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Elmwood Park highlights college and career supports, biliteracy and first ASVAB administration
Summary
At the 2025 commencement, Elmwood Park High School noted expansion of postsecondary supports, including a new college and career counselor, first-time ASVAB testing, partnerships with local colleges and a record number of biliteracy seals.
Elmwood Park High School used its 2025 commencement program to highlight expanded college-and-career services, new testing and language accomplishments among graduates.
Principal Dr. Amanda Bridal Rico announced that the district added a college-and-career counselor position this year, naming Paige Kozera as the college and career counselor specialist and noting the development of a college and career resource center. Bridal Rico said the school "opted to administer the armed service vocational aptitude battery or ASVAB exam for the very first time," and she invited students pursuing military service to stand for recognition.
The principal described efforts to expand trade and career pathways: students visited the Plumbers Hall in Chicago and continued partnerships with Triton College and the Technology Center of DuPage. Students who completed a college-and-career pathway were eligible for a gold-and-black cord.
On language achievement, the school said 31 students earned the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy either this year or last, and the district reported a record-high exit rate on the ACCESS exam with 45 students. The ceremony also noted state qualifiers in boys’ and girls’ track and field, including two-time state long-jump qualifier Jordan Boatman.
These academic- and career-oriented changes were presented as part of the school’s broader postsecondary planning work; no formal policy changes or board votes were recorded during commencement. The announcements were made during the ceremony and are intended to inform students, families and the community about available postsecondary supports and recognitions.
