November 13, 2024
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McHenry High School District 156 honors 183 graduates as Distinguished Warriors

‘We know this year has been challenging,’ a 2012 McHenry High School graduate told the honorees. ‘If anything, you guys are stronger for it.’

By Northwest Herald staff report

Emerson Simon, a member of McHenry High School’s Class of 2021, exchanges a fist bump with McHenry High School District 156 school board member Pat Arnold at the May 16, 2021, Distinguished Warrior ceremony. District 156 officials celebrated 183 members of the Class of 2021 for excellence in academics, school involvement and community service. (Provided by McHenry High School District 156)

McHenry High School District 156 recognized 183 graduates as Distinguished Warriors for their “excellence in academics, school involvement and community service,” the district said in a news release.

Three McHenry High School alumni told the students in taped comments during May 16 ceremonies to be proud of the Distinguished Warriors distinction as it shows they not only survived a pandemic but thrived.

“We know this year has been challenging,” said John Benedeck, organist for the Chicago Cubs and a 2012 McHenry High School graduate. “If anything, you guys are stronger for it.”

Other speakers were Mackenzie O’Brien, a singer-songwriter and 2016 graduate, and Maria Sorrentino, Class of 2008 and a finance manager with ESPN. All three made videos to be played during the ceremonies.

Emerson Simon said she appreciated the effort school officials made to honor her and her fellow Distinguished Warriors even with mask mandates and social distance guidelines, according to a news release. Each Distinguished Warrior – 60 from East Campus and 123 from West Campus – received an orange stole to wear with their graduation gowns and a yard sign to display.

Simon said in the release that she likes that the program honors more than just good grades and test scores.

“I think this is something everyone can strive for, even if they are not at the top of their class,” said Simon, who plans to study speech pathology at Marquette University in the fall.

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