“Everything that has happened in my life has made me who I am today. And I like who I am today.”
In May 2026, Saint Louis Sudbury School staff member and Board President, Jennifer Lin, visited Arts & Ideas Sudbury School in Baltimore, Maryland to serve on their graduation panel, along with two panelists from The Circle School and The Mandala School. Here are some of Jennifer’s thoughts about the wonderful experience!
L to R: Jennifer Lin, Scott Cooper, Antoinette Murray
The green of the yard, the flickering sunlight on the leaves and branches, the slight sway of the giant tree swing waiting to be embraced, and a young child pedaling furiously around the building welcomed me on my first day of being a part of the Arts & Ideas Sudbury graduation panel. The ease of students taking their time to enter the school in the morning and the ease as they chose to spend time indoors or outdoors throughout the day breathed the freedom of childhood. And the beautiful school sign designed by papercut artist Annie Howe spoke a quiet hello when I walked past it. I’m pretty sure it said, “Welcome home.”
This was my first time serving on a graduation panel for a Sudbury school and I was excited; honored to share this experience with the students; moved by their reflection papers; and very much curious as to how this process was going to unfold. Over the next two days, the graduation panel met with eight graduating students individually for about 75 minutes each and asked questions about their papers, how their past has shaped them, their present strengths and challenges, how they have grown, their vision of a desired future with a practical plan to start to achieve it, and much more.
These graduating students were remarkable.
They all had impressive talents, skills, and knowledge, but what was so striking to me was how the Arts & Ideas Sudbury School graduates breathed self-awareness, genuine and quiet confidence, honesty, curiosity, humor, kindness, and a beautiful capacity to acknowledge that they do not have all the answers. Importantly, the students shared through personal stories that when faced with uncertainty in their everyday lives (in addition to the rather challenging experience of being in a 75-minute interview with three strangers when you are 18-19 years old!), they are comfortable with taking a beat, asking questions to figure things out, and creating space for themselves in the moment.
I have a notebook full of thoughts from the meetings, a parent gathering, and the many memorable conversations with Arts & Ideas Sudbury School staff. Here are some of the highlights.
What the graduates got out of their Arts & Ideas Sudbury School experience
I got better at asking for help
I’m able to sit with uncertainty
I’m okay now with people not accepting me.
I learned how to put myself out there (even when I was terrified).
I’m confident in communicating with people of all ages.
Judicial Committee helped me figure out how to work through things.
I know how to speak out my worries and share feelings with friends.
I had a childhood.
I’m capable of making things happen.
I’m most proud of the friends that I made.
I’m okay with failure.
I can work with others without having an adult hovering over me.
School Meeting showed me that I have a chance to change things.
I improved my procrastination.
I discovered that I like teaching.
I’m proud that I inspired people.
I realized that boredom pushes you to do things.
I learned that it’s better to not ban or restrict a behavior, but more effective to shift or reframe a situation instead.
I learned how to get out of my comfort zone and introduce myself to people.
Arts & Ideas Sudbury School graduates’ advice for Sudbury students
Try something every day.
Start something, even when it’s hard.
Make time to listen to friends and show up for them.
You’re right where you need to be. You are not behind.
Think about where you are climbing from.
It’s good to be able to let things go.
Talk to people and ask questions.
Act on boredom, don’t just sit in it.
Graduates’ thoughts on what they would have done differently during their time at school if anything
“I wouldn’t be so scared to fail.”
“Not much. Everything that has happened in my life has made me who I am today. And I like who I am today.”
“I’ve gained enough. Perfection is not a human trait. So, I’m happy.”
A place to swing at Arts & Ideas
And a message for everyone at Arts & Ideas:
Congratulations to the Arts & Ideas Sudbury School graduates; the school staff—Caroline Chavasse, Anna Kroll, James Taylor, and Josh Keogh; students; families; and school supporters. It was such an energizing and inspiring experience to see how much each of you feel valued by your community and to see the enormous value you bring to those around you. I am so excited for this amazing group of graduates to continue living lives that are personally meaningful to them and to continue sharing their love of life with the world.
