001e [Music] for [Music] e [Music] a [Music] yeah e [Music] f hello hello good afternoon and welcome to North High School as we celebrate the grad uation of the students of the class of 2024 at this time please stand if you are able for the processional as the band conducted by Mr Justin Smith plays pump and Circumstance and please remain standing if you are able for the pledge and the national anthem welcome class of [Music] e [Music] for [Music] for [Music] n a [Music] Dr thely members of the Board of Education faculty staff parents families Friends The Time Is Here and Now Welcome to our graduation commencement ceremony for the Downers Grove North High School class of 2024 my name is my name is Courtney DeMent and I have the honor and privilege of being
002the principal here at North High School today's ceremony is part of a rich history as we gather this evening to celebrate the graduation of the 96th class from North High School to begin our ceremony senior Josh Rano will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance while at North Josh's most notable accomplishments are his four years of choir and theater three years of Color Guard being the Color Guard Captain a member of the trium music Honor Society and two years on the orchus dance team Josh plans to attend the University of Nebraska Lincoln to study marketing management and finance please welcome Josh [Applause] Rano 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
003remain 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 caps on [Music] la [Music] [Applause] [Music] please be seated my name is Fiona Doyle at this time is my honor to to introduce the platform guests as I introduce each guest I would ask each of them to stand and for you to hold your applause until all guests have been introduced Dr Hank thy superintendent board president Mr Donald rener and board member Cara [Applause] Casten I would also like to introduce our faculty members who will be reading the name of our graduates Dr Frank pears choir director and Miss Farah Velasquez English teacher thank you for your participation in our [Applause] ceremony it is my pleasure to introduce our
004first student speaker Isabella cantes Izzy has been involved in choir all four years at dgn she's participated in all access choir she's an elite leader a choir board member for for 3 years a member of NHS and a student Advisory Board member next year she will be attending Illinois State University to double major and study in marketing and accounting please join me in welcoming Isabella cantes to the [Applause] stage hello fellow graduates and everyone who came out to support the graduating class of 2024 when I was asked to speak at today's ceremony the first thought that went through my head was how this is what I've been working towards for years since age five to be exact I used to get to watch all the Twilight movies with my mom and my older sister and
005in the third movie Eclipse Anna Kendrick gives her graduation speech let me read you it when we were five they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up our answers were things like ashona president or in my case a princess when we were 10 they asked again and we answered rock star Cowboy or in my case gold medal list but now that we've grown up they want a serious answer well how about this who the hell knows this isn't the time to make hard and fast decisions it's time to make mistakes take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere fall in love a lot major in philosophy CU there's no way to make a career out of that change your mind then change it again cuz nothing is permanent so make as
006many mistakes as you can that way someday when they ask again what we want to be we won't have to guess we'll know hearing the speech at such a young age made me feel like speaking at graduation was the highlight of my life it was going to be the best point and nothing would ever top it but now that I'm standing here at age 18 I beg to differ this speech Now isn't the biggest moment of my life it's a moment in time that I will cherish forever that I will grow out of graduation our whole life until this point has been seen as the biggest moment comparable to a wedding but now that we've made it and we are sitting in our gowns it doesn't seem as big for all of us for some
007of us this day is less about achievement movement but more about loss and change it's about the loss of our friends the move to a new town and the loss of the normality we've had for the past 17 to 18 years we have the summer with our friends and family but even then we all know there's a looming message over us that when August comes everything is going to change for the better or worse it will still be the biggest change most of us have faced in our life till this point but change is amazing for us right now since this is the moment to make big decisions and fail this is the moment to choose the wrong college and transfer out next year to choose the wrong freshman your roommate and deal with it
