The 36 members of Mid-Pen's Class of 2021 graduated Saturday, May 29, in an outdoor ceremony for family and faculty. Watch the ceremonies and other tributes to the graduates below.
Mid-Pen's 41st Annual Commencement Ceremonies
A Message to the Class of 2021 from the Head of School
Head of School Phil Gutierrez reflects on the changes and challenges of the past four years and the opportunities head for the Class of 2021.
Give a shout-out to the Class of 2021.
Post a congratulatory note or video on our virtual message board, or just read the messages from parents, teachers, alumni, and friends. All send their best wishes to the members of this year's graduating class.
Class of 2021 Through the Years
Watch our seniors as they grow up in front of your eyes. We're not crying, you're crying!
Dungee Says Goodbye to the Class of 2021.
The Mid-Pen mascot, Dungee the Dragon, gives the Class of 2021 a special farewell at the Senior Sendoff on May 25.
The Class of 2021 in One Word.
Mid-Pen's faculty and staff try to describe the Class of 2021 in just one word. Don't laugh, it's not as easy as it seems!
Alumni Speaker
Jared Van '10
After graduating from Mid-Pen in 2010 , Jared Van attended the University of the Pacific, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2014. For the past seven years he has been working in behavior therapy with a diverse group of clients . This summer he will receive his Masters of Science in behavior analysis from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and will attend Penn State as a doctoral candidate in Special Education.
"I typically work with clients with autism, emotional disturbance, ADHD, and other developmental differences," says Jared. "Since I am a big guy, I typically get aggressive students and now have a bevy of experience with aggressive clients. It is my favorite when students who were once aggressive are able to walk the halls greeted with genuine kindness and acceptance because they have learned how to ask for what they need and keep their body to themselves. I have worked with clients from ages 3 to 26, and in homes and at schools from preschool to high school."
Jared says his goal is to change the nature of teaching so that students become more successful in class and actually enjoy school. "We have a saying in my field of Precision Teaching that the learner is always right," he notes. "If they don't understand something you taught, you need to teach it differently. My big dream is to be Secretary of Education and make systemic change to help change our education system so learners can be more successful and fluent."
Class of 2021 Senior Day
In celebration of an extraordinary year, members of the Class of 2021 came together on campus for a day of fun, culminating in the creation of a massive art project on the school's parking lot.
To the Class of 2022
Looking back on remarkable and unexpected school year, members of the Class of 2021 share their hard-earned wisdom with members of the Class of 2022, as they prepared to take on the mantle of Mid-Pen's student leaders. Take heed; theirs is valuable advice for student and adult alike!
College Acceptances
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 on their acceptance to 120 colleges and universities all around the country! (Bold type indicates schools that our graduates will be attending in the fall.)
