Dear Hurricanes,
In my first few months at Atlanta Girls’ School, every day has brought new reasons for joy and gratitude. Below, we celebrate just a few of these special moments. Many of our favorite traditions remain and are returning to more familiar forms after a year when “virtual,” “asynchronous,” and “socially distanced” modified nearly every single one. There is new energy on campus, too, particularly when Leadership Labs are meeting, bringing an exciting new opportunity for every AGS student.
Looking ahead, I hope you will join us for our virtual conversation with tennis legend Billie Jean King on November 30. Aside from her accomplishments on the court, Billie Jean has long been a champion of equality, particularly for women and the LGBTQ community. I think you’ll find her words uplifting and inspiring. RSVP below, and invite your friends to tune in as well!
It is a privilege to come alongside the AGS community and witness the magic that happens on our campus every day. Atlanta Girls' School truly is a school unlike any other.
With gratitude,
Kimbrell Smith, Interim Head of School
Join Us for a Conversation with Billie Jean King
7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 30, via Zoom
Tennis legend and champion for women's and LGBTQ equality Billie Jean King kicks off AGS's 2021-22 Leading Unapologetically speaker series at the end of this month. Join us to be inspired by Billie Jean's tireless rejection of the status quo and the ways she's helping new generations of women become fearless leaders. This is a free community event, so invite your friends to watch, too!
"Oh, lavaliere! Oh, lavaliere..."
From our Upper School lavaliere ceremony to the most fashionable volleyball game around to a celebration of our founding community, we are grounded in traditions that strengthen our community and remind us that, as AGS sisters, we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.
Everyone's favorite volleyball game, Elder Academy, returned to AGS in October. After a hard-fought battle, the varsity volleyball team emerged as victors.
AGS Launches Leadership Labs
After a year of planning, Leadership Labs launched in August, solidifying our commitment to leadership development for all our students. Each student takes four Leadership Labs during the course of a year, and each Lab meets 15 times per quarter. These courses are designed to align with students' interests and target specific leadership objectives. The program works through four main components:
Exposing students to new places, people, tools, and processes
Leadership Labs go beyond what students can find in the halls of AGS. Students explore new ideas and new ways of doing things. In Black to the Future: Pan-African Visions of the Future in Film, Song, and Story, students view the media through the lens of Afro-futurism—they're analyzing music, movies, fashion, and more to see intersections of the African diaspora with technology. In the first quarter, students viewed a limited-run exhibit featuring Afro-futuristic costumes from Black Panther and more at SCAD FASH, the fashion design museum on SCAD's Atlanta campus.
Helping students develop new skills
Some Leadership Labs teach technical skills, like when students collect data in CSI: Middle School or learn graphic design software in The Weather Report, our student publications-focused Lab. Sometimes interpersonal skills are at the forefront, like the public speaking practice students have in courses like Speak!, Have the Last Word, and Look Who's TED Talking. Trying something new is an essential part of every Leadership Lab.
Connecting our students and the greater community
Female mentors from investment firm Roark Capital helped lead our finance and investing course, Rock the Street, Wall Street. Students in Bowls for Souls learn about food insecurity and do something about it, donating to and learning about Free99 Fridge, a community food organization that runs on a mutual aid model around Atlanta. Professional event planners speak to students planning prom in our Making It Happen class. These community connections enrich our students' experiences now and inspire them for the future.
Offering meaningful opportunities
Everything we do in Leadership Labs is designed to prepare our students for life beyond AGS. In Mindfulness and Self-Awareness, students learn calming and self-regulating techniques they can use for life. The foundational information they learn in Time, Talent, Treasure sets them up to be effective activists, volunteers, and philanthropists at any stage. Leadership Labs aren't about information that can be memorized in a day—these classes are about complex problems without easy answers.
You can read more about Leadership Labs in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article published in October.
Arts and Athletics
Hurricanes have especially enjoyed participating in arts and athletics this fall after last year's COVID-interrupted seasons. Our fall play and Coffee House talent show returned to in-person formats, and cross-country and volleyball teams from middle school through varsity competed in league play.
Our fall play, "All the King's Women," told the story of Elvis Presley through a series of comedic monologues and vignettes. Student performers showcased their talents on the outdoor stage this year at Coffee House, entertaining and wowing us all.
Our fall athletic teams enjoyed successful seasons. The varsity cross country team finished first in region competition, and head coach Stacy Floyd was named the Region 1-AAA Coach of the Year! At the state meet, our runners placed sixth. In volleyball, eighth grader Eva LeRoux was named to the all-region team.
Accomplishments and Awards
The Class of 2021 Graduates
In May, our alumnae body grew by 25 as the Class of 2021 graduated in an on-campus ceremony. What are they up to now? Here's a small snapshot of their college adventures:
Alumna Earns Oprah Winfrey Leadership Scholarship
"That morning, despite having run through a slew of questions that could potentially be thrown at me, I was admittedly nervous. When Ms. Winfrey appeared on our Zoom call, I was filled with both shock and gratitude. She looked and sounded just like she does on TV."
Roz Byrne Named a Master Teacher
Two Seniors Recognized by National Merit
Thanks for reading! Follow @atlantagirlsschool on Instagram and Facebook to see more of our adventures as they unfold! Look for further updates in your inbox throughout the year.