25 minute read
Class of 2025
Class of 2025
London Schofield
Amity, Oregon
Here at Delphian, I have learned more than just how to study. I have learned the true uses of information and how, when correctly applied, it can change your life and the people around you. Through each course I did, I not only gained knowledge but also an ability to do something better than I had before.
I never really thought that studying was for me. While I might have done all right in my studies, I never thought I would excel in them or enjoy them. The amount I have been able to apply what I studied here has been astronomical. I have gained character, compassion, confidence, and a love for study.
The Delphian program has helped me to become a person who enjoys learning and can use what I have learned, and will learn, to change the world.
Ella Latch
San Francisco, California
Before I came to Delphian, I had not given much thought to what I wanted from my education. In truth, I did not fully understand the purpose of school. My experiences attending public school in San Francisco had left me with a collection of mixed and unclear ideas. I struggled to find value in what I was being taught because I could not see its relevance; the information seemed to pass through me without leaving any lasting impression.
All of that changed when I arrived at the Delphian School in 2020. Here, I learned what education actually is, what its purpose is, and what we can truly do with it.
My time at Delphian felt like growing a garden. My first supervisors handed me the shovel, the seeds, and the encouragement to begin. My Form 7 & 8 supervisors stood by, reminding me to water my plants and keep going. Slowly, my empty field turned into a garden full of life. Even when challenges came, when the petals started to fall, the ethics advisor reminded me to stay focused and keep caring for what I had built.
Today, I have not just a garden, but a reflection of everything I have worked towards. It is a reminder that growth requires patience, perseverance, and care and that the work I have done here has prepared me to build and care for even greater things in the future.
John Li
Shanghai, China
I still can’t believe I made it this year. As a tight senior, I’ve thought a lot of times, “Why not drop off and become an early graduate next year?” I am really glad that I persisted and made it this year. Looking back on my journey, this school has taught me a lot of things. I learned better time management, ethics, and leadership through different programs. They were priceless, and I can use them in the future.
The academic program here has shaped who I am today. I still remember beginning here as an international student who was not good at English. I struggled in the International Entry class and extended my vocabulary. In Form 6, I was able to read more books and learn about other subjects. In that form, I polished my skills and was ready for harder challenges. In Form 7, I got to choose courses and learn things that I was interested in. In Form 8, I learned some subjects that will help me in different aspects of my life—for example, marriage, religion, and health. Every form challenged me in different ways.
Outside of academics, this school also provided me with a lot of opportunities to explore my interests. I was interested in art, and I’ve tried a lot of different art courses, like ceramics, photography, and digital art. After a lot of attempts, I found out that origami was my favorite, and I devoted myself to it during my spare time. I also joined the school basketball team for four years and had a lot of fun being part of the team and participating in games against other schools.
I am proud to be a Delphian graduate, and I am ready to step forward into what’s next.
Memo Cervantes
Mexico City, Mexico
At Delphian, I learned many values such as leadership, integrity, knowledge, responsibility, and ethics.
Since the first day I stepped foot in the school my first summer, I knew I wanted to experience everything that the school was able to give. I went from being a kid that despised school to a kid that wanted to learn more. How is that possible? Well, Delphian was able to help me with that. But it is not only from the academic point of view that my viewpoint changed, but from all sorts of perspectives.
While at Delphian, I went from being on the bench in Middle School soccer to being a Soccer All League MVP. I went from not touching a basketball at all in my life to being the most valuable defensive player on the varsity team. I went from barely knowing English and not knowing any grammar rules to being able to write thousands of words in an essay.
Delphian doesn’t only teach you what you need to learn, but helps you find what you want to learn and pushes you to learn more every day. Delphian is more than just a school. It is a place where goals and targets get done. I appreciate everything Delphian has done for me.
Noah Wang
Beijing, China
After spending seven years at Delphian, I believe I can call this place my home. The things I learned in this school are mostly academics, but they changed my whole personality.
