District 206 Celebrates 2015 Graduates

District 206 had a lot to celebrate in the 2015 graduations. First, one of the largest graduating classes from Bloom in years. Bloom Trail had its share of several students receiving awards and honors, including a Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship to a student from Ford Heights.

“This is an amazing experience,” said Bloom Principal, Michael Campbell. “Today is the happiest day of the year.”

Graduation ceremonies for Bloom Trail and Bloom High School were held at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Both ceremonies held proud parents, siblings, grandparents but most of all the graduates themselves. 2015 proved to be a great graduating class for District 206.

“The numbers at Bloom who are graduating today, are the highest numbers we’ve had in 10 years,” said Dr. Lenell Navarre, Superintendent for District 206.

As Bloom Trail graduates were preparing to take part in their processional, Bloom Trail Principal Dr. Deb Graham was giving the graduates some last minute advice. Bloom Principal Michael Campbell shook hands and posed with the graduates.

“We’ve got so many students who received full ride scholarships,” said Campbell. “There was 7 million dollars in scholarships in just Bloom alone. That is the highest amount we’ve ever had.”

Campbell stopped to take a photo with Bloom Trail graduate Darion Wiggs from Ford Heights. Wiggs was one of a thousand, chosen out of 57,000 applicants to receive the Gate Millennium Scholarship. The Bill Gates full ride scholarship. Wiggs wearing graduation necklace couldn’t stop smiling. “This feels good,” said Wiggs. “It doesn’t matter where you come from, you can still make it.”

There were lots of stories like that coming out of District 206 graduations.

Bloom Trail’s two co-valedictorians Carolina Serrato and Jason Woodward from Bloom Trail shared the stage.

“We’ve only been one=tenth points away from each other since grade school,” said Serrato, as she spoke of Woodward.

After Bloom Trail graduated, Bloom students came later to Tinley Park Convention Center.

“One of the Bloom students scored a perfect score on the ACT—Diego Ruiz , our salutatorian,” said Campbell. “Very seldom do we see anyone score perfect in any area. “

As Campbell looks around, a graduate is crying. Some never thought this day would come. “The most amazing thing is all of the first generation college-bound students that are graduating from District 206. It is overwhelming,” adds Campbell. “Higher education changes families, it changes generations, it changes a country. It changes lives.”

Perhaps the strongest words came from Bloom salutatorian, Diego Ruiz. In part of his speech titled, “A Commitment to Compassion,” he urged his class mates to continue to give to others.

“We were able to make it here with the support of our friends, families and teachers. We are here because of their tender compassion and selfless sacrifices. Through their warm caress and tough love our lives were changed forever. This power is often overlooked and taken for granted. We may not have the power to change the world but certainly we all have the power to change a life. To help those around us get through their days, to improve humanity just a tiny bit. There has never been, nor will there ever be a person who became poor by giving. No act of charity is a waste. No act of kindness is too small. We can alleviate our pain, the same pain that has caused us to become bitter, by converting it into compassion and helping others going through the same struggle.

“Compassion is not limited to our fellow human beings. Compassion can simply be showing some love to the stray dog that just wanted a friend. Change his life forever. Maybe we should put our resources into more important issues, how do we solve the gaping economic disparity and social inequality? Maybe all we need is love and a little understanding.

“I have resided in a low-income area of Chicago Heights for most of my life. While living there, the atmosphere of neglect was always looming. There was a depressing ambience present. Maybe things would be different if someone took the time to let them know that they are important, too.

“I think the way to commence our new lives is to make a commitment to compassion. We may not be able to change the world, but maybe we can. As long as we do it together, one lonely puppy at a time. Thank you Bloom High School.”

After his speech, Bloom graduates gave Ruiz a rounding applause.

“We’re from Bloom, we couldn’t be prouder,” said a very happy Michael Campbell.