More than a thousand seniors made up the Adlai Stevenson High School Class of 2022 this year, and a commencement program was held that more resembled pre-pandemic ceremonies.
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“We are so proud of this year’s graduating class of Patriots,” said Principal Troy Gobble. “Despite the challenges we have all experienced over the last couple of years, these students have shown a true commitment to themselves, their learning and, perhaps most importantly, a commitment to others.”
Commencement was held May 27 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates for the 1,097 graduating seniors.
Gobble praised the graduating class for its fundraising and community outreach efforts, which he said helped to improve the lives of people in the broader school community. He also commended the seniors for reaching out to help fellow students.
“If the story of their senior year is any indication, we are confident that these students will continue to inspire goodness and growth within themselves and others around them,” the principal said.
Pat Riot, the school mascot for the Patriots, posed for cell phone selfies with graduates, even playing a brief game of pat-a-cake with senior Stella Tapia Lopez, 18, of Lincolnshire.
“I’ll miss Pat. I’ll miss him next year a lot,” said Tapia Lopez, who plans to pursue a pre-med studies in college.
Pat Riot also accompanied Stevenson School District 125 Superintendent Eric Twadell in the procession into the arena for the commencement program. Moments before starting the ceremonial walk, Twadell called the Class of 2022 “amazing.”
“They went through a lot. They pulled through it. They did a great job,” the superintendent said.
As the COVID-19 pandemic – which began in the graduates’ sophomore year of high school – continues, the school was able to have an in-person ceremony but still with some reminders of the public health challenge. Many people, including graduates, wore protective face masks at the indoor graduation.
All guests entering the arena’s main entrance had to pass through security staff, where metal detector wands were used to screen people.
Brandy Kennedy, of Salem, Wisconsin, attended the graduation in support of her sister Lauren Lurie, 18. Kennedy passed through the security checkpoint holding a bouquet of flowers.
“I love her, and I’m so proud of her, and she’s going to do some wonderful things,” Kennedy said about “my baby sister. She deserves everything, she’s worked so hard … and she’s got the biggest heart.”
Performing with the senior choral group was Megan Eisenstein, 18, of Buffalo Grove.
The Class of 2022 graduate said she is considering a career as a history or English teacher.
“I’m looking into a bunch of different things right now, but I love history,” Eisenstein said. “I also love teaching and education. … Stevenson just gives so many resources to students and just always working to improve on supporting its students and I think that’s really awesome.”
Graduate Ekaterina Kurkalova, 17, of Lake Zurich, said she has plans to attend college somewhere in the Midwest to study data science.
“I think I want to apply data science to social work,” Kurkalova said, adding this career path is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field due to its application of data science.
She is also considering a STEAM career, adding the “arts” component to STEM, she said.
“I think it’s important to have representation just because women can bring different skills and demeanors into a workplace that change the whole culture,” she said about women in STEAM careers.
Nevertheless, Kurkalova said she was excited to be graduating from high school.
“I’m going to miss some things, but I’m ready for change,” she said.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.
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