Over 500 8th graders were celebrated during separate Promotion Ceremonies at Herrick Middle School and O’Neill Middle School. The ceremonies were held back-to-back on the evening of Tuesday, May 28 in front of family and friends at Downers Grove North High School.
Here are some highlights of the ceremonies:
HERRICK MIDDLE SCHOOL
- 320 students promoted
- Leader of the Pledge: Liam O'Donoghue
- American Legion Award winners: Ariana Haubold and Eric John Stacy
- Promotion Speakers: Liam O'Donoghue and Andre Cheng
Quotes:
“The celebrations and events that have taken place throughout this year and even before have helped to shape the young adults we have here today.”
– Herrick Assistant Principal Samantha Inglima
“We all grew as individuals, and are currently the best version of ourselves.”
– Andre Cheng, Student Council
“I don’t like picking favorites. And I can’t, because every single teacher I’ve had in DG 58 has had THE BIGGEST IMPACT in my DG 58 career.
– Liam O'Donoghue, Student Council
Click here for Herrick Photo Gallery
O'NEILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
- 223 students promoted
- American Legion Award winners: Kaleo Davis and Sylese Emde
- Pride of O’Neill Award: Lydia Larsen and Jakub Kranz
- Promotion Speakers: Lydia Larsen
- Student Poem: Saara Raheja, “New Beginnings”
- Pledge of Allegiance: Saara Raheja
Quotes:
“Flowers don’t think about competing against other flowers. They just bloom. So, just go out in the world and BLOOM! JUST BLOOM!”
– Lauryn Humphris, O’Neill Principal
“Moving on doesn’t mean leaving everything behind,
But cherishing all you have gathered and making space for more,
It promises growth, learning, and far more,
Guiding us into the world with open arms, only if you are willing to have an open heart.”
– Saara Raheja; poem “New Beginnings”
"High school's scary, exciting, but scary. So it’s my belief that what we must take away from our time in District 58 isn’t the purpose of the mitochondria, or how to use a semicolon, and not even the Pythagorean theorem, but instead, the relationships we´ve built and the lessons we've learned about how to carry on responsibly."
– Lydia Larsen, Student Council
Click here for O'Neill Photo Gallery