'Adopt A High School Senior' Program Runs Again For D228 Students

OAK FOREST, IL — The senior class of 2021 is facing the same fate as the class of 2020, no normal graduation, prom or other senior festivities. A suburban group is trying to lift the spirits of graduating seniors in Bremen High School District 228, by initiating for the second year in a row, the “Adopt a High School Senior” Program.

The program is run by residents who have taken the time to get to know a high school senior at any of the D228 schools, with parental supervision, and provide them advice and a gift to celebrate their milestone. Last year, hundreds had signed up for the program, and the parent who started it all said there were more sponsors than students. In 2020, sponsors gave the graduating class words of advice, wrote personal emails to students, sent cards, flowers, balloons and gifts.

How it works? Parents or guardians of a senior enter a Facebook group called BHSD 228 Adopt a High School Senior Class of 2021, and write a post all about their senior's high school journey and plans post graduation. From there, participants can ask the parent to 'adopt' the student, and with parental supervision, students will be able to converse with the adopter on future plans and adopters may congratulate them for completing high school. Students must be from D228, but adopters can be from anywhere. Those running the Facebook group said adopters are vetted prior to adopting a student, and that parents must be involved.

Shawn Burgher said she wanted to start the program last year after hearing about it from other school districts across the country. Burgher’s daughter had graduated from Bremen High School in 2020, and she wanted to help give her senior, and other seniors, the recognition they deserve.

"So far we have over 40 kids signed up in the four high schools," Burgher said. "We want to make sure that these kids know that their community cares. There's people looking out for them … They sometimes need that extra support from our neighbors, friends and community. [This program] can provide that support."

Although this program is not run by the Bremen High School District, D228 says it is in full support of it.

"What's really special about this program is that it was created by the community for the community. While it's not an initiative the district put together, we encourage District 228 to get involved and check it out. Last year, more than 130 graduates benefited from this program,” said Jamie Bonnema, public relations specialist for D228. “Thank you to Mrs. Burgher who continues this effort for a second year even after her daughter has graduated from our district. Your dedication to our students is admirable."

One student involved in the program is Christian Hack, a senior at Tinley Park High School. Hack has been involved in baseball all four years of high school, and is a left-handed pitcher, according to his mother, Patricia. He will be attending Valparaiso University on a baseball scholarship.

"He spends most of his free time training for baseball, working out at the gym and hanging out with his childhood friends and girlfriend," Patricia wrote in Christian's call for adoption on Facebook. "He is a true leader, funny and great kid who gets along with everyone."

Bremen High School District 228 is made up of Tinley Park High School, Bremen High School, Hillcrest High School and Oak Forest High School.

Although this program is exclusive to D228 students, Burgher encourages other school districts to start the program for their students. For those interested in learning more about the program and how to get involved, visit the BHSD 228 Adopt a High School Senior Class of 2021 Facebook Page.