Celebrating the Class of 2026: A Night to Remember

On the evening of Friday, June 5, ASB's campus was alive with celebration as we gathered to honor the Class of 2026: 97 extraordinary young graduates who have grown, challenged themselves, and shaped our community in ways that will last long after they've left.

Among them are students who have been part of the ASB family since PK3, who know every corner of our campus and carry its history in their hearts. Others joined us in middle school or even just last year and made their mark just as deeply. Every single one of them belongs here, and every single one of them will be missed.

Words of Wisdom

US Consular Chief James Manlowe brought perspective and gravitas to the occasion, reflecting on the world these graduates are stepping into and the qualities that will serve them well in it.

Oscar Sánchez, a long-time ASB parent whose connection to our school runs three generations deep, offered a speech that was as warm as it was inspiring. As the father of Claudia ('20), Natalia ('21), and this year's graduate Emma ('26), he knows firsthand what ASB means to a family, and what it feels like to watch a child cross that stage. Three daughters, three graduates. 

From Their Own Class

Two members of the Class of 2026 represented their peers at the podium, and they did so with grace, eloquence, and humor that left no doubt about the caliber of this graduating class. Ivo López and Emma Sánchez spoke from the heart about friendship, growth, gratitude, and the roads ahead. 

Special Recognitions

This year's graduation included two outstanding individual honors:

Annika Carle received the Ambassador's Award for Exceptional Leadership, a recognition that speaks not just to achievement but to character, initiative, and the kind of leadership that lifts others.

Emma Sánchez received the Award for International Understanding, a distinction that reflects ASB's deepest values: the ability to bridge cultures, see beyond borders, and connect with the wider world.

Thank You, Faculty and Staff

Behind every graduating class is a team of dedicated educators and staff who show up with patience, passion, and belief in their students. To every teacher, counselor, administrator, and member of the ASB community who walked alongside the Class of 2026, thank you. 

Alumni Come Home

What made the night even more special was the return of so many familiar faces. Alumni came back to campus to cheer on younger siblings, reconnect with former teachers, and welcome the newest members of the ASB alumni family.

We were thrilled to see: Claudia Sánchez Ballester ('20); Efehan Duru, Martí Sales Ribas, Natalia Sánchez Ballester, and Yu Wang ('21); Ekaterina Korneeva, Mila Maria Lacombe, Lucía Méndez Melo, Emma Miranda Francis, Antonia Teofilova, Jie Wang, and Mi Jin Yoon ('23); Eric Alonso Vilaró, Georgina Gomez, Mariona Guitart de Yzaguirre, Candela Heine, Lea Meffert, Ricardo Pey Fite, Anna Sales Ribas, Eszter Takacs, and Alejandro Whitehair DeZerne ('24); and Nicolás Cano Luengo, Maya Hanly, and Anna Sanchez Ristol ('25). A special mention goes to Laia Planas Llatjos, who left ASB in Grade 10 and would have graduated alongside the Class of 2026. 

We were also deeply moved by the visit of Cristina Berting (2007–12), who joined us alongside her mother Eun-Ju Youn, making the journey all the way from Canada/Korea. Eun-Ju stepped back onto campus for the first time since 2012 and got to witness how much has changed, and what has stayed beautifully the same, including a warm reunion with our long-serving guard, Manuel. Thank you both for making the trip.

And finally, a very special welcome back to Bill Volchok, ASB's former Assistant Director for 27 years (1999–2026). Bill, you are always one of us.

Welcome to the ASB Alumni Family, Class of 2026

To the 97 graduates who walked across our stage: you are officially ASB alumni now. The relationships you built at school, the lessons you learned, and the person you became at ASB will travel with you wherever you go.

We cannot wait to see what comes next.

Once a Lynx, always a Lynx!