Senior Graduation Defense Presentations: Class of 2026

From Dana Abplanalp-Diggs, Head of School:

Our talented senior class members completed their Senior Graduation Defense presentations during the week of May 4-8, where they petitioned for distinction in a given area. We are so impressed by our seniors’ embodiment of our core values, their talent, their gratitude, and their ability to articulate what legacy they are leaving The Grauer School—no wonder they had such tremendous college-application success.

Although all of our Seniors delivered excellent presentations, here are a few of our favorite quotes from this year’s Graduation Defenses:

• “The Grauer School has become a place of growth and opportunity for me to find out who I am and who I want to be.”
• “The Grauer School has been a place where I feel seen, supported, and where I am challenged to better myself.”
• “Expeditionary learning is placing yourself in uncomfortable situations in order to grow.”
• “Clayton, you held a match in my darkness, and I’ll always be grateful for you.”
• “Grauer has allowed me to find my people.”
• “Leadership does not always come with perfection.”
• “My Grauer journey has been filled with community and connections.”
• “Thank you to my Grauer teachers, who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
• “I have found overwhelming joy in taking advantage of every opportunity available to me.”
• “The music room is my favorite spot on campus.”
• “Photography taught me to observe without judgement, and over time, I learned to turn that onto myself.”
• “The Grauer School sparked my need to explore this wonderful world.”
• “It’s only when you step out of your comfort zone that magic appears.”
• “Grauer is more than a school, it’s a family-like community and, for that, I am grateful.”
• “Over my time at The Grauer School, I have become exactly who I’m supposed to be.”
• “The Grauer School has given me an education rooted in independence and trust.”
• “I am so grateful for the freedom The Grauer School gave me to explore my passions.”
• “Grauer was like my Neverland, a safe place where I could learn, travel, grow, persevere, and be accountable.”
• “I became fascinated by Learning by Discovery, and wanted to continue creating.”
• “Music became my source of happiness.”
• “The Grauer School has given me the opportunity to explore the world with our friends and mentors.”
• “To all of my Grauer teachers, thank you for helping me find my confidence and teaching me to believe in myself.”
• “One of the best parts of Grauer is that they force you to move from being a spectator to being a participant.”
• “At Grauer, you can feel the care that each teacher has for each student.”
• “Expeditions taught me the importance of feeling lost. Because that is when you get to live fully in the moment. When I disconnect and feel bored, it connects me to nature and inspires my creativity.”
• “Coming to Grauer was the best decision my parents could have made for me.”
• “Finding the Theater program was the most important thing that happened to me while at Grauer.”
• “I love the tight-knit community that makes Grauer not just a school, but a family.”
• “Before coming to Grauer, I had never found a school where I felt at home. Now, I look forward to coming to school every day, seeing my teachers and friends, and learning something new.”
• “The main way that The Grauer School has prepared me is by teaching me to use my voice and that it has value.”
• “At Grauer, I learned that it’s OK to struggle at times. There is no growth without challenge.”
• “Thank you for creating a school where I can just be myself.”
• “Coming to Grauer has been the best thing that has happened to me these past six years.”
• “Stuart, thank you for reimagining what school can be.”