Three hundred students received diplomas Thursday from Parker Junior High School. In a commencement ceremony at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, graduates were honored for their achievements as they were reminded that their educational journey resumes at the end of the summer.
Student Council President Kai Garris presented this year’s class gift, wall art that will be on display in Parker’s new addition. Joan Coderre, president of the Parker chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, gave an address on “A Look to the Future.”
Class of 2015 Citizenship Award winners are Audrey Brown, Caroline DiLuia, Jessica Salazar and Darek Kois. Thirty-four girls and 22 boys were nominated for the Citizenship Award. To be nominated for the Citizenship Award, students 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.
Service Award winners are Anna Simmons and Deon Davis. Thirty girls and 30 boys were nominated for the Service Award. To be nominated for the Service Award, students 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.
Graduating students who were on the Blue or Gold Honor Rolls all four quarters during eighth grade were honored Thursday night. Of those students, 35 students received straight A grades for all four quarters; they wore gold stoles with their graduation gowns.
Nine students were honored for achieving straight A grades during sixth, seventh and eighth grades. They wore gold stoles with blue trim during the graduation ceremony. Those students are Dominique Austin, Josephine Bachus, Joan Coderre, Perry Hoag, Winston Langston, Caroline Larocca, Emma McKillip, Patrick McLean and Anna Simmons.
The ceremony marked the end of a busy week for Parker graduates. On Monday, the school presented its eighth grade talent show. On Tuesday, eighth graders went on a class outing to Dave & Buster’s. An eighth grade dance took place Wednesday night.
