KIT
ROEPER COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
KIT
Through the latest school news, achievements, and stories, Keeping In Touch connects the Roeper community—current members and alumni—by celebrating the unique spirit that unites us all.
VOLUME 18, ISSUE 4
PUBLISHER
KARI KRESS
EDITOR
JENNY IRVINE
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
CAROLYN BORMAN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
JACK WILLIAMS
CONTRIBUTORS
PATRICIA BOSTWICK
DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
CHRISTOPHER FEDERICO
HEAD OF SCHOOL
JAYDEN HERTZBERG
UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT
ANNALISE MARGOLIS
2025 ROEPER GRADUATE, CLASS PRESIDENT
JASON MCINTOSH
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL DEAN OF ADMISSIONS
SUSANNAH NICHOLS
DIRECTOR OF MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOLS
DONTAE ROCKYMORE COMMENCEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
TOM ROEPER ’61*
SON OF GEORGE AND ANNEMARIE ROEPER
SHANI YAPA-KIMPSON ’08
DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS & ANNUAL FUND
CONTACT US
EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGES TO paige.wilson@roeper.org
EMAIL ALUMNI NEWS TO shani.yapakimpson@roeper.org
Read KIT online at www.roeper.org/ community/roeper-community.
The Roeper School @theroeperschool
Front Cover: Graduates Abby Klein, Emma Thelander, and Alivia
proudly share their custom caps.
*Attended but did not graduate from Roeper.
Teetsel
JAYDEN HERTZBERG
Roeper students celebrating at the 2025 Junior-Senior Dinner.
JUNE
COMMENCEMENT
KICKOFF
Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to our 2025 Commencement Ceremonies.
My name is Christopher Federico, my pronouns are he/him, and I am privileged—for a few more weeks at least—to be the Head of the Roeper School.
This past Wednesday, I also had the privilege of attending the annual President’s Dinner of the Canadian Bar Association in Ottawa. My wife, I am incredibly proud to say, was presented with an award for her work in defending the rights of trans youth against repressive and regressive government legislation tabled (in the Canadian meaning of that word) by three separate provincial governments seeking to restrict access to gender-affirming care and deny them the right to use their own names and pronouns.
Along with her at that dinner were, naturally, scores of other lawyers, members of the judiciary, two supreme court justices, and the one and only woman to have served so far as Canada’s Prime Minister. What makes this story relevant for us is that in acceptance speech after acceptance speech, these lawyers, judges, and leaders spoke with the same fear and apprehension not just of the erosion of rights, but the assault on the legal process and the independence of the judiciary that they saw as occurring here in the United States. No country, as my wife’s own advocacy proves, is immune to attempts by the narrow-minded— even when the narrow-minded are entrusted with elective office—to strip others of their rights, but so long as the tools to fight majority tyranny exist, democracy survives. If we take those away, if we, as Shakespeare warns us, “Kill all the Lawyers,” then the death of democracy soon follows.
On Thursday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with President Trump in the Oval Office. In calling upon the United States to play a greater role in ending the war in Ukraine, Herr Merz reminded the president that Friday
CHRISTOPHER FEDERICO HEAD OF SCHOOL
the 6th of June would mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day, where the allies (in fact we had begun to call them the United Nations at that point) led by the United States and commanded by an American General, landed on the beaches of Normandy to begin the defeat of Nazi Germany. President Trump quipped that that had not been a “good day” for Germany, but the chancellor had a different view: ultimately it had been a great day, he said, because it led to his country’s liberation from the tyranny of the Nazi Party, a tyranny, we must remember, that had garnered for itself the patina of popular support by the promise to make Germany great again. It was on account of that Nazi tyranny, of course, that Annemarie and George fled Germany. They could have chosen a great many
“ The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
other countries—they could presumably have even stayed in Switzerland—but they chose to come here, to the land of the free and the home of the brave. Committed to justice and the use of power to bring about justice, they sought out the place where justice and democracy flourished. The United States of the 1940s was in nowise perfect, but then as now, it had immense promise. And here they founded a school with a very specific mission. Over the 84 years of the school’s existence, that mission has been expressed in different words, but it remains unchanged in essence: to empower gifted
learners to be active and compassionate citizens of the world.
Roeper class of 2025, that means you.
The world of which you are citizens is in critical need of you. There is conflict not just in Ukraine, but in Sudan, and in the Middle East, and in Los Angeles. Around the world, we see democracy transformed into kakistocracy by demagogues who co-opt the organs of governance to serve the narrow ends of power and self-preservation rather than the expansiveness of freedom and justice for all. We see individual and group rights won over decades of campaigning erased with the stroke of a pen. We see the rapid spread of childhood diseases that we thought long ago eradicated because fearmongering has triumphed over science. We see and smell and taste in the air fires kindled by the 21st-century threat of climate change exacerbated by a return to 18th-century doctrines of protectionism and mercantilism.
But in you, we also see hope. What you have learned at Roeper, not just the facts and figures and procedures, but the importance of collaboration, the ability to think critically, the capacity for caring, the value of the individual, and the need for community, give you great power to bring about change, just as generations of Roeper graduates have done before you. The medicines you will patent, the plays you will produce, the planes you will fly, the bridges you will build, the cases you will try, the games you will win, and even the money you will make, have, in your gifted hands and combined with your compassion, the potential to connect and liberate and heal and restore.
I hope we will not be calling upon you to storm any beaches. I cling to the idea that the future we envision can be realized with some less violent, but no less effective actions. This list is not original, and you have heard it from me before (in fact I gave the same advice to last year’s graduates), but I don’t think it will hurt for you to hear it again one last time before I go:
• People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
• If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
• If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
• The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
• Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
• The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
• People say they favour underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
• What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
• People really need help but may resent you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
• Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.1
Congratulations, Roeper graduates. I am proud to have served with you these past three years, and I wish you every success as you go out not to conquer the world, but to take care of it.
FOUNDING FAMILY
It is always inspiring to return to the Roeper community and the values it represents.
Foremost among them is the capacity to value the individual within a community, which has its roots in my grandmother’s commitment to the Freudian approach to individuals.
Here are a few stories from members of our family.
A story I have often told is this: My grandmother instinctively honored individuality in 1946 when a 14-year-old, who had been in a Nazi concentration camp, broke into the kitchen of the Windsor Mountain School, the forerunner of The Roeper School. The cook was angry and said the kid was ungrateful. My grandmother (knowing how people feared hunger in concentration camps) told the cook to give him a key so he could go in anytime—the only child who had a key which the other students had to understand and accept, a true recognition of individual uniqueness and need within a community.
Another case: a new teacher came with a student to my father. The teacher explained what the child had done and thought he should be punished. My father then asked the child what had happened. The teacher was annoyed and then said his authority was being undermined by asking the child for his opinion, treating the teacher and child as equals. My father then said, “Well we always need to hear everyone’s view.” A simple idea, often ignored.
In the late 1970s, when I taught here for a semester, a girl insisted she was a boy, and her name was Bill. She decided to use the boys’ bathroom and the students defended her/him and took down or covered over the boys/girls signs on all the bathrooms. (One board member worried that the school should not allow it). The other students understood her and enabled her to be who she wanted to be. As my mother often said, “It is you who must decide just who you want to be.” All of this preceded the national bathroom debates in various
BY TOM ROEPER ’61* SON OF GEORGE & ANNEMARIE ROEPER
legislatures over the past few years about exactly this issue.
My grandparents’ school in Germany, Marienau, introduced democratic decision-making in daily community meetings right in the face of the Nazis who required top-down structure in every institution. Similarly, my mother started a student advisory board of eleven-year-olds who she asked advice from on decisions she had to make. They mentioned problems she had not known: for instance, older kids making too much noise on the school bus.
Altogether I believe that my parents and my grandparents had a different vision of what a human being was than current social science (psychology, sociology, anthropology) has. It is closer to the image of systematic creativity that modern cognitive science advocates, which is particularly clear in my field of generative linguistics.
What does modern cognitive science teach us? I hope to write a book about it. First, everything in our minds is representational: thoughts, feelings, plans for physical motion. And they must permit a system of mental operations that allows us to combine them in unique ways, moment by moment. For instance, what representation allows to attach emotions to thoughts and deduce appropriate actions? It must at least allow propositions that are verbally expressible and bear deductive potential—such as if-then conditionality, e.g., wear a jacket or you will get cold.
