001[Music] Thank you. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Glory to God. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] You are here. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [Music] Yep. Good afternoon and welcome to North High School as we celebrate the graduation of the students of the class of 2025. At this time, please stand if you are able as the processional conducted by Mr. Jessen Smith plays and please remain standing. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Ever Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Amen. Hallelujah. [Music] [Applause] Miss Zakardi, members of the board of education, faculty and staff, parents, families, Amilies, friends, the time is here and now. Welcome to our graduation commencement ceremony for the Downers Grove North High School class of 2025. My name is Courtney Dement and I have the honor and privilege of being the principal here at
002North High School. Today's ceremony is part of a rich history as we gather on this beautiful day to celebrate the graduation of the 97th class from North High School and the 147th in the history of Downer's Grove High Schools. To begin our ceremony, senior Maline Swenson will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. While at North, Meline has spent the past four years as a member of the Varsity Athena's dance team. She's also been a part of the Trojan marching band of the varsity lacrosse manager, an officer of the orchestas dance company, a member of the ac capella choir, an operation snowball leader, and she is in the sign language club, rock climbing club, and the theater program. Please welcome Maline Swenson. [Applause] The pledge of allegiance will be followed by the Star Spangled Banner
003performed by our North High combined bands under the direction of Mr. Justin Smith. To all of our graduates and guests, please stand if you are able and join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing if you are able for the Star Spangled Banner and please remove your hats. Graduates, because this is a formal ceremony, you may leave your cap on. [Music] Hallelujah. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Please be seated. My name is Brenn Hbert. At this time, it is my honor to introduce the platform guests. As I introduce each guest, I would ask each of them to stand and for you to
004hold your applause until all guests have been introduced. Miss Gina Zakardi, associate superintendent, board president, Mr. Donald Rener, board vice president, Miss Cara Casten, and our board members present today, Katie Courtourtney and Mike Riskey. I would also like to introduce our faculty members who will be reading the names of our graduates. Dr. Frank Picar's choir director and Miss Farravasquez English teacher. Thank you for your participation in our ceremony. It is my pleasure to introduce our first student speaker, Owen Half Pennney. Owen is a high honor student and is very involved in our music program. He is a member of the wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, ac capella choir, pep band, pit orchestra, was a drum major for the Trojan marching band, president of band board, president of the Illinois music honor society, statefound journalist and editor-inchief
005of the Omega newspaper, member of student advisory council, government club, computer science club, and clarinetist of the youth jazz ensemble of DUP page. Please welcome me in please join me in welcoming Owen Henney to the stage. [Applause] Good afternoon everyone, friends, family, teachers, and of course our class of 2025. I want to take my time today to talk to a very specific group of people. Those of you who are sitting in front of me right now who might be unsure of what comes next. Those of you who might not have a four-year plan or might feel like you're already behind or who wonder if you'll ever catch up, this speech is meant for you. And I think if we're all being honest, there's probably some of that person in all of us. And I can
006say that confidently because I'm definitely one of those people. If you look at me, I'm not the valictorian. I'm not even on distinguished honors. I didn't make all state for my instrument. I'm not going to some prestigious selective university. When I started high school, I wasn't the high honoral student or prodigy musician. In fact, I found myself struggling a lot, whether it was academically, emotionally, or personally. I oftentimes wrestled with my mental health and sometimes even made choices around substance use that pushed me further away from where I thought I was supposed to be. There were times I looked at my life, my family circumstances, or anything else, and I always figured success just isn't meant for someone like me. But I'm here now. And that's not because everything magically turned around. And not because
