:01:42.894 She carefully built and nurtured this community, 00:01:43.520 --> 00:01:46.523 a place rooted in belonging, 00:01:46.773 --> 00:01:49.776 in joy and in clear purpose. 00:01:49.818 --> 00:01:54.155 A school for girls that would transform their lives 00:01:54.572 --> 00:01:57.575 at this critical stage of adolescence, 00:01:57.826 --> 00:02:02.413 where everything is still possible and where the right set 00:02:02.789 --> 00:02:07.794 of educational and leadership experiences can make all the difference 00:02:08.086 --> 00:02:11.047 in the trajectories of their lives. 00:02:11.172 --> 00:02:14.175 Miss Charlotte's spirit remains alive here 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:18.263 in an environment of learning that is best for girls. 00:02:19.055 --> 00:02:23.101 And that is most clearly embodied in the work of our faculty. 00:02:23.893 --> 00:02:26.896 There is magic happening in our classrooms. 00:02:27.105 --> 00:02:31.067 A special alchemy that shifts the way our girls 00:02:31.067 --> 00:02:34.445 think about themselves and their own abilities. 00:02:35.238 --> 00:02:40.201 You can see the outcomes of that secret sauce in our alumnae. 00:02:40.201 --> 00:02:42.745 Women whose lives transform 00:02:42.745 --> 00:02:46.541 their communities, their families, and their careers. 00:02:47.125 --> 00:02:52.172 Foxcroft’s legacy shines through its alumnae, and each of them 00:02:52.172 --> 00:02:55.717 has bloomed in ways that remind us why 00:02:55.717 --> 00:02:58.720 this place matters for our girls today, 00:02:58.928 --> 00:03:03.224 and will continue to do so for generations of girls to come. 00:03:04.142 --> 00:03:08.646 Several of our extraordinary alumnae now serve on our Board of Trustees. 00:03:09.314 --> 00:03:13.276 I hope you will join me in a moment of thanks to all of them. 00:03:13.610 --> 00:03:18.573 These remarkable individuals, who have served as Foxcroft trustees 00:03:18.573 --> 00:03:21.701 and devote their time, their many talents, 00:03:21.701 --> 00:03:25.538 and their treasure to the School they love so very much. 00:03:25.747 --> 00:03:28.291 So at this time, I would like everyone who currently serves 00:03:28.291 --> 00:03:31.294 or has served as a trustee, whether you're alumnae or not, 00:03:31.628 --> 00:03:33.213 just to stand for a moment, please. 00:03:42.430 --> 00:03:43.598 Thank you. 00:03:43.598 --> 00:03:46.851 Thank you for this service to the school that we all love so much. 00:03:47.769 --> 00:03:51.231 Growing is part of the ethos here at Foxcroft. 00:03:51.856 --> 00:03:55.193 We can look around and observe this campus 00:03:55.193 --> 00:04:00.281 alive with trees, plants, and many other living creatures. 00:04:02.075 --> 00:04:05.286 Walking from Covert to Schoolhouse each morning, 00:04:05.745 --> 00:04:09.791 I remain enchanted by our garden of a campus. 00:04:10.375 --> 00:04:13.378 I watch the smiling faces of our girls, 00:04:13.711 --> 00:04:16.756 and I can see them blossoming right before my eyes. 00:04:17.465 --> 00:04:22.679 It is a remarkable thing for all of us who are educators here at Foxcroft — 00:04:23.012 --> 00:04:28.101 every single person who works here and is a part of this special community — 00:04:28.601 --> 00:04:32.480 to witness and to cultivate this growth in our girls. 00:04:33.356 --> 00:04:36.359 Our faculty, administrators, and staff 00:04:36.651 --> 00:04:40.655 care deeply about our students. And working together, 00:04:41.197 --> 00:04:45.994 they support extraordinary growth in our girls and also in one another. 00:04:46.661 --> 00:04:50.248 We literally grow girls here at Foxcroft. 00:04:51.207 --> 00:04:52.625 We see the roots 00:04:52.625 --> 00:04:55.878 and the seeds that they bring us in early adolescence, 00:04:56.421 --> 00:05:00.091 and we foster it, carefully guiding their growth, 00:05:00.091 --> 00:05:04.262 celebrating their triumphs, and helping them learn 00:05:04.262 --> 00:05:06.639 during these critical teenage years. 00:05:07.390 --> 00:05:11.019 How lucky I feel to be a part of our community 00:05:11.019 --> 00:05:14.022 of girl gardeners here. 00:05:14.314 --> 00:05:17.317 Gardens, of course, do not grow overnight. 00:05:17.525 --> 00:05:21.738 We are deeply grateful to our families who start the growing process 00:05:22.322 --> 00:05:26.534 in those early years, and then entrust their daughters to our care. 00:05:27.410 --> 00:05:30.246 Our Foxcroft families give so much, 00:05:30.246 --> 00:05:34.625 time, talent, and their treasure, to fostering a sense 00:05:34.625 --> 00:05:38.713 of belonging and support for our entire school community. 