Graduation Review: Congratulations to DHS's New Alums

See photographs, stories and a video about Deerfield High School's graduation Tuesday as well as stories about some outstanding graduates.

In the Meantime: Deerfield's Graduation Speech

Below is a complete copy of the speech Hannah Goldstein gave to her classmates and the rest of the crowd from the Ravinia Festival stage at the annual graduation Tuesday.

“I think,” she said simply, wringing her student-driver hands around the ten-and-two of the steering wheel, “I think that I am going to have road rage.” I sat in the backseat of this newly proclaimed hell ride and prayed that the driving instructor might have something to say to counter this unfortunate decision. He took a breath—wait for it, I thought to myself, just watch what he’ll say— “Keep right, then merge onto the highway.” I’ve got to say, I had hoped for something different. Somehow the threat of an aggressive fifteen-year-old driver promising to cuss out other drivers didn’t really strike him as important. Thus we continued along Illinois highway 2-94—or, if you’re me up until several months ago, Illinois highway two hundred and…

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DHS Names Valedictorians and Salutatorians

Seven students to receive honor at graduation tonight.

Seven Deerfield High School seniors will be honored as valedictorians and salutatorians of the senior class when they join 364 of their classmates at 5 p.m. today for graduation at Ravinia Park. The valedictorians are Anna Saplitski, Jett Levin, Jeremy Jacobson, Jenna Aronson, and Elaine Arbaugh. Jason Brown and Michael Fosco are the salutatorians.  Earlier: DHS Class of 2012 Graduates Tuesday  Though often times a class has only one valedictorian and one salutatorian, Assistant Principal Ken Williams explained multiple honors are awarded because grade point averages can be only hundredths of a point apart.  For more news and updates, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

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Intensity Powers Brown’s State Title Drive

Warrior captain keeps focus en route to celebration of title.

A laser like focus on championship tennis was the key ingredient for Jason Brown as the Deerfield High School senior breezed to the state title Saturday with a pair of straight set victories in Arlington Heights. Though the scores indicate Brown had an easy time winning the title match and the semifinal contest 90 minutes before, he increased his concentration at critical points throughout the day to puncture his opponents’ confidence. Earlier: Update: Warriors’ Brown Wins State Tennis Title “He executed both game plans perfectly,” Assistant Coach Ryan Johnstone said of the Yale University bound Brown. Johnstone was at courtside for both matches. “He is very good at strokes but the best thing about his game is his ability to be mentally …

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Three Amigos Riding High for Deerfield Softball

Friends since fourth grade, trio lead Warriors

The three amigos will soon be making their final ride soon for Deerfield High School. Megan Buranosky, Emily Shanker and Nicki Chamberlain-Simon have been stalwarts on the Deerfield softball team for the past two seasons. But the trio, who are also tri-captains, have been friends since fourth grade. They will lead the Warriors into the New Trier Regional at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday against Glenbrook South. “We met playing travel softball,” said Shanker, who plays third base for the Warriors. “And we became good friends since. The three of us do so much together.” “It is not just softball,” said Chamberlain-Simon, who plays shortstop and has been a three-year starter. “We are in a lot of the same clubs and have AP classes together. We are just …

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Why Wait for Graduation in May?

Cassidy Rappaport gets her diploma May 29 after teaching in Asia since graduating in January.

When Cassidy Rappaport receives her diploma from Deerfield High School May 29, she will have been a graduate of the school for more than four months. Rappaport was one of seven students to earn her diploma in January. While her classmates were studying things like math, English, science and social studies, she was teaching in Thailand, Burma and India. “I planned it,” Rappaport said. “I wanted to do a gap year so I met with my counselors at the start of my junior year so I had one and a half years to plan it.” She scheduled the necessary courses to earn enough credit to graduate a semester early. Not a stranger to Asia when she arrived in January, Rappaport began to develop a passion for human rights and the plight of refugees three years …

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