New VHHS Grad Reflects on 'the Sounds of Success'

The ring of the minute bell. “Good morning, Dr. Cwick!” The roar of the crowd. GREEN THIRTEEN! Go Cougars! These are the sounds of Vernon Hills High School. These are the sounds that make our graduating class unique, and unforgettable. These sounds have shaped us into the people we are, and into the extraordinary people we have yet to become.

The minute bell goes off. The sound causes an immediate quickening of pace in the hallway. Some run, but others maintain the dignity in a speed walk. I, however, feel no compulsion towards such dignity: I am a sprinter. Nonetheless, eight times a day we have shown the world our sense of urgency as we hurry off to class. We have shown our sense of urgency to succeed.

“Good morning, Doctor Cwick!” Each day as we walk through the hallways, we are frequently greeted with the sound of a friendly hello from our energetic and kind principal, so we reply with an equally friendly, “Good morning, Dr. Cwick!” This interaction reminds us every day that we are part of an excellent school guided by a strong leader who cares genuinely about us all. It signifies the strength of our administration, faculty, directors, coaches, and staff. During our time at Vernon Hills, we have all grown from the riveting lectures, the rigorous term papers, and final exams that reflect the depth of our studies and increase in our knowledge… if you studied, that is. If you have not studied for a Vernon Hills High School final exam, the entire test appears to be written in Japanese. Yes, I am talking to you, semester 1 Physics final. Our faculty has taught us; tested us; and shaped us into a class that helped place Vernon Hills High School in the top 2% of all high schools in the nation. (beat) A high school that I’m pretty sure beat our sister school Libertyville this year… Oh right, we did. We know success; it sounds good.

The “roar of the crowd” has been constant sound and part of our lives as we have both led and supported each other throughout our high school careers. From amazing state runs in bowling, golf, cheerleading, poms, and basketball to the accomplishments academic bowl, WYSE, and math team to repeated super state wind ensemble titles, awe-striking musicals and plays, and a nationally acclaimed orchestra and choir, we are a class that never stopped working to be better and cheering on each other’s successes. Our successes constantly remind us of the value of hard work. No competition is won without hours of dedication, commitment, drive and teamwork. I will never, in my life, forget standing in front of one of these roaring crowds after we took down Montini – a team then top-25 in the nation, ranked #1 in the state of Illinois. But, even more incredible than that win was the fact that you were there cheering us on through every play. You never sat down, and we did it because of you.

“Green Thirteen” Need I say more? From the moment we entered these half-locked, half-unlocked front doors, we set a new standard for school spirit. Our freshman year, we shocked the building with a victory in color wars. The following year, although we could not capture the title once more, (giving the bathrooms a green makeover may have been a bit too much) we lost with gusto — showing up the next day representing a class we were proud of, embodying Green Thirteen, by wearing our green underneath our cougar gear. When it was announced we had lost, we cheered and yelled and showed our color as if we had won. Last year, we were “purple with a purpose”, changing from yellow to purple in order to display our unique pride of class… well, not only pride of class, but in-depth understanding that not that many people can rock yellow as hard as they can rock purple. This year, all was right with the world again as we reigned victorious in tie dye. We are energetic, spirited, and unified. Our spirit shows that we care deeply about Vernon Hills High School – because it is truly worth caring about.

“Go Cougars!” Each time we chant “Go Cougars,” we speak in a volume that overcomes mere successes. We are part of the legacy - of what it means to be a cougar as part of the 2013 graduating class. We have a sense of urgency to achieve great things: we have already achieved so much. We have set a new, higher standard. This school is a better place than when we first walked the halls four years ago because we made it better. As we move onto the next chapter of our lives, we must remember who we are and how we can use our unique talents to make an impact on a broader world. We are excellent individuals embarking on extraordinary paths. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.” Class of 2013, our best sounds pretty darn good.

In ten years at our reunion, I know I will hear nothing but stories of triumph when times were rough, energy towards causes that matter, and work that is making a difference. Continue to approach your challenges moving forward as we have approached them as a class: head on, with confidence and fearlessness. We are energetic, hard-working, spirited leaders and team players. We are people worth cheering for. We know what success feels like it and we certainly know what it sounds like. 

The minute bell to the next chapter of our lives is ringing. Let’s Go Cougars!