USNA Volunteer Spotlight: Shelby Baxter and Margaret Hill
This month, USNA is recognizing Margaret Hill, mom of Sophia '28, and Shelby Baxter, mom of Emilia '25 and Henry '27.
What event did you volunteer to help with? Margaret and Shelby replied to a SignUpGenius sent out seeking help with Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day for Lower School.
Why did you reply to that SignUpGenius? Shelby: I love volunteering for so many reasons, but if I was going to narrow it down to a single reason I would have to say it’s so I can be around other parents. Our lives are so busy, and this community is greatly shaping our children as they spend more time at school than at home during the week, and I want to know what that community really looks and feels like. It’s one of the best ways for me to stay connected with that original decision that USN was a good fit for our family and frankly to be sure that it actually still is a good fit. I am always filled with the overwhelming reassurance that we are in exactly the right place.
Margaret: I choose to volunteer on Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day because it's an easy way to get backstage access to the most exciting event of the year. I always hear the excitement when Sophia comes home and tries not to "spill the beans" and volunteering allows me to see and in a small way be a part of the excitement with my own eyes. Also, it's always a pretty easy, not very strenuous way to get involved and getting to meet and catch up with other parents adds another perk.
What is your favorite part of Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day? Margaret: My favorite part of Grandparent's Day would have to be the kids. They are all always so proud to show their grandparents and guests what they have been working on. That relationship is so special and to get to see that in person is really amazing, so many smiles and hugs in the best-organized chaos sort of way. It is such a special way to start the Thanksgiving holiday.
Shelby: My favorite part of Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day continues, every single year, to be when the big turkeys trot. I love to watch them parade, some in their original wings, others in newly painted wings, but all carrying evidence of their younger selves. It gets me every time.
Sgt. Anthony Jones joined University School of Nashville in November as a School Resource Officer, a certified police officer who is primarily assigned to a school and provides safety and security-related functions, including emergency response, safety training, traffic direction, and patrol functions.
University of Virginia selected Margot Ross '24 to be a Jefferson Scholar. The highly selective scholarship includes the full cost of attending UVA for four years of study as well as numerous enrichment opportunities. It has been 16 years since a University School of Nashville senior last became a Jefferson Scholar.
USN Mission: University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.