DELPHIAN MAGAZINE Issue 124
CREATIVITY FILLING THE HALLS WITH COLOR THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY 45 YEARS OF INVESTING IN THE GAME
LIVE A LIFE OF ADVENTURE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY ACKNOWLEDGING THE CLASSES OF 2020 & 2021 PAGE 1
CONTENTS
DELPHIAN MAGAZINE - ISSUE 124
Left: Graduate Calliope Whitworth and her family Right: Mural created by Sarah Holyfield
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SCHOOL AMBASSADORS
05
LEAVING HIS MARK
It takes a team!
Celebrating John Kertchem’s 47-year Delphian career
08
THANK YOU!
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ANNUAL REPORT
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—L. Ron Hubbard
EDUCATION: Fostering Reason and Self-Determinism in Students
45 Years of investing in the game FOLLOW @DELPHIANSCHOOL
Income and revenue report
GET IN TOUCH We love feedback and news from our readers!
CLEANING UP OUR ACT Renovated student laundry room
magazine@delphian.org DELPHIAN SCHOOL 20950 SW Rock Creek Rd. Sheridan, OR 97378 800-626-6610 | 503-843-3521 | www.delphian.org
LEADERSHIP SOCIETY Special recognition to our members
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CREATIVITY
19
COMMENCEMENT
43
FORM COMPLETIONS
44
“A person begins to take care of the future by imagining what is going to happen so as to be ready for it.”
DELPHIAN MAGAZINE ONLINE Experience the magazine on any mobile device! www.delphiannews.com/Issue124 HEAD OF SCHOOL Trevor Ott | EDITOR Rebecca Orthmann GRAPHIC DESIGN Rebecca Orthmann PHOTOGRAPHY Brandon Lidgard & Skyler Feilmeier
Filling the halls with collaboration and color
Live a life of adventure
ALUMNI NEWS
ON THE COVER Delphian graduates Wahia Mita and Connor Mathers after completing Form 8.
© 2021 Delphi Schools, Inc.™ All Rights Reserved. Delphi Schools, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disability or age or any other classification protected under applicable law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. Delphi Schools, Inc. is licensed to use Applied Scholastics™ educational services. Applied Scholastics and the Applied Scholastics open book design are trademarks and service marks owned by Association for Better Living and Education International and are used with its permission. Grateful acknowledgement is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
The following is an excerpt from the 2021 end-of-year award ceremony given to students in-person and parents virtually. I’d like to acknowledge this, our 45th year, by saying a few words to the students here who will help us create the next 45 years in pursuit of our vision of a civilization based in reason. Mr. Hubbard once wrote that:
“Reason, the ability to extrapolate, goes hand in glove with self-determinism. To increase a person’s selfdeterminism is to increase the person’s ability to reason.” You are receiving an education designed not only to impart data, but also to preserve and foster self-determinism in each and every one of you. A civilization based in reason is a grand vision for a little school on a hill, but civilizations rise and fall on the accomplishments of individuals. Individuals like you. It has been said that it’s not what you know that’s important, it’s what you DO with what you know that counts. I agree, and I think you do, too. And so, our purpose goes beyond just self-deter-
mined, independent thinking. It includes the expectation that you DO, that you make changes for the better in the world around you, whether large or small. Doing, of course, takes determination. You have it. Doing something efficiently takes self-determinism. You have that, too. Because of you, we are optimistic that the next 45 years will be brighter than the last. Now I want to talk briefly to the parents before moving on to the main portion of the Awards Ceremony, which acknowledges accomplishments the school’s staff and faculty were able to see throughout this unusual year. Parents, I’d like you to consider for a moment the countless other accomplishments that we may not have seen. Our students’ biggest accomplishments are often the subjective changes they experience as individuals here on a daily basis. There are countless examples of Delphian students making significant impacts because of who they are as individuals, empowered and capable of applying their education toward the solution of problems related to survival. But gaining that ability doesn’t usually happen with a banner to indicate the moment it has arrived. It happens gradually over time and can go unnoticed by staff, faculty, and students alike, until, in looking back at where we started and reflecting on where we’ve finally arrived, we can suddenly see the magnitude of change. It can be tough to see the forest when standing amidst the trees. I heard one graduate last week say she hadn’t been home in 17 months... and yet we saw her and interacted with her nearly every day for that same period of time. On the flip side, there are students that have been home learning remotely for an entire year. While these may be extreme cases, some version of this is true for the majority of our students. For many of you watching this, it has been months since you’ve seen your sons and daughters. With that distance comes perspective and the possibility of a forest view. We will acknowledge what we can here today. But I look forward to your sons and daughters returning home and to you seeing and acknowledging all they have accomplished. For the full recording of the 2021 award and commencement ceremonies, use your mobile device to scan this QR code PAGE 1
SCHOOL AMBASSADORS
IT TAKES A TEAM Interview with student Coco on her journey to Delphian
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elphian would not be what it is today without the continued support of our amazing alumni, parents, and friends. One of the most impactful and lasting ways you can give your support is to refer a family to the school. The impact of that gift continues on for years to come, as many families who have been referred to the school end up referring even more to Delphian. This past 2020-2021 school year, over fifty students enrolled at Delphian who were referred by current or past parents, alumni, or by a friend or supporter of PAGE 2
“Well, it’s a long plane ride but that’s not that difficult [laughs]. I tried to prepare the best I could for a different school and for missing my parents and family before getting here.”
Delphian. Mostly though, Delphian School is just very well known as THE school to go to. And THE best place to be within my community! D: Was the fact that Delphian School is an international boarding school part of your decision-making process? Coco: It was! But for the most part, it was the actual school and the idea that Delphian is this big, perfect environment to learn and create anything you want for yourself and for your future. It being itself was enough. It being an international boarding school is a bonus. I can relate to a lot of the students here because my home is far away and theirs is, too. D: For some people the idea of boarding school far away from home is daunting. What’s your advice to them? Coco: I can relate to others feeling a little bit homesick in the beginning because it’s a big change. But, it’s amazing once you get here. Everyone has been so welcoming and they really care about what and how you’re doing and want to help you with everything. You would think that because it’s so far away that you would get homesick but you don’t. D: Who was the Delphian Ambassador who helped you decide to come to Delphian? Coco: My friend Gemma! I’ve known her since I was born and she came to Delphian a couple of years ago. She kept telling me how wonderful and amazing the school is and about the opportunities and her achievements. She kept telling me how much she wanted that for me and it helped me realize that I wanted that for myself as well. Having a friend like that was one of the biggest parts of it. Also, my parents have a lot of alumni friends and have known about the school for a while. They encouraged me all the way! Their support helped me so much in making my decision. D: What is your relationship like with your parents now that you are on opposite sides of the country? Coco: I call my mom every day, sometimes multiple times a day. She wants to know everything that’s happening. I want to tell her everything that’s happening. She’s really gung-ho about the school and it helps my excitement towards the school grow. D: How did you prepare for traveling across the country, changing schools, and being away from your family all in one go? Coco: Well, it’s a long plane ride but that’s not that difficult [laughs]. I tried to prepare the best I could for a different school and for missing my parents and family
“Delphian is really just a home that people go to. It’s a second home and it’s a place that people go to become themselves and learn how to become successful.”
Pictured Left: Coco Rose-Coates
the school. This summer over eighty students attended Summer at Delphian after hearing about the summer program from some form of word-of-mouth promotion. That is a significant contribution to the Delphian culture and family. A very heartfelt thank you to all of you who have supported the school by talking to others about Delphian and sending new students our way. Admissions loves working with you as volunteer ambassadors for the school! We interviewed one of these students, Coco RoseCoates, about her journey to Delphian. Delphian Magazine: Where do you call home? Coco: I’m from Florida! So Delphian is pretty far away from home. D: Coco, how did you find out about Delphian? Coco: I found out about Delphian School from my family and friends, and it is generally known within my community. I also went to an Applied Scholastics school which uses some of the same teaching philosophies as
“I call my mom every day, sometimes multiple times a day.”
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competent at anything they choose to do. Also, Delphian is really just a home that people go to. It’s a second home and it’s a place that people go to to become themselves and learn how to become successful.
“It takes a team. It takes a team to do anything but especially for me in coming here.”
Pictured Left: Gemma Bell & Coco RoseCoates
before getting here. I even changed to another school before I went here so I would be somewhat prepared for what a different school would be like. Mostly, though, it was the people in my community who were really supportive of me coming that prepared me best. There were so many people that were so helpful with everything towards me coming. Mom, Dad, family friends, Gemma, my sister; it takes a team. It takes a team to do anything but especially for me in coming here. D: The school year has been in session now for a few months, how has the transition been going? Coco: I think just the fact that I’m so excited to do this interview says something. And not about me specifically but the school and the environment and the people. I am having so many successes and so many accomplishments. It’s not as awkward changing from one school to the next as I previously thought it might be. D: What sort of advice would you have for a student or parent who is considering Delphian School? Coco: Well, certainly they must know the school. That’s a must. Just even look at the website and check it out. I would also just like them to know that this is the most beautiful and amazing place where people just learn and students grow and children become adults and they all do it with helping hands. Everyone here is so friendly and really wants you to succeed and we have the facilities and the technology to help you really really do that. Delphian School is the place students who are amazing and have ambition go to nurture that talent or gift. And if they are unsure about their direction, they discover that they actually do have talent and they are very competent and they become even more PAGE 4
Delphian’s Ambassador Program By helping introduce new students to Delphian, you not only give them the keys to a great education, but a community to be a part of for life—one that feels more like an extended family. In turn, Delphian graduates become well-educated individuals with knowledge, ethics, integrity, leadership, and the ability to make positive changes in the world. Officially or unofficially, all Delphian alumni, parents, students and friends of Delphian are ambassadors simply by talking about their Delphian experience and helping connect new families with the school. Many of our students, alumni, parents and friends found out about us from a Delphian Ambassador. If you are interested in becoming a Delphian Ambassador and would like guidance and support in your endeavors, feel free to reach out to the Delphian Ambassador Program Manager, Damon Lequin, for assistance.
