Over the first few weeks of school, we checked in with a variety of Lovett community members, from a stressed out senior to an on-the-ball security guard, from Chef Kat in the cafe to a parent waiting in the carpool lane, to find out what they were up to right in that moment, and how things were going for them so far this year.
“It’s All Good”
Meme Greene
Senior
by Georgia Norton
Meme Green is walking towards the parking deck in her plaid senior skirt and white v-neck, about to take advantage of her long awaited senior privileges. It’s 1:50 on a Wednesday. “I’m about to go get some food,” she explains. “I don’t know what I’m going to get but it’ll probably be Willy’s or Starbucks.”
Though she’s only a few days into the school year, she’s already busy as ever. “I’m taking AP classes this year which I’ve never done before so that’s going to be a lot of work. I’m so excited for this year though, I’m like a little small child,” she laughs.
Before this, she came from a college meeting with TCU–one of the many schools she’s currently considering. “I’ve spent so much time looking at colleges recently. I’m ready to go, I really can’t wait! I’ve literally been working on my essays and looking into schools in every spare moment I’ve had.” She says her process hasn’t “gone super smoothly so far though, but it’s all good.” She shrugs.
Her plan for the afternoon is to “get some good food, do some work, and stress about college,” but, I guess that’s all to be expected of a high school senior.
“Unpacked”
Meredyth Cole
Head of School
by Grayson Blaske
At lunchtime on a Friday in late August, I find Ms. Cole in her office writing a few remarks for Middle School parent night and reflecting on her own years as a parent of a middle schooler. Like the office we’re meeting in, the desk she sits at is new to her like so many things this year.
Ms. Cole’s recent change of address to the Loridans house lead to a lot of packing and unpacking. She was happy to report that, so far, she is loving living on campus. While the tedious task of moving was far from fun, she assured me it was worth it. And she still managed to find time for vacations to Canada and a beach here in Georgia.
When I ask Ms. Cole, somewhat ironically, what’s new for her this year, she replies with a laugh, “What isn’t?” She tells me this year so far has been like being blast with a hose of information. “I’ve been trying to get my head and heart around the culture of Lovett,” she says. Considering Lovett hosts over 400 employees and over 1600 students five days a week, that is a lot of people, culture, and especially names to learn quickly.
Even though most people would be overwhelmed by the task, Ms. Cole feels she is finding her place in the Lovett community. Today alone, she has met with the sustainability committee to discuss implementing carbon neutral solar panels on campus; spent 15 minutes of her morning with her sophomore advisory; attended an admin meeting; and eaten lunch with a few members of Lovett’s board.
With encounters like these, and so many more over the past few months, Ms. Cole says she has felt nothing but welcome here at Lovett. “I’ve been impressed and taken by how many students take the time to talk to me,” she tells me.
Now she’s off to talk with, or rather, read to, a second grade class. Before I leave, I help her choose a book to read as the day’s Mystery Reader. She has a basket of books to choose from. I suggest “I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting Off A Little Self-Esteem,” a book that was on my childhood bookshelf I tell her. That’s great, she says, we’ll do that one.
“Diet Coke and A Smile”
Angela Morris-Long
Attendance Office
By Camille Summers
Ms. Angela Morris-Long’s office is like a temple honoring the gods of Diet Coke, mints, and Star Wars. She is sipping one of those Diet Cokes as I talk to her, and, since it’s 10:30 she’s checking to see which teachers have taken attendance for period 1.
While she tells me her day is going “great,” she’s already on number three of her Diet Cokes. “I was like ‘I’m only going to drink two today,” she says, adding, “But then I was like ‘Give me another one.’ It’s that sound, the ‘pshhhhh’ sound.”
She begins to talk about her busy summer. She traveled for fun and/or with her family to London, Mexico, and California twice. “I love the summer,” she says. “But I’m always ready for school to start back because I love the energy, seeing student everyday, and hearing about people’s day… and find out they are sick and absent.”
Last year, Ms. Morris-Long worked in the Community Center as the Director of Civic Engagement, and now she works in the upper school office as the Upper School Attendance and Office Manager. “I have a whole new job,” she says. “It’s fun being over in the high school office and doing attendance. I have a great aid like Owen [Taylor] who helps me do it. It’s a big change from my old job.”
She says the biggest difference is the time commitment. For her old job, she was always here–at night and the weekends–just trying to keep up with everything. So this job for her is much more flexible. When she needs to visit her parents, she can take afternoons off, take a day here and there, or go up for the weekend. It makes it a lot easier.
But it’s not easy.
