On Tuesday, June 2, the Germantown Friends School athletic community gathered for one of its most cherished traditions: the David E. Stokes Senior Athletics Banquet.

Families, coaches, alumni, faculty, and friends filled the room to celebrate the Class of 2026 and recognize the dedication, growth, and contributions of the senior student-athletes who have proudly represented GFS throughout their Upper School careers.

Before the program even began, the room itself told a story. Mounted around the banquet space were posters representing each athletic team and highlighting their senior members. Families and athletes mingled, reminisced, and reflected as they moved from display to display, reading about accomplishments, milestones, championships, memorable moments, and the journeys that had shaped not only their own teams but the larger Tiger athletic community over the past four years.

The evening served as a powerful reminder that while athletic achievements are celebrated, the true measure of a program is found in the people it helps develop.

That theme was evident throughout the night as Athletic Director Katie Bergstrom Mark (below) addressed the senior class for one final time in her role leading GFS Athletics. Bergstrom Mark, who will transition into her new position as Director of Enrollment Management, was also honored for her remarkable 17 years as Athletic Director.

During her tenure, she helped guide more than 2,000 student-athletes, oversaw more than 70 Friends Schools League championships, expanded athletic offerings through the addition of golf and crew, and led the continued growth of a program rooted in both competitive excellence and community values.

As she reflected on the Class of 2026, Bergstrom Mark highlighted a statistic that perfectly captured the spirit of this group. Of the 79 seniors who participated in athletics during their time at GFS, 63 percent competed in two or more sports; the first senior class in school history where multi-sport athletes outnumbered single-sport athletes. In total, 73 percent of the graduating class continued to represent GFS through athletics throughout their high school journey.

"We absolutely had those elite, dedicated athletes that poured their energies and talents into becoming the best at their one specific sport," she shared. "But another part of the story for the Class of 2026 is that those single-sport athletes were joined by an overwhelmingly talented group of multi-sport athletes."

The evening's featured speaker, Greta Meyer '15 (below), embodied the lasting impact of the GFS experience. A former multi-sport athlete herself, Meyer returned to campus not only as an accomplished alumna but as the Co-Founder and CEO of Sequel, an innovative research and development company focused on creating new products in the femcare space.

Meyer spoke candidly about “betting on yourself”, perseverance, and the lessons she continues to carry with her from her time at GFS. Drawing inspiration from Theodore Roosevelt's famous "Man in the Arena" speech, she reminded students that the credit belongs to those willing to step into the arena—to strive, to fail, to learn, and to keep moving forward.

She reflected on how the character she developed at GFS, along with the support of coaches, teachers, and mentors, helped prepare her for the challenges of entrepreneurship. Meyer encouraged seniors to continue seeking guidance from those around them and to find their "coaches" beyond the playing field; people who may be only a few steps ahead on their own journeys but whose experiences can provide valuable perspective and insight.

"You don't have to take every piece of advice," she explained. “Listening to different perspectives helps you make better decisions, even if that decision is ultimately to chart your own path.”

Her message resonated deeply with a room full of students preparing to take their next steps beyond the campus of GFS.

The voices of the senior class were also front and center throughout the evening. Student speakers Anaiya Shirodkar, Nola Schaenen, Alex Dalson, and Hannah Davidson (pictured below; left to right) reflected on the moments that defined their athletic experiences. Their stories highlighted victories and setbacks, lessons learned, friendships formed, and the unwavering support they received from teammates and coaches.

Together, their reflections painted a picture of what makes GFS Athletics special: a community where students are encouraged to compete fiercely, lead authentically, and support one another through both triumph and adversity.

One of the evening's most meaningful traditions came as Associate Athletic Director Michael Lintulahti recognized each senior athlete individually. As every student's name was called, a personalized slide appeared on screen highlighting the sports they participated in, team and individual accomplishments, favorite memories, and words of wisdom gathered throughout their time at GFS. One by one, each senior walked to the podium to receive a gift and the applause of a community that had witnessed their growth.

By the end of the evening, it was clear that the Class of 2026 leaves behind much more than wins, records, or championships. They leave a legacy of commitment, joy, resilience, and connection. They leave behind examples of leadership for younger athletes to follow and memories that will continue to shape the culture of Tiger Athletics for years to come.

As the celebration concluded, one question lingered in the room: Who among this remarkable class will one day return as a future David E. Stokes Featured Speaker?

Perhaps years from now, one of these seniors will stand before a new generation of Tiger athletes and reflect on what it felt like to sit in that room as a graduating senior. They will speak about the lessons learned, the relationships formed, and the importance of finding joy and purpose in the work they do. Until then, the Class of 2026 carries those lessons forward.