Latin School of Chicago

alumni voice Latin's Oldest Living Alumna: My dear friend, Hannah Elizabeth Spohn Hardy By Dr. Kendra H. Gaines '64 On the day before Hannah Elizabeth Spohn entered Latin School for the first time at the age of 12, Latin's principal, Mabel Slade Vickery, introduced her to her new classmates, Cynthia Kohlsaat and her sister, Suzanne. The three girls could not have dreamt that they would become lifelong friends. By senior year, "Beth" had become editor of Latin's yearbook, The Rostra, and worked with Cynthia and Suzanne as literary editors on Vita, a monthly magazine. The three also wrote a spoof of a play popular in Chicago at the time called When Knighthood Flowered, calling their version, When Knighthood Went to Seed. The senior class performed it to the delight of the entire student body. In 1924, all three graduated from Latin, Beth with a magna cum laude – the first such honor conferred in 30 years – and Cynthia and Suzanne cum laude. Beth's father reportedly stayed home from work the next day just to arrange all the flowers the girls received! Beth left Latin for Vassar College, after which she found a husband and then a job in New York City. She met my mother, Frances or "Pert," at a party in Chicago given by mutual friends. Once acquainted, Beth introduced my mother to the Kohlsaat sisters, and the friendship was thus expanded. All the women participated in each other's weddings, and my mother even wore Beth's exquisite wedding dress when she married my father. Forty-three years later, I wore it for my own marriage. Over time, Beth became godmother to the various children from these marriages. She also visited my parents every summer at their home near Chicago. I would go with them each August to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to Above, Beth Spohn's senior portrait. See class notes for a current photo of Hannah Elizabeth Spohn Hardy with Dr. Kendra Gaines. 44 Latin Magazine

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