Waukegan High School will host its 150th commencement exercises on Friday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Weiss Field. An expected class of more than 870 students will make up the Waukegan High School’s Class of 2023.

Each graduate will be given four tickets for the ceremony. Graduates and two guests will sit together in a small pre-assigned cluster on the field. Additional tickets guests will be seated in the Weiss Field bleachers. No spectators will be admitted without a ticket. The ceremony 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 20 at 3 p.m. If a second date is rained-out, further details will be shared. Students and families will be notified of any changes in scheduling by noon on graduation day.

Facts about the Class of 2023:

An estimated class of 875 students is expected to graduate on May 19.  

This year’s graduates have earned scholarship offers totaling more than $25.7 million. 

The Class of 2023 completed more than 2,780 college applications to institutions nationally and internationally.

Nearly 550 students will attend a college, university, military or trade school in the fall, according to student surveys. 

Fifty-three graduates are members of the National Honor Society.

A total of 280 students will graduate with Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude distinction.  

46 graduates will earn 53 Illinois Seal of Biliteracy or Illinois Commendation Toward Biliteracy awards.

Seventy-one students completed coursework, which earned them a total of 478 dual credit hours at WHS and the College of Lake County.

218 Class of 2023 students completed 654 Advanced Placement courses over the last four years.

A total of 21 Bulldog graduates were named North Suburban Conference Scholar Athletes. 

Class of 2023 Valedictorian: Jester Abella

Class of 2023 Salutatorian: Krystal Hernandez

Other top 10 students: Breanna Evans, Daniel Shultz, Izaiah Diaz, Lianna Gomez, Yahir Alvarez, Elisabet Flores, Galileo Ascencio, Justin Ray Tala

Class President: Laila El-Amin

Class Vice-President: Joanna Gutierrez

Senior class speaker: Yahir Alvarez