Principal sends graduates out to make their marks on the world

From Sunday, June 8, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Principal sends graduates out to make their marks on the world
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

HOFFMAN ESTATES - As Dundee-Crown High School seniors celebrated the end of high school, one of their own assigned them a steep challenge at the school’s graduation ceremony Saturday.

“I have high expectations for you,” class valedictorian Kurt Scheeffrahn said.

He told the audience gathered at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates that he expected members of the graduating class to become artists, professors and engineers, or to someday develop energy-saving techniques.

“We all have the potential to make this community safe... and this world a better place,” he said, donning a blue cap and gown.

Principal Lynn McCarthy echoed Scheffrahn’s message and described the class as one that did “not let anyone tell you that you cannot succeed.”

She described a camaraderie among students as they went through life experiences during high school.

She also praised the graduating class’s achievement in Carpentersville school’s Advanced Placement classes and music, culinary arts and vocational programs, expressing confidence in the future.

“I see an entire group of young adults ready to make their mark on the world,” she said.

McCarthy said a number of students would be going on to professional careers or community college and more than 54 members of the 500-plus graduating class would be attending four-year colleges.

As graduates received their diplomas, they were congratulated by members of the District 300 Board of Education.

When the ceremony ended, the graduates threw their caps into the air, perhaps taking note from the final line of Scheeffrahn’s speech: “So let’s go crazy!”