Most of Waukegan High School’s senior class took part in a celebration courtesy of District 60 that featured dancing, a picnic and games.
Many of the teens embarking on adulthood have one thing in common — they plan to return to their hometown after their post-secondary schooling. They plan careers in law, education, healthcare and more, like Yami Montejano, who will attend National Louis University in the fall.
Through a church group, Montejano said she got involved in environmental projects, keeping the community cleaner and dealing with pollution. Majoring in business, she sees providing affordable housing for the community as another goal.
“I want to build Section 8 housing for single parents with children,” Montejano said. “My mom was a single parent. My dad was an alcoholic and died when I was 9. I want to make Waukegan a better place so people don’t have to go through what we did.”
Montejano was just one of the more than 700 seniors participating in the Senior Celebration Day on Monday on the Washington Campus in Waukegan, with dancing, a photo booth, a picnic lunch and games.
Jahleel Shepherd, a college and career counselor at the high school, said that with the seniors ready to go to college, join the workforce or enlist in the military, Celebration Day is a chance for them to have a final opportunity to be with each other as a group.
“It’s a celebration for Waukegan seniors to be together as they make important life choices,” Shepherd said.
Approximately 80% will attend college, either at a two-year school like the College of Lake County or a four-year university, Shepherd said.
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham is a Waukegan High graduate who returned to his hometown after college. He established an insurance business, spent 18 years as an alderman, four as mayor and is starting another four-year term. He was pleased to hear about those wishing to return home.
“This is part of rebuilding Waukegan,” he said. “Our young men and young women who want to return home are looking for a different Waukegan. This is what I and other leaders are preparing our city for. They want to pay it forward.”
Victor Hinojosa was a two-term student member of the District 60 Board of Education and active in other political organizations, both locally and nationally. He is headed to the University of Chicago to study public administration and political science before going to law school.
“I’m going to do something in public service and activism to serve my community,” Hinojosa said of his life after college and law school. “Waukegan is my home, and the place where I want to make a difference.”
Another future lawyer is Ja’Cara Smith. She will attend Alabama A&M University, where she will study criminal justice first before going to law school. She has not decided on a home after her schooling.
Lamero Ceaser, a member of the football and wrestling teams, is heading to Augustana University. He also plans a career in law as a family and criminal law attorney, probably as a prosecutor. He, too, plans to practice in Waukegan.
“I want to be an advocate for people who need justice,” he said.
Angeline Flores plans to study nursing at CLC. She plans to get a job in Waukegan or nearby. She said it will allow her to be close to family. Nursing will allow her to “help people,” she said.
Adriana Franklin is already teaching preschool at the CLC Tech Campus. She is going to Illinois State University after graduation to earn her degree in the subject before returning to Waukegan to teach young children.
“Every child should start school at 3,” Franklin said. “They learn so much between 3 and 5. I see it every day. They will have a hard time catching up if they don’t.”
Not everyone is going to college, and some will venture far from home. Jefferson Perez and Josue Montoya will be U.S. Marines on May 26, 10 days after they graduate high school. Their reason is similar to their other classmates’ choices.
“I want to help my country and everyone in it,” Perez said.