When I first arrived at Delphian, I didn’t care much about following the rules and being responsible, and I was arrogant. I thought graduation could be done without real changes and effort, but I was wrong. I stumbled, and I found myself in a lot of trouble.
It was not until a year ago that I finally found my responsibility and honesty level was so low that I wasn’t capable of running my life at all. All of a sudden, graduating seemed impossible for me, and I couldn’t see any workable solutions.
I fell into a deep cave, but Delphian handed me a shovel to dig myself out. I learned all the tools to become a better, more capable person, and I finally started using them. I learned how important it is to be honest, and I learned that life could be much easier with people trusting me. With ethics, leadership, integrity, and knowledge, I’m now ready to be a leader in society. I’m glad that I have a lot of people around me who offer their unconditional love and help, and every one of them makes Delphian a special place.
I want to thank Delphian for everything. I spent the best seven years of my life in this place, and they have been the most beautiful days. Now I’ve finally met my goal of graduation, and I’m ready for the next chapter of my life.
Alex Maddox
Nashville, Tennessee
Growing up, I was taught all the basic necessities like looking people in the eyes, keeping my elbows off the table, saying “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am,” and not having a dead-fish handshake.These are all small lessons and some would even consider them rather unimportant, but to me, it seems that life gives us these small lessons and it is up to us how important we make them.
I have heard many different analogies given to life, but one that has resonated with me the most is that life is an apple tree, and apple trees don’t pick themselves. Life provides you with the experiences, but what you learn and take from them is up to you.
Before Delphian, I decided to reject the path that my parents had led me towards and went down a bad path instead. But each of those experiences and setbacks taught me lessons and guided me towards realizing that I could and should change.
After changing more than I thought I could, I somehow changed even more while at this wonderful school. I learned to love wisdom and thought, and I gained skills and values that have prepared me for everything that is to come.
Now, who I am today isn’t the ant on the ground or the elk in the field. I am not even an apple picker floating through life’s experiences. I am an apple eater. I consume life’s experiences and learn from their lessons, giving me an invaluable, joyful outlook towards life and its continuation, and it is thanks to Delphian and its wonderful program that I am able to do this.
Na (Elenora) Aji
Inner Mongolia, China
My journey has been full of unforgettable experiences and lessons. I stepped out of my comfort zone and overcame obstacles. I’ve made memories with friends that I’ll carry with me forever—laughing in dorm rooms, sharing snacks, and staying up late talking about the future. These moments became a foundation of support that reminded me I was never alone.
However, there were also challenges—challenges that changed me. One of the biggest was learning what it really means to understand something. I had always been a top student in China, relying on memorization to succeed. But when I entered a proficiency-based program, I learned that memorization wasn’t enough. After struggling with low scores, I realized that true learning comes from comprehension, from taking initiative, and from managing my time wisely.
I began to slow down. I read more deeply, asked more questions, and took the time to understand—not just finish—my work. I received help from teachers and gradually learned to focus on quality instead of speed. This shift changed not only how I studied, but how I lived.
That growth extended beyond academics. As a student council member, I learned that leadership means more than responsibility—it means supporting others. When a teammate was struggling, I didn’t just tell them to keep going; I found ways to help. I started to understand that strong leadership includes empathy and patience.
Looking back, this journey taught me how to confront difficulties, value both process and outcome, and lead with both strength and care. I’m leaving this mountain with more than memories—I’m taking with me the courage to face what’s next, the tools to keep growing, and the belief that true success is built from within.
Serena On
Sacramento, California
I grew up with an unethical background where others regularly suggested using harmful poisons. This was a “normal” part of my life until I showed up to the Delphian School.
At Delphian, I learned how to understand my studies thoroughly and actually care about education. Getting this deeper layer of understanding was a major turning point in my knowledge and education.
Diving deeper into my education enhances my inherent qualities and skills I hold. Every time I learn more about the world, I learn something new about myself. This approach to knowledge sat well with me, and I started to see meaning and beauty in life.
