The George School Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have used their talents, expertise and personal commitment to make a positive impact on those around them. This year’s award-winner was photographer and George School board member Ashley Garrett ’76, who received the award as her class celebrated their fiftieth reunion during Alumni Weekend 2026. 

Before the weekend celebrations began, Ashley guest-taught a special senior seminar in the George School Meeting House. She had three pieces of advice for the soon-to-be graduates: go with the flow, remember to take a breath, and stay calm.

“Focus on your own goals, be nice to others and work hard to be a part of your community,” she said. “Do not compare what other people are doing to what you are doing — be glad for those people and then move on.”

A photographer based in New York City, Ashley specializes in production photos for theater, music and dance, and portraits for individuals and groups. Prior to becoming a full-time photographer, Ashley spent close to 20 years managing the All Souls Soup Kitchen, a privately funded organization that serves more than 25,000 hot sit-down meals each year. She began her career as a theater teacher at George School and for more than 25 years worked at a variety of schools, including The Brearley School and Amber Charter School. 

Ashley currently serves on the George School Board, as well as the boards of the NYC Autism Charter School (where she also teaches photography), Statement Arts (an organization dedicated to bringing the performing arts to underserved students), Zara Aina (an organization that helps children in Madagascar harness the power of theatrical storytelling and performance) and Buckingham Friends School. 

As a Board member at George School, Ashley helped move the school forward in important ways, including supporting the expansion of the counseling program and collaborating on the development of our campus master plan. She has been a consistent, strategic voice in helping to map George School’s future.

Head of School Justin Brandon presented Ashley with the award at the All-Alumni Gathering held on Alumni Weekend.

“Ashley makes each day count, and truly lives for others. Her beautiful photography gets right to the heart of humanity; she has an uncanny talent for capturing personality and emotion, connecting subject to audience. Her teaching and marketing experience tapped into her talent for getting right to the heart of the matter; she is direct, forthright and clear. Her years of work with all of the schools and organizations she has served get right to the heart of who she is — someone who, in the words of George School’s mission, ‘treasures learning and uses it to benefit a diverse world.’”

In her speech, Ashley expressed gratitude to her parents for their commitment to Quaker education, and to her teachers at both Buckingham Friends School and George School who helped ingrain Quaker values into her daily life, specifically the importance of working toward consensus, of being trustworthy and ethical, focusing on kindness and serving others. Much of her service work has been an effort to pass these values on to the next generation.

“The best thing I did at that Soup Kitchen was include children to set tables, make desserts and wait tables, allowing them to see with their own eyes that people who come to the soup kitchen are a lot like their grandfather or their uncle — they’re just going through a tough time and need a little extra help.  As they continued to visit, they started to understand that service should be a part of their everyday lives.”

Describing her work teaching photography to students with autism, Ashley shared, “I get to teach students tips and tricks that will help them take better photos – photos that will move people and make people think. I get to see these students, many of whom are nonverbal, communicate through their photos. It is creativity at its best.”

“I cannot begin to express my gratitude for receiving this award from a school I love so much,” Ashley said. “I would also like to thank my family, especially my husband, whose hard work for so many years has given me the freedom to serve others in our community.”