Giving

Stage Shy to Center Stage: Caleb Penrose’s Journey at Prep

On his first day at Prep as a sixth grader, Caleb Penrose ’25 didn’t even want to step out of the car.

“My mom was driving me onto campus, and the first thing I saw was a huge group of people outside the 700 Building with a large pink banner saying, ‘Welcome Class of 2025,’” Caleb recalls. “I was scared, intimidated, and really did not want to draw attention to myself.”

Things only got worse when his mom parked the car and got out to walk him over. A senior offered him a donut, asked his name -- and then hollered “Caleb!” to the crowd, triggering a raucous welcome from the entire class.

“At the time, I really disliked it,” he says. “But looking back, it was the perfect example of what Prep is. Prep is a welcoming place that has had people there for me even when I didn’t know I needed it.”

Seven years later, Caleb is the one front and center -- leading assemblies as president of the Student Government Association, starring in school productions, and embodying the spirit of community that once overwhelmed him.

Despite not being a natural extrovert, Caleb discovered a home on the stage early on. At Sunset Mesa and then at Prep, he threw himself into roles in Disney’s Aladdin JR., Disney’s The Lion King JR., Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR., Mamma Mia!, and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, among others.

“Theater has definitely allowed me to be more confident -- whether it's talking in front of people or just holding an everyday conversation,” he says.

His growing confidence led him to student government, where he found a new way to connect with his classmates. “I really enjoy helping my community and planning fun things for my grade and the school,” Caleb says. “I just like seeing people smile and be happy and having fun.”

The leadership role also gave him opportunities to meet students he might never have crossed paths with otherwise.

When this Lion needs a break from busy school life, Caleb finds peace in Prep’s campus itself. “I have a couple of friends in public school, and when they’ve given me tours of their schools, it feels cramped and stifling,” he says. “At Prep, I enjoy just being able to go outside and sit under a tree or on a bench.”

Another anchor for him has been Prep’s Bible Study Group. “I am very lucky that Prep lets me and others participate,” Caleb explains. “My faith is the most important thing to me, and just going to church on Sunday isn’t enough.”

Outside of school, Caleb balances academic rigor with creative hobbies. He’s a proud member of Prep’s National Honor Society and enjoys reading, playing video games, writing short stories, and -- more recently -- trying his hand at origami.

Academically, Caleb says he’s “not a powerhouse,” but he's proud of his perseverance. “I know that I try my best every day. For me, that’s what matters: showing up and doing my best.”

One of his favorite academic challenges was Ernie Polansky’s Bio 2 class -- a notoriously tough course. “It was by far one of the hardest classes I’ve ever taken, but I loved it,” Caleb says. “It was extremely hands-on, and that’s how I prefer to learn. The labs we did were exceptionally fun and felt oddly important and special. The Genetic Fly lab and the Mystery Bacteria lab were by far the most spectacular things I have worked on here at Prep.”

Among his biggest influences at Prep is theater teacher Esperanza Plath, who Caleb says has been a steady source of encouragement and advice. “She has always been there for me and has given me very sound advice throughout the two years she’s been in the theater department,” he says. “I’m so thankful for her and the impact she’s had on me -- and, I am sure, many other high school theater kids.”

Family has played an equally important role in his journey. His mom, an elementary school teacher; his dad, a firefighter and paramedic; his half-sister, studying biology; and his German shepherd, Rip, have been his cheerleaders.

Caleb is also especially grateful for his grandmother. “She’s a very solid rock for me,” he says. “Her unwavering passion for life and its little moments is something I try to emulate every single day.”

This fall, Caleb will head to the University of New Mexico to study biology, with plans to pursue a career as a marine biologist. “The ocean and its many wonders have always fascinated me,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to just be there, watching and studying the animals and life that inhabit that ecosystem.”

As he prepares to graduate, Caleb looks back with gratitude for the community that helped shape him. “The people at this school have shaped me into what I am in this moment and given me the greatest building blocks for my future self and all the endeavors I may undertake,” he says. 

From the nervous sixth grader who once dreaded stepping into the crowd to the confident senior ready to chart his own course, Caleb Penrose ’25 has come a long way -- and he’s just getting started.