This year, Glendale Prep [1] will celebrate a meaningful milestone with the graduation of its first group of students to complete their entire K–12 journey within the Great Hearts community. These 23 seniors in the Class of 2026, that we have ceremoniously named Legacy Seniors, began their academic careers as kindergartners at Archway Glendale [2] when its doors first opened in 2012.
They have grown up together, reading classic literature, solving math problems by asking questions, reciting poetry, and engaging in thoughtful dialogue in their Humane Letters seminars. From their earliest handwriting lessons to their final thesis defenses, they’ve been shaped by the principles of a classical liberal arts education.
Daniel A. 
[3]
Daniel will attend Brigham Young University [4] after his two-year mission in Chile. At BYU, he will study sports medicine and would love to eventually pursue a career in physical therapy and possibly open his own practice. “We were region champs in basketball and two-time state champs in cross country,” he shared. Daniel received The Elks Scholarship. He really enjoyed going to Washington D.C. and hanging out with his friends, creating memories that he will never forget. He fondly remembers being in Mrs. Kanter’s class and doing circle groups in kindergarten.
Izabella B.
[5]
Belle will study biology at the University of Pittsburgh [6] where she has been awarded the Blue and Gold Scholarship. She plans to go on to become an orthopedic surgeon. Bodzin earned a perfect score on the National Latin Exam, played court 1 for varsity girls singles in tennis for 3 years, and received the 2024 Section Player of the Year Award in 10th grade. She will be graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Belle has fond memories of Mr. Tierney’s Latin class. “I had him as my teacher for four years in a row, and he would bring us donuts, play Magister Kraft videos for us, and talk about Saving Private Ryan when we read De Bello Gallico,” she shared. “My favorite kindergarten memory is when Mrs. Adame would come into our class to teach us science, and she would bring a rubber chicken for us to play with.”
Alexander B.
[7]
Lex will attend the Frederick Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh [8] where he has earned a merit scholarship. He will study mechanical engineering and wants to pursue a career of adding automation to factories with robotics. In high school, Lex was the #1 court 4 player in 2024-2025 tennis season with an undefeated record, three-time robotics state champion and one-time robotics state runner-up, National Greek Exam magma cum laude, National Latin Exam summa cum laude and magna cum laude, and was accepted into chamber singers his junior and senior year. “There was never a boring day with Mr. Tierney,” he shared. He still remembers getting lost on the playground on the first day of school at Archway Glendale.
Addison B.
[9]
Addison plans to study English and creative writing at the University of Iowa [10]. She aspires to become an author. In high school, she enjoyed being a part of the drama department and participating in school plays.
Kassandra B.
[11]
Kassy plans to enter the workforce immediately after graduation and wants to pursue a career in childcare. She has truly enjoyed her close relationships with her classmates and has great memories at the academy that span all the way back to kindergarten. She appreciated the kindness of the teachers and that they worked to connect with each and every student.
Sawyer C.
Sawyer will be directly entering the workforce after graduation. Sawyer played varsity basketball with the Griffins his junior and senior year. Sawyer dealt with injuries during his senior year but kept showing up to practice and games for his teammates. He battled back from injury to play in the team’s first round playoff game. According to Coach Roundy, “Sawyer’s resilience and dedication to his teammates shows his character.” One notable high school experience he enjoyed was Epic Cycle.
Jacob C.
[12]
Jacob plans to attend a trade school to begin his career in the audio/visual (AV) industry. Jacob received the Augustine Award during his junior year. He appreciates all the friends that he has made along the way and has some fond memories of Read-A-Thon in kindergarten.
Cameron D.
[13]
Cameron will attend Grand Canyon University [14] where he will major in mechanical engineering. “I plan to pursue a career in engineering or teaching, with a long-term interest in theoretical physics and research.” Cameron earned the Honors Research Fellows Scholarship from the Ingrim Honors College at GCU [15] and has completed dual enrollment coursework through GCU while in high school. He has also self-published an original short story. He said defending his senior thesis before the faculty panel was one of his most notable experiences at Great Hearts. “I argued that justice is a constitutive norm of rational agency and that significance is participatory.” A favorite memory from kindergarten was running around at recess with no legitimate goal in mind. “Uncertainty of the future was something that seemed comfortable at the time,” he shared.
Elizabeth D.
Elizabeth plans to study biomedical science at Brigham Young University – Idaho [16], where she plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science and pursue dental education after to become a dentist. “I really enjoyed being able to read to the younger students during the Read-A-Thon this year. I remember thinking the older students were so mature back when I was in Archway and it was a really cool experience to get to be the older student.” Elizabeth’s favorite member from kindergarten, “Meeting new friends, especially because some of those friends have continued being in the same school as me for 13 years!”
Brennan F.
[17]
Brennan plans to study robotics and autonomous systems at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University [18]. During his high school career, he was a Division III ice hockey state champion and a two-time FIRST Tech Challenge Arizona State Champion. Brennan enjoyed building friendships that he has had for his entire life. “Having the same people in my life has shown me how good of people they really are,” he shared.
