Greenhill Celebrates 67th Birthday

On September 11, 2017, Greenhill School celebrated Founders’ Day with an opening assembly that commemorated the School’s roots and recognized the contributions of Head of School Scott Griggs as he led the final Founders’ Day celebration of his 18-year tenure.Griggs opened the assembly by remarking on the accomplishments of Greenhill’s founder Bernard Fulton. Fulton had visionary goals and strong convictions for what Dallas needed in a co-educational school and he set out to realize that goal. He embodied many of the traits that have become the School’s core values of honor, respect, and compassion. Griggs also acknowledged the 16th anniversary of September 11, 2001, as well as the devastation in Texas and Florida caused by recent hurricanes. The entire community took a moment of silence to remember these tragedies.The next speaker, senior and Student Council President Anusha Kurapati, talked about the need for everyone to step outside of comfort zones in order to confront fears and cultivate peace. “The process to peace begins with the environments around us, and with places like Greenhill,” she shared. After the community sang Peace on Earth, Alumni Board President Michael Waldman ’98 highlighted how dedicated Greenhill faculty members continue to play a role in the lives of students today. After naming a few, he said, “Nothing makes me happier than to see my teachers who made such a large impact on my Greenhill experience, here today, doing the same for you.”Assistant Head of School Tom Perryman ’81 continued the assembly by recognizing Mr. Griggs and asking all students and faculty in attendance to give him the thank you that he deserves. After a long standing ovation, Perryman continued to identify campus buildings, many of which changed or were updated during the Griggs tenure.Following tradition, two Heart of the Hill (HOH) Groups were named after important figures in the School’s history. Senior Maya LaRosiliere spoke about Bill Sachs ’52, the first student to officially enroll in Greenhill, and eighth-grader Pranav Mukund spoke about Jerome Crossman, who helped facilitate the School’s transition to its current location at Spring Valley and Midway Roads, and after whom the dining hall is named. Elly Sachs, Bill’s daughter, and Stan Crossman ’61, Jerome’s son, attended the assembly to hear their fathers honored.Senior Jeffrey Carp spoke about the legacy of teacher Estelle Dickens. This year, the Annual Estelle Dickens drive will collect supplies to help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. And fourth-grader Kendall Johnson talked about one her favorite traditions of Founders’ Day that she shares with Founder Helen Fulton – ice cream during Heart of the Hilll!Faculty leaders Tatiane Deibert, Laura Flanagan, and Joan Romanosky were recognized, as well as Penny Nicholson Award Recipient Toby Row.Happy Birthday Greenhill!