Paralympian and Graded Alumna Alina Dumas ’11 Inspires Grade 1 Students

Grade 1 students recently welcomed a very special guest—Paralympic rower and Graded alumna Alina Dumas ’11. What made the visit especially meaningful was that the students discovered Alina through her Graded Gazette Alumni Spotlight, showing how community storytelling can spark authentic, inquiry-driven learning experiences.

Students were inspired by Alina's journey and invited her to speak as part of their unit on how our differences make us unique and strengthen our community. Her visit offered a real-world connection to their learning: Alina shared her path to becoming a professional athlete, the obstacles she overcame, and her experience competing at the Paris Paralympics. She also discussed her PhD research on the musculoskeletal system and how her academic work deepens her understanding of her sport.

Students engaged with complex ideas and explored identity, perseverance, and community through a meaningful and relevant lens.

A huge thank you to Alina for inspiring our young learners and showing them the power of determination, identity, and community.⁠

Read Alina’s Alumni Spotlight here.