Parker Congratulates the Class of 2012

On Wednesday May 30, 2012 Flossmoor School District 161 and Parker Junior High School held the Class of 2012 Commencement Ceremony for the graduating 8th grade class. The evening began with speeches from Mary Donkel, National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) Vice President, Shaleahk Wilson, president of Student Council, Dr. Vanessa Atkins, Principal of Parker Junior High School, Mr. Bruce Brozynski, Assistant Principal, Lila Grant, Student Council Secretary, and Hannah Cohn, President of NJHS.

Dr. Vanessa Atkins and Mr. Bruce Brozynski awarded the prestigious Citizenship and Service awards to the class of 2012. Graduates receiving the Citizenship and Service awards are selected by the faculty through a nomination and voting process, for their continuing and meaningful contributions throughout the school community during the 2011-2012 school year.

To be nominated for the Citizenship Award, a student must meet criteria that reflects positive and responsible attitudes and behavior, a positive example for others to follow, respect for self, others and property, while also meeting academic expectations in his or her classes.  All of this is on an ongoing basis throughout the school year. Congratulations to the 2012 Citizenship Award winners, Lila Grant and John Truex.

To be nominated for the Service Award, a student must be active in school-sponsored events and activities, have volunteered his or her services to the school in some significant manner, and have demonstrated on a consistent and continuing basis that he or she is an excellent school citizen. This year’s winners are Ashley Berry and Mbella Beseka.

Following the speakers, 8th grade students, led by Orchestra Director, Ms. Samantha May played “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay Ungar. Performers were Michelle Maass (soloist), Mbella Beseka, Tina Calhoun, Mariah Jiles, Imani Muhammad, Jessica Barry, Mae Carroll, Holly Hughes, Marcia Schwieterman, and Kayla Robinson.

Once the musical performance was completed, Superintendent, Mr. Craig M. Doster, presented the class with a few words of wisdom. Dr. David Dryfuss, President of the Board of Education accepted the class and diplomas were awarded by the Board of Education members and Parker Junior High School administration.

Students who wore the white stole indicated that the student achieved either Blue Honor Roll, a 3.5 to 3.9 grade average, or the Gold Honor Roll, a 4.0 grade average, or a combination of the two for all four quarters of eighth grade.  Eighty Three (83) students achieved this level of academic achievement in the class of 2012.

Additionally, 18 of these students achieved a straight 4.0 average during 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.  This group represents the most students to graduate in any one class from Parker with a perfect 4.0 for all three school years. Parker Junior High School would like to congratulate the following students on this outstanding achievement:

Tia Baldwin

Jessica Barry

Ryan Bergal

Mbella Beseka

Mae Carroll

Preston Genett

Michael Gislason

Lila Grant

Lauren Kuchta

Madison Larocca

Karlee Lukasik

Jacqueline Mazique

Kayla Reiser

Julia Schwieterman

Nicholas Thompson

Elizabeth Voelker

Isabel Weber

Shaleahk Wilson

Graduates who have achieved the Gold Honor Roll for four quarters represent straight “A’s” for all four quarters of the year, a perfect 4.0. 

Kwame Amuh

Tia Baldwin

Jessica Barry

Ryan Bergal

Mbella Beseka

Mae Carroll

Bernie Coderre

Hannah Cohn

Daniel Estelle

Riley Farkos

Preston Genett

Michael Gislason

Lila Grant

Morgan Jackson

Lauren Kuchta

Laura Larocca

Madison Larocca

Grace Lipscomb

Karlee Lukasik

Michelle Maass

Jacqueline Mazique

Kayla Reiser

Julia Schwieterman

Mandy Sigale

Courtney Thompson

Nicholas Thompson

Cassie Toolan

Elizabeth Voelker

Isabel Weber

Payton White

Shaleahk Wilson

Combination Blue and Gold Honor Roll All Four Quarters

Stephanie Agyemang-Amoako

Paige   Armstrong

Marcus   Baker

Zion   Banks

Jacob Bodine

Lucas   Bodnar

Raquel   Bravo

Kayla Brook

Janelle Butler

Brooke   Butler

Carter Byrd

Terri Calhoun

Tina   Calhoun

Alec Campos

Noah   Colon

Benjamin Conforti

Brendan Crawford

Nicolas   Cueller

Jade Curtis

Katie Dames

Ebony DeVoe

Mary   Donkel

Brenden Drinkard-McFarland

Aliaa Eldabli

Christopher Elion

Sydney Espinosa

Christian Evans

Sydney Floyd

Nora   Grasse

Bryce Gray

Victoria   Gulley

Morgan   Herbert

Jeri Harris

Brent Hughes

Aileen Humphrey

Dan   Ibrahim

Jordan Jackson

Megan   Jelinek

Anisa Johnson

Katelynn   Karner

Madena   Kusi

Syria   Laird

Hannah   Levy

Daniela Lopez

Lonzo Lynn

Kaela   Mack

Alexis   Malone

Aaron   McGhee

Margaret  Moore

Sakyrah   Morris

Leah   Moss

Cedric   Nartey

Lonniel Nelson

Tyler Newkirk

Christopher Norling

Noah Odom

Tatiana Owens-Arroyo

Shelby Pauling

Christopher Payne

Troy   Payne

Jordan Penman

Kiwane Perry

Jasmine Prater

Brianna Rauch

Shelly Ray

Kenu Redick

Kayla Reed

Johnathon Schmidt

Mia Schumann

Marcia Schwieterman

Taylor  Shults

Darius Slatton

Cassidy Spuhler

Kevin Steiner

Aubria Thornhill

Grace Tosi

Johnathan Truex

Kira VanVoorhees

Teyah Wheat

Tyler Wheeler

Brittany White

Alan Williams

School District 161 and Parker Junior High School would like to wish all graduates the best of luck in high school and where ever life takes you. May your years in School District 161 prepare you for the challenges and triumphs that will greet you in high school and beyond.