Damon Lequin
damon.lequin@delphian.org 503-843-6967 ext. 473
Leaving His Mark
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orty-seven years is a long time to leave a mark. At the end of this past summer, a founding staff member with 47 years of loyal dedication to Delphian and its purpose decided to move on, having completed one game to pursue another. He has left his mark on quite literally thousands of Delphian students. During a varied Delphian career that started in 1974, John “Kertch” Kertchem redefined “Delphian lifer.” Kertch has worked in almost every area of the school and his impact on Delphian will be felt by generations of students to come. Known for his high standards, he served as a supervisor in the upper school, worked as an ethics advisor, introduced hundreds of new students to Delphian as an admissions
registrar and was legendary in the athletics department. He served as an unparalleled and dauntless coach of the varsity volleyball team, where he led the Dragons for forty years, going back to 1980. Volleyball was one of the first sports added to Delphian’s athletic program. In the early days of his Delphian career, Kertch began as the assistant coach. Having played a little volleyball on an
intramural two-man volleyball team while attending UC Davis in California, he quickly filled the shoes of the head coach and built the Delphian volleyball program into what it is today. Kertch approached the job as a consummate professional, always learning more about coaching and the intricacies of the game. He watched “Volleyball 101” on VHS tapes and read and studied up on coaching and team building. In addition to research, Kertch attended multiple coaching clinics over the years led by some of volleyball’s greats including Hall of Famer Jim Coleman, US
“That true morale for self and group comes from pushing through barriers and getting things done.”
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women’s national volleyball head coach Terry Liskevych, Stanford’s 5-time NCAA champion-winning coach John Dunning, and US gold medalist winner and coach Karch Kiraly. All of his hard work paid off when Kertch led his team to a nineteen-season
personal ethics and hard work, integrity and leadership. “That true morale for self and group comes from pushing through barriers and getting things done with demonstrated competence and hard-won production. “All of this starts with care, commitment and the willingness to demonstrate ability with courage to do so. To find out that one is alive and can live life well and with others, and that where there is adversity, something can be done about it.” We are grateful for what he taught us and generations of Delphians from the first days Delphian opened its doors to students in 1976. As a parent of alums, grandparent of enrolled students, and husband of founding staff member Heather Kertchem, his ties to Delphian remain strong. And we hope to have him back reffing our annual alumni weekend volleyball games! In making the announcement to the school community, Head of School Trevor Ott said, “Kertch and I had a great conversation when he called to tell me about his decision and the next game he has in mind. Through the years, John Kertchem set a leading example of a staff member willing to roll up his sleeves and do all that it took to get the job done. He and I are both excited about his next adventure, but that story is his to tell. You will see him around campus again soon, and you should all give him a slap on the back and a ‘hubba bubba!’ We thank him for all of his years of service and wish him well as he moves on to his next big game!”
“High school volleyball is an opportunity: an opportunity to learn what a team really is.” winning streak from 1983 to 2002, at which time the rules of the game were revised. This didn’t stop him, though. He revised his coaching and training strategies to again bring the team together, leading them to the state playoffs again and again in the years since. Some of his many career accomplishments include: •
Setting the record for the most truckloads of logs in a day (60) back when the school logged for boiler fuel.
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Establishing the first admissions tour to Australia as well as the “Adventure Train” tour from a fellow Applied Scholastics school in the Bay Area.
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Leading the first Delphian sports team to the state playoffs.
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Capturing the school’s first-ever state championship in 1995.
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Consistent winning teams and trips to the state playoffs.
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2017 Oregon Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year for volleyball.
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2017 National Federation of High Schools Section 8 Coach of the Year.
In the words of Coach Kertch: “High school volleyball is an opportunity: an opportunity to learn what a team really is. To learn that one can operate as an individual within a team and bring improvement and gain for herself, her teammates, her schoolmates and yes, even her school. To learn about trust and respect, PAGE 6
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Thank You To Our Community 45 Years of Investing in the Game and Revolutionizing the Field of Education
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ince Delphian’s founding over 45 years ago, a culture of giving has distinguished the school community. In fact, our very first donors gave to us when we were just a group of educators with nothing more than a dream. The founding staff began with a lofty goal. It was never solely about creating a premier boarding school on a hill in Oregon––and it isn’t today. It was, and is, about helping revolutionize education through the creation of an entirely new model: A showplace where visitors––educational, political, philanthropic––can view a new reality for education: no grades, no factory model classrooms, no “teachers,” just full understanding for every student in every subject. Where faculty believe student potential is unlimited. Where students take full responsibility for their own education. Where children become self-determined, independent, thinking adults. Where graduates launch into a world in need of positive change, having the knowledge, ethics, integrity and leadership skills capable of effecting that change. From the beginning you were there: board members, families, alumni, supporters. You believed in the big game PAGE 8
and helped to nurture and feed the dream. With deepest gratitude to you, and to a selfless and dedicated team of staff and faculty, we now stand witness to more than 45 years of superlative results. In the beginning, Delphian possessed a remarkable campus with great potential, but with limited facilities and even fewer financial resources. Nonetheless, a team formed up to take the first critical step towards a new educational paradigm: the creation of a comprehensive K-12 curriculum while utilizing the educational breakthroughs of American author and educator L. Ron Hubbard. Piece by piece, this team built a program of carefully crafted benchmarks and high standards. Generous donations enabled the team to get the school program up and running. In June of 1976, Delphian opened its doors, first to thirty-six brave summer students and then to its first fullyear students. A new era of education had begun. Today, students arrive into a highly evolved educational program and an experience that is rich with the diversity of an international student body. As always, Delphian continues to charge ahead, never satisfied, always seeking a higher educational ideal. An iconic building in a majestic setting is something few schools can match. But has Delphian achieved the reality-altering “showplace” vision of its founders? More specifically, does the building and the campus match the
standards of the educational program? Not quite––not yet. The school’s 2009 Campus Master Plan set out to change that. Over the past twelve years, progress made on that master plan has resulted in more upgrades to the functionality, feel, and overall aesthetic of the school than in any other decade in the school’s history, from our stateof-the-art science lab to a beautiful new Lower School, totally renovated gym, dorm bathrooms, reception and art gallery, rec room and Little Theater, student laundry room, and the list goes on. The campus itself has seen massive improvements from a new pond and gazebo, to hiking trails that span the 720acre campus, a new promenade and pathway, front gate upgrade and more. In order to achieve that ongoing goal of an educational ideal, we rely on supporters like you. Gifts of time, leadership, and resources, no matter how large or small, all make a difference. Your support ensures that we can hire and retain expert teachers and supervisors, provide financial aid to nearly 40% of our students, and support all
aspects of a Delphian education, from academics to arts to athletics. We’d like to give a special and very heartfelt thank you to all of our donors over these past 45 years. We truly appreciate your outstanding support! Your donations have helped provide the benefits our students receive today. Your gifts will make possible even greater opportunities for the children and grandchildren of tomorrow’s Delphians. That is what we mean by a culture of giving. We all have within us the desire to help. This purpose pulls us together as a group, a community, a nation. As each new family contributes toward putting that future there, others are inspired to follow their example. No matter how you chose to contribute, Delphian thanks you, our students thank you, and the hundreds of children we’ll be educating long into the future will also thank you.
A bench and firepit built by students participating in the Outdoor program with the Head of School, located on one of the many campus hiking trails.
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Income Tuition, Room & Board
$8,762,584
CARES Act PPP Loan
$800,000
Annual Giving
$749,320
Summer Program
$588,821
Materials Fees
$564,805
Other Donations
$284,958
Other Income
$115,544
Endowment Draw
$85,500
Total Operating Income
$11,951,532
Expenses Salaries & Benefits
$3,348,859
Financial Assistance (Discount)
$2,707,627
Summer Program
$1,133,984
Deferred Maintenance
$1,036,909
Food
$937,217
Facilities
$648,887
Instructional
$634,768
Promotion
$573,917
General Administration
$192,979
Financial Assistance (Cash)
$171,055
Total Expenses
$11,386,202
ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021 PAGE 10
Cleaning Up Our Act!
In a non-profit organization, the Annual Fund provides opportunities to strengthen general operations. As Delphian’s “bread and butter” fund, it allows the school to channel energy where it’s most needed at any given time and to undertake projects that would be otherwise impossible. Every gift to the Annual Fund is valued and honored. A truly exciting addition this past year, made possible by the “The new laundry room is so annual fund, much nicer than what it used was the student room to be; the new machines are so laundry upgrade. Prior much more efficient and I’m glad to the upgrade, we have those. There are special there often weren’t enough places to fold laundry in there, in- washers or stead of lugging it to your room.” dryers available the – Felix Forslund when students needed them, and much of the equipment was fairly old. With the new laundry room, the service capacity doubled due to the efficient use of the space with gleaming, new, stackable washers and dryers. The new machines are large and easy to understand and use. An additional extra-large washer and extra-large dryer allow for washing and drying bedding or other large loads. Additionally, the girls and boys “Having the laundry room now have their completely renovated and own separate getting new washers and dryers areas within the laundry room. As really makes sure all my clothes it turned out, part are perfect!” of the previously existing theater -Chloe Latch storage space could be used to extend the length of the room. This allowed us to create the two fully separate spaces. The students and staff send a huge “THANK YOU” to all of you who donated! Students love their beautiful new laundry room and greatly appreciate the care and attention that was given to this part of their boarding lives at Delphian.
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THE LEADERSHIP SOCIETY 20192021 Special Recognition
We would like to give a special recognition to our Leadership Society members. In celebration of the school’s founding, the Leadership Society recognizes any individual or family giving $1,976-$9,999 to any Delphian fund during the year. Leadership Society Elite recognizes $10,000 donations and above.
