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Kaneland High School Class of 2021

Graduates in the Class of 2021: 335

Valedictorian: Christopher Fountain

Salutatorian: Hannah Dzielawa

Graduation Speakers: Christopher Fountain and Hannah Dzielawa

Class Officers: Max Hansen, president; Lauren Campbell, vice president.

Extracurricular achievements:

• Senior and Kaneland Krier Editor-in-Chief Jenna Lin was selected by the Illinois Journalism Education Association as a member of the 2020-2021 All-State Journalism Team. Jenna is one of only 11 students from the state to be selected to this team.

• The Kaneland Krier staff, led by senior executives Sasha Clinnin, Jenna Lin, Sophi Mullins, and Emma Schaefer, earned first place in Division Two (schools with an enrollment between 851 and 1,900) from the Illinois Journalism Education Association in the category of Best Hybrid Publication (which includes schools that have both an online platform and a print publication) and first place in Best Overall Publication.

• William Huber from the Kaneland FFA Chapter won both the AG Sales and Specialty Animal categories in the section Proficiency Awards. Will moved on to compete in the District Proficiency Award Competition, taking first again in the Specialty Animal category. He then moved on to compete at the state level, and again took first place in the Specialty Animal category. Will is now competing at the National level in the Specialty Animal category, where he keeps records on caring for his 30+ beehives, including relocating them to Florida, California, and Illinois throughout the year, as well as collecting, extracting, and selling his honey, and renting hives out to local farmers for use as pollinators for different area crops.

• ILMEA District IX Choir: Kirk Blanco, Nick Eriksen, McKenna Goss, Logan Gresser, Campbell Heiser, Caleb Hwang, Ryan Kruse, Anders Magnuson, Ryan Nelson, Johnna Rohlman, Victoria Romano, Audrey Siblik, Jack Taylor. Tyler Theis, Sydney Warford.

• ILMEA All-State Choir: Nick Eriksen, Caleb Hwang, Ryan Nelson, Audrey Siblik.

• ILMEA All-State Honors Choir: Logan Gresser, Ryan Kruse, Anders Magnuson, Tyler Theis.

Athletic achievements:

• Piper Schrepferman became four-time All-State player in tennis

Theater productions:

• Fall Play = Clue

• Winter Play = 30 Reasons Not To Be In A Play

• Spring Musical = Little Women

What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?

Academic Awards, and Senior Honors were held virtually

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

Learning in a hybrid model. Students seemed to be very appreciative when they had a chance to be in the building, and we saw very little discipline issues. We have learned to communicate with masks on, and via Zoom and in writing. It isn't what we would choose, but we have made the best of the situation.

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:

I'm thankful we will be able to hold a live graduation ceremony at Northern Illinois University with all students and four of their guests. In a year of adjustments and changes I appreciate this opportunity to continue the ritual of commencement, and look forward to a full weekend with them that also includes Powder puff, Senior Sunset, and Prom. The Class of 2021 has a bright future ahead of them, and we look forward to celebrating their accomplishments with them!

- Principal Jill Maras

Kaneland High School Student Council President Max Hansen addresses his fellow graduates during the school's 2021 commencement ceremony at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media
Kaneland graduate Abby Reimer adjusts her cap before the school's 2021 commencement ceremony at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media
Kaneland High School graduate Erika Kothe hugs classmate Hailey Zimmerman before the school's 2021 commencement ceremony at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media
  Kaneland High School in Maple Park. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Kaneland High School senior Rose Roach squares to bunt during a game against Sycamore.
Members of the Kaneland High School girls volleyball team celebrate after defeating LaSalle-Peru. Scott Anderson/Shaw Media
Kaneland senior Sebastian Rios (11) kicks the ball between Sycamore juniors Roman Friedrichs, left, and Caden Carl during a game at Kaneland High School. Mark Busch/Shaw Media
Kaneland senior Isaiah Dallal runs the second mile during the boys Class 2A cross country sectional at Lakes High School in Lake Villa. Daryl Quitalig for Shaw Media Illinois
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