In this episode of Conversations by the Lakeside, host Head of School Brent Bell talks with Keara Evans Leonard (’16, LD ’25) and Lindsay Evans Willis (’12, LD ’25) about their Darlington story and what it meant to share the Leadership Darlington experience in 2025 as sisters.

Click here for complete show notes >>.

In this episode of Conversations by the Lakeside, host Head of School Brent Bell talks with Janie Hortman ('03, LD '13), therapist and owner of Growing Roots Counseling, about her Darlington story, her involvement in the Rome Community, and her work in children's psychology.

Click here for complete show notes >>.

In this episode of Conversations by the Lakeside, Head of School Brent Bell talks with Lance Carroll ('27), Cameron Edwards ('27) and Rayan Noor ('27) of the Darlington Soccer Academy about their experiences in the program, the opportunities it provides, and the transition to MLS NEXT program.

Click here for complete show notes >>.

Click here for complete show notes >>>

In this special episode of Conversations by the Lakeside, guest host and Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas '97 talks with alumnus Thomas Kuckhoff '09 about his Darlington experience, his career journey, and his continued commitment to the school community.

Click here for complete show notes >>.

In this episode of Conversations by the Lakeside, host Head of School Brent Bell talks with Director Emeritus of Camp Laney Rob Hammond about his years of working and living on Darlington’s campus, his transition to leading Camp Laney, and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode of Conversations by the Lakeside, host Head of School Brent Bell talks with Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell about her philosophy and hope for students, the Fine Arts strong curriculum and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this first episode of Conversations by the Lakeside, host Head of School Brent Bell talks with Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady about the evolution of technology at Darlington, his career path and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this first episode of Conversations by the Lakeside, host Head of School Brent Bell talks with senior Zach Kimani ('26) about his Darlington journey as a four-year boarder, what he's looking forward to in his senior year and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Content Strategy and Engagement Maddie Chastain talks with rising seniors Toby Burns, Sammy Lewis, Megan Pinkley and Kensie Waller about their diverse Darlington experiences - from dorm life to the arts and athletics to service and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with Darlington's new Athletic Director Mitch Jordan ('90) about his Darlington story, what it means to be back as athletic director, his vision for the program and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) talks with Stephen Taylor ('02), Darlington's new director of alumni relations. Together, they reflect on Taylor's experience as a Darlington student and his excitement to be back on campus working with alumni. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special episode, listen to Wendy Fitzwilliam, business executive, entrepreneur and senior parent, give her Commencement address on May 17, following an introduction from her son, Ailan Panton ('25). She encourages graduates to reflect on their Darlington experience and to use it as a launching point for their future, reminding them to adopt qualities of a tiger like confidence, determination, independence, perseverance, resilience, and adaptability.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special episode, listen to Kevin Hunt, assistant athletic director and senior parent, give his Baccalaureate address on May 16. Hunt was selected by the senior class to serve as the Baccalaureate speaker. Following an introduction from his daughter Emma Hunt ('25), Hunt reflects on the accomplishments of the class and reminds seniors to stay humble, face adversity head on, lean on one another, and live a life of service.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Murray Ellington ('26) talks with varsity coaches Justin Bruce (girls' golf), Mallory Collier (girls' lacrosse), Betina Fuentes (tennis), Anna Harris (track and field), Kevin Ivester (boys' soccer), Matt Larry (baseball), Brendan Leezer (boys' lacrosse), Stephani Perkins (track and field), Al Shorey (girls' soccer) and Jared Willerson (boy's golf) about the spring athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little bit about each team and their highlights of the season, from the pre-season to team bonding to their accomplishments and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell reflects on the Class of 2025 with Upper School Director Chad Woods, Student Body President Atlas Kosedag ('25), Honor Council President Anna Nguyen ('25) and Discipline Committee President Angeline Myrie ('25). They discuss the senior class's academic, athletic and artistic achievements, as well as some of their most memorable moments as Darlington students.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent talks with Alumni Council member Chris Jefts ('84, LD '15) about his Darlington experience, his career path and how he stays involved at Darlington. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Jordan West, Upper School librarian and Senior Ventures program coordinator, talks with seniors Ansel Enverga, Atlas Kosedag and Brecken Laliberte about year-long Senior Ventures projects and the valuable skills they’ve gained through this program as they prepare to graduate. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with David Harvey ('88) and Van Willis ('88) about their Darlington experience, their entrepreneurial career journeys and their current venture, Veo Health, a personalized, physician-led holistic health program focused on preventive care, early disease detection, and continuous health.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Jordan West, Upper School librarian and Senior Ventures program coordinator, talks with seniors Atlas Kosedag and Charlie Patel, along with Sarah Husser of the Floyd Healthcare Foundation and Cancer Navigators, and William James of Summit Quest. Together, they discuss Darlington’s upcoming event, Light the Lake, a special evening that unites the Darlington Community to honor those who are fighting or have fought cancer. Light the Lake will take place by the Lakeside on Friday, April 4, from 6 to 9 p.m., with an Honor Walk at 8 p.m. Learn more about the event here.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent talks with Tripp Bagby ('91, LD '23) about his favorite Darlington memories as a student and current parent and why he stays involved as a volunteer. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Murray Ellington ('26) talks with varsity coaches Garvin Edwards (wrestling), Andrea Frazier (swim/dive), Betina Fuentes (basketball cheerleading), Samantha Rush (girls' basketball) and Nathan West (boys' basketball) about the winter athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little bit about each team and their highlights of the season, from the pre-season to team bonding to their accomplishments and more. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, Feb. 12. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Theatre Director Shelley Daniel talks with seniors Julia Beauchump and Moa Berglund, junior Harrison Inman, fourth-grader Jack Stone and Upper School learning specialist Justin Bruce about the Darlington Player's upcoming winter musical production of “Newsies.” Together, they give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the production process so far, share their hopes for the show and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Dean of Students Terar Everhart ('13, LD '23) is joined by Upper School students Bo Brooks, Murray Ellington, Nicky Lawrence, Angeline Myrie, Sophie Piller and Meritt Reed about their involvement in dorm life at Darlington and how important RUMPUS is to the Darlington Community as we look forward to this exciting weekend.  

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent talks with Lauren Bowling ('05, LD '17) about her experience as a Darlington student, her unique career path and how she stays involved with Darlington as an alumni volunteer. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Dean of Community Life Tara Inman talks with senior boarding students Arike Akinbolagbe, Linda Pan, Natalia Sands and Eddie Ye about their holiday traditions from around the world in celebration of the holiday season in the United States. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of IT Derek Fine talks with Technology Integration Coordinator Leah Lynn, second grade teacher Courtney Cescutti, middle grades science teacher Reilly Thomas and Upper School history teacher John Hintermaier about their use of artificial intelligence, also known as AI, in their classrooms to assist with teaching and enhance the learning experience of their students. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) talks with Darlington volunteers Tashia and Chris Twyman, parents of Christa ('23) and Myles ('26) Twyman. The Twymans have been active volunteers since coming to Darlington 11 years ago and currently serve as co-presidents of the Athletic Booster Club. They talk about their family's experience at Darlington, share how other parents can get involved and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Chastain talks with varsity coaches Sam Clark (volleyball), Brant Evans (boys' and girls' cross country), Betina Fuentes (football cheerleading), Wayne Groves (football), Anna Harris (softball) and Melissa Smyly (competition cheerleading) about the fall athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little bit about each team and their highlights of the spring season, from the pre-season to team bonding to their accomplishments and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell talks with senior Mily James, sixth-grader Andrew Herren, and Lee (Taylor) Morris ('07, LD '24) about the fine arts department's season of discovery this fall, including our recent Discover Days, concerts, and the fall play. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Student Body President Atlas Kosedag talks with Upper School Learning Specialist Justin Bruce, Upper School science teacher Jaclyn Haynes, and senior Honor Council President Anna Nguyen about honor at Darlington, from our motto that says "Honor Above Everything," to how students and faculty strive to exhibit honor in everything they do, from the classroom to the athletic fields to the arts and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent talks with Doug Hendrickson ('74), member of the Darlington Board of Trustees. He shares his favorite memories from his time as a boarding student and reflects on why he chooses to give back to Darlington. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Student Body President Atlas Kosedag talks with pre-K teacher Beth Smith ('87, LD '12), eighth-grader Jesse Meredith and senior Whit Molnar about service at Darlington, from our motto that says "Service Beyond Self," to how we encourage our students and faculty to live a life of service, both at Darlington and beyond.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of IT Derek Fine talks with kindergarten teacher Jody Deaton, fourth-grade teacher Dr. Mike Natarella, middle grades math teacher Chris Eberhart and Upper School English teacher Mallory Collier about Darlington’s recent distinction as a four-time Apple Distinguished School and how we inspire, imagine and create a lasting impact on our students using technology. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Student Body President Atlas Kosedag talks with Upper School history teacher Brian Inman, sophomore Cora Fannin and eighth-grader Madison Paxten about about wisdom at Darlington, from our motto that says “Wisdom More Than Knowledge” to how wisdom is fostered in academics, athletics, the arts and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with Upper School Learning Specialist Justin Bruce, Technology Integration Coordinator Leah Lynn, Moser House Head Day Prefect Murray Ellington ('26) and Thornwood House Head Day Prefect Ava Ann Woods ('26). Together, they share tips for students and parents as the Darlington Community prepares to head back to school. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent talks with Jim Dent ('77, LD '19) about the impact Darlington has had on his life, his winding career path and his current work in medical missions with Mercy Ships. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Melissa Smyly talks with Technology Integration Coordinator Leah Lynn and Upper School Librarian Jordan West about the conferences and trainings they've attended this summer for their professional development. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) chats with Sara Weeks Dima ('97) about her experience as a boarding student at Darlington, her career small business owner in the food industry and more. This episode was recorded on May 10, 2024. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special Commencement episode, listen to Gordon Smith ('71), chairman of the Board of Trustees and retired executive director and chief operating officer of the United States Tennis Association, give his Commencement address on May 18. Smith reminds graduates that the tools they've received at Darlington enable them to change the world and become the people they most want to be, noting that his own Darlington story didn't end when he graduated, but that it had only just begun.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special episode, listen to Heather Shores, Upper School history teacher, give her Baccalaureate address on May 17. Shores was selected by the senior class to serve as the Baccalaureate speaker. In her address, she gives the Class of 2024 six pieces of wisdom that she wishes she knew as a high school graduate. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with History Department Head Brian Inman about his career as an educator, his passion for history education and more. This is the final episode in a series highlighting each of Darlington's department heads. 