Pictured on this page and opposite: Various photos from the school year - moments made possible by Delphian Supporters PAGE 12
2019-2020
Leadership Society Elite
Jennifer and Steve Anderson Arwen and Sky Dayton Coleen and Michael Carberry Melissa McPhail and Shon Holyfield Gertrude and Leonard Fairbanks Foundation Joanne and David Gentile Jackie and Matt Wirsing Rosy and Todd Kugler Joanna and Cesar Vargas Catherine and Shahab Emrani Chris Uno Shiri and Avi Lonstein Zhenzhen and Zhihong Luo
2020-2021
Leadership Society Elite
Arwen and Sky Dayton Catherine and Shahab Emrani Shon Holyfield Jennifer and Steve Anderson Joanne and David Gentile Coleen and Michael Carberry Gertrude and Leonard Fairbanks Foundation Rosy and Todd Kugler Lukas Ott Zhenzhen and Zhihong Luo Shiri and Avi Lonstein Florence Leppert
Leadership Society
Rebecca and Carlos Porras Barton Springer 1SG Anthony Parker (US Army) Carol Whitworth Stephanie and Russ Croman Lisette and Yamil Morales, Sr Lukas Ott Diana and Cody Malick Lyne Breault and Mario Cloutier Colleen and Shawn May Catherine Bell Janie Gibson Xiaoying Li and Guoming Luo Sheila Auster Yanying Shen and Xiaodong Wang Hollander/Keough Family Uria Kalman Guangyuan Hu and Shan Bai Suzan and Greg Ott
Leadership Society
Brandy Lewis and Ethan Suplee Carmen Muntean Celina Barrientos and Jorge Guajardo, Jr Melissa and Josh Ward Cheryl Berman and Randy Kretchmar Agami Brothers Suzan and Greg Ott Lisa and Mike Chatelain
Michelle and Ryan Kugler Jennifer Huang and Guangfu Cui Erin Rohan and Chris Nosko Andria and Austin Carroll Ally and Joe Berceli-Wain Joan Zhang and Alan Chen Mauerer Family Christine Wright GZ Lee Robin Wirsing Marion Kao and Wei Chang Maria and Morry Agrillo Qihang Han and Dongsheng Wang Jimena and Kelly Layton Larry Morrison Cheryl Berman and Randy Kretchmar Brandy Lewis and Ethan Suplee Mary Hilton Wen Wei and Pin Han
Chie Mihara and Francisco Sanchis Erin Rohan and Chris Nosko Carson and Genevieve Dudley Michelle and Ryan Kugler Melissa McPhail Jimena and Kelly Layton Uria Kalman 1SG Anthony Parker (US Army) Sheila Auster Jackie and Matt Wirsing Jill and Jerry Chen Lyne Breault and Mario Cloutier Jennifer Huang and Guangfu Cui
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CREATIVITY
Art All Around
Creativity and collaboration brighten the basement halls
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elphian students are covering previously plain basement walls with colorful murals. The art project began in spring 2020 during Delphian’s spring break, when the pandemic led most students to decide to stay on campus and continue their studies rather than go home and not know if they could return. Head of School Trevor Ott encouraged faculty and students to dream up new, creative ideas to stay productive The murals project was one of the ideas born.
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During spring break many students created new murals on empty walls throughout the basement corridors. The new tradition continued during spring break 2021 when students created even more murals. One such piece is a colorful village scene incorporating buildings from around the world on one side, with an explosion of sunshine, color, and rainbows on the other. The mural is over eight feet tall and thirty feet long! We caught up with artist Evie Xia this past summer, to learn more about the creation of one of the murals and her love of art. Delphian: Evie, how did you get involved in painting murals around campus? Evie: This past spring break, many students had to stay on campus due to COVID restrictions. One of my classmates was organizing activities for students to do, and he asked me if I could paint a giant mural in the basement. He said it would be an adventure, so I said ok! But then he only gave me one day to create a sketch of what I wanted to paint. I made a sketch in one day,
“I led a big group of student painters that volunteered to help.” PAGE 15
CREATIVITY showed it to my art advisor, and got started the next day. D: How long did the mural take to paint? Evie: I worked on it for two hours a day for ten days over spring break this year. But I had a lot of help. I led a big group of middle school student painters that volunteered to help me. We all worked on it together, different students painting different parts. After spring break was over I worked on it some more, making some revisions. D: Where are you from, and how long have you been painting? Evie: I grew up in northern China, near Shanghai, and I started painting between the ages of 3 to 5. There was an art class in kindergarten and I loved it so I kept signing up for other art subjects. When I came to Delphian, I continued to paint but I learned how to do ceramics and other art styles, too. D: How did you find out about Delphian? Evie: I had traveled to Australia with my father, and while we were there a friend told him about the school. He told us that I should come here, so we started learning about the school, and then I started here! D: Did you see any kangaroos while you were in Australia? Evie: Of course! They just pass by on the side of the road! D: Have you painted a kangaroo? Evie: [laughs] Not yet. D: What’s your favorite subject to paint? Evie: I love painting people’s faces the most. I have seven or eight pieces like that in the school’s student art gallery. I’ll paint other random stuff, though. I have watercolor pieces of corked bottles with scenes inside. One of them has a lighthouse and an ocean with fish inside the bottle. D: We love those pieces! You mentioned ceramics—what kind of ceramic pieces do you make? Evie: I like to make pots and vases on the pottery wheel, but I make sculptures, too. I’m making a life-sized clay sculpture of a young child right now. D: We noticed that you’re helping other students in the ceramics studio this summer. Evie: Yes, I’m doing Delphian’s summer internship this year in between my junior and senior years. I am so interested in ceramics that I am now helping teach younger students in Ceramics Camp every afternoon. It’s really fun! D: If next year is your senior year, what do you plan to do after graduation? Evie: I’m planning to go to art college. I PAGE 16
Rise Up A collaborative mural project in the east stairwell, created by staff and students during spring break in March 2020
“When I came to Delphian, I continued to paint but I learned how to do ceramics and other art styles, too.” PAGE 17
want to apply to Parsons in New York City. I’m getting prepared and putting my portfolio together now. I haven’t completely decided, but I’m probably going to apply to their fashion design program. D: Wow! Do you sew and design clothes, too? Evie: Yes, I like to embroider patterns into the cloth I work with. When I see cool patterns or something cute from a cartoon, I sew it into my outfits. D: After college, what would be your dream job? Evie: I want to establish my own brand, maybe creating streetwear. I’m really into skateboarding. You can see some skateboards I’ve painted up on the wall in the 201 dorm hallway. D: Do you see yourself doing more murals and wall art in the future? Evie: Yes! I want to do graffiti art next. When I go home after the summer, my dad said that I can create some giant graffiti art murals on the walls at his office. D: That sounds amazing! We can’t wait to see it. PAGE 18
Above A mural painted by Daniella Porras-Sholes during the spring of 2020 as a senior project located inside the west entrance Left, Daniella working on her mural
Live a Life of Adventure
Commencement Ceremony 2021 This year’s commencement acknowledged both the classes of 2020 and 2021. Our commencement speaker, Rosemary Didear, graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University and joined Delphian staff in 1991 with her husband. She has held a variety of positions at the school, most notably serving as Headmistress for sixteen years. In 2015 she was asked by the board to establish the school’s Development Office. The following is an excerpt from her commencement speech. I used to lead a Dickens’s Tale of Two Cities seminar. Looking over the experiences of the Classes of 2020 and ‘21 makes me think of the very first line in that book: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”. Yes, you might be the most unforgettable classes in Delphian history! You’ve had the excitement of spring break 2020, dancing down at the pond and doing activities with staff; you’ve also survived two-week dorm quarantines and choir singing with masks on. All that makes for great stories down the road!
Graduates, I admire each of you. You’ve shown a depth of understanding and competence in application well beyond the usual for a high school graduate. You’ve discovered your potential is limitless. As you’re about to take off from the end of this runway, you each have a very good sense of WHO you are, and understand when you are being true to yourself... and when you aren’t. Challenges to integrity never stop — not at your age, and not at my age. Once you’re off the Delphian runway and in the air, you’ll no longer be surrounded every day by the strong ethical agreements of this group and these peers, and that might be the biggest challenge you’ll face. BUT you do know what it feels like to stay true to yourself — and your own flight plan — and how to get back on it if you’ve wandered off course. Delphian’s logo points of ethics, integrity, knowledge and leadership are SO much a part of you now that I had to wonder: What can I add to that? So I scanned through my own life since high school, looking for what I learned after my own high school graduation that I could
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Commence
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ement 2021
Back Row L-R: Bryce McCole, Owen Rappoport, Wahia Mita, Kabir Mann, Lance Doven, Harry Chen, Connor Mathers, Lochlan Scharpf, Ricardo Ruiz Romero Middle Row L-R: Emma Aaron, Roni Akilov, Tal Akilov, Ava Almstead, Charley Guo, Howard Luo, Alex Han, Rosemary Didear, Trevor Ott, Santino Marrazzo, Andrés García, William Wang, Haleigh Simington, Maya Lonstein, Alexia Lorenzini, Claudia Prado Front Row L-R: Aya Jefford, Isabella Yang, Sarah Holyfield, Angel Chen, PAGE 21 Doris Luo, Jolie Ramos, Juliet Holyfield, Sophia Correa, Calliope Whitworth, Raina Schofield
Left: Commencement Speaker Rosemary Didear Above: Head of School Trevor Ott congratulating Roni Akilov and presenting her with her diploma
have used right at the beginning. Was there one piece of advice that would have been genuinely helpful? Here’s what I came up with: live a life of adventure! I don’t mean frivolous or reckless adventure or one that serves only you, without taking every part of your life into account. After all, part of Delphian’s mission is that you would help bring positive change to the world. No, I’m talking about making opportunities for yourselves that challenge you at every turn. At one point in my own young adult life, I came to a crossroads where I had a clear choice of two radically different life paths. This was a tough decision, not one that was made overnight. But I did choose the more adventurous path. As in the famous Robert Frost poem, I took the one less traveled by, and that did make all the difference. You will most definitely have to make MAJOR life choices of your own. But adventure can come in small daily packages too: the decision to participate instead of hold back; to explore new subjects in college; to find the unexpected through reaching out to strangers; to volunteer help in your community or serve on a nonprofit board when it might be easier to stay home. Living a life of adventure can sound like living for thrills or inviting danger. For sure, doing something daring that you won’t later regret can be fun. I remember when we lived in California, my husband used to refer to my hikes as “Rosemary’s Death Marches.” And a defining moment of my life — though not at all death-defying — was climbing Mt. Whitney. Those things were fun, but that’s not what I’m talking about. A
LIFE of adventure is about seeing the world from eyes other than your own, walking in unfamiliar shoes. I’ve had some unique travel adventures that I treasure. Learning about their marriage customs at dinner with tribal Africans or being invited home for the weekend by Scots on a Loch Lomond ferry. Experiencing first-hand how Cambodia feels thanks to its Buddhist culture, or enjoying the different perspectives of the North and South Vietnamese. Practicing English with a Russian class and hearing how they think Americans view Russians and having that dialogue. And everywhere, experiencing the instant friendships that form between travelers who have stepped for a time out of their usual routines. But it was even more adventurous for my husband Dege and me — with an infant and toddler to care for, with no certain income, no cash reserves and a mortgage — to start our own business out of our home, defying every rule we’d heard. We took a big risk; but one that allowed us to see the business world up close and learn what it meant to deliver exceptional service. It was a personal expansion that proved invaluable later in my role as Delphian’s Headmistress. When you and your parents chose the Delphian School, that already put you on a flight plan to adventure. This school is not the usual. And when you chose to graduate, your real adventure began. But now you’ve made it into the air, flying into unexplored skies. What I wish for all of you is this: May the hard-won abilities you found here lead you into as yet undreamed-of adventure.
