Growing Up Graland 2015

CLASS OF 2015

Growing Up Graland Growing Up Graland I 1

Ceremony Marks Milestone On June 3, the Class of 2015 entered the Fieldhouse for the last time as students and exited as our newest alumni. In between, they were lauded by Graland leaders as a class like no other and one which has made its mark on our halls.

Among this year’s graduates were 38 students who have attended the school since kindergarten. The start of high school in the fall will have them setting foot on a new campus for the first time in nine years.

Coincidentally, there were also 38 families saying goodbye to Graland after this year; their youngest children were among the 66 graduates.

But enough about numbers. This graduation ceremony was more about heart and grit, hugs and tears, laughter and song. In 2014-15, the eighth grade class led, served, studied, affected change and gave their best to each other and to Graland.

Christopher Hunt, president of the Board of Trustees, encouraged graduates to take their Graland foundation forward and to use the guiding principles they have learned to lead and change the world. The 2

ceremony was especially poignant for Hunt, who is not only concluding his term as Board President, he watched his oldest daughter Madeleine walk across the stage with her diploma.

Student leaders had the chance to say a few parting words. In describing her class’ Graland experience, co-president Hannah Siegel said, “Every year teachers have encouraged us to be our own unique person; that we can do whatever we want with our lives. And thank goodness for that! Look what it did to create all of our incredibly unique personalities. We are a jumble of amazingly talented, extremely gifted young adults who are who we are today because of Graland.”

Co-president Austin Barish talked about the challenges of going separate ways next year after sharing so many unforgettable memories: “We will always be able to rely on one another for help in times of need. Some of us have known each other for nine years or more, and some of us have only known each other for one year; yet, we have all built bonds that will last a lifetime.”

GRADUATION SLIDESHOW graland.org/2015gradslideshow

for Graduates In his remarks, Head of Middle School Josh Cobb retold the life story of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who overcame a physical disability to help lead the country through World War II and out of the Great Depression.

“You are way ahead of FDR, who, when he was your age, was described as colorless, average, and even aloof,” said Mr. Cobb. “You have been anything but aloof. You have been fun-loving, engaged and respectful, and for that, we will miss you greatly.”

Citations were read, diplomas were awarded, hands were shaken, photos were taken, and teachers were thanked. In closing, Head of School Ronni McCaffrey shared a traditional Irish blessing before the recessional of new alumni marched off to celebrate their achievements with family and friends.

To the Class of 2015, we send you out into the world with the hope that you will use your gifts, talents and tools to GO wherever you want in life.

Congratulations, graduates!

TRADITIONAL IRISH BLESSING May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you; May you see your children's children.

May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings, May you know nothing but happiness From this day forward.

May the road rise to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you, May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you.

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“Remember”

Lyrics: Members of the Grade 8 choir Music: Mercedes Campana and Josh Gaffga

The year that everything changes: Familiar faces, new exchanges.

Hiding behind a mask no one knows, The first hours of our lives.

Years go too fast.

Let’s keep what lasts.

Looking back on all we’ve been through, How can I say “goodbye" to you?

In our last moments together, don’t forget to remember.

Now I know you and you know me, Happier than I thought I’d be.

These past few months have felt like years.

With you by my side I have no fears.

Years go too fast.

Let’s keep what lasts.

Looking back on all we’ve been through, How can I say “goodbye" to you?

In our last moments together, don’t forget to remember.

But at the end, when we say goodbye, We’ll share tears and joy, laughter and pain, Shattering love, and dancing in the rain.

These are the moments we’ll never forget When we’ve gone our ways.

Looking back on all we’ve been through, How can I say “goodbye" to you?

In our last moments together, don’t forget to remember.

GRADUATION PERFORMANCE

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graland.org/2015choir

REMEMBRANCE VIDEO

graland.org/2015gradvideo

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Awards Honor Student Achievement Graduation awards are a distinguished honor given each year to outstanding eighth graders. Congratulations to these deserving students.

(L-R) Lizzy Howard, Alex Alijani, Josh Hankin, Hannah Siegel, and Hannah Finke

JOHN COMFORT HEADMASTER’S AWARD

GEORGIA NELSON AWARDS

Mr. Comfort was the School’s head from 1964-75 and 1995-96. The award in his honor recognizes a student for his or her well-rounded development in the areas of academics, athletics, arts and citizenship.

Hannah Finke excels in all four areas and is described as “hardworking, talented, kind and driven.” She has been called “the true definition of a professional student,” according to one of her eighth grade teachers.

