List of 20 news stories.

  • A Hawk's Eye View: February 20, 2026

    Around this time each year, the walls of the Schwartz Center start to fill with one of my favorite visual arts installations: 8th-grade torn paper projects. Ushered thoughtfully by Mrs. Woods over the course of several weeks, students select an inspiring individual - a family member, musician, scientist, etc. - to generate a portrait using hand-torn pieces of paper from magazines, newspapers, and the like. One of the many milestone projects students complete during their academic journey, this specific one requires patience and accuracy to bring an individual into focus. 

    The hanging of these portraits marks the beginning of the final trimester and celebrates how far our 8th grade students have come. It’s a meaningful reminder that their Harding journey, filled with growth, friendships, and countless memories, is beginning its final chapter. Spring is filled with moments to celebrate their successes and reflect on their time with us - from brick reveals in the middle school courtyard to final excursions to Six Flags and Washington, D.C., culminating in the transition from students to alumni. 

    From where I stand, it is a remarkable privilege to watch students grow year after year. I often find myself thinking back to when this class was in 3rd grade, my very first year at Harding, when their worlds were filled with Harry Potter, carefully measured area and perimeter houses, and the uncertainty of learning through COVID.

    What makes this moment so powerful is not just how much they have grown academically, but who they have become. They are confident, compassionate young leaders whose presence strengthens the very fabric of our community. Anyone who attended Tuesday’s Chili Cookoff saw it clearly. These students were at their very best, welcoming, encouraging, and dishing out joy to the younger Hawks who are already beginning to follow in their footsteps.

    For those of you joining us for Beauty and the Beast next week, I encourage you to pause and take in these torn paper works of art hanging in the Schwartz Center. They are a powerful reminder that creative learning is never instantaneous. It unfolds over time in classrooms where teachers champion vulnerability over perfection and experimentation over simply staying inside the lines. These same values live not only in our visual arts, but on our stage as well.

    What you see on those walls, and what you will see under the lights next week, is the result of years of courage, trust, and growth. It is the unmistakable mark of students who have been given the freedom to become fully themselves.

    Best, 
    Dr. Eric Fecht 

  • A Hawk's Eye View: February 6, 2026

    Corby Lucas
    The Harding Community Code in Athletics 

    The Harding Community Code is framed in my office and sits on the counter directly across from my desk. It is also with me every day on the back of my door access keycard. I look at it often and maybe my eye catches just one or two of the tenets, sometimes different ones at different times, but it is consistently there, everpresent, and more importantly, always in action. The code has been woven into the fabric of our community for over 30 years thanks to the hard work of Patti Wright and a group of dedicated faculty on the Faculty Climate Committee who, at the time, wanted to unite our small community around a list of tenets that were then and are now considered one of the core components of the Harding experience.

    My observation has been that often our older students look at the code as something more “elementary” in nature and it can tend to fade away from their day-to-day middle school lives. I felt compelled to bring it to life and even more so to do it with their input and with application to athletics. For over ten years, I have been fortunate to lead a group of 8th graders who have chosen to be part of the Athletic Leadership Council (ALC). It is an important connection for me to the kids and the overall student athletic experience at Harding. 

    Over the course of the first semester, the ALC worked to take each component of the Harding Community Code and think about how it could be applied in an athletic environment. I am really proud of the students for being thoughtful and intentional working through the Community Code. What was so powerful through this process was the students bringing their personal experience into our dialogue, which made it authentic and meaningful. They thought about how each facet of the Community Code could be linked to the core values of confidence, character, and connection in our athletic mission statement. Below is the product of their work and something these ten students can feel proud of creating that will live on at Harding even after they have gone. 

    Be Kind
    We believe that being kind in an athletic environment is showing positive support for our teammates during practices and games. We want to be mindful in how we respond in any athletic situation regardless of the result, win or lose. Being aware of our body language, giving grace when mistakes happen, and realizing that how we speak matters are all important characteristics of being kind while wearing the Harding jersey.  

    Be Honest 
    We believe that being honest in an athletic environment means holding ourselves accountable by admitting and accepting mistakes while also learning from them. Having personal integrity is an important characteristic in athletics at Harding. We hope that we can create a space where we can both give and receive constructive criticism and grow together as leaders.  

    Be Respectful
    We believe that being respectful in an athletic environment means displaying good sportsmanship toward our teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, and fans. We know that conflict can and will happen, but we realize that maintaining a level of respect is important. 

