Alumnae News
Alumnae Honored at MLK Day Celebration
In January, Hockaday's community gathered to commemorate the extraordinary life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to explore the theme for the event, “Coming Together.”
Hockaday honored pioneers in our own community. Josette Kirven Valtierra ’80 was Hockaday’s first African-American student, entering Hockaday as a First Grade student in 1968.
Sisters Traci Williams and Honorable Judge Staci Williams, arrived in Hockaday in 1972, joining the class of 1977 in the Eighth Grade. Along with Valencia Yarbrough, who came to Hockaday in 1970, they made up the first African-American graduates of Hockaday.
Finally, we recognized Mary Lois Hudson Sweatt as Hockaday’s pioneering African-American faculty member. She began her teaching journey at Hockaday in 1972 as a dance teacher. Members of Mrs. Sweatt’s family joined us, as she passed away in 2016 after mentoring thousands of dancers in Dallas.
Upper School students led the school on a unity walk around campus to conclude the day, with quotes from Dr. King, Jr. displayed in the halls.
The Hockaday School
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.