Thus, it must be a language of thought where critical sub-representations belong to the same system, just as we can use the 1–10 sequence in all operations (addition, multiplication, calculus). Linguistics labors to get those sub-representations right and coherent.
The most important operational feature of thought is recursion, which allows us to put thoughts inside thoughts and emotions inside them, too. Here’s one embedding three mental acts in one sentence of a 6-year-old: I know you think I think Easter is three days long. = know–think–think
This leads to the same notion behind selfactualization that my mother often spoke of. Every person is unique, not just on the outside, but inside, too. Each person has a different face, a special voice, and even glance—every person glances around a room in a different way, stopping seventeen times a second, but in a different pattern. And each mind grasps a problem in a unique way, whether it is math or fashioning a personal notion of “equality” in how we treat people. So, each of us has a slightly different grasp of every idea—and from that emerges our responsibility to articulate each person’s views.
Each of you must now interpret the Roeper philosophy in your own way.
And we need you. You are about to enter the world of the university where the values of university education, importance of diversity (DEI), the role of the curriculum, and the important presence of foreign students are being challenged. I believe it is from student imaginations, not professors’, where successful resistance will emerge. Professors were very active in opposing the Vietnam War, but it was students who were most effective in organizing opposition— inventing powerful symbolic actions like burning draft cards.
When you enter the world, if you are listening to the news, you know that President Trump has attacked universities, in particular Harvard, from where I hold a PhD and I was a visiting scholar and professor. I hope that Harvard’s president will lead this effort. Urge your college or university to join.
How do we protect free speech, international students, and curricula designed by teachers and not designed by bureaucrats to be “patriotic”? MIT behaved shamefully this spring: the graduating class president was initially not allowed to attend graduation because she expressed solidarity with Palestinians, as occurred at many graduations. Banning college protests is not the answer.
The threat extends to The Roeper School and other private schools.
It is the students, I believe, who can defend the university the best: you can defend free speech, the importance of international students, the necessity to challenge the values of any institution. Student voices, each original, have a power like no other.
The Roeper philosophy—from my perspective—must be both personal and public. You have to then convince people
individually and not think that they will never change their minds. This approach springs from respect for everyone with the view that one can find commonality for discussion with anyone.
I am very much looking forward to hearing of your accomplishments in the larger world.
[Edited for clarity and length.]
ALUMNI OUR
THE CLASS OF 2025
Graduate Presenter
GEORGE BASSEL SAADE
SAMUEL MARTIN SALINAS
ZACHARY AARON STIEBEL
AYMAN WARDFORD AHMED YUHAS
JUDE MARKO BOJAJ
ANDREW TIMOTHY GERRITS
EAMEN F. HOWARD
JAD SAADE
MATTHEW NORBERTO SALINAS
HARRISON Q. HUNGER
ROSHAN DIPAK SHAH
MATTHEW SCOTT OWEN
HOLLIS MICHAEL PERRY
OSKAR EMET ZAKONJSEK
WILSON PATRICK MCEVOY
ALIVIA ELISE TEETSEL
AESON SANTIAGO WYMAN
EMMA KATE THELANDER
JACOB MICHAEL BEVERIDGE
LYDIA DIAMOND CARLSON
JORDAN MARIE NORGARD.
DANTE STEINHOBEL
ANJALI SHARMA
IVANA D. THOMAS
NATALIE ROSE GIBBS
DANA RENAE WHITE
ISABELLA JOY DEASE
HUNTER JAMES JACKSON
QUINN BRANNON
BEX CONWAY
KRISTY DANIELLE PADRON
ANNALISE ELINA MARGOLIS
ABIGAIL SYDNEY KLEIN
SOFIA NINA SALINAS
MAEVE ELIZABETH STOTT
NATALIA PILAR SALINAS
ASAJJ P. ALLEN
ISHA ROSALYNN OBEROI
DREW HEUR
SCOTT CARMONA
NATALIE ABBOTT
. MATT VALLUS
MICHAL MCCONVILLE
. DAN JACOBS
ERIC AMBROSE
SARA MENDEZ
AMY COVA
KELLY MCDOWELL
KEVIN KILDEA
KEVIN KILDEA
LAURA MOORE
DAN JACOBS
NATALIE ABBOTT
SARA MENDEZ
SUSANNAH NICHOLS
MATT VALLUS
KEVIN KILDEA
BARB LASECKI-WEBB
WENDY MAYER
ANDREW BLECHMAN
CORINNE HATCHER
AMY COVA
MICHAL MCCONVILLE
BEN FISHER
AMY COVA
NATALIE ABBOTT
ADAM DERINGTON
STEVEN MCGHEE
ROZ LARSON
BEN FISHER
MEGAN LASSERE
ANDREA COLLINS
. MICHAL MCCONVILLE
BARB LASECKI-WEBB
PAIGE WILSON
NATALIE ABBOTT 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.
ROEPER a lifetime at
2025 graduates through the eyes of their presenters
IVANA THOMAS
PRESENTED BY AMY COVA
16
And then there is your heart. I was talking recently with a friend, who happened to be Greek, about you—about how openly you care, how deeply you make others feel included. She smiled knowingly and said one word: philoxenia. It means friend to the stranger, or more beautifully, love of the guest. A true Roeperian—generous in spirit, warm in welcome, and builder of community.
Ivana, you are philoxenia. You are a river. You are a goddess. You are a force. And now, to Ann Arbor, to your sisters, Ava and Irena, to the University of Michigan, you’ll study ecology, evolution, and biodiversity where you’ll walk beside the Huron River and through the Arb, surrounded by the very beauty you’ve always embodied. You leave Roeper having given us so much—your brilliance, your heart, your spirit. It is with ferocious pride that I present, Ivana D Thomas, class of 2025 Roeper graduate.
“Thank you so much to all of the teachers and administrators who have made my journey at Roeper unforgettable. Roeper has shaped me into becoming the best version of myself, and I know I will always have a home within its community.
Parents: Clay Thomas and Bessy Despotis
Siblings: Irena ’23 and Ava ’23 Thomas
BEX CONWAY
15.5
PRESENTED BY STEVEN MCGHEE
Friends, Roeperians, lend me your ears as I speak on behalf of the great Bex Conway, star of the stage, singer of songs, player of plays, slayer of slayage, and, now, earner of diplomas.
Bex is a freaking force of nature. An elemental force of nature, like a modern day Captain Planet, by their powers combined. Bex has earth’s gravitas, water’s depth, air’s inspiration, fire’s passion, and heart’s compassion. These elemental forces coalesce in all of us, to be sure, but in Bex they seem to be turned up to eleven. Bex has wisdom and insight beyond their years. They possess incredible talent in the performing, visual, and language arts, and a truly impressive ability to empathize with their fellow performers (and their furry animal friends at home). Bex is fearless, too, charging forward when they see injustice or a problem they might be able to solve.
Bex will be continuing their singing, playing, and slaying at Ohio Wesleyan University next year, as a double-major in Musical Theatre and English Education.
“I’ve gone to Roeper since I was like 3. No matter how hard things get or how much faith you lose in your community, I urge you to know you are so valuable and loved and there’s always going to be someone at Roeper who wants you around.
Parents: Jessica Conway and William Conway
Sibling: Annaliese Ingraham ’20
QUINN BRANNON
PRESENTED BY ADAM
DERINGTON
ANDREW GERRITS
PRESENTED BY DAN JACOBS
15
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Crypt for almost two years.
You’ve consistently demonstrated a level of involvement and contribution that enriches the entire Roeper community. From your work helping pull off community events, to being a part of our fierce forensics team, you’ve shown that you know how to make things happen.
When we have had class discussions, you’ve always shared your insights and perspective with passion and curiosity. One of your Lower School teachers, Michelle Buttermore, remembered fondly that you had a passion for caring for other people and our animal friends. She also noted your inquisitiveness, kindness, and deep intelligence. Most touching of all, Michelle believed that you and Annemarie would have been fast friends and kindred spirits. Former Lower School Director JJ Morrow added, “Simply put—I believe this school exists for children like [you].”
