Batavia High School Class of 2021

Graduates in the Class of 2021: 440

Senior/Graduation Speakers:

• Military Address/Pledge - Lauren Hunecke

• Opening - Emma Myers

• Academic Address - Caroline Thomas

• Closing - Lydia Szydlowski

Class Officers:

• Class President: Amy Bleakley

• Class Vice President: Emma Simpson

• Class Secretary: Zoe McKeehan

• Exec Board Vice President: Sarah Stasell

• Exec Board Communications Chair: Sarah Dremel & Lauren Hunecke

Academic achievements:

• Preston Williams is the Outstanding Art Student of the Year. She is a 3D artist focusing on highly detailed wearable and beaded sculpture. In March, Preston won the Chicago Suburban Region American Vision Award as well as a National Gold Medal, both from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, in addition to earning multiple regional gold keys. At the Dukane Conference Art Show, Preston placed best in show for sculpture in both 2019 and 2020. Preston also earned the Best in Show Blick Award from the Illinois High School Art Exhibition in 2020, and has held leadership roles as a part of National Art Honor Society and BHS Rock the Runway. In the fall, Preston will pursue a BFA at the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art and Design.

Extracurricular achievements:

• Jack Thompson performed for U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood's Virtual Congressional Swearing-In Ceremony in January. Jack performed a patriotic musical selection alongside other students that performed speeches and spoken words. Jack will attend the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University this fall as an Oboe Performance and Biology major.

• Grant Hibbeler is the Outstanding Senior in Music for the 2020-2021 school year. Grant has performed in Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Marching Band including section leader, Pit Orchestra, Musical, Chamber Singers, Madrigals, Chromatics, Philharmonic Orchestra, Jazz Combo, Jazz Band, Showchoir Combo, was an ILMEA District Performer, and Tri-M Member. Grant is the winner of the Leonard Bernstein Musicianship award and the Gertrude Petit Scholarship from the Music Buffs. Grant will attend Western Illinois University as a Music Education major in the fall.

• Maddie Gawlik has dedicated four years at BHS to the Pride Alliance club, helping create community for LGBTQ+ students and allies. Her work on the leadership committee and commitment to the club has been instrumental in building the visibility and importance of LGBTQ+ students and grown the club into a space of celebration, community engagement, and resource for the entire school community.

Athletic achievements:

• All teams worked very hard to comply with changing protocols and the unknowns. We are proud to give all seniors an opportunity to compete in this COVID year. Even though some sports didn't have a culminating event, the seniors competed well and showed their bulldog pride.

Theater productions:

• Fall Play - "Project Ensemble: Hope"

• Winter Play - "The Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon"

• Musical - "Theory of Relativity"

What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?

Our prom will be an outdoor, less formal event with games, photo opportunities, and food. Graduation will be outdoors at Northern Illinois University. We also added new traditions such as our Sunset Event and Movie Night.

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

The Class of 2021 has had everything thrown at them over the last year. They were flexible and were able to adjust to all of the changes and even some disappointments with grace. The senior class had to constantly deal with the unknown. Unfortunate, but I think they can really use lessons learned to help them move forward in life. Flexibility, disappointment, not getting what they want, and having to still move forward are lessons that will serve them forever.

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:

The Class of 2021 has dealt with a number of challenges that have made them stronger. They were amazingly resilient and flexible through everything. This class will be remembered for their challenges, but hopefully most of all for their strength and kindness. Not only has this wonderful group of students dealt with the challenges of the pandemic, but also the loss of four of their classmates in their time in BPS. When asked what was most important to them for graduation, many responded that being together as one class was their top choice. I think this speaks volumes about this group of future leaders.

- Principal JoAnne Smith