This new viewpoint in life closed doors of assumptions or negativity and opened gates to happiness, wealth, and success. I truly embraced this craving for understanding and never ran out of knowledge to learn.
I started to consistently accomplish my goals, solve my problems, and become happier just by taking my education seriously. I really didn’t know that learning about the world around me could do so much good in my life.
I hold my journey in learning closely to me since it has benefitted my life in so many ways. Expanding knowledge for application is a recipe to success.
London Whitworth
Orange County, California
On and on we went, with the end nowhere in sight. “Do not stop till we get to the top. Do not stop till we get to the top,” my seven-year-old sister and I, only four, chanted as we hiked up a trail with our dad.
This short story contains the true Delphian experience: hard work, dedication, and persistence. Even when the end feels infinitely far away, you just have to keep pushing; don’t stop.
But there’s more to the hike, there’s more to Delphian, than just this. The abilities you gain are unparalleled; the adventures you go on and the fun you have, you can’t find anywhere else. Since I first came to Delphian nine years ago, I’ve tried to do every activity I could, to improve myself in all areas and to have the most fun possible. But at some point in Upper School, I realized I wasn’t working hard enough in my studies. I had gone from being very ahead to very behind. I wasn’t progressing quickly in my courses and my reading was miles behind where it should have been.
Not until this year, and especially on Form 8, did I make the change that I wanted. I didn’t have the option of letting my studies get further away, so I started to truly confront them. I spent countless hours working on the fourth floor and getting everything done in time.
My biggest obstacle since middle school has been reading. I disliked it, I was slow, and I started to feel it was hopeless. But again, I learned the importance of confront. I pushed and read more this year than I have in the past three years combined. And by the end of it, I started to find joy in reading.
At times, Delphian might seem like too much. It’s too much work. Too many books. But if you stick to it through the end, you’ll find the real Delphi Magic.
Grace Suplee
Los Angeles, California
I spent a lot of time in the Advanced Art class last year thinking about the difference between house and home. I made sculptures, sketches, and a portfolio on these two ideas. To me, a house is cold, neat, and uninviting. A home, however, is warm, colorful, and inviting. You survive in a house, but flourish in a home.
I’m proud to say that Delphian has been my home for the past five years. It feels like all of my other educational experiences have simply been houses. Teachers at other schools are focused on your ability to memorize and get straight A’s. At Delphian, I was able to fail, flourish, and learn all in a safe, warm, inviting environment. I learned how to effect positive change in any area of my life by using purpose, intention, and by applying what I’ve learned in my courses. There is nothing like a Delphian education.
The student council program and the summer internship played large roles in my ability to flourish at this school. I’ve held five different leadership positions that all challenged me and helped me grow as a leader and human. My final position on the student council, as Vice President, taught me how to truly care for and help the people around me. I know that I can go into any area of the world or of my life and help the people in it.
Delphian has helped me grow into a person that I am proud of. I am confident in my ability to lead, learn, and help others around me; this is something that I never thought was possible.
I am sad to be leaving my home, but excited for the one that I can build for myself, using the tools I’ve gotten from this beautiful place.
Elissa Hamilton Hansen
Sheridan, Oregon
Throughout my time at Delphian, I loved doing math and science, and I would spend almost all of my free time reading. However, I never wanted to put in any effort for things I didn’t want to do. I saw no need to leave my comfort zone, and I often felt that things I didn’t like were pointless.
I’ve grown a lot since then. Starting on Form 6, I was forced to truly step out of my comfort zone. Several courses pushed me into working and cooperating with others, even if I didn’t want to. The practical program truly pushed me into uncomfortable territory, as I now had to actually apply things I’d learned to real-life situations with actual consequences. This only increased in Form 7 and 8. These forms forced me to look at what I didn’t want to do and do it anyway.