Roeper Theater Company Director Alex Pedica shared how proud he is that you “stepped up into a leadership role in the theatre” and hopes you “think back on your time with the RTC fondly.”
As you head off to Earlham College for Environmental Studies and Anthrozoology, we can’t wait to see what’s next.
“Michelle believed that you and Annemarie would have been fast friends and kindred spirits. -Adam Derington
Parent: Andrea Brannon 15
Notes from Andrew Gerrits’s first visit to Roeper, when he was two years old, describe him as: “Happy, adventurous, daring, strong, independent, funny. Very kind.”
All of that fits Andrew—although I would take issue with “very kind”: it seems to be a gross understatement.
This kindness overlaps with an unstoppable optimism that he applies even to himself. When he first started playing basketball, Andrew says, “I knew I wasn’t good at dribbling and passing—you know, most of basketball—but I was confident about my physical abilities, and I leaned into what I was good at. I try to do that in most things. Even if you’re not good at all of it, find where you can do your best and lean into that . . . I like the process of getting good at something.”
Indeed, Andrew says this optimism is one of the biggest things Roeper has given him: “My entire education has been about how we need to do good things. Roeper, and the story of the Roepers, have helped me see that things can get better even when they’ve become worse.”
Andrew will be attending Villanova University in the fall.
“Roeper has been an amazing place to grow up in, I have made so many incredible friends, memories and experiences.
Parents: Peter and Charlotte Gerrits Sibling: Jameson Gerrits ’23
ALIVIA TEETSEL
PRESENTED BY SARA MENDEZ
Alivia—who gave up attending a beloved NASCAR event to be here today—is honoring us all by choosing to celebrate with Roeper’s Class of 2025.
That big, contagious smile you’ll see on her face throughout the day is the essence of Alivia. As chemistry teacher Barb LaseckiWebb shared, “If Alivia were a superhero, her superpower would be positivity. She models positive self-talk and helps turn a negative environment into sunshine.” Her dad wrote when she was four, “She can find fun in almost any situation.” Years later, she echoed that mindset herself, writing, “If something isn’t challenging for me, then how can I grow and learn?”
Alivia’s kindness and calm have always made others feel welcome. Friend and volleyball teammate Jayden Hertzberg remembered, “I was just kind of standing alone and staring, not sure what to do. That is when a cheery voice says, ‘Do you want to pepper with me?’ Little did I know this is Alivia’s personality . . . she makes sure everyone is welcome.”
Having witnessed the care nurses once gave a loved one, Alivia will pursue nursing at the University of Kentucky.
“Thank you to all the people that helped me get here.
Parents: Derek and Vickie Teetsel
Sibling: Katelyn Teetsel ’23
LYDIA CARLSON
14
PRESENTED BY BARB LASECKI-WEBB
I had the pleasure of meeting Lydia Carlson when she was in the eighth grade on the Middle School volleyball team. I knew right away she was a rare find: a skillful player and natural leader with a mental and physical toughness only surpassed by the depths of compassion at her core.
Friend and teammate Maeve Stott said, “From sports captain to older sister to UMatter club, Lydia is very talented at bringing people together and truly cares about the people and causes she is helping guide. She is able to hold herself and others accountable and works extremely hard. People listen to her because she is kind and confident, but she also listens to them, making her a really great leader.”
Those who know you best said, “Lydia is a smart, competitive, excellent, tough athlete. She has been able to find her voice at Roeper and realize she is also a great friend, advocate, and kindhearted citizen of the world.” Stephanie and Kevin, I couldn’t agree more.
Lydia will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall.
“Thank you Roeper for giving me a community that I know I can always come back to. The connections I’ve made during my time here will last forever and I am so grateful for all the incredible opportunities that this community has shown me.
Parents: Stephanie Diamond and Kevin Carlson
Siblings: Lia and Mia Carlson
SAM SALINAS
14
PRESENTED BY SCOTT CARMONA
A leader on every team he plays on, Sam Salinas leads by example and with respect. I want to be clear, he will troll and roast a teammate and his coach as well, and he rightly admits it. Because he gives so much of himself to his teams, we all accept the fact that we will receive the blunt end of his keen sense of humor and awareness, knowing that it comes from a place of good humor and true affection.
Sam’s math teacher and coach Kevin Kildea shares, “Sam approaches his studies with the same quiet intensity and drive for excellence that he brings to sports. His passion to be his best is evident—in my calculus class, on the golf course, and even at the foosball table. More than just focused on his own success, Sam embodies the spirit of a Roeper student by uplifting those around him and helping others reach their full potential.”
Sam will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall.
“Keep fighting and remembering there is no downhill.
Parents: Dan and Melissa Salinas
Siblings: Natalia, Sofia, and Matthew ’25
NATALIA SALINAS
14
PRESENTED BY BARB LASECKI-WEBB
Lower School teacher Elise Lind shared, “Natalia brings so much energy and heart into the room. She is curious, thoughtful, and always excited to learn, not just for herself but so she can turn around and share it with someone else. She is the kind of person who makes a classroom feel like a real community.”
As Natalia Salinas’s teacher, homeroom advisor, and volleyball coach, I can share that Natalia was voted one of the varsity volleyball captains by her peers. Her role as a setter relied heavily on her skills to think quickly, read the court, and know her teammates. She laid her heart, soul, and body on the line for her team.
Natalia has developed into a strong leader armed with courage, athleticism, and brilliance. Her unique combination of talents will suit her well as she, in her words, “tackles the scary unknown” next fall at Northwestern University. There, she will study biomedical engineering, blending her passion for science with the drive to help others.
“Thank you Roeper for being a place where being passionate is always encouraged. I’ll miss this place and the people who make it so special.
Parents: Dan and Melissa Salinas
Siblings: Sofia, Sam, and Matthew ’25
MATTHEW SALINAS
PRESENTED BY AMY COVA
14
You are the ultimate teammate. Ed Sack saw it every time you stepped on the basketball court, soccer field, or the track—not chasing glory, but lifting others. Whether it was the 4x800 relay that shattered a school record from 1989 or that Second Team All-Conference award in soccer, you showed up. You were relentless, yet humble.
When I think of you, Matthew, I think of your eyes—how deep, focused, and present they are. There’s something about the way you connect with people that tells them what they are saying matters; they matter. Like the fennec fox—quiet, perceptive, attuned to every detail—you don’t just hear; you listen. When someone speaks to you, they feel your full attention, your care. It’s rare that kind of presence. Your eyes reflect a calm intelligence, immense empathy, and a heart that is steady, generous, and always open. That connection is different; it’s precious.
You have made a lasting impression on me, on the whole of the Roeper community. I know you will do the same at Northwestern University where you will pursue chemistry.
“I’m so glad for these last 14 years at Roeper and I’m excited to take what I learned at Roeper along with me throughout college and beyond.
Parents: Dan and Melissa Salinas
Siblings: Sofia, Sam, and Natalia ’25
SOFIA SALINAS
PRESENTED BY ANDREA COLLINS
Beyond athletics and friendships, Sofia Salinas is a scholar. She is just as sharp in the classroom as she is on the court. Her curiosity, her discipline, and love for learning are just as strong as her drive to win.
Sofia will be attending the University of Michigan, her parents’ alma mater, in the fall to study biology and Spanish—because excellence is not something she turns on and off. It’s just who she is with everything she does.
Sofia, you are one of those once in a lifetime athletes. A four-year starter, a 1000-point club member, a killer soccer player, a track star, a leader, a joy. Above all, a genuinely good human being. I’ve watched you grow up in front of my eyes—we are all so proud of you. Keep being bold. Keep pushing limits and never stop believing in your own greatness.
“I will forever be thankful for my Roeper experience. It shaped me into the person I am today and I will miss it so much. 14
Parents: Dan and Melissa Salinas
Siblings: Natalia, Sam, and Matthew ’25
DANA WHITE
PRESENTED BY BEN FISHER
Everyone needs to go adventuring with Dana White.
If they did, they would understand that Dana is just that good. Good enough that her older brother was at a loss for advice to give her. Good enough that she seems to be able to get along with just about anyone. She understands people and, even more, herself, and lets that understanding power her kindness and ambitions.
Art teacher Sara Mendez describes Dana as stalwart and solid. “You don’t automatically recognize her as the do-everything kid, but later, you look back and think, ‘Wow, Dana is just always quietly dependable.’”