008but really learn to love them in the end I hope that you took a moment to reflect during this speech and think about how it's okay to make the wrong choice right now since we are all only 17 and 18 making our first big solo decision thank you so much for giving me some of my best memories and for giving me the opportunity to speak to you on this special day [Applause] thank you Isabella next we will hear two selections from the Acappella choir both accompanied by Miss Valerie lurmer at the piano first under the direction of Mrs Beth O rean 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
009a high school graduation the second selection is the North High Alma moer today it will be conducted by senior and dear friend of mine Matthew soda Matthew is a four-year member Matthew is a four-year member of the dgn choirs he served as the president of the drama club at dgn and has been a snowball director Matthew received the fine arts department award for theater and is a commended scholar for National Merit Matthew will attend the California poly Technic State University in St Louis abiso major in architecture with plans to minor in Spanish [Music] a hold your head up high and don't be afaid of the at the end of [Music] the dream J us [Music] for your dreams be [Music] your heart [Music] You'll Never [Music] [Applause] Walk and now if if you are able
010please stand for the alma mater [Music] down to [Music] the with to the Everlasting [Music] royaly th wining [Music] and [Music] Tru will Pro [Music] God in all his wi the wory in heart and bl in th sh for [Music] [Applause] you may be seated [Music] it is my pleasure to introduce our second student speaker Ethan wust Ethan has been a four-year member of the varsity swim team and has been involved heavily in the fine arts department as well throughout his time on the swim team Ethan has set a handful of JV and varsity records and has qualified for the the state competition for the past 3 years Ethan has qualified for the Ila Allstate music festival for the past 3 years as well and also plays in other local groups such as the Chicago
011youth Symphony Orchestra and the D page Symphony Orchestra please join me in welcoming Ethan wus to the [Applause] stage to all my fellow graduates it does not need to be stated that today is a Monumental day on nearly every account today marks the moment that we collectively cross a threshold of sorts we are no longer high school students many of us are adults although some aren't shout out to my fellow summer birthdays and nearly all of us have already made the life-changing decision of how you will spend the beginning of our postsecondary life many of us I'm sure will keep DGM as far from our minds as possible especially over the summer and this is all very typical we have put in the work and now we get to reap the benefits but as we
012cross this threshold today and as we move forward into the world I want to call some attention to something that I don't think many of us have spent much time considering I think most of us at some point have felt some amount of appreciation for something at dgn after all teacher appreciation week was just a couple of weeks ago and even if not for that I'm sure we could all think of one teacher or staff member who has helped us in some way at some point throughout our four years but I want to dive a little deeper over the past couple weeks I have been feeling a lot of nostalgia as I'm sure many of you have as well which is why I have been thinking about this think about your closest friends chances are
013you met them here at dgn or maybe even before think about the people you've met at school people you've met your classes people you've met in activities or sports or whatever it may be think about all the teachers you've had and how they've helped you learn as much as anyone here likes or dislikes school you can't argue that dgn doesn't provide us all with Incredible opportunities to learn and get involved in activities with our peers I'm going to speak now on my own experience under the presumption that much of what I will say is relatable in some way firstly as as it relates to academics I am incredibly grateful for having been able to work with some really excellent teachers over the past four years I know that I've heard some horror stories about some
