As the school year draws to a close, and packing boxes line the halls, we’re taking a moment to reflect on defining moments that unfolded in these dorms: late-night studying, watching basketball playoffs, playing one more game of Catan, putting googly eyes and sticky notes on everything, making new friendships, and celebrating personal milestones—dorm life has been the heart of our SD community. This year, and every year, we witness growth and transformation not just in ourselves, but in community, showing up for our peers and maximizing opportunities for fun in between academics. 

This week, before our annual Memorial Day barbeque, our Panthers squeezed in a trip to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor waterpark to usher in that summer feeling, and to Petaluma’s Phoenix Theatre for SD’s Band Workshop. Wrapping up the long weekend was the All School Orchestra Concert in the Hall of the Arts, World Tour: Music from Three Continents, with pieces from Beethoven, Borodin, Wieniawsky, Barber, and Tchaikovsky to celebrate our seniors’ last performance in Virtuoso Program. 

When the applause faded, we stopped by the Hall of the Arts lobby to check out the exhibitions of our visual artists, a culmination of their meticulous effort and time at the easel, pottery wheel, and behind the camera lens this year. Each artist explained what they were investigating with their portfolio, from surfboards to flower crowns to sneakers, and each piece reflected unique vision and design:

I’m exploring the relationship between craftsmanship, utility, and environmental impact by repurposing what’s old into a vessel made of locally harvested clay. My focus is on combining precision and skill with eco-conscious choices to craft work that serves everyday needs while also evoking thoughtful visual appeal.
—Noah B. ’25

My investigation explores visual and conceptual parallels between landscapes in Northern California and Northwestern China. I use horizontal lines, coastlines, ridges, or horizons as compositional anchors to suggest continuity across diverse terrains. I examine how light, atmosphere, and cultural elements like windmills or yurts shape perception.
—Jean Z. ’25

In my pieces, I consider passion for people and their interests. I play with proportion and scale by distorting human anatomy to emphasize the pieces' respective concepts, and I use movement to highlight and express ideas.
—Nami W. ’25

I started with vintage items and imagined the personality of the original owner. Throughout my investigation, I discovered the fluidity of identity and I focussed on my personal items to show self-conflict and self-acceptance.
—Kim D. ’26

Each piece reflects parts of my everyday life, thoughts, routines, passions and emotions. My work blends digital and hand-drawn styles, exploring themes like self-expression, overthinking, healing, and seeing the beauty in small things.
—Naty K. ’25

My portfolio focuses on a lack of control, and how I can show feelings using color and perspective. I reflect on how a distorted mental state can affect perception of space and time.
—Zooye C. ’26

There is meaning in each phrase on the shoes, my mom’s and siblings’ names, they’re the reason I hustle on the court. On my right shoe is my birthplace, Lagos, Nigeria, and on my left shoe it says Antioch, California, the place I was raised. The bible verses represent my walk with God and how he is with me throughout my life through all challenges and successes. I wore these shoes every home game.
—Chidera O. ’25

In this last Dorm News of the year, let’s take a moment of gratitude for the art that decorated our space, the music that decorated our time here, the fun trips, the volunteer efforts, the inside jokes, and the memories that will stay with us long after the rooms are packed up and the lights are turned off for the summer. 

Here’s to the class of 2025, and to a year in SD boarding defined by togetherness, ingenuity, and good humor!

–Rachel Greenmyer, Resident Faculty
Photo credit: Melissa Taylor, Chidera O. ’25, Rachel Greenmyer, Crystal Jimenez