    Be Open
    We believe that being open in an athletic environment means being coachable and flexible. Being able to receive feedback on how to improve as athletes and teammates is a reflection of an open/growth mindset. Our athletic teams have 6th through 8th graders and so being open to new connections across grade levels is an ingredient for individual and team success. Finally, being open means accepting the possibility of differing opinions from coaches or teammates as well as trying new positions, understanding that the team always comes first. 

    Be Dependable
    We believe that being dependable in an athletic environment means being present. Consistent attendance at practices and games is a reflection of dependability. It also means that you can be trusted by your teammates and coaches to give consistent effort and have a positive attitude on a regular basis. Dependability is a direct reflection of leadership. 

    Be a Learner
    We believe that being a learner in an athletic environment means that you maintain focus and attentiveness during practices while you are being coached. It means that you have the capacity to learn from both your mistakes as well as your successes and make adjustments accordingly. Being a learner can mean having a willingness to try new things (positions, tactics, etc.) and take risks without fearing failure.

    Be My Best
    We believe that being your best in an athletic environment is a combination of all of the above aspects of the Harding Athletic Community Code. It essentially means being the best version of yourself for your teammates and coaches. Giving maximum effort, displaying good sportsmanship, being a good teammate, having a positive attitude, being present and in the moment and showing a commitment toward improvement are all aspects of being your best for Harding athletics. 

    Giving students a voice is important when seeking student buy-in. When they have been a part of creating something, it fosters belief and a level of accountability that can’t be replicated simply from adults demanding it. We often talk about legacy with our 8th graders, leaving a place better than you found it, and making an impact that stands the test of time. These ten members of the Class of 2026 have left their mark in a way that is tangible and from which our entire community can benefit. 

    The same can be said for Patti Wright. There is now a building that bears her name, and rightfully so. I, for one, am forever grateful for the work that Patti did leading the Faculty Climate Committee all those years ago. She is the definition of building a lasting legacy and the thing is, Patti wasn’t doing this work so it could be written about 30 years later. She was simply trying to create the best possible environment for teaching and learning. She wanted a better place for our students and faculty, a united community, and a Harding Academy we could all be proud of. I think it's safe to say, she accomplished that goal. 

    Go Hawks!

    Corby Lucas
    Athletic Director

  • A Hawk's Eye View: January 16, 2026

    Dear Harding Academy Learning Community, 

    In support of our commitment to inclusive educational practices, we strive to create thoughtful opportunities that engage our entire Harding Academy community.

    On Tuesday, we held our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly to honor the legacy of Dr. King. The program featured a powerful video produced last year by Geddings Hempel ’25 and Ruaire Shaver ’25, along with moving recitations from Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Representatives from the Bridge Builders Committee shared meaningful quotes from Dr. King and reflected on their personal significance, offering thoughtful insights. It was truly inspiring to see students from PreK through eighth grade engage so deeply and respectfully in honoring Dr. King’s message of justice, compassion, and hope.

    As the assembly concluded, we reintroduced a community-wide challenge to commemorate MLK Day not as a day off, but as a day on—a meaningful time dedicated to service, learning, and reflection. This initiative was launched last year and was met with an overwhelming and inspiring response from our community, so we were excited to carry the challenge forward again this year. We invited students, faculty, and families to continue this tradition by participating in one or more of the following initiatives:

    Service Initiatives
    Dedicate part of your day to giving back to the community. This might include volunteering with a local organization, helping a neighbor, completing a special task for a family member, donating items, or writing a thoughtful note to someone who makes a difference—such as first responders, teachers, or community helpers.

    Learning Initiatives
    Take time to deepen your understanding of Dr. King’s life, leadership, and the Civil Rights Movement. This could include watching a documentary, reading a book such as Martin’s Big Words, exploring age-appropriate articles or resources, or attending a local event honoring Dr. King’s legacy.

    Reflection Initiatives
    Pause to reflect on what you’ve learned about Dr. King and how his message applies to your own life. Students might write a poem or journal entry, create a piece of artwork, make a list of ways they will show kindness and fairness to others, or set a personal goal for how they will stand up for what is right at school, at home, or on the playing field.

    Dr. King reminded us that “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.” Through these initiatives, we hope our community continues to bring his words to life—not just on MLK Day, but throughout the year.

    When you complete your initiative, please share your experience with us by emailing  dixonk@hardingacademy.us or derrickb@hardingacademy.us. We look forward to celebrating the many ways our community is honoring Dr. King through meaningful action.

    Sincerely, 

    Kristin Dixon and Brigida Derrick 

  • A Hawk's Eye View: January 23, 2026

    Harding’s robotics program has quickly become one of the most joy-filled corners of our campus—a place where curiosity sparks, teamwork thrives, and those big “aha!” moments unfold week after week. As robotics and coding have grown within our curriculum, we’ve watched students’ confidence soar. They’re not just learning to build and code; they’re learning to trust themselves, take risks, and celebrate what they can do.

