Growing Up Graland 2017

CLASS OF 2017

Growing Up Graland Growing Up Graland I 1

To the Class of 2017: The Gestation of an Eighth Grader

By Dean Brenda Stockdale

When I think about the Class of 2017, I feel like a proud mother – one of many mothers and fathers here at Graland who take credit for your “birth.”

Personally, I’ve known many of you for nine years – since you graced the halls of Graland as kindergarten applicants, showing up to your visit day looking your best and cheerfully completing all of the tasks we asked of you.

Many of your eighth grade teachers have known you for just nine months – long enough to share in your gestation and now proudly sending you out into the world beyond Graland. Whether it’s been nine years, nine months, or something in between, during your time here, you have experienced incredible growth on your way to becoming an adult.

In kindergarten your gross and fine motor skills were developing. Do you remember when it was a big deal that you could stand and hop on one foot? Or catch a softball? Or write with a pencil? Or cut out shapes with scissors? As an eighth grader you could run from Mr. Chavez at recess, steal the ball from seventh graders and dangle from the basketball rim.

You could type 80 words per minute as you put the finishing touches on that English essay five minutes before it was due. You sometimes pretended to do your homework while texting, SnapChatting and checking Haiku simultaneously.

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In kindergarten, you reached many cognitive milestones. Do you remember when you began recognizing colors and shapes? Or when you learned the letters of the alphabet and their sounds?

How about when you could recite your name, address and phone number and count numbers up to 20? By eighth grade you were using iMovie, Keynote and Prezi to create stunning presentations.

You could recite the Gettysburg address, a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and all your lines from Young Frankenstein. You understood the Pythagorean Theorem and the quadratic formula, and how to apply them.

In kindergarten, your language skills were emerging. Do you remember when you learned to use plurals, pronouns and verb tenses correctly?

Or when you told stories, jokes and riddles -- and made people laugh. You also began following multistep directions. By eighth grade you could understand gerund phrases, appositives and the Oxford comma. You knew which memes, jokes and YouTube videos were appropriate and which were not. You completed a multi-step civil rights memorial project in just a few days.

In kindergarten, your social skills were

growing. Do you remember when you first wanted people to like you and got attention by dancing, singing or being silly. Or when you learned to follow the rules (most of the time).

In eighth grade you still wanted people to like you, but avoided drawing attention to yourself.

You tested the rules to figure out which ones were worth following.

Last September, you were brand new eighth graders, in the infancy of incredible intellectual, emotional, physiological and social growth – more so than what you experienced as kindergartners.

Over the past nine months, your teachers and I have been like first time parents-to-be, bubbling with joy over the new life we were helping create.

During the first trimester, we were often tired, moody and plagued by weird food cravings (like Mr. Dresden’s green shakes). By the end of the second trimester we were feeling pretty good, with the high school application process behind us and everyone getting more sleep. Then, April hit, and again we were a little restless – easily exasperated but excited about who you’d be when you walked across the stage in June.

Now, with high school ahead of you, I know there will be continued growth: • Thinking more abstractly about situations, ideas and the future • Solving more complex problems in multiple ways • Considering more carefully the consequences of your actions • Widening your friendship circle • Developing more compassion for others • Becoming more independent But don’t get so grown up that you forget to be silly, dance along the sidewalk or smile at a passerby.

Don’t forget to slow down long enough to notice and appreciate the wonders all around you. Graland Green will always run through your veins, and each of us adults who have had a tiny part of your development will smile, knowing we’ve helped “bring you into the world,” ready for the experiences that await you.

“As you move on from Graland, take the time to listen to and to empathize others. In the end, these narratives bring us closer together because they reveal both our similarities and differences, they deepen our understanding of the human experience.”

– Josh Cobb Head of Middle School “As the physical design of the school has changed, it has been the same people, for the most part, who have been here with me. Even as we are moving on, we will never completely leave Graland. We will stay here through the memories that we share.”

– Serena Barish, Class Co-President “So moving on to high school, how are we going to inspire leadership? How are we going to instill integrity in others? How are we going to build community? We all know how because our teachers have taught us well. Class of 2017, it’s up to us to think critically and sprinkle a little bit of the people who have made us wherever we go.”

