Waukegan High School will host its 148th commencement exercises on Wednesday, May 19, Thursday, May 20 and Friday, May 21. The events will begin each evening at 5:30 p.m. at Weiss Field. An expected class of more than 700 students will make up Waukegan High School’s Class of 2021.

Students are assigned to graduation ceremonies based upon their counselors.
A “purple” ceremony will be held on Wednesday, for students with the following counselors: Ms. Kinert, Mr. McMillan, Ms. Yoor and Ms. Schlifke.

A “green” ceremony will be held on Thursday, for students with the following counselors: Mr. Adeloye, Ms. Bustamante and Dr. Caine.

A “gold” ceremony will be held on Friday, for students with the following counselors: Mr. Bridges. Ms. Cribb, Mr. Goodman and Ms. Hill.

Each graduate will be given two tickets for the ceremony, and graduates and their two guests will sit together in a small pre-assigned cluster. No spectators will be admitted without a ticket. All ceremonies will be broadcast live on the District’s YouTube Channel. 

In the event of inclement weather, any rained-out graduation ceremony will be moved to Saturday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. If a second date is rained-out, that ceremony will be moved to Sunday, May 23 at 5:30 p.m. Students and families will be notified of any changes in scheduling by noon on graduation day.

Facts about the Class of 2021:

An estimated class of at least 709 students is expected to graduate the week of May 17. 

This year’s graduates have earned scholarships totaling more than $18.9 million.

The Class of 2021 completed more than 1,640 college applications to a total of 398 colleges nationally and internationally.

79 graduates are members of the National Honor Society.

A total of 236 students will graduate with Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude distinction.  

Thirty-eight students were selected as Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

65 graduates will earn the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy.

172 students completed coursework, which earned them dual credit at WHS and the College of Lake County.

A total of 266 graduates completed more than 1,238 combined Advanced Placement courses.

Class of 2021 Valedictorian: Marieth Sosa

Class of 2021 Salutatorian: Kendyl Woods

Other top 10 students: Rafael Beaudoin, Kelly Beltran, Naomi Gonzalez, Adaly Jimenez, Andrew Matute, Nancy Miranda, Rebecca Pizano, Ethan Vergara

Class President: Daniel Contreras

Class Vice-President: Abigail Aguilar