In Stage IV, she would reliably ask teachers (unprompted) whether she could help with anything. It seems that helping is not something that exhausts her—helping others fills her bucket. She has such a generosity of spirit, which is on full display when she is talking the ninth graders through a tough conversation at camp, volunteering to help plan a class trip, or vividly immortalizing Chinese teacher Lilly Zhu’s defeat of an interloping bug during class time.
Dana will be attending the College for Creative Studies in the fall.
“It seems that helping is not something that exhausts her—helping others
fills her bucket.
-Ben Fisher
Parents: Sharon and David White
Sibling: Ethan White ’22
ZACH STIEBEL
PRESENTED BY NATALIE ABBOTT
Zach Stiebel is one of the kindest and quirkiest students I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. Whether drawing Sponge Bob SquarePants on white boards after translating Latin sentences or bringing in a box of mac n’ cheese when, in Stage IV, he was instructed to bring in three items that represented himself, prompting the nickname Easy Mac Zach. Zach’s uniqueness is unparalleled.
Zach excelled in Latin. It was a perfect fit for his inquisitive and analytical nature.
Unsurprisingly, Zach easily won the admiration of all his teachers. Calculus teacher Kevin Kildea stated, “Throughout the years, I’ve watched with joy as you have developed your skills. Your approach to complex concepts is characterized by curiosity and determination suggesting a bright future in any field you choose to pursue.”
Zach’s intelligence, kindness, and quirkiness will mean that when he leaves for college, I won’t have to worry that he will once again look like a poor lad lost in a room amongst strangers, because he has proven his resiliency.
Zach will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall.
“It’s been an honor to be part of the Roeper community. I know the lessons I’ve learned will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Parents: Teri Stiebel and Alan Stiebel
Sibling: Joshua Stiebel ’20
ROSHAN SHAH
PRESENTED BY KEVIN KILDEA
Roshan Shah is a young man whose calm demeanor masks a brilliant, strategic mind and a deeply compassionate heart. Known for his quiet confidence and dry wit, Roshan has balanced intellect, humility, and determination across twelve vibrant years at Roeper.
Whether dominating a chessboard, draining threes on the basketball court, or simply being the friend who listens, he’s led by example. His legendary third-grade chess win—disguising a clever knight promotion behind sleepy eyes—symbolizes how he moves through life: patiently, purposefully, and always with grace. Roshan’s impact is echoed by peers and teachers alike— admired not just for talent, but for character.
As he heads to Northwestern University to study math and economics, one thing is clear: he’s playing the long game. And as friend Sam Salinas humorously notes, behind every sarcastic jab is a truly loyal friend.
Roshan, your next move? It’s bound to be legendary.
“I am so grateful for everything this community has given me over twelve amazing years. I hope to be back soon.
Parents: Dipak Shah and Sujana Gundlapalli
Siblings: Simran and Devan Shah
MATTHEW OWEN
PRESENTED BY KEVIN KILDEA
With wit, depth, and a head tilt that suggests either profound thought or squirrel surveillance, Matthew Owen has quietly shaped the Roeper community since Stage III. Whether serving as student government secretary, launching erasers in calculus, or donating over 900 pairs of socks as an Eagle Scout, Matthew blends intellect with humor and heart.
He’s headed to the University of Michigan to study radiological science—an ideal path for someone whose mind lives at the crossroads of precision and playful absurdity. Teachers describe his insights as humbling, his kindness as constant, and his humor as uniquely Matthew: dry, sincere, and gently bewildered. His favorite memory? Creek walks. His dream? Medical school, somewhere warm. His essence? A force for good in a world that deeply needs one.
Congratulations, Matthew. You are a brilliant original, and though we’ll miss your eraser-less pencils and thoughtful presence, we know the world is lucky to have you next.
“It’s been great—adios!
Parents: Jonathan and Susan Owen
Sibling: AJ Owen ’20
ANJALI SHARMA
PRESENTED BY CORINNE HATCHER
One of Anjali’s favorite things is a good mystery. She particularly loves Agatha Christie novels starring the iconic amateur sleuth Miss Jane Marple. Esteemed colleagues, puzzled classmates, cunning parents, and those who’ve finally solved the enigma of high school, we gather today not to uncover a crime, but to celebrate a mystery unraveled—the graduation of one singular student–Anjali Sharma. Anjali shares a lot in common with Miss Marple. They are both, as Christie would state, “just the finest [. . .] God ever made. Natural genius cultivated in sustainable soil.”
Thirteen years ago, Anjali’s story at Roeper began like all good detective novels: full of intrigue and unanswered questions. Former Lower School teachers Michele and Patti note that, “She pays attention to everything in her world and has a remarkable memory . . . she has a strong sense of fairness and justice.”
Anjali has worked at both campuses teaching robotics, built an award-winning robot that has possibilities of reducing food waste, and worked with Brilliant Detroit.
Friend Isha Oberoi says, “She’s smarter and more driven than any tech billionaire in Silicon Valley!”
Anjali will be attending Cornell University in the fall to study computer programming.
“I am so grateful to Roeper for creating a community where I have had amazing friendships and met so many wonderful people, and I hope to always be a part of it, no matter where the future takes me.
Parents: Pratibha Chauhan and Ajit Sharma
Sibling: Aditi Sharma
JACOB BEVERIDGE
PRESENTED BY KEVIN KILDEA
Some students leave a mark—Jacob Beveridge launched a trajectory. From the moment he entered Roeper, his drive was unmistakable.
As a sixth grader in eighth grade science and a robotics team standout, he quickly proved he was ready for more. By high school, he led the team to OCCRA semifinals for the first time in seventeen years. Jacob is more than talented—he’s thoughtful, curious, and committed, excelling as a musician, athlete, club president, and even as the Fighting Tuna mascot.
Whether blacksmithing, debating toaster rights, or perfecting his discus throw after an infamous misfire, Jacob never stops growing. With deep gratitude for his mother and a passion for learning, Jacob now heads to Purdue University to study aerospace engineering. From no pants in third grade to rocket science—Jacob’s journey is uniquely his. He’s not just ready for the future—he’s already in flight.
“I spent a good decade here. I wish everyone the best.
Parent: Sandra Beveridge
HOLLIS PERRY
PRESENTED BY LAURA MOORE
There has been a lot of talk about what makes a great leader. Pinpointing the qualities of one is difficult—unless you know Hollis Perry.
Hollis uses what he knows about himself to help others. Last year he decided to institute giving pre-tournament inspirational speeches, as he was able to read the emotional temperature of the room, saw pre-tournament jitters, and devised a way to help. Two years later Hollis’ warm-up speeches were key to Roeper Forensics becoming two-time State Champions. His desire to help others moved Hollis to coach this year, and he learned that helping others achieve their own personal best was much more fulfilling than individual accolades. Even though Hollis was this year’s Poetry State Champion, he told us his greatest accomplishments were coaching the Poetry 9/10 State Champ and our middle schoolers.
Great leaders leave a legacy, and Hollis has left a great legacy—academically, on the field, and in forensics. It’s no wonder that a school with the tagline “the leaders and best”—the University of Michigan—has accepted Hollis into its class of 2029.
“Hollis uses what he knows about himself to help others.
-Laura Moore
Parents: Jessica Perry and Chad Perry
HUNTER JACKSON
PRESENTED BY NATALIE ABBOTT
Whether in Latin, a free block, outside of school, or online playing a video game, Hunter Jackson is always very focused on engaging the people around him, and down to doing something fun. He has been like this for as long as I can remember, and I am sure he will continue to engage with his signature brand of humor after high school.
And while many of those who know Hunter will undoubtedly remember him most for his humor and wit, his intellect is equally as salient. Hunter grasped Latin concepts quickly and easily.
English teacher Ben Fisher noted Hunter’s “bold, well-considered, and thoughtful insights.”
It’s his analytical and meticulous mind that seeks entertainment and understanding in everything around him. I wish I could recall the context, but I remember once in class Hunter responding to another student’s comment, “That’s like showing up to a construction site and saying, ‘Where’s the house?’” It’s no surprise that Hunter is most proud of his leadership role in the studentled club Fun Fun Fun which provided fun activities for the community.
