"Everyone seated before me and beside me has amazed me at their patience, kindness, and insight at least once, and I would be lying if I told you guys that I wasn't incredibly proud of the people you have become. The reason I chose Leelanau is because it felt safe, with a capital S. I can't articulate, not fully, how important it is to feel safe and fulfilled in a learning environment. It affects every part of your life....Here, even as a bright-eyed and incredibly annoying and very loud freshman, I felt respected and accepted by my peers. From then to now, that feeling of belonging has only strengthened, and I find myself doing things that I never thought I would ever enjoy....This safety is what makes Leelanau what it is....You can be yourself here, and learn what being yourself even means." - Mark Porter '25, 4-year senior, Valedictorian |
"Everyone seated before me and beside me has amazed me at their patience, kindness, and insight at least once, and I would be lying if I told you guys that I wasn't incredibly proud of the people you have become. The reason I chose Leelanau is because it felt safe, with a capital S. I can't articulate, not fully, how important it is to feel safe and fulfilled in a learning environment. It affects every part of your life....Here, even as a bright-eyed and incredibly annoying and very loud freshman, I felt respected and accepted by my peers. From then to now, that feeling of belonging has only strengthened, and I find myself doing things that I never thought I would ever enjoy....This safety is what makes Leelanau what it is....You can be yourself here, and learn what being yourself even means." - Mark Porter '25, 4-year senior, Valedictorian |
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In this issue: - Our Graduation Celebration
- Senior Breakfast with Skip Maner '85
- Eddy Up
- Marvelous May Traditions
- May Day Dip
- Leelanau Outdoor Challenge
- Senior Exploratory
- Platte River Float
- June's Alumni
Reunion Retreat - Magic in the Mess
- Join Our Community!
- Next Month - Growing community partnerships
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In this issue: - Our Graduation Celebration
- Senior Breakfast with Skip Maner '85
- Eddy Up
- Marvelous May Traditions
- May Day Dip
- Leelanau Outdoor Challenge
- Senior Exploratory
- Platte River Float
- June's Alumni
Reunion Retreat - Magic in the Mess
- Join Our Community!
- Next Month - Growing community partnerships
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Graduation speaker, Tricia Denton, serves on Leelanau's Board of Trustees and is pictured above with her family—Cecelia '20, rising junior Thomas, husband Sean, and incoming freshman Ursella. |
Graduation speaker, Tricia Denton, serves on Leelanau's Board of Trustees and is pictured above with her family—Cecelia '20, rising junior Thomas, husband Sean, and incoming freshman Ursella. |
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An Ecology of Spirit In his introduction of Leelanau's graduation speaker, Tricia Denton, head of school Rob Hansen said, "In every setting, Tricia leads with heart, with hope, and a deep understanding of what it means to lift up others. She reminds us that strength does not always look like certainty, and that kindness matters deeply, and that the most powerful communities are built on the care and connection of others." Tricia's wise words to graduates reflected these truths; "I believe we are born and perfect in every way, not unlike the acorn or the pine seed I am holding in my hand...We don't need to change, life is a journey of becoming who you truly are... Things impact how straight this pine, or study this oak will grow, but everything you need to be who you are is [in you]...You have it within you to reach great heights, to weather the storms that life brings...Any graduate of Leelanau is no stranger to storms or challenges...In Anishinaabek tradition, we are taught that to grow healthy and strong, you have to be in a healthy forest, healthy soil, with the right and different ages of plants and trees with you. It's an ecology of spirit, and Leelanau has been, and will be that place for so many people to heal the forest of their experience up until this point...Don't go changing, just be who you are and go forth and be a part of the healing of the forest that surrounds this magical, intentional community of Leelanau." |
An Ecology of Spirit In his introduction of Leelanau's graduation speaker, Tricia Denton, head of school Rob Hansen said, "In every setting, Tricia leads with heart, with hope, and a deep understanding of what it means to lift up others. She reminds us that strength does not always look like certainty, and that kindness matters deeply, and that the most powerful communities are built on the care and connection of others." Tricia's wise words to graduates reflected these truths; "I believe we are born and perfect in every way, not unlike the acorn or the pine seed I am holding in my hand...We don't need to change, life is a journey of becoming who you truly are... Things impact how straight this pine, or study this oak will grow, but everything you need to be who you are is [in you]...You have it within you to reach great heights, to weather the storms that life brings...Any graduate of Leelanau is no stranger to storms or challenges...In Anishinaabek tradition, we are taught that to grow healthy and strong, you have to be in a healthy forest, healthy soil, with the right and different ages of plants and trees with you. It's an ecology of spirit, and Leelanau has been, and will be that place for so many people to heal the forest of their experience up until this point...Don't go changing, just be who you are and go forth and be a part of the healing of the forest that surrounds this magical, intentional community of Leelanau." |
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Forty years after graduating as Leelanau's Valedictorian, Skip Maner '85 shared his time and wisdom with our community during Senior Breakfast. Skip reminded us that we don't always come to the table ready. We gain confidence as we tackle our work and our passions. "Fake it 'til you make it", said Skip, and make whatever brings you joy, no matter what that is. |