007I magically woke up and decided to get it all together, but because little by little, I decided to move myself forward. And sometimes that meant dragging myself. And sometimes that even meant starting over. And it was messy. It was very slow, but it was real. And I'd have to tell you that that is what actual growth looks like. So, if you're feeling lost today, and if you feel like the end of high school feels more like a cliff than a celebration, I want you to know that that is okay. And you don't need to have your future perfectly mapped out for you to deserve one. The truth is the world doesn't just open its arms to people who already knew what they wanted to do. It also makes room for the people who discover their
008path one imperfect step at a time. The ones who try, they fall, but then they get up and try again. And the ones who doubted themselves, but then they kept going anyway. We all have so much life ahead of us. And there's so many chances to change direction or to redefine what success means for you and to build something that you're proud of no matter where you started. So, as we're leaving these halls behind, don't worry if your next chapter isn't written. Because life is not a test that you can either pass or fail. Not to sound cheesy, but it is a journey. And every single one of you has what it takes to make it your own. So, class of 2025, I have to say congratulations, but I implore you to keep going because
009the best parts of your story have not been written yet. Thank [Applause] you. Thank you, Owen. Next, we will hear two selections from the ac capella choir. The first under the direction of Miss Beth Oran is a contemporary arrangement of You'll Never Walk Alone from the Broadway musical Carousel. The piece is often performed at ceremonies celebrating graduating students as its setting in the original show takes place at a high school graduation. The second selection is the North High Alma Mater. Today it will be conducted by senior Caleb Mloud. Caleb is a member of both our choir and orchestra programs and is a 2025 ILMA Allstate musician. [Music] When you walk through a storm, hold your head up and don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of a storm is a golden sky and
010the sweet sweet silver song of [Music] a walk through the wind. Walk through the rain. Your dreams be toss and blow. Walk on. Walk on with hope in your heart. And you'll never walk [Applause] alone. You'll never Walk [Music] alone alone. Walk on through the wind. Walk through the rain. Though your dreams be tossed and blown. [Music] on and on and on and on with hope in your heart. And you'll never'll never walk alone. You'll never walk. You'll never walk. You'll never walk. You'll never walk. [Music] [Applause] Please stand for the alma mater. [Music] Oh high to thee we raise hearts our songs of praise with of sincere. We pledge to thee our last royal. Thy wisdom learning faith and truth shall ever guide us in our youth. The coming years will ever prove the
011greatness of thy watchful love. [Music] God in all his wisdom find thee worthy in heart, soul and mind, and bless thee in thy every. This shall forever be our creed. [Music] [Applause] Please be seated. It is my pleasure to introduce our second student speaker, Nita Nibil. While at North, Nita played soccer and basketball. Nita volunteers every week at a children's school and she coaches a youth girls basketball team. Nita loves to spend her time being creative by painting, drawing, and journaling. She also loves to read and spend time with her family. Please join me in welcoming Nita Naveil to the stage. [Applause] Thank you, Bren. Good afternoon, friends, family, faculty, and the class of 2025. My name is Nita Nabil, and I am so honored to speak to you all today as we celebrate our
012accomplishments over the last four years. To my fellow graduates, every moment we have lived so far is slowly becoming a memory. Today, this moment will be one, too. You know, it's hard to believe that we're finally here. For years, we looked forward to this moment, to walk across this stage, wear our caps and gowns, and say, "We made it." Walking in as timid freshmen with masks on our faces. And let's be honest, half of us didn't even know how to wear them, right? We didn't know what high school was going to be like. We were coming in from middle school Zoom calls, glitchy Wi-Fi, and awkward conversations that felt super uncertain. But despite this, we all showed up. Going to high school was something we once looked forward to. Today, that chapter becomes a reality.
