Round Lake High School Class of 2021
Graduates in the Class of 2021: 598
Highest honors graduates:
• Suma Cum Laude: Steven Alvarez, Perla Arias, Julia S. Barajas, Kimberly Botello, Alexi M. Cabral, Jocelyn Campos Diaz, Joseph V. Castaneda, Joshua V. Castaneda, Analy Cortez, Andrea Frescas, Diego E. Giron, Abigail Gordon, Jaimie H. Hay, Alexis T. Hill, Esmeralda Huerta, Jonathan E. Huerta, Alan Jimenez, Rodrigo I. Juarez, Emilio Martinez, Liliana Nevarez, Emily Padilla, Melisa L. Pedroza Moctezuma, Sean C. Rodgers, Lizbeth Sagrero, Sasha A. Salguero Gomez, Vanessa G. Soto, Nader K. Tareen, Emmanuel Tinajero, and Ariella J. Torres.
• Magna Cum Laude: Enrique Antonio, Mireya Astudillo, Adrian I. Baquera Aguilar, Lizeth Carrillo, Katherine Costilla, James T. Gacek, Guadalupe M. Gomez, Anahi Gonzalez, Kate Jimenez-Gonzalez, Ava E. Klein, Leslie J. Lopez, Omar Munoz, Yasmin A. Navarrete, Bryndalyn Neal, Andrew B. Patricio, Brenda Ramirez, Roman F. Ramirez, Mathew Rodriguez, Jacob M. Salinas, Amber R. Smith, Gabriel Stefanski, Rachel Urban, Jordon M. Vasquez, Ana C. Velasquez Contreras, and Abigail E. West.
• Cum Laude: Ian C. Allanach, Ariadna Antunez, Amerika L. Balderas, Juana M. Barajas, Laura Yanet Barraza Bustos, Alyssa P. Bator, Alicia N. Bromley, Jose A. Cortes, Victoria R. Eckstein, Jairo Escamilla, Angel D. Garcia, Arly Garcia, Alex D. Hair, Luz E. Lopez, Natalie H. Lynn, Karla I. Marin, Robert J. Martin, Angel Mejia, Sabrina A. Mockus, Daniela J. Paez, Karla F. Perez, Janae A. Perry, Alondra Russildi-Figueroa, Pedro V, Salgado, Aylin A. Sanroman, Bianca Tovar, Maricruz Trujillo, and Leydi L. Vaquera Rodriguez.
Graduation Speakers: Brenda Ramirez and Jocelyn Campos.
Senior Executive Board Members: Gisell Gomez and Rodrigo Juarez
Academic achievements:
• Illinois State Scholar Recipients: Steven Alvarez, Perla Arias, Kimberly Botello, Alexi Cabral, Joseph Castaneda, Abigail Gordon, Alexis Hill, Esmeralda Huerta, Alan Jimenez, Ava Klein, Robert Martin, Emilio Martinez, Sean Rodgers, Sasha Salguero Gomez, Emmanuel Tinajero, and Ariella Torres.
• Illinois Principals Association Student of the Year: Alondra Russildi Figueroa and Brenda Ramirez.
• Round Lake Area Exchange Club Youth of the Month: Alondra Russildi Figueroa, Robert Martin, Esmeralda Huerta, Liliana Nevarez, Brenda Ramirez, and Abigail Gordon.
• Exchange Club Accepting the Challenge of Excellence Award: Melissa Pedroza Moctezuma.
• Peter Marsh Foundation Silent Servant Award for Outstanding Community Service: Ava Klein, Sean Rodgers, and Melisa Pedroza Moctezuma.
Extracurricular achievements:
• Speech team competed in a full season this year, walking away with several medals and a sectional finalist. These students each had a story to tell this year and their voices were proud, funny, and strong.
Athletic achievements:
• Hakim Williams, NLCC Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
• Boys Basketball, NLCC Conference Champions.
• Boys Soccer, NLCC Conference Co-Champions.
• Boys Cross Country, NLCC Conference Champions.
Theater productions:
RLHS Theatre's production of "She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms" was streamed to an audience on March 12 and 13.
What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?
Clubs continued to meet virtually, most sporting events began without spectators and were streamed to an audience at home. Spectator protocols have been established and we see more spectators in the stands during the spring season. Senior Prom was adapted to a "Senior Celebration" called "A Night Under the Stars" and will be held at the RLHS Stadium in an open-air environment on May 15.
What were the most significant challenges faced by the Class of 2021 and how did they overcome them?
The students at RLHS came back to campus in a hybrid model in late March. The most significant challenge for the students has been to learn remotely for much of the year and not benefit from the daily interactions with their teachers and classmates. Getting help and asking questions were made more difficult through email and Zoom sessions. Many students indicated that they missed school and never appreciated just how important going to school every day was until they couldn't do it.
Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:
The Class of 2021 will be missed. It is hard to believe that their time with us must end. They persevered through these difficult times with smiles on their faces and great attitudes despite not having the senior year that they had anticipated having. The stories that they have shared are ones that stress the importance of friends and family and looking at life a little bit differently as a result of having lived through the pandemic during a pivotal year in their lives. We admire their strength and fortitude and know that they are ready for any challenges that life might bring. Congratulations to the RLHS Class of 2021.
- Principal Michael Berrie