Belvidere North High School celebrated its Class of 2025 at a commencement ceremony in which Dr. Cassandra Shug, superintendent of Belvidere Community Unit School District 100, certified that the students had met requirements set by the Board of Education and the State of Illinois and therefore earned their high school diplomas.

The ceremony also marked two district milestones: District 100 announced its first-ever dual-language program graduates (14 students), and at least one graduate finished a Running Start pathway with an associate degree from Rock Valley College. Principal Jim Frizema opened the program with remarks recognizing students, families, district staff and school-board members and invited the community to celebrate the class's accomplishments.

Why it matters: The dual-language cohort represents a new, district-level academic program reaching its first graduation, and the Running Start and other dual-credit recognitions underscore District 100's connections with postsecondary institutions and early-college pathways for students.

Dr. Cassandra Shug formally certified the class to the assembled audience: "As the superintendent of the Belvidere Community Unit School District 100, I certify that the Belvidere North High School graduating class sitting before you of 2025 has met all the graduation requirements deemed appropriate by the Board of Education and the State of Illinois and has therefore earned their high school diplomas. Congratulations, graduates." The district then proceeded with the awarding of diplomas by school staff.

Principal Jim Frizema highlighted student successes and asked the community to recognize groups within the class, including students graduating with honors: 50 students with GPAs from 3.5 to 3.74 (honors distinction), 52 students with GPAs from 3.75 to 3.99 (high honors), and 12 students with a 4.0 (highest honors). Frizema noted extracurricular accomplishments across arts, athletics and academic competitions and called attention to students who had earned college credit through Running Start, AP classes or dual credit.

Student speakers reflected on the transition from high school. Highest-honors graduate Rebecca Chu told classmates, "We made it," and urged them to balance planning for the future with recognizing the progress that brought them to the moment. Anna Pulaski, another highest-honors speaker, encouraged classmates to confront fear and "embrace both" judgment and the unknown as part of growing. Brendon Bamente, a Running Start student who earned an associate degree from Rock Valley College, led the class in turning their tassels.

The ceremony included traditional elements of the school's commencement program: a musical performance by the senior choir led by vocal music director Dr. Philip Vermillion, ringing the school bell three times to mark the accomplishment, and recognition of students who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Details and next steps: Several named graduates announced intended next steps during the ceremony: Rebecca Chu plans to attend Northern Illinois University to study psychology; Anna Pulaski will attend the University of Illinois to major in environmental sciences; Brendon Bamente will attend the University of Illinois and major in computer science after completing his Running Start associate degree. Additional graduates were recognized for a range of achievements across athletics, fine arts and academic competitions.

The ceremony concluded with the awarding of diplomas and the customary bell ringing and congratulations to the Class of 2025.