2,500 U-46 seniors graduate at Sears Centre

Amid the hundreds of talented students in Elgin High School's Class of 2011, one cheerful girl stood out.

Natalie Chastain, an Elgin girl who needs a specialized wheelchair to get around and communicate, became an inspiration for many teachers and students at the school.

Despite losing her mother and briefly losing her wheelchair after it was stolen in the fall, Natalie persevered in her quest to graduate and attend college to study architecture.

Even while the Elgin community organized fundraisers to help Natalie fulfill her dream, she continued to work hard, winning a computer-aided design contest along with partner Mike Zimmer.

Meanwhile, teachers at Elgin High continued fundraising efforts, raising enough money to buy Natalie a specialized van that will enable her to travel with her power wheelchair, which she needs to communicate. They put the rest of the money in a trust that will help cover Natalie's college expenses.

“Natalie's story was so touching based on who she is and the fact that her mother has passed away,” said Kevin Gallery, Natalie's English teacher and one of the main organizers of fundraising efforts. “It touched people so that they wanted to reach out and help. I think people felt they were really making a difference.”

Natalie plans to attend Elgin Community College before transferring to Southern Illinois University or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Natalie thanked the people who have supported her in a letter to the Daily Herald:

“I want to thank everybody from my heart who supported me through everything that has happened this year,” she wrote. “You have made it possible for me to go after my dreams of being an architect.”

Elgin High School's commencement Saturday, its 139th, fell in the middle of the day, the third of five graduations in Elgin Area School District U-46. In all, about 2,500 students graduated from the district's five high schools in ceremonies held at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.

Larkin

As the Larkin High School Band played, 395 seniors walked into the Sears Centre for the high school's 48th commencement.

The valedictorian was Lucy Miller, the class orator was Kenny Wade and the salutatorian was Alex Gaston.

Before the ceremony, Alex talked about how her class has taken leadership in promoting school spirit and community service.

“Freshman year, we were the loud, annoying class,” Alex said. “Our class has really transformed into a class that is really community-oriented … a class of overachievers.”

Alex plans to attend St. Louis University to study biology, with plans of eventually becoming an optometrist. She said Larkin has prepared her to meet those challenges.

“Larkin has helped me to think critically,” Alex said. “My teachers have really encouraged me to think beyond the basics and get a deeper understanding. It's not just something that's temporary, it's something that's long-lasting.”

South Elgin

South Elgin High School seniors are graduating just as an ambitious fundraising drive at the school is about to bear fruit.

South Elgin parents are raising money to build a stadium at the high school, which currently plays home games at Streamwood's Millennium Field.

With games planned at the school for the fall 2011 season, the Class of 2011 is the last South Elgin class that had to travel to other schools for many of its home football and soccer contests.

About 580 students graduated Saturday during South Elgin's fourth commencement.

Streamwood

About 500 seniors graduated from Streamwood High School this year, the school's 31st commencement.

Streamwood's valedictorian was Emily Peterson, who plans to attend Elmhurst College.

Streamwood, home of the district's World Languages Academy, was affected by this year's devastating tsunami in Japan. Students decided to postpone their annual trip to Japan but launched a fundraising effort to support relief efforts in Japan.

Bartlett

Bartlett High School seniors are not the only ones who are moving on this year; Principal Kevin Skinkis is departing to become superintendent in another suburban school district.

Assistant Principal Suzanne Colombe, who Skinkis hired four years ago as head of the English Department, will replace him.

“I am extremely proud of the graduates for all that they have accomplished over the last four years at BHS,” Skinkis said before the ceremony. “It has truly been my pleasure to serve as their principal. I wish nothing but the very best for every one of them.”

Bartlett graduated 600 students Saturday. For the first time in the school's history, there were two valedictorians — Kevin Kibler and Blake Wetherton — who both had a 4.84 grade-point average.