    Mr. Ballow loves watching students light up as they take on challenges—those moments when a robot finally moves, reacts, or solves a task after days of tinkering. “This experience lets so many kids shine in ways they didn’t even know they could,” he says. That spirit of discovery is exactly the kind of growth we hope every child experiences.

    Now in his second year, Mr. Erickson has seen firsthand how robotics teaches resilience. Students try, fail, redesign, re-code, and try again—always cheering each other on. It’s a powerful reminder that learning isn’t about perfection; it’s about perseverance and the joy of figuring it out together.

    In her first year teaching robotics at Harding, Ms. Sharpe has already witnessed how hands-on engineering connects instantly with students. “When they see something they built actually work, their excitement is contagious,” she shares. Those moments of pure delight are where confidence begins to take root.

    Looking ahead, our robotics team is buzzing with possibilities. With our upgraded tech spaces, Mr. Ballow is eager to draw even deeper connections between classroom learning and real-world robotics. He and Mr. Erickson are also expanding our FIRST LEGO League program, giving students opportunities to work with more advanced systems and prepare for local competitions. Ms. Sharpe sees robotics opening doors that extend far beyond middle school—cultivating creativity, resilience, teamwork, and STEM skills that will serve students wherever their paths lead.

    And through it all, the joy is unmistakable. Full-group celebrations erupt when a tricky problem is finally solved. Classmates cheer for one another’s breakthroughs. One student even burst into giggles when her robot lit up and moved exactly as she hoped. These moments remind us that robotics isn’t really about the technology—it’s about discovery, confidence, and the thrill of watching your ideas come to life.

    At Harding, robotics is one of the many ways we partner with our parent community to help students uncover who they are, what they love, and what they’re capable of. And with each new spark of curiosity, the future gets a little brighter.

  • A Hawk's Eye View: December 12, 2025

    As you can well imagine, once December 1 arrives, it becomes very lively and festive in schools. Harding is no exception! Decorations pop up, children and adults alike start talking about holiday plans, cookies are baking in our oven on the second floor, and the aroma brings us that warm feeling that only the holidays can bring. Suddenly, the end of school is in sight, and we enjoy special performances and concerts as we prepare to go off and celebrate in our own ways with our families.

    This year, we are also preparing for the departure of one of our own. Mrs. Janet Shoemaker, our controller in the business office, has served Harding since December 1, 2003. She is moving on to the next chapter in her life, and she will be sorely missed. Janet is a true professional when it comes to accounting, investing, moving things around so that they balance, and, last but not least, has a great capacity to retain information about everything and everyone! She holds a lot of institutional knowledge, and she will keep working with us here and there remotely so that nothing falls through the cracks. We are incredibly grateful for that.

    Janet is someone who gives hugs freely. She loves all the children and is known for handing out candy regularly. She is capable of immense empathy when one of her people is in need. She is tough when needed but soft when it makes a difference in someone’s life, especially when she sees that they are struggling. Janet will now be able to spend more time at home with her husband, Tony, and with daughter Grace, who is preparing her wedding for this summer. This major event in Janet’s life has brought her immense joy, and it has been a pleasure watching her excitement over it. Janet, thank you, we love you, and we will miss you.

    Micheline Dutil
    Interim Head of School

    Enjoy this fantastic skit put on by our amazing Jay Taylor, Kim Keller, and Braden Bell as we celebrated Janet this past Thursday! Click HERE!

  • A Hawk's Eye View: December 19, 2025

    Dear Harding Academy Community,

    As we head into a well-deserved holiday break, I want to share my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation with our entire Harding community—our wonderful students and families, our dedicated faculty and staff across every department, the generous parent volunteers who give so freely of their time, and the Harding Parent Association who take care of us with treats and meals when we need them most! Thank you, merci, and gracias to everyone who makes our school the special place it is.

    What a remarkable first half of the year we've had! Watching our students grow academically has been truly inspiring—you can see it in the quality of their work and in our strong ERB scores. Our sports teams are thriving, and the enthusiasm for PE and movement is contagious throughout campus. The arts are flourishing everywhere you look, with visual creations, musical performances, and theatrical expressions bringing joy and allowing our students to discover and share their unique voices. Every day, we witness the positive effects of our collective efforts to make each moment meaningful for our students.

    Harding Academy’s excellent reputation as a strong and child-centered school continues to spread throughout the city, and we've been touched by the tremendous amount of interest from families seeking to join our community since last July.

