Celebrating Amazing Graduates from North-Grand High School

There’s no doubt that the CPS Class of 2026 is going to do big things in life, and no group exemplifies that better than these outstanding graduates from North-Grand High School!

These students have accomplished so much in just four short years of high school, from winning athletic tournaments to earning full-ride scholarships. They’re also passionate about a wide range of topics, including the culinary arts, clean water, and robotics. But the one thing they all have in common? The drive and talent to achieve anything they set their minds to.

Keep reading to learn more about this special group of students.

Analia: “When I first walked into high school, I didn’t think that I would be involved in anything, but I quite literally did the opposite.”

One strength that Analia embodies is leadership. Never shying away from a commitment, Analia spent her high school career working hard and getting involved in many different activities and events. In a remarkable feat, she achieved academic success while making her mark as poms team captain and student council president. Many more adventures are sure to follow in Analia’s next chapter at North Park University!

• What is a highlight from your high school career? I was involved in a dance team called poms, and I couldn’t imagine my high school experience without it. Over the past four years, I built this community around me that supported me, made me feel wanted, and was always there at the end of the school day, whether it was bad or good. Thanks to my amazing team and even more amazing coaches, I always had a place where I belonged.

• How have you grown and changed over the course of high school? Being on this team made me step outside of my comfort zone, and eventually I became team captain! This experience taught me leadership and helped me grow so much as a person, and I learned a lot along the way. I will forever be grateful for everyone who supported me through it all.

Aracely: “During high school, I have grown to be more open to talking to new people and working together to accomplish a goal.”

Aracely is the first North-Grand student to do theatre for all four years of high school, growing in confidence and leadership along the way! From building sets to starring in a leading role, Aracely made her mark in the North-Grand theatre program, and her passion and commitment are truly inspiring. Next year, she is headed to Dominican University!

• Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen? Enjoy high school, have fun outside of school with your friends as much as you can, be focused on your work, and stay out of trouble.

• What is one thing you’re looking forward to in the year ahead? I’m looking forward to having a more flexible schedule and more freedom to enjoy.

Andrea: “My dream career is to be a pastry chef and own my own business. It’s going to take some time to get there, but I’m excited for the experiences and the lessons I will learn along the way.”

Andrea is known for her discipline, vision, positivity, and ability to uplift those around her. One of her proudest accomplishments from her high school career is her impressive involvement in North-Grand’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The skills she learned in this program propelled her to participate in many culinary competitions and earn significant scholarship funds. Next up for Andrea is the culinary arts program at Johnson and Wales University!

• What is your favorite thing about North-Grand? The vast amount of clubs, sports teams, and challenging courses available for students to take part in. I love being part of student-led events and being able to voice my ideas to make the school better through the student council, something new that North-Grand has implemented this year.

• Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen? Participate and get involved in the programs and clubs available at your school. Being part of the girl’s volleyball and basketball teams helped me get to know more people and build connections with them. Sports was a way I could build leadership skills as well as learn how to advocate for myself.

Anthony: “I am proud of all of the focus that I was able to put into the classroom and every assignment. I gave it my all.”

Anthony’s success in athletics is rivaled only by his success in the classroom. Not only did this student play multiple sports and work as a barber after school, he also earned a full scholarship to college and graduated in the top 10 of his class. Anthony’s hard work and dedication leaves no doubt that he will succeed in his next chapter at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign!

• What is your favorite thing about North-Grand? The community in the school feels like family. I was fortunate enough to meet and build strong relationships with all of my classmates, teammates, teachers, counselors, and coaches.

• What is something you have accomplished during high school that you're proud of? I’m proud that I was able to finish high school as a top ten student out of my whole class.

Tarriana: “I know one thing: I am ready for this new life and I can't wait to continue learning and making mistakes. At the end of the day, we are all just humans who want to make their mark on this world.”

Tarriana is a student who excelled both academically and as the varsity softball team captain, showing determination and maturity while juggling many responsibilities! During high school, Tarriana discovered a passion for the environment and providing clean water for all. She also cherishes the friendships she made along the way. As she heads to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the fall, Tarriana can’t wait to see what’s next.

• What is your favorite subject? I love science because it lets you dive beneath the surface of everything, like figuring out why certain materials burn or why you have genes from your great-grandparents instead of your parents. I would get excited when learning something new, because each time it would be completely different. Learning the WWWWH (When, What, Where, Why, and How) concepts helped me take these classes to a different level.

• Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen? Go to class and learn something, because it actually pays off. It might be boring, but in one of those classes you're gonna find what interests you, and that can help you figure out what you want to do in your future. Also, explore everything: opportunities, friendships, sport teams, clubs, and internships. Just do something new and put yourself in different situations. High school is not forever, so make the best of it.

Stephanie: “Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. That can mean taking harder classes or learning a new sport; just put yourself in a space where you can grow.”

Stephanie is known as a dedicated, involved, and resilient student. Throughout her time in high school, she dove headfirst into many activities, from sports to volunteering to leadership opportunities. We know she will take the same grit, perseverance, and enthusiasm along with her to the next stop on her journey: the University of Illinois Chicago!

• What is one thing you're looking forward to in the year ahead? I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. College is a different educational experience, so having to adjust to that will be difficult, but I know I will overcome whatever comes my way.

• What is something you have accomplished during high school that you're proud of? The girls basketball team won the conference this year! I am honored to have been part of the hard work that made us champs.

Delcy: “My dream career is to study finance. Since I was little, I have always liked numbers and solving problems, and I enjoy analyzing situations and finding solutions. In addition, it motivates me to show that women are also very intelligent and capable of achieving important goals in any professional field.”

Delcy is a student who radiates positivity. Always willing to offer a helping hand, she makes an impact in every room she enters. Motivated and driven, Delcy demonstrated impressive growth throughout school, and there is no doubt that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. In the fall, she is headed to the City Colleges of Chicago to study business!

• What is something you have accomplished during high school that you're proud of? I’m most proud of having improved and learned a lot in English. For me, arriving in this country without knowing anything about the language was not easy. At North-Grand, I found a lot of support that helped me communicate and become a better student.

• Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen? With dedication and effort, you can achieve very important things for your future. North-Grand offers many opportunities for people who really want to take advantage of them. Therefore, I would recommend that you always make an effort, that you are not afraid to ask for help when you do not understand something, and that you stay focused and informed. In this way, you will be able to grow academically and open up to more opportunities to achieve your goals.

Jamalis: “I am proud to say I obtained my associate’s degree in science before graduating. Although this pathway was challenging, it taught me how to manage my time, prepare for college, and appreciate the little things in life.”

A stellar student, Jamalis made her legacy as someone who goes above and beyond both inside and outside of the classroom. Known for her strength and work ethic, Jamalis is graduating third in her class and one of three students to earn an associate’s degree while still in high school. For her next chapter, Jamalis is headed to Northern Illinois University as a proud first-generation college student!

• How have you changed and grown over the course of high school? When I first started high school, I was very timid. I kept to myself whenever possible, only joined one sport/extracurricular, and didn’t participate in any school-sanctioned events. Throughout high school, I made new friends, started joining more extracurriculars, pursued advanced classes, and participated in more school events. I have changed from this invisible person to an athlete with amazing teammates and coaches, a student who earned their associate’s degree before graduating high school, and most importantly, someone who is surrounded by friends that are so supportive and caring. I am now someone who, while still anxious talking to new people, isn’t as afraid to try something new, branch out, and apply myself to my full potential.

• Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen? My advice for incoming freshmen is to branch out. I know this is said a lot, but socialization is a good and crucial part of high school. Finding just 2–3 people who you can be close with and reach out to whenever you need can make the difference. During your freshman year, you’ll feel alone, overwhelmed, and probably scared for your future. The best thing to do is step back, breathe, and take the steps to broadening your social circles. This can look like joining extracurriculars, participating in school events, and making small talk with others. Obviously, no one knows what the future holds, that’s for you to decide. In order to shape your future into something you are happy with, you have to take the steps to get there; and having a support system full of people who love you and support you is extremely helpful.

John: “High school goes by fast. Don't spend the first two years waiting to grow up, and don't spend the last two years wishing you could go back and fix your mistakes. Take advantage of every opportunity given to you and keep your grades up.”

Over the course of high school, John has truly blossomed into a leader. In his role on the North-Grand robotics team, John thrived in a high-stakes environment that required him to balance technical execution with team management with a gift for fostering collaboration that brought the team all the way to the state championship! A dedicated and talented student, John is headed for either Malcolm X College or Northeastern Illinois University in the fall.

• What is your dream career? I am considering several options, including becoming a professional chef or a barber. Most importantly, I am seeking a career that is fulfilling.

• What is your favorite thing to do at school? Robotics. I just love building and coding the robots, taking them to competitions, and hanging out with my teachers and friends.

Congratulations, CPS Class of 2026! We are so proud of you!