“Challenges to integrity never stop — not at your age, and not at my age.”
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For the full commencement speech and to watch the entirety of the 2021 commencement ceremony use the following link:
Class of 2020 graduates who were able to attend the 2021 commencement ceremony Pictured L-R: Alexia Lorenzini, Emma Aaron, Rosemary Didear, Roni Akilov, Trevor Ott, Claudia Prado, Bryce McCole
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Daniella Porras-Sholes Worcester, Massachusetts
1.
Trishul Pal Santa Clara, California
I came here as a confused, dishonest, and lost little boy. I did not have the greatest relationship with my family. It was not good. I was cheating my way through the program because I thought that was the only way I could get through it. Then, I made the greatest decision in my life. I realized my dishonesty needed to end. Once the truth was out I felt very sad at first. I then had a talk with Paula. I told her everything, she gave me nothing but love. I was put on an academic repair program. It was a struggle at first; but I was able to bootstrap myself up to a point where I could read great works of literature like Sea-Wolf, Atlas Shrugged, and The Agony and the Ecstasy. I read beautiful poetry and read great books like Democracy In America and Dr. Zhivago. I learned about the great philosophies of Socrates and Confucianism. Lastly I learned about beautiful religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. I’m now a man with knowledge, ethics, leadership, and integrity. I’m a man with great power and great responsibility. Most importantly, I’m a man who loves his family and only gives undying love to them.
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Before Delphian, I never saw myself as anything other than a mechanism going through the basic automations that were supposed to increase my intellect. This system was cramming me into one type, never to be broken. Delphi took the shackles holding my brain and obliterated them. It taught me what courage is, how to become organic instead of mechanical. It rewired my brain to instill that I know what I know, and no one can take that away from me. Delphian has made me re-imagine beauty and what it means to exist. I was never confident before, always negative and extremely hard on myself. But Delphian challenged me to seek discomfort and learn to be vulnerable. This newfound ability to feel all of my emotions and challenge myself, evolved me into a being that will stop at nothing to create something magical, no matter the circumstances. This confidence has turned me from a machine into an evergreen tree, one that is mighty and shoots up towards the sun. Every task I did at Delphian has helped me to reach farther up to try and touch
the sky. The staff here have been my nourishment, and my growth has been exponential. The roots of my wisdom run deep in these furry green hills, interconnecting with the rest of the world’s wisdom. Becoming my own teacher, I am able to take flight. From this height, the light now hits everything below me differently, and a new type of beauty has been born.
Claudia Prado Clearwater, Florida
I’ve always been a workaholic deep inside. Everyone around me would constantly tell me to enjoy the little moments and to have a good time. There was always something in me that rebelled against this. I could not do nothing. During my senior year, I had a few intense periods where all I’d do was study —nothing else really, besides eating, sleeping and exercising. I considered this the happiest I’ve been. Everything I did was meaningful and productive. I wasn’t wasting away my time. Instead, I was studying and creating my future. Delphian helped me realize my true potential and what makes me happiest, which is production. It has ingrained this work ethic into me and has helped me realize capabilities which I never knew I had. I’ve learned what actual productivity is, which is doing things that help your future, things which have a purpose. I’ve learned to hone my abilities to best use them for the greatest good and for the greatest happiness for myself and others.
3.
Finnley Giffin McMinnville, Oregon
My parents took a huge risk by uprooting their entire lives so that I could go to school here. When I first arrived at Delphain, I knew I had made the right choice because it just felt right. I felt right at home. As my time here progressed, I slowly began to discover that there are actually two practical programs. There are the projects that you do and the student council that you become a part of, but then there’s just the life that you live separate from everything else. Your life. I came to find the beauty in the program through doing the courses and then just living my life. I remember at one of the more difficult times in my life on Form 7. I was talking to my dad about this, and I said “I wish everybody could just see things the way I see them and then maybe life wouldn’t be so difficult right now.” He said to me, “No, son, that’s not it, everybody wishes everybody else could see things the way they do and that doesn’t get anybody anywhere.” He told me that instead of trying to get everybody to understand you, you should listen to try and understand everybody. Once you can think on both sides of the pistol, then you can do anything. If you were to ask me does being a graduate require that you get everything possible that there is to get out the Delphian program, I would say no. Being a graduate requires that you get everything that you NEED out of the Delphian program, and I can now surely say that I have gotten everything that I need. Thank you, Delphian.
Jessica Sun Shanghai, China
The way to study is unique here. Each student has a program to use in order to achieve their goals. At Delphian, I did many practical experiments and I learned how to apply data in my life. Delphian gave me the courage to be myself. Everyone was close to each other, and the staff members love you genuinely. There were thousands of times that I was exhausted, but I overcame it. At Delphian, we have more practical experiences rather than exams. It is very important to apply knowledge in real life. The projects help you improve your communication skills and leadership. For example, you need to run a weekend activity by yourself, and you have to communicate with your helpers and staff members in order to run it successfully. There is also a summer internship project where you work in the school to help run the whole summer. The internship was especially meaningful to me. I didn’t know how to deal with young kids before, as I don’t have any siblings. After I did my summer internship, I learned that young kids are genuine and honest, and they will love you more than you love them. Education is very important, and teachers are really important to students. A good teacher will give a child a sweet childhood, and a bad teacher will give a child unmovable scars. I had the best memories at Delphian because every piece of Delphian helped to create me.
Graduating With Honors
Simon Yen Taipei, Taiwan
“It is better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a mighty ocean.” This was what my supervisor Jocelyn told me when I was in the Middle School. From four years of ups and downs, I realized that whenever I felt frustrated or whenever I felt that I couldn’t take it anymore, that was when Delphian threw me into a bigger pond for me to grow. Whenever I got comfortable, Delphian would throw me into a bigger pond again. Everything that happened in the past four years has shaped me into who I am today. There are definitely regrets in the past four years, but some things are meant to happen. Delphian has the resources and the tools to make you a better individual, but you’re the person who makes that decision. No one can force you to do it. Right now, I’m in the biggest pond that Delphian has and I’m ready to be in the mighty ocean. PAGE 25
1. The class of 2020 Back Row L-R: Claudia Prado, Lindsey Carberry, Finnley Giffin, Daniella Porras-Sholes, Simon Yen, Roni Akilov, Bryce McCole, Quinn Bennett, Alexia Lorenzini, Emiliano Posselt, Jessica Sun Front Row L-R: Trishul Pal, Kenji Sanchis Not Pictured Emma Aaron and Hadar Ezra
Graduating With Honors
Emma Aaron Toronto, Canada
I arrived at Delphian thinking I would just try it for one year. I didn’t expect it would soon become my favorite place on Earth. I saw the level of competence, confidence and integrity that each student demonstrated, and I knew that I wanted to achieve that for myself. Every single part of the program was beautiful. The books gave me an appreciation of Man’s achievements and struggles throughout history. The projects proved to me that theory is only as valuable as it can be applied. The courses taught me that I can learn anything I want to. And Student Council made me into a leader who can solve problems using my knowledge, creativity and reason. I arrived here not knowing who I was or who I wanted to be. I can now say that I am someone with integrity and someone who can get a product despite any challenge. I have the tools to be fully responsible for my condition in life as well as for those around me, and even mankind. Coming to Delphi was the best decision of my life and I will forever be grateful. PAGE 26
Graduating With Honors
Lindsey Carberry Bryce McCole Atlanta, Georgia
Before coming to Delphian, I struggled with seeing the beauty in the world around me. I am not talking about beauty in art or the written word. No, I am talking about beauty in people. Through most of my life I saw nothing too extraordinary about people. They were simply a part of life that I had to coexist with. Making friends was something I was never good at, and social gatherings were things I dreaded. This was how I was when I came to Delphian. I remember talking to my mom about society after I had read a book on Form 6 called Fahrenheit 451, specifically the society that was formed from all of the passive individuals in that book. I was talking about how loud people could be and how the news was always riddled with disagreements people were having. I turned to my mom and said something very different from how I had felt much of my life. I said that despite the “noise” society created, I was much happier to live with a society who cared too much than one that didn’t care at all. This was the first time I ever appreciated people for simply being themselves. I began to see the power in the “noise” they created. I began to see the beauty in their passionate fights and desperate calls for justice. It didn’t even matter if I shared the same passion as them. The thing that mattered to me was that they cared. With this new ability to see the beauty in humanity, I venture into the next steps of life. I am excited for what comes and all of the wonderful people I am yet to meet.