She is especially known for her maturity and standards of excellence in the classroom, art studio, band, film studio, and sports arenas. Finally, Hannah’s teachers say she is a student who makes others around her want to be better. Congratulations, Hannah.

The Georgia Nelson Award is given to the student who personifies an outstanding work ethic; courage and fortitude; enthusiasm and love of learning; passion and conscientiousness; and personal growth. Congratulations to two students who were awarded this year: Alex Alijani and Josh Hankin.

Alex fully embodies the spirit of this award and displays the intrinsic curiosity to excel in every effort. English teacher Jane Maslanka noted his ability to “work hard, but happily, and to continually seek deeper understanding of every topic.” Alex approaches tasks with the conviction that there is always more to learn.

Josh was described by teacher Elky Dorman as a “Renaissance Man” in the making -- one whose broad intellectual interests are balanced by accomplishments in the arts and athletics.

His insatiable thirst for knowledge, work ethic and intrinsic motivation were unmatched. Josh modeled grit and courage while quietly serving as a leader among his peers.

DINNER SLIDESHOW

graland.org/2015graddinner

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TONY CATANESE SPEECH

graland.org/2015gradspeech

CLASS OF 2015 GIVES SAGE ADVICE TO FUTURE KINDERGARTNERS

TIMOTHY JOHNSON SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP AWARDS This award is presented annually to a graduate who displays exemplary effort in service and leadership to the graduating class, school, community and self. Two students were awarded this honor; congratulations to Lizzy Howard and Hannah Siegel.

Wellness teacher Betsy Metcalfe calls Lizzy “inherently kind and compassionate, hardworking, humble, genuine, and committed.”

A Peer Leader, Lizzy found joy in serving others and never hesitated to put others’ needs before her own. She makes those around her feel important and understood, a leadership quality that endears her to others.

In presenting the award to Hannah, math teacher Camille James described her as a sterling example of a servant and a leader. Hannah “graciously accepts criticism, loves volunteering, has a passion for social justice, unselfishly helps others and inspires her peers to be positive, ethical and to strive for excellence.” She is known for her resilience, unselfishness, and humility.

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66 38

Boys attending boarding schools on the East Coast

Graduates

“Lifers� who attended Graland since kindergarten

20 GOING BY THE NUMBERS:

THE CLASS OF 2015

Golden Eagle Award winners

8

1

2025

retiring Master Teacher, Tony Catanese

first milestone reunion year for this class

2

class co-presidents who are also 2015 alumni class representatives (Austin Barish and Hannah Siegel)

17

different high schools selected

6

graduated with honors

38

families at their last Graland graduation

HIGH SCHOOL SELECTIONS Hallie Abrams▲ Alex Alijani✦▲ Max Andrus✶▲ Shahan Asif Pierce Aymond▲ Zoe Aymond▲ Lilyrose Bahrabadi✶ Ellie Bain✶▲ Austin Barish✦✶▲ Anna Belfance▲ Ethan Bennett✶ Sophie Berger✶▲ Carter Coatsworth Joe Cohen▲ Jackson Dean▲ Roman DeLeon✶▲ Michael Dodge✶ William Dodge▲ Bradley Donaldson▲ Hayden Door▲ Hannah Finke✦✶▲ Lily Fox✶ Maxine Fuselier▲ David Geldzahler▲ Caroline Gillespie▲ Alyvia Gonzales✶ Oliver Greenwald✶▲ Josh Hankin▲ Bryce Harvey▲ Lizzy Howard✶ Averie Hughes Madeleine Hunt▲ Rhys Jansen✶▲

East High School Deerfield Academy (MA) Regis Jesuit High School Mullen High School Cherry Creek High School Cherry Creek High School Kent Denver School Colorado Academy East High School St. Mary's Academy Colorado Academy Colorado Academy Colorado Academy Denver School of the Arts Regis Jesuit High School George Washington High School Regis Jesuit High School Regis Jesuit High School Regis Jesuit High School East High School St. Mary's Academy Colorado Academy Regis Jesuit High School East High School Colorado Academy Colorado Academy Kent Denver School Colorado Academy Colorado Academy South High School East High School Kent Denver School East High School

✦ Graduated with Honors

Sadie Jenkins✶ Cailey Karshmer✦▲ Ellie Kennicott Eliza Kornfeld▲ Mitch LaRocque✶▲ Olivia Lieberman Harkins Lord Aciano Maez Fiona Martin Alex Mayer▲ Jordyn Medina✶▲ Noah Mintz✶▲ Will Morris Emma Morrissey▲ Jeremy Naiman Sam Nassif▲ Ariana Pia✶▲ Eric Rumsfeld✶▲ Jamil Safieddine▲ Morgyn Salter Anna Sanchez Peter Sauer▲ Lena Schneck▲ Andy Sevilla✦ Andrei Shpilenok Hannah Siegel✦ Charlie Smith Lucy Sobel Bella Sperling Will Swaney Henry Weisman Emma Williams▲ Aiden Woodard

