Each year, the annual alumni panel at City of Lakes Waldorf School offers something deeply meaningful: a glimpse into how a Waldorf education continues to live within students long after graduation. This year’s virtual panel brought together alumni from across the country — from California to Philadelphia, Dallas to Minneapolis — representing graduating classes from 2002 through 2025.
Meet the Alumni Panelists
- Grace McEnery (‘12) studied English and civic studies at Tufts University and earned an MBA from Yale School of Management, she now works in the Bay Area as a fundraising consultant supporting mission-driven nonprofits.
- Thomas Nelson (‘17) recently completed his studies at Kenyon College, where he majored in history, minored in classics, and played collegiate lacrosse. He now works in executive search and professional services in Dallas, Texas.
- Antonia Shulman (‘24) currently attending Southwest High School as a sophomore.
- Sage Fulco (‘10) studied physics at St. Olaf College, he earned a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and now works as a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Yoko Komura (‘02) went on to study film at California Institute of the Arts and the American Film Institute. She now works as a writer and director for film and television, splitting her time between Los Angeles and Bloomington, Indiana.
- Merrick Lyons (‘21) recently graduated from DeLaSalle High School and is currently spending his gap year traveling and participating in exploration expeditions in Africa.
Together, the panel represented a wide range of professions, passions, and life stages — while also illustrating the many different paths Waldorf graduates go on to pursue.
The conversation that followed highlighted many shared themes across generations of graduates, including creativity, resilience, lifelong learning, and the importance of community.
“What Has Stayed With You Most From Your Waldorf Education?”
When asked what they carried with them from their years at City of Lakes, panelists consistently returned to three themes: lifelong friendships, a love of learning, and a strong sense of self.
For Yoko Komura, the relationships built in childhood remain central to her life today.
“My best friends from Waldorf are still my best friends today.”
She also reflected on the lasting role creativity has played in her life and career.
“Creativity and the arts have really followed me through the entirety of my life.”
Several alumni spoke about how Waldorf fostered genuine intellectual curiosity rather than learning motivated by pressure or achievement alone.
Sage shared:
“I loved going to learn things, and I still do to this day.”
Similarly, Thomas described Waldorf as the foundation for his lifelong enthusiasm for exploration and discovery.
“The love of learning that I established at Waldorf really stuck with me.”
Many alumni also emphasized how Waldorf nurtured confidence and individuality. Current high school student Antonia reflected:
“There’s really no judgment and everyone is different… you really get to search for what feels right for you.”
A particularly powerful thread throughout the conversation was the importance of community. Alumna Grace McHenry shared that Waldorf taught her how to build meaningful relationships across backgrounds and generations.
“Being part of the Waldorf community instilled the ability to bring people together and show up for people in my community.”
“How Did Waldorf Prepare You for High School, College, and Beyond?”
Transitioning out of a close-knit Waldorf environment can feel daunting, several alumni acknowledged. But nearly every panelist described entering high school and college feeling academically prepared, socially confident, and adaptable.
Recent graduate Merrick Lyons described Waldorf as giving students a framework for navigating change thoughtfully rather than fearfully.
“Waldorf taught me that there is grace in transitions.”
Others highlighted the advantage of being well-rounded. Alumni spoke about entering new environments already comfortable speaking publicly, collaborating with others, participating in the arts, and engaging deeply with a wide range of subjects.
Sage, now working in science and engineering, noted that communication skills learned through performance and class presentations became invaluable later in life.
“Being comfortable speaking to people and speaking clearly has helped carry me through every phase of my life.”
Thomas reflected on how the strong sense of community at Waldorf translated naturally into leadership roles in athletics and organizations later on.
“Waldorf really taught me what a healthy community looks like.”
Several alumni also noted feeling highly prepared academically. Antonia shared that entering high school was less intimidating than expected.
“A lot of the core skills and understanding I already had.”
“What Was the Value of a Low-Tech Education?”
One of the evening’s most thoughtful discussions centered around Waldorf education’s intentionally low-tech approach and how it shaped alumni relationships with technology today.
Panelists repeatedly emphasized that growing up without constant screens gave them space to think independently, develop creativity, and engage deeply with the world around them.
Sage reflected on the dangers of overdependence on technology:
“Technology can be a powerful tool, but it is not a replacement for thought.”
Several alumni noted that learning foundational skills without technology first gave them confidence later when technology inevitably became part of their professional lives.
Yoko, who now works in the highly technical world of film and television production, appreciated having a childhood grounded in lived experience before entering a technology-heavy career.
“Storytellers have to live life before they tell stories.”
Grace emphasized that a low-tech childhood was not simply about the absence of screens, but about the presence of richer experiences.
“It allowed so much more time for other things.”
Merrick reflected humorously on realizing how prepared he was to disconnect after spending months traveling in Africa without a phone.
“Waldorf prepared me to use my brain to think and have technology help — not have technology do the thinking.”
“How Did Cyber Civics Shape Your Relationship With Technology?”
For younger alumni who experienced the school’s Cyber Civics curriculum, the impact was clear.
Both Antonia and Merrick described feeling more intentional, informed, and responsible online than many of their peers.
Antonia shared:
“I’m much more careful about what I post and the messages I send.”
Merrick added that understanding topics like privacy, cookies, and digital footprints gave him a sense of agency in a world where technology is unavoidable.
“Technology is going to be integrated into your life, and the sooner you learn how to use it to aid your growth, the better.”
“What Advice Would You Give Current or Prospective Parents?”
When asked what they would say to families considering a Waldorf education, alumni answers were remarkably wholehearted.
Again and again, panelists encouraged parents to trust the process.
Antonia described her twelve years at the school as:
“The best 12 years of my entire life.”
Yoko reflected that even decades later, she still speaks about her Waldorf education “in flowery and loving terms.”
Several alumni addressed the common concern about staying through middle school. Sage noted that the strong social foundation and emotional skills cultivated during adolescence were invaluable.
“You learn how to solve problems in constructive and healthy ways.”
Merrick spoke passionately about Waldorf’s emphasis on human growth alongside academics.
“Waldorf allowed me to see that if I get knocked off path, I’m not off the path.”
A Shared Thread Across Every Story
Although the alumni represented different generations, careers, and life experiences, their reflections revealed a remarkably consistent thread.
Again and again, they returned to the same ideas:
- curiosity over conformity
- community over competition
- creativity alongside academics
- confidence rooted in self-knowledge
- education as preparation for life, not just work
As the evening concluded, one thing became unmistakably clear: the impact of a Waldorf education extends far beyond graduation. Interested in a Waldorf education for your student? Reach out to our admissions team!
Watch the Full 2026 Alumni Panel