New York, New York
Medford was the place, Saturday the time, A war was on the brink, Soccer was on my mind, I didn’t care about the trees, the bus, the windows on the bus and or the time when I was going to write this line and make it rhyme. The pitch was calling me, It was time to give it all, The whistle blew and the brisk air of fall kissed my cheek, All of a sudden I felt my legs go weak. I wasn’t ready, I was scared, I truly wasn’t prepared for this, I couldn’t find the air in my lungs to breathe, or the words to speak. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw you, The green, the mass, the beautiful view, I didn’t understand, there was no way, How could they have possibly travelled 5 hours just to see us play, I thought in my head that we were on our own in this war, It turned out that this was what my body was waiting for, for you, for your voice, For your love and support there that always shows, I knew in my heart that I’d always remember this day, The day that I discovered that I love you, And there’s nothing I wouldn’t do, For each and every one of you. I looked at myself when in the mirror the other day and I was completely unrecognizable. I had become an honest leader, I gained new memories, I had countless friends, I found Bryce Cameron McCole, born in Manhattan, NY, 19 years old, a loving and strong person that is ready to take everything on.
L-R: Alexia Lorenzini, Emma Aaron, Rosemary Didear, Roni Akilov, Trevor Ott, Claudia Prado, Bryce McCole
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Roni Akilov Jerusalem, Israel
Before Delphian, I was a shy girl who didn’t have integrity and who let others control her. I started off here making a lot of mistakes, and I never thought I would reach the point of graduation, and thought I was going to get expelled. The staff members believed in me and were my guardian angels throughout my time at Delphian, and with their help, I was able to get to where I am now: a strong woman who has the four points of the logo. The practical program helped me a lot with becoming a powerful person; at first, I only wanted to be on student council to get off student services, and later I wanted to become an officer for the status only. One day, a friend said, “Roni is the definition of a changed man.” That’s when it clicked in my head, and I realized that I had changed and wanted to change even more. I started asking for higher positionsv, so I could learn from them and improve more areas around the school. There are people around the world who look for magic or wait for it to mysteriously happen, but here at Delphian, we learn to make our own magic.
L-R: Roni Akilov, Class of 2020, Mati Akilov, and Tal Akilov, Class of 2021
Hadar Ezra Cape Town, South Africa
When I first came, I really thought flying under the radar was the best way to go about life. Doing what I had to do well enough to not draw attention was my ideal scene. I shied away from challenges and couldn’t hold an opinion of my own. I had no self confidence so I’d constantly doubt myself. I was a put-together mess, but I couldn’t see it. Throughout my time on the program, I was changing. It wasn’t an all-at-once change like some might think, but more like the constant movement of a river which imperceptibly smooths and shapes the rocks it runs over, making them what they are. That water is made up of what you learn on each course, the changes in perception that you get from the books, the challenges you face on student council, the apprehension that comes with your first project and the feeling of accomplishment when you complete it successfully. It’s made up of those rich, life-changing talks with your supervisor and the other staff, but most of all it is made up of you changing your own mind on what you think you can do. Now at the end of this program, I’ve made friends that I know I’ll have for the rest of my life. I try to do the best that I can in everything that I do. I take on challenges with determination and a smile, and I have the integrity to hold onto what I believe is true and I have the confidence to say it. I’ve learned to think bigger than ever before. I’ve found that the world was always there, it was just my eyes that were closed.
Kenji Sanchis Elda, Spain
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The Form 8 program was a truly magical experience. I learned about philosophy with Plato, I learned about totalitarianism with 1984, and I learned about my love for this school when I put the entire Form 8 program together. Thanks to this beautiful program, I now feel truly ready to start going on my way through the path of life.
Alexia Lorenzini
Agno, Switzerland
Emiliano Posselt
I want you to picture this. You are hidden in the dark for years. Then one day, a streak of light seeps into your dark hideaway. You try to cover your eyes and resist, but the light is too strong. Eventually you grow curious so you take a peek outside. Suddenly your eyes are hit by a sparkling ray of sun. You look to the4.sky and discover a beauty you have never seen before. This is the best way for me to describe Delphian. This school was the sparkling ray of sun that I desperately needed to light up my life. Just when I thought it was too late, Delphian reached out its hand to me and inspired me. It gave me back my love for art, but this time it was a thousand times stronger. It gave me back my interests and my passions, and most importantly it gave me back my love and excitement for life.
Mexico City, Mexico
I wanted to write about the greatest gift I have been given by Delphian, my family and myself. This gift is the gift to dream, to have a goal that makes your body tremble and your will to make it happen no matter what. Everyone thinks about when they were a little kid and what their dreams in life were. At that point we had the imagination for our craziest dreams and no walls to stop us. I wanted to fly, go to other planets and to help save the world. Then for 14 years, I didn’t really think about what I wanted to do until I was sitting beside my supervisor’s desk and she asked me, “Why are you here?” This reminded me of my dreams and made me know that the people here wanted to help me achieve them. I also noticed that the graduates were actually working in their dreams. I started living again for my dreams, studying for them, wanting to grow for them. I am now ready to go into the world to help solve the greatest problems, push myself to live to the fullest, and at some point go to other planets. This is me, but this world is lived by millions of more people, including every one of you. You have probably heard my quote, “Emi, BE GREAT.” Being great sounds like at some point or in the future “BE GREAT,” but greatness in reality is being happy and enjoying every moment. Mr. Hubbard said, “Happiness, then, could be defined as the overcoming of obstacles toward a desirable goal. . .” I want to help solve the world’s hardest problems, help people achieve their dreams and make a civilization in the stars. I challenge everybody including myself to find out what our goals are, keep improving them, working towards them, and to not let anybody, not even yourself make you give up on them. This is the greatest gift I have received. Thank you!
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Maya Lonstein Los Angeles, California
In the book Siddhartha, the main character says, “Most people are like a falling leaf, which is blown and is turning around through the air, and wavers, and tumbles to the ground. But others, a few, are like stars, they go on a fixed course, no wind reaches them, in themselves they have their law and their course.” When I first was a student at Delphian, I was definitely a falling leaf. I was easily blown and turned through the air. I had little integrity, no leadership skills, no self-determinism, and no drive. I had no idea what I was capable of. In my sophomore and early junior years, I wasn’t even blown by the wind. I was on the ground. I had hit a low in my life that I hadn’t experienced before. My integrity was gone and I didn’t even know who I was. Slowly but surely, I started to get my integrity back. I was starting to find myself. I was sort of on a high in my junior and senior years. I was so proud of myself for getting out of this mess and finding myself. I had continued stably for so long without any major upsets or issues. This all came crashing down a few months before I graduated. I started finding my whole life crumbling again. It took me a bit to realize that finding myself was only half of the battle. Maintaining my integrity and pulling myself out of rough situations was what I needed to achieve, so that is exactly what I did. I pulled myself out of the situation that I was in and then some. At that moment, I turned from a falling leaf to the brightest star in the sky. Thanks to my journey at Delphian, I am unchangeably on my own course. Now I know that no troubles will reach me because I can pull myself out of the worst of situations. I have turned into the person that I want to be: a bright star on a fixed course. I am now the brightest star in the sky and I know that I am capable of anything.
Graduating With Honors
Kabir Mann Lombard, Illinois
This place is miraculous. If one takes a look around the school, they will immediately see lively, competent individuals. This is Delphian. Every single one of us has our superpower. My superpower is the ability to care; I care about everyone around me. Whether I show it or not, my decisions will always sprout from that ability to care. We all have our superpowers. This program is designed in a way that ensures that one’s superpower is apparent to him by the time he graduates. He has chances to demonstrate that superpower numerous times. Through reading the literature program, doing the courses, and expanding in the practical area, I have seen myself from this brand new perspective. I am thankful to have been able to experience this. Thank you, Delphian.
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Tal Akilov Jerusalem, Israel
When I first came to Delphian, I was an 11-year-old girl that didn’t know what to expect from life. I was a shy girl that didn’t know any English; I was a girl that wouldn’t speak up about anything that she thought was wrong. I was a girl that always relied on people, and I was a girl that made the wrong decisions from not thinking clearly. My Delphian journey took about eight years, and eight years is a long time, but it felt like no time. In my old school, I learned English and I thought I did really well on it, so when I came to Delphian I was so excited to use the English I knew. I then came to realize that I most definitely did not know English, so instead of starting in the international program, I had to start in the beginning ESL program where I gained some of the basic English foundations. I slowly started to learn English and started to move up the forms. During my journey here at Delphian, I have had many difficulties keeping others’ and my ethics intact. I continued progressing and continued to face challenges, but I knew that facing challenges here was a part of the whole program. Form 8 was truly a beautiful form. It helped me close up my whole education here at Delphian and helped me gain confidence. Throughout my journey, I have changed a lot, physically and mentally. I have become more able, confident, and willing to try new things. I was able to overcome many difficulties that I never thought I would overcome. The academic program helped me so much with my confront, my leadership skills, and my public speaking abilities. These points were really hard for me to overcome, but with the help from my study partner, I was able to accomplish what I was aiming for. One of my realizations was that ending my Delphian journey here does not mean it’s the end; it’s just the beginning. Now, it is my turn to use the gift that Delphian has given me. Everyone is capable of anything; you just need to put your mind to it and work hard to achieve it.
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Right: Santino Marrazzo, Tal Akilov, Wahia Mita, Roni Akilov
Devin McDaniel
Clearwater, Florida
Wow! I can’t believe that I am done. It has been five long years, but they were the best years of my life so far. This was the time and the place where I truly grew up and found who I really was. It is where I became the Devin I am today. When I first arrived at Delphian, I didn’t really pay much attention to the world around me. I spent a lot of time in my head with my own thoughts. I was very nervous and uncertain about myself and my abilities. Throughout the program this began to change. I did various projects and pushed myself to do things that I was uncomfortable doing, such as leading a group of students on services that helped keep the school functioning and clean. The biggest change, however, came on the Form 7 and Form 8 programs. On Form 7, I first started to look towards my future and plan what I was going to do. I also took on more projects which challenged me to step even further out of my shell. I became a member of the student council and ran weekend student services, which involved me having to run multiple groups of people and make sure they were cleaning and doing a good job. Form 8 was when I became me: truly capable and ready to take on the world ahead of me. I found what I truly wanted to do with my life and started working towards that goal. I did projects including running a group of students on setting up and running a Delphian booth at an airshow. I also worked in an elementary school classroom which taught me patience and how to get people to do what they are supposed to do. The academic program also taught me many useful life skills and got me thinking about the world around me. I saw that I was no longer “Mouse Man,” but was someone who was competent, able to speak his thoughts, and could survive well no matter what he did.
