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Chatham Hall to hold graduation Saturday
By SUSAN WORLEY/Star-Tribune Staff Writer
Thursday, May 29, 2008 9:04 AM EDT
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Chatham Hall local graduates include (L to R) Brittany Abbott, Mackenzie Hermann, Kristin Reese, Kasey Sakellaris, Amelia Gibson, Kate Thomas, Jenny Rappaport and Maggie Oakes.
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Chatham Hall's 2008 senior class of 26 includes eight local graduates.
Baccalaureate will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Chapel with commencement following at 11 a.m. on the lawn.
Speakers include Chatham Hall's academic dean Chris Hughes, who was selected by the senior class, and senior Sophie Youles of Las Vegas, Nev.
Area graduates include Mackenzie Hermann, Brittany Abbott, Maggie Oakes, Kristin Reese, Kate Thomas, Kasey Sakellaris, Amelia Gibson and Jennifer Rappaport.
Gibson is the daughter of Troy and Devie Gibson of Chatham. She has a sister, Kerry.
She has served as day student president and has been a member of COE for four years, French Club for four years, Latin Club for two years, Advancement Ambassadors, Drama Club, and participated in Adopt-A Highway as community service.
She plans to attend Roanoke College and major in criminal justice and hopes to become a forensic scientist.
What she will miss most about Chatham Hall are her friends and the memories they have made as students.
Sakellaris is the daughter of Harry and Kim Sakellaris of Danville.
She is a member and president of Panache Dance Ensemble and has danced at the Danville Academy of Dance for 14 years.
She was a member of the Danville Academy of Dance Competition Team for eight years and won numerous awards at the national level.
She danced with the Moscow Ballet Company in their version of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker."
She is a member of the Chess Club.
Sakellaris plans to attend Danville Regional School of Health Professions with a concentration in nursing. She will transfer to the University of Wyoming to obtain a master's degree as a nurse anesthetist or midwife.
Thomas is the daughter of Mark and Molly Thomas of Chatham.
She received the Rensselaer Medal for Math and Science in 2007 and received the Academic Award for Highest GPA in the class for the 2004-2005 school year.
She is a member of the Science Honors Society, French Honors Society and has participated in drama productions, Drama Club, French Club (president in 2007-2008), Student Honor Council, Chess Club (president in 2005-2006), Calculus Nerd Club, Admissions Tour Guide and played junior varsity basketball.
Thomas has taken piano lessons, voice lessons and participated in choir.
She has been a member of the school newspaper staff and served as opinions editor.
Thomas participated in the Washington & Lee Summer Scholars Program in July 2007 and Mount Holyoke Take the Lead program in 2006.
Thomas plans to major in economics in the fall at the University of Virginia.
"My favorite thing about Chatham Hall is the accepting and encouraging community," said Thomas.
"During my time here, I have not been afraid to become involved in many different activities such as drama and choir. I am grateful for the numerous opportunities that Chatham Hall has given me and because of my time here, I think I will be more willing to try new things in the future."
Reese is the daughter of Billy and Wendy Reese of Gretna. Her brother Jason is a freshman at Hargrave Military Academy.
She is a COE, a member of the French Club and Chess Club. She is an admission intern.
Reese is an All-Conference swimmer, varsity volleyball co-captain as a junior and senior, played three years varsity volleyball, and three years varsity swimming.
She will attend Mary Baldwin College in Staunton in the fall and major in marketing communications.
"I will miss all of the friends I made while at Chatham Hall along with all the lessons I've learned," said Reese.
Oakes is the daughter of Jerry and Sarah Oakes.
She has played varsity field hockey, and is a member of the French National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Student Honor Council, Chatham Athletic Council, French Club and school tour guide.
She will attend Longwood University in the fall and has not chosen a major.
"Thanks to Chatham Hall, I definitely feel prepared academically for college," said Oakes. "I will miss the familiarity of life at Chatham Hall."
Hermann is the daughter of Dr. Mark and Wendy Hermann of Danville. Her sister, Chelsea, is a sophomore at Chatham Hall. She also has a 14-year-old brother who attends Sacred Heart.
"I have brought my grades up this year and made Dean's List both trimesters," said Hermann.
An athlete, she has been on the varsity swim team three years during which the team won the BRC Championships twice. In her freshman year she was named to the All-Conference team.
Hermann has played varsity soccer, varsity field hockey and served as captain of the hockey team this year.
She will attend Roanoke College next year and hasn't chosen a major, but is interested in graphic design and marketing.
"Deciding to attend Chatham Hall was the best decision my family has ever made. I've made some absolutely amazing friends and the memories are priceless," said Herman.
"The teachers I have had here are so helpful and no matter what, they were always there when I needed anything. Chatham Hall has helped shape me into a completely different person from when I first started going here, and trust me, that is a good thing.
"The school means the world to me and even though it can be stressful with a pretty significant work load, I am sure I will be prepared for college in the fall. There are only three weeks left until I'm gone from here forever and it is definitely bittersweet. College will be great, but Chatham Hall will always have a place with me."
Abbott is the daughter of Jeanette and David Abbott of Nathalie.
Her sister, Jessie, is a sophomore at Chatham Hall. She also has an 8-year-old brother, Andrew.
She is a member of Student Council and has been class secretary since 10th grade, her first year at Chatham Hall.
Abbott is a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, COE, Spanish Club and Chess Club president.
She has made Dean's List several times while at Chatham Hall.
Abbott is a member of the varsity swim team which has won three back-to-back BRC Championships. She has advanced to Independent Virginia School Swimming State Championships for three years and been named to first team All Conference each year.
"I swam USA competitively until this year," said Abbott. "I have done this forever. It's my favorite sport. I love sports.
"This year I ran varsity cross country. I love doing softball gym as well, wishing we had a team."
She will attend James Madison University in the fall, majoring in biology with concentration in pre-forensic science.
"I want to do forensic science. I also plan on minoring in criminal justice," said Abbott.
"I will miss Chatham Hall greatly. I have accomplished so much here. I really enjoy the friends I've made and all of the teachers who have helped me a great deal," she said.
"The part I will miss the most is the honor code. I love the fact that I can lay something down and no one will mess with it. I know this will not be the case in the real world and college, but it is such an amazing community of honor.
"I have met some really cool people at Chatham Hall and will miss them terribly," said Abbott.
"Chatham Hall has meant a lot to me. I have learned how to manage my time, most importantly through intensive workload. I know this will pay off in the long run.
"I have also learned to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. I probably would have never decided to run cross country ever, since I tend to stick to water sports," said Abbott.
Rappaport is the daughter of Ted and Brenda Rappaport of Chatham.
She has attended Chatham Hall for four years. For the past year her family has been living in Chatham.
She has played field hockey and soccer and been on the All-Conference team for both.
She will attend Rhode Island School of Design in the fall.
"The one thing I will miss the most about Chatham Hall will be the art studio and my art teacher Mr. Mellor," said Rappaport. "He has been a great mentor to me and has supported my dream of pursuing a career in art since my freshman year."
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