Nancy Van Voorhees, Class of 1924 and a Sun, is recognized for her excellence in athletics while both a student at The Ethel Walker School and after graduation. A highly versatile athlete, she played for both the Suns and on the Varsity team in ice hockey, basketball (winning the “Golden Basketball” in 1922), baseball, and track, and was also on the tennis team. Nancy was secretary of the Athletic Council in 1922, and served as its president in 1923 and 1924. While she was a star in many of her sports, it was in track where Nancy competed at the highest level. At the age of 15, she became the youngest member of the first Women’s Olympic track team, competing in the 1922 Women’s World Games. She tied for a gold medal in high jump in the 1924 Paris games.

Later in life, Nancy devoted much of her time to volunteer work mostly in support of hospitals. She volunteered for the Presbyterian Hospital and was treasurer of its Women’s Auxiliary, and sat on the Board of Managers of Holy Comforter’s United Hospital Fund. The Voorhees Cup, one of The Ethel Walker School’s highest athletic awards, is named for Nancy, and is awarded “to the best all-around athlete who has at all times shown good sportsmanship and good school spirit.”