Bartlett High School Class of 2021

Graduates in the Class of 2021: 537

Valedictorian: Paras Shah

Salutatorian: Riva Lakkadhi

Graduation Speaker: Caitlin Schoewe

Class Officers: Caitlin Schoewe, president; Victoria Wojcik, class president; Sean Martin, secretary; Grace Sheehan, historian; Mark Utyuzh, treasurer

Extracurricular achievements:

• IHSA Group Interpretation production of "The Witches" placed 2nd in the Upstate Eight Conference Tournament, 3rd in the IHSA Sectional Tournament, and advanced to the IHSA State Finals Tournament placing 13th overall in the state.

• Hawkappella, the a cappella choir, placed 3rd in the ICHSA Great Lakes Quarterfinal

• IHSA Speech and Drama Team ranked Top 50 out of 190 teams throughout the state

• Gauri Yadav, ILMEA All-State Honors Choir; IHSA State Qualifier for Original Oratory; Upstate Eight Conference Champion in Original Oratory

• Ziona Tharakan, ILMEA All-State Choir

• Aria King, All-State Future Music Educators Seminar

• Katie Sanders, District IX Honors Band; Upstate Eight Conference Champion in Prose Reading; Upstate Eight Conference Tournament's All-Conference Cast Award for Group Interpretation; IHSA State Tournament's All-State Cast Award for Group Interpretation

• Joyce Yang, IHSA State Qualifier for Impromptu and Declamation

• Victoria Zeisig, Upstate Eight Conference Champion in Original Comedy

• Nick Raymundo, Upstate Eight Conference Tournament's All-Conference Cast Award for Group Interpretation; IHSA Sectional Tournament's All-Sectional Cast Award for Group Interpretation; IHSA State Tournament's All-State Cast Award for Group Interpretation

• Katelyn Gac, Upstate Eight Conference Tournament's All-Conference Cast Award for Group Interpretation

• Gina Mortensen, Upstate Eight Conference Tournament's All-Conference Cast Award for Group Interpretation

• Abigail Henriksen, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America award winner

• Health Occupations Students of America award winners: Jordyn Fabiam, Devanshi Patel, Ayushi Shah, Paras Shah, Riva Lakkadi, Tamara Aldabbagh

Athletic achievements:

• Gabi Stephen, full scholarship to Michigan State University for gymnastics

• Alexis Sinclair, all-state girls basketball, scholarship to St. Bonaventure University

Theater productions:

• "Almost, Maine" by John Cariani

• "A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play" by Charles Dickens and Philip Grecian

• "The Witches" by Roald Dahl

• Spring Musical Cabaret

What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?

Sports, clubs, activities, and prom were all planned and carried out using safety procedures.

What were the most significant challenges faced by the Class of 2021 and how did they overcome them?

Having their world turned upside down in March of 2020 and finally seeing the dawn of a very long night ushering in a new world. A new world they will be tasked with creating, maintaining, and protecting for future generations.

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:

This was an incredibly special group of students that accomplished so much during their four years. Every class will have success and challenges but this groups' grit and determination make them ready to lead with honor.

- Principal Mike Demovsky