014teachers from other schools and I'm really glad to be able to say that I do not have a similar story to share my teachers have not only been excellent teachers but also excellent people who make coming to class something genuinely enjoyable for me and for others I'm sure I know that my teachers here have pushed me to be the best version of myself I can can be academically and again I'm sure many of you can say the same while academics are of course very important I would be willing to venture that most of us are had our more in factful experiences throughout High School in sports and activities again speaking personally my involvement in the fine arts department here at dgn has been invaluable and I have forged so many friendships through this shared Interest
015being able to find a community and connect with others who have similar interests is all always important and often difficult as many of us move forward finding another Community to replace the ones we have found here at dgn may be challenging this is all the more of a reason to spend a moment recognizing and appreciating what dgn has fostered for us a place where anyone can find a community and feel a sense of belonging no matter what your interests may be my point is this even though we as a class may be looking at dgn for the last time today we should all take some time to look back and consider how it has shaped our lives whether you enjoyed your time here or hated every minute of it we are all the people we
016are today because of this school we have the connections and the friendships that we have because of this school we have developed our minds and our interests in the ways we have because of this school so having said all this what I Empower each and every one of you to do today is to spend some time thinking about someone or something that you are grateful for here at dgn could be a teacher or a coach or a counselor or anyone or anything else but have something in mind and tell them that's the important part it costs absolutely nothing to share your gratitude and what I expect you'll find is that even saying something as simple as thank you can really make someone's days and probably yours as well thank you [Applause] thank you Ethan on
017behalf of the student body I would like to take a moment to honor the staff members who are retiring this year please join me in congratulating the following retirees Miss Darla Fischer Mr Joel capetan Miss Denise Kavanaugh and Miss Jeanie [Applause] Syer the class of 2024 is grateful for the guidance and support all of our faculty members have given us during the past four years and 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 Fiona the four of you may return to your seats thank you while
018here at North Fiona was involved in dgn choirs and ensembles for four years all access choir she was also a member of the dgn snowball she was a leader and a director a member of dgn theater an ilmea District musician a spirito singer and she works as a Sleepaway Camp counselor over the summer next year Fiona will attend the George Washington University in Washington DC where she will study sociology thank you Fiona for being our MC this afternoon before I share a few Thoughts with you I want to First 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 family or friends who are close to us I am honored to have the opportunity to speak to the class
019of 2024 today I would first like to recognize our 2024 graduates who are entering the US Armed Forces will The Following students please stand to be recognized Isabella Kumo to the Air Force Ryan ha Ryan Hagen Army Michelle Stewart Illinois Army National Guard Colton Ford Marines and Zachary Bender United States Military Academy West Point we are incredibly proud of you and we thank you for your commitment to our country and thank you for your service you may be seated I am truly honored to be with you all 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 in your life a sequence of many things
020over the past four years have led you to this particular place the theme I kept landing on in my reflection today all started with the letter c covid classroom extracurriculars and change and of course cicas we're very lucky today as we prepared for all of you here today these are just a few of the elements that brought the class of 20124 together you all experienced moments of chaos with covid we met you online and instead of forming relationships with you we formed a relationship with your ceiling it took a while to get out of that covid funk and finally we saw the real you you showed up and challenged us to think differently about how you learn you all experienced moments of community and throughout your four years you have formed lasting friendships in your
