Stephanie Park ’25 joined those who rolled up their sleeves to donate blood, and it was her first time! Director of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship Nick Simpson and chemistry teacher and Red Cross Club sponsor Renee Riem supported her along the way.
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Junior Fights Blood Shortage by Organizing Hutchison Blood Drive
Stephanie Park '25 organized Hutchison's blood drive to help fight the national ongoing blood shortage. With her efforts, blood donations at the Hutchison blood drive could have saved as many as 96 lives.
Through the hard work of Stephanie Park ’25, the Red Cross Club, and Hutchison Serves, Hutchison hosted its third annual blood drive. Stephanie stepped up to the plate(let) to organize this year’s blood drive after Eleanor Merchant ’23, who organized the first two blood drives, graduated.
“When we started the blood drive, I saw it was a good way to help people whether they’re getting an organ transplant or recovering from a medical emergency and ease the stress that many local hospitals are facing daily,” Stephanie said.
The American Red Cross is dealing with emergency blood shortage as it experiences the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. Students, faculty, staff, and parents rolled up their sleeves to give blood and give back. The blood drive's success was featured on Memphis Parent Magazine's website. Hutchison Serves director Helen Guyton ’05 praised Stephanie’s enthusiasm and organization in organizing the blood drive.
"Starting in the fall, she came to me to ensure we had a plan in place and took the initiative to set up the volunteer spreadsheet and talk through other logistics for the day. She has made the blood drive easier for me because of her organization and genial disposition. I applaud her efforts!” Guyton said.
Guyton said Stephanie is a service-oriented student, and the blood drive is just one way she showcases her servant leadership. Stephanie also serves on the Service Learning Council, is a member of a Wilson Society project, and coaches with Girls on the Run.
We are proud of Stephanie’s work with the American Red Cross to bring the blood drive to the school and encourage the Hutchison community to rally around a common cause and save lives. According to the American Red Cross, one unit of blood donated at a blood drive can save three lives. With our efforts over the past three years, blood donations at the Hutchison blood drive could have saved as many as 288 lives.
Spring is a time of traditions at Hutchison. Some, like the celebration of May Day, have been around for a century or more. And some, like the Number Five Award, are brand new.
Empathy. Discomfort. Controversy. Curiosity. Perspective. Engagement. These six words encompass a wide range of emotional and intellectual ideas. In the fall of 2020, when the Class of 2024 were freshmen, they started attending sessions to learn about civil discourse. While the world was still navigating the pandemic, it was a great time to practice how to have constructive conversations about things we agree on… and things we disagree on.
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.
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Shelton Wittenberg ’14, an associate attorney at Baker Donelson who also coaches Hutchison middle school lacrosse.
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.