Alumna Spotlight: Amber Huggins ’16

11/15/2021

For Amber Huggins ’16, her years majoring in health science and minoring in pre-physician assistant studies at James Madison University (JMU) also included a variety of life experiences.

Becoming a member of Gamma Phi Beta, volunteering with Girls on the Run, studying art history in Italy, and working as a student caller at JMU, pharmacy technician at CVS, and arts director at Camp Cheerio all took place alongside more typical student experiences. And all had their roots in Chatham Hall.

“Chatham gave me a safe space to grow and form connections,” said Huggins. “The art classes I took every semester at Chatham really encouraged me to explore my artistic talents. Mrs. Morley pushed me to be a better artist and I am grateful for that encouragement. I have continued to use this talent in several ways. I volunteered my time to paint philanthropy banners for my sorority. I created an advanced art class at Camp Cheerio, teaching the campers how to paint with watercolors. I also accept commissions to help support myself while I’m in school.”

Huggins is currently working towards a master’s degree in public health at the University of Virginia with a position at PricewaterhouseCoopers in its Health Industries Risk Consulting practice awaiting her after graduation. She also runs an Etsy shop, Art by Ambie16, that includes watercolor paintings of Chatham Hall.

Her time at Chatham Hall was marked by supportive teachers, close friendships, and the traditions that generations of students and alumnae have shared.

“The holidays were always so spirited and brought everyone together,” Huggins remembered. “I particularly loved Decoration Day my junior year. Our Narnia-themed Yardley was so much fun to put together. I can still remember walking through the ‘wardrobe’ that was the hallway from Pruden to Yardley and into the ‘forest’ that was in Yardley.”

Though Huggins’ most recent Chatham Hall Reunion could not take place in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not stop her from creating new memories.

“When our Reunion was cancelled, Anna Grace '16, Torey Bates '16, Victoria Bongard '16, and I took a trip to Savannah, GA to celebrate our enduring friendship!”

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