Click for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell reflects on the Class of 2024 with Upper School Director Chad Woods, Student Body President Oliver Liu ('24), Honor Council President Maddox Andrews ('24) and Discipline Committee President Jennifer Hughes ('24). They discuss the senior class's academic, athletic and artistic achievements, as well as some of their most memorable moments as Darlington students.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, senior boarding student Mary Covington talks with varsity coaches Sam Clark (boys' lacrosse), Mallory Collier (girls' lacrosse), Betina Fuentes (boys' and girls' tennis), Kevin Hunt (boys' and girls' track and field), Matt Larry (baseball), Al Shorey (boys' and girls' soccer) and Jared Willerson (boys' and girls' golf) about the spring athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little bit about each team and their highlights of the spring season, from the pre-season to team bonding to their accomplishments and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Science Department Head Owen Kinney talks with juniors Ansel Enverga, Linda Pan and Javin Pandya about the Darlington robotics team, including their recent trip to the World Championship, the life-skills they're gaining from their involvement on the team and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell talks with Ethan Pender ('16), communication arts teacher, and Jabberwokk yearbook Editor-in-Chief Aiden Parsa ('24), Photo Editor Kaya Nadu ('26) and Design Editor Murray Ellington ('26). They discuss the production of this year's Jabberwokk, the communication arts program and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) chats with Britta (Stern) Graf ('94) about her "life-changing" experience as a one-year boarding exchange student at Darlington, her favorite memories and what she's doing now. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Dean of Students for Global Education Tara Inman talks with sophomore day student Gabrielle Culberson and her mom, Rayan Hart-Culberson, about Gabrielle's journey with kidney disease and the upcoming One Kid! One Kidney! 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run in her honor. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with Fine Arts Department Head Kim Tunnell about her love for the arts, what fine arts education looks like at Darlington and more. This is the fifth in a series highlighting each of Darlington's department heads. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Professional Development Coordinator and head of Senior Ventures Rebekah Kinney talks with seniors David Edwards, Ava Belle Holcombe, Charlie May, and Isabella Spears about their year-long Senior Ventures projects and the valuable skills they’ve gained through this program as they prepare to graduate.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Annual Giving Julia Thomas ('07, LD '15) talks with boarding alumnus David Sewell ('75) and his step-daughter Laura Guth ('19) about their family legacy at Darlington, their experiences as boarding students over four decades apart and more.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones talks with sixth-grader Finley Laliberte, seventh-grader Walker Kines and eighth-grader Sterling Pollard about their week-long grade-level trips in February. The students share their favorite moments and excursions, while making connections between their experiences and Darlington's curriculum.

Click for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with English Department Head Melissa Smyly about what English education looks like at Darlington, her career journey and her extracurricular involvement on campus. This is the fourth in a series highlighting each of Darlington's department heads. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Chastain talks with seniors Noelle Adams and Ivan Horvat, junior Kathleen Hwang, and sophomore Ava Ann Woods about iPeriods at Darlington, why they're an important part of the daily schedule, and how they have helped them develop their interests and passions.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, senior boarding student Mary Covington talks with varsity coaches Garvin Edwards (wrestling), Andrea Frazier (swim/dive), Melissa Smyly (basketball cheerleading), Mark Tunnell (girls basketball) and Nathan West (boys basketball) about the winter athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little bit about each team and their highlights of the winter season, from the pre-season to team bonding to their accomplishments and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) talks with Banks Mattingly ('11) about his boarding experience at Darlington, his involvement in the arts both by the Lakeside and beyond, and how Darlington has impacted his life and career journey.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special Career Day episode, listen to Dwight Hutchins ('82), senior partner and managing director at The Boston Consulting Group, give his Career Day keynote address on Jan. 29. In it, he shares how his Darlington experience shaped the person and professional he has become.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Theatre Director Shelley Daniel talks with seniors J.R. Johnson, Seidy Pichardo, Kathryn Wilson, Kimberly Johnston and Xiya Burton about the Darlington Players' upcoming winter musical production of "Chicago: Teen Edition." They give a behind-the-scenes look at the production process and what audiences can expect from the show. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Annual Giving Julia Thomas talks with boarding alumnus Bill Gilliland ('76) about his Darlington story, from his favorite memories to his family's boarding legacy. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Upper School administrative assistant Terar Everhart ('13) talks with dorm students Aden Davis, Michael Kearns, Meritt Reed, Phoebe Wilson, and day students Jack Bell and Ava Belle Holcombe about their involvement in dorm life at Darlington and how important RUMPUS is to the Darlington Community.  

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Upper School history teacher Heather Shores talks with seniors Noelle Adams, Jennifer Hughes, Eva Mosley, Seidy Pichardo, Taylor Zhang, and sophomore Rayna Lee about Service Beyond Self, the community service program, and their involvement. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with Math Department Head Al Shorey about his transition from serving as a lieutenant colonel in the military to the teaching profession, his passion for math education and more. This is the third in a new series highlighting each of Darlington's department heads. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with Dean of Student Life Brant Evans, Director of Athletics Eddie Guth and Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell. Together, they recap the 2023 calendar year, sharing accomplishments within their departments, noteworthy moments and favorite memories from the year at Darlington. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Dean of Students for Global Education Tara Inman talks with Elika Lamtar Mohammadi ('24), Moa Berglund ('25), Kathleen Hwang ('25) and Sammy Lewis ('26) to talk about their holiday traditions from around the world in celebration of the holiday season.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Mark Tunnell, associate director of day admission in grades 6-12, talks with fifth-grader Georgia Elrod, sixth-grader CJ Roper, freshman day student Cora Fannin and freshman boarding student Sara Beth Snider about their experiences at Darlington as new students. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with Jennie Wright ('99, LD '16) about her family legacy at Darlington, her experience as a boarding student and her career journey that led her to her current role as chief counsel for the United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with World Languages Department Head Cristy Baldwin about her teaching background, what she loves about Darlington, her vision as department head and much more. This is the second in a new series highlighting each of Darlington's department heads. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Upper School Administrative Assistant Terar Everhart ('13, LD '23) talks with boarding students Agatha Blocker ('25), Mina Zoroe ('25), John Courtnay ('26), Matthias Grasbon ('25) and Luis Weers ('25) about their Thanksgiving break plans and why they're thankful for the boarding community at Darlington.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with Katie (Flint) Smith ('09) about her experiences as a four-year boarding student at Darlington, her career path and how she stays connected.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, senior boarding student Mary Covington talks with varsity coaches Brant Evans (cross country), Wayne Groves (football), Anna Harris (softball), Christina Kopp (volleyball) and Melissa Smyly (spirit and competition cheerleading) about the fall athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little bit about each team and their highlights of the fall season, from summer workouts to team bonding to their accomplishments and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Theatre Director Shelley Daniel talks with student designers of the fall play, Reese Bell ('26), sound; Mily James ('25), publicity; SK McQueen ('26), lighting; and Seidy Pichardo ('24), costuming. They discuss their creative processes and how their design elements came to fruition in this month's production of "12 Angry Jurors."

