Augusta Prep is thrilled to announce Ms. Catherine Blanchard Boardman ‘80 and Mrs. Katherine Troutman Ferrara ‘78 as co-chairs for the 50^th anniversary celebration of Augusta Preparatory Day School. The 50^th Anniversary will take place during the 2010-2011 school year to celebrate the founding of Augusta Preparatory School in 1961.

Classes began at The Hill Baptist Church on September 5^th, 1961, with thirty-eight students in grades 7-12. Students moved to the current campus in Martinez in the fall of 1963.  Augusta Country Day School (ACDS), which accepted Kindergarten through 6^th graders, was founded in 1972 and was originally located on Boy Scout Road until ACDS moved to the Flowing Wells campus in the fall of 1973. Augusta Preparatory Day School was formed in 1988, when Augusta Country Day School and Augusta Preparatory School merged to form a Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School.

Before attending Augusta Prep, Ms. Catherine Blanchard Boardman attended William Robinson School and Episcopal Day School. During Catherine's time at Prep, she participated in Yearbook Business Staff, Handbook Committee, Yearbook Literary Staff, Service Club, Literary Board, Library Staff, Chorus, Track, Cheerleading and she was also the Junior and Senior Class Secretary and a Key Club Sweetheart.

After graduating from Prep in 1980, Catherine attended College of Charleston. She majored in English and was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Upon graduation from College of Charleston, Catherine returned to Augusta to work in the Office of Institutional Relations at the Medical College of Georgia. She and Clay Boardman ‘77, have three children: Clayton ‘06, Carter ‘08, and Catherine (an eighth grader at Episcopal Day School).

Mrs. Katherine Troutman Ferrara went to St. Mary's, Forrest Hills, and Episcopal Day School before attending Augusta Prep in the 7^th grade. While at Prep, Katherine participated in Glee Club, Literary Board, Backpacking Club, Service Club, Yearbook Literary Staff, and Outdoor Education. Katherine also served as the Senior Class Vice President. Just like Ms. Boardman, Katherine was a Key Club Sweetheart as well! Katherine's favorite memories from Prep took place in her 7^th and 12^th grade years when students traveled on chartered buses to the State Soccer Championship games.

Upon graduation from Augusta Prep, Katherine attended Mount Vernon College (which is now a part of George Washington University) in D.C. Katherine majored in Communications and met her future husband, Martin, at Hampden-Sydney (where her son now attends college). After living in Atlanta and Charleston, Katherine and her husband, Martin, settled in Augusta. Their son, Martin, graduated from Prep in 2008, and their daughter, Alexandra, is currently a sophomore. 

Although Catherine and Katherine agree that Prep has changed significantly in facilities and academic, fine arts, and athletic programs, they both agree that the school still "feels the same" with exceptional faculty, who provide students with a challenging and nurturing academic environment.

Thank you Catherine and Katherine for your continued support of Prep! There is certainly much to celebrate!