“On late-start days, the traffic is terrible, so I have two pages of kids that are late….including you,” she says. (Yes, I’ll admit, I was late). But besides late-start days, Ms. Morris-Long laments her “regular attendance issues at the window. Some seniors who I’ve gotten to know because they are late almost everyday. It’s fun to hear why they are late that day because it’s always something… a great story.”
Along with the other big changes, Ms. Morris-Long has started putting out mints for people to grab. “I’m going to the grocery store to pick up some more,” she says. “And people don’t have to ask if they can have a mint, they can just take it. I like a lot of people coming to see me for different reasons, not just the ‘I’m tardy’.”
So whether it’s for a mint or a late slip, Ms. Morris-Long will be sitting at her desk (with her Diet Coke and a smile), so be sure to stop by.
“Fresh and Unfamiliar”
Stewart Key
Freshman
by Georgia Norton
It’s Tuesday, August 22nd and the first bell is about to ring for fifth period. Freshman Stewart Key chats quietly with a few friends in the hall about how they’re still getting used to the quickened pace of life in the Upper School.
“Classes are a lot longer, but everything still moves so much faster than in middle school,” she admits, messing nervously with the straps of her backpack. “My schedule has changed so much but it’s definitely good. High School is already much better than middle school.”
“You just get a lot more freedom,” says one of her friends, Leslie, before admitting with a nervous laugh that she’s “really nervous I’m going to mess something up, though.”
The bell rings. “See you after class,” Stewart calls to her friends before walking up the unfamiliar stairwell to Biology.
“Driving Home”
Matt Bohrer
History/Religion Teacher
by Mr. Newman
It’s two hours until the start of Parents Night, but new History/Religion teacher Matt Bohrer is focused on drawing up an assignment for his freshman about the story of Abraham. Why fret about a seven minute spiel to adults when tomorrow you’re going to need to help fourteen year olds “wrestle with the idea of uncertainty as a consequence of the human condition.”
We’re speaking in the dimly lit history department center, towards the back where he has his desk. Ms. Salich is working on updating her MyLion pages nearby, and returning Art History teacher Jordan Clark is putting together a quiz.
He says the story of Abraham is all about the ambiguity of the call. “It asks: how far would you go?” he says.
Mr. Bohrer has traveled quite far with his family–they came from Indianapolis–to arrive at Lovett. I ask him how things are going and he leans into the word “bewildering.” The area. The new job. Freshmen. American Studies. “But I take it on faith that out of the challenge will come rewards,” he says, pulling Abraham back into our conversation.
Much of his summer was spent getting acclimated to Atlanta, which was tough at first. He says when he, his wife, and his three children walked into their apartment, his wife teared up. Moving from a house in Indianapolis into this interim dwelling, they suddenly recognized what a big change this would be.
But these anxious, desert-like wanderings were alleviated to a great degree when they attended a history department party thrown by Mr. Clark at his home. He says these kinds of family get-togethers were not common at his old school. And it made a big difference.
“We were driving home,” he says, the warmth of the memory reflected in the slowness of his voice. “The kids were in the back. They were exhausted. Full of cake and food. The whole feeling was good. My wife said: This is why we moved here.”
Earlier in our conversation, Mr. Bohrer had said that he wants to teach his students that while religion provides a structure for faith, faith is not limited to religious tradition. So perhaps cake, food, and the hospitality of no-longer-quite strangers offers their own reason to believe.
“Loch Ness Morris”
Nolan Morris
Science Teacher/Water Polo Coach
by Madison Thompson
At 3:42 p.m. Mr. Morris is waiting for his team to finish changing in the locker rooms. He reflects on his long day, filled with case studies, genetics, and a lab on the credibility of evidence as it relates to the Loch Ness monster.
“Now I am here at the pool for water polo practice,” he says, his face lit up with excitement, as if this was going to be the best part of the day.
The Lovett Water Polo team may only be two years old, but with Coach Morris’ help, it has taken off, starting its second season with two different teams and 22 players. “We finally have kids with experience,” Morris explains, so this seasons they are planning on doing “more interesting things as a team in terms of setting up plays and competing.”
And this water polo team is no stranger to competition. In the past two weeks alone “each team played 6 games,” for a total of 12 games, Morris says. Today they are preparing for tomorrow’s B team game. For Coach Morris, practice is no joke. He even stopped the interview to shout at one of the players for not following the proper pool etiquette.
Coach Morris is clear, however, that founding a team at Lovett has also been challenge. “It’s been difficult to communicate because it is all mostly word of mouth…making it hard to have a large presence during the school year.” That is something they hope to overcome this year by establishing a larger team and winning some titles.