013The next chapter is our reality. But before we race ahead, I want to talk about something important. Slowing down. Take a moment to appreciate where you are. And don't forget to live in the present. You know, it's easy to fixate on the next big milestone, starting college, graduating again, and building a new life. These moments feel so far away until suddenly they're not. When we were in elementary school, high school felt like a lifetime away. We couldn't wait to grow up. But today, I realize just how much I'll miss being a kid. the bus rides home, playing kickball at recess, field day where we would take tugof-war way too seriously. And most of all, talking, laughing, and growing with friends. These have become memories that we will cherish forever. So, it is so important to
014make every minute count because time really is a thief. And I wish we could go back just for a moment to see ourselves as we were. To see how far we've come, how much we have grown, how often we have failed, and how many times we have gotten back up. As time passes, it's easy to forget those moments. So, I want us all to see failure not as an end, but a redirection. In life, failure is guaranteed. But it's how we see the good in our bad times that shapes us, that makes us who we are. Every misstep, every hardship, and every battle we have ever faced has helped us grow. Now, that brings us to our reality. You know, graduation brings on pressure to have it all figured out. But it's okay if you
015don't. It's okay not to rush. Move at your own pace. Slowing down isn't falling behind because the most meaningful things in our lives take time. And being present isn't just for us graduates. It's for everyone here today. Whether you're starting your career, raising a family, or simply figuring things out. Take a moment to breathe. You know, our world moves fast and it forces us to keep moving. So soak in where you are right now because these little moments will soon become the memories we look back on and wish to relive. Now as we step into whatever life has in store for us, may we carry this lesson. Presence is powerful, uncertainty is okay, and failure isn't the end. And may we trust that the journey with all its ups and downs is exactly where we're
016meant to be. Finally, thank you to our teachers and the entire school community who didn't just shape our education but the people we are becoming. And especially thank you to my family, my parents whose love and support I will forever be grateful for. They have always made me feel like I am capable of anything even when I doubted myself. Love you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart. And again, congratulations to the class of 2025. [Applause] Thank you, Nita. On behalf of the student body, I would like to take a moment to honor staff members who are retiring this year. Please join me in congratulating the firing following retirees. Mr. Chris Guerreri, Miss Mary Hart, Mr. Michael [Applause] Hines, Mr. Thomas [Applause] Jagilo, and Miss Mary Beth Tam. [Applause] The class of
0172025 is grateful for the guidance and support all of our faculty members have given us during the past four years, for their dedication to providing us with the best possible education, and for preparing us for the road ahead. I ask the faculty members who are here with us today to stand for recognition, including those who are seated with our graduates. Please join the students in giving our faculty members a round of applause. [Applause] Thank you, faculty. Thank you, Brinn. Graduates up here, you may return to your seats. While here at North, Brin was a member of the golf team for two years and the cross country team for two years. She's been a varsity lacrosse player for all four years at North and a captain for the last two. Brin started the water safety club
018here at North and is also part of class board NHS sign language club snowball and PE leaders. Thank you Bin for leading us today and for being such a positive role model over your four years be thank you before I share a few thoughts with you. I would I first want to recognize and take a moment to hold space for those who aren't able to be with us today, but who are always in our hearts, particularly those we've lost this year, who are close to us. I am honored to have the opportunity to speak to the class of 2025 today. I would first like to recognize our 2025 graduates who are entering the US armed forces. Will the following students please stand to be recognized? Scott Schroeder, Weston Matthew, Molly Wills, and Alexa Luna. We
019are incredibly proud of you, and we thank you for your commitment to our country. I am truly honored to be with all of you here today. It is a joy to be your principal because I have the privilege of seeing all of you grow into the wonderful individuals sitting in front of me today who are ready to take a huge next step into your life. As I've shared with many of you prior to today, the class of 2025 is particularly special to me because you were my first class as the principal at North. I got to see you in this very stadium on your first day of school when we met together for the first time. You sat in those very bleachers right over there where your families sit today, waiting and wondering what would
