Celebrating the Class of 2026
Every spring, our community asks the same eager question: Where are they going? This year, we'd like to answer it a little differently. Yes, you'll find the colleges and programs below ; but what we really want to do is offer a glimpse into who these fifteen people have become. In their own words (alongside their self-portraits), you'll find curiosity, candor, and a quiet confidence that is sure to serve them well on their next adventures.
Dante Batra
University of Southern California (Narrative Studies)
Q: What’s something unexpected that you discovered about yourself in high school?
A: I’m surprisingly stubborn and need a lot of explanation to really fully agree with something.
Q: What are you hoping to contribute to your college community or the world beyond it?
A: Send hopeful and positive messages.
Q: Right now, I’m feeling:
A: Excited to experience this new chapter of life.
Riley Brickeen
Loyola Marymount University (Psychology)
Q: What role did the arts/play/making have in your experience at WSP?
A: I was extremely anxious when I was younger and I wouldn’t talk in large groups…having to act in plays really helped me to grow out of that phase.
Q: What are you most curious about as you head into this next chapter?
A: I have no idea what I’m going to be doing as a career and I’m still not certain about my major. I’m looking forward to figuring all of that out.
Q: Right now, I’m feeling:
A: I’m looking forward to going to college and I have a really good feeling about where my life is headed.
Samih Hammadou
Northeastern University (Business Administration)
Q: What is something you learned at WSP that you think you’ll carry with you into college and beyond?
A: Thinking with mindfulness and with an open mind.
Q: What does a meaningful education look like to you now?
A: Hands-on learning had a major impact on my development.
Q: A word or phrase that captures your time at WSP:
A: Comfort.
Sky Hsu
McGill University (Faculty of the Arts)
Q: Looking back, what moment or experience at WSP shaped you most?
A: The Parzival trip last year was an awesome experience. We trekked up to a crystal blue lake in the mountains, spending a lot of time bonding and reflecting. I've loved our class trips in nature. They're like a soul-detox.
Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to younger WSP students, what would it be?
A: Take advantage of the resources available to you! Most of my regrets stem from *not* doing something. There are so many people and opportunities, if you only look for them.
Q: Right now, I’m feeling:
A: Ready. Though nervous, I'm excited to meet new people and grow in a larger community.
Brian Lyu
Pepperdine University (Business Administration)
Q: Looking back, what moment or experience at WSP shaped you most?
A: Just being with my friends and growing up in a supportive environment.
Q: What is something you learned at WSP that you think you’ll carry with you into college and beyond?
A: Be open.
Q: How would you describe yourself as a learner or a thinker now, compared to when you first arrived?
A: I’m more thoughtful.
Joaquim Nakamura
Gap Year, St. Mary’s College of California (Business)
Q: What’s something unexpected that you discovered about yourself in high school?
A: I discovered that I really enjoy building things that can help other people.
Q: What does a meaningful education look like to you now?
A: To me, meaningful education helps you grow as a person, not only as a student.
Q: What are you hoping to contribute to your college community or the world beyond it?
A: I hope to bring creativity, new ideas, and a willingness to help others.
Daphne Neveitt
Boston University (Undecided)
Q: What is something you learned at WSP that you think you’ll carry with you into college and beyond?
A: I have learned the importance of direct communication. The ability to actually talk to people and work through difficult discussions is something that Waldorf has taught me.
Q: Is there a person at WSP who made an especially important impact on you?
A: Ms. Lockwood has allowed me to learn the importance of history. She is a fantastic and engaging teacher who has helped me delve deeper into humanities..
Q: What are you hoping to contribute to your college community or the world beyond it?
A: I want to be the person that makes everyone feel included, whether its in college, the workspace, family, friends or any community. I am forever grateful for the people that did this for me, and I want to share this myself.
Anton Ngo
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Landscape Architecture)
Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to younger WSP students, what would it be?
A: While maintaining fundamental respect, I would encourage students to rethink their relationships with their teachers. Our Waldorf faculty puts so much intention and dedication into lessons and curricula; they are incredibly knowledgeable and strive to cultivate learning, growth, and success..
Q: What are you hoping to contribute to your college community or the world beyond it?
A: I hope to contribute what I have learned during my time at Waldorf to the wider world: a way to bridge the technical and the transcendental.
Q: Right now, I’m feeling:
A: Excited, nostalgic, and ready to move forward.
Paulette Garcia
University of Utah (Criminology)
Q: Looking back, what moment or experience at WSP shaped you most?
A: The senior project was an opportunity for me to grow in ways I had never expected. I learned to love myself while discovering a new passion. Many things that I was learning for the project were then reflected in the relationship I held with myself: patience, time management, loving the imperfections.
Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to younger WSP students, what would it be?
A: Don't be afraid to stand by what you know is right in your heart, even though it might feel like you're standing alone.
Q: A word or phrase that captures your time at WSP:
A: Evolutionary.
Arnav Panicker
UC Davis (Biomedical Engineering)
Q: What are you hoping to contribute to your college community or the world beyond it?
A: Being part of the community and letting myself be fully immersed in it.
Q: A word or phrase that captures your time at WSP:
A: Curiosity.
Q: Right now, I’m feeling:
A: Ready.
Irana Romero-Vargas
St. Mary’s College of California (Undecided)
Q: What is something you learned at WSP that you think you’ll carry with you into college and beyond?
A: Staying off my phone during classes. I’ve gotten somewhat used to it.
Q: Is there a person at WSP who made an especially important impact on you? How?
A: My classmates. They helped me and kind of became part of who I am today.
Q: Right now, I’m feeling:
A: Good.
Jackie Rytokoski
Reed College (Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies)
Q: What is something you learned at WSP that you think you’ll carry with you into college and beyond?
A: How to work well, and how to be the best student I can be.
Q: How would you describe yourself as a learner or a thinker now, compared to when you first arrived?
A: I feel that I am more disciplined and capable of doing hard work.
Q: Right now, I’m feeling:
A: Excited for the future.
Julian Shao
New York University (Film & Television)
Q: What is something you learned at WSP that you think you’ll carry with you into college and beyond?
A: The mindset to try everything.
Q: What are you most curious about as you head into this next chapter?
A: My purpose in life.
Q: A word or phrase that captures your time at WSP:
A: Love.
Samanyu Vinayak
UCLA (Pre-Business Economics)
Q: What are you most curious about as you head into this next chapter?
A: Mostly just how I will adapt to a larger school life and being more independent.
Q: What role did the arts/play/making have in your experience at WSP?
A: Helped me channel my creative side more, which has helped me with other aspects of my life.
Q: A word or phrase that captures your time at WSP:
A: Foundational.
Malcolm Xiellie
Gap Year | Working as an Accompanist
Q: What are you most curious about as you head into this next chapter?
A: I'm most curious about learning more about what I can do. I feel that I still can discover more about my capabilities as both a musician and as a person, and I'm excited to explore that in my working gap year and in college.
Q: What are you hoping to contribute to your college community or the world beyond it?
A: I want to create art that moves people.
Q: A word or phrase that captures your time at WSP:
A: Blossoming.
