The Ethel Walker School Celebrates the Installation of the Sixteenth Head of School

10/5/2007
The Ethel Walker School held the induction ceremony for the sixteenth Head of School in its 97-year history, with the installation of Elizabeth (Bessie) Cromwell Speers. Close to 400 attended the ceremony, held in the School’s non-denominational chapel, where music was interspersed with eloquent speeches from Walker’s faculty, alumnae, Board of Trustees and students, as well as from Ms. Speers’ former colleagues, her family and her mentors.

As an introduction to the program, Walker’s Harmonious Bells group performed "Nan Ducket." Trustee Sue Cesare then welcomed the attendees, sharing her confidence that Speers will build on the School's positive achievements and accomplishments of the past decade. Speers’ “passion for the education of young women and vision of the excellence that comes along with that” will spearhead this continued progress. Cesare noted that Speers is “the right fit to lead this school towards even more golden hours.”

Speers' husband, Tom, shared a poem by e.e. cummings; "i thank You God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue true dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." Senior Karen Santana ’08 led Walker’s School meditation, which in part states, “May there be peace and unity in the lives we share here together, and strength to take us through our daily challenges.”

Gail Smith, Associate Director of Athletics for Speers’ alma mater, Middlebury College, and one of her mentors, took to the podium and shared her expectation for Walker’s new Head to “foster the same kinds of relationships she had made while at Middlebury.” Speers was an “impact player,” someone who, just by being on the field, made her teammates play even better. This, Smith said, was the way Speers will lead the team at Walker's.

Walker’s Chamber Orchestra performed "The Magic Flute" as dappled autumn sunlight and warm breezes streamed in through the tall windows of the chapel. Eight grader Jordana (Monet) Clarke eloquently read yet another lovely poem, preceding L. Hamilton (Ham) Clark, Jr., Head of School at Episcopal Academy, where Speers’ was Assistant Head prior to accepting her new position at Walker’s. He shared recollections of Speers’ dating back to her time as a tennis counselor and the promise he saw in her even at that young age.

Student Body President, Kathleen Kirby led a rose ceremony, as presidents of each class presented Speers with a different colored rose with a message attached to each:
A Yellow Rose signifies new beginnings;
Red & White Roses given together signify our unity;
An Orange Rose signifies the enthusiasm you bring to us;
A single Red Rose signifies your love and courage;
A Deep Pink Rose signifies our appreciation and gratitude.

Dr. Julia Sheldon, Chair of Walker’s Science Department, and her daughter, Darby, took to the podium for a charming welcome, followed by The Ethel Walker Choir singing "Gabi, Gabi."

Susan Savage Speers, Tom Speers’ mother and Trustee Emeritus of Bryn Mawr College and Princeton University, shared her own special welcome, which included a quote from her great-great grandfather, Augustus Hand, also a Middlebury graduate. “Truly education makes the woman. The graceful step, the sprightly countenance and vivid glance may cause our hearts to flutter, but the brightness of the polished mind visits the whole soul.” Mrs. Speers then shared a message from Mary Patterson McPherson, President Emeritus of Bryn Mawr College, and a mentor to Bessie. Ethel Walker was a graduate of Bryn Mawr, and she was one of the women in the “early 1900’s who put their talents and, in some cases, their fortunes to work to provide high quality educational opportunities for girls and women, (and) are probably most responsible for the rich and full lives that women lead today.” She concluded, “May there be no hours here, unless Golden,” referring to the School’s motto, “Only the Golden Hours.”

Walker’s President of the Board of Trustees, C. Hugh Hildesley, read the Charge for the Head of The Ethel Walker School: “You are called to set the tone of this community, to maintain its highest standards and principles, and to represent it to the outside world.” Then, on a lighter note, Hildesley shared his quest for an “Installation Kit” at Home Depot, whereby he produced a replica of the key that unlocked the door to the Bastille, as a symbol of Speers' “task to respect the traditions of freedom and to open doors.” Also included were a bricklayer’s trowel to represent the “continued building of this School” and a level to demonstrate the balance required of a leader.

As part of his concluding remarks, Hildesley presented Speers with an evergreen tree, to remind all in attendance that Walker’s campus will always be green, a reference to the recent conservation of over 300 acres of The Ethel Walker Woods, as well as to demonstrate the continued opportunity for growth. He asked Speers to plant the sapling near her home on campus and to nurture it as she will nurture the students of the School.

Speers then took to the podium. "Miss Walker’s spirit is amidst us today," she said, as Walker's 268 students listened. "It is this commitment to students, to your growth, your learning, laughing, your loving silliness and seriousness, your questioning, your playing, acting, and singing your way through your years here at Walker’s that inspired Miss Walker and will continue to inspire Heads of Schools like me." Speers shared an anecdote that every attendee was able to interpret in a personal way. "I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read: Find what you love and love what you find. I have surely found what I love and already love what I have found, in you – this community. You are full of courage, creativity, compassion and character. Find what you love and love what you find! This is a good way to begin together – to make this the best year ever."

The ceremony ended with the singing of Walker’s school song, and a recessional accompanied by "Toccatta from Symphony V," performed on the magnificent Aeolian-Skinner Organ Opus 1349.

For the full text of Bessie Speers' remarks, click here.