– Josiah Davis, Class Co-President

To the Class of 2017, go forward into life and, whatever you choose to do, be the best you can be!

View Graduation Extras Online! graland.org/ClassOf2017 Full Speeches - Slideshows - Graduation Video Growing Up Graland I 3

Students Awarded Graduation Honors Graduation awards are a distinguished honor given each year to outstanding eighth graders. Congratulations to these deserving students.

JOHN COMFORT HEADMASTER’S AWARD 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. Congratulations to Maya Rutherford, our 2017 recipient.

Maya distinguished herself as an independent thinker who both takes her work very seriously, and finds joy in the process. Like a true intellectual, she embraces challenges and works relentlessly to achieve a deeper understanding

of the issue at hand. Maya is also an accomplished vocalist and comedienne, talents that were displayed in her recent performance as “Inga” in Young Frankenstein. Athletically, Maya earned a Golden Eagle award this year for playing on a Graland team all throughout Middle School. In her free time, she also played competitive ice hockey. A quiet leader who pushes those around her to be better, Maya became known as the glue that kept her class together.

GEORGIA NELSON AWARD 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. In 2017, two students were selected for this award.

Annie Mei Manaassee excelled in each of her classes, but of greater importance was the way in which she approached her work. While she is certainly studious, and desirous of success, she doesn’t let success be her primary motivator. “Through her consistent and

persistent display of energy, enthusiasm, and joy, Annie Mei is truly deserving of the Georgia Nelson Award,” shared math teacher Jorge Chavez.

Sage Phelps-Fast has grown in both confidence and ability, overcoming earlier challenges through her own will and desire to succeed. Her ethical nature goes above and beyond what is standard in an adolescent, indicative of her spirit.

Teacher Elky Dorman says, “With her sass, fire, and independence, she has plowed her way through Graland, taking no prisoners and excelling here.”

TIMOTHY JOHNSON SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP AWARD The Timothy Johnson Service and Leadership Award is presented annually to a graduate who displays outstanding effort in service and leadership to the graduating class, school, community and self. This award speaks to the dual roles of being a leader while simultaneously being of service to others. Congratulations to award recipient Ryan Gaghen.

Ryan is a student who genuinely enjoys helping others; someone with a big heart who serves in an unselfish way. He is also a leader who engenders support through rapport and a personal influence. As a 4

student admission ambassador, Ryan shared his story about being a student a Graland with prospective families and captivated his audience with his thoughtful words and quiet demeanor.

“Imagine a 14-year-old who graciously accepts criticism, inspires classmates to reach beyond their grasp, unselfishly help others and never grumbles,” said Dean James Foreman. “He is truly a model student, who brings a high level of commitment and an optimism to whatever task is a hand.”

CLASS OF 2017

MATRICULATION Joaquin Abarca - Kent Denver School ▲ ✦ Phillip Albright - Regis Jesuit High School ▲ Abby Amann - Kent Denver School ✦ Natalie Aymond - Cherry Creek High School ▲ ✦ Ava Barish - East High School ▲ ✦ Lola Barish - East High School ▲ ✦ Serena Barish - East High School ▲ ✦ Gigi Beardsley - Colorado Academy ✦ Jordan Benson - East High School ▲ Marin Bomgaars - Colorado Academy ▲ ✦ Jeb Brown - Valor Christian High School ▲ Keiran Cebrian - Kent Denver School Sebastian Chambers - East High School James Cobb - Cate School (CA) ▲ ✦ Sam Cohen - East High School ▲ Josiah Davis - Clovis West High School (CA) Charlie Decker - Kent Denver School ▲ Linc Dines - Westminster School (CT) ▲ Tommy Donaldson - Regis Jesuit High School Cooper Fallon - East High School Emma Ferer - Vail Mountain School Will Forbes - Kent Denver School ✦ Patrick Frankel - East High School ✦ Ella Freimuth - Colorado Academy ▲ ✦ Gabe Fuselier - South High School ▲ Ryan Gaghen - Colorado Academy Quinn Geller - Colorado Academy ▲ Brooke Gilbert - East High School Joey Gonzales - Colorado Academy Jack Gowen - Kent Denver School ▲ William Grawemeyer - East High School Ben Hawley - Kent Denver School Spencer Hecklinger - Cherry Creek High School ▲ Lee Heselton - Verde Valley High School (AZ) Eleanor Hunt - Kent Denver School ▲ Gracie Hutt - St. Mary's Academy ▲ Michael Jackson - East High School Alex Kechriotis - Phillips Exeter Academy (NH) ▲ ✦ Greg Kintzele - Mullen High School ▲ Casey Klutznick - Kent Denver School ▲ Andy Kornfeld - Cherry Creek High School ▲ Cate Lord - Regis Jesuit High School ▲ Nina Lubchenco - East High School Sean Mahoney - Kent Denver School ▲ Annie-Mei Manassee - Kent Denver School Clara Masters - Regis Jesuit High School ▲ Justin Mayer - Kent Denver School Nick Mayer - Kent Denver School Parker Mead - Regis Jesuit High School ▲ William Mead - Cherry Creek High School ▲

