Mokena Jr. High Graduation Packs LWC

187 8th grade students and their friends and family gathered in the packed-out Performing Arts Center at Lincoln-Way Central last night, eagerly awaiting the next chapter of life: high school. 32 students (17%) donned golden honor cords, having met the required number of service hours and maintained their GPA according to the National Junior Honors Society standards for their 8th grade year. 74 of the 197 students wore medallions to recognize academic achievement: maintaining a GPA of at least 4.67 out of a possible 5.33 during all of their jr. high years.

After the graduate processional, the presentation of the colors, the singing of the national anthem by 8th grader Grace Fitzpatrick, several awards were presented.

The P.T.A. Heritage Award for leadership, community involvement, and the demonstrating that the work of an individual can make an impact was given by Mrs. Jaymie Andresen, P.T.A. President. The 2018 P.T.A. award recipient was Collin Bush.

The Student Government Award was given to a student who attended Student Government Day at the Mokena Village Hall and participated in a mock Village meeting. To be considered for this award, students wrote an essay about what they had learned. The winner was selected by the Mayor. This year's award went to Kalli Jasper and was presented by Commander Randal Stumpf of the Mokena Police Department.

The V.F.W. awards, presented by Mr. James Hogan, Win. Martin V.F.W. Post 725, were given to students who were nominated by the faculty and staff of the Mokena Public School District. The award winners were Meredyth Morin and Odin Borgeson.

The Mokena Music Department also presented two awards, the Fred Waring Director's Award for Choir and the Director's Award for Band. These awards, presented by Mrs. Karen Bussean, Band Director at Mokena Jr. High, were given to musicians who exemplified leadership, dedication, willingness to go above and beyond, and positive attitude. The Choir Award was given to Justin Eckert and the Band Award went to Kalli Jasper.

The last awards were the Des Plaines Valley Conference awards, presented by Mr. Thane Alvery, Athletic Director at Mokena Jr. High. Given to students who excelled both academically and athletically, the Des Plaines Valley Conference awards are proof that students can juggle both academics and extracurricular activities (and excel at the same time!). One of the awards went to Andrea Montgomery, who graduated with a 5.126 GPA and played volleyball for Mokena Jr. High. The male recipient was Hunter Stumpf, who played baseball and basketball for Mokena and graduated with a 5.273 GPA.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Wilkey gave the remarks to the graduating class and spoke about legacy. She spoke of how the class of 2018's legacy had changed over the years, yet the class stayed true to their creative, inquisitive, caring, and patient selves. But the most important legacy that the class of 2018 will leave, Dr. Wilkey said, was that of being a buddy. The 8th grade students paired up with Kindergarten students this year and were "the best buddy EVER" for many young children. They were patient, heard lot of interesting stories, and were a friend and role model. She encouraged the class to keep their caring nature and ended with a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

After the remarks to the graduating class, 187 smiling faces walked across the stage and received their diplomas. We at Mokena Public School District 159 cannot wait to see what the future brings these wonderful students!