Northbrook Junior High Class Of 2021 Graduates

NORTHBROOK, IL — Congratulations are in order for the Northbrook Junior High School Class of 2021 as it graduated May 30 during a special outdoor ceremony at Glenbrook North High School's football stadium.

“Our eighth-grade year wasn’t what we thought it would be, maybe not what we wanted it to be, but it was our year," student speaker Abby Saffar said. "And our individual experiences will be the ones to shape us as The Northbrook Junior High class of 2021!”

Student awards presented at the ceremony included the American Legion Citizenship Award and the Rotary Club Volunteer Service Award. Teachers nominate and vote for students who best represent the character qualities of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service for the American Legion Citizenship Awards.

Distinguished Achievement Citizenship Award winners are Delaney Meek and Tristan Miller. Sam Vishnevskiy and Danielle Yakhnis received Honorable Mention, according to a news release from the school.

Nominees included: Daniel Bilous, Alex Chalem, Carly Erlich, Sam Gaffney, Jonah Kasdan, Carly Pufpaf, Joshua Raub, Abby Saffar, Caitlin Schuster and Lindy Winkler.

Superintendent Dr. Larry Hewitt presented the annual Northbrook Rotary Volunteer Service award for extraordinary work in the spirit of volunteerism and the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.” The class of 2021 winners are Hayato Majoros and Brookte Smith.

“With that first step on campus begin building that legacy you want to leave behind,” Hewitt said.

Brookte Smith, also a student speaker, shared her reflections on the year and her class.

“If this was like any other year, this gown would just be fabric. This year, however, this fabric means far more," Smith said. "It stands for our pain, our hard work, our patience, and our constant feeling of being let down. It also stands for our friendships, our perseverance, and finally . . . our celebration."

NBJH Principal Dr. Scott Meek said in his address, “if you hold onto anything from these past 15 months, remember this: 1)You are uniquely talented and have so much to share with this world; 2)never underestimate the power of family; and 3) you never have to go it alone when you’re part of a supportive community such as this.”

Meek also noted that the NBJH student body raised $4,000 this past school year with various fund-raising activities to benefit the Northfield Township Food Pantry.

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