- April 30, 2025
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Ryan Abernathy is the first to accept a diploma for the Class of 2024 from Head of School Deb Otey.
Photo by Liz RamosAxl Aparicio-Jerro plays pool before the graduation ceremony.
Photo by Liz RamosMAdeline Crosby, Abbey Burwood and Olivia Seidensticker say their high school diplomas represent their years of hard work paying off.
Photo by Liz RamosAlthough Grace Frazier, Devon Van Hoesen, Emilie McKenna and Zoe Atwell are going their separate ways after graduation, they say they'll maintain their close friendships.
Photo by Liz RamosLogan Weitzner and Jacob Douglas say graduation has been a long time coming, but it feels good to celebrate the end of their time in high school.
Photo by Liz RamosThe Out-of-Door Academy junior Selina Zhang plays violin during the graduation ceremony.
Photo by Liz RamosLisa Cheney and Martha Gulacsy have been teaching at The Out-of-Door Academy's lower school for 28 years and 25 years respectively.
Photo by Liz RamosThe Out-of-Door Academy faculty and staff Virgene Linse, Patty Young, Shelley Stone, Renee Pitts, Kathy Dozier, Martha Gulacsy, Jeff Horr and Linda Vasilaki look forward to seeing students they've worked with graduate.
Photo by Liz RamosAxl Aparicio-Jerro, Mason Alexander, Rebecca Aguilera and Ryan Abernathy are ready to accept their diplomas.
Photo by Liz RamosSean Ball, the head of the upper school, congratulates The Out-of-Door Academy's largest graduating class, which has 93 graduates.
Photo by Liz RamosJacob Kaplan, the Class of 2024's salutatorian, says his class was known as trendsetters in fifth grade and now as the "founders class." "Needless to say, we're special," he says.
Photo by Liz RamosGavin Gargano gives it her all in her final performance for The Out-of-Door Academy.
Photo by Liz RamosAshlynn Calka sings in the senior musical performance.
Photo by Liz RamosThomas Murphy, the chair of the ODA board of trustees, says the Class of 2024 represents the vision of ODA's future.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Trey Naese gives a speech as valedictorian. He is going to the University of Notre Dame for college.
Photo by Liz RamosGraduates listen to their classmate Trey Naese give his speech as valedictorian.
Photo by Liz RamosDeb Otey, the head of school, wants to remind the Class of 2024 of all they can do. She described the class as talented, passionate, kind, confident and capable.
Photo by Liz RamosAshlynn Calka, Avery Duffy, Ava Banks, Ariel Conway and Emma Arrigo say it's bittersweet to be graduating.
Photo by Liz RamosGraduates decorate their caps to show where they are headed next school year.
Photo by Liz RamosJoaquin Garcia Argibay beams with pride as he accepts his diploma from Head of School Deb Otey.
Photo by Liz RamosCharlie Hugill accepts her diploma from Deb Otey, the head of school.
Photo by Liz RamosNolan Naese accepts his diploma from Deb Otey, the head of school.
Photo by Liz RamosTrey Naese, the valedictorian, is congratulated by Sean Ball, the head of the upper school.
Photo by Liz RamosSean Ball, the head of the upper school, laughs after receiving a flower from someone in the audience as he exits.
Photo by Liz RamosThe Out-of-Door Academy faculty and staff cheer for graduates after the ceremony.
Photo by Liz RamosGraduates make their way out of Bayside Church as The Out-of-Door Academy faculty and staff cheer for them.
Photo by Liz RamosMelinda Lloyd, an upper school counselor, congratulates and says goodbye to a graduate.
Photo by Liz RamosAmy Tribble celebrates with graduate Kaden Tribble and Caroline Przystup.
Photo by Liz RamosTyler Calka, Mike Calka, Ashlynn Calka and Erica Calka celebrate Ashlynn Calka's graduation from The Out-of-Door Academy.
Photo by Liz RamosZoe Atwell, a graduate at The Out-of-Door Academy, wanted to live in the moment as she and her friends prepared for their graduation ceremony May 24.
"I want to take it all in and know that it's OK to cry," said Atwell, noting it would be the last time she would be in the same room as the 92 other Class of 2024 graduates.
While Atwell is headed to University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland, while her friends Grace Frazier will go to the University of Alabama, Devon Van Hoesen goes to Florida State University and Emilie McKenna studies abroad for a semester in Italy before attending the University of Tennessee.
"It's sad, but hopefully the good friendships we've made means it isn't the end, and we'll visit each other," Atwell said.
Graduate Olivia Seidensticker, who is going to Wake Forest University, said she's looking forward to expanding her education and learning about things she wants to pursue. She's planning to study business and art history.
The Out-of-Door Academy celebrated its largest graduating class (93) in the school's history.
Deb Otey, the head of school, described the class as talented, passionate, kind, confident and capable.
