West Chicago High School Class of 2021

Graduates in the Class of 2021: 446

Graduation Speaker: Cassandra Villa

Graduates with Highest Distinction: Maryam Al Kubaisi, Brandon Aviles, Emily Ayala, Luciana Balzer, Annette Barron, Justin Blackburn, Emily Bove, Lola Browning, Cielo Cabael Castro, Payton Campbell, Charles Cardenas, Denise Carreto-Munoz, Alejandro Carrillo-Ortega, Christina Champagne, Teegan Cook, Lillian Cuka, Irene Dino, Kendall Farm, Gabriella Fernandez, Coen Garling, Sarah Gimre, Sarah Gramit, Andrea Gutierrez, Maxwell Harris, Emily Heath, Saul Hinojosa, Monica Huizar, Samuel Incrocci, Chloe Johnson, Griffin Johnson, Christiana Kapetaneas, Adam Khim, David Kuehn, Ruby Lebo, Jacob Lim, Edith Luna, Casey Mantz, Lianna Mateski, Charles May, Sophia McComb, Josiah McLean, Crystal Medina, Sarah Miller, Alessia Miulli, Claudia Mora, Brandon Natzke, Ryan Nguyen, Julia Nosky, Sadie Obenauer, Melissa Ortiz, Shailee Patel, Dulce Reyes, Rosalinda Rodriguez, Caleb Shade, Matthew Stavenger, Brock Ullman, Evan Wing, Brooklynn Worth, Giovanni Zavalza.

Graduates with Distinction: Khairiyah AlHammo, Justin Baranowski, Alexander Barrera, Giovanni Benitez, Garrett Bennema, James Bolla, Emily Bramos, Natalie Calderon, Isabela Casimiro, Brandon Davis, Gustavo Figueroa, Anais Hernandez, Autum Hosticka, Sarah Hurley, Aidan Incrocci, Alexandria Johnson, Amber Karales, Rebecca Lighthiser, Roberto Martinez, Yovani Mendez, David Moreno, Brandon Nguyen, Jesus Nunez, Ronaldo Osornia, Jennifer Rodriguez, Leah Ryan, Denise Sanchez, Alexa Soto, Elias Vazquez, Karissa Zafiriou.

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students: Sarah Gramit, David Kuehn, and Caleb Shade.

College Board National Recognition Program Scholars: Emily Ayala, Lola Browning, and Charles Cardenas.

Illinois State Scholars: Maryam Al Kubaisi, Emily Ayala, Luciana Balzer, Annette Barron, Jason Blackburn, Emily Bove, Lola Browning, Payton Campbell, Charles Cardenas, Christina Champagne, Teegan Cook, Coen Garling, Sarah Gimre, Sarah Gramit, Maxwell Harris, Autum Hosticka, Monica Huizar, Christiana Kapetaneas, Adam Khim, David Kuehn, Ruby Lebo, Casey Mantz, Lianna Mateski, Sophia McComb, Josiah McLean, Sarah Miller, Claudia Mora, Julia Nosky, Sadie Obenauer, Shailee Patel, Leah Ryan, Caleb Shade, Matthew Stavenger, Brock Ullman, Evan Wing, Brooklynn Worth, and Giovanni Zavalza.

Extracurricular achievements:

• Samuel Incrocci, choir/bass, was named to the 2021 Illinois Music Education Association All-State Student Program.

Athletic achievements:

• Teegan Cook, boys swimming: IHSA All-State finishing 11th in the 100 fly last year; NISCA All-American swimmer as a junior. Had there been a state meet this year, his fastest time would have been 10th fastest in the state. He is the team record holder in the 100 fly and helped his 200 free relay and 400 free relay teams beat the team record this year and last.

• Kendall Farm, girls golf: 3-time Upstate Eight Conference player of the year. 3-time Upstate Eight Conference champion. Individual first place at regional tournament in 2019, and 2018. All-conference Academic. 2-time state qualifier.

• David Kuehn, boys soccer: Starting goalkeeper for the IHSA Class 3A Soccer Championship team last school year and Upstate Eight Conference Champions last year and this year. Selected All-Conference and was also voted by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) as All-Sectional.

• Shailee Patel, girls basketball: Shailee finished her high school basketball career with 868 points. If we had had a full season she would have definitely broken the coveted 1,000-point scoring level.

• Ryan Schmidt, baseball: 4-year starter at catcher, currently hitting .500 with 3 home runs and 26 RBI. Plays the most physically and mentally demanding position on the field. Leads by example both on and off the field.

Theater productions:

All theater productions this year were recorded and streamed. Productions included: "Intersections," "Spill," IHSA Contest Play and Group Interpretation, and the spring musical, "Theory of Relativity."

What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?

Home athletic contests were livestreamed to keep fans social distanced. The culminating event for our Dance Production class was filmed and streamed. While we were in remote and hybrid modes, students came to school for field trip-type experiences for science labs and other hands on courses.

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

One of the most difficult challenges for seniors (and all other students) was the social-emotional aspect of being out of the normal school social setting. In addition, students had to learn new skill sets to organize themselves and their schoolwork in both totally remote and hybrid environments. This was very challenging for many students.

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:

The class of 2021 faced obstacles no class before them ever has. They endured a truncated junior year and very unusual senior year. Despite the setbacks and adversities, this class never lost their sense of togetherness and cohesion. When it came time to plan a graduation ceremony they were adamant that they all graduate together at the same time and not in split ceremonies. The commitment they all have shown to one another and the value they place on their shared experiences was never more evident than when we returned to full in-person attendance. Their positive attitude and regard for one another has helped carry our school through a very challenging time. Their contributions and their spirit will be with us for years to come.

- Principal Will Dwyer