From left to right, already in their rows as future graduates file into the auditorium are Abigail “Aye Jay” Julianne Torres of Prairie View, Abigail Venegas of Long Grove and Ella Zelker of Buffalo Grove during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Almost 1,200 graduates of the Adlai E. Stevenson High School Class of 2026 graduated at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on Friday, May 22.
The Class of 2026 exhibited philanthropy, part of what is instilled as a Stevenson Patriot, said Eric Twadell, superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125 in Lincolnshire.
Mortarboard caps are tossed in the air as commencement concludes for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
“As a class, you led fundraising efforts that have raised well over $100,000 for local, national and global causes,” Twadell told graduating students from the lectern on stage. “You didn’t just grow, you gave. And you gave generously.
“Over these four years, you have embodied our portrait of a graduate, not just in skill, but in spirit,” Twadell said. “We are proud beyond words.”
Two seniors offered podium speeches. The first student speaker offering the Scriptor Address was Nisa Rao of Riverwoods.
“There was a constant in our school, the selfless individuals that contribute to our community,” Rao said. “So thank you all for being a part of my community.”
The Gubernator Address was given by Sanchi Deshpande of Lincolnshire.
“Of the many things we’ve learnt at Stevenson, take this with you,” Deshpande told fellow students.
“We, Patriots, do not skip to the ending,” Deshpande said. “We live the journey because if we knew the ending, it wouldn’t be worth a watch.”
While filing into the auditorium for graduation was Joie Goldstein of Buffalo Grove, who said about being a Patriot now and into the future. “It’s a privilege.”
Karthik Pushparaj of Buffalo Grove, the parent of graduating Patriot Aditya Karthik, 17, entered the NOW Arena holding a bouquet of flowers.
“I wish he does very well in his studies and his life in general,” said Karthik Pushparaj to son Aditya.
Parents Jam and Maru Torres of Prairie View were seated in the audience with oversized poster signage for their graduate, Abigail “Aye Jay” Julianne Torres, 18.
About Aye Jay, “I’m so, so proud of her,” Jam Torres said, adding that Aye Jay was among the “best things that ever happened in my life.
“She’s going to grow up to be a wonderful, beautiful, young lady,” her father said with a smile.
A mortarboard decorated cap during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Second from left, performing on violin with the Stevenson High School Orchestra is Claire Wang of Lincolnshire during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Second from left, looking up while filing into the auditorium for graduation is Joie Goldstein of Buffalo Grove. “It’s a privilege,” Goldstein said, of being a Patriot. Taken during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Doing a cell phone selfie are, from left, Abigail “Aye Jay” Julianne Torres of Prairie View and Abigail Venegas of Long Grove during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Parents Jam and Maru Torres of Prairie View are seated with signage for their future graduate, Abigail “Aye Jay” Julianne Torres, 18, during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
“I wish he does very well in his studies and his life in general,” said, holding flowers after entering the arena with other attendees, Karthik Pushparaj of Buffalo Grove, the parent of graduate Ishaan Aditya Karthik, 17, before commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Third from left, wearing a blue tie and collar and performing with senior choir members is Daxter “Dax” Bytsko of Buffalo Grove during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Through the view of yellow flowers along the stage, the second student speaker of the program for the Gubernator Address is offered by Sanchi Deshpande of Lincolnshire during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
The first student speaker of the program for the Scriptor Address is offered by Nisa Rao of Riverwoods during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
This vehicle arrives to NOW Arena with a festive message and salute to a graduate before commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
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A mortarboard decorated cap during commencement for Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduation in Hoffman Estates on May 22, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