    As 2025 draws to a close, we at Harding Academy have so much to be grateful for. I hope this holiday season brings you precious time with family and friends, a chance to enjoy the hobbies you love, and moments to reflect on the good that has filled your year. My wish for every child and adult in our community is simple: may you experience joy and peace, warmth and connection, and may the new year bring abundant health and happiness to you and those you love.

    In this season of peace and goodwill, I am wishing you all Happy Holidays and here’s to a wonderful 2026! 

    Micheline Dutil
    Interim Head of School

    See what we’ve been up to at Harding as we celebrate the season—click HERE!

  • A Hawk's Eye View: December 5, 2025

    As I reflect on my new position as Associate Middle School Director at Harding Academy, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and belonging. Each morning as I walk through our doors, I am reminded of the responsibility and privilege of servant leadership. This leadership is grounded in supporting both students and faculty. My desire is for every student to be on task, focused, and engaged in meaningful learning experiences. Likewise, I strive to support teachers in ways that allow them to deliver high quality instruction in a classroom environment where every student can grow academically and personally.

    In this administrative role, no two days are ever the same, yet one constant remains and that is the opportunity to positively impact students, teachers, and colleagues. I’ve learned that some days are busier than others, but my purpose stays rooted in building meaningful relationships. Students and teachers alike need to feel heard, respected, and valued; when that happens, they become the best versions of themselves. I want my office to be a safe and welcoming space where students can come to share concerns or simply say hello, and where teachers know they will be met with empathy, honesty, and support.

    This season of thankfulness reminds me how grateful I am to be doing work that feels like a calling. Whenever someone asks how I like my new role, my answer is always the same: this is who I am, and I cannot imagine doing anything else. Each day I come to school hopeful that I might help shape the way a student sees the world, empowering them to make a positive impact on their surroundings. Middle school can be a challenging time, but I want every student from sixth graders beginning their journey to eighth graders preparing for high school to know that I am here to walk alongside them.

    Best Regards,
    Jason Embry
    Associate Middle School Director

  • A Hawk's Eye View: February 27, 2026

    Beauty and the Beast is a play I love working on for many reasons. The songs are wonderful, the characters are fun and relatable, and the story contains many layers—gentle, sincere, and beautiful—in a world that can often feel the opposite.

    Although the story focuses on the dichotomy between Beauty and the Beast, a more accurate and useful reading is that most of us are probably both Beauty and Beast at different times in our lives.

    This play reminds me that we can grow, change, and become better than we were when our stories began. It also reminds me of something I believe ardently: love is the single most transformative power in the world.

    While that is not an original observation, the play reveals a deeper dimension of that truth: while receiving love is transformative, giving love can be just as powerful—something we don’t always keep in mind.

    On the theme of giving love, there is something that really needs to be said.

    Winter Storm Fern caused a great deal of destruction and suffering in our community. While this does not compare to what so many endured, the storm could not have come at a worse time for the play.

    We were ramping up on costumes and scenery, preparing for longer, more frequent rehearsals, and taking a dozen key steps forward. We lost precious rehearsal time, and other elements of the show were set back.

    Since then, the Harding community has rallied magnificently. Parents, students, and staff have all stepped in, with attitudes running between “We can do this” and “All hands on deck.”

    Of course, this isn’t what any of us would have chosen, but so much of life is like that. We don’t get to choose. We make the best plans we can, and then we adapt when reality interferes.

    If we are fortunate, however, these inevitable storms are met with a supportive community—one that rallies, pushes forward, and makes it work.

    That, to me, is the magic of Harding Academy—and certainly the magic behind this play.

    Sincerely, 
    Braden Bell

  • A Hawk's Eye View: March 27, 2026

    Each spring, as the Tennessee sun begins to warm the pathways of our campus, a quiet and sacred transformation takes place. It is more than just masonry or a simple addition to our walkways; it is the physical manifestation of a legacy. This past Tuesday, that legacy was etched in stone as the Class of 2026 returned from Spring Break to find their inscribed bricks permanently installed, marking their place in the heart of our campus.

    These bricks are not mere markers of time; they are the living story of our community. For an eighth grader, the moment of finding their name inscribed in the courtyard is a transition years in the making. It is the realization that they have become the leaders they once admired as small children.

    For many, this tradition represents a journey coming full circle. Tessa Stankiewicz ‘22, remembers looking down at the bricks as "big, grown-up milestones" when she was little. That childhood wonder eventually matures into something much deeper: a sense of gratitude, pride, and belonging.

