- December 26, 2024
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Zoe 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.