About
History
Centennial Celebration
Hockaday by Decade

1990s

Liza Lee Named Headmistress of The Hockaday School

Liza Lee became the first Eugene McDermott Headmistress and the third female head of school. The new Liza Lee Academic Research Center, opened in 1996, stands as a testament to her contributions to Hockaday. During her time at Hockaday, Liza inspired both students and teachers to continue Miss Hockaday’s legacy through her inspiration and caring nature.

Sudie Duncan was the long-time Dean of Students, and her namesake award recognized girls who were cordial and hospitable, similar to the Courtesy Cap that was awarded in the 40's and 50's. Upon Sudie Duncan's death, the School realized the need to change the guidelines to better reflect the spirit of the award.

Marion Crume retired in 1993, after 37 years of service. She began as a classroom teacher in Lower School at mid-year and concluded her career as the Head of Lower School. She was credited with establishing and enhancing the science and art programs in the Lower School along with bringing new ideas and energy to the music program. She is described as a "teacher of teachers who provided unfailingly accreted advice about teaching techniques, curricula, and materials" (Alumnae Magazine, Winter 1993).

The topic of diversity was highlighted in 1994. It was addressed in classrooms, in the Fourcast, and with special events during Diversity Week.

“This year, the theme of the World of Difference club’s Diversity Week was 'Learning How Diversity Affects Politics.' Bob Ray Sanders, the keynote speaker, started off the week with his much awaited speech on diversity within Dallas. Each student, assigned a new identity, attended three workshops concerning her new race, her new distinct characteristics, and her new district. The focus was to plan how to use the city’s money to improve its fourteen districts. Fourteen different city councils met with their decisions at the final assembly to compare how each would try to make Dallas a better place to live.” (from the 1994 Cornerstones yearbook)

Mame

The spring musical for 1996 was Mame, with Form IV student Cynthia Spalding playing the role of Mame. When asked about her experience, Cynthia explained, "With all the musicals it seems like we really practice hard, and the week before the performance we finally pull it all together" (The Fourcast, February 1996)

Many changes occurred this year in both the appearance of the school, the students, and new technology. These changes included the newly constructed Hoak Portico, students wearing their blazers every Monday, new access to the internet, and email on the new HockadayNet.  Both the internet and HockadayNet offered the most significant change as it symbolized the shift into the new era of technology driven education, which Hockaday embraced whole-heartedly.  

Hoak Portico 

The addition of the Hoak Portico gave a renewed image to the Hockaday school grounds.  The goal of the newly designed entrance was to offer a more futuristic and modern look to the Hockaday grounds. The entrance symbolizes Hockaday’s goal of preparing students for the future.

European Choir Trip

The choir traveled to Europe March 25 - April 4, 1999. One student wrote of the experience, “Monday in Salzburg we climbed to the summit of the Hohensalzburg...At the summit, in the music room of the Prince Archbishops of Salzburg, in the very room in which Mozart had performed, the Hockaday choir sang...Earlier in the day we had passed the grave of Mozart’s beleaguered wife, Constanze – now there’s a play some Hockadaisy should write.”


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