Alumnae Service Awards
2010 Award: Ann Norvell Gray '65
Susie Mote
The Hannah Mallory Perkins ’40 Alumnae Service Award has been given to an alumna, who over the years has given back to the community of St. Margaret’s School through gifts of time and talent. Ann Norvell Rice Gray ’65 was honored this year with the award, at her 45th year reunion. Husband Robert, mother Polly ’35, and many classmates and friends were present to honor Ann as she received the award at the luncheon held over Reunion weekend.

In the early 1990s, Ann worked closely with friends of the school, Sue and Stan Muirhead, on the interior design of the Louise M. Velletri Faculty Student Center. Her design concept focused on the expression of community and interaction, domestic comfort, and self-expression for each girl at St. Margaret’s. Not only did her degree in interior design from the Boston School of Architecture allow her to bring a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere to the Center, but her own experience as a student gave her an insider’s view on what qualities would be desired. Ann remembers “growing up in a community that provided her with a creative life” that was structured and encouraging, and wanted to re-create those feelings through the design of the students’ common area.

Ann’s volunteerism continued at St. Margaret’s as class agent for the Class of 1965. For Ann, St. Margaret’s was her “saving grace”, an extension of her own family. She chose to maintain the position over the years because of the joy it brought her to connect with her classmates and share their accomplishments with the school through The Thistle.

Her outreach and creative talent extends to all alumnae through the newest publication for the Office of Development and Alumnae Affairs, The Bridge. Ann produces fascinating and intriguing feature articles for the alumnae newsletter on a quarterly basis.

Ann’s artistic and creative talents were encouraged and honed through her many activities as a senior. Some of these included student assembly, dramatics club, and editor of yearbook, The Current. A recipient of the Aylett prize, as well, Ann was recognized for her sportsmanship, defined as fairness, courteous relations, and graceful acceptance of results. She was also voted Most Valuable Player on the varsity basketball and field hockey teams.

Never feeling criticized for her ‘chatterbox’ nature, Ann believes that St. Margaret’s support kept her “from living with a critical voice.” Ann says the encouragement that she received reinforced her values, gave her inspiration to follow her dreams, and the school’s firm structure maintained a sense of family and community. Due to the support and encouragement she received, Ann donates her time and skills as a way to give back. Her contributions have consistently saved the school time and money.

Voted most likely to be the editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch her senior year, Ann maintains her love of writing today, not only through The Bridge, but as a freelance writer in Richmond.