CLASS OF 2018
Growing Up Graland Growing Up Graland I 1
DEAR
Class of
2018
As
I sit down to write this to you, I consider the many ways in which your class has come to be known. Truth be told, this year was challenging for many of us, but out of those challenges has come great growth. Some of that growth will not manifest itself directly in the present, but I’m confident that as you venture forth into the world of high school and beyond, that you will display growth in unique and important ways. Perhaps some of you will take what you have learned here and translate that into leadership positions in high school. Maybe you will become a student council representative, the leader of a new club, the captain of a team or serve in some other official capacity. Others may choose to lead in more unofficial ways. You may become a great friend, a better family member, a exemplar student, or an active servant of your community. In your eighth grade UpWords speeches, the majority of you chose to focus on "embrace experiences" as the guiding principle most important to you. As you sit back over the summer and have a chance to reflect, I urge you to pinpoint what experiences might have shaped you and directed who you have become. Did you make a move during your life that forced you to learn a new community? Did your family dynamic change unexpectedly? Did a trip impact the way you see the world and how you treat others? Did a certain adult become a mentor and help you reach your potential? Did you take a risk and push yourself to try something new like playing a sport for the first time or taking up an instrument? Was it something very specific that happened at Graland? Was the Civil Rights Trip transformational for you? Did you develop an enjoyment of being a mentor at McMeen? Did you participate in Gates? Are you now passionate about basketball? Do you potentially see yourself as an artist? Did you learn how to navigate tricky friendships? All of these experiences have undoubtedly made you and created who you are today. The reason I am stressing the importance of embracing experiences is because you will be presented with a whole new set of opportunities as you enter high school. I encourage you to make sure that you are open to trying new things that will make you a more well rounded person. Could you try your public speaking skills on the Speech & Debate team? Will you take your love of music to a higher level in the jazz band or choir? Do you want to try out and play more competitive sports at the high school level? Would you like to expand your world view by traveling abroad on an academic excursion? Will you choose to become a dorm leader at your boarding school? All of these choices will come your way before you know it and the more that you can jump in with both feet and take the plunge, the more rich your overall experience will be. Please come visit us from time to time to give us the updated version of your UpWords speech. We are curious to hear how it has changed! Be well! Jake Dresden Dean of Grades 7/8
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Graduation Speech Excerpts “What you do matters. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, at the movie theater, or in the mall, it matters. Graland’s Guiding Principle, Instill Integrity, expects Graland students to ‘accept responsibility for their work and their actions and learn to be sound and ethical decision-makers.’ This principle goes on to list attributes like honesty, courage, self-respect, and respect for others. And although it’s inherent in some of these attributes, I’d like to be explicit in my final addition to the list. Kindness. It never hurts to be kind.” –Marti Champion, Head of Middle School
“Looking around, I see inspiring stories of perseverance, determination, and stamina. Your burdens may not always be cast off, but their weight can be shared. That’s the power of community. Not fighting for yourself, but fighting for each other.” –Mia Sanchez
“I hope that the risks that you take are productive and rewarding, that you find the time to be introspective, and most importantly, you look out for your former and future classmates and friends. Science says you are vulnerable to craving, I believe you have great capacity for courage, contemplation, and compassion.” –Josh Cobb, Head of School
“I know, even as we drift apart, we will always have that connection with the people that we learned to add and subtract with, the people we drove nine hours to Mesa Verde with, the group of people who turned into family. Recently, there have been quite a bit of tears in the eighth grade, not just because of Capstone, but because we are leaving this family.” –Maria Romo-Nichols Growing Up Graland I 3
Graduation Awards
JOHN COMFORT HEADMASTER’S AWARD • Academic: Love of learning, intellectual curiosity, critical/independent thinking, a desire to go beyond the expected, a breadth of academic achievement. • Athletics: A variety of sports, plays for the joy of playing, sportsmanship, supportive of teammates, proficiency. • Arts: Broad involvement, passion for the arts, willingness to take risks, imagination, creativity. • Citizenship: Involvement in school activities, relationship with peers and teachers, helpfulness, leadership, honesty, loyalty, friendliness, ethics, personal and community responsibility.