CLASS OF 2017 HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT 14%

20%

5% 8% 19% 15% 19%

Kent Denver School East High School Regis Jesuit High School Colorado Academy Cherry Creek High School Boarding School** Other*

*Schools Include: Mullen High School, Out of State, St. Mary’s Academy, Smoky Hill High School, South High School, Vail Mountain School and Valor Christian School **Boarding Schools Include: Cate School, Phillips Exeter Academy and Westminster School

Katharine Merrifield - Colorado Academy ▲ ✦ Dieterich Miller - Regis Jesuit High School Amos Mills - Mullen High School ▲ Amy Moore-Bonbright - East High School ▲ Angelina Murane - St. Mary's Academy ▲ Emory Pardun - Regis Jesuit High School ▲ Sage Phelps-Fast - Colorado Academy ▲ Alina Popova - Kent Denver School Sofia Reyes - Regis Jesuit High School Catalina Rodriquez - East High School ▲ Madeline Roper - Regis Jesuit High School Max Rosenstein - Cherry Creek High School ▲

Douglas Ross - Smoky Hill High School Natalie Rumsfeld - Colorado Academy ▲ ✦ Maya Rutherford - Colorado Academy ▲ ✦ Katie Sauer - Phillips Exeter Academy (NH) ▲ Alex Song - Regis Jesuit High School ▲ Christopher Song - Regis Jesuit High School ▲ Jonah Sperling - Cherry Creek High School Cameron Swaney - Colorado Academy Carl Swett - Regis Jesuit High School Weston Wolkov - South High School ✦ ▲ Attended Graland K-8 ✦ Graduated with Honors

Growing Up Graland I 5

Graduation Song MY OWN WAY Lyrics by Josiah Davis, Emma Ferer, Gabe Fuselier, Lee Heselton, Grace Hutt, Clara Masters, Angelina Murane, Sage Phelps-Fast, Sofia Reyes, Douglas Ross, Christopher Song, Cameron Swaney, Josh Gaffga

I went from shutting the door to leaving it ajar, and now it's time to go so far away.

And I know I cannot stay 'cause I've got to go my own way, way.

I'm sad to leave but the future's got something up its sleeve.

Memories, friends, we've been through so much.

Time passed will we ever keep in touch.

Now that you're leaving I have to change my point of view; you've helped me see the world and made it look new.

I have another journey to start.

You will always be in my heart knowing you will stay you.

Maybe we will keep in touch, or maybe we will grow apart.

But the memories will always be in our hearts.

We've drawn our lives together, and it will be with us forever.

Memories, friends, we've been through so much.

Time passed will we ever keep in touch.

Now that you're leaving I have to change my point of view; you've helped me see the world and made it look new.

I have another journey to start.

You will always be in my heart knowing you will stay you.

Oh… You have shown me my own way.

“Your pitch may not be perfect, and you may sometimes forget the lyrics, but know that you are ready to live a life not centered on accomplishments and busyness. You are ready to live based on the melody that our world needs to hear right now: compassion, integrity, leadership, critical thinking, community, perseverance, loving your neighbor.”

– Josh Gaffga, music teacher Go online to read the full speech from the graduation dinner: graland.org/ClassOf2017 Growing Up Graland I 7

JOIN THE

& CLUB!

GREEN WHITE CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2017!

