‘He’s ready to fly from the nest’: Students graduate this weekend from McHenry County schools

Some high schools with Saturday graduations planned postponed them to Sunday due to the rain

For Alan Castanon, like a lot of students, it’s been a very stressful year between the COVID-19 pandemic and grappling with online learning.

But coming back in-person helped, Castanon said.

“When we came back into the building, it brought my spirits up so much, and it just motivated me to finish out the year strong,” Castonon said.

And that’s exactly what he did Saturday when he and other students graduated from Woodstock North High School. Now, he’s going to McHenry County College and hopes to study computer engineering.

Some districts, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, moved their graduation ceremonies outside this year, while others, including Woodstock North, broke graduating classes into separate ceremonies so that social distancing could be maintained.

But just like commencement in years past, students still could be seen taking pictures with friends and family, parents still brought flowers and balloons for their graduates and excitement filled the air.

McHenry County College held a virtual commencement Saturday morning for 589 graduates and 29 high school equivalency graduates. Then, at noon, graduates and families went to McHenry County College’s parking lot for a drive-thru parade.

On Sunday, McHenry High School District 156 honored 183 students designated “Distinguished Warriors” with several small group gatherings at both East and West campuses. This is one of the last time these campuses will be dubbed “East and West” before McHenry High School merges into one school with two campuses for the 2021-22 school year. Their actual graduation will be held Thursday and Friday.

Although Crystal Lake-based Community High School District 155 initially had its graduations scheduled for Saturday, the ceremonies were moved to 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday because of rain.

Jack Dueñas, who graduated from Woodstock North on Saturday, said it took a long time to get to this point.

Jazz band, bass fishing, track and soccer were among the myriad extracurricular activities Dueñas was involved in.

“I really just tried to soak up as much as I possibly could,” Dueñas said.

Even when COVID-19 hit, coaches and teachers still worked around this new obstacle as much as they could, he said.

“We still ran with masks on,” said Dueñas, who plans to attend McHenry County College before eventually moving to Florida.

One of his Dueñas’ favorite memories of high school happened just in the last two weeks, during a bass fishing tournament when his team clinched a state qualification right at the end of the event.

“We were really lucky,” Dueñas said.

Between school, work, sports, a job and dealing with a pandemic, Dueñas said things could get stressful, but a lot of teachers made it easier.

Dina Amoo was excited to see her son, David, graduate with honors.

Being the oldest sibling means David Amoo is Dina Amoo’s first child to graduate from high school.

“I’m glad that we are able to be here with our family,” she said. “In January, I wasn’t expecting this. We thought we were going to watch it online.”

Still, Dina Amoo said, the pandemic didn’t stop her children from succeeding academically.

“[David’s] been on the honor roll since he started high school and never missed school,” she said.

Amoo said COVID-19 was a little easier on her older children, but they still got a little frustrated when they couldn’t see their friends or play sports.

“We’ve learned a lot,” Dina Amoo said. “You have to be able to adjust.”

David Amoo is headed to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with hopes to become an electrical engineer.

“He worked hard, and we’re very proud of him,” Dina Amoo said. “I really appreciate the support of the community and the school, the teachers. I know it’s hard for everybody.”

Connie Gregoria admitted she was a little emotional to see her son, Cody Gall, graduate from Woodstock North on Saturday.

“It went fast,” she said. “Another transition in life.”

Connie Gregoria said Gall wants to go into urban planning and currently is working to save money. She said that she’s proud of her son for making his own money by working at a grocery store and finishing his studies through this last year.

“I know it was difficult,” she said.

Joe Gregoria, Connie Gregoria’s husband and Cody Gall’s stepfather, added that he managed to work through the whole pandemic.

“[Gall’s] definitely spreading his wings, and he’s ready to fly from the nest,” Joe Gregoria said.