I eventually discovered two things. First, those things I didn’t want to do actually did have value in my life, and I would need the skills they provided to succeed in life. Second, that I could actually do these things and do them well if I actually applied myself. These two realizations changed my mindset and drastically increased my willingness to try new things.
Looking back at my Delphian journey, I can see just how much I’ve grown. I first came to Delphian as a shy little girl determined to stay in her bubble. I stand before you now as a confident woman who knows she can do more. I know that my journey has only just begun. As much as I’ve grown at Delphian, there is still so much more to learn, so much more to try, and so much more room to grow. I am finally ready to step into my life and create my future.
Katja de Vries
Cupertino, California
Delphian has been an amazing and eye-opening experience for me. I came to this school five years ago as a different person. I wasn’t as brave, or as smart, or as eager to learn as I am now. Being here has shown me how good accomplishment can feel and how much knowledge and beauty there is in the world.
The first thing that Delphian showed me was how much there is to learn. I read more books than ever before and had to work hard to achieve things in courses. I never realized how vast the world is, and how many perspectives there are on life, until I read literature here. I also did projects I would have never dreamed of doing like painting the sets for a play or organizing a community service event for over 100 students. The academic and practical programs showed me the beauty in life.
However, no one grows without a little bit of discomfort. I also very much struggled at times. Being here meant facing my flaws and working to overcome my weaknesses. I would procrastinate at times or choose to take the easy way out.
Thankfully, the Delphian program did not allow me to continue this way. The tough projects I took on pushed me to work hard and give my all to things. I had always thought that I should try to avoid hard work. However, being here showed me that working hard towards goals makes me happy.
All in all, Delphian changed my life for the better. Being here has been a gift, and I am ready to take my knowledge and abilities out into the world.
Rikki Suzuki
Tokyo, Japan
Growing up in Japan, I was taught to follow the policy, not ask questions, and do what everyone else was doing. It wasn’t the right thing to be different from others. So, I followed the system, thinking that was the only way to succeed.
Everything changed when I moved to America. I didn’t speak English. I didn’t understand the culture. And I definitely didn’t understand the people around me. I felt lost, even doing simple things like asking where the bathroom was or eating with people I didn’t know. I wanted to avoid people, and for a while, I did.
However, one day, I made a choice. Instead of avoiding the challenges, I started confronting them. Slowly, I began to push myself to speak more, to ask for help, to try even when I was scared.
The more I learned, the more I realized something important: I am capable. I became one who does not just follow instructions. I can think, create, and choose my own path.
With what I learned in Delphian, I know my capabilities. Now, as I step into the next chapter of my life, I won’t be a robot anymore. I will keep choosing the right path for me that leads me to something meaningful.
Tom Kalman
Tel Aviv, Israel
Earlier in my life, I wondered what importance the things around me had. I wondered why they were there and if they mattered. One should shift their point of view to see things for what they are and to see their true importance. I learned to do that as I progressed through the program. I learned to see the beauty in life and I learned to utilize the worst things to make them better. In my time here, I went through many experiences that helped me shift my point of view.
I was able to travel alone to New York for an architecture apprenticeship, and I observed as each person made decisions to make their lives turn out differently. In my program, I couldn’t finish anything unless I was the one who gave it the final push. I met different people who became important to me because I decided to talk to them and turn to them for things. I also completed the Delphian program by using each part to achieve my goals for my future career in architecture.
With every new viewpoint comes a new idea, and with new ideas come new achievements. I learned to look, and I learned to achieve. I now look at everything as a part of my life and as a means to accomplish my goals, whether intelligent or emotional. A stranger in a country far away can change my life, but I am the one who decides to go to that country. I am ready to shape my world.
Ana Julia Escamilla Shwetzer
Coahuila, Mexico
What separates the good from the great? Some may say greatness is defined by achievements, talent, or rank, but I believe what separates the good from the great is the details. Through the middle of my journey at Delphian, I realized that I could be good, but what was needed and expected from me was greatness. I needed to perfect the details. As an artist, when perfecting a painting, you have to take a step back and look from afar. However, I couldn’t just look; I had to see. The question was, could I transform myself to achieve greatness?
