Culver Students Graduate, Pick 'Dance' Theme

Applause burst forth frequently from the audience of parents and family members as Clarence E. Culver School students graduated from eighth grade Monday night.

Four of the graduates, who were given the honor based on their high grades, took the podium. Brendan Tiongson reflected on the graduation's theme, "Life is not about worrying when the storm will pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain."

Earlier: 

"I’m pretty sure we all know we will face a myriad of challenges throughout life. We cannot let them get the better of us," he said.

Akshit Shrestha gave a welcome address, saying Culver is like a huge family with lots of brothers and sisters.

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He said his parents sacrified a lot to come to a new country where they did not know anybody to give him the chance to get a good education, and that he intended to repay them by working hard.

"They’ve all sacrificed something," he said, and he asked the graduates to stand and applaud their parents.

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Three school board members--two current and one former--had the opportunity to hand diplomas to their graduating eighth graders.

As the graduation ended, students filed into the lobby of Niles West High School, where it was held, and hugged each other. 

See the photo gallery for a closer look.