020happen as we all entered this very large, newly renovated building, wearing masks and trying to learn what's what at DGN. It's fitting that you're sitting in almost the same spot you were four years ago. But none of you are the same, and you've spent the past four years growing into the young adults you are now. And as I reflected about these past four years, I realized many things are in fact not the same as they were. To mimic a popular feature in our student newspaper, The Omega, Hot or Not, you've experienced a lot of trends in your time as a Trojan. Just this year, the list of hots included Matt Eberloose being fired, Holding Space, Glenn Powell, and Pumpkin Spice. The knots included Blake Lively construction, maybe beeping from the cars over there, Black Friday
021scams, and frosted windshields. Perhaps you recall maybe the middle part or the alpaca hair becoming the popular hairstyle trend, the resurgence of the butterfly clip, the high-rise mom jean as the dominating pants style, Barbie core, and popular athleisure wear like Lululemon being on trend. In addition, you all walked into a brand new high school four years ago and navigated through new and old to find your way. The new was actually new for you and you were aed at the high school walls that were built and created just for you. You also transitioned into a new bell schedule with block periods and access and figured out how to navigate newfound freedoms in the commons. We also saw a revolution in technology over your four years here. You were just coming off of online learning at home
022and transitioned to in-person learning with people you didn't recognize or really know. Tik Tok gained huge popularity and some of you even tried a few of those trends in our bathrooms and you've seen the rise of artificial intelligence platforms like Chat GPT, Magic School, and Gemini that can be almost human and in many cases assist you with your schoolwork or even do it for you. When you think of yourself as a ninth grader and who you are now, the change is enormous. And as I'm sure you've noticed over the past four years, some of those trends live on and some don't. But they don't actually ever end. Instead, they all evolve into something else. And that, my senior class, is exactly where you sit today. I want to emphasize to you that while this seems
023like an ending, it's not. It's an evolution. You all began right over there in those bleachers as young ninth graders. And today, you've not ended. You've evolved into wonderful young people who get to go out as humans who know how to navigate through major evolutions and come out better for it. You may have abandoned that tick- tock dance trend. You might like Blake Lively again. Your skinny jeans might be in the back of your closet. Your overly ripped jeans, well, you might still be wearing those. But you've all taken those trends and evolved them into something else that fits who you are. And that's exactly what graduation means for all of you. You've spent the past four years figuring out who you are and how you evolve. You figured out what fits, what doesn't, and
024become confident young people along the way. As you prepare for whatever's next, I encourage you to think about how you will evolve next. You can leave here and be the exact same person, or you could take what you've learned and make it even better, as you've done at North for four years. You came here in 2021, looked at our athletic programs, and said, "I can make it better." and you did. Sitting in front of me are numerous state champions and highly specialized athletes in our senior class. You looked at our activities programs and said, "I can make it better." And you did. You looked you. We we have new clubs you created and you formed community among friends. And you gave us feedback to make our culture better. You looked at all of the courses
025you could choose and said, "I can be great." And you did. We have over half of your class with higher distinguished honors, advanced placement credits, national merit scholars, and hundreds and thousands of dollars in scholarships you earned to take comfortably into your future. You helped evolve Downer's Grove North High School and made it a better place for those coming in and made us as adults better for it. Evolution has its bumps for sure. You absolutely experienced losses and doubt and sometimes a lack for answers. But you managed to bring us back to the community we love by showing us how to evolve with you and telling us what you needed. You have officially completed high school, at least the academic portion for those of you still competing in spring sports. And you've made a decision