✶ Golden Eagle Award

Colorado Academy Cherry Creek High School East High School Cherry Creek High School East High School Denver School of the Arts Regis Jesuit High School South High School East High School Kent Denver School Mullen High School Thomas Jefferson High School Kent Denver School St. Mary's Academy Fountain Valley School of Colorado Kent Denver School Cherokee Trail High School Colorado Academy Regis Jesuit High School Rangeview High School Mullen High School Phillips Exeter Academy (NH) Colorado Academy St. Stephen's Episcopal School (FL) Concord Academy (MA) Kent Denver School Colorado Academy East High School Kent Denver School Regis Jesuit High School Regis Jesuit High School Mullen High School Kent Denver School

▲ Attended Graland K-8

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Cohen Learns from World Master Cellist Musician Joe Cohen had a unique experience when he attended a master class led by world renowned cellist and virtuoso, Yo-Yo Ma. Appearing at the University of Denver for a solo recital, Ma taught the class for area music students from DU and Denver School of the Arts. Other young musicians like Joe were able to sit in on the lesson for their own enrichment.

Joe has played cello since kindergarten, going on nine years.

He is attending the Rocky Ridge Music Camp this summer before starting at Denver School of the Arts in the fall. He practices his instrument as much as five hours each week.

"I felt very privileged to learn some of Yo-Yo Ma’s techniques,” said Joe. He's a world famous cello player and that doesn't come without hours and hours of practice."

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Sam Nassif and Oliver Greenwald

Greenwald and Nassif Awarded Patent Two members of the Class of 2015 are the proud new owners of a United States patent for an invention they created in the Gates Invention Program. As fifth graders in 2012, Oliver Greenwald and Sam Nassif designed an edible ice cream cone holder that keeps hands clean from melted ice cream.

“We got our idea from watching little kids eat ice cream,” said Sam. “The ice cream was running down their arms and their moms were using a lot of napkins to try and keep them clean.”

At a school assembly, each inventor received a framed patent certificate. It takes three years to complete the patent process and 10 students from Graland have earned this prestigious recognition.

GALLOP BACK TO US! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 IN WASHINGTON PARK Run, walk or cheer with your friends from the Class of 2015 at the annual Graland Gallop 5K race!

Register this summer at graland.org/gallop and save $5 before September 18. See you at the Gallop!

Andrus Takes Top Art Award In the 2015 Scholastic Art Awards of Colorado program, one Graland eighth grader brought home the top award, a Gold Key. Max Andrus’ work titled Civil Rights Captured by Media was singled out from more than 5,000 submissions to the competition.

The piece was created for an assignment related to the Grade 8 Civil Rights trip to the South when students were asked to reflect artistically on what they learned.

"I got inspiration from media because my dad works in radio and television," Max says.

"My piece shows how the media were involved in furthering the Civil Rights Movement. On one of our stops we walked across the bridge in Selma, Alabama, where the first big news story about the movement was captured and people learned how bad things were there. We also visited a museum in Birmingham that ran videos from the day showing people who were for and against the movement."

CONGRATULATIONS TO MAX AND THESE ARTISTS FROM THE CLASS OF 2015: Sophie Berger, Honorable Mention, Separate is not Equal Alyvia Gonzales, Honorable Mention, Flight of Fancy Averie Hughes, Honorable Mention, Elephant

Join the Green & White Club!

Congratulations, Class of 2015! Your Graland education is behind you but your alumni experience is just beginning!

You’re invited to join the Green & White Club, a program just for young alums like you that sets you on the path to continued involvement with the school. To become a member, make a $2 donation to Graland this year and increase your gift by $2 each year through high school. Your dollars will be matched by the Alumni Association and will be used to support the amazing programs and faculty that helped you succeed as a Graland student.

Thank you to those 2015 graduates who have already given.

To get started on making a difference for future students, contact Kristin Eklund ‘88 Weber (kweber@graland.org). All it takes is $2!

Graland Country Day School 55 Clermont Street Denver, CO 80220 303.399.0390 graland.org

Photos by Bower Photographics

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STAY CONNECTED Kristin Eklund '88 Weber Director of Alumni Relations Facebook.com/graland.alums 12

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kweber@graland.org 303-398-3623