His shorter term goals are more personal. Morris says he is looking forward to “roasting some red potatoes for dinner.”
As I walk away, he makes a beeline to the pool to rally his swimmers, who are messing around, splashing each other, and diving off the board. While they seem a little mischievous, I find no credible evidence of the Loch Ness Monster.
“College is Coming”
Brian Howard
College Counselor
by Madison Thompson
It’s 3:15 and Mr. Howard, one of the Lovett College Counselors, is packing up his stuff to head to Orange Theory. Perhaps he needs the workout, because when you’re helping high school students find their way to college, you need a lot of stamina.
This summer alone, Mr. Howard “had the opportunity to visit eight different colleges in the midwest on some professional development for Lovett.”
Mr. Howard says each day is different for him. Much of his schedule depends on the season. “Right now during the fall, the primary focus is working with Seniors either reviewing personal essay, college applications, brainstorming ideas for essays, or phone calls with parents, or phone calls with admissions reps,” he says. Regardless of the time, day, or season, Mr. Howard has something to do. Today alone, he had advisory, a staff meeting, a call with admissions reps, and multiple student meetings.
Though most of these meetings are spent discussing the college process, Mr. Howard is quick to point out that it’s entirely fine to talk to them about other things.“We are people that have interests in things outside of work and college is not our lives!” he says, laughing.
So what does he like to do when he’s not brainstorming with a student about a common app essay or what schools to add to their list? Watch TV! You can easily get him talking “about Game of Thrones or Black Mirror, [or any] sci-fi/thriller kind of shows.” His favorite characters are the Stark Sisters, Arya and Sansa, as “both, in the long-time story arc, have drastically changed from what they were like in season 1.” (Though, neither of them had to get into college.)
Whether you have a question about course changes, college applications, or Game of Thrones, Mr. Howard always encourages students to stop by to say hello.
“Packing It Up”
Megan McGean
Senior
by John Srouji
Three weeks into her senior year, on a Wednesday afternoon, Megan McGean tells me that she already has senioritis. “I’m only focusing on this semester,” she says.
She’s just come from AP English class where she was discussing one of her summer reading books, Beowulf. She has a paper due next week, two tests this Friday, and a “bunch of quizzes this Monday.”
All this work probably isn’t too much of a shock to her system since she took two classes this summer, one on environmental science at Yale and a creative writing class at Boston College.
Nevertheless she says that they year is already feeling “a little packed.” Hence, the senioritis she mentioned, which may also explain why one of her big focuses right now is her college applications.
“In senior year,” she says, “you definitely need to start getting on it.”
“Cross Pond Traffic”
Russ Malsnee
Security
by Kaitlyn Garrett
The security team is ready this year to resume its “never-ending quest to improve,” according to Russ Malsnee, the assistant director of safety and security.
Malsnee has worked with the Lovett security department for ten years, and it’s the Lovett community that makes him excited to come to work everyday.
“I have opportunities to interact with each and everyone of you, and that is my favorite part about working in the security department,” he said, while directing traffic by the pond at afternoon carpool. He was so focused on doing his job that he asks me to email him my questions.
According to Malsnee, the security team is very close as they work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This often gives them the opportunity to get to know each other on a personal level.
The majority of the security officers have set times and days that they work; however, it is not unusual for officers to work in multiple locations at various times when certain amounts of extra coverage is needed.
The increase in school shootings over the past decade has certainly affected the security team’s attitude and utmost dedication to protecting the Lovett community.
Russ says the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in 2012 made them “take a hard look” at their security measures. “Since then our security team has tripled in size,” Malsnee says.
But at the end of the day, Mr. Malsnee wants the Lovett community to know that they are “working tirelessly to protect you and this community to the best of our ability.”
He was certainly doing that as he waved the next car through.
“Meats and Music”
Chef Kat
Lovett Cafe
by Camille Summers
Last year’s seniors may have left the high tops, but that doesn’t mean the Café shut down over the summer. “We were here,” Ms. Kat says. “Summer school, summer camps, and that’s when we start developing new menu items, so it’s fun doing a lot of research.”
Right now, it’s 10:00 a.m on Tuesday, August 21st. I’m standing in the backroom of the Café, where Kat is placing some food orders with United Natural Foods. She is about to go down stairs and visit Ms. Marie Lanning, her boss, something she tries to do everyday.
She tells me the day has been very busy, trying to juggle ordering, cashiering, and prepping. In the Café, they all move around a lot. “But I love being busy,” she says. “There are days that are more busy than others, so some days are more challenging, but y’all make it worthwhile.”