Forty years after graduating as Leelanau's Valedictorian, Skip Maner '85 shared his time and wisdom with our community during Senior Breakfast. Skip reminded us that we don't always come to the table ready. We gain confidence as we tackle our work and our passions. "Fake it 'til you make it", said Skip, and make whatever brings you joy, no matter what that is. |
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Eddy Up Leelanau School Graduations are always emotional affairs with tears of joy, pride, and sad partings between true friends. Our graduation ceremonies conclude with retired faculty member Laura Hood's beloved anthem, Eddy Up, recently featured in the Glen Arbor Sun. “It seems like the best inspiration always comes in the middle of life’s chaos. The verses describe what it is like to be a student at the Leelanau School, and the pride that the community holds for each of their graduates. It talks about the good times and the difficult times, about discovering who you are and who you want to be in the future, and about the loving and caring teaching that has guided each student." - Laura Hood, retired Leelanau faculty
The entire performance of Eddy Up is featured at the conclusion of the Graduation video linked above. |
Eddy Up Leelanau School Graduations are always emotional affairs with tears of joy, pride, and sad partings between true friends. Our graduation ceremonies conclude with retired faculty member Laura Hood's beloved anthem, Eddy Up, recently featured in the Glen Arbor Sun. “It seems like the best inspiration always comes in the middle of life’s chaos. The verses describe what it is like to be a student at the Leelanau School, and the pride that the community holds for each of their graduates. It talks about the good times and the difficult times, about discovering who you are and who you want to be in the future, and about the loving and caring teaching that has guided each student." - Laura Hood, retired Leelanau faculty
The entire performance of Eddy Up is featured at the conclusion of the Graduation video linked above. |
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| May and June are chock-full of Leelanau rites of passage, including our May Day Dip, Outdoor Challenge, Senior Trip, Platte River Paddle, and this year's campus Carnival, celebrating the end of finals week. |
May and June are chock-full of Leelanau rites of passage, including our May Day Dip, Outdoor Challenge, Senior Trip, Platte River Paddle, and this year's campus Carnival, celebrating the end of finals week. |
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Leelanau's Alumni Reunion Retreat A big shoutout to the amazing humans who joined us for our June Alumni reunion/retreat. Seven decades of Leelanau were in attendance and found many ways to connect over food, activities, and conversation. Mother Nature threw us a couple of curveballs with epic heat, rain, downed trees and electrical lines, and a 10-hour power outage - but we are a resilient group. We know how to weather those storms! Come back soon! #reunion#retreat#adventure#leelanauschoolalumni#legacy#family |
Leelanau's Alumni Reunion Retreat A big shoutout to the amazing humans who joined us for our June Alumni reunion/retreat. Seven decades of Leelanau were in attendance and found many ways to connect over food, activities, and conversation. Mother Nature threw us a couple of curveballs with epic heat, rain, downed trees and electrical lines, and a 10-hour power outage - but we are a resilient group. We know how to weather those storms! Come back soon! #reunion#retreat#adventure#leelanauschoolalumni#legacy#family |
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Alumni had the chance to dine with the Karners, paddle the Crystal River with the Hoods, hike Sleeping Bear with Joe Blondia, tour campus with Rob Hansen, paint with Jess Fales, listen to Bard Norm Wheeler, and gaze at the stars with Elizabeth Wolterink. Thanks to our faculty mentors who continue to teach—and our talented dining staff who treated us to extraordinary food! |
Alumni had the chance to dine with the Karners, paddle the Crystal River with the Hoods, hike Sleeping Bear with Joe Blondia, tour campus with Rob Hansen, paint with Jess Fales, listen to Bard Norm Wheeler, and gaze at the stars with Elizabeth Wolterink. Thanks to our faculty mentors who continue to teach—and our talented dining staff who treated us to extraordinary food! |
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There is Magic in the Mess! Many of the messages we heard over the past few few months focused on navigating challenge, struggle, and resilience as important life skills. As Leelanau community member, Amie Lipscomb describes it, "It takes resilience and faith to learn and teach here; just like it takes resilience and faith to succeed in today’s rapidly changing reality." Read on at Finding Magic in the Mess (about a 3 minute read) |
There is Magic in the Mess! Many of the messages we heard over the past few few months focused on navigating challenge, struggle, and resilience as important life skills. As Leelanau community member, Amie Lipscomb describes it, "It takes resilience and faith to learn and teach here; just like it takes resilience and faith to succeed in today’s rapidly changing reality." Read on at Finding Magic in the Mess (about a 3 minute read) |
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We invite you to follow The Leelanau School on your favorite social media platforms! |
We invite you to follow The Leelanau School on your favorite social media platforms! |
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Questions?
Contact Kate Olson
Director of Alumni and Development
kolson@leelanau.org 231.334.5841
Our mailing address is:
The Leelanau School
One Old Homestead Road
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
leelanau.org
Copyright © The Leelanau School.
All rights reserved.
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Questions?
Contact Kate Olson
Director of Alumni and Development
kolson@leelanau.org 231.334.5841
Our mailing address is:
The Leelanau School
One Old Homestead Road
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
leelanau.org
Copyright © The Leelanau School.
All rights reserved.
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