2018 Recipient: Mia Sanchez
Presented by Josh Cobb, Head of School: “The winner of this year’s award shows John Comfort’s generosity of spirit every day at Graland. Yes, she is relentless in her pursuit of excellence. I could spend most of this speech simply listing Excellence Awards, Eagle Awards, Permanent Art Collection additions and even recognition at the Scholastic Arts Competition. Yet, to me, it is her dedication to Graland that sets her apart; it is her citizenship. As one of her teachers expressed, ‘She is an amazing citizen who loves to help others, an exceptionally thoughtful, honest and humble leader.’” TIMOTHY W. JOHNSON SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP AWARD Given to the student who personifies the following qualities: • Demonstrates courage, conviction and ethical behavior at all times. • Embodies a sense of moral and social justice through actions and decisions. • Manifests a cooperative and positive spirit thereby inspiring others to act likewise. • Serves class, school and community by being: helpful, caring, willing to risk, • passionate, willing to put others first, committed, humble, a self-starter who recognizes needs. 2018 Recipient: Hanna Drake
Presented by Christi James, Service Learning Coordinator: “They say that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. Hanna Drake turns this saying inside out - the youth are the leaders of today. From the moment she set foot on the Graland campus, she has exemplified the criteria of this award. A caring, compassionate, and humble individual who puts others first. A social justice activist who inspires others to take a stand. If Hanna is the leader of today, I am hopeful for tomorrow!” GEORGIA NELSON AWARD Given to the student who personifies the following qualities: • Outstanding work ethic; persistent, sustained improvement and effort • Courage and fortitude; goes beyond the expected, beyond the norm • Enthusiasm and love of learning • Passion and conscientiousness • Personal growth 2018 Recipient: Micah Kress
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Presented by Katy Cooper, English Teacher: “Micah has undoubtedly willed himself to succeed during his tenure here at Graland. According to one of his teachers, he is ‘the classic example of hard work paying off.’ As a result, his academic growth during the past several years has grown exponentially. Part of his success can be attributed to the rare ability of a middle school student to set aside his ego, and not only accept constructive criticism from adults, but actually apply it to his daily work. Gandhi-esque, Micah understands that cultivating his mind is important, but cultivating his heart is supreme.”
Class of 2018 Matriculation Elena Abarca Tomas Alberola Pixie Alfond Anna Scott Arnold Bridget Berzins Sophia Birner Sophia Bograd Luke Boris Millie Brophy Hopie Brown Mariam Chadrom Lucy Cler Julia Cole Graham Cummings Nolan Curran Grace Dale PJ Dodge Luisa Dorigo Hanna Drake John Drumm Charles Dye Ephraim Esson Avery Farmer Anika Fernandez-Sharma Miles Fourticq Charlotte Gaudet David Gebremedhin Emory Gerlach Levi Gillis Esther Goldberg Talia Grynberg-Schepis Freddy Hamilton Olivia Heiss Kate Henry Faithie Hutt Walker Johnson Maddie Jones DJ Judge Micah Kress Charlotte Laden Ruby Leuthold Luke Maass Alexa MacDonald Phelan Mahoney Julie Marwan Robert McKee Cedar Miera
Kent Denver School Kent Denver School Proctor Academy (NH) Colorado Academy East High School East High School East High School Regis Jesuit High School St. Mary's Academy Kent Denver School Regis Jesuit High School George Washington High School St. Mary's Academy East High School South High School Regis Jesuit High School Regis Jesuit High School East High School Kent Denver School East High School Kent Denver School Regis Jesuit High School Colorado Academy St. Mary's Academy Regis Jesuit High School St. Mary's Academy East High School South High School Colorado Academy East High School Kent Denver School Millbrook (NY) Regis Jesuit High School Kent Denver School Fountain Valley School (CO) Avon Old Farms (CT) St. Mary's Academy South High School Mullen High School Regis Jesuit High School East High School Kent Denver School East High School Kent Denver School Colorado Academy Regis Jesuit High School Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Will Montgomery Elle Morris Olivia Murane Ellie Neal Stella Palumbo Jack Pashel Aidan Patterson Sammy Ramirez Chase Reiman Brooks Rhine Maria Romo-Nichols Waylon Rust Burke Ryder Mia Sanchez Noah Shanker Mack Swett Stuart Terry Bo Turnage Jackson Turner Rowdy Twarogowski Julia Valentine Naomi Wellso Charlie Whalen Will Whalen Adie Williams
