Almost 1,200 seniors of the Adlai E. Stevenson High School Class of 2025 graduated at the 60th annual commencement at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on Friday, May 23.
The Class of 2025 began their high school trajectory as Stevenson Patriots after their middle school years, which were marked by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If those years taught us anything, it was adaptability,” said Ryan Dong of Buffalo Grove, one of two students who offered a senior address from the stage and podium.
Dong’s speech reflected on the journey.
“Now, here we are, at the final sentence of this final chapter, bookmarks in hand,” Dong said. “So as we walk across this stage, remember that we’re not just closing a book, we’re starting the sequel.
“No matter where life takes us, we carry these memories, each other, and the wisdom we’ve gathered along the way,” Dong said. “Every ending is a beginning in disguise, because the future is yours to write.”
Offering the second senior address was Maya Heller of Buffalo Grove, whose speech focused on the future.
“We don’t know what comes next,” Heller said. “But I look forward to our 10-year reunion, when we will look at each other and know that everything is working out.
“Until then,” Heller said. “Trust in the process.
“Our futures are unfolding perfectly.”
Amy Neault of Kildeer, president of the District 125 Board of Education and the parent of two Stevenson graduates, welcomed the audience from the stage and ended her remarks with a message to graduates.
“As you graduate and leave Stevenson to begin your next journey, I ask you to please remember the foundations you learned here, commitment to self, commitment to others and commitment to learning,” Neault said.
“Wherever you go and whatever you do next, please remember, as a community, we will always be here holding you up and cheering you on.
“Never forget, you are astounding,” Nealt said.
Waiting in the queue with other seniors behind the scenes before the ceremony were Buffalo Grove seniors Pritha Biswas and Nicolett Tarnorutskaya.
“I’m so excited to leave but I’m going to miss all of the memories that I made,” said Tarnorutskaya, who is going to college to study biochemistry.
Biswas is attending college to pursue veterinary sciences.
“Stevenson offers a larger variety of programs,” Biswas said.
“Our family actually moved here and picked this specific district for Stevenson because we’ve heard such amazing things about it.
“They give so much college support,” Biswas said. “My counselors and support team have been amazing here.”
Tarnorutskaya said about Stevenson, “Being a Patriot means achieving success with the help of others, working in a community and maintaining strong relationships with everyone and striving to be the best person you can be.”
Also, before commencement, Ruina Liu of Vernon Hills stood alongside graduates waiting to file into the arena.
“It’s like it’s not real, I can’t believe I’m graduating,” Liu said with a laugh.
Liu is going to college to study computer science.
To Stevenson, Liu said, “Thank you for providing such a surreal experience in high school and giving me opportunities.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
