Grayslake Central Graduates Feel The Heat

With temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s parents, families, staff and students struggled to stay cool in the packed field house of Grayslake Central. The band led by Dominic Bertino played the traditional Pomp and Circumstance by Elgar as the students filed into the room in their graduation gowns.

The band played the Star Spangled Banner which was also sung by the choir, under the direction of Jennifer White.

Outgoing principal Syd Klocke composed herself as she congratulated her final graduating class at Grayslake Central. Her speech was candid and touching revealing her personal and individual approach to working with the student body.

The Senior Choir fittingly, The Time Of My Life.

Krishanu Chatterjee was the Valedictorian and his speech was a mixture of personal anecdotes and memories, as well as poignant reminders of what the past four years have meant to his fellow seniors.

Emily Cullum was the Salutatorian of the class. Her intense speech focused on the opportunities of the graduating class to solve the world’s leading problems with their talents and skills to be honed in future endeavors.

Ben Ault, Math Department chairman, was selected by the senior class to give the faculty speech. Using a combination of trademark humor and serious insight, he beseeched students to think about - Where are you now? And where are you going?

Students received their diplomas amidst flashing cameras and numerous proud parents and family members looking on.

The ceremony concluded with Superintendent Catherine Finger certifying the graduation of the class members, the switching of the tassels and a raucous round of applause.

With the triumphant strains of the Washington Post March, the class of 2012 stepped out into the warm, bright sunlight and the promise of challenging future on the horizon. More tears and cheers and laughter and hugs followed outside the field house.

Like their cross-town community classmates at Grayslake North, they were a part of unprecedented success during their four years of high school. 

Best wishes from Patch to all graduating seniors in the Class of 2012.