Emotional speeches mark District 155 commencements
Cary-Grove High School valedictorian Pawel Latawiec dispensed familiar advice Saturday to his peers - with a twist tailored for the recession generation.
"Never talk to strangers ... unless, of course, they're offering you a job," said Latawiec during his address before about 470 graduating seniors.
The Cary-Grove Class of 2009 graduated Saturday morning in the school's lower gym. The ceremony was moved to the gym from Al Bohrer Field because there was a chance of rain.
The emotional highlight of the ceremony came during Principal Jay Sargeant's speech to the graduating class. Sargeant choked up as he recounted anecdotes demonstrating the selflessness of the Class of 2009.
Sargeant recalled how when a student forgot the words to the national anthem before a volleyball game this year, seniors in the student section chimed in to help her finish the song.
The principal also recounted how a mother was consoling her senior daughter after a tough varsity basketball loss. The girl turned to her mother and said, "Mom, it's got nothing to do with (losing). I had a simple job to do tonight, and I didn't get it done," Sargeant recalled.
Later in the day, about 480 Crystal Lake South High School seniors graduated in "Gator Alley" - the school's gymnasium.
Valedictorian Elizabeth Olson spoke to the school's 30th graduating class about people who stumbled before achieving great success. The stirring climax of her speech came when Olson recounted how doctors said her physically disabled sister would never walk.
When her sister turned 7, she defied the doctors and took her first steps across the Olson family lawn.
Olson challenged her classmates to show the same perseverance.
-Staff Photographer Patrick Kunzer contributed to this report.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Photo Galleries</h2> <ul class="gallery"> <li><a href="/story/?id=297407"> Crystal Lake South High School <span class="date">[05/30/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=297406"> Cary Grove High School <span class="date">[05/30/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>