News & Announcements

We are very proud of our students who leaned into the challenge presented by the National Latin Exam this year. We'd like to give a shout out to the following students on their exemplary performance:

• Zaira Adams (gold medal, summa cum laude, Honors Latin)
• Xander Buhr (cum laude, Latin 2)
• Clark Christensen (gold medal, summa cum laude, Latin 1)
• Logan Draper (magna cum laude, Latin 1)
• Maxsun Geluardi (silver medal, maxima cum laude, Latin 2)
• Piers Gorecki-Cook (magna cum laude, Latin 1)
• Seeley Herr (cum laude, Latin 2)
• Peyton Jacobs (gold medal, summa cum laude, Latin 1)
• Toby Jaffé (silver medal, maxima cum laude, Latin 3)
• Liam Johnson (cum laude, Latin 2)
• Ryan Joyce (cum laude, Latin 1)
• Alex Virkki Elabidi (silver medal, maxima cum laude, Latin 2)
• Brynn Wheelock (cum laude, Latin 1)
• Astoriah Wolfers (gold medal, summa cum laude, Latin 1)

In an effort to improve access for Kirby families residing in south county, Kirby will begin running a shuttle to/from Aptos for the 2025-26 school year. Learn more and request information here.

At a time when many young people report feeling overwhelmed by global crises, students at Kirby School are proving that action is the antidote to despair. In celebration of Earth Day, the school hosted a full day of student-led workshops that not only promoted sustainability but also gave students a meaningful way to contribute to real-world solutions.

The event featured a varied lineup of interactive stations, each conceived and led by students, offering hands-on experiences rooted in environmental responsibility. Participants learned practical skills and discovered ways to reduce waste, protect ecosystems, and express their concerns through art.

Workshop topics included:

• Bike Fixing – Teaching basic bike maintenance to promote greener transportation options.
• Recycling 101 – Demystifying local recycling guidelines and encouraging better habits.
• Sewing Repairs – Fighting fast fashion waste through simple mending techniques.
• Recycled Paper Making – Giving discarded paper new life while illustrating resource cycles.
• Trash to Art – Transforming waste into artwork and sparking conversations about reuse.
• Recycled Jewelry Making – Creating wearable pieces from found objects and scrap materials.
• Pollinator-Friendly Native Planting – Restoring native habitats and highlighting the role of biodiversity in climate resilience.

For students, these workshops went far beyond environmental education—they provided a sense of agency in a world where climate news can often feel paralyzing.

Senior Emi Roberts, who co-led the recycled paper-making workshop with fellow senior Annabel Mahnke, shared what motivated them:

“Our future as young people on this planet is at stake. Guilt for being complacent by not participating in climate activism, anxiety about record high temperatures during summer, and panic from news about flowers blooming in Antarctica are all things that I experience as a young person that cares about my future,” Roberts said.

“Paper making with recycled materials not only unites through the rhythmic craft, but it also brings awareness to the community and everyone involved by helping them realize that everything returns back to the Earth. Annabel and I wanted to create a space that takes away the anxiety and fear of climate activism, and channels the energy into a creative outlet. The threat is global warming, and we are united against it through art.”

Roberts' words get at the heart of Kirby's approach: giving students real opportunities to take action will significantly boost their sense of purpose and self-efficacy At Kirby, Earth Day has become an annual vehicle for empowerment, as students take action to help shape their futures with confidence.
 

Kirby’s student-run entrepreneurship club kicked off their Griffin Gathering speaker series in a big way, hosting Nanette Mickiewicz, CEO of Dominican Hospital, as their first guest speaker. This student-led initiative was designed to bring industry leaders to campus, creating opportunities for students to engage with professionals across different fields and gain real-world insights into leadership, business, and innovation.

Dr. Mickiewicz, who has led Dominican Hospital for over 15 years, shared her journey in healthcare leadership, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and staying mission-driven. She also highlighted the role of hospitals as both medical and business institutions, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of running a healthcare organization.

What made this event truly special was the initiative taken by our students. From outreach and planning to promotion and hosting, they were at the forefront of making this event happen. Their dedication to bringing meaningful learning experiences to their peers is what Griffin Gathering is all about—creating a space where students can connect with industry leaders and spark ideas for their own futures.

A huge thank you to Dr. Mickiewicz for her time and insight, and to our incredible student organizers for launching this exciting speaker series. We can’t wait to see what’s next!