By Malauri Uhl, middle school English teacher.

Vanderbilt was my mom’s signature scent for many years. She first purchased it at Dillard’s, using earnings from her job delivering root beer floats on roller skates at the local A&W. Over time, finding a bottle nestled in her Christmas stocking became a cherished tradition. The small, round atomizer, adorned with the delicate outline of a swan, graced her vanity on a mirrored tray. I recall leaving fingerprints on the shiny gold lid as I lifted it to inhale the familiar aroma — a blend of floral, citrus, and musk.

The olfactory pyramid serves as a blueprint for the intricate layers that compose fragrances, from the first burst of top notes to the lasting base notes. This sensory complexity isn’t exclusive to perfumes but extends to everyday products like soaps, detergents, and shampoos. Whether you prefer Guerlain Shalimar or Chanel N°5, Old Spice Fiji or Degree Cool Rush, Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap or Dove Original—or even unscented products — it’s fascinating to consider the sheer scope of scents captivating noses across the globe. 

Like perfumes and colognes, individuals are multifaceted, inherently valuable, and evolving. Beyond the surface, there’s much to appreciate in the richness of our humanness. We leave lingering silages of memories, connections, and creations wherever we go, and even our sharpest attributes contribute to harmonious balance. 

The eighth-graders have been exploring this extended metaphor as they write testimonials to share at their graduation celebration in June. The testimonial project is a longstanding Hyla tradition that challenges every eighth-grader to craft a tribute to another eighth-grader’s impact on their life and the school community. Two weeks ago, each student drew another student’s name from a sea of face-down index cards on the couch in the counselor’s office. They then began the hard work of identifying and capturing that person’s essence in writing. 

Going beyond the top note or first impression initially proved difficult for some. We looked at similarities between people and fragrances to help students move past a surface understanding of their selected person. After identifying the elements in Carolina Herrera’s Bad Boy and Maison Louis Marie’s No.13 Nouvelle Vague, each student created an aroma concept inspired by the person whose name they drew, featuring distinct top, middle, and base notes. This exercise yielded beautiful designs and a greater appreciation for the uniqueness of each person in the group. Students are now writing and polishing their testimonials, tasks that involve great resourcefulness, organization, discretion, and contemplation. 

Just as a hint of Vanderbilt evokes strong recollections in my life, each testimonial represents rich memories and connections in each student’s life. The testimonial project amplifies the best in Hyla students. At the sunset of their middle school years, the eighth-graders embody what they have practiced all along at Hyla during middle school — “taking care of each other” (our school motto) by truly knowing one another.