Hunter will be attending Michigan State University in the fall.
“Goodbye!!!!! I will miss Roeper!!!! :)
Parents: Christine and Erik Jackson
NATALIE GIBBS
PRESENTED BY MICHAL MCCONVILLE
As the most decorated distance runner in Roeper history, it may seem that to Natalie Gibbs the journey is only more important than the destination because it has to be really, really fast. But it turns out that whether the journey is an all-out sprint or a meandering stroll, Natalie categorically rejects the concept of the means to an end: she appreciates all of the moments that get her where she’s going.
Natalie always creates a supportive, inclusive environment wherever she goes. Friend Sofia Salinas highlighted this saying, “She’s so inspiring because she’s looking out for everyone, not only focused on bettering herself.”
Natalie’s positive outlook and breezy attitude are a stunning feat given her persistence in setting nearly impossible goals. Natalie never seeks instant gratification or even recognition; she subtly celebrates each personal victory and then sets her sights higher.
Next year, Natalie will head off to New York University. But in true Natalie fashion, I have a feeling this is just the beginning of an epic side quest, and I can’t wait to hear what she learns from the journey.
“Thank you Roeper for everything!
Parents: Julie and G. Tyler Gibbs
Sibling: Noah Gibbs
WILSON MCEVOY
7
PRESENTED BY NATALIE ABBOTT
Wilson is one of the most adult-acting high schoolers I’ve ever known, or maybe just an old soul. Perhaps it’s a combination of his normal speaking volume, which is neither overly loud and forceful nor subdued, and his cool, calm, and collected demeanor. Wilson just seems to “get” life.
When reading over Wilson’s progress reports, history teacher Matt Vallus’s comment made me pause, “Wilson, for some reason I cannot get the thought of little American gingerbread men out of my head when I review your performance for the semester.” He used baked goods as a map to depict various themes of the US before the Civil War. Matt continued, “Your work depicted a strong and precise understanding of the content, while adding a degree of humor that made such ideas quite memorable. Clearly, this was a uniquely ‘Wilson’ project.”
Wilson’s time at Roeper has been filled with rigorous courses, strong friendships, and delightful activities. He shared, “Roeper has given me the space and opportunity to grow [and] focus on things that interest me academically and personally. Roeper supported whatever I wanted to do.”
Wilson will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall.
“Farewell, it’s been a great time!
Parents: Eric and Erica McEvoy
KRISTY PADRON
PRESENTED BY ROZ LARSON
“Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.”
Kristy may be small, but she sure is mighty. It is an honor to be standing next to this force of nature on such a monumental occasion. When I asked folks how they would describe Kristy, several common traits quickly emerged: “Force of nature” was one of them. Reflecting on these themes, the image of an oak tree began to etch itself into my mind.
Kristy, as you start your new journey on the path to premed at Michigan State University, remember the admiration of those that love you. You are a small but mighty oak, caring for those you love, working hard to support them, and persevering through any hardship that has come your way.
Congratulations to a first-generation college student, force of nature, and Roeper graduate, Kristy Padron.
“I’m so grateful for everything Roeper has given me throughout the years and I can’t wait to instill the core values I learned during my time at Roeper into my future and others.
Parents: Sara Padron-Mendoza and Eduardo Flores Vega
BELLA DEASE
PRESENTED BY AMY COVA
As a choreographer, I often talk about the idea of an embodied home—a place you carry within yourself. It’s about a sense of truth and belonging, of vulnerability rooted in strength. And you, Bella, have built that kind of home within your body, your heart, in your way of being, in your presence at Roeper.
You invited all of us into that home when you danced your senior solo to Frank Ocean’s Godspeed. You, this dance, it was honest, raw. It was the ache of letting go, the fierceness of love, the tenderness of goodbye. You shared your truest self in that performance. You shared your home. What a gift to witness. And so, as you prepare to leave this version of home behind, know that I am so proud of you. Of your mind, your art, your strength, your fierce and tender heart.
And trusting that, no matter where you dance next, you’ll have this place, Roeper to call home, always.
Godspeed. And good luck on your next adventure as a full-ride Eli Lily scholar studying biomedical engineering at Purdue University.
“I will forever thank the Roeper community for allowing me to grow into the open-minded, challenge seeking, and strong individual I am today.
Parents: Kristy Firchau and Jeffrey Dease
AESON WYMAN
PRESENTED BY SUSANNAH NICHOLS
Hale Williams calls Aeson Wyman “one of Roeper’s best kept secrets,” and not just because Aeson was able to deftly dissect the math components of the Taco Bell ordering app. Always with a wry and somewhat secretive smile, Aeson is a keen observer, listener, and thinker.
Sara Mendez recalls many days when she realized that music was suddenly playing in her art classes—because Aeson, toting his own Bluetooth speaker, had cued up the perfect ambient soundtrack for the moment. About Aeson’s time in her film class, Kelly McDowell praised his growth into a “leading voice in the class.” She shares that she has seen Aeson learn to “pursue his interests in a variety of mediums—writing, music, and visual media—unabashedly and uncompromisingly.”
As he heads to Ferris State University next year, I believe his fellow Bulldogs will come to know him as someone who’s improved the quality of their lives before they even realized what was happening.
“Goodbye Roeper.
Parents: Kimberly and Troy Wyman
OSKAR ZAKONJSEK
PRESENTED BY DAN JACOBS
Oskar Zakonjsek is a monster.
I don’t mean this as some new Gen Alpha slang term—although Oskar is, in fact, a beast in his two years on the Roeper track team, as well as in his writing, artwork, intellectual prowess, and pretty much any area he focuses on.
Oskar explains: “Monsters challenge what is acceptable and what is possible. They’re always on the edge of what is real in our world. They challenge societal laws. The interesting stuff is always on the edge of what is okay and what is not.” I would posit that this aptly describes Oskar.
His first and middle names, Oskar Emet, mean “Jumping Fighter for Truth.”
His mother, Shoshanna, says: “He has always been behind the mission of Roeper as an inclusive place where we can grow and fight together for justice. And, when Oskar points out that we don’t always live up to that, it’s with the intention of helping us become that place by being honest and aware of where we fall short. He will always stand up for justice.”
This fall, Oskar will be attending the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia.
I’ve learned a lot. Shout out to the awesome teachers, you know who you are!
Parents: Shoshanna Utchenik and Jan Zakonjsek
JORDAN NORGARD
PRESENTED BY WENDY MAYER
My greatest hope as a teacher was that I could help Jordan Norgard reach her highest goals. To teach her how to understand and manage the red tape, how to get what she wanted within those confines, and walk the line between clearing paths and learning the reality of big projects that affected entire communities.
For the people beyond Roeper, don’t quelch her or stop her. If Jordan has a passion for something, she will make it happen, and our lucky role is to be inspired by her and give her all the creative space, fuel, and encouragement we can.
In the end the best way to recognize Jordan is to read her own words: “Throughout my time at Roeper, I’ve intentionally crafted an education that suits me and has been deeply rewarding. I’ve completed 16 independent studies and my senior project, taken the classes I wanted in my own way, and connected with numerous people across both campuses. I recognize my education as strong because my learning continues beyond school hours.
I clearly see the mutual impact between myself and Roeper. I do not regret anything, and I would not trade my experience for the world.”
“Thank you Roeper for enhancing my life!
EAMEN HOWARD
PRESENTED BY ERIC AMBROSE
The Eamen Howard Suite:
Movement I - The Musician
Eamen is a fantastic saxophonist. He has a great ear and a huge passion for music. For his senior project, Eamen transcribed a difficult piece of music for our band to perform at the Showcase Concert.
Movement II - The Humorist
Eamen is highly intelligent, and to me that comes across most often in his wit. His humor has often caught me off-guard with a smart, topical quip. Every person I’ve spoken with mentions how much they enjoy his humor, and how he is often the first to laugh.
Movement III - The Quiet Analyst
Eamen is a fairly quiet person in many situations. He is a deep thinker, able to make strong emotional connections with topics he is passionate about. Dan Jacobs notes “[Eamen’s] intensity was the fuel that drove [. . .] six months of creating one of the most detailed and complex presentations and pieces of analysis I have ever had the pleasure of working with a student on.”
