Just as graduates filed onto the Niles West High School track to enter the field for the school’s 63rd annual commencement on May 27, the clouds parted and many were overheard expressing delight that the sun came out just in time for the graduation.
Fickle weather had prompted Niles Township High School District 219 officials to change the date for the graduation, held outdoors, from Sunday at noon, which turned out to be stormy, to 11 a.m. on Monday, which was Memorial Day.
The Class of 2024 featured approximately 660 graduates, said Niles West Principal Jeremy Christian.
Christian noted the Class of 2024 is unique in that students began their freshman year wearing face masks as part of a mandate in school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“But the mere fact that they were in eighth grade, they graduated eighth grade and it was a drive-by (graduation),” Christian said.
“So they didn’t have a full-fledged graduation and the fact that they’re here today and can graduate in a normal situation is absolutely amazing.”
Making it past a pandemic shows the resolve of the Class of 2024, Christian said.
“What it says about them is that they are resilient and that they persevere,” he extolled.
“They are probably the most resilient and persevering group of people that I’ve ever encountered because even yesterday (Sunday), with the rain delay, obviously, it wasn’t ideal, but they bounced back, they’re here and they’re ready to end their high school academic career,” Christian said.
Graduates gathered on the tennis courts before filing into the stadium. Many took cell phone selfies or had a last chance to catch up with friends they might not see for a while, or maybe ever again.
But Verina Stasinopoulos, 18, of Skokie said she makes sure to keep friends close.
Stasinopoulos placed photos in a collage of friends from middle school on the top of the mortarboard for the big moment.
“It was pretty quick,” to make and decorate (the cap), Stasinopoulos said, with the wish the friends stay friends forever.
“I really hope so, we’re all going to out-of-state colleges but we’re all going to be here on break so I’m going to reach out with them,” Stasinopoulos said.
Being a Wolf, the school mascot, means for Stasinopoulos, “community — there are a lot of diverse, different people,” at Niles West.
Dalea Alhasan of Lincolnwood and Solafah Naser, also of Lincolnwood, displayed their flags at graduation with Palestinian colors.
“We’re representing our country and everything that’s happening there,” Naser said.
Alhasan said it is important to display the flag, “because I feel like everyone should know what’s going on in our country.
“There’s a genocide going on and a lot of people aren’t opening their eyes to it,” Alhasan said.
“So this is our time to show everybody what the meaning is behind the flag.”
Mussadiq Hashim of Lincolnwood wore a sash for Palestine as part of graduation regalia.
“It’s really important,” Hashim said. “You’ve got to spread awareness of what’s going on.”
