Morton grads encouraged to dream big and explore the world

Families were spread across the lawn in front of the Pavilion at Wolf Lake Memorial Park, most with their own seating, to witness Morton High School’s Class of 2025 earn their degrees.

Nearly 300 graduates walked across the stage during the commencement ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

Keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, an alum of Morton, commended the graduates for having grit, strength and courage.

“You are blessed in two ways. You are brilliant and have achieved academic excellence, and you also have the street smarts that others may not have,” Mrvan told the students. “When you walk into a room you will know with confidence that you belong.”

Acting School City of Hammond Superintendent Anthony Salinas encouraged the graduating seniors to dream big and explore new cities and new careers. He also said they should remember to call their parents, check in with their mentors and come back to inspire the next generation of Governors.

“As you leave these halls and this school, remember this, you are smarter than you think, you are braver than you seem and you are stronger than you feel,” Salinas said.

Similarly, class valedictorian Kevin Soriano said he hoped his fellow classmates wouldn’t just aim to survive the future but to find what makes them live.

“The last thing you want to do is age without purpose, to live blindly and end up regretting not doing more,” said Soriano. “In each of you, there is that potential to do so much more than just something, and so I encourage you to aim for the stars, take that unknown road, because sometimes the best views come from a detour.”

Nathan Aguilera, who will be enlisting in the U.S. Marines after high school, said he’s looking back to the friends he’s made and the good relationships with teachers he had over the past four years.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a completion, but it’s a step in the future for me,” said Aguilera. “My life has just begun and I’m excited to see where I go.”

Meanwhile, Toria Washington graduated a year after moving from Michigan and transferring to Morton.

“It was hard at first and then I kind of got outta my shell,” she said. “One of my teachers introduced me to join the Yearbook Club and BSU (Black Student Union), and yeah it was a big adjustment but honestly it was for the better.”

Washington will be studying nursing this fall at Purdue University Northwest.