Crystal Lake South High School Class of 2021

Graduates in the Class of 2021: 366

Graduation Speakers: Karina Bueno and Sam Reall

Class Officers: Aidan Kitchen and Alexander Kitchen

National Merit Scholarship Finalist: Alexander Kitchen

National Merit Scholarship Commended: Abhinav Arulanandan, Anna Austin, Seth Brazao, Georgina Bridgman, Chelsea Greene, Emma Hartman, Gage Hofmann, Aidan Kitchen, William Salvia.

Horatio Alger Scholarship: Sophia Manera

AVID Graduates: Karina Bueno, Jonathan Escamilla, Kayla Franch, William Garcia Hernandez, Jocelyn Lopez, Jiovani Lopez Luna, Jonathan Mercado, Andrew Ochoa, Jessica Rosales Reyna, Cassidy Stone and Ashley Villarreal Rodriguez.

Extracurricular achievements:

• ACES (Academic Challenge Team) - 12th in state

• Choir All-State: Emma Hartman

• Future Music Educator All-State: Emma Hutson

Athletic achievements:

• Cross Country Sectional Champions

• Golf FVC Conference Champion, Regional Champion, State Team Qualifier

• Boys Lacrosse - First Win in School History

Theater productions:

• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Abridged (Fall Play)

• A Virtual Whodunnit by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus (Winter Play)

• Schoolhouse Rock Live (Spring Musical)

What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?

It almost feels like every single thing that we did this year was adapted as a result of the pandemic. The school day and the weekly schedule both changed multiple times throughout the year. The way instruction was delivered was modified time and time again by our incredible teaching staff. Athletics and activities were created with new protocols and regulations. Our prom changed to a Senior Celebration, our graduation turned from one ceremony to two. Homecoming moved from a fall event to a spring event and our celebration of students moved from the principal's office to the front porch of a student's home. Not only were we as a school forced to rethink how we functioned but so was student leadership as they created activities around the building. Our spirit days that used to be celebrated in our PIT, were now celebrated virtually. Our service projects went from activities being done together in-person to gatherings that were done virtually to raise money for charities.

What were the most significant challenges faced by the Class of 2021?

The longevity of the pandemic caused our students in the Class of 2021 to miss what it felt like to be upperclassmen in a high school. As a result, they missed out on a lot of the social experiences that many remember for years/decades after they graduate high school.

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:

The Crystal Lake South Class of 2021 has demonstrated perseverance like no other class before them has ever had to display. After 15 months of COVID regulations, multiple changes in the school schedule, several changes in how instruction was delivered, and an overhaul of athletics and extracurricular activities, this group of 360+ individuals will successfully walk across our graduation stage.

During their senior year, the Class of 2021 has helped redefine education and reinvent what the new normal will be. We know that this class missed out on a lot of what had previously been, but they have also been instrumental in creating what will be in the years to come. I look forward to seeing all that these individuals accomplish in the years ahead and welcome them home to the SWAMP any time they want to visit! Congratulations Class of 2021! Go Gators!

- Principal Joshua Nobilio