    The bricks serve as a permanent promise that once you are part of the Harding family, you are never truly gone. Charlotte Mikos ‘22 shares that spotting her name was a "surreal moment," one that brought back a deep appreciation for the people who shaped her journey. Even years later, alumni like Thomas Hicks ‘22 return to these stones to reminisce, proving that every student leaves a mark here that time cannot erase.

    Perhaps the most beautiful truth of this tradition is the reciprocity of the "mark." While the student leaves their name on the campus, Harding leaves its character on the student. As Semipe Adejumobi ‘22 so poignantly reflects:

    “Even though my brick shows a physical mark that I left on Harding's campus, Harding made an even greater mark on my life.”

    The brick reveal marks both an ending and a beginning. As our students find their names etched into the courtyard, they are not just looking at a piece of clay; they are looking at the foundation that will support them for the rest of their lives.

    The bricks may be set in stone, but the true legacy of a Harding graduate lives on in the courage, kindness, and wisdom they carry into the world. They will always have a place to return. They will always have a home. And they will always be the bedrock of Harding Academy.

  • A Hawk's Eye View: November 14, 2025

    For families new to Harding: you may have heard your child refer to a mysterious place called “the NOP.” If you asked what it stands for, you may have been told, with great confidence, that it stands for absolutely nothing and that it is simply…the NOP.

    Well, plot twist: it does stand for something.
    It’s our Natural Outdoor Playspace—a beloved corner of campus where sticks become castles, mud becomes currency, and outdoor curriculum comes to life in the minds and imaginations of our students.

    Back in 2018, Anne Zuberer kicked off a tradition that has since become one of our favorite annual sustainability rituals: giving Christmas trees a second life in the NOP.

    After your tree has had its glamorous moment in the living room, it is warmly invited to retire to a quieter life of service. Families can drop off their live trees at the NOP after the holidays, where they will be used for outdoor curriculum, including:

    • Bird watching and feeding stations
    • Creating “bird blinds” for quiet observation
    • Extremely serious fort construction and imaginative play

    Once the trees dry out, our teachers and volunteers gather for a highly scientific process lovingly known as “tree shaving,” trimming and repurposing branches for new uses throughout the space.

    If you are a family that loads up your tree and drives it to a drop-off, then please consider helping the NOP create this Winter Garden of trees. We would like at least 40 trees but can accommodate a few more.

    Please bring your holiday tree to the NOP and donate any time through January 30th. To protect the wildlife, we cannot accept flocked trees or decorated trees.

    Thank you!!

  • A Hawk's Eye View: November 21, 2025

    Fall is my favorite time of year with changing leaves, different wardrobes, fall recipes, and cooler weather. (At least one hopes with the Second Summer we are currently experiencing!) At Harding Academy this time of year brings about our Fall Festival, Second Harvest Food Drive, and, of course, Grandparents Chocolate!  

    Grandparents/Special Friends Chocolate has been a time honored tradition here at Harding since 1976. It was designed as a way for children to give the gift of song to those special to them and to share a bit of their school experience as a way to deepen that already existing special bond with their grandparents/special friends.  

    Each year as the students begin to prepare for Grandparents Chocolate, many wonderful connections begin to develop. Not only do students grow individually in their musicality as they practice but they also learn to work together with their classmates and their grade level in a different way. It’s heartwarming to watch as the children celebrate each other’s successes and to hear students exclaim, “That song is SO stuck in my head!”  

    This year kindergarten through second grade will perform two songs for the concert. Third and fourth graders will each share a grade level song and then join together for several others.  It is such a beautiful moment to watch over one hundred twenty children lift their voices!  Fourth graders have embraced a special leadership roles while playing their recorders, reflecting on our Community Code, and sharing about our Artist In Residence program and Second Harvest Food Drive.  At the end of the concert in the theater, grandparents and special friends will visit classrooms where their student(s) introduce them to their teacher, show their work, and share items that they have made. 

    And, of course, what would Grandparents/Special Friends Chocolate Day be without chocolate?!?! After enjoying refreshments, visitors are presented with a very special chocolate bar, one that has been wrapped with love and displays a piece of artwork from three of our very own Harding students on the sleeve! 

    As the morning draws to a close, fifth grade students, in their role as ambassadors, help our visitors find their way from the classrooms to the depot. Fifth graders have a unique and wonderful opportunity as the leaders of the lower school to meet and chat with grandparents and special friends as they both arrive and depart.

    Our hope for each of you is a restful holiday, filled with good food, hugs, and much joy!
    And as always, remember to keep a song in your hearts!