026about your next steps. You created a four-year foundation that will open any door you choose to walk through next. You are ready and you are prepared and you get to decide how you enter this world as a young adult because you know how to evolve and manage through change. You should have no doubt that you have the tools necessary to do it again and do it better. While sometimes trends try to sideline us or even make us look back with regret, you haven't let them. And I know you all have the tools to work through the change and ultimately evolve into people who possess the right amount of courage and character to keep trying until you've got it. To the class of 2025, please know that we have so much love in our hearts for
027all of you. And I personally am so incredibly grateful to have spent these past four years with you. You make our world a better place and we are lucky to have been a part of it with you. I look forward to seeing what's to come in your very bright futures. Congratulations, class of [Applause] 2025. And now, Miss Zakardi and members of the board of education, it is with great honor that I present to you the North High School class of 2025. As principal, I certify that the graduating class of 2025 has met all of the requirements as set forth by the state of Illinois and the board of education of district 99 and are hereby granted all of the rights and privileges that correspond accordingly. It is now my pleasure to introduce the associate superintendent
028of Community High School District 99, Miss Gina Zakardi. Good afternoon. I'd like to start by congratulating the class of 2025 on your accomplishments during your high school career, culminating in today's graduation ceremony. District 99 is known as a legacy community, and many who have walked our halls return to offer their children the same experience here in District 99. Those of you here today that are alumni of the district, please stand and be [Applause] recognized. It takes three core groups to bring us to this moment. First, I'd like us to recognize all of the family members that have helped our graduates make it to this point in their [Applause] lives. Second, there's been a great number of teachers, coaches, and other trusted adults who have guided our students. Please take a moment to reflect, remember, and
029recognize all of those that have played a part in today's celebration. Finally, thank you graduates for the years of hard work here at North High and in our in your own lives to arrive at today. This marks the next step in your progression through life. It's been an unforgettable four years here in District 99 and I appreciate what all of you have contributed to the high school experience and to our community. I have the honor of being the last District 99 educator that will that you'll hear from today. And I want to take this opportunity to share something I've learned with you. Always remember that you show what you value most by where you spend your time. For time is something that we can never make more of. Where you spend it and who you
030spend it with shows what is important to you. So spend it wisely. Regardless of what comes next in your life, I want to remind you that this community will always be your home. We are proud to have you as representatives of the district. Please come back and share your successes and how high school experience has prepared you for the next set of adventures. I can't wait to learn how you've made a difference in our world. It is now my privilege to recommend to the members of the board of education the class of 2025 moves forward as graduates of community high school district 99. I'd like to now introduce Mr. Don Rener, president of the District 99 Board of Education, who will accept the class of 2025. Good afternoon to the class of 2025. Today is
031the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, commitment, resolve, and perseverance. You should be very proud of your accomplishment being celebrated today. Know that you are well equipped and prepared for whatever lies ahead, whether that be further studies, employment, or military service. Having handled the academic rigor at DGN, you can do anything you set your mind to. All of us here today want to celebrate your accomplishment and wish you nothing but health and prosperity in your future endeavors. On behalf of the board of education of Community High School District 99, it is my absolute honor to accept and recognize the Downers Grove North graduating class of 2025. Congratulations. Thank you, Miss Zakardi and Mr. Rener. At this time, we will begin confirring the diplomas. I ask that our line leaders please move into place and
