Class of 2018 Graduate Reflects
The last day for River Forest students was May 31, 2018. A day filled with final exams and excitement for summer vacation, but for the class of 2018, it was their last day walking the halls as an Ingot. The seniors last days consisted of graduation rehearsal, the senior potluck, the elementary walk, senior ditch day, and their senior trip to Chicago.
The graduation ceremony was held on the morning of June 2, 2018 in the Bill Logan Gymnasium. Seniors said their final goodbyes to the teachers that had great impacts on their lives before taking their final walk out of door C with their diplomas in their hands ready to take on the next chapter of their lives.
As a small community we have all bonded and saying goodbye to our seniors is always difficult. No matter where life takes our seniors, we have been able to create lifelong friendships that we will take with us far beyond our high school days. Congratulations and good luck in your future and evers class of 2018.
Elementary Students Meet Their Favorite Fairy Tales
With everything revolving around graduation the last few weeks of school the theater department wanted to show a little appreciation to the elementary schools. On May 21, 2018 the theater students went to Evans and Meister Elementary Schools to perform a comedic version of a traditional fairy tale, bringing the kids favorite characters into their school.
The students performed an interactive version of the three little pigs where the pigs picked audience members to help build their houses to protect themselves from the big bad wolf. It was then followed by a Mixed Up Fairy Tale which was about the most famous fairy tales mixing together. The story happens when Cinderella was trying to get to the ball to meet her prince but her fairy godmother’s powers are all mixed and she sends everyone on a crazy adventure before a happily ever after.
The fun wasn’t just revolving around the performance. The students at Meister were ecstatic when they got to meet the cast after the show. All the kids swarmed the their favorite characters by giving them hugs and high fives. Then the students at Evans were delighted when they got to play with their favorite characters during recess which was moved into the gym, where the cast was waiting before the show, due to rain. Everyone was smiling ear to ear the whole day
Student Spotlight -- Class of 2018 Top 10
Gabriel Fragoso is graduating as valedictorian and will be attending Valparaiso University in the fall. There he will be majoring in computer science. He hopes to one day become a computer system analyst.
“I’d like to thank my dad for always pushing me to do more and my advice for underclassmen is to not be afraid to do your own thing,” Fragoso stated
Jaime Moreno graduated as salutatorian and will be attending Indiana University Northwest this fall.
Isabella Storey graduates with a 4.4 grade point average and will be attending Indiana University Bloomington. She will be going in as exploratory [undecided] with an interest in epidemiology as a major and a minor in French.
“I’d like to thank my academic team for giving me a second family and teaching me communication and patience. My advice to underclassmen is to try anything you might enjoy even if it seems improbable and impossible at first,” Storey stated
Billy Burt graduates with a 4.3 grade point average and will be taking a gap year. He will then be earning a degree in business management at Ivy Tech and pursue a career in sales or similar jobs.
“I’d like to thank my teachers and family for pushing me to be who I am today,” Burt stated.
Ariana Martinez graduated with a 3.98 and will be moving across the country to attend Louisiana State University to major in biology. One day she hopes to pursue a career as a zoo veterinarian.
“I’d like to thank Mr. Nate Reed for teaching me the ins and outs of biology while teaching me about the real world and good habits to have in the classroom this fall. My advice for the underclassman is to not settle for less, don’t follow the crowds of River Forest, and to always be your own person with your own unique dreams,” Martinez stated.
Rosa Guzman graduates with a 3.9 grade point average and will be starting college at Indiana University Bloomington next week where she will be majoring in biology on the pre-med track. After college she plans to become an obstetrician.
“I’d like to thank Mrs. Mackowitz for everything she does for me and the rest of her students, I hope one day to be half the person she is. I’d also like to thank Mrs. Nunez and Mrs. Ramirez for getting me into the Groups Scholars Program and everything else they've helped me with this past year. My advice for the underclassman is to never let go of your dream, it may seem impossible and it’s going to get difficult but don’t let that stop you from trying,” Guzman stated.
Chandler Guess will be taking a gap year to figure out his future plans
Michael Sullivan will be heading down to Fort Wayne to attend Indiana Tech to major in cyber security. One day he hopes to have a career with the FBI in the cyber division.
“I’d like to thank my friends and family for always pushing me to be the best I can be. Also, my advice for the underclassman is to stay true to yourself and don’t let anyone get in your way,” Sullivan stated.
Vitaliy Dovgulya will be taking a gap year and is undecided in regards of his exact future but carries an interest in computer science.
Erika Cervantes rounds out the top ten and will be continuing her academics at Indiana University Northwest this fall.