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Waukegan CUSD 60 celebrates 2025 middle school promotion at Robert Abbott
Summary
Waukegan CUSD 60 held a promotion ceremony at Robert Abbott Middle School honoring eighth-grade students. Board of Education President Michael Rodriguez, student speaker Jasmine Gutierrez and Assistant Principal Tanya Evans urged graduates to persevere, seek help and choose supportive peers as they move to high school.
Waukegan — Waukegan CUSD 60 honored eighth-grade promotion candidates from its public middle schools at a ceremony at Robert Abbott Middle School where Board of Education President Michael Rodriguez, a student speaker and school administrators emphasized perseverance, gratitude and choosing positive peers.
Board of Education President Michael Rodriguez told students that completing promotion requirements after setbacks is a “true test of character.” He said, “When your back was against the wall and you were forced with a choice, you made the choice to do what you had to do,” and urged graduates to thank the adults who supported them.
Student speaker Jasmine Gutierrez described struggling with classes and motivation and said summer school helped her persevere. “It taught me that the journey doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful,” Gutierrez said. She thanked teachers and her parents for their support and told classmates, “We didn't just graduate, we earned this.”
Assistant Principal Tanya Evans, representing the middle school administration, spoke about resilience and offered four tips for success: own your path, choose friends wisely, show up even when it’s hard and believe in your evolving self. “Your timing does not define your success,” Evans said, recounting her own experience of graduating later than peers.
Principal Flor Carter opened the ceremony and introduced visiting district leaders including Deputy Superintendent for Academic Supports and Programs Dr. Eduardo Cesario and Executive Director of Information Technology Dr. Josue Cuevas. Co–masters of ceremony Jesus Garcia Albaron and Johanna Johnson assisted with the program.
Ceremony elements included the Pledge of Allegiance, remarks from district and school leaders, a student address and the presentation of certificates to promotion candidates. Administrators announced that families could meet students outside the gym after the recessional.
The event included students representing multiple district middle schools and mascots referenced during remarks. The program closed with a recessional and invitations for families to greet graduates outside the gym areas.