    Pam Rhett
    Lower School Music Director

  • A Hawk's Eye View: November 7, 2025

    Community Service Season at Harding

    As the season of giving approaches, the HPA is excited to offer two special ways to support our community. Through our Second Harvest Food Drive and our partnership with Martha O’Bryan Center for the Angel Tree Program, families can make a meaningful difference this holiday season. Both programs reflect Harding Academy’s mission of nurturing caring citizens and provide a wonderful opportunity to model compassion and support for those in need.

    Second Harvest Food Drive
    Our annual Second Harvest Food Drive begins Monday! Red bags have gone home—please send them back with non-perishable items during morning hookup next week. Prefer to order online? You can also contribute through our Amazon list.

    A huge thank you to our Second Harvest Food Drive chair Ashley Chadwick, step-up chair Deepa Magge, and our Facilities team for supporting this meaningful effort.

    Angel Tree with Martha O’Bryan Center
    We’re helping 100 children (infant–age 12) this holiday season. Wish lists are available HERE. You may sponsor one child or siblings ($100–$150 per angel).
    Gift guidelines: Unwrapped; placed in a black/non-transparent bag; clearly labeled with the Family ID from the sign-up sheet; please assemble bicycles before drop-off.
    Drop-off dates: Monday, December 8-Friday, December 12 during morning drop off.
    Questions? Contact Meghan (meghan.kawecki@gmail.com) or Jacek Kawecki (Jacek.kawecki@gmail.com).

    Thank you for showing our students what it means to care for our neighbors—small acts, big impact.

  • A Hawk's Eye View: October 24, 2025

    Dear Harding Academy Community,

    We are excited to invite you to our annual Fall Festival and Book Fair tomorrow, Saturday, October 26, from 2:00–5:00 PM on campus!

    This much-loved community celebration promises fun for all ages with face painting, balloon artists, arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course, bouncy houses, a rock wall, and so much more! Plus, stop by the School Store for a special Tilly Goose Embroidery Pop-Up where you can customize your newly purchased Harding gear on the spot.

    Don’t miss the Book Fair near the playground to explore and support our McPherson-Medwedeff Library. Every book purchased will go straight onto our library shelves and can be dedicated in honor of someone special. Students love discovering these heartfelt dedication bookplates from the Harding community when they check out books, so consider dedicating one to a teacher, friend, or buddy!

    Let’s show our Harding hospitality as we welcome prospective families to the Fall Festival, who will be wearing name tags. If you see someone with a name tag, please say hello, answer questions, and share what you love most about Harding. Your warm welcome helps show the true heart of our community!

    A huge thank you to Jocelyn Chambers, Kristen Oldham, and Christine Perkinson for leading the Fall Festival activities, and to Marion Floyd and Colleen Jones for coordinating the Book Fair. We are also deeply grateful to all our incredible fall festival and book fair volunteers- these events wouldn’t be possible without you!

    So grab your crew and get ready for an afternoon filled with laughter, community, and Harding pride.

    See you Saturday- Go Hawks!

    Warmly,
    Misty White
    Parents Association Liaison

  • A Hawk's Eye View: October 31, 2025

    Dear Harding Academy,

    Now in its fourth year, Harding Academy’s Artist in Residence Program continues to bring creative energy to campus by connecting our students—and our community—with extraordinary artists from around the world. The program invites professional artists to share their craft and inspire students to see that art takes many forms and can be found everywhere.

    This year, we are thrilled to welcome Jenny Pfanenstiel, a world-renowned milliner and official hatmaker to the Kentucky Derby. Jenny will work with students to explore the artistry of couture hat design—showing that creativity isn’t just something to see, it’s something to wear.

    Past artists have left lasting marks on our campus: a graphic mapping collage, a mural on the wall, and a glass mobile that still hangs outside our theater. Each residency expands our students’ understanding of what art can be and invites them to view the world through a more creative lens.

    And now, it’s your turn to join the fun! You’re invited to an exclusive adult evening event with Jenny:

    Sip, Chat & Shop Hats
    Tuesday, November 11 | 6:00 PM
    Creed Conference Room, Harding Academy

    Enjoy light refreshments, lively conversation, and a chance to browse (and even purchase!) Jenny’s stunning creations. This one-of-a-kind event celebrates art, style, and community—and trust us, you don’t want to miss it.

    Click HERE to join us!

    We can’t wait to see you there!

    Karen Kwarciak, Lower School Art Teacher
    Bailey Woods, Middle School Art Teacher

  • Hawk's Eye View - October 10, 2025

    Dear Harding Community,

    I originally began writing this Thursday morning, before opening night. I focused on what I was feeling then: the strange state that teachers and parents often find themselves in when they are maximally invested in the outcome of something their student or child will do, but are also in a position of having very little ability to actually make that outcome happen! 

