Thornwood School for Girls opened in 1958 and merged with Darlington in 1973 to create the co-educational institution we know today. To honor Thornwood’s legacy and its alumnae, the Thornwood Scholarship was established in 2008 by a group of Thornwood women in celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary. Today, the scholarship continues to provide tuition assistance for a female day student at Darlington’s Upper School, ensuring that Thornwood’s spirit and mission continue to thrive for generations to come.
Brie (Bishop) Mauer (’18) is one of the many Darlington women whose life was shaped by the legacy of Thornwood School for Girls. Now serving as Darlington’s middle grades learning specialist, she sat down with us to share her Darlington story, made possible through the generosity of Thornwood alumnae.
What first drew you to Darlington and how did you become a student here?
My dad is a Darlington alum, so I grew up hearing him and his friends share stories about their incredible experiences here. Before I enrolled, I became friends with several Darlington students my age, who introduced me to the arts program here. I wanted to pursue theater, which wasn’t a major focus at my school at the time. I’ve always loved culture and community, and Darlington promised a chance to step out of my comfort zone, meet people from all walks of life, and be challenged academically. When I first spoke with my parents about attending, we didn’t think it would be an option for our family. It wasn’t until a friend’s mother encouraged us to take a closer look that we learned about the Thornwood Scholarship.
What did it mean for you as a student to receive a Thornwood Scholarship from women in support of the next generation of women?
It wasn’t until my senior year, when I had the chance to meet several of the incredible Thornwood women who made my scholarship possible, that I truly understood the gravity of its impact. These women, who didn’t know me personally, gave me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity simply because others had spoken highly of my character. That kind of trust and generosity is something I can never fully repay. Their support allowed me to attend Darlington, empowering me and opening doors that ultimately led to college and later graduate school. Their belief in me gave a young girl her first chance at what I consider a very successful life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities they made possible.
What house were you in as a day student and what else were you involved in at Darlington?
I was in Thornwood House and loved the sense of community in the dorms, even as a day student. One of my close friends was a day prefect, so I spent a lot of time in the house. I participated in RUMPUS every year and tried almost every category. It was so much fun and I’m still close with many of those friends today.
I tried a lot of extracurriculars! I was in theater, played soccer and volleyball, and served as vice president of Concert Choir, which took up a lot of my time. My favorite play would have to be "Little Shop of Horrors," which was my very first musical at Darlington. My senior year, I played Morticia in "The Addams Family." To this day, little kids and parents at Darlington still recognize me as Morticia, which I think is so funny.
How did being part of this community shape you as a student?
As a student, Darlington became my family and my community. My dad was sick with cancer from the time I was 9 until he passed away when I was 19, and that reality shaped so much of my life during those years. My parents were incredibly loving and supportive to me and my brother, but because of treatments, they couldn’t always be home. Darlington became a place where I could be myself and not carry the weight of that worry. So, I tried every opportunity I could here and I’m so thankful for this place, my friends, and the experiences I was given. What made Darlington even more special was having people here who knew my situation but also my dad, not just as my father but also as a student, alum and friend. That connection made this community feel even more like home.
Which teachers or coaches had a lasting impact on you as a student?
He’ll probably hate that I say this, but Mike Hudson ('94, LD '18) is, to this day, one of my favorite people. I somehow managed to have him as a teacher every year I was at Darlington. As an educator, he’s fantastic, but more importantly, he’s an incredible person who truly believed in me and supported everything I did. He’s had a lasting impact on me both as a teacher and a mentor.
How do you think Darlington helped prepare you for life after graduation?
Darlington taught me how to study and prepare! The first test I ever took as a Darlington student was terrible, but I learned from it and it made me better. I think we hear this so often from Darlington grads, but it’s true when I say college was easy. I knew how to prepare for tests, stay organized, and listen and learn effectively. Darlington also prepared me socially. I’m confident in spaces where I’m surrounded by people who are different from me and know how to make meaningful connections. Many of my closest friendships came from Darlington’s Concert Choir, which brought together everyone from football players to theater kids like me. Being part of that diverse, supportive community helped me grow and step out of my comfort zone.
What inspired you to return to Darlington as a teacher?
Ultimately, I wanted the chance to have the same kind of impact on students that my teachers had on me. Having grown up around Darlington families, especially faculty families, and as someone preparing to start my own family, I also wanted to be part of a community that truly takes care of its people.
I married my high school sweetheart and classmate, Nick Mauer (’18), a “Dar baby” whose entire family has attended Darlington. We started dating our junior year and managed four years of long-distance during college, which was both one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my life. After graduating, we moved back to Rome, got married at Darlington’s Morris Chapel in April 2024, and welcomed our baby girl a year later. She’s 6 months old now and the absolute love of our lives.
What is your role at Darlington today?
I serve as a learning specialist for Darlington’s middle grades. My primary role is teaching executive functioning skills to students with learning differences, but my favorite part of my job is the connections I get to make with our students. Because I’m not teaching a traditional subject like math or science, I can focus on skills they apply across classrooms and at home to study. This creates a more relaxed environment where students can be fully themselves. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch each student’s growth as a learner.
How have scholarship opportunities shaped the Darlington community, and what do you hope current students gain from their experiences here?
I think scholarships bring diversity of culture, experiences, and perspectives, and that’s what makes Darlington so exceptional. My Darlington class was very well-rounded, and I learned so much from so many different people here. For current Darlington students, I hope that they build lasting friendships, gain a deeper understanding of the world, and receive an incredible education that empowers them to pursue their greatest dreams.
If you could send a message to our Thornwood alumni, what would it be?
First and foremost, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here. Thornwood women have paved the way and shown that women belong in every space and are capable of achieving great success. I wrote letters to them every year as a student, and I’m still so grateful for the chance to attend Darlington and for the impact their support has had on my life.
To learn more about establishing an endowment fund such as the Thornwood Scholarship, please click here or email Julie (Wilson) Lucas ('97), chief advancement officer.
Photo by Cameron Flaisch Photography
