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Hoffman Estates High School Class of 2021

Graduates in the Class of 2021: 496

Graduation Speaker: Dhruv Patel

Class Officers: Avery Panek, President; Jaelen Barrett, Vice President; Christina Salerno, Secretary; Treasa Rustay, Treasurer.

Academic achievements:

• 55 Illinois State Scholars

• 40 Academic Scholars

• 30 AP Scholars

• 15 AP Scholars with Honor

• 34 AP Scholars with Distinction

• One National AP Scholar

• Four AP Capstone Diploma recipients

• Six National Merit Commended Students.

Extracurricular achievements:

• Logan Searle, Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) - All-State Orchestra

• Nicolas Hok, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) - 1st place dental terminology at the Illinois State Conference and Competition

• Caden Nakai, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Illinois State Conference and Competition - 1st place parliamentary procedures

• Rahil Patel, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Illinois State Conference and Competition - 1st place parliamentary procedures

• Pooja Khatrri, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Illinois State Conference and Competition - 2nd place Advanced Accounting

• Kyorin Koo, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Illinois State Conference and Competition - 1st place Parliamentary Procedures

• Shravi Kothari, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Illinois State Conference and Competition - 1st place Parliamentary Procedures

• Hamnah Razzak, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Illinois State Conference and Competition - 1st place Parliamentary Procedures

• Khatija Syeda, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Illinois State Conference and Competition - 1st place Parliamentary Procedures

• Rishabh Patel, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Illinois State Conference and Competition - 2nd place Prepared Speech

Athletic achievements:

• Rama Hammad, Badminton - IHSA sectional champion, IHSA state qualifier (Singles)

• Karen Koo and Shravi Kothari, Badminton - IHSA sectional champions, IHSA state Qualifiers (Doubles)

• Upanshu Parekh - 4.0 GPA first semester - Boys Swimming & Diving

• Khatija Syeda - 4.0 GPA first semester - Girls Badminton

• Kyorin Koo - 4.0 GPA first semester - Girls Badminton

• Shravi Kothari - 4.0 GPA first semester - Girls Badminton

Theater productions:

• Old Time Radio Hour

• Pirates of Penzance

• Clue

What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?

Rather than adapt traditional events like Homecoming and Winter Formal, we looked at new creative ways to safely bring seniors together. We held events on the 21st of each month called "Celebrating the Class of 2021 on the 21sts." The timeline of events is below:

• January 21: Senior Handprints in the auditorium leaving their "mark" on HEHS by coming in, socially distanced, to leave a handprint

• February 21: Senior Ice Skate at Triphahn Center in Hoffman Estates

• March 21: Senior Movie Night at HEHS

• April 21: Senior Fireworks Night at Wintrust Field

• May 21: Senior Prom at Westin in Itasca

For every month on the 21st, our local pizza establishment, Garibaldi's, offered all seniors 21% off their order on that day. We also had the names of all graduates scrolling on our marquee for a picture opportunity under the sign with the students' names under the heading "Class of 2021."

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

The Class of 2021 faced many challenges including and most significantly the disruption of their "typical" school routines. Along the way, they faced uncertainties and missed opportunities both academically and extracurricularly. The Class of 2021 stayed positive and engaged through it all. The Class of 2021 took advantage of "different or new" opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and talents with a real "can do" attitude which will serve them well in the future.

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:

The Class of 2021 was presented with unique challenges within their final year and a half of high school. While these challenges were shared by all students, the Class of 2021 met these challenges head on with a positive attitude. The Class of 2021 navigated through many obstacles, both school and personal, to arrive at their ultimate destination. The Class of 2021 will be remembered as the group of students who persevered, demonstrated resilience and grace in reaching the milestone of high school graduation.

- Principal Michael Alther

Academic scholars representative Dhruv Mahesh Patel delivers a speech to classmates during the 2021 Hoffman Estates High School commencement ceremony. Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Members of the Hoffman Estates High School Class of 2021 chat before the start of their graduation ceremony at the Now Arena in Hoffman Estates. Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Hoffman Estates senior speech team members Sarah Hazenfield and Abby Frank hold the IHSA regional title plaque.
  Hoffman Estates' senior Nora Rakoci (11) reaches for her shot against Conant's Gianna Spekta in a girls volleyball match. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Hoffman Estates High School social studies teacher William Helzer meets with students during a hybrid class. Courtesy of District 211
  Hoffman Estates High School. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Senior recognition at Hoffman Estates High School. Courtesy of District 211
Hoffman Estates High School students enjoying ice skating. Courtesy of District 211
Hoffman Estates High School boys basketball game. Courtesy of District 211
Hoffman Estates High School girls bowling team. Courtesy of District 211
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