    For all our power, there are times, especially as students and children get older, that we can no longer stage manage the outcomes we want for them, and we are only able to provide as much teaching as we can and do our best to create optimal conditions for those outcomes. 

    That is a humbling and an uncomfortable position to be in. 

    However, I was delayed getting my copy in and since then, opening night happened and…it was magical. 

    In 40 years of directing plays, I don’t remember many opening nights like this. The overwhelming and immediate response of the audience, the energy and feeling in the theatre, followed up by many, many, many conversations, texts and emails have left me in a state of stunned grace. 

    Something magical happened. And it transcends my ability to understand it, let alone describe it. 

    As a professional, I wish I could bottle it up, figure out how to duplicate or replicate it. But, of course, I can’t, and here is the terrifying and exhilarating secret: The only reason this could happen was because the students were ultimately in charge; only they could make this happen.

     I had prepared them the best I could–teaching, correcting, nagging, reminding, etc. I had also set up a process, tried and true from years of directing. And, I tried my best to create a physical and emotional environment that would help and not detract. 

    But ultimately, it came down to the kids. They collectively chose to put themselves fully out there. They took risks, they opened up and were extremely vulnerable. They kept going when it was hard and pushed through when they were tired. And they soared. 

    And perhaps that is the real lesson: it is true that we adults find ourselves limited in creating the outcomes we may want. But that is actually a good thing!  

    Because sometimes, the outcomes our children create will transcend our own vision. When students and children are allowed to fly, sometimes they will fall. That, of course, is part of life and learning, and while not pleasant, is part of the process. But other times they will soar to magnificent heights and amazing places we had not yet envisioned, achieving outcomes that will be beautiful and all the more so since they are unexpected. 

    The one other lesson I am reflecting on is one I wish all students–and many adults–could understand and it is this: beauty is not equal to perfection, and success is not equal to flawlessness.

    There were little gaffes and blips last night–there always are with live theatre, especially at Harding where we take pride in the fact that all of the cast, crew, and technicians are middle school students. Mistakes are inevitable. But they did not stop the magic from happening. In fact, it may be that they are part of the magic. Because if there is no risk of making a mistake, there is no chance of really soaring either. 

    But there can be great beauty, joy, meaning, and value in something that is not perfect. That is true about plays. It is true about academics. It is true about students in general. And it is true, mercifully, about teaching and parenting. 

    I will close simply by saying that I have now been at Harding for over two decades, where I have the privilege of working with students and colleagues from the youngest to the oldest. I had three children go through Harding. I am nagging my children to move to Nashville so my grandchildren can go to Harding as well. 

    In the intervening years, I have come to believe deeply and passionately in the unique value of the PreK-8 model, specifically as it is practiced at Harding. I have seen magic, such as I have described above,  over and over in so many situations–big and small, public and private, in the classroom, athletics, and the theatre. While no school is perfect and no institution can possibly give everything to everyone, I believe Harding creates the conditions for growth and magic more than any other school, and gives all our growing Hawks chances to soar. 

    Fondly,
    Braden Bell

  • Hawk's Eye View - October 17, 2025

  • Hawk's Eye View - October 3, 2025

    History was made once again last week at Harding: both our boys and girls cross country teams won the HVAC Championship!

    Cross country is unlike any other sport. It is at once fiercely individual—each runner pushing toward a new personal record—and deeply collective, where every stride helps carry the team forward. It is not a sprint, but a marathon of growth, endurance, and determination.

    This victory, like so many that we hope our students experience in life, reflects so much more than miles run. It mirrors the classroom experience we hope for every Harding student: when each individual does their very best, the whole community thrives. Every child here has coaches and teachers who encourage them not just to achieve, but to endure, to grow, and to believe in themselves—laying a foundation for success in high school and beyond.

    Special congratulations go to our top 10 finishers, whose grit and perseverance lifted their teams to victory: Josephine Perkinson (1st, girls’ individual champion), Eliza Gray Neal (2nd), Grace Thigpen (8th), Ayman Abuali (2nd), Jet Taylor (6th), and Leo Galentino (10th). Their determination, along with the powerful efforts of every runner who set new personal records, carried Harding to this historic achievement. But perhaps the truest victory is this: the endurance they are building now—on the course and in the classroom—will carry them through the many miles ahead, as lifelong learners and leaders.