Isabella Yang Huizhou, China
Jolie Ramos
Englewood, New Jersey
This is a quote that applied to most of my time at Delphian: “Nothing is so commonplace as to wish to be remarkable.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes I had people who I found remarkable, and I tried to copy these people to bring out these qualities in myself. My personality became completely unrecognizable to me, and I didn’t like who I was. I decided to change this by being who I knew I was underneath, and positively influencing my environment. I realized that I could effect change, and I began to hold myself accountable for the things around me. My biggest success from this was finding how powerful I really was. I saw the changes I could make and the help I could offer. I never knew I was such a capable person, and it was so shocking that I was more than just another person in a crowd. After I knew I was capable, I needed to be willing to demonstrate my abilities. I had a hard time consistently being this influential person, but once I found my personality again and was willing to be that person, I had no trouble. Showing people my true personality was scary because I wasn’t sure if they would like me for who I was, but having the courage to become myself was my biggest victory on this program, and I am so grateful for this. Now I am happy, I know who I am, and what I am capable of. Thank you, Delphian, for showing me the person I could be, and giving me the tools to do so.
I wasn’t expecting too much from Delphian when I first came here. My only purpose was to get into a good college so I could succeed in life. However, Delphian gave me way more than I was expecting. The purpose of the Delphian program wasn’t just sending students to college. Its purpose was to help students find their own purposes and goals in life. Because of the individualized program, every student gets to choose their path. I chose to be a leader in the student body, a role model for younger students, a young scientistto-be, a good friend, an ethical student, and a caring daughter. At Delphian, I had the freedom to choose what kind of person I want to be in the future. I gained knowledge, and I use the knowledge to create my own knowledge; I have integrity, and I use my integrity to make decisions for myself; I understand ethics, and I use ethics to be a righteous person; I am a leader, and I use leadership to help me succeed in life. Now my purpose has changed. Getting into a good college is not my only purpose anymore. I want to be a person with the four points on the Delphian logo. I want to be a good person and contribute to the world in my way. Finally, I finished this chapter of my life, and I gained all the tools I need for a brighter future. The Delphian program shaped me into the person I am now, and I will be using the tools and knowledge I learned here to explore the world.
Angel Chen
Shenzhen, China
“When you feel like quitting, remember why you started.” This is the quote posted on our gym’s board. I can’t help thinking why I ended up spending my four years at Delphian. “To get a better education,” I would say when my parents first drove me up the hill and couldn’t find a spot to park our car. My four years started with playing mafia in conversation class and holding a bright pink tennis racket trying to catch the ball that was blown away by the strong wind on our tennis court. “Why did I start here?” “To see the deer jumping around on our soccer field. To hear the ‘hot corner’ when I am hungry. To see my friends around me laughing. To hear the printers spitting out papers…” This is the answer I give now. There is no right answer. Like what was said in “The Road Not Taken,” I chose the Delphian road without hesitation knowing there was no chance back. Now, I stand in front of another divergent path. Looking back at the road I just finished, there is the most beautiful rainbow in the sky.
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Haleigh Simington Clearwater, Florida
I have never felt so ready and excited for the future. I have developed such strong admiration and care for the things, people, and beauty around me, and I know that I have access to all the tools I will need in life. My life in public school was a downward spiral and Delphian helped me save my education and my future. Through both good and bad times, I have learned that I can handle any situation that I’m presented with and I can create whatever I want to create. The Delphian program is put together so carefully and so perfectly. I cannot imagine a better way to have spent the last five years of my life. The beauty and magic of Delphian is very difficult to explain in words, but I am beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it.
Aya Jefford
Sophia Correa
Coral Gables, Florida
Sydney, Australia
Looking back at the person that I was before coming to Delphian, I can barely recognise myself. I was shy and scared, and never knew which direction to go in. I relied on others to tell me what was next and to show me the right path. It wasn’t until I came to Delphian that I even realized, I knew what the right path was. Delphian gave me the opportunity to figure out for myself what I really thought and who I really am. I figured out what was true for myself and what wasn’t. All of the hard work, the challenges, the ups and downs I have faced at Delphian, shaped me into the person I am today. I no longer need a person to tell me where to go and what to do next. I have discovered integrity, and I am suddenly the one leading the way. I have found out how capable I am, and I have challenged myself to do things I could never think of doing before. At the beginning of my Delphian journey I remember feeling like a small fish in a big pond, now I am a big fish in a small pond ready to explore the sea.
2.
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Before I came to Delphian I was a shy and timid girl who was afraid to speak her mind. I hated when people asked me for my opinion because I would rather just agree with what they were thinking or saying. I was not outgoing and did not like talking to people that I didn’t know. For the first three months of being here, right after I was done with my classes I would go directly to my faculty advisor’s office and just wait there until I went home at the end of the night. I didn’t talk to anyone except for the people
I lived with and a few classmates. Once I got more into the program I realized that I actually had to work for things. I couldn’t just try to get by here. I realized I actually had to talk to new people to get things I wanted. But I am so glad I had to do that because if I didn’t I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Once I actually started talking to new people and getting to know them I realized how special each person was. From then on I started learning things from each person I got to know. I learned about appreciating the beauty in life and that whenever I have doubts about something I should, metaphorically, jump off the airplane and do it. No matter where you go or what you do, there are challenges ahead of you. What I’m asking from each of you, and from myself, is to meet those challenges straight on with your head held high and your heart wide open. It’s not enough to simply try to get by in life. You must try to excel in everything you do; strive for excellence in every task, large or small. Because when you succeed, you are in a position to give rather than take.
Lochlan Scharpf Yamhill, Oregon
LouElla Taufer Clearwater, Florida
It wasn’t until late in my Delphian career that I realized how capable I actually was. I would always tell myself how incapable I was and that I wasn’t worthy of the success I could bring myself. I saw the practical aspect of the Delphian program and all the projects that were a part of it, and I thought that I would never be a Delphian graduate. It wasn’t until I did some real projects with computers, ones that challenged me, that I found myself to be capable. I was doing things that I would have found impossible a year ago. I was accomplishing long-time goals and gaining new abilities and greater understanding. My Delphian journey was a turbulent one, and I struggled. That changed when I set my heart and brain on graduation, and I decided it would be so. After that moment I began to really apply myself, to use my skills and abilities in earnest. I stopped crippling myself with my own negative expectations, and I began to believe in Lochlan. I thought of myself as a skilled individual, no longer a boy who couldn’t use his own abilities. I’m ready to move on to the next stage of my life, using the tools I learned at Delphian to help further my goals. I’m a Delphian graduate, and I’m excited to see what the rest of my life has to offer me.
Harry Chen Shenzhn, China
Form 8 was indeed the icing on the cake. I learned to communicate well, to lead people, to make a speech to the whole school, to maintain a diet, to understand marriage, and much more. Through the reading program, I read about the fundamentals of democracy, a dystopian society, poetry, and an ideal republic. Most importantly, I confronted my education and my future. I am now ready to tackle college, life, and whatever is next.
My Delphian journey started when I was 11 years old. My brother and I were coming to the school for a visit. We had almost arrived and were driving on Rock Creek Road. This was the first time that I saw the school, and I immediately got goosebumps and knew I had to graduate from here. A few years went by before I arrived as a student. When I first arrived in the airport, I was greeted by the whole volleyball team and coach. This was the first time I had felt so welcomed and loved by a group other than my family. This was when my Delphian experience truly started. While on Form 6 Entry and Form 6 there were many times when I wanted to give up and leave. This would usually happen once the volleyball season had ended. Volleyball was my only game in life; there weren’t any practical or academic games. I didn’t see a difference in being here or being at home and attending Delphi Florida. I was in a shell and hadn’t found myself. When problems would come up, I wouldn’t take responsibility for them and somehow found a way out of the situation. The Delphian summer internship was when it all started to change. I was given multiple different jobs and at first was very overwhelmed and exhausted. After a few days of doing the jobs, I realized that I could do anything that I set my mind to. After I realized that, I started to become my true self. Towards the beginning of Form 7, I was put on the student council as the vice president. As the vice president, I learned how to confidently lead, be responsible, ethical and have integrity. Form 7 was the start of the magic. There isn’t just one thing I could tell you that would explain the “magic.” The magic was the whole thing put together. There was so much beauty in the literature, practical and academic areas. Once I had completed Form 7, I wanted to play a game which was to finish Form 8 by spring break. Some people told me it wasn’t possible. This made me even more ambitious to get it done. I did it to prove myself right. I now know what I am capable of doing, and that is anything I put my mind to. Delphian has prepared me for anything in life, and I know now why this little castle on the hill is so special and a magical place. I was on the volleyball team for four years at Delphian. Every single practice, game, tournament and moment that we had together meant the world to me. I have never laughed harder and had more fun than with the girls on the volleyball team. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” - E. E. Cummings I am now ready to take on life. PAGE 35
Class of 2021 Back Row L-R: Owen Rappoport, Wahia Mita, Kabir Mann, Lance Doven, Harry Chen, Connor Mathers, Lochlan Scharpf, Ricardo Ruiz Romero Middle Row L-R: Tal Akilov, Ava Almstead, Charley Guo, Howard Luo, Alex Han, Santino Marrazzo, Andrés García, William Wang, Haleigh Simington, Maya Lonstein, Front Row L-R: Aya Jefford, Isabella Yang, Sarah Holyfield, Angel Chen, Doris Luo, Jolie Ramos, Juliet Holyfield, Sophia Correa, Calliope Whitworth, Raina Schofield Not Pictured: Devin McDaniel and LouElla Taufer
Graduating With Honors Graduating With Honors
Calliope Whitworth Sheridan, Oregon
I have gone to Delphian for six years. In that time I’ve gone from a shy middle school girl to the confident, capable individual that I am today. The Delphian program is unlike any other education system on the planet. This is not to try and flatter Delphian or positively promote the school. This is only my observation from applying what I learned from the Delphian program. Delphian has certain technologies that you won’t find just lying around. You’d have to search far and wide for them, and even then, you might not succeed. These technologies on how to study, how to succeed in life, how to communicate, etc., have shaped me until I found that I could use these to control my life. It is now up to me to apply these technologies to live the most meaningful life I can. If I tried to thank every person who helped me along my Delphian journey, I would have to write a 10-page essay. So, for the sake of saving paper, thank you all, and thank you Delphian. PAGE 36
Andrés García Morelia, Mexico
I’ve always believed that anything is possible as long as a person has enough willpower to make things happen. This is something I knew in theory, but not in practice before coming to Delphian. This school, and more specifically Form 8, provided me with countless opportunities and scenarios that required more decisiveness than I had previously used in my life. Being challenged and overcoming these brought a lot of happiness and joy to my life. Feeling uncomfortable eventually results in joy. Overcoming challenges is the basis of morale. Well, Delphian and all of Form 8 was filled to the brim with morale.