Colorado Academy Kent Denver School Kent Denver School Regis Jesuit High School Kent Denver School Colorado Academy East High School East High School East High School Colorado Academy Kent Denver School East High School On Hold Fountain Valley School (CO) George Washington High School East High School Kent Denver School Colorado Academy Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CO) South High School East High School Brooks School (MA) Colorado Academy Colorado Academy Colorado Academy
Honors Graland K-8
Class of 2018 High School Placement
6%
6%
East High School
23%
7%
Kent Denver Colorado Academy Regis Jesuit
10% 18% 15% 15%
Boarding St. Mary’s South Other
Growing Up Graland I 5
Cook a traditional Guatamalan meal
ff Give an Upwords speech on a Graland Guiding Principle
Help your buddy light the Olympic Torch at the Unified Neighborhood Games
ff Cross country ski on Preisser Field ff Dive deep with my capstone project ff Learn a world language ff Write a poem
Collect pasta for Read to Feed
ff Teach a kindergartner to tie shoelaces ff Lose a tooth at school
Meet Doc Grizzly
Class of Graland Bu Serve others at the local soup kitchen
Celebrate your "Wizard Brain"
Raise the American flag to start the day
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Catch the Great Pumpkin
Learn about the natural world at Keystone Science School ff Go back in time at Four Mile Historic House ff Help someone study for an exam
ff Play a sport
Become a Graland Knight
ff Take a picture with the Graland Eagle
Perform or produce Les Mis
Hang upside down from a ropes course in LaForet
ff Cheer classmates at a competition
Build memory boxes for Alzheimer's project
f 2018 ucket List
Read a book you'll never forget during the Newbery Challenge Became an archeologist in Mesa Verde
ff Make a new buddy at McMeen Elementary ff Dive deep with a capstone project ff Run in the Graland Gallop ff Climb Chief Mountain
Embrace the civil rights movement on the South Trip
Jump across Preisser Field in a potato sack
Impersonate a famous person at the Biography Tea
ff Play an instrument or sing in a music concert ff Tell Mr. Hickey goodbye and thank you ff Join the alumni association
Tell a joke at the Kindergarten Rodeo Growing Up Graland I 7
The Graland Gallop
Sunday, Sept. 23 • 9 a.m. • Washington Park • $25 before Sept. 19 Wear your Class of 2018 T-shirt and join the Graland community for the annual Graland Gallop! Form a relay team or just run, walk or stroll with us at Wash Park. We’d love to see you! Please note: The cost increases to $30 after September 19 so register early!
Meet Your Class Reps!
bridgetberzins@gmail.com 720-476-0328
ephraimesson@icloud.com 720-412-3480
Congratulations to Bridget Berzins and Eph Esson who were elected to be the alumni representatives for the Class of 2018. Contact them at any time to stay connected with your classmates and the larger alumni body. 8
SAVE THE DATE
Welcome Back, Young Alums! Thursday, Dec. 20 • 5-7 p.m. Location TBD Join your classmates and other young alumni back on campus for pizza, ping pong, and socializing
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“My teachers...”
“ ... have pushed me to do the best that I can do. They have taught me how to be more efficient, and also more organized in stressful situations.” ~ Mariam Chadrom
“ ... always pushed me to achieve the highest accomplishment possible. Ms. James pushed me to get into the advanced math and I did.” ~ Millie Brophy “ ... helped me improve my writing skills, and annotations skills and made me enjoy English.” ~ John Drumm “ ... have given me extra work and helped me when I need help. When they see I am having trouble in their class they encourage me and support me. It also just makes me feel important when teachers check in with me.” ~ Sophia Birner “ ... have challenged me to get better academic skills and to become more creative.” ~ Sophia Bograd
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“ ... constantly challenge me to pursue topics I am interested in beyond the classroom. I am always encouraged to continue learning and push myself. They also help to support the students through the challenges and personalize the learning for every person.” ~ Talia Grynberg-Schepis
“Ms. James taught me so much, not only about math, but she was also always positive and made the class laugh. Ms. Maslanka always challenges us to go further and do as much as possible to help our learning.” ~ Stella Palumbo
The Class of 2018
Speaks Up
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“I’m inspired by my teachers to...” “ ... become more curious.” ~ Rowdy Twarogowski
“ ... strive to be my best self at all times during my academic career.” ~ Charlie Whalen “ ... work my hardest.” ~ Pixie Alfond “ ... try my best on every assignment.” ~ Luisa Dorigo
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“ ... always work hard and to expand my horizons.” ~ Charlotte Gaudet
“ ... continue to learn and become a better student and person because they always hold us to a higher standard.” ~ Freddy Hamilton “ ... dive deeper into my learning.” ~ Anna Scott Arnold