Eamen will be attending Oakland Community College in the fall.
Well, it’s been fun. Goodbye then.
Parent: Kristine Howard
Parents: Amy and Jon Norgard
ASAJJ ALLEN
PRESENTED BY PAIGE WILSON
Asajj Allen began at Roeper in the seventh grade and fully engulfed herself into the Roeper culture; from the Senior Dance Showcase, outperforming during track season in the 100m and 200m hurdles, tapping into her creativity and writing a poetry book for her senior project, and participating in memorable school events like spirit week and junior-senior dinner. Asajj displayed kindness and the willingness to help inside and outside of Roeper through her assistance with middle school volleyball, chaperoning the sixth-grade trip, and working as an assistant teacher at DAPCEP, a pre-college STEM program in Detroit. All contributed from the attributes exemplified by the teachers who made a lasting impression on her at Roeper.
Asajj would like to thank her parents, grandparents, auntie, and The Shrine for raising her to be the person she is today—a person she hopes they are proud of. And a special thanks goes to the men in her life for always treating her like a princess!
Asajj will attend Fisk University on a full-ride scholarship to become a Serial Entrepreneur in the Event Planning and Interior Design industry.
“Continue to learn, change, and grow because it is the only way you can become better.
Parents: Jannel Lee-Allen and Abayomi Allen
Sibling: Kessonga Allen ’23
ANNALISE MARGOLIS
PRESENTED BY BEN FISHER
Annalise Margolis is remarkable in more ways than I could possibly name, but the most essential is this: she walks through the world with a sense of justice and responsibility that is somehow, impossibly, perfectly matched by her humility. Is she courageous? Yes. Does she deserve fanfare? All of it! But, for Annalise, that is so not the point. Annalise does what she does simply because she cares.
Annalise, you make community happen. Your teachers, friends, and family relentlessly express just how much they love being around you. How wonderful a leader you are. How you make every situation better by mere virtue of your presence. Please join me in congratulating and thanking Annalise for her citizenship and leadership. You came to Roeper at the time when Roeper most needed you. You are the kind of leader anyone would be lucky to have. Be as kind to yourself as you are to the whole world as you head off to Kalamazoo College to pursue clinical psychology and continue your journey to repair our world. Roeper community, I present to you, Annalise Elina Margolis.
Annalise does what she does simply because she cares.
-Ben Fisher
Parents: Jennifer and Jeffrey Margolis
Sibling: Amanda Margolis ’19
DANTE STEINHOBEL
PRESENTED BY ANDREW BLECHMAN
I recall when you built up enough courage to tell me that your quiet demeanor, refusal to make eye contact, and constantly drawing random cartoons in your notebook were in fact your way of saying, “I REALLY love your class!” You apparently loved it so much that you abandoned your dream to go to med school when you told me, “Hey: physics is a good thing to major in, after all!”
From there, I watched you slowly start to build your confidence. You moved to the front of the room and started asking questions. You joined the Physics Club and came to every meeting. And although you still struggled in some ways, you began taking ownership of these struggles, taking every opportunity to make corrections and fix mistakes.
You told me about joining a tight friend group, and how the relationships you cultivated there were truly meaningful. Your curiosity of architecture, the melding of science, engineering, nature and art, have given you a strong direction, and in the fall you will follow that passion of exploration to Lawrence Technological University to study structural engineering, possibly continuing your father’s work refurbishing old buildings in Detroit.
“This school and the people I’ve met in it have changed my life for the better in ways I never expected. I’m so happy to have made it this far, and I’m just as sad to see it go.
JAD SAADE
4
PRESENTED BY SARA MENDEZ
Good afternoon. On behalf of Jad Airlines, it is my pleasure to welcome you aboard Flight 2025. Please fasten your seat belt and prepare for takeoff.
It would be fair to say that Jad Saade encountered slight turbulence during takeoff in his early schooling. Prior to attending Roeper, he went to a Catholic school where he felt like he didn’t have much choice in his education. The skies cleared when Jad came to Roeper in ninth grade. He found Roeper to be a refreshing change with variable daily schedules, and a looser format where he could pursue projects and subjects that were interesting to him. He found his way into my Open Studio and ceramics classes, and thrived in an environment where he said, “I could pick my own projects and find out what I liked to do.”
Jad recalls his first project for Open Studio: “I designed an entire airline from scratch, including their fleet, branding, and timeline. I ended up with a gallery of six different planes and a detailed story about the airline, all the way from the airline’s founding to [its] collapse.”
Jad will be attending Purdue University in the fall.
Cya nerds.
Parents: Jeanne Bassil and Bassel Saade Sibling: George Saade ’25
Parents: Tracy Roche and Marc Steinhobel
GEORGE SAADE
4 4
PRESENTED BY DREW HEUR
Hi everyone, my name is Drew and I was the interim Biology and AP Biology teacher for this year. I am honored to represent George and highlight two of his biggest strengths: growth and compassion.
The first is George’s propensity for growth. Despite a chaotic start to the year, George quickly rose to the challenge of daily lectures and difficult AP-style questions. AP Chem teacher Barb Lasecki-Webb wrote, “Wow! That is a remarkable improvement.” Soccer Coach Ed Sack added, “Although George had not played soccer for several years, he was an extremely valuable member of our team, helping secure our defense and ultimately helping his team win the MIAC Conference Championship.” His girlfriend Asajj said, “George loves to explore and try new things; be it food, places, experiences, etc.”
George’s second strength is his compassion. Kevin Kildea shared, “George’s strong work ethic and teamwork skills make him a real MVP in our class.” Ayman Yuhas said, “No matter what, he will continue to explain it to me until I get it.” And Jude Bojaj added, “He makes sure everyone feels included in any scenario.”
George will be attending Belmont University this fall.
“I am grateful for my time spent here at Roeper and will take the plethora of valuable lessons that
I’ve learned with me to my future.
Parents: Jeanne Bassil and Bassel Saade
Sibling: Jad Saade ’25
JUDE BOJAJ
PRESENTED BY MICHAL MCCONVILLE
Jude Bojaj loves to keep people on their toes. If he is not shouting down a hallway to greet me or leaving notes in my mailbox, sometimes with little treats, he is up to something with his close friends and family. George Saade shares that Jude “is a very serious and sharply intelligent person.” But Ayman Yuhas shares another side: “He might seem shy and quiet on the surface, but he has a great sense of humor and never fails to make us laugh.” Gretchen Osgood delighted in saying, “Jude never fails to both bewilder and entertain.”
A violinist since third grade and an enthusiastic pencil artist, Jude has played with the Honors Orchestra and has been published in the school’s art magazine, The Muse. His sister, Noelle, says Jude “has a philosophical perspective on things, a strong moral compass, and is thoughtful about his way of living.”
This fall, Jude will head to Butler University. I am confident that he will find a new community to help, amuse, and enrich, and they will be so fortunate to know this conundrum of a man who makes life so great.
“Goodbye Roeper community, remember that change starts with you.
Parents: Anton and Gjyste Bojaj
Siblings: Bianca ’23 and Noelle Bojaj
EMMA THELANDER
PRESENTED BY MATT VALLUS
Emma has always been tuned in—not just to the world around her, but to the people in it. She listens with her full heart. If someone is struggling, she notices. She steps in. She lifts them up. In a world that can sometimes feel chaotic or detached, Emma grounds us. With empathy, a vibrant spirit, and a simple conversation, she has become a beacon of compassion in our lives.
All of Emma’s friends say her adventurous spirit will be with her beyond Roeper. She will be well-traveled, probably exploring many different countries and meeting new people who will instantly become friends.
Next year, Emma heads to Washington DC to attend American University, where her love for people, her fascination with the world, her obsession with maps—all point toward a future filled with curiosity, impact, and adventure.
“Thank you to everyone that has supported me through these last 4 years!
HARRISON HUNGER
PRESENTED BY KELLY MCDOWELL
When asked about his life aspirations, Harrison says that he would like to meet everyone, see everyplace, do everything. His open-mindedness and sense of adventure has led to his great appreciation of cultures outside of his own . . . and, as an integral part of this, to his language studies. He has, in fact, taught himself languages that include Ancient Icelandic and hopes someday to read Dostoevsky in Russian.