00:05:39.339 --> 00:05:43.509 My deepest thanks to all of you who are parents of current students, 00:05:44.302 --> 00:05:48.848 and to the many who are parents of alumnae and of future Foxcroft girls. 00:05:50.016 --> 00:05:54.228 Students at Foxcroft learn to have understanding hearts 00:05:54.812 --> 00:05:57.940 and the importance of fostering connections with others. 00:05:58.858 --> 00:06:03.154 It is true that everything around us here at Foxcroft is growing, 00:06:03.154 --> 00:06:06.866 living, often wild... things. 00:06:07.867 --> 00:06:11.871 Here it is in our traditions, in the whimsy 00:06:12.622 --> 00:06:17.126 and lively spirit of Fox/Hound, of New Girl Runnings 00:06:17.418 --> 00:06:18.544 (can't wait) 00:06:18.544 --> 00:06:21.589 and in Sing Sings, among so many others. 00:06:21.589 --> 00:06:25.718 What a joy to celebrate girl energy. 00:06:25.718 --> 00:06:28.054 Please indulge me just for a moment. 00:06:28.054 --> 00:06:31.349 In tapping into our girl energy here in the garden. 00:06:31.808 --> 00:06:33.976 It feels extra potent right now 00:06:33.976 --> 00:06:36.979 as we near the end of our closed period. 00:06:37.271 --> 00:06:41.776 I am well aware that the end of this short ceremony 00:06:41.776 --> 00:06:46.489 will soon free our most wild things. 00:06:47.323 --> 00:06:49.617 [cheering] 00:06:50.368 --> 00:06:53.287 All right, so let's hear that girl energy now. 00:06:53.287 --> 00:06:54.580 Where are my Hounds? 00:06:55.373 --> 00:06:57.667 [cheering] 00:07:01.421 --> 00:07:03.548 Those are my people. 00:07:03.548 --> 00:07:06.551 And now, from our Foxes. 00:07:13.057 --> 00:07:17.103 I love that girl energy. It powers this place. 00:07:17.103 --> 00:07:21.065 Telling the stories of Foxcroft and our amazing history 00:07:21.524 --> 00:07:24.485 is an important part of my own role here. 00:07:24.569 --> 00:07:27.822 So I want to share just a little bit about my own story, 00:07:28.281 --> 00:07:31.742 and how this new chapter in my life and career 00:07:32.118 --> 00:07:35.121 is a manifestation of my own dreams. 00:07:35.705 --> 00:07:38.708 My journey is rooted in my family, 00:07:38.916 --> 00:07:43.671 in important mentors, and many educators who believed in me 00:07:43.671 --> 00:07:47.383 and helped me grow, who shared their own stories 00:07:47.675 --> 00:07:51.012 and modeled courage in taking on new challenges. 00:07:51.846 --> 00:07:55.266 At times, I admit, it has seemed a winding path 00:07:55.683 --> 00:07:58.686 filled with twists and turns. 00:07:59.145 --> 00:08:01.189 But I look back now 00:08:01.189 --> 00:08:04.734 and I can see the common threads and the primary theme. 00:08:05.234 --> 00:08:09.280 It has always been about supporting other women and girls. 00:08:10.698 --> 00:08:14.327 Attending independent schools in my own childhood 00:08:14.494 --> 00:08:17.497 shaped me in ways that I have always appreciated. 00:08:18.164 --> 00:08:21.125 Support from my family has been critical, 00:08:22.168 --> 00:08:25.630 including the models of my grandparents, who were educators, 00:08:26.172 --> 00:08:30.301 and my mother, who was a college professor and earned her own PhD 00:08:30.635 --> 00:08:34.263 when I was 17 and my sister was 14. 00:08:35.223 --> 00:08:38.559 My sister, Crystal, trained as a scientist, 00:08:39.185 --> 00:08:43.397 is now starting her own path as a new Head of School in Texas. 00:08:44.106 --> 00:08:48.569 We always enjoy sharing our many stories of new Headship together. 00:08:48.653 --> 00:08:51.656 It is quite a sister adventure to share. 00:08:52.573 --> 00:08:53.824 Most of all, 00:08:53.824 --> 00:08:56.827 over my career, I have learned from students. 00:08:57.245 --> 00:09:01.290 From young women who were once girls and are now making positive 00:09:01.290 --> 00:09:05.211 changes in every career imaginable all around the world. 00:09:05.836 --> 00:09:09.757 The more than two decades that I spent serving as a college 00:09:09.757 --> 00:09:14.428 dean of women were the best possible training for this role 00:09:14.428 --> 00:09:16.138 I hold now at Foxcroft. 