Class of 2026 Commencement
Class of 2026 Commencement
The Tallulah Falls School Class of 2026 is a testament to the power of community, achievement, and resilience. In the days leading up to commencement, their story unfolded.
This year’s graduating class includes 80 students representing 15 countries, with 28 international students. Thirty members of the class are legacy students who have been part of the TFS community since they were first eligible to enroll.
Valedictorian Carsyn Griffis shared some details from the many years they’ve spent together.
“I wanted to share one memory… but the truth is, it was never just one memory… it was a collection of moments that made these years so meaningful,” she said. “Playing Red Rover, singing the Euphrates River song, and becoming back-to-back swim state champions are moments I will never forget.”
Griffis also spoke to the class’s resilience during the pandemic. “Near the end of sixth grade, we were told we would be online for 'just two weeks.’ Of course, those two weeks turned into the rest of the school year. But instead of growing apart, our class somehow grew even closer.”
Upper School Academic Dean Jeremy Stille described the seniors as a group that shaped the school’s culture through their connections, spirit, and engagement across athletics, fine arts, and extracurriculars. “Their involvement and spirit will leave a lasting impact on the student body, faculty, and staff,” he emphasized.
The Class of 2026’s influence extended well beyond the classroom. Collectively, they recorded 731.5 hours of community service, serving both on campus and throughout the surrounding area.
Their stories reflect a remarkable range of talents and ambitions: Charlie Harris earned his pilot’s license while still in high school, Emily Cai is headed to Emory University, and Ashton Roach will continue his baseball career at the University of California, Berkeley.
Seventy-eight of the 80 graduates earned a combined 2,347 college credits through dual enrollment opportunities offered at TFS.
Athletics also played a major role in many seniors' lives. Sixty lettered in a varsity sport during their high school careers, and 10 competed in the same sport for seven consecutive years beginning in sixth grade. Eight seniors committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Members of the class were also part of state championship swim teams and national rifle championship teams.
As they look ahead, the graduates have much to celebrate. The class received acceptance letters from over 100 colleges and universities worldwide, including 15 students accepted to the University of Georgia and four to the Georgia Institute of Technology. This fall, TFS graduates will continue their journeys at institutions such as Baylor University, Clemson University, Colgate University, Emory University, Florida State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, New York University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Virginia.
President and Head of School Dr. Larry Peevy reflected on the seniors' accomplishments and the recognition they have earned. “Every year, we tally the total scholarships offered to our graduating seniors. Our 2026 graduating class has earned $10 million in scholarship money from colleges and universities across the nation and around the world. This is a wonderful accomplishment, and we are very proud of our seniors.”
Commencement speaker The Honorable Judge Brian Rickman encouraged the graduates to remember that success is hard-earned and that listening is a crucial key to it.
Salutatorian Charlotte Stafford closed her speech with advice for her classmates: “We are about to enter a new chapter in our lives where new ideas, experiences, and people will surround us. Take time to listen. Take time to learn. Take time to be curious. Growth is not a singular journey. It is a collective effort made by a community not afraid to ask questions.”