Graduates' tales told at Dunn School commencement

By Michael Chaldu · Thu Jul 09 2026

Class of 2026, 38 strong, listen to stories poignant, serious, light-hearted, but all uplifting

At Dunn School in Los Olivos, graduation ceremonies are done a little bit differently, as each departing member of a small senior class (in this year's class, 38) are individually introduced by a faculty member, who gives a short address to the graduate, offering insight into their times on campus and giving the audience a glimpse into the student's character.

And in many cases, these addresses can be especially poignant, as was the case for the 2026 ceremony on Saturday morning, May 30, when Dunn Director of Admissions Mike McKee had the chance to take the microphone and speak to his graduating daughter Fallon and the emotional path they traveled to this point, with Fallon's mother having passed away when she was very young.

"My life’s greatest joy is watching you grow up," Mike McKee told his daughter as she accepted her diploma. "Your path hasn’t been simple — you’ve gone through something no child should have to carry, but you've taken the loss of your mother and turned it into something steady and strong inside of you."

He said Fallon has gone through her life at Dunn refusing to "live small." He cited her achievements in soccer and volleyball, in classes, in her musical and outdoor endeavors, and said her early resistance to attending Dunn actually helped bridge the gap between Dunn and the larger Santa Ynez High School with her friendships.

Family on earth and those in heaven couldn’t be more proud of who you’ve become and we can't wait to watch the rest of your story."

Of course Fallon's story was one of many to be told during the approximately 2-hour-and-20-minute ceremony. Parents, family, and friends saw Multimedia/Entrepreneurship Teacher Esron Gates introduce Erickson Denman. Gates imagined Denman as a paladin from "Dungeon and Dragons" carrying out his tasks of announcing the Weekend Activities at Dunn. Gates also addressed Evan Hecker, saying the already-experienced aspiring filmmaker would be "the next George Lucas."

World Language Teacher Ian Mayta introduced Justin Pruitt-Kennet and told the crowd he envisioned "JPK," an aspiring police officer, pulling him over 10 years from now on Highway 246. Music Teacher Matt Yaki addressed Beckett Smalldon, remembering the first time he jammed with the talented young guitarist in the fifth grade, and thanked him for "just being who you are."

Of course, a couple of graduates got to tell their own stories, including Grenier, the student body president and a featured speaker. Grenier began her speech by noting Franz Kafka's novella "The Metamorphisis," about a man who wakes up one morning as an insect, and, referring to the school's famously odd mascot, asked "What if we all woke up tomorrow as Earwigs?"

After recounting the experiences and adventures that made her school unique, Grenier concluded that while Kafka's transformation leads to isolation, "Dunn is what happens when people change and come together." With that, she reminded her fellow graduates that they are "once an Earwig, always and Earwig," topping it off with "Pinscher Pride, baby!"

The day's other speaker Ava Loper-Benson based her address on the question every graduate probably experiences at one time or another: "What are you going to be?" She touched on the idea that a decision on one's future, whether school, career, or direction, must already be made upon graduation.

"I'd spent the last four years living as if every decision was the final version; as if one wrong turn could waste 10 years of my life," she said. "If I missed an exit, I'd be led astray into the middle of nowhere."

However, Loper-Benson admitted while at Dunn, she bounced from wanting to be a chemist, to a writer, to a pro athlete (which ended when she threw up after her first race), a diplomat, and then in the tech area "to stay on good terms with the robots."

In conclusion, Loper-Benson said the greatest gift she got from Dunn was that "it never forced us to decide what we were going to be while we were still taking shape."

Those attending were also entertained by a musical segment that consisted of a medley of Elton John songs with McKee, Madison Lawner, and Mariana Garcia all on vocals, and Smalldon performing a nice guitar solo.

And, yes, no Dunn graduation would be complete with Head of School Kalyan Balaven reciting his annual poem with countless references to members of the graduating class.

After the ceremony, some of the students reflected on their time at Dunn and what's ahead for them.

Erickson Denmar said he is looking forward to going to the University of Redlands, where he plans to study economics and psychology. He said he is proud of having resurrected the Dungeons and Dragons Club on campus.

"That club was about to go away because no one was interested, but I was able to keep it going and make it the best club on campus," he said. "Now that I'm leaving, I think I got it in good hands."

Evan Hecker, "the next George Lucas," runs his own production company, Runway Number Nine, with his sister Charlotte. Their short film, "The Summer of Fear," can be seen on YouTube. He plans on attending Pasadena City College and eventually transferring to USC, and hopes to make movies "where people actually talk to each other."

And finally, Fallon McKee reflected on her time at Dunn and how it helped her through loss.

"My Dad has helped me out a lot here, but the memory of her and living up to her legacy is what I've held dear during my time here," she said. "And I've had this extra 'family' at Dunn. I've gotten to know the people here so well to the point that I know the names of their parents, kids, even their family dogs."

Fallon will now head to the University of Utah, where she plans to study business and emergency medicine.

"I'm excited, because I'm not quite certain what I want to do, but those are two different routes where I can explore all my options," she said.

Congratulations to all the 2026 graduates at Dunn School.