Ava R. ’25 and Ms. Cesar are our May Everyday Heroes!

We are excited to announce Ava R. ’25 and English teacher Emma Cesar are our May Everyday Heroes!  The campus community nominated employees and students who have been doing great things and living out our values in big and small ways during the month. The Everyday Hero Award Committee (Gracie R. ’24, Isabella W. ’24, Tashae' A. ’25, Kyla P. ’26, and faculty members Erika Page, Christine McCrehin, Lynnette Saunders, Dr. Tanya Hyatt, Dr. Whittney Preston, and Cathy McGehee) received a multitude of nominations and the announcement of winners at Morning Meeting was met with much cheering and applause.

Before revealing Ava as the student winner, Student Head of School Gracie R. ’24 and Junior Class President Tashae’ A. shared quotes from the nominations.

One person wrote: “I nominate this student because she inspires me to do better. No matter how her day is going or what has happened in class, she is ALWAYS a kind soul greeting staff and students, holding doors, and being thankful for the people in her community. Our friendship started before winter break when I had no one to stay with over the two weeks. Without knowing me well, she invited me to her house and gave me a second home. Her family basically adopted me, and she invited me for spring break as well. In soccer practice, she always gives her best. When she has tips or feedback for her teammates on the field, she is direct but nice. She is the strongest girl-supporter I know and …she is a person I love to look up to. She has an open ear to everyone in her community and loves to help and grow with all the girls around her.”

Another classmate wrote, “This junior is a prime example of an everyday hero. She always helps me get out of bed in the morning when I don't want to. She has put a lot of time and effort into this school to make it a better place and always makes my day better. There is no other person who would deserve it more than her.”

Congratulations to Ava R. ’25, our student Everyday Hero! 

Head of School Cathy McGehee also shared reflections from nominations before announcing Ms. Cesar as the employee winner, including her own. "Our May Employee Everyday Hero has not only had multiple nominations over several months, but she has been one of the most dependable persons to nominate others for this award over the two years we have had the Everyday Hero Award. This year alone, she submitted 11 nominations for different people. This does not surprise me because as Head of School, I get to read her parent communications, and she goes out of her way to write about the good things her students are doing in her classes. Her comments show that she notices her students and knows them well in and out of the classroom."

Another nominator wrote, “To be honest, I can't remember if she has won before, because she seems to do so many great things that it feels like she should win it every month. She not only coached two sports (cross-country and rock climbing), but she also offered other rock climbing opportunities on the weekend after the season was over. She always has a positive, go-getter attitude. She does a great job working with students in Jam Session, and she helped with a songwriting sampler for the Accepted Students Day. Ms. Cesar is always willing to step up and help, leading by example in the junior class car wash. She is everything a teacher should be at a boarding school.” 

One of her students wrote, “This teacher has continued to be supportive both in the class and the dorm through her advice and encouragement. In addition to being a great English teacher, she is a great dorm parent and Junior Class advisor. Her class always radiates positivity and enthusiasm.”

Congratulations to Ms. Cesar, our employee Everyday Hero!