2026 Ashley Hall Alumnae Association Awards
2026 Alumnae Association Award Winners | Left to right: Elizabeth DuPre Brown ‘96, Cashion Drolet ‘97, Miller Bianucci ‘11, Anne Frances Bleecker ‘76 (not pictured: Dessane Cassell ‘10)
The Ashley Hall Alumnae Association is pleased to announce the 2026 Alumnae Association Award Winners including the Dewar Gordon Holmes ’26 Distinguished Alumna Award. Please join us in congratulating these alumnae who embody the mission of Ashley Hall both professionally and personally.
2026 Alumnae Award Winners
Given to an Ashley Hall alumna who exhibits outstanding volunteer and community service, this award honors Fern Karesh Hurst, Class of 1964.
Anne Frances Bleecker ’76
Anne Frances is the epitome of selflessness. In addition to leading an all-female law firm for almost thirty years, she has devoted her life in service to Ashley Hall, to the City of Charleston, her church, and the many other communities to which she belongs. She served two terms on the Charleston City Council and served on the boards of numerous organizations including as Chair of Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach’s board, and the Chair of the Ashley Hall Board of Trustees. Above all, she is a kind person who embodies the PQV way of life. Her generosity with her time and her talents makes her a shining example of an Ashley Hall alumnae and highly deserving of the Fern Karesh Hurst ’64 Community Volunteer Award!
Given to an Ashley Hall alumna who exhibits outstanding achievement in her chosen profession, this award honors Crandall Close Bowles, Class of 1965.
Cashion Drolet ’97
Cashion has not only been an incredible advocate for Ashley Hall over the years, but she has also used her advocacy skills to excel professionally through her impressive career in government affairs and policy. She is a multi-skilled advocacy, community, and government relations professional with more than 20 years of experience in public policy, grassroots engagement, and lobbying at all levels of government. As a highly respected and trusted professional in her field, one of Cashion’s biggest strengths has been her ability to foster strong personal and professional relationships. She is currently Vice President of Government & Public Relations for Security Finance Corporation. Previously, she served as Chief Advocacy Officer for Historic Charleston Foundation, Director of State & Local Government Relations for the International Council of Shopping Centers, Policy Director for a City of Charleston Mayoral Candidate, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Chief Lobbyist for the South Carolina Association of Realtors, Government Affairs Director for the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® and Legislative Assistant to US Congressman Henry Brown. Each of these positions exhibits Cashion’s leadership and dedication to improving and preserving our city and state through strong and meaningful relationships.
Given to an Ashley Hall alumna who has been recognized by her peers for outstanding work in the performing or visual arts, this award honors Mrs. Martha Rivers Ingram, Class of 1953.
Dessane Cassell ’10
Dessane Lopez Cassell is an internationally recognized editor, writer, producer, and curator whose work sits at the forefront of contemporary film and visual culture. She has made significant contributions to the arts — particularly through her critical engagement with film, visual art, and cultural discourse. Dessane’s criticism and writing have been published in major outlets including Los Angeles Times, Film Comment, MUBI Notebook, The Criterion Collection’s Current, Metrograph Journal, and Hyperallergic. She was Editor-in-Chief of the journal Seen (published by BlackStar Projects), where she helped elevate nuanced conversations about film and visual culture by and about people of color. She has programmed and curated major exhibitions, screenings, and public programs at leading cultural institutions and organizations, including the Museum of Modern Art, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Metrograph (in partnership with Abrons Arts Center), Anthology Film Archives, and BlackStar Film Festival. Dessane has been awarded competitive scholarly fellowships including a Fulbright and was named a DOC NYC Documentary New Leader in 2022. She is currently an Executive Producer at Mostly Works, an artist-run production company. Dessane’s interdisciplinary approach — bridging criticism, curating, and production — demonstrates a deep commitment to expanding access and representation in the arts. She uplifts underrepresented voices, shapes critical dialogues about film and visual culture, and has worked across esteemed artistic platforms both nationally and internationally.
Given to an Ashley Hall alumna, 35 years old or younger, who personally and professionally exhibits the mission of the School, this award honors the memory of Tonisha Bell Alston, Class of 1999 whose life and independent spirit embodied the key pillars of the Ashley Hall mission.
Miller Bianucci ’11
Since middle school, Miller has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to The Foundation for Tomorrow (TFFT), a cause that would shape her academic and professional journey in profound ways. This passion for equitable education led her to the University of Oxford, where she focused her double Masters degree studies on African education systems. Rather than simply studying from a distance, Miller remained actively engaged with TFFT, using her research to inform real-world solutions. This dedication, expertise, and vision ultimately led her to step into the role of Executive Director (only the second in the organization’s history) following in the footsteps of a female mentor she deeply admired. Miller exemplifies the values of Ashley Hall: leadership, service, and perseverance. She is one of the kindest people you will ever meet and has a rare gift for making everyone she encounters feel seen, heard, and valued. Her deep curiosity about others allows her to engage meaningfully, forging genuine connections that inspire trust and collaboration. This ability, paired with her relentless passion, makes her not just a leader, but a force for good in every space she enters. Her lifelong commitment to educational equity, her ability to turn passion into impactful action, and her inspiring journey from student supporter to executive director make her a role model for current and future students.