Primary School Art Show

When the fourth-grade class at The Walker School began planning its Olympic-themed program for the Lower School, students knew exactly who they wanted as a special guest.

They asked if Alexandre Grand’Pierre could come back.

Grand’Pierre, a 2021 Walker graduate who represented Haiti at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, didn’t hesitate.

“My cup is full,” he said during his visit. “Being back here, regaining that positive energy, it just means so much.”

The Olympian returned to campus to participate in the fourth graders’ morning assembly, which included a parade of nations and a mock “TV interview” conducted by student sportscasters. Grand’Pierre answered questions about training, nerves, breakfast before races and what it feels like to stand behind the Olympic blocks.

“It’s the same feeling I had behind the blocks at Walker,” he said. “I’m used to representing a community, whether it’s Walker, Atlanta or Haiti.”

Born in Atlanta, Grand’Pierre began swimming at age 3 despite growing up with asthma. He joined Walker as a freshman, where he set school records in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter breaststroke. As a sophomore, he turned professional while continuing his studies.

“I was in class my sophomore year when my mom texted me and said ‘you’ve been accepted onto the team, and you have to leave today for a meet in Paraguay,” Alexandre said. “Walker always supported me. I was never doubted. It was always without a thought ‘yes, we will support you.’ That was really important.”

As a member of Haiti’s national swim team, he traveled internationally before earning a spot in the Paris Olympics. His family has played a significant role in developing Haiti’s Olympic swim program. His sister, Naomy Grand’Pierre, competed in the 2016 Summer Games, helping open doors for future athletes. 

“The higher you go in sports, the more complicated it becomes,” his father, Reggie, said of the family’s journey building the program. “I give my wife [Clio] the credit, and now there’s a brand. There’s a path.”

Alexandre’s brother, Raphael, is training for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Alexandre told students that when nerves rise before a race, he reminds himself he’s not alone.

“It’s not just me in the water,” he said. “It’s my parents, my friends, my schools, including all of you.”

While swimming has taken him to 29 countries and 40 states, Alexandre emphasized that his academic foundation was equally important.

He recently graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and digital computational studies and a minor in philosophy.

He credits Walker with shaping his approach to learning.

“That’s where I learned to pay attention in class,” he said. “The learning shouldn’t be done at home. It should be done when you’re here with your teacher. I never wanted to waste a second.”

He described Walker’s approach as giving students “space,” encouraging curiosity, collaboration and genuine engagement rather than busy work.

“That love of learning,” he said, “is invaluable. Walker encourages you to be passionate about what it is that you are doing.”

Despite training at an elite level, Alexandre chose to swim for Walker’s high school team.

“It was so much fun,” he said. “High school sports teach you about camaraderie and community. It’s not just about the competition.”

That message resonated with the fourth graders, many of whom are just beginning to discover their own interests and passions.

Before leaving, Alexandre shared a final piece of advice:

“Take yourself seriously. If you like something, put your full effort into it. That’s what makes it fun, and that’s how you get better. Don’t sell yourself short.”

For Walker’s youngest students, the lesson was clear: Olympic dreams can begin right here in Marietta, sometimes with a simple class project and the courage to ask a hometown hero to come back and share his story.

Watch the full Olympics Assembly HERE.