Celebrating the Teen Lounge Class of 2026

On the night of Tuesday, June 16, nearly 50 teens who regularly attend our Teen Lounge after school gathered to celebrate how far they had come as they wrap up their final year of high school.

Some teens arrived wearing graduation sashes and cords, and others came surrounded by parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends ready to cheer them on. Throughout the evening, families shared food, took photos, and watched with pride as Teen Lounge participants celebrated the completion of an important chapter in their lives.

Although teens may attend different high schools during the day, the Teen Lounge provides a space for them to come together after school to build their own community beyond the classroom.

This year’s Teen Lounge Graduation Celebration honors graduating participants and the work, growth, and determination that brought them to this moment. It is also a chance for young people to celebrate one another. Martha’s Table was filled with cheers from family and friends, and Teen Lounge alums returned to celebrate their peers and present awards to graduates. 

The alum presence brought generations of Teen Lounge participants together and reminded them that the relationships built there continue long after graduation.

As alums presented awards to this year’s graduates, they were also welcoming the next group of young people into a growing community of Teen Lounge graduates, one built on encouragement, shared experiences, and the belief that success should be celebrated together.

For many of the graduates, Teen Lounge has been a safe, welcoming place to finish schoolwork, prepare for college, explore new interests, and spend time with friends. It has also been a place where trusted adults noticed their strengths, offered guidance, and reminded them that they did not have to navigate the future alone.

That sense of support came through in the reflections shared during the evening.

Marleia Meeks, co-president of Martha’s Table Teen Association and a Dunbar High School graduate, completed high school in three years while balancing academics, athletics, leadership, and community service. She credited Teen Lounge with helping her prepare for life after graduation.

“Teen Lounge helped me with a lot of my scholarship applications, college applications, leadership, and readiness,” Marleia shared. “It also helped me with my community service hours and gave me help with my schoolwork when I needed it.” – Marleia Meeks, co-president of Martha’s Table Teen Association

Her experience reflects the many ways young people use Teen Lounge. Students come for academic support, opportunities to travel, volunteer, and develop leadership skills, or simply to find a safe, welcoming place where they can relax, laugh, share a meal, and be themselves after the school day ends.

The relationships built in the Teen Lounge often become just as meaningful as the programs and activities.

“You get adults who are in your corner and want the best for you,” Marleia said. “When they ask if you need help with something, always say yes, because you never know what they could help you with.”

Throughout the ceremony, those adults stood alongside families and alums in celebrating each graduate. Together, they had watched the teens work through challenges, make decisions about their futures, and become more confident in who they are and what they can accomplish.

Marleia plans to study sports medicine and sports management and continue playing flag football in college. Other graduates are beginning journeys of their own, and even if next steps may look different, each teen is moving forward with new experiences and relationships to carry with them.

For the younger teens who will one day take their place among the graduates, Marleia offered a message that captured the spirit of Teen Lounge.

“Take advantage of the opportunities,” she said. “You can make friends, learn real-life lessons, and find adults who are in your corner.”

Graduation can be described as an ending, but the Teen Lounge celebration felt much like a beginning. Nearly 50 young people stood together at the edge of what comes next, surrounded by families, friends, alums, and a community proud to have been part of their journey.

Their accomplishments belonged to each of them. For one evening, the celebration belonged to all of them.

Learn more about our Teen Lounge here!