Time to Graduate

On June 13th, 2025, our 18 high school seniors faced their final moment together on the Oak Grove Pavilion stage. It felt as if they had just savored their last fall camping trip at Refugio State Beach where Lucas Halbrook led the group in singing David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” as a satellite rocket streaked across the night sky. They had hosted a school fundraising tea in the Student Center and navigated the exciting and challenging college process with Joy and Sydney. They traveled thousands of miles together to India to visit Krishnamurti schools, strengthening their relationship to themselves and each other, and making new, lifelong friends. “Pathless Projects” and Student Exhibitions were behind them, as was a final camping trip with Bo Qalandar, a final Stone Circle gathering, and a final pancake breakfast. It was time to graduate.

A Final Song & Speeches

Parents, families, faculty, staff, and friends gathered on a quiet, cool morning at the Pavilion. Head of School Jodi Grass began the ceremony with a moment of silence. Then the class of 2025 kicked off the ceremony with a playful rendition of Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros’ “Home.”

Before speeches began, their beloved senior advisor, Sydney Robertson, invited the class to quietly take in the moment and connect with themselves and loved ones in the audience. During their speeches, students shared cherished memories and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their families, friends, fellow seniors, and teachers. They did so with deep sincerity, intelligence, humor, and vulnerability. In the Oak Grove tradition, speeches were punctuated by clever introductions, handshakes, and hugs. Laughter and tears were shared by all.

“Here I discovered many things; a passion for ceramics, a love for geography quizzes, and a deep interest in history. But most importantly I discovered my true sense of self. Oak Grove taught me about the importance of cultivating self-awareness and clarity, learning to examine my own feelings and emotions honestly and thoughtfully.”

– Arianna Macias ’25

A Historical Oak Grove Class

Besides being the largest graduating class in Oak Grove’s 50-year history, these 18 seniors included many who had been at Oak Grove for practically their entire school careers. Dahlia Bates-Torres remarked that she held the conspicuous title of “the only standing lifer” on stage, having started as a Gecko, she was completing her fifteenth year at Oak Grove. Regardless of whether they were relative “lifers” or had joined the class in high school, the bonds of deep affection were evident in each heartwarming speech.

After hearing from students, Oak Grove School Board Chair Cathleen Lynch invited each graduate to receive their diploma to the cheers of family and friends, followed by a burst of excitement as graduation caps were thrown into the air.

What’s next for the Class of 2025?

Notably, the Class of 2025 now embarks on a range of next steps that include both military service and taking a gap year to explore personal projects, and travelling through Europe and Africa. The class achieved an average of six college/university acceptances, collectively received over 100 acceptances, and the majority of the students were offered admission into one of their top three schools. Student will be studying a range of subjects from physics to animation at Reed College, Ringling College of Art & Design, University of Iowa, University of Utah, University of Colorado, Boulder, Kent State University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara City College, Ventura College, Vassar College, USC, Chapman University, and UC Berkeley.

Graduation Ceremony Video: