Horizon High School graduates rise above

Bethany Lange, Herald Reporter
Posted 6/7/17

Horizon holds 2017 graduation

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Horizon High School graduates rise above

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EVANSTON — Looking ahead and rising above their story, 17 students graduated from Horizon High School on Friday, June 2. 

Four students gave speeches to honor the milestone. 

Mary Ann Cazares was the first speaker and shared the experiences of the last four years, her outlook on life and how she has grown especially in the last year. 

Cazares helped to organize the Latinos in Action group in Evanston this past year through translating and organizing, giving other families the tools and confidence to become involved in their children’s education.  

 “I’d like you guys to hold onto your dreams so tightly and to walk in that direction so boldly and so proudly because this is a big accomplishment,” she told her classmates. “... At the end of the day, the only person you have anything to prove anything to is yourself.” 

“The most difficult chains to break are those inside of us,” she said. 

She then reminded everyone present that, whether or not challenges are visible on the outside, no one finds life to be easy, and it’s vital to keep moving forward. 

“So give it your all to get through these challenges,” she challenged her class. “Dare to be all that you can be.” 

Before she finished speaking, Cazares thanked her family, teachers (especially Alex Katchuk) and shared how Horizon High School has helped her. She wrapped up by telling her class that the learning in life has only just begun, and they all have a chance — and a responsibility — to make a difference in the world. 

Dustin Hart (often known as DC Hart), shared his perspectives on the last four years and how he sees the future as well. 

He reflected on how everyone has a different understanding of what it means to suffer.

“And I think that’s one of the scariest, frightening, most beautiful things that could be said,” he said. 

He finished with reminding the audience and his class about the two most important things to keep in mind. 

“There’s someone that loves you, and you love someone,” he said. 

Shandril Hart, the top-ranked student in her class, and Paige Jones also gave short speeches, thanking everyone involved in their time at Horizon. 

Principal Shad Hamilton said he enjoys small schools such as Horizon because he gets the opportunity to get to know each and every student. 

Science teacher Alex Katchuk, who is leaving Evanston this year for a new adventure after 12 years teaching at Horizon, shared some of his thoughts and honored the graduates with a performance of a song he wrote several years ago. 

 “I can’t stress how important it is to get out of your comfort zone and pursue your dreams,” he told the graduates. “... So many people never try.” 

He himself has lived a life of adventure, including when he left a stable, comfortable life to pursue his dreams of adventure, despite the uncertainty. He has gone through his share of trials, too. 

“I am going to leave here with a great degree of sadness,” Katchuk said, “but I have never, in the 12 years I’ve been here, seen a class with so many kids that I’ve been unbelievably sure will go to college and unbelievably sure that they’re going to be a success.”

He said the difference is that many have already realized the value of seeking their dreams over listening to what other people, including their friends, want them to do. 

“I’ve seen people who’ve never gone anywhere since the day they graduated. Don’t let that happen,” he warned. “Yes, it’s going to be hard. ... You’ve got to give it your all. You’ve got one shot.”

He finished his presentation by singing a song about adventure and seeking dreams, after which he received a standing ovation.  

Assistant Superintendent Doug Rigby then certified the graduates’ diplomas.

“We’re going to hand out nearly 200 diplomas this weekend,” he told the audience, “and very few of them will mean as much as these ones.

The 2017 graduating students are Tristin Baker, Mary Ann Cazares, Sierra Green, Eden Harris, Dustin Hart, Shandril Hart, Lucus Hawkins, Aysha Herbst, Rachel Jashinsky, Paige Jones, Gauge Lewis, Tristan Painter, Keith Roderick, Khaelem Shunko, Deanna Sorensen, Autumn Stevig and Mariah Wisenbaker.

Two students, Ash Herbst and Tristin Baker, also got scholarships this year. Herbst (who starred in Sagebrush Theater’s spring production of “Stargirl”) received a scholarship from Masons of Evanston and from Sagebrush Theater. Baker received five — the Cathy Hansen, Evanston Education Association, Scott and Addie Taggart Family Memorial, Jason Crompton Memorial and Wong Gin Wing Family scholarships.