Through this special Darlington Connects blog series, we are proud to showcase the stories, connections, and lasting impact of a community that continues to embody Darlington’s mission and values long after graduation. Today, we hear from Alumni Council member Emily Hendrickson (’06, LD ’25).
Emily Hendrickson serves as chief of staff to the head of design at Meta, where she thrives in fast-paced environments surrounded by high-capacity leaders. Whether on the basketball court or in the tech world, Emily has always played the role of point guard, setting her team up for success. “I’m good at injecting just enough process into a project so that it supports the vision rather than getting in the way,” she said.
After graduating from Darlington in 2006, Emily attended the University of Tennessee, majoring in sports management with a minor in business management. Her career path led her through nonprofit work and a role at Indeed before ultimately landing at Meta.
Emily is a proud Darlington legacy. Her father, Bob Hendrickson (’71), and uncle, Doug Hendrickson (’74), both attended as boarding students. Bob lived in Trippeer Hall in its very first year of existence, and in a remarkable twist of fate, he later helped move Emily into the same room when she enrolled at Darlington. This was confirmed when Emily discovered his signature under the desk. Emily’s year in Trippeer would be its last, creating a meaningful bookend to the life of the building.
Before choosing Darlington, Emily explored multiple school options. It was her tour of the A.J. Huffman (67) ’Athletic Center that ultimately convinced her that Darlington was the right place. She immediately envisioned herself on the basketball court, where she would thrive as a Lady Tiger, earning a spot on the varsity team as the only freshman. Her teammates affectionately called her “Freshy,” a nickname that stayed with her throughout high school and beyond. One of her favorite memories came during a game against undefeated Dade County when she hit a clutch, game-winning shot that handed them their first loss.
Emily quickly emerged as a student leader. She served as president of the “Y” Cabinet, captain of the basketball team, and a member of the Student Support Team. She credits Darlington’s leadership culture and strong role models for shaping her into the leader she is today.
“I showed up at Darlington as a 14-year-old kid and graduated four years later with perspective and maturity that has shaped me into the person I am today,” she said.
Emily encourages today’s boarding students to fully embrace the diversity and cultural richness of the Darlington Community. She believes that living and learning alongside students from around the world strengthened her communication skills and helped her build meaningful relationships that later led to professional opportunities.
Reflecting on her time at Darlington, Emily fondly recalls the early 2000s. She remembers jumping into a friend’s green Ford Taurus for Starbucks runs, blasting John Mayer, and wearing the iconic double polo with popped collars. Although she carries many joyful memories from her time in high school, she also acknowledged deep moments of loss that were pivotal moments in her. During her years at Darlington, Emily and her classmates experienced the heartbreaking deaths of several peers and friends.
“It was the people that showed up to support us during these hard times that made it so special,” she said. “The leaders, the people, the caring Darlington community-- they were the constants that helped us heal.”
Emily will celebrate her 20th reunion during Alumni Weekend 2026. Two decades after graduating, she remains an ardent supporter of Darlington. She is an active member of the Alumni Council, a 2025 graduate of Leadership Darlington, a contributor to The Darlington Fund, and a passionate advocate for the boarding program.
“I have had nothing but a positive experience at Darlington, and that is what drives me to give back,” she said. “It means so much that I can support the school that gave me so much.”