021classes and on your teams and clubs you met people you didn't think you'd ever be friends with and you learned about success and failure together you have been a part of state championships winning teams huge wins tough losses and you managed to bring all of us together as a North High Community we Embrace and love you have had moments of Celebration when we had absolutely no idea how we would end when we started in such a crazy way we have been able to celebrate your successes together academically and extracurricularly over 150 of you have achieved honor status you've received the highest academic accolades you've taken numerous advanced placement courses and you've done things in your courses that you might never have thought you could when you came here as a young ninth grader you've also
022achieved inedible Feats outside of the classroom and I can't even name all of them because I know I'd forget one you should be proud of yourself because you did all of that and you've had moments of clarity 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 about your next steps you created a four-year Foundation that will open any door you choose to walk through next you are ready you are prepared and you get to to decide how you enter this world as a young adult you have learned in four years a skill that will be invaluable to you when you leave you figured out how to navigate through chaos to find Community celebration and ultimately Clarity you should have
023no doubt that you have the tools necessary to do it again and do it better while some of the events of the past four years tried to sideline you you have all ultimately chosen a path of success getting here today was not easy but all of you have developed and possessed the Courage the character and the chops to keep trying until you've got it to the class of 2024 please know that we have so much love in our hearts for all of you and we are 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 20 24
024Dr the and members of the Board of Education it is with great honor that I present to you the North High School class of 2024 as principal I certify that the graduating class of 2024 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 the rights and privileges that correspond accordingly it is now my pleasure to introduce the superintendent of Community High School District 99 Dr Hank thy good afternoon I'd like to start out by congratulating the class of 2024 on your accomplishments during your high school career culminating in today's graduation celebration District 99 is known as a Legacy Community and many who walk our Falls return to offer their children an experience in District 99 those of
025you here today that are alumni of District 99 please stand and be [Applause] recognized graduates it took three core groups to get you to this moment first I would like for all of us to take a moment to reflect on and recognize family members that have helped our graduates make it to this point in their lives graduates find them in the crowd and just wave at them to show your appreciation for being here [Music] today second there have been a great number of teachers coaches and other trusted adults that have guided our students please take a moment as Ethan mentioned to reflect and remember and recognize all of those that played a part in today's celebration finally thank you graduates for all of the years of hard work at school and in your own lives
026to arrive at today this marks the next step of your progression through life it has been an unforgettable four years here in District 99 and I appreciate that all of you have done to contribute to our high school experience and to our community I have the honor of being the last educator in District 99 to address you so I want to share with you the best advice I ever received and what it is is you show what you value by where you spend your time it is the only thing that we have that we can't make more of so spend it wisely regardless of what comes next in your life I want you to remind I want to remind you that this community will always be your home we are proud to have you going
027out into the world as a representative of District 99 please come back and share your successes and tell us how our experienced help to impact whatever comes next I can't wait to see you all make a difference in the world it is now my privilege to recommend to the members of the Board of Education in the class of 2024 to move forward as graduates of Community High School District 99 congratulations graduates it has been an honor to serve you for the past four years and I wish you the best of times in your future I would now like to introduce Mr Don rener president of the Board of Education who will accept the class of 2024 good afternoon to the class of 2024 today is the culmination of years of hard work dedication commitment resolve
