As faculty and staff wrapped up their school year on Monday, June 3, neighboring Pugh Pond played host to their end-of-year social and one final celebration of Head of School Doreen Kelly, with some surprise guests joining the fun: Kelly’s colleagues from across her 25 years of service to Ravenscroft.

The event took place on a sun-splashed afternoon in the beautiful venue at Tara Farm, which is owned by longtime trustee Fran Pugh. Lawn games, live music, delicious food and a selfie station made for a special time as current and former trustees, teachers and staff members visited with one another and wished Kelly well. Kendra Varnell, Associate Head of School for Student Affairs, and Chris Kay, Executive Operations Manager for Head of School, made brief remarks in celebration of the occasion. 

Kelly retires at the end of June after a 25-year career at Ravenscroft, 21 years of that as Head of School. She was joined at the event by members of her family.

Enjoy photos from this event on our Flickr page, courtesy of One Vision Photography.

Kelly was previously honored for her service to the school at a March 12 reception given by current and former board members and at the May 3 All-Alumni Awards Ceremony, where she was made an honorary Ravenscroft alum through induction into the Class of 1862. On April 19, it was announced by board chair Laura Helton Kalorin ’92 that the trustees had voted to name the outdoor gathering spaces in the center of campus in recognition of her outstanding legacy of learning, leading and serving. 

Revisit stories and a video about Kelly’s extraordinary tenure and impact on Ravenscroft — and leave Kelly a message of your own — on our webpage Celebrating 21 Years with Head of School Doreen Kelly.