POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE. A Sycamore String Quartet plays Pomp and Circumstance leading into senior recognition night. The group’s conductor is Dr. Angela Santangelo. The quartet includes Esther Ku, violin, Heather Song, violo, So Eun Cho, violin, and Alice Lundgren, cello.

WELCOME. The first speech is given by Dr. Yejide Mack, SHS assistant principal. Mack discusses how far these students have come and how exciting it is for these students to enter a new chapter in their lives. Students lead many of the opening events after Mack’s speech.

PLEDGE. Following Mack’s speech is the pledge of allegiance. The pledge is led by the following seniors: Timothy Guth, Peter Henderson, Heidi Howell, Noah Hughes, Samuel Keller, Andrew Kern, Hyesung Lee, Joseph Lehn, Jacob (Jack) Rose, Kyle Schreiber and Austin Tornatore. Those on stage and in the audience participated in the pledge.

CHANGE THE WORLD. Senior Harsimran Makkad gave the opening remarks to the students, staff, and families gathered. “My speech was about thanking the people who helped us (seniors) get to where we are today. In it, I challenged everyone to take risks, show compassion, make a difference, and (as cliche as it may sound) be the best that they could be,” Makkad said.

MY WISH. Seniors Rebecca Schultz and Austin Tornatore sing “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts. The song focuses on the future each senior is about to step into, hoping all can follow their dreams and achieve all they set out to do. The song is a touching addition to senior recognition night.

SHINING STAR. Senior Heidi Howell receives two awards at senior recognition night. The first award is the Gina Rugari Memorial Award, Rugari being a Sycamore student who passed away in 2015. The second award is the Shining Star Award of Excellence.

AWARD WINNERS. Seniors Madeline Schramm and Noah Smilg are awarded the Lovis Foundation Hero Award. This award is presented to those who overcome obstacles and make a difference in their community. Schramm and Smilg are the only two at SHS to win this award.

UC. Senior Emily Chien receives the Senior Social Media Award, Trend Micro National Video Award, and the Cincinnatus Presidential Scholarship from the University of Cincinnati (UC). Chien plans to attend college at UC next year. Senior Yvanna Reyes also receives the Trend Micro award, as the two created the video together.

PTO. Oliver Garrett, senior, is awarded the Roy J. Kennedy PTO Scholarship. Garrett is the only recipient of this award. The PTO gave out other awards as well, such as the Joe Flege PTO Scholarship awarded to Matt Isakson.

RECONNECTING WITH TEACHERS. Senior Jane Lundgren is receiving the St. Barnabas Scholarship. Teachers came to personally give the awards to the students they worked with throughout the year. Seniors must wear their gowns and cords just like for graduation. “For seniors it’s a time for teachers and other people to recognize seniors for their talents and achievements. Seniors can receive scholarships and/or academic awards,” Makkad said.

HARD WORK. Senior Lily Steward receives the Shining Star Award of Excellence and Anne Neubeck Memorial Scholarship. The Shining Star Award of Excellence is given to students who work with Mrs. Paula Anstaett through Adaptive Physical Education or field trips for students with special needs. “It is nice to see all of my peers being recognized for their outstanding accomplishments. Each one has worked incredibly hard to get where they are today,” Steward said.