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with Mac Gilliland ('08, LD '17), assistant professor of chemistry at Furman University. He shares about his experience as a boarding student at Darlington, his recent 15-year class reunion at Alumni Weekend and his career journey. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special episode, listen to Dr. Bob Hortman ('72) give his address as the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award on Oct. 6. Hortman reflects on his life and Darlington experience and offers words of wisdom for Upper School students as they navigate their own journeys. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, third grade teacher Steve McConnell talks with fourth grade teacher Carrie Watterson, middle grades math teacher Chris Eberhart, Assistant Athletic Director Nathan West and third-graders Addi Nolin and Sawyer West about after-school clubs for students in grades 3-5 and how they contribute to the student experience at Darlington and benefit the middle grades athletic program.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of the Teaching and Learning Center Jess Laliberte talks with the leaders of the newly-formed Tiger Tutor team: Orafiri Koko ('24), Brecken Laliberte ('25), Charlie May ('24), Isla McLaughlin ('24), Angeline Myrie ('25), Anthony Natarella ('24) and Seidy Pichardo ('24). They talk about the tutoring program, their new space in the Tiger Lab and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Events and Engagement Becca Wood talks with Jeff Snider ('92, LD '18) about his boarding experience at Darlington, his current experience as a boarding parent and more as Darlington celebrates 100 Years of Boarding. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with new faculty members Betina Fuentes, Upper School English; Travis Gaug, Upper School history; Keegan Hinsley, middle grades English; and Celeste Rivers, Pre-K to 8 learning specialist. They discuss their career backgrounds, what drew them to Darlington and what they've learned about the community in their first month here. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Upper School Learning Specialist and faculty advisor to the Honor Council Justin Bruce talks with fifth-grader Adelyn Fine and senior Maddox Pyle, who serves as president of the Honor Council. They talk about the history and role of the Honor Council and reflect on how Darlington students embody Honor Above Everything.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Dean of College Guidance Ivy Brewer talks with college advisors Jaclyn Haynes and Mike Hudson and seniors Jack Bell and Isla McLaughlin about the value of the College Guidance Program at Darlington and the recent College Fair. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Terar Everhart ('13, LD '23), Upper School administrative assistant, talks with head day prefect of Cooper House Jennifer Hughes ('24), Summerbell day leader Anthony Natarella ('24), head dorm prefect of Regester House Eva Mosley ('24) and Student Body President Oliver Liu ('24). Together, they talk about student leadership, how other students can get involved and the skills they've gained from holding leadership positions.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with Barry Hurley ('83, LD '20), local attorney, current parent and parent of three alumni. They talk about Hurley's Darlington experience, his career path and how he stays connected with members of his class as he prepares for his milestone 40th class reunion this fall at Alumni Weekend. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with Upper School Counselor Chris Allen, Learning Specialist Jennifer Luitwieler and Dean of Students Brant Evans. Together, they share back-to-school tips for students and families from grades pre-K through 12 as the new school year approaches. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Professional Development Coordinator Rebekah Kinney talks with second-grade teacher Courtney Cescutti, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones, Director of the Teaching and Learning Center Jessica Laliberte and pre-K teacher Beth Smith about their summer professional development activities. They share about each of the work they have been doing within their colleagues and how it has prepared them for the coming school year. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Becca Wood, Director of Events and Engagement in the Advancement Office, chats with Darlington parent, Purple Tie volunteer and local physician Dr. Sonbol Shahid-Salles about her involvement in the Darlington Community, with a special preview of the upcoming Purple Tie Tiger Tailgate event. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady chats with Director of Library Services Dawn Brock, Pre-K to 8 Librarian Mary Kate Fowee and Upper School Librarian Jordan West about library services at Darlington, their summer professional development, the changes coming to our library spaces next year and more.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Becca Wood, Director of Events and Engagement in the Advancement Office, chats with Lou Dempsey ('87, LD '17) about his involvement in the Darlington Community as a parent and local business owner, with a special preview of his role in the upcoming Purple Tie Tiger Tailgate live auction.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Chastain talks with faculty summer program directors Eddie Guth, Paige Rogers, and Melissa Smyly about their upcoming camps and the benefits of summer programs for students.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with Young Alumni Council President Hanna Jon Lewis ('16) about her career path, her plans as the newly-elected president of the Young Alumni Council and why she is passionate about staying connected to the Darlington Community.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Chastain talks with Emma Adams ('23) and Upper School English teacher Jennifer Kelley about the work they have done to create a new Writing Center for Darlington Upper School students through Adams' Senior Ventures project. They discuss how the Writing Center will benefit students, the development process and future plans for the Writing Center and the Tiger Tutors. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with esteemed former faculty members Rick Buice, Nancy Ivester and Jack Summerbell. Together, they share memories of their time at Darlington, including their mentors, the lessons they learned as educators and their advice for young teachers. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special Commencement episode, listen to Dr. Ryland Scott, local bariatric and general surgeon and father of Kate, Parker and Ryland Scott ('23), give his Commencement address on May 13. Scott reflects on the Class of 2023's journey and the many supporters who have helped them reach this point. He encourages graduates to use three key elements, good direction, good company and good fuel, to propel them forward in life and offers parting wisdom and encouragement.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special episode, listen to Jaclyn Haynes, Upper School science teacher, give her Baccalaureate address on May 12. Haynes was selected by the senior class to serve as the Baccalaureate speaker. In her address, she shares wisdom for the class as they prepared to graduate, encouraging them to focus on their strengths, learn from their failures and lean into curiosity as a catalyst for growth. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell reflects on the Class of 2023 with Upper School Director Chad Woods, Dean of College Guidance Ivy Brewer, Student Body President Collin Rego ('23) and Honor Council President Anaya Desai ('23). They discuss the senior class's academic, athletic and artistic achievements, as well as some of their most memorable moments as Darlington students.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of Summerbell House Randy Smith talks with seniors Thomas Bethel, Summerbell head dorm prefect, and Connor Brown, Summerbell head day prefect. They talk about Summerbell House culture, dorm activities, favorite memories and more. This is the final episode in a series highlighting each of the six residential houses on campus. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Professional Development Coordinator and head of Senior Ventures Rebekah Kinney talks with seniors Ndiana Akpan, Noah Kinney, Noah Morris and Elizabeth Richie about their year-long Senior Ventures projects and the valuable skills they’ve gained through this program as they prepare to graduate.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with Deana Perry ('02) about her Darlington experience, her career and educational journey and her recent appointment as the first Black judge in Floyd County. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of Thornwood House Elizabeth Bruce ('03) talks with senior Christa Twyman, Thornwood head day prefect, and junior Sydnee Barndt, Thornwood head dorm prefect. They talk about Thornwood House culture, the relationship between day and dorm students and more. This is the fifth episode in a series highlighting each of the six residential houses on campus. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell talks with Orchestra Director Annie Camp, Band Teacher Damon Harvey, freshman Gracie Cowan and senior Jack Quandt. Together, they talk about band and orchestra, programs that start as early as third grade at Darlington, and how instrumental education provides students with the ability to build soft skills that allow them to excel in all areas of student life. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with Beth (Hackett) Pride ('87) about her Darlington experience and the influence it had on her life, her career journey and her most recent creative project, a multimedia project and book titled "The CommonWealth of Kentucky Project." 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, senior day student Ryland Scott talks with varsity coaches Garvin Edwards (wrestling), Leigh Hadaway (swim and dive), Mark Tunnell (girls' basketball) and Nathan West (boys' basketball) about the winter athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little bit about each team and their highlights of the winter season, from the preseason to team bonding to their accomplishments and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) talks with fellow boarding alumni Scott Dozier ('73), Calista (Harden) Smith ('95, LD '18), Kristen Rachels ('05, LD '16) and Smith Wheeler ('19) in celebration of this year's 100th anniversary of boarding at Darlington School. Darlington welcomed its first group of 30 boarding students in 1923, and today, 100 years later, the school is home to 200 boarding students representing 25 states and 30 countries. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of Neville House Joe Pitts talks with seniors Noah Morris, Neville head dorm prefect, and Braden Bell, Neville head day prefect. They talk about Neville House culture, the life skills they're gaining as dorm leaders and more. This is the fourth episode in a series highlighting each of the six residential houses on campus.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Theatre Shelley Daniel talks with Tommy Cowan, J.R. Johnson, Kimberly Johnston, Orafiri Koko, Annika Patel, Seidy Pichardo and Kathryn Wilson about this year's production of "Lucky Stiff." They give listeners an inside glimpse into what the musical is about and what to look forward to this weekend, while sharing their favorite moments in the show and memories from rehearsals. Together, they share their takeaways about why student theatre is important and the life-skills they're gaining in the process. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with several Darlington alumni who have gone on to successful collegiate athletic careers. He chats with Trinity Andrews ('21) of Oregon State University gymnastics, Cade Brock ('20) of the University of Georgia football team and Russell Shealy ('18), a recent graduate of Syracuse University and member of the men's soccer team. They share about their experiences as Division I athletes and how Darlington prepared them for that experience. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) chats with Karley ('16) and Seth ('16) Parker in celebration of Valentine's Day. The Parkers share their own love story that began in Mr. Hudson's freshman chemistry class, and then they read submissions from other Darlington alumni who are also married to Darlington alumni. It's a sweet celebration of love by the Lakeside!

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones talks with Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell, Theatre Director Shelley Daniel, Choral Director Alex Johnson and Pre-K to 8 Music Teacher Caitlyn Terry. Together, they talk about performing arts in the Pre-K to 8 and how performance opportunites and arts education provides all students with the ability to build soft skills like confidence, connection and compassion.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of Regester House Kim Bell talks with seniors Michelle White, Regester head dorm prefect, and Kate Scott, Regester head day prefect. They talk about Regester House's unique personality, their favorite house traditions and more. This is the third episode in a series highlighting each of the six residential houses on campus. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Annual Giving Julia Thomas ('07, LD '15) chats with Kate Flory ('17) about her Darlington experience, her college and career journey and how she continues to give back and stay plugged into Darlington. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Dean of Student Life Brant Evans talks with senior day students Connor Brown and Georgeanna Demspey and junior day student Asa Shepard about their involvement in dorm life at Darlington, specifically the annual house competition, RUMPUS. The students share some of their favorite RUMPUS memories and how the competition has allowed them to form meaningful relationships with the boarding students on campus.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management Matthew Peer talks with Darlington's Cornwell Scholars, boarding seniors Emma Adams and Mika Lynn and sophomore Nixon Prior. They chat about the their involvement and the opportunities that the Cornwell Scholarship has provided them at Darlington. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with academic department chairs Christy Baldwin (world languages), Brian Inman (history), Owen Kinney (science), Al Shorey (math) and Melissa Smyly (English). Together, they recap the 2022 calendar year, sharing accomplishments and noteworthy moments from within their departments, their extracurricular activities and their own personal research and professional development. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Dean of Students for Global Education Tara Inman talks with boarding juniors Iva Hadzi-Mihailovic and Orafiri Koko and senior Noah Morris about the holiday traditions in their home countries as they prepared to celebrate with their families over winter break. They share about their favorite traditions and memories and what makes the holiday season unique in their cultures.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas chats with brothers Seth ('16) and Luke ('17) Parker. They chat about their Darlington experience, life after Darlington, what it's like working for their family business, Parker Systems, and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of Moser House Doug Hamil talks with seniors Ebuka Obioha, Moser head dorm prefect, and Joey Kight, Moser head day prefect. They talk about Darlington's house system, the role of head prefects, their weekly Moser Meals and more. This is the second episode in a new series highlighting each of the six residential houses on campus.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, senior day student Ryland Scott talks with varsity coaches Tommy Atha (football), Brant Evans (cross country), Christina Kopp (volleyball), Matt Larry (softball) and Melissa Smyly (football cheerleading) about the fall athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little bit about each team and their highlights of the fall season, from summer workouts to team bonding to their accomplishments and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with several longtime members of the Darlington Community about their reflections on thankfulness. Bell is joined by History Department Chair Brian Inman, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas, senior day student Belle Brooks, senior boarding student Noah Morris and seventh-grader Siya Patel. Each guest shares what they're thankful for in many different areas of their lives, but especially why they're thankful for the Darlington Community and what makes it special to them.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Cassidy Carter, director of development in the Advancement Office, talks with Mark Rogers ('94, LD '12), deputy general counsel at Mohawk Industries. They chat about Rogers' career, from serving the military to practicing law. He offers career and life advice that he shared with Darlington students at Career Day 2022, and talks about how his Darlington experience shaped his path as an adult. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with Director of the Teaching and Learning Center Jessica Laliberte. They do a deep dive into Darlington's Teaching and Learning Center, including what its resources are, how to obtain accomodations and more. Laliberte also touches on her passion for brain research and how this influences her work in the Teaching and Learning Center. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

This episode was recorded on Friday, Oct. 28.

