As graduation approaches, we received a special message from a Watershed alum who was preparing for her own graduation exactly 20 years ago. Read below for her heartfelt reflections on Watershed’s lasting impact on her life — and her hopes for this year’s graduating class:
Dear Watershed Community,
I hope this message finds you thriving!
My name is Alice, and I proudly graduated as part of Watershed School’s inaugural class in 2006. As I celebrate the remarkable 20th anniversary of my own graduation, I felt compelled to reach out and share some of my reflections.
Looking back, I can hardly believe that in 2004 [when Watershed first opened], our tiny cohort of about 15 students was entrusted with the incredible opportunity to help shape Watershed’s legacy. We were explorers in a new world of what education could be and were challenged to dream big beyond our teenage imaginations. The experiences and friendships we shared were transformative. It ignited a curiosity that has driven me to seek adventure and ask the tough questions about life ever since.
Our graduating class consisted of myself and two others, Kelsey and Taija. I’m proud to see how they have made meaningful impacts in their current communities. We still keep in touch through social media and I was able to visit Taija and her family a couple years ago. Though I haven’t yet gone through my boxes, I hope to dig out some nostalgic photos from our unforgettable two years at the school. I still treasure my senior portfolio and, of course, my diploma, which symbolize the unique, once in a lifetime experience.
As this year's graduating class prepares to embark on their own journeys, I want to extend my warmest wishes. They stand at the threshold of endless possibilities, and I encourage them to embrace the spirit of inquiry that defines Watershed.
I can’t wait to visit soon and reconnect with this incredible community that has shaped my life in so many ways. Here’s to the next chapter of Watershed School. May it be filled with curiosity, growth, and adventure!
In warmest regards,
Alice, Alum ‘06
