1944
Ms. Despres is born in New Haven, Connecticut, to Ruth Jean Lowery and Frederick Taylor Fay.
1965
Ms. Despres studies with Nadia Boulanger at the American School of Music in Fontainebleau, France, where she completes coursework on the organ.
1966
Having attended Connecticut College for Women, Ms. Despres earns a Bachelor of Arts in French.
1967
Ms. Despres becomes a certified French teacher for grades seven-12 in the state of Connecticut.
1967
Ms. Despres joins North Haven High School in Connecticut, where she teaches French to juniors and seniors.
1968
Ms. Despres earns a Master of Arts in Teaching French Education from Brown University.
1969
Ms. Despres joins High Plains Elementary School in Orange, Connecticut, where she teaches French to third through sixth graders.
1970
Ms. Despres becomes a French teacher at New Canaan High School, where she remains until 2012.
1970
Ms. Despres contributes to the cultural booklet, “French in Connecticut.”
1972
Ms. Despres achieves a grant from the French government to study in France with Middlebury College.
1973
Ms. Despres achieves a Master of Arts in French from Middlebury College in Paris, France.
1983
Receives the National Endowment for the Humanities study grant.
1986
An established staff member at New Canaan High School, Ms. Despres becomes an advanced placement teacher of French literature.
1994
Via the New England College Board, Ms. Despres receives the Advanced Placement Teacher Recognition Award.
1996
Ms. Despres becomes the chair of independent study at New Canaan High School.
1999
Ms. Despres earns the position of president of the Philanthropic Education Organization (now P.E.O. Sisterhood) in Westport, Connecticut.
2001
Ms. Despres becomes the chair of the Department of World Languages at New Canaan High School.
2001
Ms. Despres receives the Pegasus Pride Award from the Connecticut Organization of Language Teachers.
2011
Ms. Despres becomes an accepted teacher through the New Advanced Placement French Audit.
2017
Ms. Despres is honored with both the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and the Distinguished Humanitarian.