Page 50 - Priorities #70

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Last Volunteer Standing, Jennifer Hammer
Taking it One Frame at a Time Since 2004
By Liz Kendall
Jennifer Hammer knows Priory. Beginning when her daughter Eleanor (Ellie) Oates ’10 entered Priory’s 6th grade in 2003, Jennifer did what was natural to her and looked for opportunities to volunteer. She imagined she might be a class parent, but in the spring of 2004 when Father Martin was unable to photograph the theatre performance, Jennifer stepped in and has photographed every theater production since. Along the way, she and her husband added videography as well, providing photos and videos to parents and the school. Taking 3,000-4,000 initial photographs of the show, Jennifer says she takes a day and a half to narrow the images down to 400-800 and aims for 10 great pictures of each actor and actress.
As Ellie continued to be part of Priory’s twice-annual theater productions until she graduated, Hammer took on new volunteer roles beyond photography and videography. In 2007, she co-chaired the Cinco de Mayo-themed gala and chaired it herself in 2008, with a theme of “An Evening in Monte Carlo.” Continuing to volunteer in the theater realm, she remembers working with the costumer and refreshment stand, and decorating the theater’s entry hall for Christmas during the performances of “A Christmas Carol. “
Hammer describes the volunteering experience as “a gift to be closer” to Ellie and that she was happy to share a part of her Priory experience with her. With Hammer continuing to photograph the performances in the eight years since her daughters graduation, she has delighted in continuing to work with the theater department and meeting today’s students. “The theater program meant so much to my daughter. If at all possible, find time to volunteer because it’s so great to see what’s going on, especially in the theater, it’s such a magical relationship these kids have together.”
Hammer’s best advice for volunteering at your child’s school is to make yourself invisible. “You need to be able to do it in a way where your kid is going to be ok and comfortable. I tried never to show my face in front of her and her friends. It’s so precious for them to have their space. It’s a privilege to be a part of it.”
“It’s a privilege to be a part of it”
VOLUNTEERISM