Click here for complete show notes >>>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management Matthew Peer talks with Director of Soccer Academy Chad Liddle, and new members of the Soccer Academy freshmen Preston Duval of George Town, Cayman Islands and Savannah Palmer of Calhoun, Ga. They chat about their experience as new freshmen on the teams, their goals as players in the program and more.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with Math Department Chair Al Shorey and Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, author of "Building Resilience in Children and Teens," the subject of Darlington's first-ever community read. Together, they discuss the inspiration behind Shorey's Thatcher Grant proposal that led to Dr. Ginsburg visiting Darlington twice to meet with faculty, students and parents to discuss topics such as building resiliency, redefining success, coping with anxiety, and more. Dr. Ginsburg shares some of his major takeaways from his time at Darlington, and gives helpful information for parents and teachers who work with adolescents.

Click here for complete show notes >>

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, third grade teacher Steve McConnell talks with Pre-K to 8 students Addie Greene ('31), Hudson Lucas ('31), Finley Pilgrim ('27) and Loxley Pilgrim ('30) about their recent accomplishments in extracurricular sports outside of Darlington. McConnell is an avid sports fan, and his guests enjoy talking with their former teacher about all things baseball and softball.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In the first-ever student hosted episode of The Darlington Podcast, senior Michael Adenrele talks with boarding freshmen Pato Alonso, SK McQueen and day freshman Myles Twyman about their experiences at Darlington so far. They chat about classes, activities and what the freshmen are most looking forward to this year. Finally, they share what they love most about the Darlington community and share some advice for students considering Darlington for ninth grade. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Chastain talks with Kate, Parker and Ryland Scott ('23) about their 12-year Darlington journey. Kate, Parker and Ryland are triplets who each have very unique areas of involvement, and they share how the Darlington Community has helped them stay close as siblings while also fostering their growth as individuals. They spend time reflecting on their favorite Darlington memories and what they're looking forward to during their senior year.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) chats with Crawford Brock ('72) and Steve Winkler ('72, LD '15). The Class of 1972 shares a unique camaraderie that is legendary within the Darlington Community. Brock and Winkler reminisce on Darlington memories, talk about their upcoming 50th reunion celebration and share about their class-endowed scholarship. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with new faculty members Heather Shores, Upper School history, Caitlyn Terry, Pre-K to 8 music, and Kimi Pichardo, Upper School Spanish. Eady talks with them about their career backgrounds, what drew them to Darlington and what they've learned in their first month here. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones talks with middle grades teachers Andrew Beckman, science, Ashley Evans, Spanish, and Kevin Ivester ('87), math about active learning and the skills-based curriculum in the middle grades. They share active learning stories from their classrooms and touch on why they think Darlington's skills-based curriculum benefits students at this age.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Dean of College Guidance Ivy Brewer talks with new college advisors Jaclyn Haynes, Sam Clark, Toni King and Jared Willerson. College advisors attended conferences and college tours this summer in order to learn more about the field of college guidance and the ever-changing world of college admission. Together with Brewer, they share the most important takeaways they learned at their respective conferences and tours. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with Director of Upper School Chad Woods, Assistant Director of Pre-K to 8 Angela Pieroni and Upper School Learning Specialist and Registrar Justin Bruce. Together, they talk about how students and their families can prepare for a successful school year by establishing healthy habits and routines, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Fox talks with Director of Events and Engagement in the Advancement Office Becca Wood and Darlington parent and President of Pre-K to 8 Tiger PRIDE Nancy Hortman. Together, they chat about the upcoming Purple Tie Tiger Tailgate and what this annual event does to support Darlington parent organizations. 

For more information about Purple Tie, to purchase reverse raffle tickets, and to bid in the online silent auction, click here.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with Head Football Coach Tommy Atha and seniors Jack Good and Braden Bell about the Darlington Tigers' upcoming football season. They discuss how the team has been preparing, their goals for the season and what they're most excited about. Click here to view this season's schedule. If you can't make it to a game, watch the Tigers play live here each week.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with C.J. Cypress ('07, LD '14), class agent for the Class of 2007. Cypress reflects on his Darlington experience and shares how it has shaped his adult life, from college to his winding career journey. He shares why he stays involved with Darlington and encourages his classmates and all alumni to attend Alumni Weekend, which will take place Oct. 14-16, 2022. To learn more about Alumni Weekend, click here.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent chats with Austin Spooner ('12), Young Alumni Council president and class agent for the Class of 2012. As the first president of the new Young Alumni Council, Spooner shares about his work so far and goals for the group, who hosted its first young alumni social at Qualusi Vineyards in Acworth, Ga. last weekend. He also reflects on his experience as a Darlington student and why he continues to stay involved.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Fox talks with Dean of College Guidance Ivy Brewer about the college guidance process at Darlington. They discuss the college advising structure, who the college advisors are and the work that they do with students in their junior and senior years. In addition to discussing what students will learn and accomplish during college advising, Brewer shares what juniors and seniors can do during the summer to prepare for the college admissions process.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Professional Development Coordinator Rebekah Kinney talks with fourth-grade-teacher Carrie Watterson, Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell and Upper School Science Department Chair Owen Kinney about their summer professional development activities. They share about each of the work they have been doing within their departments and how it has prepared them for the coming school year. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Fox talks with Darlington parent Jessica Carney and students Laney Carney ('25) and Walker Sirmans ('23) about their involvement with the first-ever Extra Special People (ESP) summer camp in Rome. The Carney family hosted the camp at their farm, and their son Dempsey was a camper. Sirmans' sister Ivey was also a camper. In addition to being the siblings of campers, Laney and Walker volunteered as buddies at the camp, along with other groups of Darlington students. In this episode they discuss the impact that ESP camps have on people with special needs and how the Darlington Community can get involved. 

The next summer camp session in Rome is July 18-22 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. Volunteers are still needed! Contact Sarah Farraba at 478-319-6161 for more information.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Julia Thomas ('07, LD '15) chats with Thomas Bethel, Darlington parent and member of the Board of Trustees. They discuss Bethel's involvement at the school, and he encourages other parents and community members to get involved. He goes on to share about his career and offers to be a resources for Darlington students and alumni who are interested in pursuing a career in banking.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of IT Derek Fine talks with Technology Integration Coordinator Beth Wardlaw about the importance of technology integration in Darlington's curriculum and exciting campus-wide technology upgrades. They also share tips about how students can use their new technology over the summer to build skills that will benefit them during the school year. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Carson Raymond, director of major gifts, chats with real estate professional Regan (Maki) Couch ('98, LD '14), who recently served as a panelist at the Darlington Connects Atlanta Lunch & Learn event. Couch reflects on her time as a Darlington student and her career in the real estate industry. Raymond and Couch recap the panel discussion on real estate and highlight the benefits of Darlington Connects. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In the last of three special Commencement episodes, listen to Sam Moss ('63), retiring dean of college guidance, give his Baccalaureate address on May 13. Moss was selected by the senior class to serve as the Baccalaureate speaker. Following an introduction from Honor Council President Mary Mac Pittman ('22), Moss reflects on his time as a student at Darlington and shares stories that have the audience laughing time and time again. He closes with well wishes for the Class of 2022, and hopes that they too will one day be planning their 60th reunion with their Darlington classmates, as he is looking forward to doing next year. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In the second of three special Commencement episodes, listen to William Feng ('22), student body president, give his Commencement address on May 14. Following an introduction from Head of School Brent Bell, Feng reflects on his Darlington experience and shares words of encouragement with his classmates. He notes the unique challenges that he and his classmates faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and shares the belief that it has made them more resilient and prepared to face life's future challenges. 

At Commencement, Feng was named valedictorian and winner of the Darlington Medal for General Excellence. In the fall, he will attend Duke University. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In the first of three special Commencement episodes, listen to Gretchen Corbin, president and CEO of the Georgia Lottery and Darlington trustee, give her Commencement address on May 14. Following an introduction from her daughter, Elsa Quay ('22), Corbin shares special insights and memories from the Class of 2022's time at Darlington. She also leaves graduating seniors with three valuable pieces of advice as they step into their next chapter of life.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell reflects on the Class of 2022 with Upper School Director Chad Woods, Associate Dean of College Guidance Ivy Brewer and Student Body President William Feng ('22). They discuss the senior class's academic, athletic and artistic achievements, as well as some of their most memorable moments as Darlington students.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Fox talks with six students representing the Upper School and Pre-K to 8 divisions about their reflections on the importance of Teacher Appreciation Week and the impact that Darlington teachers have made on their lives. Maddie is joined by Upper School students Anaya Desai ('23), Olivia Laughridge ('23) and Kayo Lufadeju ('24) and Pre-K to 8 students Kaya Nadu ('26), Madison Paxten ('29) and Whit Watters ('28).

