The prize, established in memory of the late John T. Rice, is awarded annually to a faculty member who “embodies a true love of teaching and a commitment to motivating and inspiring students, both inside and outside the classroom, to stretch their intellectual boundaries and expand their personal horizons.” In addition, the recipient should “promote positive life skills through her personal example in our community.”

Brooks was selected for the honor by a committee of junior and senior students who have attended St. Margaret’s for at least two years, guided by an advisory board that included Head of School Margaret R. Broad and Assistant Head for School Life Cathy Sgroi.

A 1979 graduate of St. Margaret’s School, Brooks was a five-year day student and senior class vice-president.   She earned her B.A. from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.   Prior to joining the faculty in 1998, she was a full-time parent to daughters Ligon, now a rising SMS junior, and Corbin, a recent Aylett Country Day School graduate who will attend SMS in the fall.   Brooks also worked five years as a research chemist for the American Tobacco Company.

Active in the community, she is a member of the Altar Guild at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where she taught Sunday School for seven years.   She also coaches summer swimming for the Rappahannock Recreation Association River Rats.   Brooks resides in Millers Tavern with her husband, Jeff, and daughters.

The late John T. Rice was a member of the St. Margaret’s School Board of Governors from 1999 until his death in 2003.   The Rice Award was established through the generosity of his family and friends to honor the memory of the career educator, who had served as president of St. Mary’s College in Raleigh and St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, as a dean at James Madison University and Sweet Briar College, as executive director of the Curry School of Education Foundation at the University of Virginia, and as a vice-president at Mary Baldwin College.   At the time of his death, he was vice-president of ministry relations for Wingfield Ministries in Staunton.