Schools

L-W East Seniors Graduate, Resembles a Sea of Blue




About 600 seniors graduated May 30 from Lincoln-Way East High School.

In the minutes before the 6:30 p.m. ceremony began, the field house was packed with family and friends of the Lincoln-Way Griffins Class of 2013, awaiting with smiles and a lot of cameras the first beat to the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance." 

And they were certainly not disappointe. It took about 10 minutes for the blue-robed high school seniors to process in and take their seats--some on stage with the administrators, board of education and staff--and the rest filled in the rows and rows of folding chairs. 

Scott Hammond, senior class president, offered a speech that gave thanks to the parents and teachers for their efforts over the past four years. He evoked laughter from his peers when he quoted from entertainer, Lady Gaga. "I'm obsessively opposed to the typical." 

From there, he went on to describe how L-W East students were not "typical" either, citing previously the six All-State athletes from the Class of 2013 and 100 state scholars . 

Konrad Goc, valedictorian, gave a nostalogic list of accomplishments that the Class of 2013 had achieved. "With so many disractions in our hectic world, we often forget that high school's all about the people and the learning." 

Supt. Lawrence Wyllie told the graduates: "It is the hope of everyone here tonight that your pathway may be straight and true, and that your destination may be filled with happiness and alive with promise."

The valedictorian, Goc, and salutatorian Stephen Johnson, who is the son of Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Board of Education President Arvid Johnson,  were introduced by Principal and soon-to-be superintendent, Scott Tingley.

While Board President Johnson shook hands with hundreds of students, he gave one student, his son, a hearty hug.  


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