Family Spotlight: The Vogels

“Piper researched schools during her sixth-grade year, focusing only on boarding schools with great riding programs. On a southern road trip that year, she realized we were passing through Chatham and asked if we could go visit,” explained Susie Vogel, Piper’s mother. “We stopped in unannounced and were quickly scooped up by Ms. Barnhardt. It was then that we knew Chatham Hall was the right school for Piper.”

 

More than simply the right school, Chatham Hall has become a part of the family. Alex, Piper’s father and owner of AVA Restoration Services, loves traveling to Chatham for the Turtle Café and the opportunity to make new friends and connect with other School families. Susie loves all aspects of the night before Graduation, especially the Lantern Ceremony that she describes as “breathtaking.”

 

When not on campus, the Vogels enjoy a number of family activities from homecooked meals to late afternoon lake swims, making gingerbread houses to watching the fire together on a snowy night, and always listening to true crime podcasts. Despite enjoying so many hobbies together, they value all that Piper gains by attending a boarding school.

 

“We love the fact that Chatham Hall encourages the girls to seek out the answers to questions or problems on their own, rather than having their parents do it.  This has allowed Piper to grow into the independent, confident girl she is,” said Susie. “We’d advise any family thinking of a boarding school to ask lots of questions of the Admission Office - they know their girls! Also, if given the opportunity to visit the School and spend the night, the campus speaks for itself. It’s beautiful, safe, and full of kind, helpful, smart adults!”