SEEK and you will learn: Middle school program celebrates 20 years of wonder

By Gabby Welhoelter ‘22, communications department intern

Harpeth Hall recognized 12 students in 7th and 8th grades this spring for completing Harpeth Hall's 20th annual SEEK program, a signature middle school initiative designed to empower self-motivated students to dive deeply into topics of personal interest. SEEK, short for Scholars Engaged in Extending Knowledge, provides participants an opportunity to conduct independent research, create a product, and present their findings to an audience, with feedback and support from their mentors.

"This is all undertaken for intrinsic interest, with no grade attached and no course credit awarded," said Elizabeth Ecker '00, director of the middle school. The participating scholars are "self-starters, independent workers, and committed students."

SEEK alumna Elizabeth Lefler '25, the keynote speaker at this year’s SEEK assembly, believes that the scholars allow others to see a finished product and creative processes that took effort, struggles, setbacks, and failures. 

"Whether it is engaging in the fascinating process or extending the breadth of one's knowledge, SEEK encourages students to explore and be curious for the sake of being curious," she said.

That curiosity was evident in all the students' work. From 7th grade student Belle Yeagle's medical animation on brain tumors to 8th grade student Callie Pritts' experiments in molecular gastronomy, each scholar tackled a unique question with rigor and creativity. 

For 8th grade student Lila Faricy, SEEK was an opportunity to revisit a childhood interest. "As a kid, I was absolutely fascinated by everything to do with weather," she said. This fascination led Lila to choose a local weather phenomenon, tornadoes, so that she could research and learn more about the science behind Nashville’s frequent spring storms. Virginia Harper Bolin '29 turned her summer dance experience into a deep dive into the history of ballet. Inspired by a class she took at Nashville Ballet, Virginia's curiosity was piqued, and SEEK gave her the perfect platform to keep exploring and researching what she loved.

Beyond their chosen topics, the girls in the SEEK program learned valuable skills such as time management, organization, and perseverance as they navigated the independent research and product creation process. They developed problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and independent work habits, driven by intrinsic motivation and a curiosity for learning for its own sake. Working closely with mentors also provided crucial support and feedback, helping them explore ideas in new directions.

The final products created by the SEEK scholars demonstrated a wide range of interests and disciplines. Students translated their research into innovative formats, including educational videos and animations, online games, physical prototypes and models, photography books, and even interactive classes or demonstrations and culinary creations. This variety showcases the program's encouragement of creative expression and the students' ability to find unique ways to share their learning.

A dedicated SEEK faculty committee supported these students — Christie Boyd, Catie Dougherty, Desiree Patterson, Carolyn Pearigen, and Amy Pearson — and their mentors provided feedback, encouragement, and expertise. The SEEK committee chairs, Garen Eadie and Bekah Hassell, helped guide the program to its milestone year.

The culmination of SEEK is not just in the presentations or products but also in the confidence, independence, and curiosity that students carry forward. As the SEEK program marks two decades, it remains a hallmark of middle school excellence and a launchpad for lifelong learning.

Visit our SEEK website for the complete list of scholars and their projects.