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones talks with third-grade literacy and science teacher Jamie Massey and fourth-grade literacy and science teacher Dr. Michael Natarella, who also teaches a fifth grade science class. They discuss the benefits of Darlington's skills-based curriculum for students in these grade levels, particularly as it relates to several of their annual projects such as the Third Grade Wax Museum and the Fourth Grade Invention Convention.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Carson Raymond, director of major gifts, chats with Charlotte Baker ('02, LD '22), Gaines Dempsey ('94, LD '22) and Katy (Hatch) Hollingsworth ('93, LD '22) about their experience as recent members of the Leadership Darlington Class of 2022. They reflect on what they learned about the school, how they plan to give back and provide insight for those who might be interested in the Leadership Darlington program.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Assistant Director of Boarding Admissions Avery Cypress talks with Upper School science teachers Mike Hudson and Jaclyn Haynes and sophomore Isabella Spears about the DarFarm. Cypress talks with Hudson, Haynes and Spears about DarFarm activities, opportunities to get involved and the 7th Annual Spring Plant Sale that will run through the month of April. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Enrollment Management Matt Peer talks with Director of Soccer Academy Chad Liddle, sophomore Sydnee Barndt from Eagle River, Alaska and junior Jack Quandt from Boise, Idaho about the Darlington School Soccer Academy. Peer talks with Coach Liddle and the students about the benefits of the Soccer Academy, their favorite trips, time management as a student athlete, their future plans and more. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Professional Development Coordinator and Senior Ventures Instructor Rebekah Kinney talks with seniors Elsa Quay Corbin of Rome, William Feng of Shanghai, China, Nadejda Spasova of Sofia, Bulgaria and Elliot Luitwieler of Rome about their Senior Ventures projects.

Senior Ventures is a year-long academic program built on a framework of leadership, innovation and community engagement. Through a proven self-guided exploratory process, seniors whose proposals are selected for this program work independently to develop a project that’s interdisciplinary in scope and is connective, performance-based, investigative, or entrepreneurial.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with Laura Whitaker, CEO of Extra Special People, Inc. following her March 17 address as the inaugural speaker of the Darlington School Leadership Institute Speaker Series. 

Laura Whitaker was named executive director of Extra Special People, Inc. at the age of 19, after the sudden passing of the organization's founder. Whitaker began her relationship with ESP by working as a counselor and, subsequently, a leadership team member in 2003. She became the organization's CEO in 2022. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with boys' varsity coaches Reid Owens (tennis), Al Shorey (soccer), Melissa Smyly (lacrosse) and Kevin Hunt (track and field) about the spring athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little about each team and what we might expect to see over the next few months. Note: This episode was recorded on March 15, and unfortunately Jared Willerson (golf) was unable to attend due to a golf tournament.

The thrill of competition. The rush of a championship. Our athletic program offers you everything you'd expect from a private school. However, the Darlington athletic program is so much more. CLICK HERE to learn more about athletics at Darlington or schedule a private tour and see our facilities for yourself. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones talks with sixth-grader Brier Lanier, seventh-grader Soren Chapman and eighth-grader Gracie Cowan about their week-long grade-level trips in February. Sixth-graders visited sites in south Georgia and Florida; seventh-graders took part in a living history tour, visiting several locations in North Carolina and Virginia; and eighth-graders took a tour of Georgia. The students share their favorite moments, excursions and memories while Hope talks about how the trips connect to Darlington's curriculum.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with boys' varsity coaches Reid Owens (tennis), Al Shorey (soccer), Brendan Leezer (lacrosse), Jared Willerson (golf), Kevin Hunt (track and field) and Matt Larry (baseball) about the winter athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little about each team and what we might expect to see over the next few months. 

The thrill of competition. The rush of a championship. Our athletic program offers you everything you'd expect from a private school. However, the Darlington athletic program is so much more. CLICK HERE to learn more about athletics at Darlington or schedule a private tour and see our facilities for yourself. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Carson Raymond, director of major gifts, chats with Dan Powell ('08), whose podcast "Archive 81" recently became the #1 trending show on Netflix in its screen adaptation. Powell shares about his Darlington experience as the child of longtime faculty member David Powell and his winding career journey in the audio and sound industry.

Carson Raymond has served as director of major gifts since 2019 and spends much of his time on the road visiting with alumni, listening to their stories, and sharing news about what's going on at Darlington today. He is often featured as the host of Darlington Connects episodes of The Darlington Podcast. Carson's previous roles at Darlington, from 2010-2012, included teaching Upper School Spanish, coaching soccer, and working with the residential program. 

Dan Powell is a New York City-based audio engineer, sound designer and composer. He currently works at The New York Times audio team as a Senior Sound Designer & Composer, where he helps lead original scoring and sound design efforts for its growing collection of newsroom podcasts, including The Daily. He is also the co-creator of "Archive 81", a fiction podcast that has been adapted into a Netflix original series. Dan graduated from Darlington in 2008 and attended Syracuse University, where he graduated with a B.A. in English.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Director of Enrollment Management Matt Peer talks with juniors Liz Boyd and Thomas Bethel about Darlington's Upper School boarding program. 

Boyd and Bethel have been boarding students since their freshman year, and are each involved in a variety of activities on campus. Boyd is from Prospect, Kentucky and Bethel is from Atlanta, Georgia. Peer talks with them about their experiences in the house system, mentors on campus, favorite memories at Darlington, and even their favorite food in the dining hall.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this special Career Day episode, listen to Rachel (Gross) Langley ('89, LD '13), vice president of meetings and events at Visa, give her Career Day keynote address on Feb. 4. In it, she shares her five strategies for success while weaving in stories from her time at Darlington and beyond. 

In her role at Visa, Langley is responsible for the strategic direction of 75+ annual internal and external events to grow Visa's brand and client relationships. She leads the content development for C-level meetings and events to reinforce the company's vision and strategy. 

Serving as the executive producer of Visa Payments Forum, the payment industry's largest client symposium, Langley spearheads a team of all-stars to deliver a multi-day program of inspiration, innovation, and knowledge sharing. Using her expertise in storytelling, she creates memorable experiences and impactful engagements at Visa's sponsorships with FIFA, Olympics and the NFL. 

Langley is a graduate of Stephens College with a B.F.A in Theatre. While at Stephens, she gained experience in both theater and communications. Prior to her work at Visa, she had her own event consulting business in New York City and also held positions at well-known companies like Univision, AOL and L'Oreal, to name a few. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Julia (Douglas) Thomas ('07, LD '15), director of annual giving, chats with Alex Murray ('02) about his Darlington experience, his career journey in the entertainment industry, and the school's Darlington Connects program.

Julia Thomas returned to her alma mater to serve as director of annual giving in 2015. As such, she spends most of her time connecting with members of our school community and raising money for The Darlington Fund, the school's top fundraising priority. 

Alex Murray is a Brooklyn-based actor, musician, comedian, podcaster, audio engineer, children's entertainer, and jack of many nonsenses. He's appeared on HBO and Amazon Prime; performed etensively on stages in Nashville, New York, and beyond; and lends his comedic and musical talent to several podcasts. As Dr. Alex, he performs to children all over NYC and online. Alex graduated from Darlington in 2002 and Sewanee in 2006 with a degree in theater and English.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Science Department Chairman Owen Kinney talks with sophomore Charlie May about Darlington's Upper School robotics program. The team, known as the DarBots, reacently finished in first place at a FIRST Tech Challenge tournament, which qualifies them to move on to the state competition. 

About FIRST: FIRST Tech Challenge teams are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team. The robot kit is reusable from year to year and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming. Teams design and build robots, raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn specific awards. Participants are eligible to apply for $80M+ in college scholarships. Each season concludes with regional championship events and an exciting FIRST Championship. Click here to read more about FIRST. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this Darlington Connects episode, host Avery Cypress ('14) of the Admission Office connects with former classmate Ali Kayahan ('14) during a recent trip to Ali's home in Istanbul, Turkey. Ali shares his Darlington story, talks about his college experience and career path, and provides valuable advice for young entrepreneurs.

Ali and his partners founded Ottodsg, a furniture design manufacturing and international trade company, in January 2021 in the midst of the pandemic, but they've been working to materialize it since 2020. He holds a B.S. in Architecture from State University of New York at Buffalo, where he also minored in Urban Planning. Upon returning to Istanbul, Ali worked in architecture and freelance design before becoming a visual merchandiser for IKEA, an opportunity that sparked his passion for the furniture industry and taught him critical skills that set him on the path to start his own small business. Now, he spends his time focusing on product development and marketing for Ottodsg, which sells products in Turkey, the United States and, soon, the rest of the world. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Theater Director Shelley Daniel talks with Choral Director Alex Johnson and seniors Kathryn Davidson and Grayson Davis about The Darlington Players' upcoming winter musical, "My Fair Lady." The show is slated for Feb. 25-27 at the Rome City Auditorium, featuring 22 students involved in the cast and crew.  

"My Fair Lady" is based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play "Pygmalion," with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. The story follows Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins, a phonetician, so that she may pass as a lady. Despite his cynical nature, Higgins falls in love with her. The musical's 1956 Broadway production was a notable critical and popular success, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It set a record for the longest run of any musical on Broadway up to that time and was followed by a hit London production. A popular film version premiered in 1964, and many revivals have followed.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, host Matt Peer, director of enrollment management, and his guests share tips related to academic wellness, emotional wellness, and college preparation as students begin the second semester at Darlington. This week's guests are Jennifer Luitwieler, learning specialist and English teacher; Chris Allen, counselor and AP Psychology teacher; and Ivy Brewer, associate dean of college guidance. 

