By Cam Lawrence Photos courtesy of St. Mary's. Pictured– Top row: Ms. Brown, Dr. Brown, Ms. Gillespie. Bottom row: Ms. Brooks, Mr. Harbor, Ms. Kerst. Ms. Brown  Photo courtesy of St. Mary's Role: College Counselor Favorite TV show? “‘90 Day Fiance’” What is a funny college story that you have? “One of the traditions at Rhodes before you graduate is called a Pentathlon. This is all unofficial, but there are a couple things you have to do. One of the things is you have to jump in the fountain outside of the theatre. It’s narrow and kind of like a well. My friend and I went in together because we thought it would just be fun, but we got stuck.” What inspired you to be a college counselor? “At St. Mary’s I love working hands on with the students and working just with the students. I get to talk about all different kinds of schools now and helping students find what is a good fit for them.” What are you looking forward to about this year? “I have been hearing about all of these little traditions… so I’m excited just to observe all of these traditions I’ve been hearing about [while I have been living in Memphis for the last eight years].” Dr. Brown Photo courtesy of St. Mary's Role: French teacher Favorite TV show? “I’d say my favorite TV show of all time is probably ‘The Office’.” What is one of the coolest things you’ve ever done? “Before I came to St. Mary’s, I coordinated the volunteers to give vaccines at every mass vaccination site in the county. I kept track of all of the volunteers who were giving the shots.” What inspired you to teach French? “I wanted to emulate my high school French teacher. She was such an influential person in my life, and I wanted to be able to be that for somebody else.” What are you looking forward to about being at St. Mary’s? “I’m looking forward to all of the traditions. This is my first time teaching high school, so I’m looking forward to getting to know all the girls, and seeing how high school is different from college.” Ms. Gillespie Photo courtesy of St. Mary's Role: Biology teacher Favorite TV show? “‘Schitt’s Creek’” What is one of the coolest things you’ve ever done? “The summer between my junior and senior year of high school I did a summer internship at a space center… It was really cool to have that experience and work with actual scientists.” What is something that inspired you to teach? “When I was growing up, I thought I wanted to be a vet. I went to Mississippi State as a pre-vet major, and I kind of realized that wasn’t my path. I loved science, and I thought back to what I always loved about science, and that was always my science teachers.” What are you looking forward to this year? “I am excited to have the opportunity to have smaller classes and form relationships. I’m also excited about working with girls and girls who love science. I think that’s what I’m most excited about.” Ms. Brooks Photo courtesy of St. Mary's Role: College counselor Favorite TV show? “‘Schitt’s Creek and ‘The West Wing’” What is one of the coolest things you have ever done? “For five months this last year I volunteered at vaccine clinics. In Delaware, I worked at the mass vaccination clinics. I helped screen people and monitor people… It was 11,000 people every weekend. I felt hopeless and helpless during the pandemic, and this was a way to make me feel both hopeful and helpful.” What inspired you to be a college counselor? “I went to a really big public school, and even though both my parents and sisters went to college, I didn’t know anything. I happened to stumble into making the right college decision for me. It made me realize that there are a lot of people who need support making this decision.” What are you looking forward to about this year? “I can’t wait to get to know the students. I am really excited about all the traditions… I want to familiarize myself as much as possible, because I think there is so much happening here and I want to make sure that I am aware enough to be a part of them.” Mr. Harbor Photo courtesy of St. Mary's Role: Spanish teacher Favorite TV show? “‘Line of Duty’” What is one of the coolest things you’ve ever done? “I drove my car from here all the way out west to LA and all the way up to Vancouver, [camping along the way].” What did you do before you came here, and what inspired you to teach? “I worked at [an international school in Madrid, Spain]. I’ve always been a pretty patient person. I would help people with tutoring, and I seemed to be good at it. I had a Spanish degree, and teaching is what I decided to do with it.” What are you looking forward to about this year? “I’m looking forward to hopefully helping improve the level of speaking Spanish.” Ms. Kerst Photo courtesy of St. Mary's Role:
Spanish teacher Favorite TV show? “Elite on Netflix, and Ted Lasso is chef’s kiss.” What is one of the coolest things you have ever done? “I hiked Machu Picchu in Peru!” What inspired you to teach? “I did a lot of tutoring in college, and I liked speaking Spanish. It just made sense. I think it kind of keeps me young.” What are you looking forward to about this year? “Getting involved in the community number one, and learning from other teachers that have been here a long time. I love the tradition here. The 175 years is very cool to me. I’m excited to grow the [Spanish] program and the students who are learning to speak it.”
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