As for the upcoming year, Kat is excited to say that along with the new large iced coffee, “we are going to do acai bowls, and overnight oats, and probably, coming soon is cold brew coffee.” Yes, I know…acai bowls and more coffee! The next thing you know they’ll be offering charcoal lemonade and Yoga classes! Heads up to all you deli fans, they switched to Boar’s Head meats and breakfast ingredients. And they’ll be able to serve all these tasty foods with a complete staff.
Kat can’t wait to continue “playing music and singing along with the students” because it’s her favorite part of the day. As I walked away, Kat continued to type on her computer, filling orders for all those foods we love.
“Making Things Work”
Tom Moak
Sophomore Dean
by Grayson Blaske
After a laid back summer with family and friends, Mr. Moak has returned as Lovett’s tenth grade dean. With experience in the role, this start of school has come more naturally. “I have a much better grasp on how things work,” he explains.
As lunch wraps up in the dining hall, Mr. Moak sits at his desk, working on bringing back a boys’ mentoring group, a program started a few years ago that lost momentum.
The day so far has been “low-key.” Mr. Moak has attended a couple of meetings, lead the sophomore class’ assembly, planned for his ethical leadership course, and most recently, sat down for lunch with the Middle School faculty.
Mr. Moak is happy to report that the year is “off to an overwhelmingly positive start.” The discipline cases thus far have been limited, allowing the Upper School’s leadership to focus on a more affirming position.
Once the bell rings for the start of fourth period, Mr. Moak will be on his way to interview a potential new student. As for those few discipline cases, he’s in charge of the day’s detention before he heads to football practice.
“Routine Ride”
Page Schwartz
Lovett Parent
by Campbell Key
After the last bell on the second Wednesday of the school year, I walk up to a black Infiniti in the carpool lane. I knock on the window, and it whirrs right down. (Yes, it felt a little awkward.) The mom behind the wheel tells me her name is Page Schwartz.
Normally she comes to pick up her son, who just started in the seventh grade, closer to 4 o’clock to avoid the crazy lower school traffic, but today she needs to take him to the orthodontist. (I have flashbacks to the weird giant mouth and the plastic chairs in my own orthodontist’s office.)
Ms. Schwartz tells me she is “glad to get back in a routine” after summer like most people are, and to have more time to herself while her kid is at school. She says that during the day, she mostly does housework, but she also rides horses, which is surprising to me because not many adults ride, especially moms. She does shows with her horse where she jumps 3ft courses. Her son plays a sport that does not involve a large animal. She’s hoping he’ll make the tennis team.
For now, she just wants him to focus on doing his work, though she doesn’t seem too worried. I thank her, and the passenger window whirrs back up.
“New Building, No Problem”
Vinay Neely
Freshman
by Georgia Norton
It’s 2:00 on a Thursday afternoon as Freshman Vinay Neely walks down the hall to English, her colorful quilted backpack hanging casually over one shoulder as she stops to answer some questions. With her bubbly demeanor and eager smile, it’s clear that she’s excited, and maybe even a bit relieved, to be out of the middle school and in the new space.
She’s happy because “today’s my best schedule, or at least so far it is. I like most of my classes right now because they haven’t gotten that hard yet. I know that’ll change, though.” She thinks for a moment before continuing, “I like my classes a lot more than I did in middle school anyways, so I feel like the work will be easier to do.” She shrugs. “I’m just really happy to be out of middle school.”
The bell rings, and she hurries back into the flow of hallway traffic with that same confidence and assuredness that makes it easy to think she’s been walking these halls all her life.
“The Longest River”
Ginger Johnson
Freshman
by John Srouji
It’s August 24, during the second period of the day, and freshman Ginger Johnson is making Quizlets to help her study geography for her World Cultures class. And in a few moments, she says, she is going to make her way down to the campus store to purchase some brand new mechanical pencils. She tells me that she’s pleased with how the campus store is much more accessible now that she is in the upper school.
She’s still getting used to the new feel of the upper school. Compared to the middle school she says there is “much more freedom.” She likes how there are fewer rules, and more to do.
Ginger tells me that the year is off to a pretty good start. She’s been able to keep track of all of her classes (somehow) and that she’s surprisingly been able to “organize my time constructively and not procrastinate.”
She says that she’s looking forward to getting to see her friends everyday and to finally get to participate in upper school sports teams.
For now, however, she needs to get back to reviewing the geography of China. Apparently, the Yangtze is the longest river…
