The first step in a year of celebrating Lark's leadership
By Steve Gordon, chair of the Catlin Gabel board of trustees
This is a year for celebration—a celebration of where we’ve been, where we’re going, and Lark Palma’s contribution to our journey. This is Lark’s last year as Catlin Gabel’s head. For nearly two decades, she has completely dedicated herself to guiding the school to the fullest expression of its mission.Honoring Lark this year begins with a fitting tribute from Phil and Penny Knight—the renaming of the Knight Family Scholars Program to the Palma Scholars Program. The Knights appreciated Lark’s vision for innovating curriculum and broadening our admission reach. In Phil’s own words:
“In celebration and recognition of Lark Palma’s remarkable career at Catlin Gabel and the legacy she leaves, as she embarks on her final year as head of school, the Knight Family Scholars Program will now and forever be referred to as the Palma Scholars Program. To be consistent with future recipients and to not confuse the community, all eight prior recipients will be deemed to be the Palma Scholars. Congratulations to Lark.”
The Palma Scholars Program brings in exceptional 9th graders—excelling in academics, athletics, leadership, and service—and provides all Catlin Gabel Upper School students with new ways to learn based on collaboration and creativity. The program prepares tomorrow’s leaders with an inspired curriculum that we hope will serve as a model for our nation’s high schools.
Lark’s expansive vision for education has also focused on increasing the availability of a great education. From the start of her teaching career she has believed in the importance of financial aid and the necessity for a school community that would represent the wider community. “We could not deliver the kind of education we want to without diverse voices,” she says. “I am confident that through all means possible, including increased financial assistance, the school will continue to incorporate this wide range of voices and cultural values.
”When Lark was told about the honors planned for her, she said, “I’m proud to have my name on the Scholars Program for 9th graders, and to be associated with our general financial aid endowment benefiting students of all ages. All my life I have believed that the best way to provide equality is to provide access to education. This is an irrefutable truth.”
To kick off this celebratory year and acknowledge Lark’s abiding interest in financial aid, the board and I invite you to join us in honoring Lark in one of these ways:
• Make a gift to the Palma Scholars Program to benefit Upper School students
• Make a gift to Catlin Gabel’s general financial aid endowment fund for students of all ages demonstrating need
These are fitting tributes to Lark, who has dedicated her career to attracting excellent students regardless of their ability to pay tuition, and creating an innovative and vibrant curriculum and a secure financial future for Catlin Gabel.
Please join us this year as we continue to recognize Lark’s extraordinary leadership. To make gifts to the Palma Scholars Program or Catlin Gabel’s financial aid endowment in Lark’s honor, please email Miranda Wellman ’91, director of advancement, or call 503-297-1894 ext. 398.