In the tapestry of educational philosophies, Waldorf education stands out for its emphasis on holistic development, creativity, and fostering a deep connection with the natural world. It’s an approach that cultivates not just academic excellence but nurtures the imagination, resilience, and a profound sense of social responsibility. Our “Waldorf Alum Highlights” category is dedicated to showcasing the luminous paths Waldorf alumni have carved in the world, illuminating their unique contributions across diverse fields.
Within this space, we celebrate the stories of individuals who have taken the foundational values and experiences of their Waldorf education and translated them into remarkable personal and professional achievements. From innovators and entrepreneurs who are redefining industries, to artists and creators who enrich our cultural landscapes, to activists and community leaders who are making significant social impacts — these are the narratives that inspire and challenge us.
Each feature in “Waldorf Alum Highlights” is a testament to the distinct journey Waldorf education offers. These alumni embody the principles of creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence in their endeavors, demonstrating the powerful role of education in shaping individuals who not only achieve success but also contribute positively to society.
Through interviews, profiles, and story-telling, we aim to provide a glimpse into the lives of these remarkable individuals. Their journeys reflect not only their personal dedication and talent but also the supportive, innovative environment Waldorf education provides. It is here we celebrate not just the achievements, but the journey — the challenges overcome, the lessons learned, and the unique perspectives gained.
Join us in exploring the vibrant, inspiring world of Waldorf alumni. Discover the stories of those who have woven their education into the fabric of their lives, creating a mosaic of success that is as diverse as it is profound. Through their achievements, we glimpse the potential of Waldorf education to create individuals who are not only successful in their fields but are also conscious, caring citizens of the world.
Congratulations to Samuel Siskind, a 17-year-old composer and former student of Westside Waldorf School on the release of his debut classical music album, Awake. The album has already garnered critical acclaim ahead of Samuel’s world premiere performance on November 3 with the Choral Arts Initiative in Newport Beach, CA. Samuel is an LA Phil Composing […]
Westside Waldorf Alum Releases Album Read More »
Lead Space Operations Engineer, Sarah Gillis, a graduate of Shining Mountain Waldorf School Class of 2012, is aboard SpaceX’s Dragon Spacecraft on the Polaris Dawn mission. After years of preparation, Sarah orbited the Earth at 745 miles and completed a spacewalk the morning of Thursday, September 12, 2024. The mission makes Gillis one of the
Shining Mountain Waldorf Alum Walks in Space Read More »
Shining Mountain Waldorf School alum, Sarah Gillis, has been the primary trainer for the crew of the Inspiration4 flight for SpaceX, which launched on Wednesday, September 15 at 8:02 p.m. The Inspiration4 mission was the world’s first all-civilian human spaceflight to orbit and launched from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Sarah was the
Waldorf Alum Trains SpaceX Inspiration4 Crew Read More »
Chicago Waldorf School alum, Ashlynn Boyce, has turned her senior project into a thriving non profit animal rescue. Her organization has saved 414 kittens, puppies, cats and dogs by placing them in foster or forever homes. Ashlynn created her nonprofit in May 2020 and the pandemic had drastically increased the need for more animal foster families. Now,
Waldorf Alum Turns Senior Project into Successful Nonprofit Read More »
Elena Roussanova, a senior at the Waldorf School of Orange County, has been granted a U.S. patent for a mechanical walking device with step size adjustment. She took a keen interest in biomimicry in middle school and studied Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests for her eighth-grade project. Since then, Elena has been developing ideas to tackle the much-studied subject of articulated walking on
Waldorf Student Granted U.S. Patent Read More »
Iron lady tri-athlete and Waldorf alum, Carla Annas, is in international news for completing a self-organized, iron-man event to raise funds for a full-student scholarship for Stellenbosch Waldorf School in Stellenbosch, South Africa. She created her Community in Action fundraiser to create a scholarship for a student from the immediate community surrounding the school who meets income eligibility
Tri-Athlete Waldorf Alum Raises Money for Alma Mater Read More »
Chicago Waldorf School student June Chen Ahleman is in the news at the Evanston RoundTable for her larger-than-life oil portraits. June interviews and photographs her subjects before beginning her portrait work and then sketches the subjects in small format before scaling them up to her 4′ x 8′ work. In order to create paintings that reveal the whole person, June
Waldorf Student Paints Larger-Than-Life Portraits Read More »
Congratulations to Washington Waldorf School alum Nick Kendall and his trio, Time for Three, for winning two Grammy awards for Best Classical Instrumental Solo and Best Contemporary Classical Composition! Time for Three is a string trio comprised of Nick Kendall (violin, vocals), Charles Yang (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals). Read More at The Strad.Photo Credit: Time
Grammy Winning Waldorf Alum Nick Kendall Read More »
Waldorf School of Garden City alum Jean-Rene Zetrenne is an executive with comprehensive talent management and HR experience. He has been a leader in organizations including PepsiCo, Gillette, L’Oreal, Accenture, Ogilvy & Mather, and most recently, United Talent Agency (UTA). As Chief People Officer at UTA, Jean-Rene’s focus is on leading global talent and human resource
Accomplished Alum Executive Jean-Rene Zetrenne Read More »
Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm alum Maia Kobabe (e/em/eir) released eir graphic novel memoir “Gender Queer” in 2019, which shares eir journey about what it means to be nonbinary and asexual. In 2020, the memoir won an Alex Award as a book with “special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18.” In 2021, it became one of
Support for Alum Author Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” Read More »