McHenry East High School Dean of Students Jennifer Lawrence gives senior Hope Schmidt (right) a hug Wednesday before taking a seat during the commencement ceremony at McHenry East High School. (Daniel J)
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McHENRY – Even though school colors are black and orange, there was one other predominant color at the McHenry High School East Campus graduation: purple.
As 210 students graduated from East campus Wednesday, they paid tribute to one of their classmates who wasn’t there by wearing purple ribbons, the favorite color of Alex Baer.
In July 2010, before the class’ junior year, Baer, 17, died after a skitching accident.
A lot of graduates incorporated something purple on their caps to honor Baer as well, such as purple hearts or purple “12s.”
“He was such an influential kid,” graduate Cortney Kincaid said. “Everybody knew him, whether they were his best friend or just saw him in the hallway. … He was really nice, positive [and] outgoing. … It was such a tragedy when he [died].”
“I know he’s here tonight to share this special moment with all of us,” Kincaid said during the commencement ceremony.
Principal Lynn Schnelker said this year’s class was closely knit.
“While this could be attributed to many things, I think that the loss of two classmates may be at the root,” Schnelker said.
From 2004 to 2006, class of 2012 members watched their classmate Tyler Duncan battle and eventually die of cancer.
“As 12-year-olds they were facing their mortality,” Schnelker said.
The students however, took time to look to their lives after high school.
“Tomorrow will start a whole new life for us,” said Brittany Mierzwa, the class president. “Now this is our time to set our own goals.”
The class will have members attending college in the fall at North Central College, Carroll University, Northern Michigan University and DePaul, Illinois State University, Southern Illinois, and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, among other schools.
Haley Benson was selected to speak for the class.
“Wherever we may be, or whatever we may be doing, we will always have a part of McHenry in our hearts,” Benson said.
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