028and perseverance you should be very P proud of your accomplishment being celebrated here today know that you are well equipped and prepared for what whatever lies ahead whether that be further studies employment or military service having handled the academic rigor at dgn you can do anything you want to set your mind too all of us here today want to celebrate your accomplishments and wish you nothing but good health and prosperity in your future endeavors on behalf of the Board of Education of Community High School District 99 it is my honor to accept and recognize the dgn graduating class of 2024 congratulations [Applause] at this time we will begin conferring the diplomas I ask that our line leaders please move into place and prepare the graduates for those in the audience I respectfully request that you
029remain 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 R so too will other parents and families any loud noise can drown out the reading of a student's name so 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 of our graduates and of our class of 2024 will the class of 2024 please come forward to receive your diplomas it IAS abas Janet oo SoDo Terell Adams FAL emed palasha Ahmad Lindsay an yelli alcantar Rodriguez jizelle Amison Gilbert Gilbert Anderson georgeos Angelos Angelina Antonio Kelsey AR Morgan be CRA bajwa Ryan beard
030Isaac Bacher Michaela Baldwin Sammy barot William Barnett Anthony Barry Noah battle William batty Elizabeth beavers Carl Bednar Aiden BB Amelia bednard Aiden burn Thaddius bednard Shannon Bell Zachary Bender Walker benan Rea beros Andrew Beth Ria barava Elias bianos Smith Brooke bobbit Lola bwell James Bonfield Lillian bour Colby Borman Keegan bosard Riley Botha Grant Boward Noah Bowie Victoria brand kale brazina William bromic Ava Bruno Audrey buram Alexander berda Darren burrow Joseph bus Brian Cabrera Megan Campbell Giana Capello Katherine carbon Mia cardus Benjamin carlberg Susan carlstead Janna Carelli Isabella carsten Mary Kate Casey Owen Carter Charlie cash sha Casey Isabella cantes Danielle Castillo Athena CH Noah chansy Gina chabo Carter Chavez Jimenez Ali Alina chanan Annabella Chelli Julian simpen Maxwell chera Lily clear Nicholas Clanton kazula Marissa colazo Ava Cleveland Henry congr Isabella kiso Alexa Cortez Ryland
031Conway John coin Carter Kenza Kaylee krian Ali Castello meline Kramer May Costello Mato Cruz Francis crosson Daisy qu Joseph krylin Maggie cumins Jessica kubac cab David damiko Margaret Dale Nico darus Daniel Darko Vincent Deo fatim daara Giana deante Dawson Davidson Charlie Delaney Tyler De Jesus Thomas Doo Lucas delgallo Louie D Simone Alan denu Leslie Diaz Elizabeth Diaz Ella Domino Janet Dixon Alexander dof Fiona Doyle Kristen Dian Michael dong Nathan Edelman Ryan Edington Jaden Fanta Parker Alisha Nathan Ferrero Lily Enright Robert Fairington II margarite Enright Melissa falik Andre fuk John fotti Anna filio Mani malany Fisher Haley Fitzgerald poivy fiser William Flanigan rajin fiser sha Flavin Elias Fletcher Carolyn Fleming Abraham Flores Chase flinker Isabella Feliz Lissette Flores Nicholas photos jamaran flukes Molly Frank Colton Ford Phoenix friend FAA franois Sarah G Sophia Frank fader Valentina
032Garcia Sophia gallovich Brandon Garduno Pacho Nicholas Garcia Zachary juso Fernando Garduno Cadena Morgan gishan Lincoln gist Annabella Gomez Tah Gentry Audrey gory Luchia gardula Samantha growman Stella Gordon Andrew grael Michael grainy Theodore Griffin Kobe Graves Ava guzel Damen green Isabella Guzman EMT Gren Henry guads Thomas Guy kollos hakeim Mary Gusman Ryan Sophia hamela Ryan haen Amelia Hansen Benjamin halfpenny Andrew Hardy Sarah hand laala James harkes Owen hardage Carolyn harkes jilliana Harris Courtney Henderson Maria harino pyton henar Logan hre Brandon Hernandez ree Henderson Manuel Hernandez Tiana Henry Lauren Hill Johanna hernandz Alicia holshire Andrea Hernandez Velasquez Dylan hog Avery honi Jackson natuk Simone hogar Sydney natuk Eleanor Holmes Jonathan Huck Kate hulahan Connor Hurst John ratton ree Iran Lillian Raton anuka Isaacson Janna hunchie anelie Ismael arasa hikes adidi iar kis ireri AE irar Ilia ishenko
033Jimmy janicki Nathan Ivy Jr Gregory Jefferson Esther isov Ashley Jimenez Santiago Brienne Jackson Leisa Johnson Adam jamros Ela jusus Adam janowick rad janed Jacob Jensen Dana Camis Ashley Johnson alexandros katosi Pierre Johnson Patrick Carney Michael Yuka Sara coder Jesse Justice Luke clamper Julia Caro Payton cluth William Kaufman Jackson colon Jaden Kendra Tomas kka Emma King Emily cus Abigail Claus Emily kudis meline Claus Ava laano Luke Kramer Regan lantia ronuk Kumar Sarah lamsa Kate quasi Leonardo Lara Maria quasi Kylie Larson Elena leg Giglio Emma Lao Natalie Lamar Ella Leathers Isabelle landman Elina Lee Benjamin lson rares lefter Veronica lcha anelie lius Rebecca law Jaden Lewis Joseph Ley Addison Lisa Faith Lee Benjamin Luellen kipi Le Kaylee Lou Emerson Lewis Molina Lopez Elizabeth Lia Christopher luchetti Gina Lou Ian mccal Mason Lockwood ugna mazus Alexander Lopez Stefan