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 2017 graduates who have already given. To get started on making a difference for future students, contact Kristin Eklund ‘88 Weber. All it takes is $2!

GALLOP BACK TO US!

GRALAND GREATS RETIRE IN 2017

Sunday, September 24, Washington Park Run, walk or cheer with your friends from the Class of 2017 at the annual Graland Gallop 5K race! Register early at graland.org/gallop and save $5 before September 16. See you at the Gallop!

The Class of 2017 is the last to enjoy a year with two Graland greats. Coach Robert Romero, a Graland alumnus, retired after 33 years in the athletic department at Graland. Head of School Ronni McCaffrey also completed her successful career in education after 40 years.

Eighth graders dedicated the 2016-17 yearbook to Ms. McCaffrey, including two pages of quotes from students about her impact on their education. We all wish them the best in their retirement years!

REPS KEEP CLASS OF 2017 CONNECTED The Class of 2017 has selected Serena Barish and Ben Hawley to serve as alumni representatives to keep their classmates informed and connected to Graland.

Thank you to Serena and Ben for taking on this role in the alumni community!

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Honors and Awards Academic Excellence Awards

Western Academic Talent Search

Academic Excellence awards acknowledge students who exhibit intellectual curiosity and risk-taking; pursue learning with vigor and joy; demonstrate a passion for the subject; think critically; and inspire intellectual excellence in others. Congratulations to these students were recognized for subject matter excellence during the school year.

The Western Academic Talent Search (WATS) is facilitated by the Center of Bright Kids and offers opportunities for academically talented students. Graland students are grouped with others in grades 3-9 residing in New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and Montana. To qualify, students score over the 90th percentile national norms on any ERB subtest and are invited to take the SAT, ACT or PSAT examinations, all designed for much older students. Graland is proud to share that the following students scored in the top ranks of that elite group.

Math: Nick Mayer Catalina Rodriguez Maya Rutherford

History: Kieran Cebrian Eleanor Hunt Katharine Merrifield

English: Tommy Donaldson Lee Heselton Maya Rutherford

Spanish: Natalie Aymond Serena Barish Gigi Beardsley

Science: Ava Barish Lola Barish Serena Barish

French: Annie Mei Manassee Sofia Reyes

Highest Honors Category: Top 10% James Cobb Serena Barish

Honors Category: Top 25% Ava Barish Catalina Rodriguez

Scholastic Art Awards

Colorado Mathematics League Through the Math League, middle schoolers participated in math contests that promote the enjoyment and study of mathematics. Math contests are an opportunity to participate in an academicallyoriented activity and to gain recognition for mathematical achievement. Congratulations to these students who were among the top scorers state-wide at the eighth grade level.

Congratulations to eighth grade artists who received recognition in the 2017 Scholastic Art Awards of Colorado program. Their work was judged against more than 5,600 pieces of art from Colorado students in grades 7-12 on the basis of originality, technical competence and personal voice.

Gold Key: Clara Masters "Leap of Faith"

Silver Keys: Annie Mei Manassee "Hunger Games" Amy Moore-Bonbright: Portrait #1

Serena Barish | Patrick Frankel | Weston Wolkov

Golden Eagle Awards These eighth graders participated in sports throughout their middle school years (Grades 6-8) for a total of nine seasons of Graland sports. Congratulations on your Golden Eagle Award!

Natalie Aymond Ava Barish Marin Bomgaars Samuel Cohen Linc Dines

Tommy Donaldson Ella Freimuth Joseph Gonzales William Grawemeyer Andy Kornfeld

Cate Lord Clara Masters Katharine Merrifield Dieterich Miller Sage Phelps-Fast

Sofia Reyes Max Rosenstein Maya Rutherford

Growing Up Graland I 9

G GRALAND

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Impact

GRADUATES Eighth grade UpWords speeches provide students an opportunity to share something unique about themselves with their classmates and advisors.

By reflecting on the Graland Guiding Principles, students understand themselves and the important role they play in their class, their school and the greater community.

PURSUE EXCELLENCE: AVA BARISH Ava described the challenges of being short statured and how she ultimately gave up on competing in sports in favor of academic pursuits. “I learned early on that sports weren’t a place where someone small like myself would be able to thrive. I chose to pursue excellence in my classes. My height percentile cannot affect my test percentages, and the size of my body can never limit the size of my brain.”