00:09:17.223 --> 00:09:18.766 I want to give thanks 00:09:18.766 --> 00:09:22.853 to my entire family, who have been my best cheerleaders, 00:09:23.271 --> 00:09:25.106 supporting me along the way. 00:09:25.106 --> 00:09:28.693 And to my very closest friends and colleagues, 00:09:29.193 --> 00:09:32.071 many of whom are joining us here in the garden this evening, 00:09:32.071 --> 00:09:35.074 and many are joining via livestream. 00:09:35.366 --> 00:09:38.077 Each of them has helped guide me along 00:09:38.077 --> 00:09:41.080 the path to this remarkable moment. 00:09:41.122 --> 00:09:43.833 I remain so grateful to each one of you. 00:09:43.833 --> 00:09:45.793 Thank you. 00:09:45.793 --> 00:09:49.297 My greatest gift is my chosen family. 00:09:49.297 --> 00:09:53.009 My partner and trusted confidant, Dr. Christine de Denus, 00:09:53.467 --> 00:09:56.470 who absolutely helped me realize this dream. 00:09:56.804 --> 00:09:59.807 And to our daughters, Morgan and Madison, 00:09:59.974 --> 00:10:02.810 who fill my life with joy each day. 00:10:02.810 --> 00:10:09.609 Raising them through their adolescent years with all of the ups and downs 00:10:10.443 --> 00:10:13.446 may be my most important credential 00:10:13.904 --> 00:10:16.532 in understanding the importance 00:10:16.532 --> 00:10:19.869 of this role in guiding other people's 00:10:19.869 --> 00:10:23.372 teenage daughters through their critical teenage years. 00:10:23.998 --> 00:10:27.001 This is an important stage of development, 00:10:27.001 --> 00:10:31.005 critical to what their lives will look like as they move forward. 00:10:31.839 --> 00:10:34.842 And of course, no garden community 00:10:34.842 --> 00:10:39.221 like Foxcroft grows without generations of nurturers. 00:10:39.764 --> 00:10:42.975 Today, I honor our former heads, 00:10:43.309 --> 00:10:48.689 including Cathy McGehee and Mary Louise Leipheimer, who is here with us today. 00:10:49.148 --> 00:10:53.778 [clapping] 00:10:55.029 --> 00:10:59.700 They have enriched Foxcroft soil and cultivated its strength, 00:11:00.368 --> 00:11:04.538 and I look forward to building on their important work and legacies 00:11:04.914 --> 00:11:07.917 while we continue to chart our course forward. 00:11:08.626 --> 00:11:11.921 I am profoundly grateful for our Board leadership. 00:11:12.380 --> 00:11:14.924 Past Chair Natalie Wiltshire, 00:11:14.924 --> 00:11:20.137 whose wisdom guided our transition with grace and insight. 00:11:20.137 --> 00:11:24.392 And current board chair Elizabeth Lester, whose unwavering 00:11:24.392 --> 00:11:29.188 faith in our mission and in me has been foundational. 00:11:29.188 --> 00:11:34.360 To our students, you are the constant energy. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:37.029 You are our literal wildflowers, 00:11:37.029 --> 00:11:41.742 our youngest trees, and you serve as the current generation 00:11:42.118 --> 00:11:45.246 of the strong roots of this remarkable place. 00:11:45.830 --> 00:11:48.582 My own promise to you 00:11:48.582 --> 00:11:51.210 is that I will work every day 00:11:51.210 --> 00:11:54.880 to lead this community where you can take risks, 00:11:55.423 --> 00:12:01.137 grow strong, and continue to discover the full breadth of your unique voices. 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:05.224 Miss Charlotte reminded us that we must be brave 00:12:05.725 --> 00:12:08.728 and dare to dream big dreams. 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:10.271 And so we are. 00:12:10.271 --> 00:12:13.274 And so we do, here at Foxcroft. 00:12:13.274 --> 00:12:15.943 There is courage and connection 00:12:15.943 --> 00:12:20.114 that weaves through our strong traditions, through innovation, 00:12:20.656 --> 00:12:23.617 through service, and through fun and joy. 00:12:24.702 --> 00:12:27.163 Today, I choose to follow 00:12:27.163 --> 00:12:29.707 in that proud tradition of courage. 00:12:29.707 --> 00:12:34.795 Courage for this new chapter I am so excited to embark on. 00:12:34.795 --> 00:12:39.091 The courage to plant new seeds and nurture others. 00:12:40.092 --> 00:12:43.846 To nurture one another through the happy and the challenging days, 00:12:44.180 --> 00:12:48.809 and to work together with constant wonder, awe, and pride, 00:12:49.477 --> 00:12:52.605 as the Foxcroft that I know continues 00:12:52.605 --> 00:12:55.608 to bloom across our many generations. 00:12:56.233 --> 00:12:57.067 Thank you. 00:12:57.067 --> 00:13:00.112 Thank you for welcoming me and for trusting me. 00:13:00.863 --> 00:13:05.951 I am so excited to see what we can grow together in this next chapter for Foxcroft.