Class of 2012 Graduates from Hills West

The Half Hollow Hills High School class of 2012 tossed its caps in the air Sunday afternoon during the school's 34th commencement ceremony.

Cheers and excitement filled the auditorium at High School East.

Before the students moved their tassels from right to left, Superintendent Kelly Fallon left the graduates a few tokens of advice.

"Remain hungry for knowledge," she said. Adding to "Never fear failure, for it can be your very best teacher."

The graduates were filled with excitement and jitters as they posed for pictures with family and friends, knowing they would be leaving behind the school and people they've known to embark on a new challenge.

"Live every minute to the fullest," Salutatorian Tanya Jain said in her address to the class. She will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

Valedictorian Jesse Schanback, who graduated with a 99.1 average, reminded his classmates to keep their sense of humor throughout their lives. He will be attending Cornell University in the fall.

The Hills West class of 2012 includes Intel semifinalists, as well as athletic awards on the County, state and national level. The graduates have also earned several million dollars in college scholarships, Principal Wayne Ebanks said.

*This article has been corrected. An earlier version stated that Jesse Schanback would be attending Brown University. He is enrolled at Cornell University.