Elgin Academy commencement part of rich tradition
At a ceremony steeped in more than a century of tradition, 22 students graduated from the Elgin Academy Saturday.
The 170-year-old school's faculty led the procession of students onto the campus quad, where an Elgin Symphony Orchestra string quartet accompanied the school's orchestra in a rendition of "Pomp and Circumstance."
Harold Rider, a member of the school's board of trustees, delivered the commencement address.
"We really have a very traditional type of ceremony that you'd see at a small college," Upper School Director Seth Hanford said.
The class valedictorian was Catherine Simmons of Inverness.
Receiving the school's two coveted senior awards were Kristin Cella and Christopher Theodoru, both of West Dundee.
The Mother-Daughter award, and Ora Pelton Award, respectively, are "are given to a girl and boy that best typify the ideals and character of the school," Hanford said.
Students, all college bound, have chosen to attend Dickinson College, Franklin and Marshall College, the University of Illinois and Lawrence University, among other institutions, in the fall.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/galleries/grads/?id=297381">Gallery: Elgin Academy High School <span class="date">[05/30/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>