Downers Grove North High School Class of 2022

Graduates in Class of 2022: 547

Graduation ceremony: Friday, May 20, North High School Football Stadium

Distinguished Honors (cumulative 4.4 or higher weighted grade-point average): Kashmala Ahmad, Stella Bank, Jessica Cagney, Anika Canamedi, Natalie Cupial, Sydney Fleming, Madeline From, Juliana Gomien, Katelyn Gross, Alexa Hanson, Zachery Heppner, Sarah Jeske, Alexander Krejca, Kyle Kucera, Lucas Kucera, Hugh Lang, Helen Larkin, Charisse Lee, Elisenda Lee-Palou, Natalie Mall, Andrew Marron, Kyra McComb, Madeleine McGovern, Quentin J Mills, Akshi Mistry, Dhruv Nambisan, Ashley Novak, Melissa Parkinson, Joshua Powers, Leah Purcell, Jake Riehle, Madeline Riske, Jake Rohde, Isabella Samsa, Karan Shetty, Adam Sitabkhan, Madison Smith, Elizabeth Stack, Ian Stagaman, Caitlyn Stocki and Megan Thompson.

Honors Convocation featured speakers: Nathan Nutt and Jade Toledano

Commencement speakers: Maeve Dietrich and Jordan Lewis

National Merit Scholars: Madeline From, Juliana Gomien, Alexander Krejca, Helen Larkin, Elisenda Lee-Palou, Andrew Marron, Dhruv Nambisan, Adam Sitabkhan, Madison Smith, Ian Stagaman.

National Merit Commended Scholars: Jessica Cagney, Anika Canamedi, Nathan Nutt, Madeline Riske, Caitlyn Stocki, Megan Thompson.

Extracurricular achievements:

• State Journalism Champion, Kate Gross in News Writing

• Five National Medalists in the 2022 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards; Gold Medalists Haley Phillips and Aiden Robinson

• Students performed in the 2021-22 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State bands, orchestras, choirs, jazz bands and vocal jazz ensembles - Bridget Callaghan, Soprano II; Cora Lingenfelter, Soprano I; Ian Stagaman, Bass I; Melissa Parkinson, Double Bass; Penny Ham, Piccolo; Zachery Heppner, Clarinet; Francesca Korbitz, Flute; Kyra McComb, Percussion.

• 2022 Scholastic Art Awards Best in Show John Oakes (Digital Art) and Aiden Robinson (Jewelry); Gold Key Awards - Julia Arnold (Comic Art); Ethan Bell (Art Portfolio); Eva Conti (Jewelry); Zoey Etheridge (Drawing & Illustration); Rylee Fox (Jewelry); Ali Hackett (Painting and Drawing & Illustration); Eleanor Harris (Ceramics & Glass); Ashley Hixon (Photography); Ohana Jeron (Drawing & Illustration); Claire Meyers (Sculpture); Charlie Michaels (Jewelry); Joni Murphy; Emily Nemeth (Jewelry); John Oakes (Art Portfolio); Haley Phillips (Ceramics & Glass); Matthew Poe (Photography); Christina Powell (Photography); Makena Presson (Drawing & Illustration); Aiden Robinson (Jewelry}; Benedikt Strempfer (Digital Art); Molly Svoboda (Drawing & Illustration); Elena Tomchek (Sculpture)

Athletic achievements:

• Girls Basketball, Regional Champions

• Girls Volleyball, Regional Champions

• Downers Grove North and South CO-OP Gymnastics, Regional and Sectional Champions

• Girls Badminton, Sectional Champions

• Boys Gymnastics, Sectional Champions

• Boys Cross Country, Third at State Meet

Theater productions:

• Varsity Play, "Revenge of the Space Pandas"

• Fall Play, "Blithe Spirit"

• Winter One Acts

• Spring Musical, "Mary Poppins"

• Spring Play, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"

What was new in 2021-22: Thanks to the investment by our community, District 99 completed the multiyear comprehensive Master Facility Plan in August 2021 - on time and on budget. The significant improvements modernized our buildings and will positively impact students for generations to come.

What challenges did the Class of 2022 face as they returned to in-person school full time, and how did they overcome them: The completion of Master Facility Plan renovations was the perfect way to welcome back our students on the first day of school. Students explored new learning spaces, the collaborative learning commons and the outdoor patio. In addition, many of our student organizations supported local and global efforts to help others in need. Our Empowerment Club and German Club organized a Ukrainian Donation Drive which collected 5,000 pounds of supplies to be shipped to Lviv, Ukraine.

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2022: The Class of 2022 has worked tirelessly over the past four years, not only by completing school work but also navigating a pandemic, changing schedules and masking. Through these challenges, our seniors have emerged better citizens and better students. I am so proud of the Class of 2022 and I am certain they will change our world in so many positive ways.

- Dr. Courtney DeMent, principal