One of the first things I saw with clarity about Delphian was that achieving your goals was a choice. That is the beauty of the Delphian experience: you have the ability to choose. Bit by bit, Delphian gives you freedom and opportunity to fail. And I did. However, as many times as I failed, there was always a hand that reached out to help me. I thought that hand was meant to pull me out. Instead, to my surprise, the hand gave me a shovel. I had to learn to dig myself out.
Throughout my journey, I noticed a transformation. Since these changes were small at first, they seemed insignificant. These beautiful little moments are done quietly, and like the best things in life, they happen unexpectedly. One of the most important things Delphian has taught me is that when you find the details, you have the chance to become good. When you see the beauty in them and perfect them, you become great.
Now my life lies ahead of me, but rather than being a road with a set path, it’s an ocean—no clear path, but with a plan. I’m not sure of the wind or the size of the waves, but I’m sure of my skills to navigate. The woman who stands before you today is a product of the Delphian experience—an experience that taught her to seek discomfort, pay attention to the beauty in the details, and to have a hunger not only for knowledge but for life. Over the last six years, this school has shown me something truly valuable. Greatness isn’t handed to you. You must earn it, one detail at a time.
Sam Hu
Dongyang, China
As I was writing this success story, my phone alarms rang twice. That is the time I realized that I had so many alarms on my phone. To be more specific, I had nineteen alarms from 7am to 11pm. This represents the busy but happy life I had this year.
It was a wonderful experience. I woke up early in the morning and stayed up late into the night just to study. I never worked this hard before, but Delphian actually helped me gain the ability to study hard voluntarily.
To be honest, it was not easy to do, and I didn’t always like it. I used different excuses to leave just because I didn’t want to study. I wanted to play on my phone or watch videos instead of studying. As the deadline came closer, I finally realized that I had to work hard. That led to my success this year.
There’s only one thing that kept me doing it, which was persistence. This persistence didn’t only mean working hard every night. Persistence is having the courage to confront no matter how hard something is, no matter how complex things are. You just do it. It is being generous towards things you dislike. Loving those things you hate. It is keeping going no matter what you have to sacrifice. It is the ability to never give up no matter how far behind you are, no matter how much trouble you run into.
Finally, I want to appreciate myself. It’s wonderful that I made it through this year.
Lucas Curry - Graduate with Honors
Arcadia, California
Throughout my life I have battled with the idea of being ordinary. I didn’t want to be ordinary; I wanted to make an impact, change something. I would compare myself to others, expecting them to have the answers or know something I didn’t.
There were some things I accepted that I wasn’t good at. I thought I couldn’t change these things, that there was no way to improve. I found that this was a stubborn mindset and that I needed to adjust my viewpoint to become good at anything.
My greatest enemy had been myself. By deciding I wasn’t good at something, it was me who had stopped myself from reaching my goals, from working hard. Over the course of a couple years, I learned to be the master of my mind, not letting my mind control what I was able to do. By mastering my mind, my potential was endless. When I was at my worst and I had nothing left to give or something seemed impossible, I discovered I still had more. My limitations were self-induced and I could achieve the impossible.
I set high goals for myself but this time I chose not to limit myself. I wasn’t going to quit; I was going to persevere no matter what. I had an immense goal that I wanted to achieve. My goal was to complete the honors project. This was a far greater challenge than I had ever considered possible. I coached three different sports teams and led two of them as a head coach. This project helped me find my passion, coaching, and challenged me in more ways than I fathomed possible.
But above all this, this project taught me perseverance and to never lose sight of what you believe in. There were so many opportunities when I could have walked away or abandoned the project. My biggest win is that I didn’t lose sight of my goal and persevered even in the toughest and worst of situations. I found a way to keep going despite my failures and mistakes. My mind takes a back seat as I control my destiny.