GUIDE CRITICAL THINKING: JACK GOWEN Jack Gowen shared his experience of being diagnosed with dyslexia after struggling academically at Graland. Once he began working with a learning specialist and retraining his brain, Jack was able to excel and to enjoy learning. “Finding out I was dyslexic was one of the best things that ever happened to me because I finally knew why I was struggling in school. Dyslexia has made me the person I am today and has overall made me a better person.”

INSTILL INTEGRITY: ANDY KORNFELD Andy discussed a time when his father became his hero. Brad Kornfeld donated a kidney to another family member and then went on to advocate for organ and tissue donation. “My father is my role model in life. I aspire to be as brave and kind as he is. He showed me that by giving a part of himself, he saved a life.”

INSPIRE LEADERSHIP: RYAN GAGHEN Ryan talked about the time he took a risk and ran for student council. Although he was nervous to stand in front of his peers and give his speech, he felt proud for challenging himself and trying something new. “Taking risks are difficult and most of the time scary but it’s about putting yourself out there, expressing yourself, and discovering something about yourself that you didn’t know.”

PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE: SOFIA REYES Sofia shared the stories of some strong women in her family -- one who battled breast cancer and one who worked to raise a large family after the untimely death of her husband. “I admire their strength and perseverance and hope that I have the same strength in obstacles that I might face in my life.”

STIMULATE INNOVATION: CAMERON SWANEY After visits to both India and Haiti where he taught sports and math to elementary students and worked in a medical clinic, Cameron was able see how traits like kindness and empathy transcend lifestyles and language barriers to connect people. “Through both of these experiences I have learned that I have gifts and abilities to offer other people, even at our age. We can all contribute to the world community and in the process learn how much we get in return.”

HONOR INDIVIDUALITY: LEE HESELTON

Lee talked about her struggle to find her own identity after living in the shadow of two older brothers. She dedicated herself to pursuing interests and hobbies like photography and songwriting, giving her the confidence to break out of her shyness and express herself creatively. “Nobody is just someone’s sibling or any other label you want to attach to them. Every one of us has our own, individual uniqueness to us. We just have to be brave enough to let it be seen.”

CULTIVATE COMPASSION: CHARLIE DECKER Charlie discussed how his Denver Kids buddy, Rashad, helped him learn compassion and empathy.

Although he lives in poverty and has grown up without a father, Rashad’s outlook on life has not been diminished by his hardships. “I recognize the importance of service and helping those who are less fortunate than myself. I have also found that it is much easier to put myself in another person’s position and empathize with them.

Because of Rashad, I have grown in my compassion for others and I have made a difference in his life as well.”

EMBRACE EXPERIENCES: ANNIE MEI MANASSEE

her life story including time spent in an orphanage and her journey to America to join other adopted children and form a family. “I am different, my own person. I have a story that no one knows about, not even me. Everybody is different and that is okay. It is what makes us humans all unique.”

CELEBRATE PERSEVERANCE: DOUGLAS ROSS Douglas described how he uses selfregulating strategies to cope with social anxiety and mild depression.

“For a long time I felt like solitude was my only way of coping. I work on this a lot to try to make it better, and I will probably work for a while. So if you ever see anyone doing something weird like rubbing their fingers together, or breathing in and out a lot, think that maybe they are persevering, just like I am.”

VALUE TRADITION: QUINN GELLER Quinn’s story was about the effect of her father’s cancer diagnosis on her family dynamics.

While she once felt distanced from her siblings and parents, coming together to support one another transformed her relationships. “I took away from this experience that life is short and fragile, and that we should never waste time holding grudges or fighting with the people we love, but instead embracing the experiences we have with them, and enjoying their presence.”

BUILD COMMUNITY: MAX ROSENSTEIN Max is a volunteer with There with Care, a local organization that helps families whose children are experiencing a medical crisis.

“Working with these families gets me out of my sheltered world and teaches me to look beyond myself so I can help people around me. I encourage everyone to see the bigger picture and get involved in the community.”

Annie Mei shared about her adoption from China when she was nearly a year old. Although she doesn’t know the details of her birth, she has embraced Growing Up Graland I 11

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 Alumni Relations

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