Friends Nicole Ricken, left, Jessica Holzhauer and Carly DeFilippo hug before the Fremd High School graduation ceremony on Sunday at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. There were 671 graduating seniors at this year's commencement exercises.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
It was a day for old friends and new beginnings. Past accomplishments honored and future challenges embraced. One stage of life fondly bid farewell, the next embarked upon with enthusiasm and determination.
Thousands of young men and women celebrated the end of their high school careers Sunday alongside family, teachers and classmates, as graduation season came to a close with commencement exercises honoring graduates from 10 Northwest suburban high schools. The ceremonies included somber reflections on the trials and tribulations of the graduates' previous four years and barely restrained exuberance for all that the Class of 2016 achieved and the bright future that lie ahead for them.
To see photo galleries of today's graduations, as well as those from previous commencement ceremonies this year, visit the Daily Herald's Prep Graduations page at www.dailyherald.com/topics/Prep-Graduations/.
Images: Conant High School graduation
Images: Palatine High School graduation
Images: Wheeling High School graduation
Images: Wheaton Academy graduation
Images: Rolling Meadows High School graduation
Images: Schaumburg High School graduation
Images: Hersey High School graduation
Images: Elk Grove High School graduation
Images: Fremd High School graduation
Images: Prospect High School graduation
Images: Buffalo Grove High School graduation
Student Council President Erin Fitzgerald sings while giving her speech Sunday during the Hersey High School graduation ceremony at the Arlington Heights school. There were 460 graduating seniors taking part in this year's commencement exercises.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Faculty speaker Dan Caporusso addresses graduating seniors Sunday during the Hersey High School graduation ceremony at the Arlington Heights school. There were 460 graduating seniors in this year's commencement exercises.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Senior Jamie Brooks waves to a friend during the Hersey High School graduation ceremony on Sunday at the Arlington Heights school. There were 460 graduating seniors at this year.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Isabel Moroney waves to family Sunday during the Fremd High School graduation ceremony at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. There were 671 graduating seniors at this year's commencement.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Claire Wiltgen gives a peace sign to her family during the Fremd High School graduation ceremony on Sunday at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. There were 671 graduating seniors taking part in this year's commencement exercises.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Brianna Kamp, 18, of Arlington Heights launches her cap skyward Sunday after it was announced that she and her classmates had graduated at the Prospect High School's 56th annual commencement.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Lindsey LeComte, 18, of Arlington Heights, Harley Lutsch, 18, of Mount Prospect, Jiren McCann, 17, of Arlington Heights, with Alexandra Mossatti, 18, of Arlington Heights and Ellen Parzko, 18, of Mount Prospect, celebrate during the Prospect High School graduation Sunday.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Malik Smellie, 17, of Mount Prospect graduates with a big smile Sunday during Prospect High School 56th annual commencement ceremony.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Crystal Silva holds on to her hat outside in the wind Sunday before the Rolling Meadows High School graduation at the school.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
From left, Nick Subotin, Hannah Shultz, Meghan Slowik and Aleks Subotin, wait for commencement ceremonies to begin Sunday at Rolling Meadows High School.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
English teacher Mary Luckritz takes a group photo prior to commencement exercises Sunday at Rolling Meadows High School.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Graduate Spencer Bierman spots some friends in the crowd Sunday during commencement exercises at Buffalo Grove High School.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Chris Cunningham take a moment to relax with his fellow graduates Sunday before the start of the commencement ceremony at Buffalo Grove High School.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Rhyan Shanker waits patiently for commencement exercises to begin Sunday at Buffalo Grove High School.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com