Matt Peer was named director of enrollment management in 2020 after serving as the director of Upper School from 2014-2020 and director of student life from 2010-2014. He holds a B.A. in Sociology from St. Lawrence University and an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University. 

Jennifer Luitwieler has been a member of Darlington's Teaching & Learning Center staff since 2017 and holds a B.A. in English from Chatham University.

Chris Allen, who has been a member of Darlington’s counseling staff since 2006, holds a B.A. from Carson-Newman College and an M.A. from Argosy University in Atlanta. 

Ivy Brewer has been a member of Darlington’s college guidance staff since 2007. She currently serves as associate dean of college guidance and will become dean of college guidance in 2022-2023. A Certified Educational Planner who has visited more than 200 college campuses, she holds a B.A. from the University of Georgia, an M.A. from Florida Gulf Coast University, and a graduate certificate in college counseling from University of California Los Angeles Extension. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell reflects on 2021 with Stefan Eady, assistant head of school for academic affairs, and Division Directors Chad Woods and Hope Jones. What was Mr. Bell's favorite fine arts performance of the year? Which football game is Mr. Woods still talking about? What soundtrack does Mrs. Jones think best describes 2021? What are Mr. Eady's book and podcast recommendations for 2022? Find out right here! 

Brent Bell was named Darlington's 11th head of school in 2014. With over two decades of experience in education, he holds a B.A. in History from the University of Richmond and an M.S. in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to Darlington, Brent was head of Upper School at Randolph School in Huntsville, Ala. He also served previously as assistant headmaster and dean of academic affairs at Woodberry Forest School in Virginia.

Stefan Eady has held a variety of different roles in communications, web development and information technology since he began working at Darlington in 1997. In 2016, he was named assistant head of school for academic resources and, in 2021, assistant head of school for academic affairs. He also teaches AP Computer Science. Stefan holds a B.A. from Berry College and an M.S.I.S. from Kennesaw State University. 

Chad Woods joined the faculty as a math teacher in 2006 and was named director of Upper School in 2019. He holds a B.S. and M.Ed. from the University of West Georgia. Chad's previous roles at Darlington have included dean of studies and master scheduler, math department chair, head baseball coach, head softball coach, and head golf coach. 

Hope Jones has served as director of Pre-K to 8 since 2014 and has more than 30 years of experience in education. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and English from the University of Alabama – Huntsville as well as an M.A. in Middle Level Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. During her career, Hope has served in teaching and administrative roles in Alabama, Virginia, Washington, D.C., California, and Georgia. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

Jordan has served in his current role since 2021, but has been with the business since 2018. He holds a B.A. in Government & Foreign Affairs from Hampden-Sydney College. While there, he spent four years on the football team and was a brother of Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity. Now, he spends his time focusing on sales, product development and marketing for his family's growing company. 

About Darlington Connects: 

Every member of the Darlington Community has countless Darlington connections, especially in the work world. By supporting each other's careers and life goals, we are better connecting our students, alumni, parents, parents of alumni, and grandparents.

• Share more about your career in a Darlington Connects spotlight on our website or social media
• Lend your expertise to a current student or recent graduate
• Connect with others in your field or your geographic area via our Alumni Directory or our Darlington Connects group on LinkedIn
• Volunteer to be one of our guest speakers at Career Day

Click here to read more about how to get involved in Darlington Connects and email connect@darlingtonschool.org with questions.  

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Julia (Douglas) Thomas ('07, LD '15), director of annual giving, chats with Megan Ware ('09), executive pastry chef for three local restaurants, about her Darlington experience; her career, including a recent appearance on the Food Network; and the school's Darlington Connects program.

Julia Douglas returned to her alma mater to serve as director of annual giving in 2015. As such, she spends most of her time connecting with members of our school community and raising money for The Darlington Fund, the school's top fundraising priority. 

Megan Ware holds a degree in food industry marketing and administration at the University of Georgia and went on to study baking and pastry arts at The New England Culinary Institute in Vermont. She worked at The Georgian Room in Sea Island before bringing her culinary mastery back home to Rome and collaborating with restauranteur Kevin Dillmon. She now serves as executive pastry chef for Aventine, Honeymoon Bakery, and Blossom Hill BBQ & Burgers. Megan and her Honeymoon Bakery colleague, Kate White, recently competed on and won the Food Network's "Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown."

About Darlington Connects:

Every member of the Darlington Community has countless Darlington connections, especially in the work world. By supporting each other's careers and life goals, we are better connecting our students, alumni, parents, parents of alumni, and grandparents.

• Share more about your career in a Darlington Connects spotlight on our website or social media
• Lend your expertise to a current student or recent graduate
• Connect with others in your field or your geographic area via our Alumni Directory or our Darlington Connects group on LinkedIn
• Volunteer to be one of our guest speakers at Career Day

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Tara Inman, dean of students for global education, talks with Fred Igbinedion of Nigeria, Doris Kang of China, Emilia Tscherne of Austria and Roy Berglund of Finland about holiday traditions in their home countries as we prepare for Christmas here in the United States. They share similarities and differences and touch on other holidays of significance in their cultures. 

The students also share some of their favorite things about the Christmas season at Darlington, including the upcoming Service of Lessons & Carols, which will take place this coming Sunday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. in Morris Chapel. This free event is open to the public and sponsored by the Darlington "Y" Cabinet, and will be led primarily by members of the student body. If you cannot attend in person, the service will be live streamed here.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with varsity coaches Leigh Hadaway (swimming), Mark Tunnell (girls' basketball) and Nathan West (boys' basketball) about the winter athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little about each team and what we might expect to see over the next few months. Note: This epsiode was recorded on Nov. 9, 2021, as the season kicked off and unfortunately Kelly McDurmon (wrestling) was unable to attend. 

Leigh Hadaway has served as Upper School history teacher and head swim coach since 2019. 

Mark Tunnell has served as associate director of admission at Darlington since 2012 and took on the additional role of director of day admission in 2014. He currently serves as the assistant middle school girls' basketball coach, assistant varsity girls' basketball coach, and head JV girls' basketball coach.

Nathan West has served as head boys' basketball coach and assistant athletic director since 2019. 

The thrill of competition. The rush of a championship. Our athletic program offers you everything you'd expect from a private school. However, the Darlington athletic program is so much more. CLICK HERE to learn more about athletics at Darlington or schedule a private tour and see our facilities for yourself. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

As we think about the things we are most grateful for this Thanksgiving Day, we want to share the address Dr. Frank Stegall ('62) gave during Alumni Weekend after receiving the 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Award. In it, he shares some of his favorite memories as well as the life lessons he is most grateful for learning during his time at Darlington. This episode begins with an introduction by his son, Dr. Frank Stegall Jr. ('02).

A native of Floyd County, Dr. Stegall enrolled at Darlington in the sixth grade. He was very involved on campus, participating in the Drama Club, Glee Club, The Darlingtonian staff and as a member of the 1962 Mid-South championship soccer team. After graduating, he went on to study at Emory University and graduated from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1971. He practiced medicine as a cardiologist for over 50 years. 

Stegall served the Rome heath care community for many years and helped thousands of people. He has received numerous awards from the medical community throughout his career, including the Cardiology Leadership Award, CCMN Cardiologist of the Year, Best Practices Physician and the esteemed HCA Frist Humanitarian Award. 

In addition to his service to the medical community, Stegall is a graduate of the Rome Floyd Chamber’s Leadership Rome program and served on the Board of United Community Bank in Rome and, for over 20 years, on Darlington School’s Board of Trustees. He was chairman of Darlington’s Board during the school’s historic Second Century Campaign, which raised over $90 million. Today, Stegall serves as a Life Trustee and is a member of the J. J. Darlington Society as well as the J. Daniel Hanks Sr. (‘27) Heritage Society. 

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, host Stefan Eady, assistant head of school for academic resources, talks with Pre-K to 8 Director Hope Jones about the power of play and, specifically, why play is critical to a child's development and learning process. In fact, when Darlington overhauled its daily schedule several years ago, this idea of creating more time for inquiry, exploration and ownership of learning was at the center of the process, and Hope shares why strategically balancing both structured and unstructured play creates a healthy environment for learning. 

In the podcast, Hope mentions two of her favorite books on this topic:

"Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul" by Dr. Stuart Brown

We've all seen the happiness on the face of a child while playing in the school yard. Or the blissful abandon of a golden retriever racing across a lawn. This is the joy of play. By definition, play is purposeless, all-consuming, and fun. But as Dr. Stuart Brown illustrates, play is anything but trivial. It is a biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition. We are designed by nature to flourish through play. A fascinating blend of cutting-edge neuroscience, biology, psychology, social science, and inspiring human stories of the transformative power of play, this book proves why play just might be the most important work we can ever do.

"The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier, Healthier Children" by Dr. David Elkind

In modern childhood, free, unstructured play time is being replaced more and more by academics, lessons, competitive sports, and passive, electronic entertainment. While parents may worry that their children will be at a disadvantage if they are not engaged in constant, explicit learning or using the latest "educational" games, David Elkind's "The Power of Play" reassures us that unscheduled imaginative play goes far in preparing children for academic and social success. Through expert analysis of the research and powerful situational examples, Elkind shows that, indeed, creative spontaneous activity best sets the stage for academic learning in the first place.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this Darlington Connects episode, host Julie Lucas ('97), Darlington's chief advancement officer, talks with longtime Dean of College Guidance Sam Moss ('63) about his time at Darlington as a student, his career path, and his upcoming retirement after 40 years of service to Darlington and 55 years in independent school education.

Click here to learn more about Darlington's unique College Guidance Program that earns 100% of its graduates admission to colleges all over the country and the world each year.