032prepare the graduates. For those in the audience, I respectfully request that you remain in your seats and hold your applause and other acknowledgements until all students have been awarded diplomas in order to provide the appropriate recognition that each student deserves. Just as you want to hear the name of your child read, so too will other parents and families. Any loud noise can drown out the reading of a student's name. Please do not be responsible for preventing a student's name from being heard. We thank you in advance for your appropriate and respectful behavior. Will the class of 2025 please come forward to receive your diplomas. Jacquellyn Acavdo, Lucas Adams, Joselyn Acavdo, Sed Ahmad, Hassan Ahmed, Tami Lola Aayi, Aiden Akawi, Giana Alberti, Hans Alcala, Brandon Alcantar, Alejandro Alcantara, Jazelle Aldana, Matteline Allen, Amari Alman, Vincenzo Anonyia,
033Audrey Anderson, Jaden Anderson, Peter Anderson, Christian Andler, Gino Ino Andrea River Anslo Matthew Anthony Saul Ariano Jennifer Armas Perez Kendall Arnold Grace Aila Callie Bailey Zachary Baker Trice Barnes Sophia Barovski Justin Baron James Barios Alyssa Bardalone Brandon Below, Rory Benedict, Emanuel Baya, Bouan, Isaac Benick, Zoe Blazic, Cassandra Bolno, Sasha Bodker, Peter Bo, William Bower, Lillian Bowererman, Matteline Bozvich, Christopher Brand, Jack Brindle, Noah Bristol, Yennady Britain, John Brockway, Maris Brown, Jenny Buer, Nathan Bunzel, Brooke Burkhart, Dylan Bzinski, Shan Cabay, Benjamin Cameron, Callie Canis, Brianna Capello, Scarlett Carbone, Audrey Carlstead, Leila Carter, Lillian Carter, Paulo Anhel Casas, Dylan Casey, Owen Casey, Anthony Castellante, Audrey Casten, Samuel Castro, Anthony Caesar, Michael Cesario, Ethan Chang, Su, Rohan Chidari, Sophia Chabub, Jonathan Chesters, Keegan Cho, Maria Civotanova, Jack Clark, Erica Conn, Kelsey Conn, Grayson Como, Johanna Congden, Mark Contreres, Payton
034Conway, Ganna Corona, Johnny Kazantino, John Kourtney, Scott Kan, Kathleen Krilly, Taylory, Israel Crawford, Jack Crowley, Charles Cruz, Natalia Cruz, Aries, John Cumbi, Aiden Cummings, John Swick, Curtis, Colin Cunningham, Madison Swick, Kira Cunningham, Adam Shika, Angelina Dogite, Lucy Doy, Gabriel Deon, Timothy Denu, Anastasia Derkich, Karen Deada, Janna Ducha, Alexis Diaz, Victoria Diaz, Sumea De Brun, Grace Dicki, Charles Dietrich, Vadim Doberchack, Emily Doherty, Richard Dorantes, Jovon Dordovich, Ava Dorsy, Aiden Dohy, Liliana Dwas, Ashlin Durkin, Chloe Duc, Maria Economos, Ryan Econamu, Ethan Edmonson, Joseph Edwards, Tvarez Edwards, Isabelle IDE, Elizabeth Ensena, Joshua Andress, Maya Angel, Carly Hermitage, Lorenzo Escamilla, Matteline Esinger, Emma FA, Kevin Fer Baseril, Christina Fialik, Alec Fermuga, Leighton Phillips, Nicholas Filipulos, Colin Finn, Chloe Framanti, William Fiser, Timothy Fleming, Taylor Flory, Richard Flores, Maya, Claire Foster, Luke Fansky, Leela Frankfeder, Katherine France, Grace Bremen, Reagan
035Fraser, Julia Fman, Matthew Fry, Payton Galvin, Kaylee Gaffne, August Garcia, Verun Ganesh, Jiang Eugene, Ethan Gardley, Taylor Gilchrist, Natalie Gianel, Adah Gil Martin Ava Gilly Vela Valeria Gonzalez Stephanie Heron Julia Green Daniel Graham Jake Gregorio Zachary Green Abigail Gross Bobby Garganto Sean Guerrero Leo Gusella Ryan Gust Ice Ka Gupta Owen Half Penny Joshua Guzman Ryan Stellin Hammond Henry Ham Samantha Hansen Griffin Hanley Rayhan Hashim Lauren Haroldson Skyler Heyman Nathaniel Hobold Mary Helen Held Trent Hines Eva Henrikson, Braden Hangles, Louie Hip, Ha Anikas, Avery Hodson, Nolan Hicks, Nathan Hommeire, Ashley Hixon, Corgan Ren, Tyler Holmstrom, Kathleen Hurley, Colin Hulahan, Nolan Herder, Bin Hbert, Chloe Hutcherson, Megan Herado, Victoria Ingram, Nure Hussein, Ryland Ivani, Vincent Aikavetti, Justin James, Jacob Isacson, Ian Johnson, Colin Jacobs, Maya Jones, Charlie Jen, Matteline Jerkowski, Trinity Johnson, Kaden Canthac, Nathan Joseph, Varvara
036Collic, Teresa Kettlechek, Owen Kelly, Alexandra Kellum, Leela Vivia Kuntia, Erica Kellum, Sean King, Lexi Cowan, Ethan Kiss, Nola Connealy, Michael Nickerbacher, Kirsten Kirby, Max Kenudson, Emma Clampier, Juliana Kolate, Eleanor Nudson, Antonio Kolinsus, Lucy Cook, Tyler Koser, Maya Colbeck, Paul Kraken, Nicholas Konopetsz, Carson Crass, Yana Anna Kukakis, Benjamin Cusera, Monica Krakite, Martina Chere, Nora Christa, Gata Lorocco, Nia Kudsie, John Loda, Carsten Lang, Allison Leachch, Larson, Ashley Leachch, John Lazars, Rosalyn Lee, [Music] Quinn Ley, Cole Lingfelter, Brianna Lee, Bailey Lingert, Samantha Leonard, Marcos Leos, Jack Loftess, David Lopez, Logan Loftess, Benjamin Lawrence, Riley Loftess, Danielle Lucadelloo, Nathan Lopez, Anthony Lucio, Nathan Loresca, Alexa Luna, Nicholas Lusk, Alan McKascal, James Lumpkin, Thomas McCrovich, Reginald Lions, Mia Manny, Anthony Mafay, Brian Martinez, Lauren Maul, Weston Matthew, Kobe Marquez, Jordan Maize, Jacob Matea, Daniel McCroll, Paul Matthews, Caleb Mloud, Nicholas
