MEET OUR ALUMNI
Annie Holt
Marin Waldorf taught me a way of thinking holistically that is invaluable. When I approach an issue, whether it's current events, academic work, or my artistic pursuits, I look for webs of connections. I focus on nuanced, long-term solutions rather than quick-fixes that only address symptoms of the problem. The preparation I had in Waldorf education that stays with me today is not so much the concrete facts that I learned, but the way that I learned how to learn.
Annie went on to San Domenico High School and the University of Virginia, where she received the Beinecke Fellowship, which is given to college students who show potential to continue on to graduate school. She is now a doctoral candidate in Theatre at Columbia University, where she received a Faculty Fellowship.
Annie Holt, Marin Waldorf graduate, 1998
My life would not be what it is today where it not for Marin Waldorf and the experiences that I had there. A large part of my life was spent on the campus: in the classrooms studying and socializing, and outside playing games and sports. This time was spent with a core group of students and teachers who created and shared all of my experiences with me. Having the opportunity to spend time in such a tight knit community taught me to address any issues and work to resolve them, rather then avoid my problems. It also allowed me to learn how to accept people for who they are in their entirety, no matter how different our opinions or beliefs.
Having a block main lesson schedule, where we studied one topic for several weeks, taught me to delve into the material and fueled my desire to fully understand a subject. I have benefited greatly from this and believe that it has helped me to improve my schoolwork and work ethic. Now that I’ve graduated from Marin Waldorf I can truly appreciate the skills and values that I acquired. I am extremely grateful for all of the friends that I made and the many life-changing experiences that I had there.
Bonnie is currently a sophomore at Sonoma Academy. She attended Marin Waldorf from Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Bonnie Campbell, Marin Waldorf graduate, 2006
Jesse Rosencranz-Engelmann
My five years at Marin Waldorf introduced me to the kind of critical thinking and problem solving that allowed me to deal successfully with anything that life threw at me, whether it was starting my own business or being a new teacher with Teach for America. The same thing is true of all of the people I graduated with. We have all gone on to do what we wanted to do and have been successful.
If you look at the graduates from my class you’ll see that many of us are professionally involved in some type of social action or education. We all had a strong sense of social justice that came from learning to care for each other in the small community of our school, as well as the broader community of the world.
Jesse spent five years at Marin Waldorf, went on to Marin Academy and then onto Stanford University where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He is the CEO of Tutor Corps, a company he started and which provides premier tutoring service in the Bay Area.
Jesse Rosencranz-Engelmann, Marin Waldorf graduate, 1992
Magda Fitipaldi-Bervejillo
I’m currently a sophomore at Marin Catholic High School. I love learning and building on the great foundation I received at Marin Waldorf. It made my transition an easy one.
Magda is on the Dean’s List at Marin Catholic and spent four years at Marin Waldorf .
Magda Fitipaldi-Bervejillo, Marin Waldorf graduate 2007.
Mason Roberts
I was part of a small class at Marin Waldorf. It was like having a second, supportive family. Even when it was challenging, it was good. For example, I couldn’t avoid issues with my classmates; I had to work things out. They were my friends. Looking back, I see how it improved my awareness of others and my trust that we can get through anything.
Mason attended Marin Waldorf from Kindergarten through eighth grades. He went on to Marin Academy and is now a freshman at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.
Mason Roberts, Marin Waldorf graduate, 2004