Celebrating Friendship and Sisterhood: A Century of Memories at GPS

At Girls Preparatory School, the threads of friendship and sisterhood run deep, weaving connections that transcend generations. Few embodied this spirit more vividly than alumna Betty Wills Franklin, Class of 1940, who passed away this November, just shy of her 103rd birthday. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with Betty earlier this year, and her reflections, along with those of her daughter Sara Franklin Wilson ’61 and Sara’s best friend, Joanne Dixon Albright ’61, who was like a daughter to Betty, paint a rich portrait of the lifelong bonds and transformative experiences forged at an all-girls school.

Betty began her journey at GPS in the seventh grade when the school was located on Palmetto Street. Her days were filled with classes, history being her favorite subject, and dances with friends at nearby boys’ schools McCallie and Baylor. “We went to May Day celebrations, danced, and found joy in simple moments with friends,” she reminisced. Betty’s best friend, Baird McClure ’40, was a constant source of laughter and support, even standing beside her during her wedding in 1942.

The legacy of sisterhood continued through Betty’s family. Her nephew David Wills sent his three daughters to GPS, bringing Betty back to campus for Chapel Talks and other treasured traditions. Meanwhile, her daughter Sara remembers her time at GPS, where she was head cheerleader and active in Terpsichord, the school’s iconic dance program that began in 1954. “We danced every day—it was a time of creativity, focus, and fun,” Sara shared.

The bonds between classmates extended to their teachers as well. Betty, Sara, and Joanne (who joined GPS in eighth grade after moving from Pennsylvania) recall the indelible influence of beloved faculty members like Miss Duffy, Miss Jarnagin, and Mary Hannah Tucker, whose presence left a lasting impression despite her stern reputation.

While academics taught them discipline, it was the friendships that shaped their GPS experience. “I attended GPS because all my friends were going there,” Betty said simply. “Being with them was the best part.” Sara echoed this sentiment: “I loved being in an all-girls environment. It taught me how to focus, be still, and appreciate the things I loved, like softball and dancing with Terpsichord.”

Today, Betty’s legacy lives on through her stories and the generations of GPS girls who continue to experience the transformative power of sisterhood. Her reflections remind us that while the world has changed since her days on Palmetto Street, the values of friendship, camaraderie, and shared purpose remain timeless at GPS.