He is excited to embark on global adventures while collecting life experiences and believes that this will have an important impact on his educational and professional pursuit of law.
And yet . . . for as much carpe diem that Harrison possesses, for as much excitement he has about setting off to explore the world, he remains rooted in the meaningful bonds of family and friendship.
He is as comfortable traveling the world as he is hanging with his buddies. It seems that he is able to “take on the world” in brave and bold ways precisely because of his secure foundation. He is, at once, a community builder and a true individual, a contemplative intellectual and a fearless explorer, an appreciator of both knowledge and experience.
“
Good luck and be nice to yourself.
Parents: Elanah Hunger and Rick Hunger
Sibling: Dash Hunger
Parents: Christian and Christine Thelander
AYMAN YUHAS
4 4
PRESENTED BY MATT VALLUS
Over the years Ayman Yuhas has been such a positive influence on our school community. His kind-hearted and uplifting personality is a driving force in everything he does. Truthfully, there has never been a day where I have witnessed Ayman in a bad mood.
When asked what motivates him, he simply says, “The thought I can achieve greater than what I do.” He consistently steps up to challenges and always strives to better himself.
Next year, Ayman is planning on attending the University of Groningen in the Netherlands to major in computer science. A world traveler who has already visited twenty two countries, he is sure to see much more of the world and meet many new people who will soon consider him family.
“Thank you for all the memories and lessons you’ve taught me.
Parents: Huda Ahmed and Damon Yuhas
Sibling: Yasir Yuhas ’23
ISHA OBEROI
PRESENTED BY NATALIE ABBOTT
Most of us have heard the saying, “Good things come in small packages.” Enter Isha Oberoi. Artistic, intelligent, driven, ethical, and loyal, Isha encapsulates what it is to be a Roeper student and a citizen of the world. It’s difficult to say what Isha’s most salient quality is. A jack of all trades, she’s a whirlwind of activity and artistry.
As a student, she is tenacious and driven. She wants to know it all, and she is a strong presence in the classroom. All of Isha’s teachers have praised her determination and will tell you how committed she has been to her studies. Her investment and engagement are as apparent as her dedication and commitment.
Isha has taken advantage of the many extracurriculars that Roeper offers including Model UN, Asian Student Union, dance, and art. But most importantly Isha herself has stated most succinctly, “I’ve learned to advocate for myself and to take charge and be a leader when no one else steps up. My proudest achievement is probably the skills I have taken from Roeper that have helped me grow academically, in my art, and personally.”
Isha will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall.
“Thank you Roeper for taking me where I am today.
Parents: Jenifer and Jai Oberoi
Sibling: Diya Oberoi
MAEVE STOTT
4 2
PRESENTED BY MICHAL MCCONVILLE
Four years ago, our chemical makeup was changed forever when Maeve Stott came to Roeper. Maeve seems to defy the laws of thermodynamics; she is an unlimited source of energy and has contributed so much to the school in her time here.
In our community, Maeve is an intermolecular force, an attractive force between different groups working dutifully to make strong bonds everywhere she goes. The most impressive and powerful display of Maeve’s devotion to serving others was her senior project, providing service-learning experiences and helping our students gain a deeper understanding of homelessness in Oakland County. Her project included educational seminars and food drives which helped over sixty local families.
Maeve’s ability to connect and motivate people has unified our campuses and led us to our best work. Her positivity has set off a reaction in our community that is only gaining momentum.
Maeve will be attending Davidson College in the fall.
“Thank you so much to Roeper and its teachers for all of the opportunities and support that I have been given during my high school career.
Parents: Meghan and Phil Stott
Sibling: Isla Stott
ABBY KLEIN
PRESENTED BY MEGAN LASSERE
Abby Klein, like President Obama, is a born leader. She was not only the president of Jewish Student Union at Roeper this year, but she’s also a leader in the Jewish community outside of Roeper as well. She’s passionate about issues that impact not only herself and her communities, but the world around her.
As her homeroom teacher Michal McConville said, “She is always enthusiastic about charitable work that we do in our homeroom, and she’s the first to volunteer to collect donations from other homerooms.” In my two years as her teacher, she has proven countless times that with her interesting outlook on the world and her genuine care of those around her, she will change the world.
Anyone who knows Abby knows how laugh-riot funny she is, and not only will she make you laugh, but she has a talent for just making your day better.
Abby will be attending the University of Wisconsin in the fall.
Thank you Roeper!
Parents: Jessica and Daniel Klein
Sibling: Andrew Klein ’23
WRAP that’s a
BY SUSANNAH NICHOLS MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR
My dear seniors, as we end this day, my overwhelming emotion is gratitude.
I’m grateful for the stories we’ve shared today, each replete
with reflections upon how your efforts have improved the lives of others, strengthened our community, and laid the groundwork for an amazing road ahead.
I’m grateful for the ways you have shown one another love, grace, and encouragement in your years together.
And I’m grateful for the way you’ve led our school in these past few weeks. From a terrific showcase of senior projects to pulling off an unforgettable—and really goodhearted!—senior prank, you’ve shown a care and stewardship of our community that rivals all the academic accolades and extracurricular accomplishments you’ve achieved in your time here.
We’ve asked a lot of you these past four years, and now I’ll ask one last thing: take this spirit of gratitude with you. If something in a speech today evoked a fond memory of a classmate, tell them thank you. As you celebrate over the next few weeks, remember the ways your family has helped you get to this moment, and tell them thank you. And before our year ends with a bang on Wednesday, find those teachers, coaches, and staff who mentored you, wrote your recommendation letters, advised your projects, cheered you on, had your back, or called your bluff—and tell them thank you.
I’ll take my own advice, and once more say thank you for exemplifying the spirit of our school so well. I know I speak for all here when I say how proud I am that you are stepping into the world prepared to share your gifts with the community as active, compassionate citizens: no longer as seniors, but as alumni of the Roeper School.
Class of 2025, you did it!
George A. Roeper
FESTIVAL OF SENIOR PROJECTS
BY JASON MCINTOSH MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL DEAN OF ADMISSIONS
At the first meeting with prospective parents, I always describe the experience here at Roeper as one where students have the opportunity to discover and pursue their own passions. We encourage students to try new things, take risks, and find what they love—to dig deep and explore their own pathways.
Senior projects at Roeper are a perfect example of this—by no means required, but viewed as capstone projects that students choose to engage in. They’ve chosen to embark on this most independent journey and then share their findings and creative energies with their community. Each senior is mentored by members of our faculty and often by professionals in their respective areas of interest outside the Roeper community. This event is more than a display of selfdirected student work, but a celebration of their lives and our time spent together in them.
The members of the class of 2025 who were part of this year’s festival continued the tradition of excellence. I’m proud of this group of artists, athletes, actors, writers, scientists, philanthropists, and musicians. They’re a young group with an already long story to tell,
full of experiences that have shaped who they are today. I hope that when they talk of their days at Roeper—and of their days growing up with the many opportunities to explore anything and everything—they’ll fondly remember this night, just as we will fondly remember them.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025, and thank you to their advisors!
List of Projects
IVANA THOMAS SPIRIT SQUAD
MAEVE STOTT LIVING THE ROEPER PHILOSOPHY: A YEAR OF SCHOOL-WIDE SERVICE AND MUTUAL AID
ASAJJ ALLEN SHADES OF SILVER: A COLLECTION OF POEMS
BELLA DEASE MINDFUL MOMENTS: INCORPORATING KINESIOLOGY INTO THE WAY WE MOVE
NATALIA SALINAS & NATALIE GIBBS SPORTS MENTORING
BEX CONWAY RIDE THE CYCLONE
ISHA OBEROI DIL KA INDIA
ANNALISE MARGOLIS LET’S TALK MENTAL HEALTH
HOLLIS PERRY MIDDLE SCHOOL FORENSICS COACHING & POETRY BOOK PUBLICATION
ANJALI SHARMA ADVENTURES WITH ARDUINO ONLINE COURSE
EAMAN HOWARD
ARRANGEMENT OF OVERTURE FROM ”HALO REACH” FOR UPPER SCHOOL CONCERT BAND
ROSHAN SHAH COACHING THE LOWER SCHOOL CHESS TEAM
JORDAN NORGARD UNDER THE MONKEY BARS: A PLAYGROUND INVESTIGATION
Spirit Week
Seniors, dressed in red, earned first place in this year’s Spirit Week. Theme days included Seasons Day, Hero vs. Villain Day, Anything But a Backpack Day, and Grade Color Day.
