Top row, left to right: Sophie Battaile ’25, Liza Blair Benge ’25, and Kaitlyn Johnson ’27 | Middle: Maggie Miller ’26, Kate Neubert ’27, and Whitney Robbins ’27 | Bottom: Suzanne Smith ’27, Virginia Treadwell ’27, and Alara Yaren ’27
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Nine Upper School Students Serving Memphis through Church Health Youth Service Council
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.
The Church Health Youth Service Council is a group of motivated, service-oriented high school students who gain experience in the field of healthcare and nonprofits by volunteering in various areas at Church Health. To be a part of the council, students must complete three unique volunteer experiences with Church Health, contribute to the operation and function of the organization, and build meaningful relationships with staff and community members.
"I am proud of these young women for taking initiative and using their time and talent to support a worthy organization like Church Health,” said Helen Guyton, Hutchison Serves director.
The following Hutchison girls are members of the council:
Sophie Battaile ’25
Liza Blair Benge ’25
Kaitlyn Johnson ’27
Maggie Miller ’26
Kate Neubert ’27
Whitney Robbins ’27
Suzanne Smith ’27
Virginia Treadwell ’27
Alara Yaren ’27
Through their involvement with the council, students gain knowledge about different healthcare and nonprofit professions, expand their knowledge about the healthcare system, and connect with members of the healthcare community and high school students across Memphis.
“Being part of the council has grown my love for service. It’s nice to have a place where I can go to help people,” Suzanne Smith ’27 said. “I’ve learned so much from everyone at Church Health and all of the people I’ve worked with. I’ve gained many mentors and friends through the council.”
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.
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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.
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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.