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Wednesday • July 26 • 2017
Outlook Academy Graduates Over 50 High School Students in July
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What a graduation! On July 17, 2017, I went to the most joyous graduation I’ve ever attended. We entered the auditorium to the sounds of a very professional jazz band. The stage was decorated with large floral arrangements and white cloth covered the chairs—this was clearly a special event. The auditorium rapidly filled up with family and friends of the 108 graduates, 52 of whom were Outlook Academy students—52 students who got a second chance to graduate from high school. They are excited. Outlook Academy students graduate from the high school they would have if they’d graduated with their peers. They wear the same caps and gowns, stand up with summer school and other regular graduates, and receive a diploma from the high school. Outlook Academy students didn’t finish high school with their peers for various reasons, such as illness, pregnancy, homelessness, or other crises. They’ve had to work harder and longer to get that diploma, and now, here they are. The dignitaries begin to assemble on the stage, as the graduates file into the auditorium in their caps and gowns. Families clap and call to their grads—there are whoops of joy and shouts of encouragement. This is a happy crowd, many standing and recording with their phones. The Star Spangled Banner plays, and hands cover hearts. The MC thanks the parents and the staff of District 205. On the stage were the principals: Ebonie Williams of Thornridge High School, Tony Ratliff of Thornton Township High School, and Dennis D. Willis, Sr. of Thornwood High School. With them are District 205 School Board Members Ray Banks and Albert Butler, Area Instructional Leader Brett Fickes, District 205 Director of College & Careers John Arrington, and Thornridge High School Counselor Anthony Thomas, who would be delivering the graduate address. Only an emergency kept Superintendent
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of Schools Dr. Leotis D. Swopes away. Anthony Thomas greeted the crowd, and they greeted him right back. He admitted that when he was asked to deliver the speech, he felt the need to say something “motivational.” Then he read something Zig Ziglar said: a motivational speech “only lasts one day…but so does bathing. You need it daily.” He went on, “You all have stories; of will power, determination, effort… it has been a struggle, especially for teens whose graduation was delayed by parenthood. So along with motivation, I choose to celebrate what you done.” Thomas may have been the designated speaker, but there were stirring words from many on the stage. John Arrington repeated a truism: “They say, ‘Those who graduated late never graduate.’ But you proved them wrong!” Thornridge Principal Ebonie Williams reminded them “You decided to to this. Always remember you have the power to make decisions.” Thornwood Principal Dennis D. Willis, Sr. said, “Doors have been opened for you. You did it! Now, walk through them.” Thornton Principal Tony Ratliff cited his own dissertation, in which he asserted that students fail because of boredom in a system that merely manages rather than educates students. “But you have proved ‘the system’ is a lie! You are a leader because you defied the odds. You’ve gone through the fire.” Outlook Academy Assistant Coordinator Steve Valant reminded the students they had not gotten here by themselves. “You are standing on broad shoulders… give a round of applause to your parents and grandparents.” The students came to their feet with thunderous applause. As the students crossed the stage, there were cheers, whistles, and clapping for every student. The band played each high school’s fight song. When the MC asked them to stand and pronounced them the Class of 2017, a roar rose from the whole room. One parent’s yell said it all: “You made it baby!”
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Thornton High School Principal Tony Ratliff and Outlook Academy Assistant Coordinator Steve Valant congratulate a new July 2017 graduate. ________________________________________________
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