The senior graduation plaque is a tradition in Germantown Academy history that traces back over 100 years into the early developments of the school. The class stone’s purpose is to recognize and remember the graduating classes’ time at GA. It incorporates multiple student-made artistic decisions into the weeks-long process of development.
This year, the honor of making the plaque draft has been given to Jianna Kim ‘25 for her creative and thoughtful plaque design that she submitted. Kim and many others, including the stone developers, administrators and board directors, have spent much time planning and developing the plaque that will soon join the others in the tradition.
“I was asked to make it, and the reason why I accepted is because, since I was younger, since kindergarten, I’ve always seen the plaque wall,” Kim said. “And I think, I just felt like it was an honor to be able to create something that would last forever.”
Making the 16-inch by 16-inch class stone is quite a long cycle, as it first involves the design-making, in which seniors work to brainstorm ideas. They then start sketching and creating a finalized architectural drawing. During planning, Kim and others decide on stone textures to create different effects within the plaque that make for a distinctive arrangement.
Each plaque is made to uniquely highlight specific specialties that represent the meaningful and important experiences of the graduating class of that year.
The 2025 senior graduation plaque is different from the others in the inclusion of the elements in the form of ivy vines. Kim chose to incorporate these plants to showcase GA’s longstanding history and complex environment.
“It used to be that the class would present to the school their stone, and they plant some ivy in the ground as well, because ivy is prolific,” Mrs. Heather Durkins, Director of Alumni Relations, said. “It just continues to grow and grow; it’s their way of nurturing the school.”
Kim’s design is also unique in the way that she incorporated the GA logo. Unlike the existing plaques, she decided to use the new Patriot logo created in Oct. 2018. To contrast with the ivy and classic elements, she chose to use the updated version of the logo.
Though Kim had original ideas for her design, she also took some inspiration from the older plaques. Looking at the existing designs, she decided to add a border to the plaque. Also, to create a classic feel, she utilized a standard font that differed from modern ones.
The senior plaque tradition continues to be an artistic way for each class to leave behind their own unique mark on the school, representing each year’s original experiences, inspiring future generations, and nurturing creativity.