With a collective commitment to their class-chosen values of respect, kindness, honesty, empathy, and compassion, the 72 graduates of Rowland Hall’s class of 2023 have done something remarkable: they’ve shown us all how a supportive, collaborative, and fun-loving community both buoys individuals and positively impacts the world.

Driven to make a difference, these graduates have devoted themselves to their studies, accumulating impressive academic achievements. The group includes eight National Merit semifinalists, an affiliate honorable mention recipient of the 2023 National Center for Women in Information and Technology awards, an honorable mention recipient of the Westminster Honors College essay contest, the Utah winner and national runner-up of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition, and a four-time qualifier for the prestigious American Invitational Mathematics Examination. Several top-tier debaters are among these graduates, including four individual state champions, three Academic All-Americans, two National Speech & Debate Association and Tournament of Champions qualifiers, and the captains who led Rowland Hall’s debate team to their third consecutive 3A state title.

Driven to make a difference, these graduates have devoted themselves to their studies, accumulating impressive academic achievements.

In addition to their high school classes, these students tackled subjects at the college level, enrolling in courses in architecture, Python, calculus, engineering, and linear algebra. Some spent their summers engaged in subjects including philosophy, AI, and government, law, and ethics. They also explored careers and further engaged in real-world learning through internships with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, McNeill Von Maack, the Natural History Museum of Utah, the Park Record, PINK Concussions, Suzanne Harrison, The Sharing Place, and the University of Utah, among others.

Winged Lion seniors were instrumental in capturing 24 region and 10 state titles as teams, and earned several individual region and state championships. Eighteen seniors were named All-State and nine were named All-Region, while 23 earned Academic All-State and 36 received Academic All-Region honors. Four athletes have committed to play at the college level. Rowmark Ski Academy's four graduating seniors achieved career-best performances this winter, including 19 top-ten finishes, 13 top-five finishes, and five podium finishes in Fédération Internationale de Ski races. One Rowmarker, the youngest athlete on the US Ski Team’s Alpine Development Team, finished the season ranked first in the world for her age in giant slalom and as the team’s Rookie of the Year. The class also includes members of Park City Ski & Snowboard, Altabird Freeride, and the Salt Lake City Composite Mountain Biking Team, as well as a powerlifter, an ultramarathoner, a water polo player, a Utah PGA Junior Series golfer, and several competitive basketball, volleyball, soccer, and hockey players.

The class of 2023 has given back to their communities, donating hundreds of hours to organizations and groups. Some even created their own organizations to better fill or meet the needs of communities.

The class of 2023 has given back to their communities, donating hundreds of hours to organizations and groups including The City Library, Holladay United Church of Christ, Horizonte Instruction and Training Center, Mundi Project, Planned Parenthood, Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake Peer Court, Salt Lake Youth City Government, Sunnyvale Community Center, and the Utah Attorney General’s Youth Advisory Committee. Several students applied classroom lessons to issues that impact them and their communities by lobbying and advocating for vaccines, gun control, women’s rights, public health, and full-day public kindergarten; others canvassed for political candidates or registered voters. A knowledgeable water conservation advocate shared her voice with both The Salt Lake Tribune and community radio station KRCL. One volunteer earned the Bill Casper Humanitarian Award for his work with nonprofit First Tee, while another received the North Carolina Lt. Governor's Volunteer Recognition Certificate for his work with the Zakat Foundation of America. Some created their own organizations to better fill or meet the needs of communities: one founded a charity to make hockey equipment more affordable for young players, while another led a math tutoring nonprofit. Two budding developers even created the Lending Lions app to connect peers with charities and to track donations.

This creative class has also made the world more beautiful with art. In addition to contributing to school theater and dance productions, as well as creating pieces that reflect their studies, extend their voices, and address social issues, these students have shared their talents with wider communities. One graduate is a Greek dancer, while another practices Bharatanatyam, a form of classical Indian dance. One young artist’s work was selected by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums to travel the state in rotating exhibits and to be displayed at Hogle Zoo. Many of these students play instruments—some which they took up during the pandemic—including the guitar, cello, piano, bluegrass fiddle, trombone, and violin. One exceptional pianist earned a superior rating at a state solo music competition, while another, a longtime student of The Royal Conservatory of Music, recorded a piece composed by her father for The Royal Conservatory's Music Lights the Way piano concert.

We wish each member of this class all the best, knowing that wherever their paths lead, they will live extraordinary lives.

As this group of graduates begin a new chapter of their lives, many will be furthering their education: the class of 2023 earned admission to 149 colleges and universities, with 75 percent of them receiving at least one merit scholarship. As they begin their next adventures, we wish each member of this class all the best, knowing that wherever their paths lead, they will live extraordinary lives and leave their own authentic, indelible marks on the world. Congratulations, class of 2023!

Students