Sarah Holyfield Atlanta, Georgia
Wahia Mita Chicago, Illinois
This school has changed me forever. I walked into this school with a lot of flaws. As I progressed through school, the staff helped me fix them. This school has been all the difference in my life. I feel unstoppable; I feel like I can touch the sky. The student body also helped to foster a love for others no matter what. While being at Delphian I took responsibility for many things and this led to handling many problems. These problems taught me to act with love instead of with ill intentions. This lesson was one of the best I could have ever gotten. The practical program helped me to become a leader. The practical side of the program gave me real-world experience that will have an everlasting effect on me. It’s also been very fun and unique. Finally, the academic program is phenomenal. This program has turned me into a genius. I can study anything I want and can conceptually understand it. The books have teleported me to the past while also opening my eyes to many different ways of thinking. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way.
There is a common thought that there are moments in an individual’s life that define their character. Maybe it’s a piano lesson they didn’t practice for, a thought they say before thinking, or something much, much greater in importance. However, I dare you not to judge yourself off of your mistakes, but off of your perceived successes. Every moment spent on helping another is a much greater measure of one’s character than a mistake you already feel guilt over. I have learned that this goes handin-hand with the judgment one holds for others. Don’t let yourself believe that an individual cannot change. There is proof enough in a child becoming an adult of the magnitude of growth capable within a human being. Be forgiving, don’t hold on to moments in the past as if they are moments in the present. Your mind is as free as you allow it to be, don’t let it fall behind your heart. Through life and the program, you learn what motivates you and what drive you can conjure for those purposes. I believe everyone has an endless capacity to change, to grow, and to shed the reputations they have made. Life is only challenging if you decide it. Play it as a game and you’ll learn that the universe is easily dominated by your will.
I would now like to use an analogy inspired by my beautiful Form 8 study partner about stars. Stars are everything she said about them: glowing, full of strength, and are all quite alike. However, don’t look upon them with human eyes. Because as mankind looks from the present, we see the past instead of the sky’s endless possibilities. Expect the falling stars, and shifting of constellations, because every person holds divinity within their souls.
Santino Marrazzo
Yonkers, New York
Delphian taught me that life is like a flower. It’s your choice to water the flower or to let it die. If you have the intention for the flower to grow, then you will decide to water it. It all comes down to what you intend. At the beginning of this journey, I acted as if I didn’t care whether or not the flower grew. I grew weeds all around my flower. I wanted the attention of my peers, I wanted to be admired by my seniors, I wanted everyone to be interested in me. It was this year when I became fully aware and learned that in order to get something done, one must raise the meaning of his words, not the volume of his voice. It is the rain that grows the flower, not the thunder. The products one gets are simply up to one’s intention to get them. Delphian showed me that every day, and I will never forget it. As I head off into the future, Delphian has given me all the reassurance in the world that I am capable of anything I set my mind to. Continuing down the path of life, I will have instilled in me every lesson and piece of knowledge that this beautiful castle on the hill showed me.
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Alex Han Beijing, China
Delphian isn’t just a school for me, but it is a place where I really found who I am and who I want to be. Delphian created many opportunities for me. This beautiful place made my life colorful, unique, and ethical. I became an athlete, a musician, a teammate, a friend, and a leader. The last few years created a lot of beautiful and incredible memories; the experiences helped me to be stronger and mature. Now, I have become a Delphian graduate.
William Wang
4.
Shanghai, China
In my Delphian journey, I found one particular moment memorable. It was when I failed to answer the question, “What is the first barrier to study?” The answer turns out to be, “An unwillingness to learn.” Through learning this barrier, the overconfidence that, “I know everything,” was overcome. In the book, The Last Days Of Socrates, the Greek philosopher Socrates demonstrated to me, “True knowledge is knowing one’s ignorance.” This helped me realize that my knowledge was once like a circle. It was so small, I couldn’t see much of my surroundings. Delphian expanded my circle. As the circle expanded and I saw more of my surroundings, I realized how small my knowledge circle is in the never-ending sea of knowledge. Thank you Delphian, for giving me the opportunity to conquer this first barrier on my journey toward knowledge and for breaking my fear of ignorance.
Above: Charley Guo, Alex Han and Howard Luo
Connor Mathers Belleair, Florida
Going through the program at Delphian has led me to many great things. I learned about myself and others, I learned about the world and I learned about making beds, among other things. When I first arrived, I was unsure of everything. Delphian helped me realize my ability to be sure. All the courses, books, projects, hours of hard work and hours of freedom have all culminated to make a competent and confident Delphian graduate. I look forward to my future and I know that whatever happens, I will always be able to look back at my schooling and be grateful that I went through it. PAGE 38
Ava Almstead Clearwater, Florida
Lance Doven
Los Angeles, California
On one of my first weekends at Delphian, I was walking back to my dorm from the gym at night when I just so happened to look up into the sky as a shooting star flashed by just over the treeline. I had always been fascinated by shooting stars and was amazed by what I had just seen. I made sure to make a wish; that I would have the best time of my life here at Delphian. Over the past five years, this wish has come true to its full extent. I have made the most amazing memories. I have made friends that I am sure I will be close to for my entire lifetime. I have become competent, responsible, and an able communicator. I have conquered challenges that seemed insurmountable at times, and I have developed into the best version of myself. As my Delphian journey is now coming to an end, I have come across my most powerful realization yet. I have realized that I can create my own shooting star whenever I need one. This shooting star is called intention. I have learned that no task is impossible when my efforts are backed by my full intention to succeed in what I am doing. I am prepared to go into the world now and am confident that nothing will be able to stop me from achieving my goals and dreams.
I have been at Delphian since I was 9 years old. I remember the day I was holding my sister’s hand while boarding a plane to a place I had only heard of. I was shocked by how welcoming and kind all of the staff were when I arrived. My teacher genuinely cared if I loved what I was learning and understood it. Then, every day that I made a target in my academics in elementary school, my teacher would let me dance. Having that freedom and excitement about learning at a young age has really helped me create the person I am today. At 12 years old, I became the middle school Student Council president. Having real responsibility given to me at 12 years old only engaged me more. It wasn’t easy but was an exciting challenge. A year later I climbed my way up to upper school, I was 13 years old and thirsty for more responsibility. After hard work, two years later, I became a student council executive and a Dean’s List student. Through this, I found a lost purpose I had. I had forgotten why I loved people and why I liked to help them. People are like stars. They can seem distant and cold or close and warm, dull and ominous or bright and hopeful, but regardless they’re all stars and they do shine. Therefore, you are alike, and you should care. Your purpose is everything. If you are not happy or succeeding in life, look at your purpose. Are you trying to please others or are you acting as you please simply because you can and you should and it’s truthful? Are you following the flock or are setting a new course for exploration? If you let the staff at Delphian become your friends, follow their advice, and stay honest with yourself, then you will find your purpose and from then on, you will be unstoppable. You’ll not only have a purpose that is true for you, but you’ll also be a Delphian student. I have never felt more me, more certain of my future, or as confident in my own abilities as I do now. Thank you, Delphian!
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Doris Luo Hangzhou, China
Sarah and Juliet Holyfield
Juliet Holyfield Atlanta, Georgia
I have always been a student of human behavior. Long before I identified as an actor, I was captivated by other people’s mannerisms—how they walk, chew, laugh, argue, or cry. Once I began acting, I loved how it required both individualized observation and a universal understanding of human emotion. At Delphian, I was able to follow a path of passion and exploration. I discovered my love of biology and botany as well as my natural inclination toward all art mediums. Today, I am confident in my abilities as a student of science, art, philosophy, and countless other subjects. Through the avenues available to me at Delphian, I discovered so many passions I never knew I had. I was able to explore botany and quantum physics in my free time, invent math investigations, run choirs, paint murals, run clubs, dive into the depths of music, and find my one true passion: acting. I have been here all my life, and I am now ready to explore the paths I’ve begun to see and shape in my future. Thank you, Delphian, for the knowledge, philosophy, and experience you’ve given me. I will never forget my memories here and am excited to make new ones along my intended path in life.
The Delphian journey for me was like the process of building a house. You have to work hard to get what you want. Each piece of knowledge is like a brick, accumulating little by little till there is a perfect big house. I believe that is what Delphian means to me. I am really glad that I was able to meet all the kind and friendly people here. I am also proud that I can find out who I really am and set goals for my future in the process of learning. Now that I have built my own house, I am ready for the challenges of the future.