Growing Up Graland I 9
Wellso’s Art Earns National Award Artist Naomi Wellso won a top honor in the 2018 National Scholastic Art Competition with her sculpture, titled “Why the Caged Bird Sings.” The piece was created for a class assignment following the Civil Rights trip and inspired by the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, a tragic event in 1963 that killed four young girls and maimed another. Her sculpture includes five birdcages and shards of “glass” to represent the victims and the explosion. She carefully selected colors, like white to represent innocence, bringing added meaning to her art. “This project is important to me because I want to make sure we don’t forget these little girls and the other events of the Civil Rights movement,” Naomi said. She was moved to acknowledge that there are still racial issues in our country today and to empower people to act in creating a better society. Her art teacher, Cathy Naughton, added, “It is a huge honor to win a national medal in the Scholastic Art program and this recognition reflects Naomi’s thoughtful interpretation of her experiences in the South.” In winning the Silver Medal, Naomi was judged against middle school and high school entries, and she was one of only four middle schoolers from Colorado to earn a medal. To qualify, she first won a Gold Key in the Colorado Scholastic Art Awards.
Pair Invents Winning App in Gates Competition In the 18th year of the Gates Invention Competition, two eighth graders took top prize when they created Code Style, a website that aggregates dress code-approved
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clothing from online retailers. Elle Morris and Maria Romo-Nichols had their classmates in mind with their invention designed to help keep students in dress code and out
of the dean’s office. The site allows users to customize the search results based on filters such as skirt length and neckline. The Gates Invention and Innovation Program is funded by an endowment from Graland alumnus Charles C. Gates ‘34, the famed Denver entrepreneur and businessman who believed that all children are natural inventors. With tools, supplies, coaching and other resources, the program embodies the characteristics that 21st century learners need, including teamwork, imagination, critical thinking and problem solving. Congratulations, Elle and Maria!
Divers Reflect on TIDES Club TIDES is an interdisciplinary club for students in Grades 7/8 that teaches SCUBA skills and culminates in an open water dive in Grand Cayman. Two eighth graders, Will Montgomery and Eph Esson, share their experiences with this activity. Will says, “When I first heard about TIDES, I knew this would be an experience of a lifetime. During each class, we learned about the many safety procedures and skills we needed to go scuba diving. Then at the end of the class, we learned about the ocean ecology. “On our travel day, our whole group was exuberant about seeing the new world underwater. The full day of flying was worth it to be able to scuba dive in such a beautiful place. We dove a total of six times. We saw so many fish and coral of different color; I have never seen anything like it. Below the waves, it is so peaceful. I could spend hours down there exploring and discovering the creatures. I want not only to learn more about these majestic creatures, but swim with them. Pictures can only show you so much of the beauty, and we had the opportunity to witness the ocean in person. I loved this trip.” His classmate Eph adds, “Growing up the ocean was and still is my favorite thing in the world; at my grandfather’s home I would play in the surf all day. Playing in the surf I could only see so much. This trip was an opportunity to see more and be in the ocean. I had to earn as much money as I could to help pay the club fees. Believe me every single log I stacked or lawn I raked was worth it. “Once we arrived I was shocked and really did not process what was happening. Sailing out to our dive spots the water was the most stunning and amazing colors. It is indescribable, and under water is a hundred times better -- the water was always warm and clear. I remember saying I want to live down there. Overall, this was one of the best experiences in my life and it is worth all the classes during school and all the work at home. This was a great way to end the year. You can only see so much above water but below it is a whole new world.”
Visit
graland.org/Classof2018 for more Graduation photos!
Growing Up Graland I 11
Graland Country Day School 55 Clermont Street Denver, CO 80220 303.399.0390 graland.org
Order graduation photos: mitchbowers@comcast.net
Photos by Bower Photographics
Stay Connected Facebook.com/graland.alum graland.org/LinkedInAlums @gralandcountrydayschool 12
Kristin Eklund '88 Weber Alumni Relations
kweber@graland.org 303-398-3623