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Central Middle School Class of 2025 presented as eligible for diplomas at Evergreen Park ESD 124 commencement
Summary
At a commencement at Central Middle School, Dr. Jenna Woodland, superintendent of Evergreen Park ESD 124, declared the school's eighth-grade students eligible to receive diplomas. The ceremony included student speakers, a choir performance and instructions for the diploma presentation and exit process.
Dr. Jenna Woodland, superintendent of Evergreen Park ESD 124, declared Central Middle School’s eighth-grade students eligible to receive diplomas and presented the Class of 2025 during a graduation ceremony at Central Middle School.
The ceremony featured a student-led Pledge of Allegiance, a performance by the school choir directed by Lisa Banos Cruz, remarks from student leaders and a member of the Evergreen Park school board. Organizers asked families to hold applause until all names were read and directed guests to wait outside the Shannon Center until graduates completed the recessional and received their diplomas in the recreational gym.
Lisa Banos Cruz, Central Middle School’s music teacher and choir director, introduced the choir and the Star-Spangled Banner; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by graduates Kevin McAuliffe and Miranda Malum, identified during the program as Central Middle School’s 2024–25 American Legion award winners. Student leaders Jordan McCad, president of the National Junior Honor Society, and vice president Natalia Herrera addressed classmates. “We made it,” Jordan McCad said during his remarks.
An Evergreen Park School District board member spoke to graduates about the role of the board and offered advice and encouragement. “You did this. Not your mom, not your teacher, not your friend who let you copy your homework … You put in the work,” the board member told the students.
Dr. Jenna Woodland thanked the board, administrators, teachers, families and the community for supporting the students’ education and reminded graduates to “take full advantage of every opportunity coming your way.” “Do you know that they do this for free? And they do this for free because they care about each and every one of you,” Woodland said, referring to the volunteer service of the board.
Before the diplomas were handed out, Woodland asked guests to remain seated until each graduate’s name was read once. She said the graduates would receive their diplomas in the recreational gym and exit through the west doors; guests were then asked to leave by the south entrance to meet their graduates outside the Shannon Center.
After the ceremonial movement of tassels and presentation of the class, Woodland declared the students eligible to receive their eighth-grade diplomas in recognition of completing the graduation requirements established by Evergreen Park ESD 124.
