‘The world awaits you in your new chapter in life’

ROCHELLE — Rochelle Township High School held its graduation ceremony for the class of 2023 on Saturday morning on the football field. The event included a performance by the RTHS choir and speeches by Principal Chris Lewis and students Miraya Montes and Paul Swartz. 

Lewis said the overall success of the school is “greatly influenced” by its senior class. As the community gathered to celebrate the class of 2023’s success, Lewis thanked parents and families for their work over the past four years. 

“Think back to all the times spent helping with homework, especially when it was due the next day and the deadline was known for a long time,” Lewis said. “Think of all the running back and forth to attend events. Think of all the weekends gone supporting your kids. You have provided support, guidance and encouragement during this journey while also trying to protect them. You have made it with them, and now you're ready for their next chapter in life. You should all be very proud.”

Since their first day of school on Aug. 14, 2019, the class of 2023 spent 704 days in school. 

“At that time, it seemed like an eternity,” Lewis said. “But now you're going to walk across this stage as an RTHS alumni. Time flies when you're having fun. We're graduating many talented individuals today. Think back to all of your accomplishments you have made individually or as a group. The class of 2023 has exceeded expectations and you left an outstanding mark on RTHS. The world awaits you in your new chapter in life.”

Fourteen students were honored under the latin honor system for having a 4.0 grade point average or higher with summa cum laude honors. They included Cheryl Bialas, Casandra Garcia-Soto, John Green, Anastasia Harvey, Thomas Koziol, Montes, Isabella Nauman, Zalak Patel, Layla Pelan, Gissele Robles, Samantha Sanford, Swartz, David Wanner and Marisa Whaley. 

RTHS Counselor and RTHS Alumni Association representative Laurie Pillen then presented those 14 students with Carney Rs. 

"I'm honored to be representing the RTHS Alumni Association this morning and offer their congratulations to the entire class of 2023," Pillen said. "In a few short minutes, you will all be RTHS graduates, which makes you RTHS alumni and official members of the RTHS Alumni Association."

Montes spoke about the journey the class of 2023 made that included navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We lived in a world that had been shut down during the historic worldwide pandemic and because of that, we learned to be resilient,” Montes said. “We are all ready to face the real world, because we already have. Through all the battles we've been through, we persevered and were successful. I'm so proud to be part of this year's graduating class. To the senior class of 2023, congratulations. We can finally say we made it through high school.”

Swartz said that the most important thing RTHS taught him was appreciating his today, and despite a pandemic-altered school experience, he didn’t feel like he missed out on any experiences or opportunities. He thanked staff and the RTHS administration for their time and efforts since 2019. 

“Through their combined efforts, they have fostered an environment in which anyone and everyone can feel comfortable and welcomed,” Swartz said, “But more than anyone, I owe my exceptional high school experience to the people seated in the chairs in front of me. You welcomed me when I was going from a middle school graduating class of 10 to a freshman class of 200. You helped me get through the pandemic, one of the most isolating experiences anyone has ever had to deal with. Each and every one of you has had a part to play in the person that I am now.”

To close his speech, Swartz looked across the parking lot to the school and told the crowd what he saw.

“I know that building isn't a school,” Swartz said. “That building that I spent four years of my life in and made lifelong friends in is a hub. A hub of education, sports, clubs, organizations and most of all, it's a hub of people. A hub where people of all different backgrounds come together to make something truly beautiful. That is the hub that I'm proud to be a part of. That is the hub that I will always be proud to be.”