Life Lessons and Laughter at Case H.S. Graduation

“The past four years have been the most challenging of our lives so far,” said Andrea Gutierrez, an officer of Case High School’s 2011 graduating class, as she addressed a sea of green and gold caps and gowns. “But today is the day we leave to make a difference.”

Approximately 400 students received diplomas in ceremonies Sunday afternoon, at the school’s fieldhouse which was crowded with family and friends of the graduates. Shankarapryan Sivanushanthan was named the class valedictorian; the salutatorian was Riley Daams. One hundred students graduated with high honors.

In Sivanushanthan’s speech, he said he wouldn’t trade his experience at Case for anything. He drew laughs as he shared several of the unexpected lessons he learned in high school. 

“The best time to do an essay is always tomorrow,” he said. “I learned how to use an inordinate amount of words to describe a subject I know nothing about. And I learned more about human anatomy from the grafitti on the desks than in any biology class.” He evoked Yoda as he added that “Chocolate milk a fine substitute for breakfast is.” 

But Sivanushanthan turned serious as he encouraged his fellow students to “put pen to paper and begin to write the future.” He admonished them not to be timid or cynical, and “don’t despair—hope.”

In addition to the regular diplomas, six students were also honored for earning the International Baccalaureate diploma. This program requires taking a special selection of rigorous classes, writing a 4000-word research essay, taking 24 hours of additional exams, sending samples of work to be graded by international examiners, and community service. The students who earned the I.B. diploma this year were: Tyler Davis, Gabriel Fabela, Greg Hardesty, Alec Numella, Amy Wang, and Albert Zygmunt.

One of the Racine Unified School District’s area superintendents, Steve Russo, also had a few words to share. Russo is retiring after more than 37 years as an administrator, principal, and teacher in the district.

“I want to thank all the parents and students I’ve had contact with over the years for teaching me the three R’s—relationships, responsibility, and respect.”