As they waited for the moment that would mark the end of their high school years, graduating Glenbrook North High School seniors gathered in clumps to share some last laughs.
It was Sunday evening, May 24, and though the school is in Northbrook, their commencement at Evanston’s Welsh-Ryan Arena would begin in less than an hour.
One of the seniors, AJ Metallo, had little doubt who he’d spend those anxious minutes with. The circle of friends he’d cultivated at Glenbrook North, of course, including one he vowed never to forget.
As a freshman, Metallo joined cross country, through which he met Cole Nierman.
“At first, I was like, ‘Who is this AJ guy? I don’t even know who this is,’” Nierman said. “But he ended up being one of my best friends throughout high school.”
They chatted with a few more of their friends, some of whom have known each other for nearly their whole lives, Eli Mittelman said.
He already knows he’ll miss seeing friends at lunchtime and in the halls. So Mittelman looks forward to the last summer before college, the one time the drudgery of high school won’t loom.
Another friend, Harrison Serlin, feels the same about that stress evaporating now that he knows he’s going to Indiana University. “Bricks off my back,” he said.
Mittelman knows he can still catch up with his friends, but he’ll miss his broadcasting teacher at Glenbrook North.
“He’s been a mentor for me, someone I’ve looked up to a lot,” he said. “And I can’t thank him enough for the broadcasting program and what I’ve learned.”
As the time to walk over from the gym-turned-waiting-room to Welsh-Ryan Arena inched ever closer, another group of friends had a similar take.
Dylan Hirsch said he’ll miss his junior year English and U.S. history teachers the most.
“I feel like — teachers, it’s kind of harder to keep in touch with, even though they play such a big role in your life; you see them like every other day,” Hirsch said. “And then all the sudden it’s hard to see them, as they’re in school and then you go off to college.”
Standing near him, Madeline Lecavalier said she’ll miss her peer group, a small group of seniors who mentors freshmen.
And Tomas Raptis will miss playing soccer and learning from the teachers who teach “more than just school.” But he might not miss the frigid winters, since he’s headed to the University of Arizona.
“Tommy’s my day one,” said Chloe Novakovsky, who became friends with Raptis in kindergarten.
Earlier, Novakovsky said she felt nervous to walk up to the stage. “But I’m really excited to get my diploma,” she added.
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Soon that moment arrived.
After the graduating seniors walked into Welsh-Ryan Arena, a tad fewer in number than the Glenbrook South grads who got their diplomas the previous day, the senior choir sang the national anthem. A few speeches followed.
While trying to find inspiration for her speech from her vinyl collection, Ava Lehtman said, she happened on “Heroes” by David Bowie.
“Class of 2026, you don’t have to play on a field or be on stage or be in the spotlight to make yourself a hero,” she said. “You already are, every time you make the choice to try, to care and to keep pushing forward.”
Three students presented the class gift — a set of banners behind them on the stage — and after short remarks by Principal Mandy Hughes and District 225 Superintendent R.J. Gravel, the seniors were able to walk up to get their diplomas.
And, soon enough, following a performance of Glenbrook North’s “Alma Mater,” the school’s newest graduates threw their green caps into the air.
Five hundred thirty-four students graduated.