Sara Corum
Julie Kim
Bailey Bryant, Jessica Melton, and Ella Marie Melton
Scottie Sandlin and Chloe Haren
May Court
Girls Preparatory School celebrated the school’s tradition of May Day on Wednesday, with a presentation of the senior class, dances set to the day’s theme of “Radio Air Waves,” and the popular winding of the May Poles by the sophomores.
Following a festival on the patio and a special dance by the sixth graders, members of the Class of 2017 were presented in the Smith Courtyard of the school.
Before the seniors descended the stairs to take their places on the front lawn, Upper School principal Jenise Gordon spoke about the theme.
“I see how radio waves resemble our very own GPS girls. Our girls all modulate frequencies...on a daily basis. Our job as educators is to fine tune our own receivers to hear each girl and help her lead a life of integrity and purpose,” she said.
“This senior class has represented a series of constructive waves, each girl contributing to this school and her broader community in a way that makes us all proud. Even when tasked to determine the young women to represent them on the May Court, they ‘dialed in’ the frequencies of our Founders…choosing young women that embody the ideals of GPS.”
Senior Iman Ali, the president of the Student Council, reigned as May Queen. Tia Kemp was her Maid of Honor, and other members of the court were Leah Baxter, scepter bearer; Lori Baxter, crown bearer; and trainbearers Elisabeth Hale and Mimi Vance.
The student-choreographed class dances were set to the music of Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, the Dixie Chicks, High School Musical, the Beach Boys, and Chuck Berry.
In reflecting on the significance of the longstanding tradition, GPS Head of School Autumn Graves said, “Our senior class has chosen a girl who best represents goodness to her peers. The seniors, along with younger students, family and friends, selflessly celebrated the girl elected as May Queen a young woman who is the purest embodiment of the qualities we hold dear at GPS: integrity, strength, self-confidence, and respect for others.
“This tradition is not only a refreshing departure from the everyday business of being a student. It is a refreshing break from a world that tells girls that they are the sum total of their Instagram followers, their AP exam scores, and their soccer goals.”