PROM NIGHT photo booth
HONORS AWARDS&
The Order of The Roeperian Empire
In 1975, David Jaffe ’74 proposed the creation of a new award to recognize exceptional Upper School students. George accepted the proposal, and each year since, the school has awarded individuals who, by virtue of their extraordinary sharing of time, effort, and self, made outstanding contributions to the Upper School community. Remarkable achievements alone do not quality a student for the award. Contributing to the community is most important. Richard B. Morris ’72 coined the term “Order of the Roeperian Empire” for the award, and designed the official crest.
2025 Recipients:
JACOB BEVERIDGE
JORDAN NORGARD
IVANA THOMAS
The Order of The Fighting Tuna
Each year the reigning Knight or Dame Commander of the Order of the Fighting Tuna appoints a successor from the Junior Class. The Order of the Fighting Tuna was established in 1985 to “protect the honor of the members of the community of the Roeper City and Country School.” Each year, the new member of the Order is knighted during a ceremony befitting the mock-seriousness of the occasion.
The 2025/26 Fighting Tuna
DANI HERNANZ
33rd Knight of the Order
2025 ROEPER ATHLETIC AWARDS
George A. Roeper
Sportsmanship Award
Matt Salinas
Maeve Stott
Iron-Athlete
Matt Salinas
Natalia Salinas
Sam Salinas
Maeve Stott
Natalie Gibbs
Lydia Carlson
Athletes of the Year
Sofia Salinas
Lydia Carlson
Natalie Gibbs
Sam Salinas
Scholar Athlete
Natalia Salinas
Jacob Beveridge
Next Stop
College
BY PATRICIA BOSTWICK DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
In the most Roeperian fashion, all our graduates have chosen the next pathway that is right for them at this time. Many of you are going to college next fall, but several are taking your time and pursuing a gap year to seek out your best plan.
The key word is chosen. A choice is an active, positive decision, and requires no explanation or intellectual alibi.
For those going directly to college, the place that chose you sees you for who you are and wanted to have you as part of their community; they saw that you would take advantage of all they have to offer and
that you would contribute positively to them in return. For the thirty-eight of you, 106 different colleges and universities invited you to join them, many of them multiple acceptances.
It’s time to celebrate and see how this next step can help you become more of who you are—your best self. Meanwhile, don’t forget to show gratitude toward those who have helped you along the way and never hesitate to “shower the people you love with love.”
Again, congratulations, and the best to you in the future.
ALBION COLLEGE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
ALMA COLLEGE
AMHERST COLLEGE
ANDERSON UNIVERSITY
ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN
AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
BEACON COLLEGE
BELMONT UNIVERSITY
BELOIT COLLEGE
BUTLER UNIVERSITY
CALVIN UNIVERSITY
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
CHAMPLAIN UNIVERSITY
CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
CLARKSON UNIVERSITY
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
COLGATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES
HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
ITHACA COLLEGE
KALAMAZOO COLLEGE
KEENE STATE UNIVERSITY
KETTERING UNIVERSITY
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY
LANDMARK COLLEGE
LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
LOUISIANA A&M STATE UNIVERSITY
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA CHAMPAIGN
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-STAMPS
ACCEPTANCES
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON COLORADO
SCHOOL OF MINES
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
DAVIDSON COLLEGE
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
DEPAUW UNIVERSITY
EARLHAM COLLEGE
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
FISK UNIVERSITY
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY RCAH
MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY
PITZER COLLEGE
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
PURDUE UNIVERSITY-ENGINEERING
RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DEARBORN
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA-CHAPEL HILL
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS
UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA
UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
UNIVERITY OF VERMONT
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
WESTERN UNIVERSITY-ONTARIO
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Bold indicates schools Roeper graduates will attend.
PASSIONS&PURSUITS
ROEPER BOARD OF
R O E P E R
JAYDEN HERTZBERG
THOUGHTSparting Annalise
class president
Margolis
Freshman year was not only a milestone for the class of 2025 for being our first year of high school but was also the first year of in-person school we had following the pandemic. This added a new obstacle for the class to take on. As expected, the class dynamic and relationships within the grade felt strained from our time apart. As time went on, things started to feel more normal, and relationships started to build. Fast forward to senior year, the grade dynamic was completely different.
From taking classes with one another, bonding activities, class trips, and school events, the class of 2025 came together stronger than ever. We truly created a special bond. Unlike freshman year we were no longer a bunch of students in the same grade but rather a Roeper family.
Welcome, Class of 2025, to the Alumni Family A
s tassels turned and caps flew into the air, a new chapter officially began for the Class of 2025. With a mixture of joy, pride, and heartfelt celebration, we welcomed our newest Roeper alumni into a community that spans generations, professions, and continents— but is always connected by the shared spirit of Roeper.
At this year’s Junior–Senior Dinner, the moment was marked with laughter, hugs, and a few tears, as we honored the incredible journey these students have taken. They
ALUMNIFIRE
Connect with fellow alumni and students on AlumniFire, Roeper’s official alumni network.
are no longer just students—they are now part of something even bigger: the Roeper Alumni family.
A longtime Roeper teacher and alum parent, Rosalie Lake once beautifully said, “You always get to take a little Roeper with you wherever you go.” And it’s true. Whether the Class of 2025 is headed to college campuses, gap year adventures, creative pursuits, or bold new beginnings, they carry with them the essence of what it means to be a Roeper student: curiosity, compassion, critical thinking, and a deep respect for human dignity.
Roeper has always been more than a school—it’s been a home. A place where individuality is celebrated, ideas are explored, and voices are heard. And that sense of home doesn’t end at graduation. It evolves. It expands. And it stays with you.
To the Class of 2025: welcome. We are so proud of you. Your time at Roeper may have ended, but your journey with us continues. You are forever a part of this community, and we can’t wait to see how you shape the world—with just a little Roeper always by your side.
Stay in touch,
Shani Yapa-Kimpson ’08 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS & ANNUAL FUND
WORDS
ADVICE FROM ALUMNI
AIMEE SYMINGTON ’86
Keep your love of learning, your openness to new experiences and different people, and spread the wisdom you learned at Roeper with others.
TO CARRY WITH YOU
ALEX SCHARG ’10*
It’s who you know that gets you in the door, and it’s what you know that gets you the job when you’re in there.
LENNY PITT ’75
Class of 2025, from this Roeper graduate of 50 years ago! What I wish I’d known? That “following a path with heart” as articulated by then-contemporary reading (Carlos Castaneda) isn’t just a cliché. And implementing it against expectations (or ambition, or money) isn’t easy. But in the end, the paths with heart are indeed the only ones worth taking.
STEVEN SCOTT ’74
The foundation you’ve built at Roeper will serve you for the rest of your life. You know how to think critically; go become a citizen of the world.
RACHEL WINE ’23
Don’t forget that it’s a new experience for everyone and no one else has it all figured out yet.
JACOB DALTON ’13
“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” and to add my own spin; everyone is going to tell you that it’s really hard, and it is, but getting started is the hardest part. Just START, be patient with yourself, and see where it leads you. You’ve probably convinced yourself everything worth doing in life is something you’re good at, but the truth is that most of the things you’ll need in your life are things you suck at. So embrace the suck.”
JESSICA TEHLIRIAN ’07
Take up space. Ask the question. Say your name with pride. The world needs exactly who you are—unapologetically.
KRISTEN MORRIS ’04
Do what you love. Trust your gut. Know your worth and multiply it by three. Negotiate but never settle.
VICTORIA MOORE ’08
Don’t let other people’s opinions dictate your actions. Many will always have something to say about the decisions you make on your journey. If you let their opinions guide you, then you will end up living someone else’s version of your life and not your own.
CLYDE GRANZEIER ’21
No matter where you go in life, don’t give up on what makes you happy, and don’t be afraid to keep expanding that list by trying something new. Congratulations on graduating!
MATTEO PAPADOPOULOS ’22
Work hard, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Do the best you can with what you’ve got, and it’ll all work out.
*Attended but did not graduate from Roeper.
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