Hali and Charlie Staton

For Hali Minter Staton (Prep 2011) the most impactful memory she has from her time as a student at GMC Prep was what she surprisingly dubbed back in high school “the worst week of her life.” While as a teenager Hali might have begrudgingly gone along with JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) at Fort Gordon, she now looks back on this GMC memory with gratitude for the lessons it taught her. “I would have to say my favorite (absolute LEAST favorite at the time) experience was attending JCLC at Fort Gordon the summer before my senior year. I specifically remember a group of us crying almost every day begging to go home. Major Hall was with us at the time and encouraged us every single day to stick it out; lo and behold, that’s what we did. To this day, I still talk about ‘the worst week of my life,’ but I am forever grateful for the experience, what it taught me as a person, and for not giving up,” said Hali.

This young alumna has taken the many life lessons she learned at GMC Prep and used them to spur her on to great success. She has many accomplishments under her belt, even at such a young age. She attended the University of Georgia and graduated in May of 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences and then went on to attend John Marshall Law School in Atlanta, graduating in May of 2020. Now, she works as an Executive Attorney Career Consultant for Parker+Lynch Legal. Hali notes that the character-based curriculum is the most valuable aspect of the GMC education. “The leadership, self-discipline, initiative, and character taught in and out of the classroom are vital for one’s success as a student and as an individual. These principles, instilled in me as a young 6th grader, continue to influence my decisions every day,” shared Hali.

As a young professional, Hali now looks back at the military aspects of GMC to have been incredibly impactful both in her future educational and professional endeavors. “I had so many responsibilities, albeit small, just to prepare myself for school – shining my shoes, shining my brass, making sure my gig line was straight, all among other tasks that I found ‘normal’ that other high school students never even once thought about. My fellow classmates and I had a unique school experience, and I am grateful for the responsibility and values learned from this. GMC stands out from other schools in that it instills the leadership skills and self-discipline needed for a student to be successful beyond middle and high school,” Hali noted.

Hali has known all along she wanted to stay involved in the life of the school and give back to her Alma Mater. “I always knew that I wanted to be involved and give back in some capacity. When I moved back to Milledgeville after college, I knew there was no better time. I absolutely love and am honored to serve on the Alumni Board where I know and see that I am making a direct impact. I also think it’s important to show that if you’re passionate about something, it is never too early to participate in opportunities to engage and contribute,” she said.

Hali not only gives of her valuable time to serve GMC on the Alumni Association Board, but she and her husband Charlie (who is a GMC Class of 2014 alumnus himself) have committed to give financially to support the school as well. Since Hali and Charlie both are alumni of GMC Prep, they are most interested in supporting the Prep School’s future growth and success. “We support GMC financially because we believe in the difference it is making as an institution. Charlie and I both know firsthand the incredible advancements and improvements that are being made at GMC Prep School. We want to aid and support in those efforts as much as we possibly can. I already see our contributions at work and want nothing more than for GMC to grow and thrive, so that one day our children can have an even better experience than we did,” shared Hali.

Hali is an exemplary model for other young alumni in how she has jumped in to make a difference in the life of GMC Prep. She has great advice for GMC young alumni: “If you are passionate and appreciative of your experience at GMC or even want to see changes, it is not too early to get involved and make a difference. Supporting the school, no matter how large or small, is the best way to give back and provide for a better future for other students and future alums. You have the chance to invest in the success of others and doing so makes you feel good that you are making an impact. You are NEVER too young to start giving back!”

Hali and her husband, Charlie, will soon be moving to Savannah, Georgia, where Charlie has accepted a job offer at Gulfstream Aerospace as a project manager. They hope to establish themselves in Savannah and become plugged into the community there. As always, their goal is to stay involved and continue giving back to GMC as much as possible.