With the school year ending and summer on its way, Pekin Community High School sends off their seniors with a multitude of fun activities. These activities include Senior Sunset, Senior Sendoff, and the traditional graduation ceremony. 

Tuesday, May 14th, marked the second annual Senior Sunset, where the class of 2024 met at PCHS’ Custer Stout Gymnasium to watch the sun go down. This event had snacks, drinks, and different games on the field, as well as a projector with a slideshow with memories from all four years of high school. 

Although Principal Joel Schmieg has influence on if traditions stay around, he was not the visionary behind the newest additions.

“We had a really passionate [student] ambassador last year who wanted to do a senior sunset,” Schmieg explained. “All the seniors naturally got together… to be with your class the last night, I didn’t realize the impact it would have on students, I think it got surreal.”

Senior sunset and sunrise is not the only student-led tradition being brought forth. Friday, May 10th, the last late start of the year, seniors set up a tent, topgrill, chairs, and served breakfast.

“[The breakfast grill out] is something I’d like to see stay as a tradition,” Schmieg stated. “The seniors got here at eight o’clock and took care of everything, they set up a flat-top, they had breakfast, they had music, they had fun, they had games and they even got out and picked up after themselves. I can’t say enough about this group of seniors.”

Senior Sendoff is another of PCHS’ traditions. During the 5th hour of their last day of school, seniors meet at either Memorial stadium or one of the gyms to enjoy a cookout and games, where PCHS faculty sends off all of the seniors.

Schmieg personally grilled lunch for the seniors at Senior Sendoff, while they enjoyed their last few hours of high school.

The graduation ceremony is the seniors’ final step towards the future, with student speakers Rachel Filarski and Sophie Vansaghi representing the 2024 senior class.

“High school is an amazing time in our lives to learn and grow,” Filarski said. “So [our speech] is about overcoming challenges.”

With both FIlarski and Vansaghi being state qualifiers for Speech and Debate, their combined words will surely be inspirational for everyone listening. 

Other speeches will be made by Superintendent Dr. Danielle Owens and Schmieg himself. 

Since this is Schmieg’s last year as Principal of the Dragons, graduation feels a bit surreal, but he’s still focused on celebrating the seniors.

“It’s about [the seniors] and [their] class, I won’t say a lot about it during my graduation speech because it’s about the graduating seniors and not me,“ said Schmieg. “While I’m going onto other things, I will definitely always be a part of Pekin. As I always say ‘once a Dragon, always a Dragon.’”

With seniors, Schmieg and others leaving to go onto bigger and better things, it’s important to remember that change is necessary for growth and change is how life progresses.

Photos by Riley Cady

Valedictorian

Alexis Lynn Johnson

Summa Cum Laude

Landen Robert Bell 

Mya Ly Chau 

Current Tyler Clark

Alexis May Daniels 

Jack Evan Davis

Matthew David English 

Autumn Glynn Evans

Davin Michael Fairchild

Isabella Marie Ghidina 

Abigail Marie Kabatay Green 

Madison Marie Hubner

Lauren Michelle Jarvill 

Alexis Lynn Johnson 

Sarah Marie Little 

Connor Andrew Martin

Melanie Renee McDaniel

Carson Blake Sidell 

Donovan Thomas Stubblefield 

Sophia Grace Vansaghi

Brianna Elizabeth Wood 

Magna Cum Laude

Delaney Ella Arnsman 

Brooklyn Paige Bishop

Keegan Mekhi Busby 

Daniel Christopher Cash

Shayla Marie Connor

Caiden William Cook

Colten Rien Cox 

Macey Julieann Dalton 

Lucy Dong

Owen Lawrence Fandel 

Jolyne Marie Faulkenberry 

Rachel Grace Filarski 

Rayna Breanne Flick 

Sonya Lynn Gale 

Lucas Alan Glesne

Josue Andres Godoy 

Addison Jane Goessman 

Emilianna Grace Guerra

Mylee Nicole Hansen 

Dominic Anthony Hawkins 

Elizabeth Nicole Hayden 

Sydney Anne Hubner 

Luke Michael Hutton 

Nathan Michael James

Charlee Christine Johnson

Liberty Kaylene Kasinger

Ava Nicole Leitze

Mallory Noelle McBride 

Rhenna Jane McDaniels

Jake Thomas Moehring

Kent Everett Olson

Kristen Beyla Porter

Marshall Allen Pruitt

Cecilia Marie Ramos 

Cali Jaylynn Rhodes 

Ryder James Shaw

Sierra Nicole Sitter

Gage Martin Stoller 

Abigail Renae Strode

Jaelyn Christine Toms

Lainey Noelle Volz

Emma Renee Wagle 

Alexander Jeffrey Walker 

Alexandria Lynnette Weibring 

Cum Laude

Sienna Jo Baker 

Keardan Allen Bolen

Logan Alan Booth

Gavin John Thomas Burns 

Logan Daniel Chesher 

Abigail Elizabeth Davis

Baylee Renae Donaldson

Lilly Mae Dozard

Olivia Rebekah Draher 

Henry Lawrence Fandel 

Sophia Kristine Gianessi 

Luke Brune Goss

Kahlena Hayden Hart 

Haylee Sue Hawkinson 

Ciera Marie Hayward

Scott William Herring 

Catrina Louise Irby 

Matthew Christian Juergens 

Emma Faye Just 

Jamison Steven Knight 

Tiara Denea Lindsey 

Ahmed Ibrahim Malik

Ridge Kekoanui Matthews

Lucas William McGinnis 

Samuel John Million 

Gianna Avery Nizzia 

Breanna Nicole Parsons 

Courtney Michelle Perrill 

Elahna Rose Perry 

Carlee Julz-Adell Regan 

Alexis Michelle Schlitt

Elizabeth Anne Shea

Joaquin Alonso Stamper 

Kailey Pearle Stibs 

Jessica Anne Wooten