Charley Guo Beijing, China
When I first came to Delphian, I thought that my high school career would be pretty smooth. I still remember that my supervisor Michelle described me as a student who would always avoid studying. I accepted that fact and I refused to change. I never changed until I got on Form 7. Through the courses I did on Form 7, I started to wonder about my future and who I really am. The life-changing conversations with my supervisor and my Form Head, Larry and Amy, guided me through the difficulties. I can describe my entire Delphian journey as a path to find who I really am, and self-redemption. In the past 4 years of my Delphian journey, I was hiding the unethical decisions that I made and the dishonest actions on my academics. At the end of my Form 8 journey, I find my own path, my path to success. I’m blessed that I found out who I really am at the end of my Delphian journey. From this point on, I can proudly tell others that I am a Delphian graduate.
Back Row L-R: Harry Chen, Howard Luo, William Wang, Alex Han, Charley Guo Front Row L-R: Isabella Yang, Doris Luo, Angel Chen
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Raina Schofield Amity, Oregon
“All good things must come to an end” is an overused phrase. However, it is true of my Delphian journey. Delphian was truly a beautiful place for me to grow. I laughed and I cried; I had victories and failures. I watched soccer games in the rain and I sang in the choir. I made nerve-racking speeches at assembly and met people who were different from anyone I had ever known. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I would not have had it any other way. I graduate from Delphian a different person. I can make my own decisions, distinguish right from wrong. I am proud of who I am and excited to see who I become next.
Owen Rappoport
McMinnville, Oregon
I attended Delphi Santa Monica from Beginner 1 to Form 4, so the Delphi Program™ has been part of my life ever since I was little. I never really appreciated it until I had to attend public school for two years (the Delphi Santa Monica school didn’t have a Form 5 and above program). When the decision was made to enroll at Delphian in Oregon, I was very glad, and I could tell how much better it was right away. I started to understand what I was studying again, and I had fun doing so. Not only is Delphian’s curriculum designed for students to understand their studies, but it also teaches them how to study. Learning how to study may sound silly, but it’s a very valuable skill. The courses that are done in order to gain the skill to study were challenging; there was a lot to know about studying. After many courses and projects, I can use it to the pointPAGE of mastery. 41 With this study technology, I can learn anything.
Howard Luo Hangzhou, China
Delphian didn’t only provide me with sufficient knowledge, it gave me life lessons, and tools that I will always need no matter where I go, such as learning to handle problems, confront issues, survive better, etc. I have had a lot of successes as a student at the Delphian School. One of the most important and life-changing ones is that I learned to let others help me confront my problems. I wasn’t doing well in my studies, and my life was a mess. My supervisors talked to me and helped me, and that’s when I learned it is alright to ask for help. Along with that, I learned how to fix problems. Through working with my supervisor and the ethics area of the school, I learned about the technique of fixing problems. I am grateful for everything Delphian has given me. I am ready to continue my journey with all the knowledge and tools that Delphian made available to me.
L-R: Sophia Correa, Wahia Mita, Haleigh Simington, Calliope Whitworth
Ricardo Ruiz Romero Willamina, Oregon
Delphian has been a home for me for eight years now. I couldn’t have been more thankful for how much I got out of it during my time here. I have gained lifelong friends, and I have had experiences that will be with me for the rest of my life. The program has taught me an invaluable amount of lessons. George Orwell and Ray Bradbury taught me that the opposite of courage isn’t cowardice, it’s conformity. Mark Twain taught me to go on adventures and live my best life. But, most importantly, I feel that Delphian has given me the education and the tools necessary for me to be successful in life, and I will be forever grateful. PAGE 42
3.
FORM COMPLETIONS
Listed in order of completion date since last Delphian Magazine
Beginner 1 Yuwa Suzuki Mila Pryzbylski Cruise Binford Jade Renard River Brown Valentine Hepburn Ivan Shakhov Max Silver Jude Kathrein Annie McFarland Skye Marlatt Olivia Orthmann Daniel Aden Beginner 2 Bodhi Hunter Yuwa Suzuki River Brown Valentine Hepburn Cruise Binford Jude Kathrein Form 1 Entry Florence Anderson Form 1 Ava Jade Silver Livi Williams Florence Anderson Bodhi Hunter Form 2 Alice Ott Jackson Berceli-Wain Juniper Pope Kataleah Espinosa Ocean Cabebe-Hamilton Form 3 Entry Ashley Aden Bella Woods Form 3 Adaline Wolfe Lily Olivares Evangeline Bowling Beckett Gailunas Cooper Jaquillard Danny Swanberg Brianna Aden Form 4 Entry Caden Kennedy
Form 4 Regina Romero London Schofield JJ Noll Avery Ott Nathan Cloutier Lachlan Wydro Liv Curry Amelie Rappoport Jack Bowling Blythe Kathrein Form 5 Entry Cyprus Anderson Romeo Ramelli Chloe Aden Henry Gullo Form 5 London Whitworth Upper School International Entry Program Sam Hu Rikki Suzuki Jonas Zhou Elenora Aji Vova Bunchuk Yi Lan Bai John Li Laura Inzunza Garcia Mika Kozhakhan Victoria Guajardo Form 6 Entry Mujahed Abulohoum Daphne Anderson Silas Gottlieb Jonas Kong Rei Yamazaki Zoe Forslund Tatiana Kormaskova William E. Collins Adison Joy Ackley Noah Howard Lucas Curry Memo Cervantes Aiden Perpelitt Noah Wang Sue Jung XiaoXi Liu Eli Ward Rachel Pollack Victoria Fages Angelica Wagman Lia Peens Taeyah Ann Saechao
Aura O. Valliere Madeline Saphire Katja de Vries Sam Popa Anna Peens Tom Kalman Vianne Beauregard Ava Raphael Imani Muhammad Omar Wang Sage Daniells Ella Latch Pennelope Arezzini Emiliano Chaparro Siona Paden Greyson McLean Neal Chinodakufa Sam Hu Serena On Ashley Gerken Tristan Woods Olive Karl Fancy Hidalgo AJ Escamilla Grace Suplee Satori Gailunas Josiah Singleton Jordan Carlson Rikki Suzuki Pablo Ochoa Camelo Form 6 Angela Bai Isabella Yang Howard Luo Joaquin Martinez William Wang Anna Magazova Bow Chansuk Minghan Cui Brody Workman Chloe E. Latch Sarah Kasprzyk Hannah Weinstein Vladislav Kondrenko Felix Forslund Cynthia Zhang Natalia Goodman Suejin Park Raining Wang Oscar Bai Teo King Martha Cervantes Gemma Bell Evie Xia Sam Brisnehan Danshi Li
Ulysses Fages India Goodman Saachi Mann Brandon Garcia Caleb Marquez Tiger Shang Satcher Nu Daniel Cox Coca Brianna Solomon Crystal Li Laura Elliott Sofia Del Francia Louis Lou Mila Anderson Portia Binford Raymon Chawla Rowan Bennet Form 7 Bryce McCole Alexia Lorenzini Claudia Prado Kenji Sanchis Calliope Whitworth Kabir Singh Mann Tal Akilov Sophie Wang Maya Lonstein Andrés García Ricardo Ruiz Romero Lochlan Scharpf Sophia Correa Harry Chen Haleigh Simington LouElla Taufer William Wang Owen D. Rappoport Charley Guo Ava Almstead Lance Doven Connor Mathers Jolie Ramos Isabella Yang Sarah Holyfield Raina Schofield Santino Marrazzo Aya Jefford Doris Luo Angel Chen Wahia Mita Juliet Holyfield Dante Chacon Howard Luo Alex Han Oakley Binford PAGE 43
ALUMNI NEWS
Congratulations to alumna Erin Glenski (2001) and Damon Lequin on their wedding on July 17, 2021. Their intimate ceremony was officiated by Rosemary Didear (Delphian School Headmistress from 2000-2015). The happy couple are both Delphian School staff.
Congratulations to alumna Cynthia Dalloul (2009) and Matt Beck on their wedding on October 17, 2020. The wedding was officiated by fellow alumnus Felix Lange (2006). It was an amazing weekend with all their closest friends and family to celebrate.
Congratulations to Dante Liu (2014) on his graduation from the American Film Institute with a Master's degree in Film Directing. The American Film Institute is currently ranked as the number one film program in the world.
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Congratulations to alumnus Jessup Jong (2014) on graduating from Johns Hopkins University with the Julius Turner Award for most distinguished thesis in Political Science. He finished his bachelor's degree in 3.5 years and is currently a Visiting Postgraduate Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine.
Congratulations to Maria Andrea Ordonez (2010) on her graduation from Suffolk University Law School with her Juris Doctor! Maria currently resides in Boston, MA.
Congratulations to Penda Osborne (2017) on her graduation from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Television.
Congratulations to Autumn Hale (2016) on graduating magna cum laude from Bryant University where she completed her bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a double major in Finance and Accounting in 2020 and going on to earn her Master's degree in Professional Accounting with a concentration in taxation in 2021. Additionally, Autumn graduated with honors and published a senior thesis that focused on stock market reactions to fraudulent financial reporting.
Congratulations to James Clarizio (2009) and Amory Clarizio on the birth of their second son, Arlo Donatello Clarizio, on November 8, 2020. James is looking forward to having his sons join him and his three siblings as Delphian alumni when they are old enough. The family currently resides in Clearwater, FL.
Congratulations to Seamus Mathers (2016) on his graduation from University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Congratulations to Shaun Orthmann (2001) and Cara Plahuta (Delphi Los Angeles alumna) on the birth of their son, Sebastian Wesley Orthmann, on March 11, 2021. The family currently resides in Denver, CO.
Congratulations to Alissa Schneider (2010) and Ben Patrick (Delphi Florida alumnus) on the birth of their son, Onyx Leonard Michael Patrick, on September 12, 2020. The family currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.
news? Do you have
Congratulations to alumnus Mario Torres (2013) on completing his graduate degree with a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Business Law at DePaul University in Chicago.
We love to hear from our alumni! Let us know what you are up to. Email our editor at: magazine@delphian.org or message us on social media to be published in the next issue.
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Refer a NEW student to Summer At Delphian. Contact admissions regarding your referral at 800.626.6610 or info@delphian.org WELCOMING AGES 5–18!
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20950 SW Rock Creek Road, Sheridan, Oregon 97378 503.843.3521| 800.626.6610 | info@delphian.org | www.delphian.org PAGE 46
