UHS Seniors Will Soon Walk the Stage

If you talk to any senior right now they will probably mention graduation, which makes sense. The high schools commencement ceremony is quickly approaching. The seniors graduate May 30 at 3 p.m. at the University of Illinois Assembly Hall.

“It’s going to be sad graduating, I’ve had a lot of great memories here with my friends and I am really going to miss them” said Senior Crystal Howard. “But I am ready to be out on my own and go to college.”

The Seniors honor night is Monday, May 17. Honors night recognizes seniors for there academic accomplishments. Honors night is also a time where scholarships are given out. “It’s one of my favorite nights because the kids don’t really know if they are getting an award and it’s cool to see there reaction when they win” said Dr. Laura Taylor.

Before they can graduate the senior have their final exams just like everyone else, only a few weeks earlier. The senior finals are May 24 and the 25, and the seniors’ last day in the 25. So for about two weeks the school will be home to only freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

The Graduation ceremony is already lined up from the guest speaker to the entertainment. Nancy Thies-Marshall a graduate of Urbana High School will be this years commencement speaker. Thies-Marshall at the age of 15 was the youngest gymnast to represent the Women US team in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

Senior Class President Kendall Johnson will also be speaking at the ceremony. The UHS choir will be performing “We Are the World” and the UHS orchestra and band will perform the processional. A lot goes on to plan graduation. “I could truly not do this with out Justin Lopez,” said Taylor.

This senior class is really special to Dr. Taylor because it her first class that she has had since they were freshmen. “I truly love when I get to stand in line after the kids get their diplomas and when a kids hugs me or thanks me. It makes me feel appreciative of what Urbana High School has done for them,” said Taylor.