034marchuk Casey Loresca Charlie Marshall Jennifer Lucina Ethan Martin Mora McDonald John Paul Matthew Antonio Manzo Frank Morrow nebie marinakos Ruben Maya Carine Marano Dean mcgaan John Martino John mcnalty Quinn matun meline megas Spencer May Olivia megas Everett McDonald's Cameron menion Christian mckillop Giani melli Kyla Megan Sid Miller CH meta Emerson Mitchell Christian meila Ruiz Francisco Morales Aaron molner Eric Morton Alex Miller Braden Murphy Colleen Milos Aiden Murray Bailey mongalo Curtis m Nadia Moreno Ryland nape Isaac Moss Nathan Neil William Murphy Gus neosis kin Meyers Luke Nicholson David nagorney Emma Nicholas Samantha Naylor Samuel Noak Andrew no Donal O'Driscoll Casey ing Jameson orway Ryder Nicholson Finn orand Alexa Noel arou P Phoenix nrom Ethan Park Alana oplan vau perin Quinn O'Reilly Ryan paskowitz Nate orada Oswaldo patino Christian Pena Nicola pavleski Caitlyn Parker Holden penpa Elena
035peva Ashley Guadalupe Perez Amelia pacero Kaylee petris Sarah Paul Sophia panunzi Adam Pearson Anne PLO Angelina Perez Stephanie poonis Avery Perkins Frank Porcelli Austin Phillip Ryan Powers Christian placc Tana purcel Jacob pic Jacob Ramy Emily Pollock Gavin Reena Addison Potter Jacob reamer Avery prern Jonathan Rios Nora Rees Arian Risman Danielle Rous Azrael Robinson NIS rukas Zoe Grace Rodriguez Tatum ringbloom David roas Cesar Rivero Figaroa Priscilla Rosales Dylan Robertson Parker rosek Maya Rodriguez Kaylee Russell Ethan Rogers Vanessa sgo oo Joshua ronio Carlos Sanchez Lauren Roda Katherine Sanchez Ryan R Jaylen Sanders Ethan Ruda Marco savic Benjamin Samuels asina Sonni Gale Sanchez Abigail scantlin Ariel Sanders Jody Schmidt Colin Santos imagin schmidtz John schaer hope cbec Michael schaer Zoe stav tan shu Caitlyn Sor Isabelle sholley Audrey slavkin Joseph seik Kylie Smith sulan Shake Jake SEI Samantha
036shaki Ian srth Leo shensi Ralston sporer Matthew serota Tyler staken Allison smatana Maya steel Jenna soberg an Stevens Shane smolik Margaret Stevenson Michael spek Griffin Sullivan Katherine stack meline serck Jack Stanton Emily Tadros Ali Steiner Mirna Tadros Samantha Stevens Brooke Thomas Michelle Stewart Owen thulan Thomas Sullivan samanth toite Alan Tate Elizabeth troll Carlos Tadros Maggie Urban laa Taylor Emily van hton Emma Thompson Alexander vea stepen to Aldo Velasquez Moreno Mia chabadel Lillian vodak Connor troa Isabella Walberg Liliana Utterback Aiden Warden summer vavra Jude Warwick Natalia Velasquez Jeremiah Washington Tamara vasovic Tyler Wayman Jack Roman Kate Wier Jake wander Tristan Wendell Olivia warmy Desiree Whitfield Dakota Washington Jackson whm James Watson Ryan Wilson Kaden Weber Mason was Nikki Ethan wein gust Hannah whisman Evan Winger Felix Yosi Michaela Whitaker Lucas zapasnik Amelia Wilhelm Emily Whitmer Hayden
037worth Grace Wright McKenzie young Olivia zambreno AI Zi [Applause] students class of 2024 will you please stand at this time please move your tassels to the left side of your cap to signify your graduation from high school [Applause] yay at this time I would like to dismiss the faculty members to form the staff receiving line during the recessional the combined bands will perform under the direction of senior John fatti John fatti is a four-year member of the dgn band program as a base trombonist in Jazz Ensemble Wind Ensemble the Trojan marching band and the Trojan pepep band he has served as the president of the dgn band board a marching band section leader and most notably a drum major for the past two years he received the 2024 fine arts department senior music award as
038well as the John Philip soua senior band award the highest honor bestowed upon a senior band student next year JN will attend Purdue University to study engineering but will continue to play Trombone and make music with his peers graduates during the recessional please wait for the section leaders to dismiss you by row to the Fieldhouse thank you to all of our guests for joining us tonight and for being such a Grace gracious and patient audience we ask that you remain in your seats until the conclusion of the recessional class of 2024 congratulations you are now proud alumni [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] la [Music] for [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]