Local News |

Mundelein, Vernon Hills and Libertyville high schools set to hold live prom, graduation for Class of 2021: ‘It gives our kids a lot of hope that things are returning to normal’

High schools across central Lake County are planning to host live — albeit restricted — events to celebrate the 2021 seniors as the class gets set to graduate in the coming weeks.

While each high school is hosting its own prom and graduation ceremony, many of these events will take place on a rotational basis. This will have students attending in groups, allowing each senior to participate while still adhering to public health restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Some high schools, such as Vernon Hills High School, will host events outside of the traditional prom and graduation. VHHS has a senior honors assembly and a car parade planned for this month. The senior honors assembly, however, will only be attended by those receiving an award, according to school officials.

The car parade was introduced last year to still offer a way to celebrate the seniors at the onset of the pandemic – despite the restrictions in place at the time. It will take place again this year, but VHHS Principal Jon Guillaume said he hopes this will be the last year for it.

Overall, Guillaume called the event schedule a “significant step forward” in getting back on track to normal. He also thanked the school’s parent groups for their help in supporting the seniors.

“I think (the events) will go a long way of providing some healthy closure at the end of what otherwise was a really unique and difficult year,” Guillaume said.

VHHS already held its prom at the end of April, and the graduation is May 27 at VHHS Stadium. The commencement will have the full class graduating in one session with spectators spread out, according to information from the school.

Mundelein High School, in addition to its prom and graduation, will host a senior honors event as well. The May 18 event will be virtual and by invitation only.

Graduation for MHS will be May 23 at the school’s football stadium. The students will be split into two alphabetical sessions. Prom will take place May 14 with the students attending in one session, according to school officials.

Peggy Billittier, executive assistant to the principal, said organizing the events this year was more difficult than in previous years. The constant changes and uncertainties in public health mitigations led to plans being created and scrapped. Other factors, such as tickets and parking, were also logistical concerns, she said.

“It’s been challenging,” Billittier said. “It’s important for the kids and families, and from my perspective I want it to be right for everyone.”

Principal Anthony Kroll said with other live events starting up related to band, choir and athletics, things are starting to feel a little more normal at MHS. He said there is excitement around restrictions being lifted, providing more opportunity for events and gatherings.

“We shut down so quickly, and everything was kind of severed instantaneously,” Kroll said. “Sometimes you get used to it, like this is the way it is. But … this isn’t the way it’s been.”

Libertyville High School is slated to have its prom and graduation ceremony at the end of the month. Their prom will take place May 22 at the school, with the theme centered around the students taking “flights” to different destinations.

Officials said this will allow the students to be broken up into groups as they “fly” to a few “destinations” set up at the high school. There will be new groups “taking off” every 45 minutes starting at 5 p.m. The event will last for two hours for each group, and will include a silent disco, roller skating, various games and surprises, and a trip to the football field to hang out and take pictures.

The graduation will take place May 27 in one session at the school’s football stadium.

Student Activities Director Jennifer Uliks said seniors wanted any kind of event they could have. She said that setting up these events have been challenging, but she also thanked the students for helping push school officials in this particular direction.

“I think it gives our kids a lot of hope that things are returning to normal again … some sense of ‘everything’s gonna be OK.’ And I think they’re feeling that already,” Uliks said.