Kat Piantka | Newsroom Manager & Head Editor
May 27, 2025
On May 22, 2025, the accumulation of four years of hard work, dedication, and academic and athletic excellence was recognized at the Class of 2025 Senior Awards. This ceremony marks the beginning of senior festivities and the end of their high school journey. One of the most highly anticipated awards announced this evening was the Triton of the Year, awarded to a student who over the last four years has embodied Triton excellence and spirit and was recognized amongst student peers, teachers, community members, and loved ones, honoring one student’s remarkable achievements.
While five highly qualified students, Miranda Arzola, Ana Benito, Jack Loper, Grace Pratt, and Reagan Veale received the nomination of Triton of the Year, only one lucky student was bestowed with the honor. An unforgettable moment likely to reminisce long after the turning of the tassel. This year, this distinction was given to Grace Pratt, who will certainly continue to shine and carry this legacy of excellence with her to Standford University. Grace plans to major in international relations with a minor in Chinese, intending to become a foreign service officer.
Anyone who has had the privilege to meet, teach, or befriend Grace Pratt knows how remarkably hardworking, driven, respectful, intelligent, and humble she is. These are only a few traits that scratch the surface of her genuine personality and what she represents to the Triton community.
Ms. Dutton, IB coordinator and English teacher at SCHS is one of many teachers who raved about Grace and believed she was the “clear choice for Triton of the Year [because] her teachers love her, her peers love her, [and] she does everything with excellence and the most pristine character.” Not only does she personify who the Triton of the Year is but her commitment to the “IB program, No Place for Hate, Banned Books Club, numerous other organizations, and community service projects” suggests why she is so qualified.
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Grace almost my whole life and would have never been able to navigate high school without her continued guidance and support over the last few years. She is an individual we can all look up to and aspire to become. Even with a hectic schedule filled with rigorous academic work and an abundance of extracurriculars, she will gladly drop anything to support her friends and family. Whether answering one of my late-night texts, providing her input on an article topic, or reading over an application, she leads and balances each commitment with grace and pours her heart into everything she pursues. Both on-and-off-campus she encapsulates not only the model Triton but a well-rounded individual who will leave her mark on the city of San Clemente and the world beyond. I am beyond proud of the person she has become and could not be more thrilled for her.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Grace is “her authenticity [which sets her apart from her peers],” reflected Mr. Ho, Grace’s freshman year Honors English I teacher who has had the privilege of watching her transform into the now Triton of the Year. While most students are collectors of extracurriculars and leadership positions, Grace does it for other reasons, she does not want “to be acknowledged and gain the accolades…she has a genuine desire to learn and be active in society.” Mr. Ho revealed that while her excellent grades are noteworthy what makes her unique above the rest is her never-ending “desire for self-improvement” as she will “do the maximum amount of work regardless of the reward.”
Now let us take a moment to go through some of her accomplishments and be dazzled by all she has achieved over the last four years. She has been “involved in ASB (4 years), Link Crew (2 years), cross country and track (3 years), served as the Model United Nations (co-founder and vice president), an active member of Model Congress (2 years), Best Buddies, NHS, CSF, Blue Oceans, Small Steps for Compassion, and is on the leadership team for No Place for Hate.” Additionally, Pratt is an IB diploma recipient and has served on “the Principal’s Council as the Student Representative for the SCHS Education Foundation.” However, she prides herself the most with being the founder and president of the Banned Books Club “which has promoted the freedom to read at SCHS since 2022” and continues to stand up for what she believes in even after the destruction of her public library display last year, which is a testament to her strong character. Furthermore, Pratt represented SCHS at the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) California Girls State 2024 where she served as an assemblywoman. Taylor Van Dijk who has had the privilege of calling Grace one of her closest friends can attest that she “has always been one of the most motivated and dedicated people [she] know[s]” and cannot imagine someone more deserving as her years of hard work are finally being recognized alongside her classmates.
Outside of school, she volunteers weekly at the San Clemente library, runs a tutoring business, Great Grades with Grace, refines her mastery of Mandarin with weekly lessons, volunteers for ENGin Organization which partners her with Ukrainian students to help improve their English, and interned last summer with “Congress Member Mike Levin’s Campaign and then worked as a paid canvasser.” It is evident that Grace is committed to her school and community and worthy of being named the Class of 2025 Triton of the Year.
Grace’s senior superlative was “Most Likely to Be President” and I personally would not be surprised if her name appeared on my voter ballot in the future. SCHS is so proud of her accomplishments and we cannot wait to see what lies ahead for Grace!
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