Shelton, the largest independent school for students with learning differences, honored the Class of 2026 during Shelton’s 50th anniversary graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 16, at 11 a.m. in the Browning Family Gym.

At the graduation, members of the Class of 2026 entered behind the Shelton 50th Anniversary Legacy Processional, a distinguished group of Shelton leaders, teachers, current and former board members, early faculty members and alumni representing the school’s 50-year history. Dressed in white gowns and commemorative 50th anniversary sashes, the Legacy Processional served as a visual tribute to the generations who helped build Shelton and support its mission.

Leading the Legacy Processional was David F. Martineau, Shelton’s longest-serving Board of Trustees member since 1978 and father of David T. Martineau, a member of Shelton’s very first class in 1976. Martineau and his family carried Shelton’s 50th anniversary banner, while his grandson, Jack Plankinton, carried the Class of 2026 banner, symbolizing the connection between Shelton’s past, present and future across generations.

Shelton Executive Director Suzanne Stell told the graduates, “Members of the Class of 2026 stand on the shoulders of those who came before them — those who believed in Shelton’s mission, built this community and made their journey possible.”

Valedictorian Trilby Schmidt, who started at Shelton in second grade, spoke about the importance of acceptance during her graduation speech. “For some of us, Shelton has meant many things: academic freedom, smaller class sizes and more support and understanding from teachers,” Schmidt said. “But to me, most of all, it has meant acceptance — both of myself and from this community.”

Schmidt will attend Stanford University, where she plans to major in Political Science and Philosophy. During her time at Shelton, she participated in Theatre, Band and Drumline, Student Council, National Honor Society and the Outdoor Education Club, and she organized the recent Shelton Walk-a-Thon.

Salutatorian Liam Schaeffer, who has attended Shelton since before Pre-K, gave the invocation. He will attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in computer science. During his time at Shelton, he earned many honors, including the Spirit of Shelton, Heart of a Giant, Award of Excellence, Peer Tribute and Harvard Book Award. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and Hope Squad.

Shelton welcomed graduation speaker Travis Lee Ratcliff, a Shelton alumnus from the Class of 2009 and an award-winning filmmaker whose work has been recognized at major film festivals, including the Tribeca Festival and the San Francisco International Film Festival. His documentary Dynasty & Destiny, co-created with fellow Shelton alumnus Brody Carmichael, received the Golden Gate Award in San Francisco before later being selected for the Tribeca Film Festival.

After graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Ratcliff co-founded the production company Movement House in Austin, creating documentaries and branded films for companies including Hershey’s, Frito-Lay, Shiner and Yuengling. His previous documentary, In the Space Between Ages, which profiles a dyslexic sculptor, screened at SXSW. Ratcliff credits Shelton with helping shape both his confidence and career path, saying he discovered his passion for storytelling through Shelton’s theatre and film program.

“We have been given a sometimes difficult, but always beautiful, gift,” Ratcliff said in his speech. “We have been given a different way of seeing the world. Eventually, you start to discover that those differences and challenges are what make you see the world in a way no one else can. The same ADD that made it hard for you to sit still can fill your notebooks with a hundred ideas. The dyslexia that caused you to read more slowly can cause you to think more deeply and see connections that are invisible to everyone around you. Or, if you’re like me, maybe you realize that you think in images. And those images can become the thing you are best equipped to share with other people, to try to help them see through someone else’s eyes.”

The Class of 2026 is made up of 81 graduates headed to 49 colleges across 18 states. To date, the class has earned more than $12.5 million in merit scholarships. Acceptances include The University of Texas at Austin, Stanford University, Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Tulane University, Texas Christian University, Pepperdine University, University of California, Los Angeles and more. Nine students earned a composite ACT score of 30 or higher; 29 earned 30 or above in reading, including four perfect scores; nine earned 30 or above in science, including one perfect score; and one earned a perfect score in math. The class also completed 2,680 hours of community service.

Shelton’s Top 10 graduates include:

• Trilby Schmidt — Valedictorian; Stanford University, Political Science and Philosophy

• Liam Schaeffer — Salutatorian; The University of Texas at Austin, Computer Science

• Lauren Battaglia — Texas Christian University, Psychology

• Cade Bergus — Texas Christian University Honors College, Biochemistry

• Anthony Coppolino — University of Arkansas, Mechanical Engineering

• Charlie Grovenstein — Purdue University, Nuclear Engineering

• Brady Kuntz — Indiana University, Music Business

• Austin Tran — Carnegie Mellon University, Math

• Chloe Weiner — Northeastern University, Mechanical Engineering

• Carter Weisberg — University of California, Los Angeles, Business Economics

Shelton celebrated the following seniors who signed to play sports in college:

• Heston Dios — Buena Vista University, football

• Annie Fulton — Trinity University, volleyball

• Drew Metrailer — South Plains College, track

• Tripp Moss — Murray State College, rifle

• Jonas Ritz-Meuret — Flagler College, track

• Zac Schacter — McPherson College, football

• Ja’ir Span — Paul Smith’s College, basketball

• Nathan Vitek — King University, volleyball

Shelton also recognized the following students who will pursue fine arts in college:

• Cooper Harris — Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Addie Monfried — Theatrical Design and Technology, Elon University (following a gap year)

• Kate Priest — Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation, Savannah College of Art and Design

Stell praised the graduates, saying, “You did the work! You took advantage of the opportunity that your parents provided to you. You have each discovered your strengths and your passions. Each of you overcame obstacles, and here you are. And we know so many wonderful opportunities are in store for you.”

Schmidt closed her speech by reminding her classmates of the importance of acceptance and community.

“As we, the Shelton Class of 2026, leave this building today, we should remember the moments of acceptance we have given and received,” she said. “It is these instances that have made us who we are.”