  • A Hawk's Eye View - March 6, 2026

    Harding Community,

    On Thursday, March 12, Harding Academy will host our annual Jump and Hoop It Up event. This beloved tradition spans more than 20 years and began in support of the American Heart Association’s Jump for Heart initiative. Over time, the event has evolved to include student-written essays that highlight organizations meaningful to our students and their families, making the experience even more personal and impactful. 

    In past years, Jump and Hoop It Up has supported organizations such as Unbound, Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST), Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), and St. Jude’s, to name only a few.

    This year’s winning essay was written by Zoe Johnson ‘26, and the selected organization is Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance (S&PAA). Students may wear Harding spirit wear on Thursday, March 12, and are encouraged to wear silver, the awareness color for schizophrenia.

    The Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance conducts research on cures and conditions of people suffering from mental illness. The S&P Action Alliance launched their research program in 2020 and is an organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for individuals and families dealing with serious mental health disorders. The research and conversations done through S&PAA helps make people with mental health issues a larger priority and allows S&PAA to put more support towards the treatments they offer. The S&PAA also has support groups for the families of those patients affected with severe mental health issues. These allow people to have a safe community and be able to gain a better understanding of what life for the patient will look like and how family members can help.

    Fundraising for this event is strictly voluntary. All students will participate in Jump and Hoop It Up regardless of whether funds are raised. We are proud to call this year’s event Jump and Hoop It Up for Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance.

    Donations may be made by cash or check and turned in to classroom teachers or advisors any time before, or on, the day of the event. Please place donations in a sealed envelope labeled with your child’s name and homeroom teacher or advisor. Checks should be made payable to: Harding Academy. The deadline for donations is the morning of the event, March 12. 

    Donations may also be made through Venmo (@Harding_Academy). Please include Jump and Hoop It Up in the notes section.

    We warmly welcome families to attend the event. Event times are listed below:
    • PreK: 8:35–8:55 AM
    • Kindergarten: 8:55–9:25 AM
    • First Grade: 9:30–10:00 AM
    • Second Grade: 11:00–11:30 AM
    • Third Grade: 11:35 AM–12:05 PM
    • Fourth Grade: 10:10–10:50 AM
    • Fifth–Eighth Grades: 12:30–2:00 PM

    Lunch will be available for Grades 5–8 students through the concession stand. Students who wish to purchase lunch should bring $5-10 on the day of the event. Pizza will be available for $3 per slice.
    CONCESSIONS are CASH ONLY.

    The Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game will follow from 2:00–3:00 PM.

    If you have any questions about Jump and Hoop It Up, or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Amanda Millikan at millikana@hardingacademy.org.

    We look forward to your child’s participation in this meaningful Harding tradition.

    Sincerely,
    Amanda Millikan, Zach Glotta, Dana Channel, Travis Fravel, Jason Embry, Corby Lucas

  • A Hawk's Eye View: January 9, 2026

  • A Hawk's Eye View: August 15, 2025

    Dear Harding Academy Community,

    On behalf of all the faculty and staff at Harding Academy, I would like to wish you all a very warm welcome back to school! We are thrilled to be welcoming 36 new PreK students and dozens of new students from Kindergarten through the 8th grade. What a joy it has been to see all the children arriving on the first day of school–smiles, laughter and a genuine enthusiasm about getting back to learning.

    If you missed my 2 Progress Reports this summer, recapping all of the projects that were accomplished, please click these links to view them: Report #1 and Report #2.

    I am very pleased with our new recruits. Our faculty span a couple of generations and represent all parts of our country. They are talented, strong, knowledgeable and well versed in all areas of pedagogy- from innovation and design to language arts and mathematics. We truly have a winning team! We put a lot of effort into building a solid PE roster as well. Among our teachers are football, soccer, volleyball, basketball experts who will add even more flavor to our PE classes and many teams.

    Our Family/Student handbook was updated over the summer and all families are asked to read and sign off on this handbook. Middle School students must also sign off to indicate that they have read and understood what Harding expects of them. I thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

    If you haven’t yet had the chance to see our new Wright Swift Lyle Building, we’d love to show you around—just give us a call to set up a tour. And be sure to mark your calendars for our Community Grand Opening on September 11, from 5:00–6:30 PM. The new building houses the Primary Education division made up of PreK and Kindergarten classes, the Pursuit Quiet room on the first floor, the Admissions Suite, the Creed Conference Room on the second floor as well as the very large Pursuit Activity room. We are very proud of all that our community has been able to accomplish over the last year and we invite you to come and see for yourself.

    All my best for a fantastic new school year.

    Warmly,

    Micheline Dutil
    Interim Head of School Consultant
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Inspiring The Mind  •  Nurturing The Spirit
170 Windsor Drive  |  Nashville TN 37205
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