Graduation Post Ceremony

Marist High School held its 51st annual commencement exercises Thursday, May 18, 2017, sending off an accomplished class of 401 young men and women to make Jesus Christ known and loved, while pursuing higher education and life.

At the heart of their Marist experience was spiritual growth. Members of the class participated in retreats and liturgy planning. Three groups participated in mission trips to Louisiana and South Carolina. Students also planned and executed countless service projects and fundraisers, including spearheading the Relay for Life which raised $55,000 for the American Cancer Society, and running a yearlong tutoring program for local grade school students. Also, more than 100 members of the class were enrolled in the senior service program, providing community service Monday through Friday to more than 18 area organizations, including Little Company of Mary Hospital, Elim Christian Services, and several nearby Catholic grammar schools. Another 143 seniors provided daily academic support to students through the peer leadership program. 

These students made an excellent academic reputation for themselves at Marist. They sent out more than 2,000 college applications, and were accepted to colleges and universities across the country. Graduates will be on the campuses of Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, University of Chicago, Yale University, University of Illinois, Marquette, Loyola, and St. Louis University, to name a few. They were awarded more than $45 million in scholarship monies, including three Chick Evans Scholarships. There were two National Merit Finalists and three National Merit Commended students and 61 Illinois State Scholars. Marist seniors were leaders on the math team, which finished fifth in state overall and as the top Catholic school. The language department offered exchange programs with international Marist schools, allowing students to host students from and travel to Spain, Italy, and France. Seniors also were pioneers in the school’s business curriculum, culminating in three student companies receiving funding. Numerous students were named ACT scholars, Advanced Placement Scholars, and received prestigious awards and scholarships. 

Athletically, individuals and teams were strong performers. Individuals and teams garnered conference, local, regional and state success. Forty-two graduates have committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level with programs coast to coast.

After the bell rang each day, these seniors participated in clubs and activities, sharing their leadership and expertise with the school community. The speech team advanced to the National Catholic Forensic League Grand Tournament in Kentucky. Members of the school newspaper advanced and placed in the IHSA journalism finals. Student council members planned a variety of events and activities throughout the year. The theater guild produced a fall drama and spring musical to the delight of audiences. The band and chorus performed at various sites around Disney World and New York City, respectively.

Ninety-nine percent of the class will attend college in the fall. Four students will join the military, while a few will enter the workforce immediately. If the class’s accomplishments at Marist are any indication of their future success, the end of this chapter is just the beginning for them.  

Check out a recap video from graduation.