About Darlington Connects:

Every member of the Darlington Community has countless Darlington connections, especially in the work world. By supporting each other's careers and life goals, we are better connecting our students, alumni, parents, parents of alumni, and grandparents.

• Share more about your career in a Darlington Connects spotlight on our website or social media
• Lend your expertise to a current student or recent graduate
• Connect with others in your field or your geographic area via our Alumni Directory or our Darlington Connects group on LinkedIn
• Volunteer to be one of our guest speakers at Career Day

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this Darlington Connects episode, host Carson Raymond, Darlington's director of major gifts, connects student musician Elliot Luitwieler ('22) with Hannah (Montgomery) Bay-Schuck ('10), an executive A&R in Los Angeles. 

As Hannah shares her Darlington story, she talks about being exposed to different elements of performing arts throughout her time here as well as a unique opportunity that helped guide her next steps. She then dives into life after Darlington, which has taken her from Nashville to Los Angeles, and offers some practical advice to Elliot as he, too, explores his passion for making music and thinks about what he wants to do next. This episode is a prime example of the talent that lies within the Darlington Community and the connections that can be made through the Darlington Connects program. 

Hannah works with artists and repertoire at music publishing company Prescription Songs, which is home to artists and writers such as Doja Cat, Lauv, Kbeazy, Emily Warren, Kim Petras, and more. Prior to moving to Los Angeles and joining Prescription, she ran hit country writer Dallas Davidson's (credits include Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, FGL, etc.) publishing company, Play It Again Publishing in Nashville, Tenn. Hannah's roster of writers include Lauren LaRue (“Roxanne,” Arizona Zervas), Kaine (“Best Friend,” Saweetie & Doja Cat), Ryan Ogren (“Nobody’s Love,” Maroon 5), Rocco (“Tick Tock,” Young Thug), Lauv, and more. After graduating from Darlington in 2010, she attended Florida State University and graduated from Belmont University in 2014 with a B.A. in Mass Communication and minor in Music Business.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Technology Integration Coordinator Beth Wardlaw talks with junior Anaya Desai, senior Mason Wu and sophomore Tommy Cowan about the role technology has played in their unique Darlington experiences. Whether our students are members of the robotics team, using their MacBooks to collaborate with classmates near and far, or coming up with a creative project for the annual Technology Competition, they appreciate the value technology integration has added to their learning experience.

Recent recognition for Darlington's technology program:

For the third time since 2016, Apple has named Darlington an Apple Distinguished School, recognizing the school for its commitment to teaching students technology skills to solve real-world problems as an integrated part of its curriculum. Click here to read more. 

Common Sense Education recently recognized Darlington School as a Common Sense School. Darlington has demonstrated its commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing its students to think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate, while preparing them for the perils that exist in the online realm, such as plagiarism, loss of privacy, and cyberbullying. Click here to read more.

Click here to learn more about technology at Darlington.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Pre-K to 8 Director Hopes Jones talks with Pre-K teacher Beth Smith ('87, LD '12) and Kindergarten teacher Jody Deaton about what a skills-based curriculum and active learning look like for our youngest students. Together, these primary grades teachers have 43 combined years of experience teaching in the primary grades at Darlington.

About the Primary Grades (Pre-K to 2):

Special care and attention is paid to the littlest learners at Darlington School. Here, we open the world of creativity and independence as children develop and grow in a safe, secure and academically nurturing space.

All Darlington primary grades teachers and teaching assistants are Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator trained. This advanced training draws on developmental neuroscience to provide an optimal education experience.

Additionally, all pre-K to second grade students enjoy classes dedicated to art, music, Spanish, physical education and regular visits to the library. They also explore the world through technology designed to enhance learning, including iPads, 3D printers, and STEM activities integrated within the MakerSpace.

Click here to explore the Primary Grades at Darlington.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Scott Greene, director of the Teaching & Learning Center, talks with Learning Specialists Justin Bruce and Kristen Bell about their work with students. Together, they share some of the organization, time management, and study strategies they use to help students who have executive function issues to be successful at Darlington and beyond.

About the Teaching & Learning Center:

Founded in 2006, Darlington School’s Glenn Teaching and Learning Center provides individualized academic support to students pre-K to 12 with identified learning differences. Our learning specialists work directly with students in the Center and in the classroom to help them achieve academic success.

Click here to read more about the Learning Center.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, Bob Berry ('64) chats with members of Darlington School's advancement team -- Julie Lucas ('97), Carson Raymond, and Becca Wood -- about the Darlington Connects program. 

Bob Berry, this week's guest host, is a Darlington alumnus, former faculty member, parent of alum, current grandparent, former trustee, longtime volunteer, the voice of the TIgers football team on Friday nights, and one of the first members of our community to give his time as a mentor in the Darlington Connects program.

About Darlington Connects

Every member of the Darlington Community has countless Darlington connections, especially in the work world. By supporting each other's careers and life goals, we are better connecting our students, alumni, parents, parents of alumni, and grandparents.

• Share more about your career in a Darlington Connects spotlight on our website or social media
• Lend your expertise to a current student or recent graduate
• Connect with others in your field or your geographic area via our Alumni Directory or our Darlington Connects group on LinkedIn
• Volunteer to be one of our guest speakers at Career Day

Click here to read more about how to get involved with Darlington Connects and email connect@darlingtonschool.org with questions.

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode, learn more about how technology is integrated into Darlington's curriculum and what that looks like for students of all ages. Your host is Stefan Eady, assistant head of school for academic affairs. He will be talking with Beth Wardlaw, technology integration coordinator; Matt Enderle, Upper School math teacher; and Patrick Cash, a fourth-grader from Rome who has been utilizing technology at Darlington since pre-K. 

This has been an exciting week for Darlington because for the third time since 2016, Apple has named Darlington an Apple Distinguished School, recognizing the school for its commitment to teaching students technology skills to solve real-world problems as an integrated part of its curriculum. This new three-year designation required a rigorous review process to determine continued growth and commitment to this program and extends Darlington’s designation until 2024.

Click here for a news story with more information about this honor >>

Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. They use Apple technology to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration, and make learning personal. 

For further insight into technology integration, and what this honor means, read Stefan's blog, "What does it mean to be an Apple Distinguished School?"

Click here for complete show notes >>

In this episode you'll hear about Darlington School's approach to college guidance. Your host is Ivy Brewer, associate dean of college guidance, and she's joined by Tara Inman and Mike Hudson ('94), two of Darlington's outstanding college advisers. You'll also hear from Elsa Quay Corbin, a senior day student from Rome (and one of Tara's advisees) currently going through the college application process. 

Click here to check out today's show notes >

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with two students who shared their thoughts on Darlington’s Honor Code with the student body at this year’s Opening Convocation ceremony. Mary Mac Pittman is a senior day student from Rome and is president of the Upper School Honor Council and Ward Jennings is a fifth-grader from Rome. You'll also hear the speeches given by Mary Mac and Ward who each shared their thoughts on the importance of Darlington's Honor Code and living a life of integrity.

The most respected tradition at Darlington School, and the key to our community, is that of honor. The school motto, “Wisdom more than Knowledge; Service beyond Self; Honor above Everything” is the driving spirit behind our student-led Honor Code. To make the ideals expressed in the Honor Code effective and to enforce the code when it is violated Darlington has an Honor Council composed of representatives from grades 9-12 who are mentored by a faculty advisor.

Click here for complete show notes.

In this Darlington Connects episode, Julie Lucas ('97), chief advancement officer, catches up with Laura Deems ('12), an Atlanta-based abstract artist. They chat about Laura's life since Darlington and the Darlington connections that have been woven throughout her career since leaving the Lakeside. 

Laura earned a B.F.A. from The University of Georgia, where she studied textile design. Her formal training is in dyeing fabrics, color theory, weaving, and screen-printing. The foundation of her artistic practice is derived from these methods and are where her tools come into play. Mixing materials, color and techniques define Laura's strong visual language. Her signature overlay marks were born out of techniques used in the screen printing process. Each tool she uses works to create a loose interpretation of a pattern. In short, she is “freeing” the motif from the repeat. 

Click here for complete show notes and links to Laura's website & Instagram account →

In this Darlington Connects episode, Carson Raymond, director of major gifts, catches up with Robert Hortman ('99, LD '18) and Ben Bagley ('00, LD '20) who both work as pilots for FedEx Express. Robert and Ben have each had interesting careers that have taken them across the globe, ultimately leading to FedEx and the opportunity to move their families back to their hometown of Rome, Georgia. 

Robert holds a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. He served as an active duty pilot for 12 years across the globe in the U.S. Navy and continues to serve as a Commander in the Naval Reserves. Robert has been a pilot at FedEx Express since 2016.

Ben attended Auburn University where he majored in Aviation Management. He has been flying for FedEx Express since 2011 and is currently a 767 Captain. He was previously domiciled in Hong Kong, Anchorage, and Dusseldorf, Germany.

Click here for complete show notes.

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with coaches involved in fall sports at Darlington. You'll hear about how our athletes have been preparing over the summer and what we might expect to see over the next few months. Brent is joined by Eddie Guth, athletic director; Tommy Atha, assistant athletic director and head football coach; and Anna (Swafford) Harris ('11), head softball and strength and conditioning coach.  

Click here for complete show notes.

Our host today is Rebekah Kinney, professional development coordinator. She's joined by Justin Bruce, Upper School learning specialist, and Andrew Beckman, middle grades science teacher. They'll be chatting about ways that they have personally benefited from the professional growth opportunities afforded to them at Darlington and look ahead for even more ways to creatively enhance the student experience.

Darlington is fortunate to benefit from the Thatcher Faculty Development Fund and the Carla & Leonard Wood Distinguished Faculty Fellowship to assist with professional growth. Each year, faculty members have the opportunity to submit proposals to receive funding from these endowed grants. A committee reviews the proposals and decides which will be funded for the next academic year. 

