Waukegan High School held its commencement for the Class of 2025, where district leaders confirmed that graduates had met the requirements set by the Illinois School Code and Board of Education policy and where seniors presented two gifts to the school and the community.

Superintendent Teresa Placencia, speaking to graduates and families, said the ceremony celebrated students’ perseverance and community: “Hold on to that. Wherever life takes you, remember that you are always a bulldog.” Placencia announced that six students would each receive a $500 scholarship from the Board of Education and named one graduate, Victor Inahosa, for a $2,500 scholarship in recognition of student leadership.

The graduating class presented two senior gifts. A student representative said, “This year's senior gift is actually 2 gifts,” explaining that the class funded a newly designed senior lounge on the second floor of the Washington campus and purchased neighborhood Little Free Libraries to distribute books around Waukegan. The lounge was described as a furnished space intended for students to study, relax and collaborate; the Little Free Libraries were presented with the goal of offering free books to children and adults across the city.

Valedictorian Brandon Aguilar delivered the keynote address, reflecting on experience and perseverance. “Remember, we've all made mistakes, and I could be the first to admit, but mistakes don't define a person, but rather what you learn from them,” Aguilar told classmates. Senior class speakers, including senior class president LaMeryl Caesar and vice president Yamaleth Montejano, welcomed attendees and introduced platform guests.

Board of Education President Michael Rodriguez addressed the graduates, praising their accomplishments and urging them to seek mentors and be willing to help others. Co-principals Daniel Hill (Washington and AOC campus) and Eric Hamilton (Brookside campus) helped guide the ceremony and introduced student honors, including recognition for top-ranked students and those graduating with academic honors (cum laude distinctions and honor hoods were noted during the program).

The formal conferral occurred near the close of the ceremony when the superintendent, invoking the authority of the Illinois School Code and board policy, stated that students had satisfactorily completed the requirements and directed graduates to move their tassels from right to left. The district read names of graduates and recognized scholarship and award donors during the program.

The ceremony included musical performances by the senior choir and band, recognition of veterans and military-bound graduates, and acknowledgments of teachers, elementary and middle school principals, scholarship donors and families. Salutatorian Janelle Giselle Renteria and other top students were recognized before diplomas were conferred.

The event concluded with the official confirmation of graduation by district leaders and customary closing remarks. No policy votes or formal board actions were taken during the ceremony; the proceedings were ceremonial and administrative in nature.