037Mazzara, Jacob McMahon, Ellena Mcome, Phoebe Mlan, Sydney McCormack, Matthew Meyers, Eden McDonald Christian Molner Thomas Medina Terrence Milan Leila Mandi Max Mitzkibius William Milky Nathaniel Moad Nathaniel Mansonski Margaret Moore Assad Moad, Elias Morcos, Corey Mongello, Ella Morurell, Tegan Moore, Stefania Mossman, Edward Morazan, Matthew Mullenex Jr., Sydney Moss, Emmanuel Murphy, Carrian Mower, Ethan Murphy, Molly Mungan, Isabella Murphy, Gavin Murray, Nidita Nibil, Jada Murray, Nha Nalamala, Avery Lane Muso, Matthew Nelson, Molly Knockman, Sarah Neil, Mara Neil, Emily Niles, Rachel Nelson, Andrew Novak, Tyler Nicholas, Joseph Noak, Ryan Nunan, Annayiah Nall, Matteline Noatne, Dylan Nuttall, Gabriel Nunees, Rowan Ronan O'Driscoll, Kaylin Nut, Megan Otul, Grace Oddonnell, Sophia Ostermeer, Liam Osullivan, Aaliyah Onestasti, Nicholas O'henzan, Joseph Oros, Payton Olden, Benjamin Otahal, Oriana, Allison Palanski, Russell Oros, Samantha Palanski, Nico Yoshi Nega, Melody Parker, Montas Palabinscus, Sophia Pate, Luchia Pampalone,
038Andrew Pollock, Alyssa Passini, Miriam Piru, Betsa Patino, Jocelyn Perez, Ryan Pollock, Jillian Peters, Alexandra Perez, Sydney Peterson, Crisal Perez Gomez, Sophia Petra, Kate Peterson, Asan Ponapundar, Ashley Puret, Amari Pratz, Montas Pozius, McKenna Purgatorio, Ashley Pokeette, Kate Pine, Colton Preston, Dylan Quirk, Shaun Purton, Maline Quirk, Lucy Quinnland, Zara Raj, Jordan Kino, Kouz, Abigail Ramsey, Elizabeth Ragni, Shan Rene, Freddy Ramirez, Haramillo, Liam Rie, M Rana, Emory Reed, Joah Ratio, Ashley Remanz, Jack Riker, Morgan Reynolds, James Riley, Isabelle Richmond, Hannah Rener, Kayla Real, Benjamin Ranken, Gracie Roberts, Jack Rickman, Justin Rody, Mallerie Riskey, Peter Rodriguez, Dinarius Rockovitz, Brooke Rogers, Axel Rodriguez, Wisen Roas Hernandez, Dana Romanowski, Rosalyn Rosales Gomez, Claire Romanowski, Abraham Ruiz, Natalie Rosales, Sarah Rkowski, Joshua Row, Kayn Sedkowski, Jovanna Russo, Tietti, Madison Sage, Riley Ryan, Emma Sail, Elise Sadler, Alexis Salis, Rio Salazar, Schmidt, Isabella
039Sandeu, Logan Tink, Edgar Santos, Shane Sanill, Lincoln Sather, Miam Sarapin, Brady Shawer, Natalia Saledo, Charles Schneider, Connor Shuy, Scott Schroeder, Grant Schroeder, Lily Schultz, Aiden Shu, Gia Sha, Sophia Skumachi, Farardon Seriki, Er Sha, Yusra Sadiki, Joseph Sibert, Gabriella Silva, Nathaniel Cisco, Riaz Sarabkin, Gabrielle Sleven, Matteline Solomon, Maymay Srdike, Sierra Sodto, Megan Southworth, Margarite Stannic, Kylie Stidle, Kyle Stempion, Maisie Sullivan, Addison Sutton, Zoe Sutton, Daniel Swanson, Maline Swenson, Jason Samansski, Erini Tadros, Verica Tavari, Annayiah Tipton, Tyler Tiangoko, Ariana Tipton, Dasha Tekachic, Elena Toddham, Brilan Tomlinson, Mia Topek, Ramsey Trous, Brady Travers, Danielle Uma, Celia Van, Aristo Menace, Vasilicopoulos, Katherine Vaughn, Lindseay Veila, Ashley Velasquez, Cameron Vic, Michael Vogle, Kyle Vog, Jack James Vulp Nicholas Roman Isabella Wallally Maline Walter Alyssa Walters Emma Walls Won Wagab McKenzie Wells Megan Wernett Anthony Wheeler Steven Wilhelm McKenzie Willard Clinton
040Williams Dwayne Williams, Molly Wills, Carter Wood, Jaden Wood, Michael Wood, Nathan Woods, Alicia Magdalene Yambo, Justin Ye, Xander Ye, Peter Yo, Meredith Yak, Annabelle Yachty, Lauren Zagorski, Andrew Zjac, Taylor Zerugosa, Ashton Zadarski, Zachary [Applause] Zeroli, and That is your class of 2025. Y graduates, please stand. At this time, you may move your tassels to the left side of your caps to signify your graduation from high school. [Applause] At this time, I would like to dismiss our faculty members to form the staff receiving line. During the recessional, the combined bands will perform under the direction of senior Owen Halfpen. Owen was one of our speakers today and has been very involved in the DGN music program. He is a member of the wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, a capella choir, pep band, pit orchestra, a drum major,
041president of band board, and president of the Illinois Music Honor Society, among the many other activities Owen has participated in over his four years at North Graduates. During the recessional, please wait for the section leaders to dismiss you by row to the fieldhouse to receive your diplomas. Thank you to all of our guests for joining us today and for being such a gracious and patient audience. We ask that you remain in your seats until the conclusion of the recessional. Class of 2025, congratulations. You are now alumni of Downers Grove North High School. Heat. Heat. [Music] Down. Hey. Hey. [Music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [Music]