Click here for complete show notes.

In this Darlington Connects episode, Julie Lucas ('97), chief advancement officer, catches up with Charles Bamford ('55), a recruiter in the energy industry since 1986. Julie and Charles chat about his time at Darlington and how his curiosity about technology has guided his career. 

In 2012, Charles’ firm, Rockwood Energy Search, began focusing on clean energy companies. Seeing an opportunity to work on important issues and in rapidly-growing job sectors, Rockwood now works exclusively in renewables, primarily in the solar and energy storage sectors. Clean Energy Careers, a sister company of Rockwood Energy Search, is his subscription-based consulting service for cleantech technologies and the industries that use them. Companies in those areas rely on him to find candidates who are committed to improving the planet’s climate health and qualified to do the work that will help them succeed. 

Click here for complete show notes!

In this episode, Derek Fine, director of information technology, chats with Beth Wardlaw, technology integration coordinator, about ways to manage technology as a family and how Darlington works to teach kids of all ages to be responsible with their devices. 

Click here and check out our show notes for links to helpful resources and fun apps for the entire family!

In this episode, Carson Raymond, director of major gifts, catches up with Katy Allan ('00), a content creator and founder of "Savoring the Flavoring" - a food blog where Katy shares family recipes and other great content connected to the kitchen and parenthood. 

Katy is a member of the Darlington Class of 2000 who is eagerly awaiting her unfortunately postponed, long overdue, highly hyped 20-year class reunion. She earned her B.A. in Journalism from Auburn University and founded the blog and corresponding Instagram account Savoring the Flavoring (@savoringtheflavoring), where she focuses on a balanced, realistic approach to nourishing her family of five, as well as regaling her audience with tales from the boymom trenches.

Complete Show Notes >>

In this episode we feature this year's speech from Darlington's 1953 Lectureship series with DeKalb County CEO Michael L. Thurmond. It was an incredible opportunity for our students to connect with someone who has had an outstanding career and has lived a life of service - and we hope that you will also be inspired by his message of service beyond self. 

Click here for Michael L. Thurmond's bio and complete show notes.

In this Darlington Connects episode, Julie Lucas ('97), chief advancement officer, catches up with her classmate Dawit Lemma ('97), founder and CEO of Krimson Aviation – an aviation support services company based in Ethiopia and Switzerland since 2015. Julie and Dawit talk about their time at at Darlington and what he's been up to since leaving the Lakeside. 

Dawit is a Swiss citizen, but of Ethiopian origin, and has lived and worked all over the world; from Zambia to Afghanistan, the USA to Switzerland - making him a true global citizen. Dawit returned to Ethiopia in 2012, after almost 30 years abroad, as he recognized the thriving potential and opportunities being displayed by Ethiopia’s economic resurgence.He is a graduate of Purdue University, where he earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering & Flight Technology, followed by an MSc. degree in Aviation Management & Marketing from the Basel Business College in Switzerland. Dawit also holds an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic’s License (American FAA), Commercial Pilot’s License (American FAA, South African CAA, Swiss FOCA/EASA), and an EASA Frozen ATPL.

Click here for complete show notes.

In this episode, Stefan Eady, assistant head of school for academic affairs, talks with Fine Arts Director Kim Tunnell and learning specialists Molly Jordan and Jennifer Luitwieler. They take a closer look into how the arts are integrated into Darlington's curriculum and what that looks like for students of all ages. 

Explore Darlington and see how the arts, technology, community involvement, and athletics are woven into the student experience. 

Click here for complete show notes.

In this episode, Julie Lucas ('97), chief advancement officer, catches up with Helen (Davis) Hanavich ('02, LD '12) and Blake Segars ('99, LD '19), two outstanding Darlington School alumni who have been able to collaborate professionally with their interior design and architecture businesses. Helen and Blake have had very unique career paths since leaving the Lakeside but have managed to incorporate curiosity and fun into their professional experiences. 

About Helen: Helen Davis Interior Design is a full service residential and commercial interior design firm reflecting the unique lifestyle of each individual client. Helen works to find one-of-a-kind pieces, mixing modern and traditional elements to create fresh yet timeless spaces. 

About Blake: Blake Segars is the chief designer and founder of T. Blake Segars Architecture and Landscapes. Blake’s design style reflects his expertise in classical and traditional architecture and design philosophies and how they can be modernized to bring fresh perspective and greater function for today’s home and garden designs. 

Click here for full show notes.

In this episode you will hear from four outstanding Darlington coaches as they reflect on the past year and share their philosophies around coaching and what got them into coaching to begin with.

• Tommy Atha, assistant athletic director and head football coach, has been at Darlington since 1993.
• Kelly McDurmon has taught Upper School history at Darlington since 2004 and serves as the JV football head coach, assistant coach for varsity football, and head wrestling coach.
• Melissa Smyly has taught Upper School English since 2017 and serves as assistant coach of varsity cheerleading and head coach of girls' lacrosse.
• Leigh Hadaway has served as Upper School history teacher and head swim coach since 2019.

Click here for complete show notes:

In this episode, Stefan Eady, assistant head of school for academic resources, chats with Julie Fine and Michael Natarella about Darlington's skills-based curriculum and the importance of active learning as part of Darlington's Cycle of Learning. 

Julie has taught at Darlington since 2010 and currently serves as a fifth grade teacher. Dr. Natarella has taught at Darlington since the fall of 2020 and serves as a fourth grade teacher.

Darlington's Cycle of Learning focuses on education for the whole child from start to finish so that our students graduate with the confidence, connections, and compassion they need to succeed in college and their career, guiding them towards being meaningful contributors to the greater good throughout their life. This cycle begins and ends with Darlington's Portrait of a Graduate, taking into consideration even our youngest students.

Check out these activities mentioned in today's podcast: Hatchet Day, Stranded Day, and the Invention Convention. 

Click here for complete show notes.

In this episode, Tara Inman, dean of students for global education, catches up with William Feng ('22), a rising senior from Shanghai, China. William has spent the 2020-2021 school year learning virtually from home and was recently elected to serve as next year's student body president at Darlington, the first international boarding student ever elected to this position. He adjusted his sleep schedule to be completely present for all of his classes this year and received the Hanks Medal for the highest GPA in the entire Upper School as a result of his efforts at staying engaged and working hard. 

Check out our complete show notes on our website: www.darlingtonschool.org/5549636

In this episode, Carson Raymond, director of major gifts, catches up with Mike Jones ('04, LD '16), a creative executive recruiter for Netflix Original Films. 

Since his days at Darlington, Mike Jones ('04, LD '16) has worked for some of the world's largest corporations, sharing his talents with teams at Verizon, ADP, AT&T, Facebook, and Google. Presently, he works as a creative executive recruiter for Netflix. Mike, an Atlanta, Georgia native, was a four-year boarding student at Darlington. Post-Darlington, he graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a B.S. in Marketing & Supply Chain Management. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California. Mike is an active volunteer with the Good City Mentors Program and has been a consistent volunteer for Darlington's biennial Career Day.  

Click here for show notes.

In this episode, Matthew Peer, director of enrollment management, chats with two members of the Class of 2021 who have made the most of their boarding experience at Darlington. Grace Garlinghouse is a four-year boarding student from Fayetteville, Ark., who is president of the Discipline Committee and head residential prefect of Regester House. Jonathan Murphy is a four-year boarding student from Fayetteville, N.C. and is one of Darlington’s National Merit Scholarship Commended Students and a College Board National African American Scholar.

Click here for complete show notes and hear more about Grace and Jonathan.

In this episode, Shelley Daniel, theater director, chats with two members of the class of 2021 who have made a huge impact on the theater program during their time at Darlington. Daria Black is a four-year boarding student from Cinnaminson, N.J. and Siji Soetan is a two-year boarding student from Lagos, Nigeria. Both have held a number of roles as members of the Darlington Players and learned to pivot during their senior year with a transition in the fall to the Darlington Digital Players. Siji is a four-star member of the International Thespian Society and has been involved in six shows during his time at Darlington. Daria is a seven-star honor thespian in the International Thespian Society and has been involved in 10 shows during her four years by the Lakeside. 

Appropriately recorded at center stage of the Zelle Black Box Theater, this podcast is more like a chat among friends who have been through a whirlwind year of producing theater in a number of nontraditional mediums. With three digital productions in the fall, an adapted radio drama, and then an outdoor dinner theater production of "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon'' in The Cove this spring, these two seasoned actors and their fearless leader have had a year like no other. 

Click here for complete show notes.

In this episode, Stefan Eady, assistant head of school for academic resources, chats with Scott and Tonya Greene about Darlington's Teaching and Learning Center and Accelerated Learning Program for Dyslexia. Scott is the director of the Teaching and Learning Center and Tonya is a learning specialist and serves as the ALP coordinator. 

• About the TLC: Founded in 2006, Darlington School’s Glenn Teaching and Learning Center provides individualized academic support to students pre-K to 12 with identified learning differences. Our learning specialists work directly with students in the Center and in the classroom to help them achieve academic success.
• About the ALP: Darlington is the only school in Northwest Georgia to offer a program specifically designed to support students with dyslexia. Focusing on grades 2-5, the Accelerated Learning Program for Dyslexia provides necessary remediation with experienced learning specialists, while enabling students with dyslexia enrolled in the program to receive the full Darlington experience.

"Overcoming Dyslexia" from Dr. Sally Shaywitz, one of the world’s preeminent experts on reading and dyslexia, is the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and practical book available on identifying, understanding, and overcoming reading problems and has recently been revised to reflect the latest research and evidence-based approaches.

The best way to learn more about the Accelerated Learning Program for Dyslexia at Darlington School is to set up a campus visit.

Click here for complete show notes.