It was two days before graduation, and for the 980 New Trier High School seniors who filed into Northwestern University’s Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston last week, this rehearsal for their commencement ceremony was one step closer to the end of their high school careers.
“You learned to take risks and stepped outside of your comfort zone,” Principal Denise Dubravec told the students after they were seated at the May 20 rehearsal. “Remember what you learned here.”
“I’m very excited,” Catherine Callaci, 18, of Kenilworth, said at the rehearsal. She plans to study psychology at Claremont McKenna College in California, in hopes of becoming an autism researcher.
Her favorite memories of being a Trevian?
“I loved the sport events,” she said.
Graduation was held May 22.
A commencement choir was scheduled to perform “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” at Sunday’s ceremony – with perhaps a fitting message for the seniors as they prepared to start the next chapter of their lives.
“I think it (the song) just means to embrace happiness,” said choir member Tori McCausland, 18, of Winnetka.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance photographer and reporter for Pioneer Press.