Adeline J.
[19]
Addie is looking forward to attending Grand Canyon University [14] but has not yet declared a major. She played basketball with the Lady Griffins all four years of high school. She loved connecting with her friends each year at the high school retreat and will never forget playing with those same friends in recess back in kindergarten.
Dylan L.
[20]
Dylan will study exercise science at Hastings College [21]. Dylan wants to be a physical therapist/personal trainer and “an athlete at the highest possible level.” During high school, he was a two-time bronze medalist in the National Spanish Award, First Team All-Conference Wide Receiver, 2026 Football Region Player of the Year, 2026 Region Champions in basketball and football, and multiple school statistical records in football. Dylan received The Crimson Football Scholarship, the highest scholarship at Hastings. He will never forget winning the Region Championship during his senior football season with some friends he’s known for years.
Luciano M.
[22]
Luciano will study mechanical engineering at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University [18]. He hopes to become an engineer for a racing team. Along with the GP Robotics team, Marcolini competed at the Worlds Competition. He earned local media attention when he received a perfect ACT score [23] and he received the New American University Scholarship [24]. He says he will never forget the memories he made singing with his friends in chamber singers last year.
Joshua M.
[25]
Josh will attend Glendale Community College [26] to study nursing and become a CRNA. Josh will be remembered at GP as a celebrated varsity football quarterback for the Griffins. He was a two-time First Team All-Region, Offensive Region Player of the Year, Second Team All-Region, and an Honorable Mention All-Conference. As he graduates GP, he takes with him memories from his class trip to Washington D.C. during his senior year and playing musical chairs form his kindergarten year at Archway Glendale.
Isabella N.
[27]
Isabella plans to attend The University of Arizona [28] to study nursing. She aspires to be an esthetic nurse. She was involved in student mentorship while in high school and enjoyed bonding with classmates at the high school retreats. She has fond memories of the Read-A-Thon at Archway Glendale and loved story time in kindergarten.
Brianna O.
[29]
Brianna will study forensic psychology at Arizona State University [30], with future plans to become a forensic psychologist. Her favorite experiences at Glendale Prep included their senior trip to Washington D.C. and Epic Cycles. She also remembers hitting Super Scholar status for the first time in kindergarten.
Shivani P.
[31]
Shivani will study biomedical sciences at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University [18]. She wants to be a plastic surgeon focused on facial reconstruction. During high school, she enjoyed the high school retreats and Epic Cycles. She will never forget playing on the playground in kindergarten with some of the classmates she is now graduating with.
Emelia S.
Emelia will study theater at Grand Canyon University [14], where she received the Presidential Scholarship. This thespian hopes to create her own play, help direct children’s theater, and would also love to help teach theater. “I have helped establish my troop of the international thespian society, and I am also on the leadership board of the theater guild where I help kids build up their drama skills.” She has been in Griffin Players all four years of high school and said she has truly cherished her entire senior year. One of her favorite memories from kindergarten is reading under the desks during the Read-A-Thon.
Calliah S.
[32]
Calliah will study physiology at the University of Arizona [28] with plans to become a Dermatologist PA. In high school, she won the 2025-2026 2A conference player of the year for soccer. She has fond memories from her class trip to Washington D.C. during her senior year and Read-A-Thon from her kindergarten year.
Claire S.
[33]
Claire will study classical languages at Brigham Young University [34]. Claire hopes to become a museum curator. While at Glendale Prep, she achieved National Recognition every year since sixth grade on the National Latin Exam and the National Greek Exam. “A notable experience I have had at Glendale Prep is being a part the extracurricular drama club and getting to make friends from different grades,” she shared. Her favorite kindergarten memory was, “Meeting my best friend of thirteen years in kindergarten and still being friends to this day.”
Darian W.
[35]
Darian will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University [36] where he will study engineering. He plans to pursue a career in designing aircraft. He said he really appreciated both Mrs. Weaver and Mrs. Arnold for always being available to help him understand the concepts at hand, adding that their devotion to this academy deserves recognition.
Dax W.
[37]
Dax aspires to own multiple small business. During his senior year, Dax enjoyed Mr. Fuller’s 12thgrade Humane Letters class and bonding with his classmates during the senior trip to Washington D.C. He has fond memories from kindergarten getting chosen for line leader.
Allison W.
[38]
Allison will be attending The University of Arizona [28], majoring in nursing, and minoring in musical theatre. She plans to get her CRNA license. She is a National Merit Finalist [39] and scored in the top 5% of the National Spanish Exam [40]. She is the recipient of The Wildcat Scholarship [41], The Garcia Family Foundation Scholarship For Study Abroad [42], The Local 493 Scholarship [43], and many other smaller scholarships and awards. She will miss the high school retreats and fondly remembers singing the “What’s The Weather” song with her kindergarten classmates and looking outside to see the weather each day.
Glendale Prep [1] honors these students for blazing a trail that others will now follow. Their example is an inspiration to younger scholars walking the same halls they once did, reminding us all of the power of consistency, community, and a rich education rooted in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
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