Downers Grove South High School Class of 2021
Graduates in the Class of 2021: 671
Graduation speaker: Mary Davenport
Distinguished Honors graduates: Luc Alvarez, August Balicki, Ben Bogdanski, Dyanna Boone, Mary Davenport, Abigail Fredricks, Megan Harmon, Derek Hoffman, Matthew Jablonski, Yasmine Khan, Samanta Kost, Saskia Krebbers, Diana Kwak, Annie Le, Jonathon Michael, Marina Milad, Alex Miranda, Nirmal Nathan, Danielle Ng, Renee Nicholson, Madeline Padavic, Jacob Poeschel, Christopher Sapinski, Nicklas Schmidt-Bailey, Domani Sharkey, Teagan Smith, Jonah Sprandel, Jessica Sun, Kendall Swider, Benjamin Tunney, Jillian Mae Urgello
National Merit Finalists: Luc Alvarez (also named National Hispanic Merit Scholar), Dyanna Boone, Jacob Poeschel, Christopher Sapinski, Jonah Sprandel
2021 National Merit Commended Students: Mary Davenport, Matthew Jablonski, Yasmine Khan, Diana Kwak, Elliott Lewis, Chase Moy, Derek Reynolds, Domani Sharkey
Extracurricular achievements:
• Ashley DeAnda, National Silver Medalist in the 2021 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
• Robert Grogan and Khayriddin Muradov, individual DECA State Champions:
• DECA State Competitors: Ben Bogdanski, Kunj Kamani, Jacob Poeschel
• 7 students performed in the 2020-21 Illinois Music Education Association All-State Bands, orchestras, choirs, jazz bands and vocal jazz ensembles
• Individual State Speech Competition Award: Kayte Salgado, 5th place Prose Reading
• State Journalism Competitors: Jacqueline Barba, Alexis Pragides, Teagan Smith
Athletic achievements:
• Conference Champions:
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country (also Regional Champions and State Qualifier)
Boys Golf
Girls co-op Gymnastics
Boys Swim and Dive
Girls Swim and Dive
• State competition qualifiers:
Girls Badminton (one player)
DGS Fillies Dance (Team)
Boys Golf (one player)
Girls Tennis - (two players)
Theater productions:
• "Short Plays for an Antiracist Tomorrow" by Idris Goodwin - virtual
• "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" by By Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield - virtual
• "High School Musical" - virtual performances May 13-15
What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?
Prom was modified to meet safety guidelines by creating a smaller celebration of only seniors at an outdoor venue with a meal, music and fireworks.
What were the most significant challenges faced by the Class of 2021 and how did they overcome them?
The Downers Grove South High School Class of 2021 adjusted to modified learning schedules, adapted to new safety guidelines, and celebrated school spirit virtually. Pre-pandemic, our school assemblies were filled with Mustang pride as students celebrated each others' variety of talents. Despite not being able to gather together as a community in our gym, our students continued to celebrate school spirit and each other through a virtual Homecoming assembly, spirit week activities and many more uplifting events.
Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:
There is no better word to describe the Class of 2021 than "resilient." Our senior students not only have navigated life through a pandemic, they have exceeded academic expectations and modeled positive perspectives for the rest of us. What they have learned this year will make them better prepared for the next chapter of their lives. I'm incredibly proud of this group of seniors and wish them the best.
- Principal Ed Schwartz