Hickory Creek Class Of 2021 Celebrates Graduation

FRANKFORT, IL - Frankfort School District 157-C promoted more than 300 eighth grade students from middle school to high school this year, the district said in a release. Hickory Creek Middle School eighth grade students participated in an outdoor graduation ceremony on Saturday at Lincoln-Way Central High School.

Hickory Creek Principal Tricia Dotson thanked the audience for their support of the district. Dotson also recognized the district’s Superintendent Maura Zinni, who will retire at the end of June.

"Many may not realize how dedicated she has been this year to keeping our schools open, to keeping kids safe, and providing equal educational opportunities. We know you will be leaving 157-C in good hands with Doug Wernet, but thank you for your vision and dedication to education,” she said during the event.

Several awards were also given to graduating eighth graders, the district said.

• NJHS Outstanding Achievement Awards: Rachel Bacon, Addison Bohash, Noelani Hill, Kaitlyn Skopek, and Blaine Zakarias
• The Lyndsey Whittingham Foundation Award: Jayden Randle
• The Patrick Mizwicki Awards: Brooke Heimlich, Caleb Lee and Peyton Komer
• The Viola Lankenau Award: Elizabeth Feigl
• The Dana Ruff Music Scholarship: Aidan Reid, Olivia Sexton and Jackson Cummings
• Outstanding Language Learner Awards: Layah Lindsey, Jessi Szafoni and Caleb Lee
• The Athletic/Intramural Booster Scholarships: Elizabeth Feigl and Macey Phillips
• The Des Plaines Valley Conference Scholastic Awards: Jessi Szafoni and Griffin Reidy

Sumaya Dochee encouraged her fellow graduates during the class reflection, and said, “Our experience at Hickory Creek these last three years will make us stronger and more focused on what is important in life….You can achieve whatever you want. You have it within you. We all have a gift in us, do not let anyone take that from you.”

“Middle school has helped us to realize who we are and who we wanted to be. It gave us a chance to learn to love ourselves, walk with confidence, and live our lives to the fullest. The past year and a half have been different than any other year," outgoing National Junior Honor Society President Rachel Bacon said during the event. "We’ve done our classes remotely, and we’ve gone to school with masks on. School events were canceled, and we had to space ourselves from our friends and loved ones. We’ve adapted to all of these conditions and this shows that we are flexible and resilient. And although we had TikTok dances, Tiger King, and bread recipes, we also had each other. And as we all know, together is a great place to be. As this chapter ends, we are more than ready to begin the next.”

Each graduate walked across the stage to receive their diploma from members of the Board
of Education, the district said.