Highland Park High School Class of 2022
Graduates in Class of 2022: 451
Graduation ceremony: Thursday, May 26, at Ravinia
Class speaker: Emmet Mandell
Class Marshals: Leonor Carrillo and Alexa Weil
Academic achievements:
• National Merit Finalists - Benjamin R. Aizenberg, Alexander M. Brown, Isabel A. Dominguez, Joshue Peter Gerber, Jordyn T. Jaffe, Sally A. Menaker, Ari J. Nathanson, Leah S. Perlman, Ethan J. Segall, Cooper A. Wallman
• U.S. Presidential Scholar Semifinalist - Ari Nathanson
Extracurricular achievements:
• ILMEA All-State Honors Musicians - Erica Joren, Soprano 1, All-State Chorus; Miriam Friedman, Violin, Honors Orchestra.
• National Speech & Debate Association Academic All American Award - Josh Gerber and Daniel Leshem
• Illinois Congressional Debate Association All-State Debater - Daniel Leshem
• 2022 Award for Aspirations in Computing - Olivia Alvarez, Affiliate Winner; Eliana Daugherty, Affiliate Winner; Sarah Goldstein, Affiliate Winner; Aria Peszek, Affiliate Honorable Mention; Yael Smith, Affiliate Rising Star; Xinyue Zhang, Affiliate Winner.
Athletic achievements:
• Boys Swimming & Diving, Ethan Noffsinger - 9th in State, 200-yard free relay (state medalist)
• Girls Swimming and Diving: Alexandra Goldin - 200 Free Relay (state qualifier)
• Girls Swimming & Diving: Miranda Ludington (state medalist), 2nd in State - 200-yard freestyle, 4th in State - 100-yard freestyle, 4th in State - 50-yard freestyle
• Girls Tennis State Qualifier, Senior Rae Cohen (with junior partner Molly Murphy) and Senior Sookie Drabla (with junior partner Cece Batt)
• Girls Fencing Tri-State Conference Champion in Saber: Victoria Sobot
Theater productions:
• STUNTS - Student written, directed and acted production
• Fall Play - "Rumors"
• Musical - "Chicago"
• Spring Play- "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"
What was new in 2021-22:
• The new student cafeteria was completed in the summer of 2020, we fully opened our food service to our entire student body as they returned fully in-person this past fall.
• Our new Homeroom Program began in fall 2021
What challenges did the Class of 2022 face as they returned to in-person school full time, and how did they overcome them:
With the pandemic continuing, students and staff had to navigate learning with constantly changing mitigations such as mask mandates, social distancing, weekly COVID testing, plexiglass etc. in place. Our student body, led by our senior class, made our return to in person learning successful due to their adherence to these mitigation measures and their positive attitude.
Principal's reflections on the Class of 2022: The Class of 2022 had to endure challenges during their four years at Highland Park High School unknown to any other graduating class. The pandemic threw us all for a loop, and we all had to patiently await direction and determine how to continue to experience school in a remote world. The HPHS senior class resiliently made their high school experience uniquely special by continuing to engage in the activities they loved while wearing a mask, and dedicating themselves to their academic pursuits. This class of seniors will always be remembered as true GIANTS in the way they persevered. In spite of significant challenges, this class made their years at HPHS memorable.
- Principal Deborah Finn